by Anna Beth Adcock | Jan 31, 2023 | Do, February 2023
Where to sip, sup and shop outside Raleigh this month
The Muse Coffee Co.
GARNER
Meet your new coffee muse! Virginia is for lovers—no doubt true re: this meet-cute between a couple and an available Lynchburg locale they stumbled upon, jumped on and never looked back. The concept brewed up all kinds of fans and percolated into a community staple that has now made its way to Wake County. With a mission of selling great coffee and providing a platform for Christian missionaries, the biz offers a variety of coffee drinks to appease every taste bud—from its Ethiopian blend with notes of blueberry to its mocha java blend with an earthy taste. Pro tip: Try the fan-fave “Christmas in a cup” available all year long (!). themusecoffee.co
McWade’s Inn
CLAYTON
Swap the long international flight to Ireland for a short drive to this charming Irish-inspired inn. Nestled in the heart of Downtown Clayton, the restored Victorian-style hotel now boasts six bedrooms, a cozy parlor and common area, a game room, and a serene wraparound porch complete with calming wind chimes to sit and while the day away. And with its prime location, plenty of proximal shopping, dining and entertainment opps await. Oh, this is so inn. mcwadesinn.com
Strike & Barrel
WAKE FOREST
On pins and needles for a fun new hangout spot? This newly refurbished space promises “24,000 square feet of fun,” complete with bowling, bocce, snookball, cornhole and shuffleboard, plus classic/modern arcade games to boot. After you work up an appetite with all that gaming, nosh on new chef-driven menu items (think myriad small plates, flatbreads, sandwiches, tacos, burgers and more) and craft cocktails. So if you’re ready to “party now, adult later,” in essence, this is the adult playground of your dreams. Game on! strikeandbarrel.com
Rocks + Acid Wine Shop
CHAPEL HILL
Here to rock your (wine) world is award-winning wine sommelier Paula de Pano (aka grape-gifted wine educator and one of the South’s leading wine professionals), whose new highly anticipated solo vino venture recently opened in Chapel Hill. And housing some 350 to 500 labels hailing from Argentina to Germany focused on ethically and sustainably responsible producers, this is no vin ordinaire. Case in point, de Pano also offers weekly wine education classes for all levels—including her signature Champagne & Caviar class. Time to get fizzical. rocksandacidwineshop.com
The Waiting Room
DURHAM
Luck favors the patient, and those who grab a seat at this newly opened “waiting room” will be treated to delish craft cocktails and small plates worth the wait. From industry professionals Nick Singh and Buddy Maynard, this innovative sip and sup spot emphasizes pairing food with drinks, instead of the norm of pairing drinks with food. Find over 100 different liquors to whet your palate and a cocktail menu chock-full of seasonal, signature and classic drinks, complemented by a small but mighty small plates menu dishing the likes of charcuterie, caviar deviled eggs and bourbon salted caramel macarons. Hence, with a location amid the action of downtown Durham—and ever so aptly named—the wait is over for the perf place to chill before noshing at one of the Bull City’s delish dining spots. facebook.com/thewaitingroomdurham
by Anna Beth Adcock | Jan 31, 2023 | February 2023, Stuff
Raleigh-bred country music queen takes to the stage in the Country Music Capital.
“Life’s about to get good.” … So croons country music icon Shania Twain—and the same rings true for Raleigh native Kaylin Roberson as she bolsters her country career in Music City.
The 23-year-old singer/songwriter got her start in the City of Oaks when she was only 15, singing at local spots such as DTR’s Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen and 42nd St. Oyster Bar while submitting her songs to local stations like 94.7 QDR. “My experience in Raleigh was one I’ll never forget,” reflects Roberson. “It shaped who I am today, and it gave me the drive to move to Nashville.”
In November, the rising star appeared in a limited-run of musical revue She Believed She Could in Nashville—and is now primed to take the stage for the revue’s return in March (!). Starring a cast of six female artists from the acclaimed Song Suffragettes collective, the sensational show pays tribute to country music’s leading ladies—from Dolly Parton to Maren Morris—while integrating the performers’ own original music… aka the perfect collab of the classics and up-and-coming artists.
“I want to be able to change people’s lives through music—and I know that’s a big, broad goal,” says Roberson. “But if I can do that and also be able to pay my rent, then I’m doing well—that’s success for me.” Here, we go behind the scenes on our homegrown up-and-coming star. kaylinroberson.com
HOME HOODNear South Saunders Street
RALEIGH REC The Pit
RELATIONSHIP STATUS Taken by a boyfriend
BINGEWORTHY Yellowstone
ALMA MATER East Carolina University
COUNTRY MUSIC ICON Shania Twain
DREAM COLLAB
Sam Hunt
PREPPING FOR A SHOW Lots of jumping around, deep breathing and a little self-prayer
CLOSET ESSENTIALS Tall cowgirl boots, sparkly denim and a rock ’n’ roll T-shirt (think Johnny Cash or Guns N’ Roses)
NASHVILLE NOSH SPOT Mexican restaurant Cinco de Mayo
PERSONAL STYLE Concrete cowgirl. I like to mix Western pieces with modern fashion.
BEST ADVICE Be nice to everyone on your way
up because you might have to pass them on the way down.
NEW + NEXT You might hear a song or two I wrote that will be sung by a bigger artist, and I’m also hoping to release four new singles next year.
by Anna Beth Adcock | Jan 31, 2023 | Eat, February 2023
In need of a cool update? PBS star + chef Vivian Howard’s Viv’s Fridge—essentially a smart refrigerator offering prepared meals (think everything from apps to entrees to desserts to edible gifts)— landed three new Raleigh outposts (!) outside of Wine Authorities, Taylor’s Wine Shop and in North Hills near Vita Vite.
“We found that the relationship between a wine shop and Viv’s Fridge is symbiotic,” says Howard. “We wanted to expand to new locations. In the Triangle, Wine Authorities is a wine shop I go to when I’m in town. … It seemed like a great fit.”
In addition to first-launched locations in Kinston, Bald Head Island, Emerald Isle in 2022—and another new spot in New Bern—this 24/7 to-go meal hub is now solving meal sitches for hangry people all around NC. And that’s the fridgin’ best. vivsfridge.com
by Anna Beth Adcock | Jan 31, 2023 | Buzz, February 2023
The REAL ID deadline for domestic flyers was delayed… again.
Great news for procrastinators! In case you missed it, the deadline to get your REAL ID—aka a driver’s license or ID card that also acts as a federally accepted form of identification—has been extended once again. Originally intended to be enforced starting spring 2023 (after being delayed about 15 years already), the requirement has been pushed back another two years to May 7, 2025. But, once we hit that deadline, it’s pretty much mando. While you will still be able to do some things without it (see below), jet-setters aged 18 and older will need that little star on their licenses (or another acceptable form of ID like a passport) for any in-country air travel—or to enter secure government buildings.
The extension, according to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas in a press statement following the announcement, “will give states needed time to ensure their residents can obtain a Real ID-compliant license or identification card.” While the deadline may seem distant, we rec you get your REAL ID sooner rather than later. Here’s what you need to know in order to do so.
COST: $21.50: There is no added fee; it’s the same price as a standard driver’s license or ID card. If you get a REAL ID within six months of expiration, the cost equals that of a renewal. And if you get a REAL ID outside of the renewal period, the price equals a duplicate ($14).
WHERE: Visit your local DMV (appointments recommended).
BRING: You’ll need a few documents: One document (with full name) proving identity and date of birth; one document confirming Social Security number; two documents (with current physical address) proving NC residency; and one or more documents verifying any name change, if applicable.
WHAT YOU NEED IT FOR: Flying domestically; visiting nuclear sites, military bases, federal courthouses, federal prisons or other federal facilities
WHAT YOU DON’T NEED IT FOR: Driving, voting, applying for federal benefits (e.g. Social Security), entering a federal facility that does not require an ID (e.g. a post office), entering a hospital, participating in law enforcement proceedings or investigations (e.g. serving on a federal jury, testifying in federal court, etc.)
by Anna Beth Adcock | Jan 31, 2023 | Do, February 2023
For your Valentine’s Day movie binge, how about a play on the classics.
ISO a fun, flirtatious film to fawn over during the season of love? Here, we curated a handful of movies with a bit of a, ahem, dramatic backstory. Think A-list flicks based on (or riffing on) Shakespearean tragedies, Jane Austen novels, and other historical or theatrical pieces you might remember from back in high school or college (totally would’ve beat the CliffsNotes). Who knew? So whether you’ve seen them a hundred times or you’re watching for the first time, don your comfiest sweats, grab the popcorn and press play on these “Easy A” classic rom-coms. Because what better way to spend V Day?! As Shakespeare (probably) would’ve said, “If movies be the food of love, play on…
She’s the Man →Twelfth Night, Shakespeare
10 Things I Hate About You → The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare
The Lion King → Hamlet, Shakespeare
West Side Story → Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare
Clueless → Emma, Jane Austen
Easy A → The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne
Bridget Jones Diary → Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
