Five Outside: November Picks

Venture outside of Raleigh (while practicing social distancing!) this month.

Brecotea Baking Studio

CARY

Richmond-based Brecotea Baking Studio’s second location in Cary delivers a serene space for patrons to enjoy a variety of unique drinks, pastries and desserts. On the Asian-inspired drinks menu you’ll find everything from avocado cream tea to purple potato matcha milk to a standard cappuccino, while pastries, prepared daily include croissants, sweet and savory buns, danishes and more. You’ll want to spend all day in the modern cafe, bouncing back and forth between Brecotea’s tables, barstools and banquettes over breakfast, lunch and dinner. Grab a book from the bakery’s library and get cozy. brecotea.com

Wake Forest Veg Fest

WAKE FOREST
NOVEMBER 1

Whether you’re already a vegan, looking to become one or just appreciate good plant-based food, you’ll love Wake Forest’s 100 percent vegan festival which happens this year on World Vegan Day. The event will include live music throughout the day, local art vendors and vegan food and drink vendors such as Cilantro Mexican Cuisine, Deelicious Deelights, Garden of Flavor, Royal India and Kitoko Bites. Educational nonprofits like Triangle Veg Society and aPlantBasedDiet.org will be there to answer any questions about the health and environmental benefits of veganism, while professional speakers explain the science behind it. wakeforestvegfest.org

Da Kine’s Kava

DURHAM 

Husband-and-wife team Brent Waffle and Zoey Best are bringing a new form of relaxation to Durham through their recently opened kava bar, Da Kine’s. Kava is a tropical shrub that grows in the Pacific islands and provides natural stress relief while reducing anxiety and delivering physical relaxation. Da Kine’s kava is made from Polynesian kava root extract, all-natural juices and flavors, cane sugar and water and can help with sleep and sore muscles. At the bar, the kava—which includes cucumber mojito, ginger beet and hibiscus lemonade—is made into tropical non-alcoholic cocktails that reap all the same benefits for you while delivering an extra source of stress relief. dakineskava.com

Ran-Lew Dairy

SNOW CAMP

For some of the best farm-to-scoop ice cream and milk in the area, head out to Ran-Lew Dairy, a family-run dairy farm that specializes in non-homogenized, pasteurized milk. Fifth generation dairy farmer Randy Lewis uses the farm’s fresh milk to make delicious gelato every Saturday. Flavors include traditional vanilla, chocolate, buttermilk cream and pawpaw, a seasonal tropical-esque fruit native to the eastern United States that some say tastes like a cross between a mango and a banana. During the holiday season, the eggnog gelato is also in high demand. Pick up a couple pints or a cup on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. ranlewdairymilkco.webstarts.com

Dirtbag Ales Art After Dark

HOPE MILLS
NOVEMBER 19

Dirtbag Ales’ MO is “leaving behind the routines and normalcy to experience a life that is an exception to the rule,” according to its website. This applies to both the beer—which goes against the status quo and is made with unique ingredients and flavor profiles—and the art market. Art After Dark features bizarre, curious and extraordinary artists and makers, so you never know what kind of quirky pieces you might find. You might see something that’ll make the perfect Christmas gift for a friend or family member! Grab a beer or two while you browse the market; you may even run into a tarot card reader. dirtbagales.com