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Speak Softly & Drink A Great Cocktail

Speak Softly & Drink A Great Cocktail

by | Nov 7, 2019 | Eat, November 2019

The Prohibition years were ones of mystery, of exhilaration and, unexpectedly, the ones that brought us some of today’s most beloved classic cocktails. Jon Seelbinder, owner of Local Icon Hospitality Group, is bringing back a taste of those times with a new speakeasy called The Merchant in the former Level Up space at 126 S. Salisbury Street. The name is a nod to the long history of the building that will house the new speakeasy; built in 1920, it originally served as the offices for the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association. Seelbinder sees the space, recently renovated by Louis Cherry Architecture, as an opportunity to bring a concept that doesn’t already exist to the city. “Raleigh doesn’t have enough true, secret door, cool speakeasies,” Seelbinder says. “I love the elusiveness of a secret door that leads to something really special.” Along with a concealed entryway, The Merchant will offer classically inspired cocktails by Beverage Director Brett Michael Lysak and a chef-driven sharing plates menu from chef Ethan McClellan and chef Adrian Black, whose resumé includes a stint at Herons at The Umstead Hotel. Modern riffs on traditional speakeasy-style drinks along with unique house favorites pair well with charcuterie, burgers and strip steak in the revamped space decorated to capture the dark ambiance of the 1920s. “This is the most exciting project I’ve done in seven years,” Seelbinder says. Expect to duck into The Merchant either late this year or early next—if you can find the door, that is.

Larry Wheeler: The Art of Living Well

Larry Wheeler: The Art of Living Well

by | Nov 1, 2019 | Buzz, November 2019, Sponsored Content

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For Larry Wheeler, “no” is never an acceptable answer. “There’s always a way to a ‘yes’,” he says. As former director of the North Carolina Museum of Art, Wheeler has been able to say “yes” to a lot of things, including to the addition of the West Wing Building, to the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park and to an expansion of the museum’s permanent collection and to its contemporary photography collection. Wheeler’s accomplishments earned the NCMA a place as one of the best museums in America in 2016 according to Insider Online, and earned Wheeler the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 A.E Finley Distinguished Service Award. Wheeler says he attributes his achievements to the community and to coming into the top position at an ideal time, when Raleigh was growing dramatically and had a “real appetite for art and what the museum brought to the community.” “What I accomplished was just tapping into that energy and that spirit of the times and the resources that were available,” Wheeler says.

Wheeler recalls popping up as an odd, nontraditional candidate for the role of director back in 1994, when most museums were looking for more scholarly directors and curators with art history backgrounds. But Wheeler stood out for his fundraising and marketing experience having served as assistant director of the Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio, along with a local legislative and political knowledge he acquired while serving as deputy secretary in the NC Department of Cultural Resources. As museums were becoming more complex cultural institutions, Wheeler says he believes his skills fell in line with shifting perspectives on how museums should be run.

Wheeler’s main priority as NCMA director was to make the museum and park beneficial for all people rather than just for intellectuals and social elites. This included instilling programming that would appeal to diverse community members and making the museum a dynamic, multi-dimensional center for a broad range of arts experiences. Wheeler emphasized expanding the museum to the outdoors with park installations and hosting performing arts events in the theatre built in conjunction with the park, the first project he spearheaded upon becoming director. To Wheeler, the park was a creative and productive way to channel the changes happening in Raleigh. “I believed that, particularly with the NCMA—which was funded largely by public dollars—it was there to aggressively reach out to new people and the community,” Wheeler says. “My approach to everything was from the point of view that the museum is there for them.”

After serving as NCMA director for 24 years, Wheeler is finally ready to take a break. Last month he traveled to Italy for a vacation with friends and plans to fill his newly free time with even more travel. Wheeler says he’ll continue to take on consulting work where his knowledge can make a difference for the arts. But mostly, he’ll be cooking, drinking good wine, collecting art and surrounding himself with the people he cares about. “What are the finer things in life? Well, I feel like I have all those,” Wheeler says. Part of what he’s taken away from his time as director is the importance of people, particularly those who will encourage him to continue saying “yes”. “You can’t be limited by what other people tell you to do, and you can’t get beaten down by negative people either,” he continues. “You have to free yourself of negativity and from the ‘no’ people, and surround yourself with people who have an enthusiasm for life. That’s really important.”

The Cardinal at North Hills celebrates the Art of Living Well® and is proud to commission this special editorial series. To learn more visit, lifeatthecardinal.com.

Stylist to the Stars

Stylist to the Stars

by | Oct 30, 2019 | November 2019, Stuff

He can’t turn you into a Hollywood star but he can certainly make you look like one! Celebrity hairstylist Dennis Stokely, stylist to the stars including Brooke Anderson, Jessica Simpson, Eva Longoria and Paula Abdul, will visit Bacio-Salon at the end of this month for a lecture and pop-up services. 

Since childhood, Stokely says he has been mesmerized by gorgeous hair. He recalls begging his two younger sisters to do their hair when he was a child and charging fellow students $5 for hair styling sessions while attending the University of Georgia as a journalism major. 

“I just had a knack for hair,” Stokely says. It wasn’t until his sophomore year of college, however, that he decided to pursue his passion for hair styling in a professional setting. He left Georgia to get his foot in the door of the fashion and beauty industry, initially as a model in New York City. After a few years modeling, Stokely attended hair school at The Academy at Joel and Company in Savannah, then returned to New York to interview at Kenneth Salon at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, an iconic salon where mavens such as Jackie Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe had their hair styled. Unfortunately, Stokely was told he was too young and inexperienced to be a hairstylist at the Kenneth Salon, but he was hired as a receptionist. 

“For a little kid from south Georgia, it was really quite a step for me,” Stokely says. From there, Stokely took on hairstyling gigs around the country. He then met Paula Abdul through Alexis Vogel, a world famous makeup artist with whom he worked at a wedding in California. After serving as Abdul’s hair stylist for two years, while she was a judge on seasons seven and eight of “American Idol,” Stokely says he and Abdul formed a close friendship. 

Photos courtesy of Dennis Stokely

Later this month, Stokely will share what he’s learned on his hairstyling journey during a one-hour lecture at Bacio-Salon entitled “A Master Class in the Art and Business of the Beauty Industry” on November 25, with free advice to local hairdressers who want to learn how to maneuver the industry, find clients and fully realize their distinct skills. Following the lecture, Stokely will teach stylists some of his favorite red carpet looks, including his signature up-dos. “I hope I can show them something a little different,” Stokely says. On November 26 and 27, Stokely will take clients—by appointment only—to give them a once-in-a-lifetime celebrity hair treatment. “I hope I can show them a way to maybe look just a little more modern,” he continues. Get ready to make Raleigh your runway.

Dennis Stokely’s pop-up at Bacio-Salon takes place November 25-27; availability is limited. Book a session at bacio-salon.com.

Queen City Dreams

Queen City Dreams

by | Oct 25, 2019 | Do, October 2019

Charlotte—North Carolina’s largest and most populous city—seems to have it all: sports, culture, entertainment, music, food. The fast growing metropolis is home to the Bank of America Stadium, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Carowinds, the U.S. National Whitewater Center, plus dozens of skyscrapers and historic buildings housing restaurants and bars, shops and museums. Settled by Europeans around 1755, the Queen City—named after the German Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who became the Queen Consort of Great Britain and Ireland in 1761—saw its population boom around the Civil War following the establishment of a cotton processing center and railroad hub. Charlotte’s renowned banking industry emerged in the 1970s and ‘80s when financier Hugh McColl established the Bank of America. Like Raleigh, Charlotte has received accolades for its beautiful weather, abundance of jobs, livability and for brewing some of the best craft beer in the country. But Charlotte’s downtown is bigger than Raleigh’s and it has more professional sports teams; of course, there’s no place like home, but they’re not lying when they say “Charlotte’s got a lot”—and it’s worth seeing for yourself.

EAT

Noble Smoke

Chef Jim Noble’s highly anticipated restaurant opened in July with a mouthwatering menu of wood-smoked barbecue, including chopped pork sandwiches, beef brisket and ribs. Mac and cheese, collard greens, hushpuppies and butter beans are a few favorite sides. Get there early because when it’s gone, it’s gone. noblesmokebarbecue.com

The Waterman

Part neighborhood watering hole, part seafood restaurant and part rooftop bar, The Waterman is a favorite spot in Charlotte’s South End. The menu features Southern-inspired seafood dishes including fried crawfish, cornmeal-crusted catfish and a traditional low country boil. The highlight? North Carolina oysters for only $1 Mondays through Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. watermanclt.com

Bardo

The year-old Bardo’s sophisticated and innovative dishes have already made a mark on Charlotte’s food scene. Chef Michael Noll’s beautifully crafted small plates include Spanish octopus with potatoes, bacon and chile, shishito peppers with sesame, black vinegar and signature xo sauce and beef tartare with green tomatoes, svanuri and fingerlings. bardorestaurant.com

DRINK

Sycamore Brewing

This family-owned brewery, taproom and beer garden boasts award-winning craft brews that have taken the owners a decade to perfect. Each pint is made with fresh, all-natural ingredients. Flagship beers include the Mountain Candy IPA and Sun Grown Lager; small batch brews like Citrus Gose and Fruit Snacks Session IPA are also popular. sycamorebrew.com

Lenny Boy Brewing Co.

Lenny Boy offers both boozy and non-alcoholic organic kombucha, traditional beers, sours and gluten-free wild ales, which are fermented with an in-house yeast strand. Lenny Boy also hosts art shows, fitness classes, nonprofit events, trivia nights and other events. discoverlennyboy.com

Trade and Lore

Head to NoDa for hip coffee shops. Trade and Lore serves up specialty artisan coffee from local roasters in a rustic, cozy space, along with an outdoor patio that’s perfect for enjoying a warm latte on a cool fall day. Espresso drinks, innovative teas and tasty breakfast treats are also available or swing by at night for a local beer or two. tradeandlore.com

DO

National Hot Rod Association’s NTK Carolina Nationals at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Get revved up for the Carolina Nationals, an exhilarating battle for speed during the fourth race of NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship. A ticket gets you access to the pit, where hollering fans are only a stone’s throw away from 10,000-horsepower drag racers. It’s a thrilling experience you won’t find anywhere else in the city. charlottemotorspeedway.com/events/nhra-carolina-nationals

The Light Factory

A unique nonprofit gallery specializing in photography and film exhibits, The Light Gallery’s “New Flesh” exhibit explores gender identity through Efrem Zelony-Minell’s photographs through October 11. Other compelling works are on display from October 21 through November 2, leading up to The Light Factory’s annual auction preview show. lightfactory.org

Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium

Grab your favorite Panthers player’s jersey and rally for North Carolina’s treasured football team this fall. This year marks the team’s 25th season—the perfect excuse to splurge on club seats. Even if you’re not a big sports fan, the exciting energy—and the stadium food (Hot dogs! Pizza! Barbecue!)—makes it a fun experience for anyone. panthers.com

STAY

The Ivey’s Hotel

A gorgeous boutique hotel in the heart of Charlotte’s Uptown, The Ivey’s offers the most luxurious stay in the city. Stylish rooms and suites—no two are alike—are adorned with Parisian Art Deco decor, reclaimed 400-year-old French oak floors, custom lighting fixtures and beds made up with luxurious Frette Italian bedding. Balcony rooms offer a view of the city or the hotel’s grand interior atrium, while executive suites feature large living room areas. theiveyshotel.com

The Duke Mansion

For a relaxing stay just outside the city, book a room at the Duke Mansion, a beautiful, historic Southern home. The five-acre grounds feature delightful gardens and the mansion is a short walk from local shops and restaurants; the city center is just two miles away. dukemansion.com

Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel

Immerse yourself in city life with a stay at Kimpton. The cosmopolitan hotel features a rooftop restaurant and bar with soaring views of the city, chic rooms and yoga classes on an outdoor terrace for the perfect mix of work, play and relaxation. tryonparkhotel.com

Hot Stuff

Hot Stuff

by | Oct 25, 2019 | Eat, October 2019

Videri makes a peppery chocolate bar with it. Cary’s Pizzeria Faulisi adds it to a hot honey pie. Whiskey Kitchen uses it in a zesty aioli and the list goes on; Benny T’s Vesta brand of hot sauces, made right here in Raleigh, has been bringing the local flavor for over a decade. Produced by New York City native and self-described “chili and spice enthusiast” Ben Tuorto, the innovative, dry hot sauce varieties are the only products of their kind on the market. Tuorto wanted to share his love for hot peppers with others but in a way that wouldn’t burn their mouths. With each of Benny T’s five different sauces, Tuorto aims to bring out the true, robust flavors of different chilis while taming the heat just enough to make them enjoyable.

His secret? Sautéing the chilis with caramelized onions and toasted breadcrumbs—an ode to his Italian heritage—before blending them into sauce. This method, he says, helps stretch the flavors and spread out the heat and oils from the chilis, which are sourced solely from North Carolina farms. Once it’s cooked, with the assistance of his son Paul, Tuorto dries out the chili mixture and grinds it down into a sifted mix that can be shaken out onto all your favorite foods. “It’s so fulfilling because people will have one taste and buy it,” the senior Tuorto says.

Ben Tuorto

Ben Tuorto

In addition to helping with production, Paul Tuorto serves as the creative director for Benny T’s Vesta brand. An Appalachian State graduate with a degree in design, he created the Vesta products’ bold, cheery packaging. He also works with his dad in their commercial kitchen at Posh Nosh and at local events, making Vesta a true family business.

Vesta varieties range from Hot, made with mild to medium hot chilis including jalapeño, serrano, Thai and habanero, to Reaper, a seasonal flavor comprised exclusively of Carolina Reaper chilis, the hottest chili pepper available to the public. Other seasonal varieties include Scorpion, which rates up to 1.5 Million Scoville Units (a measure of the pungency of chili peppers and other spicy foods) and is Benny T’s hottest Vesta sauce to date. Very Hot remains Ben Tuorto’s favorite variety—he says he has it almost every day, though you have to like heat to really enjoy it yourself. The dry hot sauces can be used for anything you’d use a traditional hot sauce for; sprinkle it on tacos, pizza and pasta—add it to a bagel with cream cheese, one of Ben Tuorto’s favorite combinations—or find it in dishes all around Raleigh.

“All collaborations are a testament to what Vesta is—a great addition to food,” says Paul Tuorto. “We’re proud to have a product that comes from Raleigh and uses chilis grown in this state.” While tasty, Benny T’s Vesta dry hot sauces are not for the faint- hearted. If you can handle the heat, find Vesta products online, at Whole Foods on Wade Avenue or at various restaurants including Oakwood Pizza Box, Capital Club 16, Plates and Happy and Hale. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you. vestatoppings.com