In 1978, O'Connell and Lynch opened the Inn at Little Washington in an abandoned gas station.

Three weeks after opening, a food critic for The Washington Star, John Rosson, visited the inn for dinner.

In April 1978, Rosson's article was printed, proclaiming O'Connell's Inn at Little Washington as "the best restaurant within 150 miles of Washington D.C."[5][6] The Inn has won the Mobil Travel Guide's Five-Star Awards for its restaurant and accommodations for 14 years.

The Zagat Survey for Washington, D.C. rated it number one in all categories for 14 consecutive years.

He is recognized as one of their "Grands Chefs" (formerly the designation was "Relais Gourmands" referring to establishments of two Michelin Star quality or better).