Reaching Bae-Goals

Reaching Bae-Goals

For a National Bagel Day that’s a hole in one, hit up one of these local bagel spots.

Nothing beats a morning bagel (or lunch or dinner bagel for that matter—we don’t discriminate). And while Raleigh might not be on par with NYC’s bagel standards (yet), we’ve still got some pretty bangin’ bagel spots we love a hole lot. Use National Bagel Day Jan. 15 as an excuse to visit one of these local faves. 

Benchwarmers Bagels

You can’t go wrong with any of the loaded bagels on offer at this Transfer Co. Food Hall gem, thanks to its perfected bagel creation method—think heirloom grains, an extensive fermentation process and a wood-fired oven—that rivals NYC (don’t come for us, New Yorkers!). NTM the sweet and savory spreads and sandwich fillings that are, well, everything.

Cup A Joe

If you’re all about the classics, look no further than Cup A Joe. This iconic OG coffee shop offers traditional bagels with your choice of topping (cream cheese, peanut butter, honey, etc.) or as a sandwich (bacon, egg and cheese, please!). And nothing pairs better than a cup of joe. It’s all about the simple pleasures!

NY Bagel & Deli

Find choices galore at this casual eatery touting New York-style (natch) deli sammies and bagels (we’re talking 25 varieties!). From sit ’n savors to discerning dashers, breakfast eaters of all types will find the perfect combo to satisfy their cravings—the only hard part will be choosing which one to order. … Decisions, decisions!

The Morning Times

Have you heard the news? Delicious mornings start with a housemade bagel with your choice of a slew of spreads or eggs and cheese at this DTR daytime cafe, which serves all-day breakfast. So even if your “mornings” start at 2pm, they’ve gotcha covered. 

Big Dom’s Bagel Shop

Big bagel energy, found. This Cary nosh spot offers up bagels “rolled by hand and ruled by love,” and the sizable handrolled delights found here taste as good as they look. While this shop serves up the classic smear/sandwich delights you know and love, you’re not gonna wanna sleep on the signature B’donut, a sugary combination of bagel and doughnut. Take warning: You’ll be left with powdered sugar everywhere (worth it though). 

Wish You Were Beer

Wish You Were Beer

It’s hard to be an eternal hoptimist in the winter—but these local winter warmers will help you fight the chill.

Wish you were sippin’ something on a sunny beach right about now? Same. We know, we know, it’s hard to be hoppy while it’s so bleak and blustery outside—but rest assured these seasonal beers from local breweries will sate your post-holiday blues. Time to get hoppy!

Crank Arm Brewing’s Icycle

Toasty vibes? Check. Malty taste? Check. Warming spices? Double check (hey, cardamom and ginger!). With all those tempting tasting notes, Crank Arm’s Icycle brown ale is anything but chilly… and it’s sure to have you craving a snuggle by a cracklin’ flame as you sip. @crankarmbrew

Trophy Brewing’s Heavyweight Champ

Get ready to rumble… Trophy’s popular imperial stout is back in celebration of its Maywood location’s 7thseventh birthday—and this special rum barrel-aged version really oughta pack a punch (!). Packed with heavy—er, rich—flavors like toasted caramel, tropical vanilla and milk chocolate (with a 14% ABV to boot!), it’s for sure tap-able. @trophybrewing

Wye Hill’s Little Lantern

“Shine bright like a diamond.” … Or like Wye Hill’s Little Lantern Belgian-style tripel. An “ode to NC’s winter wonderlands,” this beer is flavored with local persimmons (a native NC fruit!) and spicebush berries. Dreamin’ of a (white) winter wonderland, anyone? @wyehill

Brewery Bhavana’s Rift No. 3 

Wash down those dinnertime dumplings with an order of Brewery Bhavana’s Rift No. 3 imperial stout which boasts an 11% ABV and fun, fruity and decadent flavors. Who doesn’t love a cherry and cocoa combo? @brewerybhavana

Burial Beer Co.’s Serenade of Chaos + Houtenhamer

Pick your potion! With an array of ops that’ll give you all the warm and fuzzies, Burial Beer boasts an array of brews perf for winter. From the Serenade of Chaos—made with brown ale and notes of cocoa, peanut butter, cinnamon and vanilla bean—to its Houtenhamer, a double barrel-aged imperial stout in bourbon barrels, Burial stays raising the bar (and questioning what those beer names actually mean). @burialdtr

New Shop to Watch

New Shop to Watch

Shop luxe men’s jewelry looks at Bailey’s new high-end watch shop. 

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend… but Bailey’s just-opened men’s jewelry store might be shifting the narrative. Enter Fox & Bailey, a new luxe watch shop situated inside Bailey’s Fine Jewelry in the Village District showcasing watches, men’s jewelry and other unique gifts for gents. 

Fox & Bailey is the creative vision of Trey Bailey and his wife Marci, who have continued the family business legacy of “Mama” Bailey into its third generation. An ode to the Bailey history, the shop’s name stems from a previous partnership between Bailey’s and Fox Jewelers back in the 1950s. 

Fox and Bailey

At the shop, find high-end men’s and unisex watches (think Rolex, TAG Heuer, Cartier, Patek Phillipe, Omega, Breitling and more), designer men’s jewelry, rare vintage records, hats and even electric bikes, resulting in “an experience, unlike any other anywhere in the country,” says Bailey.

To boot, the men’s boutique offers up a rustic, vintage feel with old finishes; repurposed wood flooring; a custom record player spinning tunes throughout the day—and is even outfitted with a bourbon bar in the back (because who doesn’t want to sip a cocktail while they shop?!). “It gives the feeling of a speakeasy inside the store,” says Bailey’s marketing director Kelly Crisp. “It’s not hidden, but it’s kind of a behind-the-secret-door type of thing.”

And with the addition of this new space, Bailey’s Village District location now touts the title as the largest jewelry store in NC (!) at 13,000 square feet. Certainly, this elegant store is one to watch.

Waking up Funny

Waking up Funny

The “Packman” David Koechner is bringing the funnies to Goodnights pop-up this weekend. 

Who has two thumbs and is a comedy legend?! None other than David Koechner (of The Office, Anchorman, SNL and The Goldbergs fame—NTM 120 other movies and TV shows)! Now, the actor, writer, producer and comedian extraordinaire is bringing his hilarity to Goodnights pop-up in the Village District Dec. 1–3—and each performance is sure to be a whammy (IYKYK).

Everyone’s fave traveling salesman (aka Todd Packer) will also be hosting a trivia event on Saturday—looking at you The Office superfans—with behind-the-scenes stories and tidbits from the show (frankly, we want to know if he and Steve Carell are BFFs in real life too). Raleigh Magazine got the exclusive chance to chat (and share a laugh!) with Koechner ahead of his shows, and we can attest that he’s no doubt gonna make you howl with laughter. Here’s what he had to say…

The City of Oaks is excited to have you! When’s the last time you visited Raleigh? 

I’ve been to Raleigh several times. It’s been a couple years since I’ve been. … I’m excited to check up and see how Raleigh is doing, ya know? I love performing all over the country, and so I’m privileged when people show up and we all get to have a fun time. Plus, there’s a couple people in Raleigh who’ve reached out who I haven’t seen in years, so I’m looking forward to seeing them too. 

What sort of sillies can people expect at your shows? 

Fireworks?! It’s a comedy show—it’s all planned, but there’s room for improvisation in every show. I would say that no two shows are 100% alike; there is always something fresh and new in each one. And I’ll check into Raleigh happenings and see what’s going on and throw that into my set if there’s something funny that strikes me. 

And how do you prep for your performances?

I wake up in the morning… and that’s it. 

Give us a sneak on The Office trivia show? 

It’s a matinee show on Saturday. I come out as Todd Packer and do a bunch of lines from The Office. It’s a trivia show, but I also tell stories from the show and stories from my career, how I came to be on The Office, and my relationships with Steve Carell and Kate Flannery since I’ve known those guys since the ’80s. 

Catch us up on your current projects. 

I continue to recur on The Goldbergs, and I just finished shooting an independent project.  It’s a really intense drama, which is gonna be fantastic. It’ll come out next year. I also just completed filming for Half Baked 2, which was a riot. And I’m almost done touring for the year. … I’ll have these Raleigh shows and one more stop in Kansas City. 

You’ve been in the biz for a while now–any characters/projects stick out to you? 

I love working, so every one is a favorite—and it’s also up to fans if they have a favorite. There are so many that I’ve been very fortunate to have played. Obviously the big ones are fun, but there’s a little movie called Cheap Thrills, and—write this down—this is not for children. It’s a dark twisted thriller with comedic undertones, but it’s a great little movie. Also, it is Christmastime now, so we all must watch Krampus. I love Krampus—I’d never heard about that legend until I did the movie, and I love that more and more people discover it every year. 

Humor me here… do you have a favorite kind of comedy? 

The funny kind. There’s subtle comedy, there’s broad comedy, there’s relationship comedy, silly comedy, gag comedy… and you get better every time you do it. It’s muscle memory; it’s mental gymnastics; it’s timing; it’s everything—and it’ll never be perfect. I don’t think there’s such a thing as a perfect set. I do stand-up; I do improv; I do plays, movies, TV shows, voiceovers and cartoons—I do all kinds of stuff. I’m blessed that I get to have this career.

*Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Retail Fix

Retail Fix

Start the new year off right with a new ’fit, spa treatment and more via these local picks.

After revolving locations, you can now find consignment boutique Revolver in a new spot next to the original DTR Char-Grill Downtown. Just keep your eyes peeled for the waving mannequin seated outside the shop—and stop in for some sweet secondhand designer goods. 610 Hillsborough St., Ste. 101

For a one-stop shopping experience, head to MODE, a designer consignment boutique (we’re talking high-end brands like Kate Spade, Coach, Louis Vuitton and more!) that recently moved to a new location in the Village District. 510 Daniels St.

How’s this for joyful news? Joy Worthy Co. officially opened its first storefront (!), offering regular classes and events in partnership with local businesses and creators. And, well, joy is guaranteed. 131 S. Wilmington St.

*Cue tiny violin.* Renowned violin dealer, maker and restoration shop Montgomery Violins—founded by veteran instrument maker and restorer John Montgomery—made a move from Hillsborough Street to Morson Street in Oakwood. … And that’s music to our ears! 410 Morson St.

Spread #GirlPower in style via The Women’s Social Club’s new online store feat. cozy apparel, tumblers and stickers emblazoned with empowering messages like “Votes for Women” and “Women Supporting Women.” doveandoliveraleigh.com

Spa, la la! Woodhouse Day Spa made its debut at North Hills in November—and with its indulgent spa services (think massages, facials, waxing and body treatments), the new spot is sure to have you feeling perfectly pampered. 4204 Six Forks Road, Ste. 102