Picture this: It’s Sunday night at Grandma and Grandpa’s and the whole family is gathered around the table for some QT and delicious food. That’s what owners Helder and Rosemary Pereira bring to the table—along with authentic Portuguese cuisine paying homage to the couple’s past. Experience the culture via the likes of beef puffs, shrimp empanadas, pork and shrimp stew, and char-grilled chicken. And if you don’t already feel like family by that point, the custard tarts are sure to seal the deal. littleportugalnc.com
DSSOLVR DURHAM
Surrealism meets craft brews at this Asheville-based brewery’s artsy new outpost keeping Bull City strange with “anything but ordinary” beers—with even stranger names, from the Cold Caprese Pizza Italian pilsner and Thank You for Existing flagship Kölsch to the Emo Nightmare Fruity Pebbles GF sour. The fermented genius extends to other bevs too, including funky cocktails, hard sodas and seltzers, and Jell-O shots. Plus, laugh it up at comedy shows, belt it out during karaoke or test your trivia smarts via DSSOLVR’s eclectic events to keep things strange, indeed. dssolvr.com
Turkish Coffee Lady APEX
Bringing an authentic taste of Istanbul to NC is this woman-owned “coffee and culture house” serving traditional Turkish brews. And proving coffee is more than just a beverage, the community-focused cafe prides itself on being accessible to all—with a wide range of quality bevs and bites catering to all tastes. Think pistachio lattes, herbal teas and hot chocolate, complemented by sweet and savory pastries like baklava, semolina cookies, pogaca (a cheese-stuffed bread) and more—NTM a bazaar feat. tableware, decor and the like. Fun fact: The world’s first coffeehouse was established in Istanbul, so who better to trust with brewing your morning or afternoon pick-me-up?turkishcoffeeladync.com
Photo by Danielle Douglas, courtesy of Turkish Coffee Lady
Rose & Lee Collective DURHAM & APEX
Amplifying closets and people’s stories, this women-owned clothing, accessory and gift boutique offers a mindfully curated selection of sustainable and ethical brands. Founded with the MO to “bring feel-good style and impactful fashion to the community,” the collective puts thought and care into everything it sells. To boot, each item—whether it be chunky shades, a cute dress, a crossbody bag or a cozy fall candle—has its own meaningful background, and makes a positive impact on the environment, education, nutrition, human rights and other causes. Sustainable fashion is always in style! roseandleeco.com
Próximo CHAPEL HILL
Euro summer lives on at Brandon and Elizabeth Sharp’s new Spanish tapas restaurant—the first of its kind in Chapel Hill. The duo behind Bluebird and Hawthorne & Wood is bringing forth flavors reminiscent of Spain—no passport required. Transport yourself via shared plates such as sea scallops, charred leeks, chorizo or fan-fave patatas bravas while sipping on Spanish red in the rustic and charming yet mod interiors, designed by Elizabeth herself. Salud!proximonc.com
Y’all. Raleigh has its own Rack! So if shopping is your cardio a la Carrie Bradshaw—and you’re pumped to save a drive to Durham—you’re gonna wanna burn some cals and shop till you drop at now-open Nordstrom Rack at Triangle Town Place! @nordstromrack_triangle
Stop and smell the roses (literally!) at Boxyard RTP’s new resident 1 Blossom 2 Blossom. Create your own floral arrangement from a wide selection of local seasonal blooms, take a bouquet design class or sign up for a floral subscription. Simply iris-istible! @1blossom2bloomfloraldesign
Listen up: Village District’s new resident Rowan is officially open with an earful of hypoallergenic jewelry and piercings by licensed nurses. @heyrowan
No pain, no gain. Strong bodies and *reformed* minds are just waiting to be built at BK Pilates, opening its first studio in the Triangle early 2025 at Rockway. @bkpilatesraleigh
We’re not just stringing you along… Newly bowed yarn and gift shop Parcero Studio in DTR helps you “turn strings into things” via its vast selection of yarn, hooks, needles and more—plus creative workshops and classes (BYOB!). @parcerostudio
Feel the burn at Burn Boot Camp’s newest location in Clayton. Whether it’s arm day, leg day, or core and conditioning day, these 45-min workouts will have you hustling for that muscle! @burnbootcampclaytonnc
A cut above the rest, Salon Suites is coming to Clayton’s Glen Laurel in December, serving up a one-stop beauty destination for high-end hair, nails and esthetician services—plus professional suite rentals, natch. @salonsuitesglenlaurel
Roll out to these delish local food trucks this month.
The Fry Pan All sizzle and steak, this snack van is frying up all-day breakfast and lunch items with a Latin flare. Spice up your morning with waffles or breakfast tacos/burritos stuffed with eggs, hash browns and your choice of meat. Need an afternoon pick-me-up? Wrap up your day with asada tacos, tacos al pastor, tortas and the like—plus weekly specials. It’s giving fry-day every day (!). @the.frypan
Dampf Good BBQ There’s no risking it for this brisket—as it’s guaranteed to hit every time. Bringing the heat and the meat, the Texas Monthly-heralded Texas-style craft ’’cue joint posted up at Phillips Farms of Cary serves up all the finger-lickin’-good classics, from brisket and ribs to sandwiches to bangin’ sides like mac & cheese, coleslaw, and elote. And you can bet it’s *dampf* good. Get fired up! @dampfgoodbbq
The Naked Empanada These tasty pockets of perfection are “so full of flavor, no sauce [is] needed,” so you won’t mind going naked. To wit, owner Roy “Fuzzy” Thombs’ handcrafted morsels feat. locally sourced ingredients are labors of love. For a more savory bite, chow down on The Fuzzy (ground beef), The Triple P (chorizo, pork, ham) or The Shroom, or satisfy your sweet tooth with the Nutella and strawberry-filled op. @nakedempanada
Mike’s Vegan Grill Powered by plants and fresh flavors, Mike Roach’s veg-forward truck is grilling up vegan comfort food for all—whether you’re vegan or not. With menu items like the Lo Maximo Burger (Hawaiian bun, black beans, onions, bacon bits, jalapenos, mustard, special sauce), Chick’N Loco (basically loaded chicken tenders) and fan-fave Philly cheesesteak, you won’t even miss the meat. Plant power for the win! @mikesvegangrill
The festive sweet treat cafe decks the halls—and your taste buds—with a host of holiday indulgences, from cheesecake and cupcakes to cookies and bread pudding (vegan and gluten-free ops also abound). And, love in a mug, the Triangle’s largest hot cocoa bar feeds the soul via 100+ decadent toppings (!)—not to mention visits from the jolly ole elf himself.
“We’ve made so many sweet memories over the last two years,” says MMCPA GM Michelle Bradley. “We couldn’t be happier to offer a festive gathering place for families and friends to share in the holiday spirit.” The most wonderful time of the year, indeed! Nov. 22–Dec. 23, martinmariettacenter.com
We chat with local singer/songwriter + influential speaker Chris Hendricks.
“Be creative. Be real. Be connected. Be healed.” So goes the MO for local musician and transformational speaker Chris Hendricks, who’s been in the biz for over a decade, sharing the stage with artists such as Delta Rae, Amy Grant and Daughtry. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 4, Hendricks touts a unique perspective on leadership, success, creativity and self-worth—which he has shared with the world through music, spoken word and personal stories.
To wit, the influential creative’s belief in human potential and the gift of sound has allowed him to reach a wide audience from all walks of life, bringing love back into schools, law firms and major corporations. (Fun fact: Caniacs may also remember his song “Noise” as the Carolina Hurricanes’ 2011–12 season pregame song.) With the release of new music, podcasts, live performances and more, Hendricks’ important message of possibility and creativity continues to resonate with global audiences.
In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we caught up with the singer-songwriter ahead of the release of his seven-song EP for insight on his sound, future goals and championing of disability-inclusion awareness.
How and when did you discover your love of music?
Most would say I started singing and performing at the age of 4. If you cornered my mom on the street she would tell you that I started singing in the womb. My dad is a singer/performer and he raised me on country and bluegrass. He would perform for his friends and family right outside our house on the deck. When I was 4 or 5 I remember trying to sneak out of my bed just to listen to him sing. Right around 5 years old, I heard my dad sing a song called “Aimee” by the Pure Prairie League and I was hooked. My dad had this incredible ability to hypnotize an audience with his voice and his humor. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to capture the hearts and minds of audiences for the rest of my life. I wouldn’t start writing my own music until I was a senior in college, but the truth is I got really lucky. No matter how fast we want our dreams to take shape, they always seem to form on their own timeline.
What kind of message do you hope to send with your music?
I’m here to break glass ceilings in music and in business for people with conditions like me. Don’t get me wrong, I know I’m standing on the shoulders of giants. I’m not the first person with a disability to make an impact using music—I know there’s room for me in the industry somewhere. At the end of the day, you have to make your mark by being undeniable. I have no delusions and no one owes me anything. I’m here to earn my spot by putting my art and my songwriting first. Any message that speaks to the value of people with disabilities will fall on deaf ears if it ever overshadows the craft and creativity that helps true artists stand out in the first place.
As far as messages in my songs go, it really depends on the song. Life is a rollercoaster of emotions and I’m here to tell stories that serve those emotions. I write because it’s cathartic for me—and, if I’m lucky, the songs will connect with and heal other people too in their own way. The best thing to me about music is that you can keep it and give it away to the world at the same time.
How do you champion disability inclusion through your music?
Disability is often considered ‘the forgotten D’ in diversity, equity and inclusion. The great thing about being an artist/creative of any kind is that you can champion inclusion simply by stepping out of the shadows and being yourself. If you’re courageous enough to put your art out there, you immediately represent what’s possible. With any luck, people will see themselves in what you do, and might find the courage to do the same.
What has been your biggest achievement in the music world to date?
A few months ago I was boarding a plane to speak at a conference in Florida. While I was waiting to board the plane, one of the flight attendants came up to me and said, ‘I know who you are—you’re Chris Hendricks! I saw you perform when I was in middle school and you inspired me to follow my dreams and become an airline pilot. I just upgraded your ticket to first class!’ In that moment, I learned two things. One: I’m getting older. Two: Making an impact on one person’s life feels way bigger than any performance opportunity or music award I could ever hope for.
What are some of your future goals?
As far as what the future holds, I’m taking it one step at a time. I consider myself a recording artist first, and a professional advocate/transformational speaker second. I would like to re-release my first album properly, I’d like to finish my next seven-song EP sooner than later, and I’d like to travel and speak to companies and community leaders around the world showing them the value of persons with disabilities using music. All that would be great, but mostly I just want to be a good father to my 6-year-old daughter. I think the best thing I can do for her is show her that dreams are worth fighting for. With enough hard work, you can take care of your family and do what you love at the same time.
What can you tell us about your new music?
The new album doesn’t have a date yet, BUT many of the new songs are finished or at least 90% complete. With age comes more experience and, hopefully, more wisdom. The new seven-song EP should be a more mature and gritty musical exploration. While my first albums represented a lot of hope, I think it also came across as somewhat naive. The new music is a mix of hope and harsh reality. The mature themes are still held together by my singer-songwriter background, but they’re driven by country/blues influences built around a modern R&B/hip-hop production style.
What advice would you give to others living with cerebral palsy or another disability who want to get into music?
Anyone with a disability wanting to get into music should put their music first. It’s fine to feel empowered and driven by your condition/disability, but the message has to take a backseat. Let your talent do the talking and your message of empowerment will shine through. However, if you let your message overshadow your art, whatever you’re trying to say will fall on deaf ears. In other words, let your creativity speak for itself. Your disability (visible or not) will help you stand out. Give your music the spotlight, and the rest will take care of itself.
