Trummer’s Restaurant
“Trummer’s changing menu and attentive staff are reminiscent of ‘old-money’ fine dining at a reasonable price.”
“The customer is king.” The number of times that I’ve heard that phrase in the restaurant business has slowly diminished in the last 20 years or so, while the prevalence of that sentiment in my own field of study - medicine - seems to have increased dramatically with the advent of patient’s easy access to their hospital records. However, there are still a few restaurants I’ve been to that still stay true to that age-old adage in a way that feels genuine and not as part of the fancy-schmancy routine. Those of note would be Uchi, a sushi joint in Houston, TX, and the second is Trummer’s, an American bistro in Clifton, VA.
The latter was a place recommended to me by a cousin known for being an afficionado for the finer things in life. On my first visit, it was a full family outing dressed in our business casual to fit in with the establishment’s dress code. Trummer’s is a gorgeous colonial home converted into a restaurant and bar, with large enough additions to host whole wedding receptions and enough natural light in its main dining room to make it seem as though you might be dining in a renovated chapel or even a greenhouse. Its handsome wooden interior gives off the impression of warmth despite there being a functional fireplace on different floors of the house. In order to access most of its dining area though, be prepared to climb some stairs, because the kitchen and bar take up the first floor (with the exception of a few private tables).
Trummer’s has a set menu that changes every so often, but the menu is so expansive that it provides plenty of choice to those who have either allergies or strong preferences against certain foods. In my case, I ordered a wild mushroom risotto and a seared filet of cod. Everything was immaculately prepared. The seasonings were perfectly balanced. The mushroom and risotto were cooked for just enough time to have an enticing scent but maintain its natural textures. The seared filet lacked any kind of fishy aroma and its reduction sauce was something divine. One thing I lack mentioning in most of my other reviews is dish presentation, since most of the time those restaurants aren’t focusing on that. Trummer’s on the other hand, takes its presentations to a whole other level - including vibrant and contrasting colors and plating that complements each course and allowing it to shine. If plating was its own score, Trummer’s would get an easy 10/10. For dessert, I ordered an assorted fruit sorbet and blueberry crumble rhubarb with vanilla ice cream to share for dessert, both delectable in their own right - the warm blueberry rhubarb with its hints of cinnamon and brown sugar pair amazingly with the scoop of vanilla. In total, this all cost me about $85, which I considered both in the moment and now as my stomach rumbles from nostalgia, money well spent. Throughout this entire experience, our server, the hostess, and even the mixology staff were all so friendly and helpful in making us feel right at home. It was an incredible experience!
All told, Trummer’s is 200% worth a visit. The attentive hospitality of their staff, the delectable courses, and unique history of the small town of Clifton (pop. 282) makes a trip out here feel like a perfect oasis getaway without even having to leave Fairfax County. You can easily make a day trip excursion out of this charming little strip along with its other restaurants and dessert shops.
Fun fact: Victoria and Stefan Trummer became the first New York restauranteurs to open a dining destination in Clifton. Located on Main Street in a historic town born out of the Civil War, Trummer’s is the creation of the husband and wife team, combining “small town charm with fabulous food and attentive service generally found in big food cities.” The restaurant also boasts the largest wine cellar in the Mid-Atlantic.
Food Quality: 9.6/10
Meal Value: 8.7/10
Dining Experience: 10.0/10
Overall: 9.43/10
