ANNOUNCER: And now, Get Out of Town, a WETA original series.

♪ LAUREN: We're on the road again.

♪♪ LAURITA: Yes we are.

LAUREN: So come along.

LAURITA: Look what we have!

LAUREN: There are horses!

(gunshot).

LAURITA: Isn't this room beautiful?

(cheering).

LAURITA: I made it!

GRETCHEN: Thank you.

LAURITA: Oh!

That was so cute!

BOTH: Whoa, whoa.

Crank it, crank it, crank it.

LAURITA: It's never a competition, is it.

LAUREN: There you go!

(cheering).

LAURITA: Oh yes!

What's next, what's next?

Hi, I'm Laurita.

LAUREN: And I'm her daughter, Lauren.

LAURITA: We're from the DMV, and we love to travel.

LAUREN: We definitely do.

LAURITA: One of the best things about living in the DC area are the many places you can visit that are just a few hours away.

LAUREN: So many options, and now we get to check them out together.

LAURITA: So join us for some very cool places to stay... LAUREN: Great food.

LAURITA: And nonstop fun.

BOTH: As we Get Out of Town!

LAUREN: Okay, we're off to Middleburg.

You know, it's only like an hour and some change drive.

It's actually called that because it's in the middle of Alexandria and Winchester.

LAURITA: Oh that's cool.

LAUREN: The Middleburg.

(chuckles) LAURITA: You're going to love this little, quaint town, and when you see it, you're going to realize it is so my vibe, because there are little stores you can zip in and out of.

And the first place we're going to stay is called the Red Fox Inn.

LAUREN: Mm-hmm, I saw that the Red Fox Inn is almost like 300 years old, so I'm sure there's gonna be a lot of history that we'll see as well.

LAURITA: Oh, yeah.

LAUREN: So, do you know that Middleburg is horse country but also like winery country?

So thankfully we're gonna get the best of both worlds.

So winery today, then we're going to the Spring Races tomorrow.

LAURITA: So it's a little historic and a lot of wine, and... LAUREN: A lot of horses.

LAURITA: A lot of horses.

So look, I'm driving, I need my music girl.

♪ ♪ ♪ To wrap my body tight.

♪ ♪ A lover to keep my body warm.

♪♪ ♪ I need a woman to wrap my body tight.

♪♪ LAURITA: Welcome to Middleburg, Virginia and of course, the sign has a horse on it.

BRIDGE: People always ask me what makes Middleburg so great?

It is a place where you experience the true sense of community.

It's got a deep, rich history.

We've got great shops, we've got great restaurants, a lot of activities going on all the time.

But what really makes it special is the closeness that we all have for one another and for everybody who comes here to town.

The town was founded in 1787 by a Revolutionary War colonel named Leven Powell.

500 acres.

The town really hasn't grown much since then, but it's one in which everybody who lived here supported the greater farming and later the equestrian community.

Very wealthy robber barons from Saratoga who were doing all the hunting and the equestrian and the racing, they started buying farms, started raising horses.

Hunting became a really big thing, importing English fox hunting and that really very quickly integrated to being an end-to-end piece of the community.

And so what do we have today?

I mean, we have breeders, horse racing, businesses who are focused on nothing but supporting the equestrian arts.

It really has become a fundamental piece of who we are.

And if you look at our town seal today, what does it have on it?

It's a fox.

I think we're the only place that features fox hunting at its main parade.

♪ ♪ LAUREN: The Red Fox Inn!

LAURITA: Yep, that's the building.

We're here!

And look at the two little jockeys outside.

LAUREN: So cute, right in the middle of downtown.

LAURITA: This says it's the oldest original inn, established in 1728.

LAUREN: That's like 300 years old.

LAURITA: Hello jockey men.

(camera shutter).

DEB: Hello, ladies.

Welcome.

Have you been to Middleburg before?

LAURITA: I've been once, but Lauren hasn't been.

LAUREN: It's my first time here.

DEB: It's a great place to be.

Ladies, here is your packet of information.

A lot of our buildings are related to foxes, but you'll be staying in our Stray Fox building this weekend.

LAURITA: Well, I'm excited about that and I love that everything is fox-related here.

BOTH: Thank you.

DEB: You're very welcome.

MATILDA: So the Red Fox Inn and Tavern was established in 1728.

We are the oldest continuously operating inn in the nation, and we pride ourself in showing our guests the authentic hunt country experience.

Before Middleburg was Middleburg, this was the trade route from Alexandria to Winchester.

So the Red Fox is where the horse and carriages would stop to spend the night.

That is where George Washington himself would have joined us.

That would have been his place to meet and have a pint.

My family purchased the inn in 1976, where, as the first generation my grandmother tried her hand at hospitality before handing it down to my parents.

And then my husband and I have been doing it for about 16 years now.

So we are the third generation here at the Red Fox Inn and Tavern, but we are 7th generation Middleburg and really pride ourselves on preserving this part of the Virginia Piedmont.

LAURITA: This is so pretty.

Look at this.

LAUREN: I know, we're walking through our own little garden oasis.

LAURITA: In our courtyard to our room.

MATILDA: Lauren and Laurita are here with us now in our Stray Fox Building.

They are in the Belmont suite, which we do our wedding ceremonies in.

LAUREN: We have our own little bungalow.

LAURITA: I love it.

And you know this is totally my vibe.

LAUREN: It is.

Oooh.

LAURITA: Oh, this is uber-nice.

LAUREN: This is so nice, it's so spacious.

I love all the bright colors.

LAURITA: You see those framed pictures over there?

LAUREN: Mm-hmm.

LAURITA: Pictures of horses.

Because we are where?

LAUREN: In horse country!

LAURITA: Oh yeah, we are.

But I want to check out this little room.

Well, it's not a bedroom, but it is a quaint little bathroom.

LAUREN: I love it.

So this is the bathroom then that must be the bedroom.

LAURITA: Alright, let's go check that one out.

LAUREN: Oh, this room is huge.

LAURITA: Oh, it is huge.

Girl, look at the view, the view, the view.

LAUREN: I know, the view is marvelous.

LAURITA: And you know, I also like the beams because they seem to match all the furniture in the room, including the bed.

LAUREN: Oh, look more horse pictures.

Like I said, there's another bathroom.

Ah, look at the shower.

They have the rainfall shower and the regular shower head.

LAURITA: Always a good sign.

LAUREN: You know, I could be in this room in that shower all day long, relaxing.

LAURITA: Well, girl, you can't do it now 'cause we have wine to blend.

LAUREN: Okay good point.

Alright, well off to Boxwood.

LAURITA: Okay.

But I tell you what, when I come back, I'm getting in this bed.

BRIDGE: The farmlands repurpose into wineries has been really dynamic in Loudoun over the last 15 to 20 years.

Now we have five wineries, so it's really been explosive.

Loudoun and the Middleburg area are really becoming known for the wine.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ SEAN: Boxwood Estate Winery is a Premier Virginia winery.

For those traveling to Middleburg, Virginia, it's a must-see.

It's a modern facility, but it sits well in the countryside.

We're a boutique winery that specializes in Bordeaux-style blends with A Virginia expression.

My stepfather, the owner John Kent Cook, has spent many decades in Middleburg and loved Middleburg from the beginning.

Originally a horse farm, but was perfect for growing grapes and putting a vineyard in.

Laurita and Lauren are going to be experiencing the art of blending, which is one of our newest experiences.

It's a ticketed event we hold twice a year and it takes place in our cave, and the idea behind blending is to make single varietals even better.

When you put them together.

STEPHEN: What we have here right now are three varieties.

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.

What we're looking for by blending different varieties is synergy.

LAURITA: So where do we start?

STEPHEN: Well, the first thing you want to taste each individual one to see what its characters are like and what you like about it.

So we start with Merlot.

LAURITA: Okay.

I can easily taste the fruit.

SEAN: So we're trying when we blend to hit more of your palate, and finish longer.

LAURITA: Oh, I like that.

LAUREN: Yeah.

SEAN: So that is the goal when we put these together.

LAURITA: Ok, that's the full circle moment.

SEAN: That's right.

So when you first taste it, you want to burst of fruit on your tongue.

Then you want it to coat your entire palate with flavor, and then you want it to have a nice long finish, so when you put the glass down it stays with you.

STEPHEN: So we could try the Cabernet Sauvignon next, I guess let's do that.

LAURITA: Absolutely.

They use the word intense on here and you can tell that it's a little more heavy.

LAUREN: Yes, I normally have only seen beakers in like my chemistry sets or at school.

So why do we use beakers while we're doing a blend?

SEAN: So the beakers allow us to measure the wine as we create our blend.

LAUREN: So it looks like we have one more to try, should we go ahead and pour it in our glasses?

SEAN: Yes, absolutely.

STEPHEN: Cabernet Franc.

LAUREN: That one had a kick to it.

LAURITA: It did, yeah.

SEAN: A little bit of like a white pepper.

BOTH: Yes!

LAURITA: I like it.

LAUREN: I like that one too.

SEAN: So now we're gonna do our first blend.

BOTH: Okay.

SEAN: To make things simple, we're just going to blend 50 milliliters of each varietal.

LAUREN: See, good thing we do have the beakers with the numbers on it... LAURITA: Yes, so now you can kind of figure it out.

LAUREN: I don't think my eyeball would have been exact.

LAURITA: I feel like a mad scientist.

LAUREN: Right.

We're in the chemistry lab, right now.

SEAN: Well, that's funny you say that, because so much of winemaking is science.

STEPHEN: But when we get to the blending part, that's where I like to think a little art or craft comes in.

Cause then it's what we're tasting, smelling, feeling.

LAUREN: Alright, well cheers.

SEAN: Alright, well, cheers.

LAURITA: Cheers, yeah, yes.

LAUREN: Woo-hoo.

SEAN: Isn't that something?

LAUREN: Wow.

LAURITA: Totally different.

And you can feel each step in your mouth; hits you on your tongue, goes back, and then down the throat.

STEPHEN: And so, now, if you really like the Merlot or if you're intrigued by the Cabernet Franc, then that's when you think: Okay, I'm gonna play this hunch, and I'm gonna go heavier on the Merlot.

But, whichever your preference is.

LAURITA: So I've had blends before, but now I will actually use my new knowledge and look for wines, maybe a little heavy in Merlot.

LAUREN: I'm a math girl and science girly, so knowing all the background behind it has definitely made this a more enjoyable experience for me.

I think I am a Cab Franc fan.

LAURITA: Well, I'll be happy to taste your blend then.

(laughter) Well, thank you so much 'cause I love red wine and just the knowledge that you all have shared today has opened my eyes.

SEAN: Well, you're so welcome.

Now you've got your diploma and you've graduated from the art of blending.

BOTH: I love it.

LAURITA: Well, cheers again, thank you so much.

STEPHEN: Cheers to you all.

SEAN: Cheers.

STEPHEN: Thank you all.

SEAN: Cheers.

The great joy is creating this product from the Earth, sharing it with others, and having them really feel like they've tasted something special.

LAURITA: Stephen is making my blend.

That's Lauren's bottle being corked.

(camera shutter).

♪ ♪ LAUREN: Good morning.

LAURITA: Good morning.

LAUREN: We are currently heading into the park where our Spring Races are happening.

LAURITA: Woohoo.

♪ ♪ ANNIE: We are at the incredible Glenwood Park.

You're under the century Old Oaks, where you can actually see every single fence on the course.

And so from a spectator's perspective, it doesn't get any better because you don't miss any of the action.

So if you've heard of racing, you probably think of flat racing, which is the Kentucky Derby.

The Middleburg Spring Races, this is actually steeplechase racing, which it started in the 1700s in Ireland.

They would race from point to point or steeple to steeple, and that's how they knew where to go and they would basically jump anything in between.

Daniel Sands started the races here in 1911 because he was the master of the Middleburg Hunt.

It was a way to thank the farmers and the community for all of their support through the years, so I think it's really important for us to have these banner days and these events that can really stand up and showcase the equestrian side and racing as a whole.

You'll see a lot of hats and people just dressed really beautifully.

LAUREN: We have made it onto the grass.

You can see behind us the track where the horses will be running today.

LAURITA: It's so beautiful and sunny.

This is the perfect day for racing.

LAUREN: But first, we need to get ourselves some hats.

So what's the trick to finding the perfect hat?

LORRAINE: Well, sometimes you just work with the face shape, which is really important.

LAUREN: Well, you ready to go check some hats out?

LAURITA: I'm ready, you ready?

LORRAINE: I'm ready.

LAURITA: Okay, we'll follow you.

LORRAINE: Okay, come in the back door.

(laughing) LAUREN: That's cute!

LAURITA: Ohh, one and done.

LAUREN: I like this one.

LAURITA: That totally reminds me of my grandmother.

She loved a huge hat.

(screams).

So I really like this because it goes with the boots, it goes with my jacket.

LAUREN: Okay, I think I might go with this blue.

LAURITA: So let's Vogue it out, girl.

Woo!

(laughing) LAURITA: Thank you so much.

LAUREN: Thank you so much, Lorraine, you have been amazing.

LAURITA: I know, this has been a pleasure.

LORRAINE: You are great models.

BOTH: Aw, thank you.

LAURITA: Thank you.

LAUREN: One, two, three!

(camera shutter).

Got it.

ANNIE: Well, I'm so happy you all could join us in the Middleburg Spring Races.

We have nine races today.

LAURITA: Okay.

ANNIE: Over 90 horses are here to run... LAUREN: Nice.

ANNIE: $285,000 in purse money.

LAUREN: Wow.

LAURITA: Okay.

ANNIE: I know it's... LAURITA: To be a horse or the jockey or whatever, right?

(laughter) LAUREN: Awesome.

How long is the longest race that we'll see today?

ANNIE: So the longest race today will be the timber stakes, which is about three and a half miles.

LAUREN: We've seen so many pictures of horses, every little place that we've gone.

So I'm excited to see the real deal today.

ANNIE: I know, well I'm excited to show it to you guys.

I was born and raised in Middleburg and I just think it is the most special place on Earth because we've been racing here for over 100 years now.

BOTH: Wow.

ANNIE: And so I'm gonna walk you all down to the paddock.

We can see some real horses.

LAUREN: Woohoo!

LAURITA: Alright, let's go!

ANNIE: Alright, let's take... LAURITA: We'll follow you!

ANNIE: Alright, let's take a little walk.

LAURITA: All right.

♪ ♪ LAUREN: Oh, look at the horses.

ANNIE: I know.

And then they're gonna come right by us here.

LAURITA: Oh, sweet.

Oh, yeah, this- they're on.

Her horse is a little frisky.

ANNIE: Yeah, he is.

He's ready to go.

LAURITA: Yeah.

LAUREN: Fiesty.

ANNIE: I think we can start to make our way to the tower.

LAUREN: Alright?

Let's go.

LAURITA: Let's do it.

ANNIE: Alright.

ANNOUNCER: Beautiful Glenwood Park.

First of nine on the card today, training flat race and we'll be underway shortly.

ASA Starter.

(inaudible announcements).

ANNIE: All right, here we go and they're off!

(shouting).

LAUREN: They are zooming!

LAURITA: They are.

Wow.

LAUREN: We are in the tower watching the horse races.

They have taken off.

(inaudible announcements).

LAUREN: See them over there?

LAURITA: We're right at the finish line.

LAUREN: We're right at the finish line, right there.

ANNIE: Hello!

LAURITA: Come on, come on, come on, come on.

(cheering).

Oh yes!

ANNIE: How was your first race?

LAURITA: That was so exciting!

LAUREN: That was so fun!

LAURITA: You know, they were so close at the end.

So you couldn't tell who was gonna actually win that race.

ANNIE: I, I know someone got a nose out.

LAURITA: I love that.

I love that.

LAUREN: It was so cool to see it from up above and actually watch as they finish.

LAURITA: I was so invigorated by watching that I'm like, ahh!

ANNIE: I want to introduce you to my friend Taylor.

LAURITA: Okay!

ANNIE: And then she'll watch the next race with you while they're jumping.

LAUREN: Perfect.

LAURITA: Awesome, awesome.

ANNIE: So one of the best parts is cheering on hometown heroes.

It's really cool because we have jockeys that are local, so it's really fun because you'll hear certain cheers for certain horses because they are hometown favorites.

TAYLOR: Hi.

BOTH: Hi!

ANNIE: Lauren and Laurita, this is my friend Taylor.

LAUREN: Hi Taylor.

LAURITA: Hi Taylor, it was exciting watching.

LAUREN: It was so exciting watching you.

TAYLOR: We went quick around there, that's for sure.

I know.

LAURITA: Tell me, how long have you been riding the horses?

TAYLOR: So I've been galloping my whole life, but race-riding two years.

LAUREN: Awesome.

LAURITA: And I understand you ride outside the country.

Where else have you ridden?

TAYLOR: I do.

I've written twice in Ireland, Morocco, and then I rode a race in Abu Dhabi so.

LAURITA: Ohh.

(overlapping chatter) LAUREN: Right?

LAURITA: Yes, yes.

LAUREN: Thank you so much for talking with us during this race.

TAYLOR: Enjoy the rest of the racing.

LAURITA: Thank you.

LAUREN: Thanks.

Ready, one, two, three.

(camera shutter).

ANNIE: So you'll get to notice as we walk by, all the amazing tailgates and bringing their beautiful cars.

LAURITA: Ohh yeah that one is... ANNIE: Isn't that stunning?

I know.

Tailgating at the races is a little bit different than tailgating at a football game.

You'll see a lot of silver.

You might see some stuffed foxes.

It's just a really lovely way to bring your friends together, and sort of have an outdoor picnic, but maybe a little bit more elevated than what you would think of normally.

ALL: Hi!

LAURITA: How are you?

SHELIA: I'm so glad to have you all here.

LAURITA: So we're really excited to be here and this is the first time we've come to this race.

LAUREN: Yes.

SHEILA: And it's really showcasing the Middleburg area.

LAUREN: Absolutely.

SHEILA: And what we stand for is horses and socializing and just having a great time.

LAURITA: Yes.

LAUREN: What brought you to this area and made you think that this is a great place to start your resort?

SHEILA: Well, it's all about horses.

My daughter had been coming here from the age of really five years old to all the pony shows.

LAUREN: Oh, okay.

SHEILA: And the horse shows.

So, every time I come out here and I'm like, this is the most beautiful area I have ever seen in my life.

LAURITA: It is very beautiful.

LAUREN: Well, we want to thank you so much for being here and inviting us to this.

This is an amazing experience and I'm so excited to be at Salamander tonight.

SHEILA: I'm so glad you all could be here.

(camera shutter).

LAURITA: Awesome, thank you so much.

LAUREN: Thank you so much, it's been a pleasure.

(cheering).

(cheering).

SPECTATOR: I'll drink to that.

LAUREN: Yeah, yeah.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ LAURITA: Now you get to see why, it's just like I remember it.

It's always very majestic in here.

LAUREN: It's so pretty!

LAURITA: I know.

HOTEL STAFF: Welcome to the Salamander, Middleburg.

BOTH: Thank you.

HOTEL STAFF: We're excited to have you here.

We have your keys right here for your suite, and you'll be right down the hall.

BOTH: Thank you.

HOTEL STAFF: My pleasure.

DOUG: Salamander Middleburg is one of the most unique equestrian resorts on the entire East Coast, because of the intimacy and the subdued luxury.

We offer a world away from the city life and we created this essence of a residence.

So you arrive into not a lobby but a living room.

To the left, the spa, concierge, fitness facility.

But then to the right we have Harrimans.

It's our restaurant, our fine dining room.

The property is 340 acres, 140 of those are preserves off to the left, but we do have incredible riding trails and walking trails.

Salamander Middleburg offers 168 guest rooms.

17 of those are suites, so Lauren and Laurita are in our most spacious suite, the Grand Prix.

LAUREN: Wow, this is a nice big room.

Wow.

Oh, and I love the pictures on the wall.

You know, we've seen so many horse pictures, so I love that we're seeing these purple flowers, since that's one of my favorite colors.

LAURITA: I do know that, but you know, these were all taken by Sheila Johnson.

LAUREN: Ohh, I've been seeing some of her pictures around the hotel.

LAURITA: Yes.

But I tell you, the nod to the horses still here because those are the winning ribbons.

LAUREN: Tying it all in together.

LAURITA: You gotta do it, you gotta do it.

LAUREN: Wow, mom, we have our own private little balcony!

LAURITA: I love it.

LAUREN: All right, let's go check out the room.

LAURITA: Okay, woo.

Look at that chaise lounger 'cause you know that's my thing, right?

It's my jam.

LAUREN: Now you can sit and have a book.

Tomorrow morning.

LAURITA: I will do that.

How about checking out that bathroom?

Oh, what a grand entrance.

LAUREN: Yeah, big old bathroom.

Ooh.

LAURITA: Two sinks, you know we like that.

LAUREN: I know.

You know how I feel about a good shower-tub combo.

LAURITA: Because I'll take the tub and you'll take... LAUREN: I will gladly take that shower.

LAURITA: But I'll be watching the TV.

LAUREN: This is the type of bathroom that makes you never want to leave.

LAURITA: I know, but we're leaving.

LAUREN: Should we go head to Thaiverse?

LAURITA: I'm ready for it.

Let's go.

♪ ♪ PIA: Hi, welcome.

LAURITA: Thank you.

PIA: Right it's crispy Thai pork.

LAURITA: Yes.

PIA: And there's pork steamed dumpling.

LAURITA: Oh, yeah.

PIA: And I will bring small plates for you to share.

LAUREN: Thank you.

LAURITA: Thank you so much.

PIA: Enjoy.

LAUREN: I think I'm gonna jump into the pork first.

LAURITA: Okay.

I'm gonna do a dumpling.

LAUREN: Alrighty.

JAMES: Thaiverse is named from diverse.

And the concept was that we weren't going to be strictly Thai food.

We do have a few other dishes on the menu, but my wife Pia's recipes come from the South of Thailand.

The recipes that we use are recipes that have been passed down in my wife's family for generations, and it's authentic Thai food.

PIA: This is the drunken noodle with chicken.

LAURITA: Oh that looks amazing.

PIA: Green curry.

LAUREN: That is for me.

PIA: And we serve with steamed rice.

LAUREN: Thank you.

LAURITA: Oh wow.

PIA: And then Pad Thai shrimp is our compliment to you.

LAUREN: Oh thank you!

LAURITA: That's so sweet, thank you!

We both love Pad Thai shrimp, so this is amazing and we really thank you for that.

PIA: Thank you and enjoy.

JAMES: I think one of the things that makes Thaiverse unique is the attention to detail that my wife puts into the food.

She makes the curry paste from scratch.

Basically, food tastes really good when it has fresh ingredients.

It's simple as that and we grow a bunch of things in the garden.

LAUREN: The green curry is so creamy, it has a little bit of a kick to it at the end.

LAURITA: You know, I have never had green curry, so I do want to taste that.

LAUREN: Really?

LAURITA: Yeah.

Mmm.

LAUREN: So once we finish this delicious food, I can't wait to go head back to the Salamander, relax a little bit, see what they have to offer over there.

LAURITA: Cheers to a fabulous day in Middleburg.

JAMES: Middleburg is a charming village.

It's been very nice, the response from the community to the Thai food and we have a lot of local regular customers who come back again and again.

It just feels like home.

LAUREN: Good morning.

LAURITA: Good morning.

You know, this is my second time visiting and I tell you it did not disappoint again.

LAUREN: It did not.

LAURITA: You know, the vibe is just what you want when you want a weekend away.

LAUREN: Absolutely, yeah.

So we are going to just walk around a little bit.

We might go down to the equestrian center, see some horses, and then we're going to go head to King Street Oyster Bar, which I'm super excited about.

We've heard great reviews there too.

Go, mom!

Woo!

Yeah!

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ RICK: King Street Oyster Bar started back when I was trying to find a great place for oysters, and there were no oysters anywhere in Loudoun County.

So one of my buddies had a place in Leesburg right on Main Street.

It's called King Street.

We loved it.

That was our first one, King Street Oyster Bar.

So Middleburg came about because the town council had asked us to come check out Middleburg.

And when we looked at the building, we felt it was like the anchor of Middleburg, because it's an old bank back in 1924.

AMY: Hello, ladies.

Welcome to the King Street Oyster Bar.

Today we've got some grilled oysters for you.

The charbroiled and the Rockefeller.

LAURITA: Thank you.

AMY: But the charbroiled are definitely my favorite.

LAUREN: Ooh!

I picked right.

(laughs) LAURITA: Is it good?

LAUREN: The chargrilled oysters really are good.

LAURITA: This is good too.

I like them because of the spinach.

LAUREN: You can tell this place is very popular like, it is popping in here right now it.

LAURITA: It is.

RICK: So what we do is I buy oysters.

On the East Coast, we get them 24 hours out of water.

On the West Coast, it's 48 cause we got to fly them here.

And we have 12 different raw oysters daily.

To be able to provide that consistently is super important to me and for our guests.

For their entrees, Lauren and Laurita have the sesame-crusted tuna salad and then also the Shanghai Sea bass.

LAURITA: Oh Lauren, here it comes.

AMY: All right ladies, who got the tuna salad?

LAUREN: Right here.

LAURITA: That looks amazing.

AMY: And this is your pan-seared sea bass.

LAURITA: Beautiful.

AMY: You ladies picked very well, two of our most popular options at the moment.

Ahi tuna salad definitely blows all of our other salads out of the water, and then the sea bass is my favorite.

LAUREN: Perfect.

LAURITA: I picked right.

(laughing).

AMY: Yes you did.

LAURITA: Thank you, Amy.

AMY: You are very welcome.

LAURITA: We had a fun day today.

LAUREN: We have had a fun day.

The dressing alone.

LAURITA: Is really good?

LAUREN: Oh, my gosh.

LAURITA: I'm gonna have to taste it.

LAUREN: And the ahi tuna is like seared perfectly.

This is amazing.

I see why so many people like it.

LAURITA: Mm, this is actually delicious as well.

LAUREN: Wow.

LAURITA: 'Cause you know, sea bass is one of my favorite fish.

RICK: Providing the freshest quality seafood, having that local flavor, really teaching people and having them experiment with different things, people of Middleburg have really embraced us, and I think it's paid off.

People really see us as a neighborhood restaurant and an awesome bar at the same time.

LAURITA: I'm actually a little sad that our weekend is over, but we've got to come back.

LAUREN: Here's to you.

LAURITA: And here's to you.

LAUREN: Love you.

LAURITA: Love you more.

This was a full-fledged weekend in Middleburg.

LAUREN: I had so much fun.

Middleburg honestly has, like, exceeded my expectations.

LAURITA: Something for everyone.

LAUREN: Mm-hmm.

I really enjoyed doing that art of blending at Boxwood Wineries I've never got to kind of see the science behind all that.

LAURITA: And I also thought because we made our own blends and we're able to take a bottle of that home, that feels very personal and unique for us.

LAUREN: It does, yeah.

LAURITA: That was cool LAUREN: I agree, but I also had a really good time at the Middleburg Spring Races yesterday.

LAURITA: That probably was my highlight.

It was just so invigorating to watch the jockeys and learn about the silks and the colors and what they mean to the owners.

And then the races were awesome and another highlight was we got a chance to meet and greet in the Salamander tent and we met Sheila Johnson.

She's one of my sheroes.

Because you know she is part owner of the Mystics, and then the hockey team.

LAUREN: Right, she founded BET.

LAURITA: Oh my gosh, it that was just an honor to meet her.

LAUREN: Yeah, Middleburg, you have been a pleasure.

LAURITA: All right.

Well, you got music?

I think I know what you're gonna play.

One of your favorites.

♪ And then I saw Miss Lady.

♪ LAUREN: And I said to myself.

♪ There goes my baby.

♪ ♪ There goes my... ♪♪ LAUREN: All these bright colors make it look so bright and okay.

(laughing).

LAURITA: So you see those framed pictures, horses.

And why do we have horses in here?

LAUREN: Mom, no.

No!

LAURITA: Okay.

SEAN: You can always go back to this.

LAURITA: Well, one more sip, one more sip.

LAUREN: I'm going too.

LAURITA: And there's a assortment of... And one more time... LAUREN: I know, my stomach is growling, you ready to go to Thaiverse?

LAURITA: And I'm starving.

I'm ready.

LAUREN: You talked over me.

(laughing).

Woohoo.

(screaming).

ANNIE: Oh, no.

LAUREN: Oh my God.

ANNOUNCER: To discover more places to visit outside the Washington Metro area, visit weta.org/getoutoftown.