Our First Visitors
Laura’s dad was the first to visit our new apartment after move-in. After a week of classes, research, and unpacking we were excited to enjoy a nice meal out on the town together. After I got home from Grounds we made our way to Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall for our 6pm reservations at Hamilton’s at First and Main. An ample wine list, delicious menu, and warmly lit dining room makes Hamilton’s a special dining experience that we look forward to enjoying again someday. Hamilton’s even offers a vegan/vegetarian option called the Blue Plate Special, which was delicious. Afterwards, we went home to enjoy more wine before turning in.
The next morning we rejoined her dad and went back to the Downtown Mall to catch breakfast at Grit Cafe, which is perhaps our favorite breakfast spot. Robert headed home shortly after, and we started preparing for our next guests: Laura’s sister Kelly and her boyfriend Chad! Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day and we all had the day off, so Chad and Kelly came down late on Saturday night and left during the day on Monday.
On Sunday, we started our day with lunch at Citizen Burger, which has a great selection of burgers and drinks. Their bar looks like a great spot to catch a game or catch up over a drink. Afterwards, we made our way to King Family Vineyard in Crozet, which is the next town West of Charlottesville. We enjoyed a flight of their wines (from white to desert red and a few steps in between) in their tasting room, then retired to their community room to enjoy a bottle of wine with snacks. The grounds of the winery are beautiful, and the community room was cozy with a crackling fire in the fireplace. The property also houses a stable of horses and a full polo pitch, and the owners host a weekly polo match at which patrons are invited to picnic. We’re looking forward warmer weather so we can watch our first polo match!
Not ready to stop enjoying the region’s wines we went to Septenary Winery at Seven Oaks Farms, which was only a few minutes drive away. Much smaller, this winery is fairly new and located in a former home on an historic family farm. Again we enjoyed a flight of their wines including a vertical tasting of two very different years of one of their wines. The cozy tight knit atmosphere was perfect for a late day tasting with the sun setting over the mountains in the background. We closed the place down and headed back to the apartment. We ordered Indian food delivery and spent the evening talking and enjoying each others company. We tried to watch the 1988 classic, Working Girl, but Laura and I couldn’t make it through to the end without falling asleep! In the morning the four of us went to Grit Cafe for breakfast before Chad and Kelly headed home.
Our first hosting experience was a success, and we look forward to having more guests soon. My parents will be visiting in a few weeks, and then Laura’s mom and grandmother will be visiting a couple weeks after that. We hope to see you soon too!
