Feral Fall Gals Weekend in DC
If there’s one thing I love more than 90’s Marykate and Ashley movies, it’s my best gal pal LJ. She lives down in Washington DC and runs the government world down there. I haven’t visited in a while, truly since we were doing bar crawls in our early twenties, probably passing out somewhere in Georgetown or on the Capitol steps. This time around, we’re grown adults, but I can’t promise I won’t indulge in some seasonal cocktails because after all, it is Halloweekend my peeps.
I flew down on a Thursday and LJ picked me up from DCA. We drove about an hour and half to the outskirts of Virginia to this stunning winery called Bluemont Vineyards. Set upon a gorgeous little hillside, the views were unmatched. Especially this time of year when the leaves are changing. The wine was decent and I’m not just saying that because I recently got back from a 2 week vacation in actual wine country (Tuscany). They had yum snacks like a bussin’ buff chick dip and hummus. I will say though- the bugs at this winery had a vendetta out for us. They were landing all over us and it just was not the vibe.
We then left when the bugs were truly unbearable and stopped at Bugati Winery, which had a more enclosed/bar feel but the wine was excellent, and our sommelier was a precious gem of a man named Jim. He did a fabulous job walking us through our flights and spit some neat wine facts at us. Bonus- halloween candy was on the bar and I did indulge.
Friday night we had 2 reservations in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. First up was a haunted ghost tour put on by Old Town Colonial Tours. Our tour guide’s name was Oliver and he really put his all into this role. He was a great storyteller and very convincing, I must say. We learned the backstory of some old haunted houses and old wive’s tales of a burning bride in a window. After our tour left us in a spooky graveyard, we made our way to dinner reservations at Vermilon. This is where Barack would take Miss Michelle on dates, so we had to check it out. A gorgeous little establishment inside a brick, two story building. Felt quaint, romantic and dare I say, presidential. LJ and I shared a few plates; scallops (to die for), street corn, an $8 buttered roll, duck and the short rib. Delicious and definitely would recommend!
Saturday we had reservations for the Ladies High Tea at the St. Regis Hotel in downtown DC. We put on our tea party best, dressed to the 9’s and hit the hotel. Walking in, I felt like we just onboarded the Titanic. Let me make this very clear, the experience was glorious & we felt like queens. The rich kind. Because the menu was literally set at $90 per person for some tea, 3 finger sandwiches, and a couple mini desserts. Shockingly, we weren’t starving at the end. I think that personally makes us ~skinny~ which is certainly a peak. After rolling out of the Regis, we walked down to this bar called Off The Record. It was close to the White House and this is supposedly a hush hush basement bar that politicians will drink their Good Old Boy Bourbons “off the record”. LJ and I had a few strong martinis and conversed with an 80 year old woman visiting from Texas strictly there to see the Panda exhibit at the DC zoo. She was complaining about all of the ugly, bald men at the bar. It was in that moment that I knew for a fact that she was me in a past life, reincarnated.
Saturday night, after our 5 hour martini nap, we took our old lady asses out on the town for some Halloweekend festivities. Someone had to sport their new crop sweater from Shein, and it was going to be me. We went to Dirty Habit with some of LJ’s friend for a costume party. Personally, I think LJ should’ve won because she was quite literally inside of a Barbie box. I think the girl dressed as the exorcist won, which left me completely rattled.
Sunday, we got brunch at Peacock Cafe and walked around Georgetown, one of my favorite little cities. Great restaurants and shops with charming little brick homes sandwiched between. Since we are not okay in the head, a location we had on our must-see list was the exorcism steps. Yes, you know the scene. Pretty anticlimactic but alas, it had to be done.
