Interested in finding a restaurant that offers fresh + locally sourced ingredients while treating guests to a woodsy dining experience? We have the place that does just that.
Copperwood Tavern, located in the Village of Shirlington, welcomes guests with its refurbished barn/cabin feel while also making for an urban woodsy retreat. Once inside, guests have views of mason jar hanging lights throughout the dining room (pictured below), exposed ceilings with wooden beams stretching from wall to wall, and subtle touches of copper pipes and vintage farm pieces. In the bar area, you will find an entire wall of tree logs as well as canoes and other signature farm-like items hanging throughout. You truly feel like you just stepped into a Montana cabin.
Copperwood Tavern is the perfect spot for a winter date or special celebratory dinner. With just the right amount of cozy + kind table service, you will find yourself making this a signature weekly hangout spot. In the warmer months, guests are able to dine outside and bring their dog due to the dog-friendly patio with custom copper dog bowls. What more can you ask for in a restaurant that allows flexibility for bringing along your pet, while also dining with friends and family!?
Now onto the menu. Oh the food. Where do we begin? The dishes at Copperwood Tavern are a mix of American crossed over with comfort + western cuisine. Chef James Duke has a skill for creating hearty + delicious, flavorful meals. We started off with two flutes of Champagne paired with Copperwood’s signature mini cornbread muffins along with their Virginia Clam Chowder (pictured). We have tried a lot of chowders in our lifetime, but this one sure does have a new special place in our heart because it was seriously so good. The chowder is comprised of Rappahannock clams, bacon, bliss potatoes, oyster crackers and cream. Next up on the menu was the Fried Goat Cheese + Virginia Ham, which is made up of crispy chevre with local Virginia ham and baby arugula. (Note for this particular dish, we did not have the goat cheese, but it was still super tasty!) We then ordered a glass of Angeline, Paso Robles 2014, Cabernet Sauvignon, which paired amazingly well with the Chef’s signature dish that evening-- Braised Rabbit (pictured below). The Braised Rabbit was served over carrots, pearl onions, parmesan and hand-cut wheat noodles. This was our first time trying rabbit and it is most definitely a new favorite!
We also indulged in Baked Lump Crab served with a cornmeal crusted tomato, tarragon remoulade, and dressed arugula from True Farms in Haymarket, VA. This crab cake immediately melted in our mouths after the first bite. We finished off with Copperwood’s Pan Roasted Duck Breast roasted with black mission figs, parsnip puree, and port wine reduction. Somehow it all came together to make for a tasty dish! Finally, we ended the evening with Warm Apple Pie Streusel topped with granny smith apples (pictured below), whipped cream and a delicious sauce calvados. This dessert was unreal.
Copperwood Tavern is the perfect spot to try if you have never been to the Village at Shirlington in Arlington, VA. Copperwood Tavern is located at 4021 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA. For more information on Copperwood Tavern or to make a reservation, visit their website.
*Pictures from @copperwoodtavern Instagram Account and Website