Maude & the Bear

We had an epic dinner at The Shack a couple years ago so we had high expectations for Maude and the Bear. (Especially after the NYT named it in the top 50 US restaurants.) The restaurant itself is in a charming house but has generic art for sale on the walls and no tablecloths on cheap looking tables. We had the $90 4 course meal. It started with lovely amuse bouche which was probably the highlight of the meal. The main course was a waygu short rib dish that was more fat than meat (yes waygu is heavily marbled). It tasted a little like a disappointing pork belly. Further it was served family style which left a lot to be desired from a presentation standpoint. Since the dinner had very little protein it did leave us a little hungry. We augmented with their bread service--$13 for a single Parker house roll. The menu changes frequently so maybe another time would be better. Service was excellent and knowledgeable.

We stayed one night at Maude and the Bear in addition to enjoying the amazing 7-course tasting menu for dinner on the evening of our stay, followed by their complimentary multi-course brunch for inn guests the next morning. Our experience was impeccable from start to finish. Ian and his wife Leslie are such lovely, down to earth people and what they're doing at Maude and the Bear is truly something special. The space is absolutely gorgeous and the accommodations were luxuriously perfect with no detail spared. It was clear that a lot of thought and creativity had gone into each amenity, just as Ian provides exceptionally creative, delicious, and complex dishes in the restaurant. We were very impressed with the quality and uniqueness of each dish we tried which highlighted fresh, local flavors that all combined perfectly for an unforgettable experience. They were also great about accommodating my food restrictions (gluten). We had such a wonderful time and will definitely be back. If you have an opportunity to stay on site in addition to enjoying a meal, we highly recommend that you do. This place is not to be missed!

Excellent restaurant, among some of the best I've eaten at. Lovingly decorated (the drinking/smoking monkeys wallpaper in the bathroom is hilarious), intimate and clean. Beautiful tableware. Waitstaff were friendly and personable and attentive. Food was delicious and lovingly crafted. The amuse bouches were fantastic, a totally different taste in every one. Several of the courses featured fresh, delicious vegetables. The final short rib course with cabbage rolls was wonderful. For cocktails there is a take on a G&T with a bit of dill clipped to edge of the glass. So good. Wine list is also excellent. Only drawbacks: The restaurant is on a very busy road and its parking lot in front of the building is tiny, and full when we went. There is ample street parking across the street but no crosswalks, so you'll have to run a gauntlet to get to your dinner. Price point is too high, but given inflation and the cost of the quality of their ingredients -- plus being in tiny Staunton -- it makes sense. Many of the items listed on the menu are add-ons for an additional charge. We did the four course dinner for two ($90 each), added a caviar on latke dish ($100), and had one cocktail and two glasses of wine. With tip it was close to $400. Then again, the Inn at Little Washington is $388 per person (not including drinks) -- but the meal there is absolutely epic.

I was part of a party of two that came for Sunday brunch. Overall, I would describe the food as an A minus, which is slightly worse than I'd like at the price, but still an excellent and out-of-the-ordinary experience. The service was wonderful; the waiters were friendly, personable, and attentive. Between the two of us, we had: First course: - Oysters (add-on) - Sweet potato donut (add-on) - Summer Squash Second course: - Grits with guinea hen and mushroom Third course: - Spanish tortilla - Burger My favorite item was the sweet potato donut, but the grits were also very, very good, and I was told the oyster was delicious. I'm not a squash person, so I can't quite rate it fairly, but the sauce and toppings were excellent. We both felt that the third course was slightly underwhelming. I enjoyed the burger, but it was slightly too salty, and not all of the flavors of the toppings came through. The fries, though, were magnificent. The review I got of the spanish tortilla was that it was good, but not great, because the taste of the roe didn't come through. As a caveat, it was topped with peppers that were too spicy for him, so he didn't eat them - the dish might have been better if enjoyed in full.

As soon as I read about Maude and the Bear, I told my husband we should celebrate our anniversary four months early - which we did, this past Friday and Saturday. The renovations to this 1920s house are meticulous. We stayed in a room named The Crow and the Pitcher. It is a gorgeous, very clean suite with every amenity imaginable: comfortable bed, stacks of fresh towels, champagne on ice, cookies...the staff is friendly and interactive, including the chef. Since his wife is a potter, her bowls and vases appear on the tables. Paintings by a local artist, many of local vistas, enhance the decor, which is modern but also warm and personal. We chose the four-course dinner. The dishes were artistically arranged using fresh local ingredients. What stood out to me was the lamb. For breakfast, overnight guests are served a three course meal. It began with fresh fruit over a base of a sour cream mixture and topped with nuggets of house-made granola. The second course was a blintz filled with a delectable ricotta mixture and topped with small bitter orange slices. The final course was a matzo/scrambled egg garnished with fresh dill and tiny white garlic flowers. I am still thinking about it! Keep your eyes pealed when finding the inn - the sign is brown and does not stand out.

Memorable 4 course tasting dinner! Everything was delicious, unique and beautifully prepared. Really felt the attention to detail and care that went into the entire meal. The whippoorwill peas were amazing as was the sunchoke dish!

I will say this place is overrated. It is fine dining and the dishes are well composed, But, i left a 7 course tasting menu hungry. It's super pricey and the portions were insanely small for what you're getting. I mean, supposedly one of mains was short ribs, i swear to god​, It was mostly sauce with maybe an ounce of meat, maybe. It was $500 with wine and not worth it at all. I say a B- wich is so disappointing when you consider the prices they are charging. I live in DC and I've way better meals for half the price

We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to celebrate my husband’s birthday at the Chef’s Table here. The food was absolutely incredible, the environment homey, and the conversation lively throughout the whole 3+ hour experience. Thank you to everyone at Maude & the Bear and we hope to be back again!

Recently read it was top 10 in NYT and we happened to be passing by for a weekend trip and was able to make a reservation several days in advance. Fix prix lunch menu and some good options. We added some extra donuts and coffee and enjoyed the small chef kitchen/restaurant style and great friendly service.

Phenom service - PHENOMMMM food and presentation. Was passing through the area on a cross country road trip - seems like you usually need a reservation but they fit me in as a solo person during the last seating (thank youuuuu) from start to finish everything exceeded expectations. Cocktails to dessert was so impressed every step of the way. If you're in the area go go go!

Maude and the Bear was such a divine experience! My husband and I decided to treat ourselves for a night out. The restaurant was super accommodating with my dietary requirements (I do not eat red meat or pork). They were able to adjust dishes which I really appreciated. Our server was attentive and made great recommendations. My husband did the wine pairing with the 7 course meal and each wine was paired beautifully. The only complaint was they forgot one of my courses and by the time I received it, it was dessert time so the order got a bit mixed up. But it didn't take away from the lovely atmosphere and the hard work the staff clearly put forth. Overall, portions are that of fine dining and come with a price tag. But the experience was wonderful.

Maude & the Bear is a new restaurant and inn in the old Montgomery Ward kit house. They offer seasonal tasting menus on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays with two seatings, in which you can choose from a 4- or a 7-course, or the Kitchen Table (in which there is only one seating per night). We went for the Kitchen Table, in which we tried: +Cahwanmushi, Hackelback Sturgeon +Silky Snapper, Turmeric, Citrus +Radish, Snap Peas, Lardo, Ramps +Carolina Shrimp Lahmacun +Asparagus, Crab, Cured Egg Yolk +Snapper Kuma, Spruce Chili Crunch +Sable, Broccolini, Delicious Sauce +Foie Gras, Brioche, Rhubarb +Pheasant Pierogi, Chanterelles, Spring Onions +American Wagyu, Burnt Onion +Smoked Caramel, Chocolate Strawberry An optional wine pairing available. There's also a bar/lounge area that has an a la carte menu in addition to the restaurant's regular tasting menu, but it's a first-come, first-serve basis. The restaurant is fresh, modern, and clean, and gives a cute intimate vibe in which is great for dates or small get-togethers. Staff were friendly. I'd be curious to see what their upcoming seasonal menu looks like. +tasting menus available +optional wine pairing +friendly service

A delightful experience from beginning to end . . . only suggestion would be to include some sound absorbing/deadening materials in the dining rooms to keep things a bit quieter. All of the staff were extremely warm, welcoming and professional without being at all stuffy. We went with the four course menu and added the cheese course. We also got an amuse bouche to start the meal and a mignardise at the end. All of the food was very good. We particularly liked the salad of farro and green chick peas and the copa with carrots and celery root puree but everything was terrific. We didn't opt for the wine parings but rather had a couple of wines by the glass. While the selection wasn't extensive, there were a number of excellent choices. We will definitely be back.

Highly creative and unique! Although very expensive it was an amazing indulgent evening of food and wine pairing. Sweet historical property with minimal parking but abundant street parking. The only downside was the noise.

This restaurant has it all. The waitress was very knowledgeable of all the servings how they were prepared and the ingredients. We split a wine pairing, and it was plenty for both of us. The food started off great and continued at a high level. No need to tell you my recommendations has the menu constantly changes. Recommend this restaurant for all special occasions.

The modern world is filled with formulas and stock recipes and warmed over mediocrity that we pass off as comfort. And it changes the expectations that we have for our lives. Honestly, this restaurant is expensive. It is not the kind of place that we at least can afford to enjoy every single week or every single month of the year. For us, I'm sure, it will always be the kind of place that we enjoy only on special occasions. But it will always be a place that is worth it. Everything there, from the first course to the last, from the creativity of the Chefs and the bartender to the sincerity of the staff was quite simply ... beautiful. Which is why Maude and the Bear stands apart. So rare in our modern, risk-averse world and so easily missed, it is an artistic experience of the highest order and one that you owe it to yourself to try. Talk to the staff, get to know them a little, and respectfully ask any question that you like. If you don't you will never know the depth of the experience that you missed but if you do, you will leave that place immeasurably richer than before you first walked through their door.

We were excited to try Ian's new restaurant for Mother's Day. Service was great. Options for the menu were varied to cater to our meat and pescatarian tastes. Every course was INCREDIBLE! They use local produce and meat from the community farmers. Individual flowers on table were touching. Decor was tasteful and charming. It's a higher end restaurant, worth the price.

On the top of my top 10 meals ever. So many tasteful and delicious things on the tasting menu. Friendly staff and very knowledgeable with everything served on the tasting menu. Such a lovely setting in a house to make it feel so cosy and inviting. A must try for anybody in the area.

Last night was one of the best restaurant meal experiences I have ever had! Incredible service and incredible food. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!