Sunday, January 31, 2016

Let's eat, drink and put an end to prostate cancer!

I am so pleased to say that donated items have been coming in like wildfire from local businesses for silent auction and raffle items at this year's fundraiser on April 28! While my relentless prodding has proved very fruitful, I can't begin to explain how grateful I am to those who have not hesitated to help out the cause!

Keep an eye on this blog post for all of the food and drink establishments that will be represented!!  I'll also be spotlighting other businesses in upcoming posts that are non-food and drink related.


Ornery Beer Company and Public House

For those of you who are local Prince William County residents, you'll remember Hard Times Café in Woodbridge. The owner of Hard Times decided to get with the times and open Ornery just over a year ago. What a wonderful change! Ornery brews its own beer and serves elevated brew pub food - from beer bang shrimp, to flatbreads, to salads, burgers and entrees. It's quickly become one of my favorite new local go-to places! Thank you to Manager Brigitte for her gracious donation to help out Denny's Shotgun Riders!



Nandos Peri-Peri


I am so excited that Nandos will be represented again at this year's event. Nandos has quickly become one of my family's favorite local places. The chicken is absolutely delicious, the garlic bread is the best I've ever had and the sauces are fabulous! Many thanks to Allie for supporting us again this year!! If you haven't been to Nandos, what are you waiting for? Take the whole family - it's inexpensive, good food and Stonebridge's best kept secret. There's one in Old Town Alexandria and National Harbor too!


Otium Cellars

Otium means leisure, peace and tranquility. Who doesn't appreciate such a place and such a feeling? Throw in excellent German-inspired wine in Purcellville and you've got it made. I'm happy to say that Tarah at Otium jumped at the chance to be a part of the fundraiser again this year!
  
Chateau O'Brien at Northpoint Vineyard and Winery

Many thanks to Howard O'Brien for his gracious donation for this year's event. Located in Markham (Fauquier County), Chateau O'Brien is an experience that every wine lover should enjoy. Howard has outdone himself again with his donation by offering a certificate for an exclusive private cellar tasting and tour for four along with a box of delicious Irish chocolates.
  
Bistro l'hermitage

I couldn't be happier to have this exquisite French Bistro located between Woodbridge and Occoquan represented at my fundraiser this year!! Merci, Youssef!! I am still in awe of your contribution for this hidden gem!

Old Bust Head Brewery

With the theme, "New Brew, Old Soul", this right-over-the-Prince-William-County-line-in-Fauquier brewery is new to the fundraiser and I am honored to represent them. The winner of this item will receive a private tour and tasting at Old Bust Head for a few of your friends!! You'll definitely want to take advantage of that offer! No matter what kind of beer you favor, you're guaranteed to find something you love at this environmentally sustainable company.
Vint Hill Craft Winery
Across the parking lot from Old Bust Head is a unique winery located in ‘The Listening Post’ (aka Monitoring Station #1) on one of the nation’s most covert Army bases!! Lucky for us, both of these entities have donated items for the fundraiser!!

Confections Cupcakery
www.confectionsonline.com


Many thanks to Laura, the owner/baker of this delightful little shop, for donating to the fundraiser again this year! Unfortunately, she lost her father to prostate cancer a few years ago and didn't hesitate to be part of helping to find a cure with us again.  Confections is my guilty pleasure when I've had a really rough week at work. I am famous for getting a 4-pack and making it last an entire week - teaches me patience and will power! From Triple Chocolate (my absolute fave) to Red Velvet to Orange Creamsicle to Maple Bacon, Confections has something for everyone! This was one of the most sought after gift certificates at last year's event! I know it will be again!! Get your money ready to buy some raffle tickets - you won't want to miss out on this one!
Dixie Bones BBQ
Do you long for smoky, tender, preservative-free real pit BBQ? Well, then you better try Dixie Bones! Cooked over hickory logs for 12-14 hours means there's no excess fat and you can have delicious food at decent prices!! At Dixie Bones you can take out or dine in and there are two locations - Woodbridge and Fredericksburg! While I love pulled pork, my absolute favorite here is the beef brisket with a side of potato salad.  Makes my mouth water just thinking about it!! Many thanks to Nelson, the Chairman of Dixie Bones, who lost his brother to prostate cancer!
Tin Cannon Brewing Company
This nano brewery located in Gainesville, is an ode to the past and a nod to humor! A newer brewery but one that has simple but delicious beer is one that I definitely enjoy frequenting. Many thanks to Sabrina for all her help with donating to the fundraiser this year!
Adroit Theory Brewing Company
http://www.adroit-theory.com/
A nano brewery located in Purcellville, Adroit makes beer one keg at a time and usually has 24 beers on tap at all times! The beers have an emphasis on barrel aging. Don't let Adroit's dark side scare you. The beer here is absolutely incredible! Concerned at first, it didn't take me long to be a huge fan of this brewery and "The Devil Made Me" is my absolute favorite!

Blue Valley Vineyard and Winery
http://bluevalleyvineyardandwinery.com/

The Zissios family, originating from the picturesque mountains of the Macedonia, Greece, own one of the newest Fauquier County wineries and what a sight to see! These friends of Arthur Lampros (the owner of my happy place) have built an absolutely stunning winery and everyone is sure to find something they enjoy on the tasting sheet! This is definitely a stop on the Delaplane wine trail you will want to check out.

Potomac Point Vineyard
http://www.potomacpointwinery.com/
Along with the wine tasting at this Stafford winery is an olive oil tasting and a wonderful gift shop. The landscape and tasting room is beautiful and the cellar and grounds are perfect for weddings and special events. No matter what vintage it is, I always seem to love the Chardonnay! The Norton is also a definite favorite in the red wine category.  Potomac Point is dog-friendly and the resident aussie shepherd, Chianti, will happily greet you. Spring and Fall are perfect times to visit and enjoy the rooftop terrace or courtyard while dining on delicious snacks from their on-site bistro! Many thanks to Cindi for her gracious donation in support of Denny's Shotgun Riders again this year!
Adventure Brewing Company
Adventure, in Stafford, is by far, one of my absolute favorite local breweries! I've been there a few times and during my most recent visit I had the pleasure of meeting one of the brewers/owners, Tim, who was a super cool dude! I love when you meet someone and can tell they love what they do. His face lit up as he was talking about his latest beer concoction!


Mason Dixon Café
About two years ago, my favorite guy and I found out about this incredible little Old Town Fredericksburg café which happens to be right across from our tattoo shop and next to Carl's Frozen Custard! We will take any excuse to drive 40 minutes south just to eat at Mason-Dixon! I truly believe it's this area's best kept secret!

Bittersweet Bakery and Catering

Jeffrey, the catering manager, and I go "way back" - to the days when I was suffering as a City of Alexandria employee. There aren't many things that I miss from working at City Hall but talking to Jeffrey daily and working with him on planning City Council meals sure is one of them. I'm fortunate to say that he and I have remained friends and he's supporting us in our fight against prostate cancer!
Occoquan Inn Restaurant
A huge thank you goes to the proprietor of this Occoquan restaurant, Gary, for being a part of this fundraiser.  Gary was diagnosed with prostate cancer three years ago but is doing well now. Amazing how things happen in life and who you come across, isn't it?

Catoctin Creek Distilling Company
]ttp://catoctincreekdistilling.com/
In 2009, Scott and his wife, Becky, founded Catoctin Creek Distilling Company as the first legal distillery in Loudoun County since before Prohibition. Scott donated a bottle of Roundstone Rye (my favorite!) at last year’s event and it was an instant hit. I still remember the bidding war! Many thanks to Scott for helping us out once again!





Stay tuned for more restaurants, breweries, distilleries and wineries!! Start saving your money for raffle tickets and silent auction bids now!! I'm in awe of the gracious establishments who haven't hesitated to help out the cause!












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