Raleigh chef swaps brick-and-mortar for live open-fire pop-up concept.
Marc Russell has been cooking with fire for years—and he isn’t afraid to get burned. It’s what got him into the barbecue world, ultimately leading him to open Longleaf Swine in 2022 with partner Adam Cunningham. Now, having stepped away from that DTR flame earlier this year, Russell is stoking his love of the technique with his new open-fire pop-up concept Buccan.
SHUCK, YEAH: Buccan chef/owner Marc Russell shucking oysters at a summer pop-up.
Officially firing up at Wolfe & Porter’s Tiki Fest this spring, Buccan—dubbed for an indigenous Puerto Rican-style grill traditionally made from tree branches (fun fact: it’s also the root of the word “buccaneer”)—blazed on the scene with chicken/steak/squash skewers and roasted oysters hot off a versatile live-fire grill modeled after the one used by Aussie culinary legend Charly Pretet of Terra Firma Dining.
“It’s more than just a kettle-style grill,” maintains Russell. “It’s gonna be super-intimate and immersive for the guest—like a showpiece at the event.” The multifunctional grill stand will allow him to flex his culinary muscles to do everything from casual “roysters” a la Tiki Fest to hanging low-and-slow smoked proteins—with plenty of room to play with flavor-packed veggie, tofu and tempeh takes.
“Cooking with fire is the most satisfying form of cooking for me,” he muses. “It’s not just turning a range on and putting your pan down and building a sauce. It’s something you have to constantly manage and tend to for hours and hours and hours—and that’s something I really enjoy doing.”
Over the summer, the sizzling new concept also popped up at The Artist Lounge’s Rosé All Day soiree. And, come fall, he’s turning up the heat on a possible dinner series via the likes of a farm dinner at a friend’s Saxapahaw farm.
“I’m just looking forward to being back outdoors and cooking with a live open fire again,” Russell enthuses. “And I’m excited to have this vessel to be able to do so many different things on.” Get fired up! @buccan_co
When one door closes, another opens—literally. Five years after Top Chef alum Katsuji Tanabe’s High Horse bowed at City Market, the bold, boundary-pushing concept is riding back in—this time as a standalone stunner in a brand-new building set to bow next summer at Horseshoe at Hub RTP in partnership with Raleigh restaurateur Anthony Rapillo.
The serendipitous revival comes after the pair was approached by RTP to open a concept there—marking their third joint venture, following DTR’s Flour & Barrel and La Taqueria at Boxyard, with the restored speakeasy underneath Sir Walter Apartments also in the works. “Anthony and I have been blessed for putting in the hard work and people reaching out to us, believing in our product and standards,” muses Tanabe.
Nancy Granados
While the OG High Horse’s historic digs lent a lived-in charm, the new ~5K-square-foot space promises an entirely fresh feel. Think a standalone show kitchen anchoring the room; soaring steeple-style ceilings with exposed piping; an indoor-outdoor-service cocktail bar slinging throwbacks like cosmos, lemon drops and scratchmade G&Ts—plus a sizable patio overlooking the Horseshoe courtyard.
And, yes, the signature live-fire cooking will remain the star, spanning lunch, dinner and brunch, with a focus on food that’s simple, fun and elegant—sans any gimmicks. Expect returning stars like skillet cornbread and cotton candy, alongside newcomers like a houseground burger; NC grouper finished with a country ham vinaigrette; warm tableside spinach salad; and a seafood platter that trades raw selects for charcoal-cooked mussels, clams and crab legs served swimming in juices ready for sopping with Japanese rice or fresh pasta.
At its core, Tanabe and Rapillo’s aim is to deliver entertainment through food—pulling diners in for, say, an hour, only to keep them for two or three to revel in the sexy atmosphere, soulful hospitality and Tanabe’s playful cross-utilization of local ingredients.
“I’m not there to feed you, per se—I’m there to entertain you,” emphasizes Tanabe. “Everything has to be an experience—from the way you walk in to how the food’s prepared to interactions with the servers.” Time to saddle up again—the bar is set high.highhorsertp.com
Make summer travels through RDU a breeze with these tips and tricks.
’Tis the season for summer travel! Whether you’re flocking to a family vacay or escaping to a sunny retreat, you’re gonna wanna make sure you’re equipped with the most up-to-date stress-reducing hacks for traveling through RDU Airport. Here’s to safe—and happy—travels!
Park It Perhaps the most stressful part of flying through RDU takes place before you even get into the airport. Yep, we’re talking parking. Though RDU is small compared to other airports, there never seems to be enough parking for travelers. To head off some of the stress that comes with pulling up on a full RDU Central deck, you can reserve your spot online before you get to the airport via ParkRDU’s online pre-booking option. Choose your date, time and location—only caveat is you have to book at least 24 hours in advance. And don’t sleep on the ParkRDU Express lot, which added nearly 1,000 parking spaces for travelers—not to mention it offers luggage assistance at your car and shuttles to the terminals running at all hours of the day (!). If you can, bypass parking stress entirely by opting for a rideshare service or taxi.
Don’t Delay Flight cancellations and delays are surging this summer. While some instances are inevitable, ward off the worry by booking the earliest flight of the day to help avoid delays, as many are caused by aircrafts arriving late from their previous destination. So, maybe that 4am flight is worth it.
Direct Is Best If you have the option to fly direct—do it. Layovers have the potential to result in a The Terminal situation if your second flight is delayed or if your first flight arrives after the second plane has already taken off. And no one wants to be stuck sleeping in an airport. Another pro tip: Choose an airline that offers multiple flights a day so that if you do need to rebook you have more (timely!) options.
Time to tap in. Uberpopular breweryBond Brothers‘ new taproom in Salvage Yard, across the street from Raleigh Iron Works, is anticipated to open in September. Dubbed NOCO—or No Company—the fresh concept represents owner-brothers Jeremy and Jay Bond’s commitment to creating an inclusive community space for all to enjoy, adding to their growing list of Triangle venues.
“The vision and scope of the Salvage Yard project is impressive,” the pair says. “To be included in this is extremely exciting. We look forward to bringing what we know and love to this new destination.”
Per the release, the taproom concept will feature a wide selection of craft beer brewed on-site, plus coffee, tea, craft cocktails, wine, and a light food menu focused on locally sourced goods and sandwiches. The space will offer over 6,000 square feet of indoor space for brewing and seating, along with ample outdoor seating ops. Greenery will be a highlight throughout the space and will leverage their existing music venue location, Bond Brothers Eastside, to bring live music and concert series to the district.
“We are excited to have NOCO join Salvage Yard alongside Triangle Rock Club,” says Grubb Ventures Director of Leasing McKenzie Wilson. “We think their creativity and commitment to engaging the community makes them a natural fit in the entertainment district we’re creating.”
Life is all about balance. And studies show that grabbing a paddle is not only a serene and picturesque way to be one with the outdoors (can we get an “om, yeah” for all the paddleboard yogis?!), but it boasts a slew of physical and mental benefits—think core strength, stamina, vitamin D, stress relief and joint stability. And the activity’s popularity only continues to swell. … So what are you waiting for? Grab your board for a stand-up time at one of these Raleigh watering holes.
Lake Crabtree County Park Oozing with ops for outdoor enthusiasts, these 520 acres of flood-controlled waters are worth the trip—especially because all rentals (SUPs, kayaks, canoes and pedal boats) are free for up to two hours (!). Just row with it—then take a stroll around the lakeside walking trails, pack a picnic to enjoy by the grassy shores, or try your hand at flying a kite.
William B. Umstead State Park Nestled about 10 miles northwest of DTR, this relaxing retreat with three reservoirs deserves a standing O for its paddling pleasures. To wit, you can turn your outdoor outing into an overnight via equipped camping areas with typical modern amenities.
Lake Johnson Park When in doubt, paddle it out! Launch from this park’s sandy shores for a trip around the 150-acre lake encircled by a scenic walking/bike trail. Reserve paddleboards (and kayaks!) online or at the on-site Waterfront Center.
Lake Wheeler Park Whatever floats your boat… er, board! Take a paddle into history with 650 acres of lake that’s doubled as Raleigh’s and Wake County’s primary water supply since 2010. Featured activities also include trails throughout the park, playgrounds and a sand volleyball court, an accessible fishing dock, and personal boat launches. Rent your SUP board or kayak in advance here.
Lake Raleigh SUP, NC State! Board up to make waves on Centennial Campus if you’re in the mood for a more mellow day out on the lake. The scenic gem is also the perfect picturesque spot for a picnic, casting a line (look out for largemouth bass and catfish), running the greenway or playing a round of disc golf.
