Steeple Chase Weekend: Breakfast at The Old Man's

I was pleased to spend time with an old college friend and Dog Island camping veteran 'The Old Man' at the Montpelier Races. He and his date invited a few of us over for breakfast the following morning and we gratefully accepted.  

Not too far from Orange and the Races, T.O.M.'s place is obscured from the road by massive Boxwoods that nearly made a tunnel over the entrance. This is the view as you drive through the old iron gate onto the farm.

"This is LOONIE TUNES!" I laughed as I entered the house through the old servant's level that has been converted to the main entertaining level. Now it boasts a world-class kitchen. Joining the original 19th century floors and weathered brick are hand-made custom walnut cabinets and huge island topped with beautiful soapstone from Walton's Mountain (really). He has worked on his home for nearly twenty years and it's turned out fairly well, wouldn't you say?

 

Steeple Chase Weekend: "Where DID You Get Those Country Ham Biscuits?"

While the country ham came from a very fine source Calhoun's (although everybody calls Calhoun's Tom's Meat Market), the ONLY place to get bisuits on which to place succulent, salty country ham is from the time-honored establishment below. I entered through the alley entrance and took a tour. Care to join me?

The huge, beautiful porcelain gas oven is from the 1930s and was surely an old-timer back in the 1950s when families formed long lines here for Easter hot-cross buns, Sunday picnic biscuits and wedding cakes. There are only three of these in existence.

 'Steam-punk' baking!

This might look a little messy but, trust me, the very best bakers and chefs would love to have a kitchen with such a palpable air of history.