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The Richmond Inn, 10314 East St., 815/678-2505, www.TheRichmondInn.com. Rates: $99-$175 per night.
Antiques on Broadway, U.S. Rte. 12 (Main Street) and Broadway, Richmond, 815/678-7951. Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 12-5 p.m.
Sunshine & Shadow Quilt Shoppe, 5608 Broadway, 815/678-2603. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 12-5 p.m.
Main Street Cafe, 10331 Main St., 815/678-4425. Mon.-Fri. 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.,
Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
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There is so much to do and enjoy at
The Richmond Inn bed and breakfast that it's easy to get overwhelmed by the choices. From the spa services to outstanding cooking classes – not to mention the antiques shopping, hiking and horseback riding just minutes away – you might forget that you came here to relax and do nothing.
"Pretty much everything we do for you can be customized. You can have as much or as little interaction with us as you like," says owner Randi Del Gatto, who together with her husband David opened The Richmond Inn – the only bed and breakfast in Richmond, Illinois – in 2001. Although it's located just 50 miles north of Chicago, once you arrive at this peaceful, five-acre estate, you'll be in no rush to get back to the hectic urban pace.
Start with an in-room massage. Massage guru Dawn Engelbrecht will use her Reiki-trained hands to melt deep muscle tension through a combination of aromatherapy and Swedish massage (a must for even the most seasoned massage aficionados). Or take a rubdown in the spa room, where a host of other pampering services such as facials, herbal wraps and salt glows are available (prices start at $45). The inn was voted as having the "Best Spa Services for 2003" by Arrington's Bed and Breakfast Journal.
The other big draw is the inn's cooking classes. Conducted by David Del Gatto, a 25-year restaurant veteran who has served as an executive chef at some of Chicago's most respected restaurants, the classes are a combination of custom and pre-set demonstrations and informative tastings where guests learn everything from basic knife skills to the intricacies of working with and tasting chocolate. Traditional English high teas are also offered throughout the year. "I can sit down with guests and find out what they're interested in learning about cooking, and then we can take it from there," says David.
Another don't-miss is the inn's lavish complimentary breakfast, which is reason alone to make the trip. "Nobody does breakfast like David," Randi declares. Though David admits to deciding what to cook "about five minutes before I cook it," each course shines with flavor and creativity. All his breakfasts are three-course affairs – a fruit course, a sweet course and a main entree. On a recent morning visit, breakfast consisted of an artfully carved pineapple with raspberries accompanied by a succulent terrine of apples, pears and caramelized bananas, followed by David's decadent version of strawberry shortcake with scones, mascarpone and zabaglione. The final course was what he calls a "Bavarian Potato Pancake Napoleon," with portobello mushrooms and cream. "This dish is what they call an 11-movement plate," says David, who trained at Paris' prestigious La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine. "It would never be served in a restaurant because it has too many elaborate steps." But at The Richmond Inn, it's a labor of love. Although 95 percent of his dishes are vegetarian, he will accommodate all dietary restrictions, including Atkins dieters. "The big rule I learned in the restaurant business is to exceed expectations," he explains. "I like to serve traditional things in nontraditional ways."
But breakfast isn't the only opportunity to enjoy the chef's fine cuisine. Upon request, guests can also feast on a five-course meal, either in their rooms or in the formal dining room. After an initial consultation, David will craft a custom menu prepared with the freshest ingredients. Culinary enthusiasts are welcome to observe in the kitchen or assist with the meal's preparation. As an alternative, guests can choose from a monthly rotating menu. As if this weren't enough, the inn recently opened up Joy, a gourmet restaurant open to the public Friday and Saturday nights with reserved limited seating and a five-course menu (prix fixe, $75 per person).
There is ample opportunity to work off the calories you'll enjoy consuming at The Richmond Inn. A two-minute walk leads you to the many shops and cafes along the main drag in the historic town of Richmond, famed for its antiques and specialty shops. Be sure to explore Antiques on Broadway (Broadway and Main streets), the Sunshine & Shadow Quilt Shoppe (5608 Broadway) and the Main Street Cafe (10331 Main St.). Breathtaking backdrops for biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding and other outdoor activities await farther afield at several conservation areas such as Glacial Park and the Chain O-Lakes State Park, while the resort town of Lake Geneva is located just eight miles away. Or, if you prefer to stay closer to home, The Richmond Inn sits on five acres of wooded and landscaped property, complete with a tree-lined walking trail leading to a gentle creek. You can relax in the gazebo-sheltered Jacuzzi out back or take a nap in a hammock.
In fact, guests needn't leave The Richmond Inn or do much of anything to have a good time. Restored to its original Victorian grandeur in 1996, this stately home is elegantly appointed with dramatic accents, a hand-carved staircase, several fireplaces and antique furnishings. "When we first bought the Inn, I didn't stop shopping for three months," says Randi, who has filled the house with items she found at flea markets, antiques stores and even on eBay. Her flair for detail makes going through each room a magical discovery. Delighting the eye at every turn are little surprises such as an antique phonograph and a glass-enclosed hutch with a collection of tchotchkes that include original kewpie dolls. The guest rooms combine an equal balance of both the cozy and the romantic, including charming sloping ceilings, dormered sitting areas, a sleigh bed and comfortable glider rockers. The Heaney Suite is by far the grandest, featuring a king-size bed, chaise lounge, wood-burning fireplace, terrace and a large bathroom with a whirlpool tub for two, separate shower and double sinks. The inn also stocks an ample selection of books, games, DVDs and CDs.
"We've been to more than 40 B&Bs and have done our research, so we hope we're providing a memorable experience," says Randi. Adds David, "What's great is that the people who go to B&Bs are the nicest people you'll meet. I've never once had to use the skills I had to develop from working in restaurants of winning over difficult customers, so it's just a pleasure through and through."