About
History of our Name
The Dogue Native Americans were an Algonquian tribe that occupied villages along the Occoquan and Potomac River area during the early 1600s. This particular tribe thrived by hunting, fishing, planting beans, squash, tobacco and corn. We pop fresh popcorn for our guests to pay homage to the Dogue Indians. In the 1650s, the Occoquan river watershed was being settled by English colonists and the Dogue tribe began assimilating into other Algonquian tribes in the surrounding areas, primarily the Tauxenent tribe. Upon their first encounters, the English incorrectly translated the tribal name of “Tauxenent” first to Taux, then to Toags, Doeggs, Doegs then finally to Dogue. By 1681, the entire Dogue tribe mysteriously disappeared from the Occoquan area; however their legacy remains with us to this day. The word ‘Occoquan’ is derived from an Algonquian word in their dialect which translates to mean “at the end of the water.” Similarly, Dogue Creek was officially named after the Indian Tribe, in 1862, and is located in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Blu is the Italian spelling for the word ‘blue’. It is believed that the first European to set foot on Chesapeake Bay land, in 1524, was an Italian explorer named, Giovanni da Verrazano. Our name, Blu 1681, pays respect to the past occupants of this historic area, the Dogue Native Americans, while also honoring the Italian explorers that first came to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
-- Michelle Bloxton, Restaurateur
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Reviews of BLU 1681 Waterfront Inspired Cuisine
The ceremony was done on the covered deck area with the portable heaters on so guests would be comfortable! The cocktail hour was at the inside bar area and we had both, passed and stationed appetizers that were out of this world such as hot crab artichoke dip, sweet potato bacon spoons, and seared ahi tuna! The formal dinner was a seated dinner done in a peacock theme!! We were in the two private back rooms where we also had a dj, dancing and our cake! It was awesome, plenty of room for our 120 guests! The dinner included salad, appetizers, filet and also various "sides" such as crabcakes and scallops, served family style! It was out if this world!
We loved Blu because of the very spacious rooms and placements of all the areas where you can really do a lot at this venue for your wedding, and it is all waterfront! It definitely would be a great choice for the spring summer and fall months but can also be a very intimate wedding if it is in the winter-Michelle and Manuel are able to accomodate and work with the weather!
Please go check Blu out with the various covered and uncovered options you really won't be disappointed!! Owners have been in the catering business for over 25 years and you could tell by our experience!
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BLU 1681 Waterfront Inspired Cuisine frequently asked questions
- Buffet
- Cake Cutting
- Cocktail Reception
- Hors d'oeuvres
- Plated
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- African
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- Asian
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- Gluten Free
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- Open Bar
- Champagne Toast
- Signature Drink