Submitted by Karen Thompson
Features Reporter
February 11, 2016 3:33 p.m.
Visiting the Greyfield Inn, the historic hotel 45 minutes by boat from downtown Fernandina, is a step back in time. I’ve visited there many times. Recently, a friend introduced me to a new way to experience this treasure on nearby Cumberland Island.
On a cold February night, my friends from Wisconsin and I bundled up and boarded the boat called the Lucy Ferguson and headed north for dinner at the stately, 1900-era Greyfield Inn. Leaving a beautiful sunset and a few wild horses behind, we made the short walk through the woods to the grand staircase of this colonial-style mansion, the only commercial establishment on Cumberland Island.
We were welcomed by a roaring fire in the sitting room, a tour, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Cumberland Island was the 19th century retreat of Thomas and Lucy Carnegie. They built Greyfield for their daughter, Margaret Ricketson. It was once popular with presidents and kings and was converted to an Inn in 1962 by Margaret’s daughter Lucy R. Ferguson and her family. In 1972 Cumberland Island became a protected national seashore thanks to the generosity of the family. The Inn is furnished with original heirlooms, with contemporary amenities.
Dinner is an event at the Greyfield. Men must wear jackets (There are a few loaners in the gift shop). The cuisine is award-winning, creative and fresh. The Inn has renowned chefs and full-time gardeners. The service is exceptional. This is not a place for finicky eaters. There are no meal choices. What the chef prepares is what you get unless you have food allergies and give them pre-notice.
Our candlelight dinner, served at a large family-style table, started with a salad of baby greens with shaved apple and Parmesan cheese. The main course was fresh grouper on a bed of faro (an ancient grain) with baby cauliflower and a light lemon broth. Desert was chocolate lava cakes with a lemon-tinged whip cream. For those on a romantic date, tables for two are also available for more intimate dining. Think Valentine’s Day?
Southern hospitality abounds at the Inn. Our party of five, joined six overnight guests for dinner. We became such good friends they gave us a peek at their luxurious overnight accommodations.
The Greyfield Inn, set on 200 acres of unspoiled land on Georgia’s Golden Isles, is a special occasion place. Dinner and roundtrip boat transportation is $119 plus liquor and wine which is extra. The restaurant serves non-overnight guests Sunday through Thursday based on availability. Weekends dinners are usually filled with overnight guests and groups.
To make reservations, call toll free 866-401-8581 or 904-261-6408. Email [email protected] . Or, stop by the Greyfield Inn office at 4 North 2nd Street #300 in downtown Fernandina Beach. Private parking is also available on 2nd Street.
Editor’s Note: Karen moved to Fernandina Beach five years ago after working in Chicago as a senior public relations specialist for the Midwestern regional office of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Prior to that, she was an editor, columnist and writer for a chain of Chicago newspapers , an account executive for several Chicago public relations agencies and proprietor of her own pr/marketing business. She grew up and earned her journalism degree in Wisconsin.