Dudes Dining & Destinations

🌈 FAIRIES ON FERRY

## 📌 IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE DAY

Over 10 years ago, the Saint Louis Gay Men's Social Group—now disbanded—wanted a fun group outing about an hour outside the city. They dreamed up a road trip down the Great River Road: an afternoon in Grafton, a ferry ride across the Illinois River, and a classic family-style meal at the Wittmond Hotel.
And just like that, with a wink and a nod to "Dykes on Bikes," Fairies on Ferry was born. A playful name... and an unforgettable tradition.
Today, Dudes Dining & Destinations proudly carries it on—and for many members, it's one of our most anticipated events of the year!
🚗 Your Great River Road Adventure Includes:

## 🍷 Noon – Our First Destination: The Boarding House Bistro

214 W. Main Street • Grafton, IL 62037
This year we'll kick off Fairies on Ferry at The Boarding House Bistro, where the private covered upper deck is reserved exclusively for Dudes Dining & Destinations, complete with our own bartender.
Relax with a glass of wine, bourbon, a handcrafted cocktail, a refreshing mocktail, or an ice-cold beer while enjoying the company of friends. Feeling a little hungry? Share one of their customizable charcuterie boards, warm pretzels, baked brie, flavorful dips, mixed nuts, flatbreads, or other delicious appetizers as we ease into the afternoon.
This is our very first visit to The Boarding House, and they've been incredibly accommodating in welcoming our group. Let's show our appreciation by supporting them with a drink, a few shareable appetizers, and—if they take great care of us—a generous tip.
One friendly suggestion: Think of this as the opening act! Enjoy a drink and a few bites, but save plenty of room because the legendary all-you-can-eat homestyle feast at the Wittmond Hotel is still waiting for us later that afternoon.
⛴️ 1:30–2:00 PM – Brussels Ferry
We'll board the free Brussels Ferry and glide across the Illinois River toward dinner. It's one of the highlights of the day—and a great time for photos!
🍽️ 2:30 PM-ish – Wittmond Hotel
Brussels, Illinois rolls out the homestyle hospitality with an all-you-can-eat feast featuring:
• Fried chicken, sausage & roast beef
• Mashed potatoes, gravy, dumplings, corn & green beans
• Fresh rolls and their famous homemade cinnamon rolls
💵 $23 per person — Cash or check only (no credit cards accepted).
🛣️ After Dinner, You've Got Options:
• Return on the free Brussels Ferry to Grafton.
OR
• Continue the scenic drive through beautiful Calhoun County and cross the Golden Eagle Ferry into St. Charles County ($8 one way – cash only).
🎟️ LIMITED TO 45 SPOTS!
This annual tradition always fills quickly, so reserve your spot early for a day of great friends, beautiful scenery, delicious food, and one of Dudes Dining & Destinations' most unique adventures.

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL PIZZA MONTH… SO LET’S HAVE A PIZZA PARTY!
Sunday, October 11 at 4:30 PM. Yep, 4:30. That’s what they gave us — so we’re working with it!!!!! And believe me, I’m taking it.
Vito’s Sicilian Pizzeria & Ristorante has somehow flown under our radar, but this place isn't exactly easy to get a Dudes-sized group into. Vito’s is near the Fox Theatre and serves plenty of the theater crowd, which means working around the Fox schedule. I've exchanged several emails with them over the past week just trying to find our opening. We finally got one!
And there’s another reason Vito’s caught my attention for National Pizza Month: VARIETY. You know what’s surprisingly hard to find around St. Louis? A sit-down pizza place where a group can change things up. Some places are St. Louis-style ONLY. Others are hand-tossed ONLY. Nothing wrong with either, but if we're calling this a PIZZA PARTY, I want different things hitting that table!
At Vito’s, we can go hand-tossed artisan with Margherita, Quattro Formaggi, meat-loaded Tutto Carne, spicy Diavola, Chicken Pesto, Prosciutto & Arugula and more. Then switch gears and go thick Sicilian, baked in extra virgin olive oil, with choices like Old School Sicilian, Il Vacaro and Hey Piesano.
And then there are the CALZONES — because apparently somebody looked at a perfectly good pizza and said, “You know what this needs? To be folded in half.” 😂 Pizza’s delicious little stuffed cousin is invited to the party too.
Hand-tossed. Thick Sicilian. Calzones. Different toppings. Different combinations. NOW we're having a Pizza Month party!
And an FYI for those with that famous St. Louis cheese attachment: THIS IS A PROVEL-FREE PIZZA AFFAIR. 😂 I know some of you have that St. Louis hang-up. Relax. Your 314 card will remain valid. And when you pick up that first slice and the mozzarella starts stretching...and stretching...and STRETCHING...just enjoy the show. Provel knows its strengths. Stretching isn't one of them. 😂
Pizza not calling your name? Vito’s has plenty of other Italian choices — pastas, lasagna, spaghetti & meatballs, tortellini, fettuccine Alfredo, ravioli, Chicken Parm, Italian Beef sandwiches, toasted ravioli, arancini, calamari and more.
So yes — Sunday, October 11 at 4:30. Earlier than our usual dinner? Yep. Several emails to find a way to get us in? Yep. Did Vito’s finally give us an opening? YEP — SO WE'RE TAKING IT!!!!!
Pizza brings people together. And during National Pizza Month, let's see just how much variety we can fit on one Dudes table.

🥧 PIE CURIOUS? GET YOUR KICKS & COMFORT FIX ON 66!
Guys, this one comes with a personal recommendation.
If I could take each one of ya by the hand, put you in the car and say “Just trust me…” I would. 😂
We're heading about an hour from the Poplar Street Bridge to Litchfield, Illinois, for one of those places you don't just eat at — you experience.
The Ariston Cafe is the REAL Route 66 deal. It's been around since 1924, moved to Route 66 in 1929 and into its current location in 1935. It's a Route 66 Hall of Famer and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This isn't somebody recreating Route 66 nostalgia — Ariston lived it.
And if small town makes you wonder about small-town attitude...
Not here. 🌈
Ariston knows who we are. They know D-3 is a gay & bi men's group, and they're genuinely delighted to have us.
Now let's get to the important part:

### COME HUNGRY.

This is good, GOOD comfort food — steaks, fried chicken, pork tenderloin, Italian favorites, sandwiches, soup & salad bar and plenty more. Prime rib is always a Saturday special, and who knows what else they'll be featuring that evening.
Whatever it is, I'm betting it'll be good.
And then there's dessert. 🥧🍰
Homemade. In-house. And OFF THE CHARTS.
Sometimes their fabulous strawberry shortcake makes an appearance. 🍓 I may request it for our visit.
Being a D-3 organizer comes with enormous power and responsibility. I intend to abuse both for dessert. 😂
That's all I'm saying.
So why drive an hour for dinner?
Because every once in a while, dinner should be more than picking a restaurant 15 minutes from home.
Take a ride. Hit the Mother Road. Walk into 100+ years of Route 66 history. Eat really good food. Order something homemade for dessert. Laugh with a bunch of guys and make an evening out of it.
THAT'S why “Destinations” is in our name.
If I could take each one of ya there myself, I would.
Trust me on this one.
🚗 Get in, dudes. We're taking D-3 down Route 66. 🌈🥧