First of all, before Ii get into writing how terrific our stay and everything else about Three Village Inn is, I need to set things straight. If you are looking for your Marriott, or your modern hotel, this is not the place for you. What Three Village IS, is a quaint, charming, adorable, old, totallly-full-of-character, delightful place to stay.
We stayed here this weekend for a family wedding. This was THE perfect place. The wedding was not a large wedding, nor was it small. It was a nice sized wedding and Three Village Inn handled every need and nuance perfectly. We stayed in the cottages. The cottages reminded me of old timey bungalows in upstate NY. Our room, although not huge was a good size. The bed was extremely comfortable, as was the bathroom. There was sufficient room for all our clothes and belongings. The hot water worked wonderfully. The heat in the room was strong and took the Fall chill out. Every member of our family who stayed in the cottages was extremely happy. We were happy with our rooms and we were even more happy that we were steps away from the wedding reception--which meant nobody had to drive!
Now for the reception. We went into the main building for the reception. In the front of the building is the reception area. To the right is a lovely sitting room with a working fireplace and very comfortable furnishings. There is a stairway leading to the rooms. To the left of the reception area is where we had the cocktail hour. To the front of the reception area is a huge bar and a restaurant to the back of that. OK. So we get to the cocktail hour and we had two really nice mature men who served as our bartenders. These guys had their work cut out for them because my side of the family (brides) are Irish. We put new meaning to the words "Cocktail hour" and our glasses were always filled quite happily. The food for the cocktail hour blew all of us away. This was not your usual dried out food. We had a guy serving lamb and pork roast at his station. The meat was cooked perfectly and served with two very flavorful sauces. We also had a wonderful paella, the groom's family, who is latino, raved about the paella, so I knew it really was great. Chock full of huge shrimp and sausage, it did not dissappoint. Penne in a vodka sauce was served (I had to watch my carb intake so I did not have that), and everyone had favorable reviews of it. Then there was this other pasta and sausage dish that was so decadent and rich and delicious, I went off my low-carb, promise and ended up with three servings. In the next room was more seating and a huge assortment of crudites, excellent cheeses and a variety of sausage. In addition to all this, we had servers walking around with seared tuna--of which was the best I've ever had. P.E.R.F.E.C.T. Scallops wrapped in bacon, clams casino, salmon...and oh boy, I can't even remember it all because the food was non-stop. I had to force myself to stop eating so I would have room for dinner.
After the hour, we headed into the main reception room for the par-tay!! Thank goodness my family is totally nuts and we danced for four hours. I'm not kidding. We danced all the calories off. In between we sat down to a dinner, that really blew our minds. Get this--our choices were Chateaubriand, Duck breast, Shrimp Risotto. However, the meal began with a mushroom confit sorta thingy wrapped in a puff-pastry envelope. It was great. Next was a caesar salad. It was wonderful to have a flavorful caesar salad instead of the usual wedding salad of iceberg lettuce, hot house tomato, a slice of onion and bad dressing. I had the Chateaubriand and asked for it very rare--and I received it that way. How could you NOT love a place that serves red meat the way it should be served. R.E.D.--not brown. Those who had the duck raved about it and those who had the risotto had the same to say. My fiance had to finish my meal because I was full from the cocktail hour. What a piggy I can be at times. The meat was served withe creamy mashed potatoes and perfectly done haricort vert. Dessert was a chocolate cake--so moist and covered in a whipped cream frosting that was perfect--not too sweet. We also had little cakes, pastries and such that were also wonderful. You know--most of the weddings I've been to have the usual fare--rubbery chicken breast and prime rib that is cooked to shoe-leather quality. It was a joy to go to a reception where some thought and care actually went into the menu. I shoulda knows--the head chef, Guy, is from France and he has a great side-chef and the staff is just wonderful.
The people at the reception desk are amiable, and nice and friendly and very accomodating.
After the reception most of the family was hanging out at the bar area which had live music.
All-in all, I would recommend Three Village Inn, not just for weddings and parties, but for a nice romantic weekend getaway. Port Jeff is such a quaint town and the setting is just lovely.
As James Brown would say "Get on the Good Foot"...and Three Village Inn IS on the good foot!
Thanks 3VI! You made our familes very happy this weekend!
Jarona