ArcaMax

On Dec. 4, 1783, nine days after the last British soldier left American soil, Gen. George Washington went to Fraunces Tavern in New York City. Since being constructed in 1719, that building had operated as a boarding house and bar. Washington chose the tavern's Long Room as the site to bid a final farewell to his officers from the Continental Army.

People who drop by the dining and drinking establishment today, as I did recently, can see that historic room. They might also check out an extensive collection of Colonial American, Revolutionary War and Early Republic artifacts.

In addition, they can enjoy a gourmet meal that includes a wide variety of delicious dishes. I savored a charcuterie and cheese combination that paired meats from Spain with a choice of mouth-watering aged cheeses. Steak on a Stone lived up to its name as it was served on a hot lava rock.

That dinner was among several repasts to remember that I have enjoyed recently around the country -- and the world. Food becomes part of experiencing different destinations, and the pleasures of several memorable meals I have relished remain firmly in my mind when I reminisce about places I have visited.

History also lives on at the Robert Morris Inn, a venerable waterfront retreat overlooking the Tred Avon River in Oxford, Maryland. It is named for the merchant, investor and politician who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He became known as the "Financier of the Revolution" and lived at the property. Not surprisingly, given its waterside location, the menu features seafood such as the fresh daily catch provided by local watermen and the aptly named Financier's Legendary Jumbo Crab Cake.

Water also provides the backdrop for other outstanding meals I have savored. The Hawkeye Bar and Grill, one of several dining alternatives at the Otesaga Resort in Cooperstown, New York, serves up seasonal favorites ranging from comfort food to regional specialties from its lakeside perch. Its cozy 1909 venue offers a something-for-everyone menu and outdoor veranda seating in season. Lavish Sunday brunches and Afternoon Tea with a Twist add to the tasty treats.

Lunch and dinner at another dining room were accompanied by appealing presentations about what I was to devour and drink. This occurred each day during a weeklong cruise through canals that meander through the Loire Valley region of France. I was traveling with French Country Waterways, an American-owned company that operates four luxurious passenger barges along canals in four regions of that country.

I was a passenger on a no-frills cargo barge that had been transformed into a luxurious floating hotel and gourmet restaurant. It carries 12 passengers and a very attentive crew of six along some of those historic canals, stopping each day to allow travelers to explore an inviting variety of onshore activities.

It didn't take long to experience how seriously the French take their wine, cheese and other food. Before each lunch and dinner Milly, the chef, described the epicurean cuisine that would titillate our tastebuds. Think foie gras with brioche and apple. Picture confit duck, braised red cabbage and haricot verte.

Then there's the French claim that no lunch or dinner is complete without wine. We were offered vintages representing many of the country's leading wine-growing districts, often from Grand Gru (great growth) and Premier Cru (first growth) vineyards. Each bottle was presented accompanied by a treatise about its characteristics: fruity nose, supple taste, lightness, finesse and so on.

Stories of who dined at the wooden booths in Martin's Tavern, a Washington, D.C., landmark since it opened in 1933, vie for recognition with the food. President Lyndon Johnson and Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn often shared food and discussed political tactics there. Harry and Bess Truman and their daughter, Margaret, dined in another cubicle. Nearby is Booth Three, where John F. Kennedy proposed marriage to Jacqueline Bouvier.

Given this list of famous patrons who were regulars, it's somewhat surprising to see the comfort foods section of the menu. Yet these down-to-earth alternatives -- Grandma Martin's Meatloaf, Slow-Roasted Pot Roast and my favorite, Oven Baked Turkey -- are among home-cooking-style treats that continue to keep loyal diners returning after more than 80 years.

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WHEN YOU GO

frauncestavern.com

robertmorrisinn.com

otesaga.com

fcwl.com

martinstavern.com

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Victor Block is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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