Award-winning duo opening premiere restaurant at The Exchange
Raleigh’s hottest development just upped its cool factor. The Exchange is cashing in on its candid commitment to food and bev with the announcement of its first restaurant from two local industry VIPs—2021 NCRLA Chef of the Year Saif Rahman, and Watts & Ward and The Ark Royal co-owner and screenwriter Patrick Shanahan.
“The marriage of these two creative minds is going to bring a new fine-dining staple to the Raleigh community,” says Dewitt Carolinas Executive VP Steven Beattie, “which I hope is the first of many at The Exchange.” From its inception, Dewitt has been focused first and foremost on its MO as a heightened food-and-beverage destination—rather than retail—with this culinary concept the first feather in its cap.
Initially meeting to vet mutual pursuits—Shanahan, for a cocktail space; Dewitt, for its premiere hospitality partner—the now-collaborators hit it off. But Dewitt maintained its devotion to a restaurant—and so Shanahan embarked on his quest for the right chef.
Naturally, Shanahan turned to Elm Partners, who intro’d him to former Vidrio standout Rahman—and a perfect pairing was born. The duo—now co-founders of S&P Hospitality—instantly connected over shared values, which also aligned with Dewitt’s. “What I love about the [Dewitt] team is it’s really grassroots,” says Shanahan. “They really were eager to get local talent. … It hasn’t really felt like business, [but] like we’ve been welcomed into a family.”
Call it a mutual admiration society. “Saif has always delivered an amazing culinary experience, while Patrick has a unique talent for creating spaces and experiences that make you forget you’re in Raleigh,” says Beattie. “You can see they share a joy in creating phenomenal experiences that celebrate and elevate food and hospitality—two local masters of their craft joining forces.”
Borrowing from Rahman’s rich ancestry as muse, the pair’s yet-to-be-named “American” venture is anticipated to bow this fall—and not at all what likely comes to mind when you think of American fare. So, less burgers and fries and more drawing inspo from cultures the world over that comprise American—and Southern—cuisine as we know it.
“We’re really going to dive into a lot of the different cultures Saif has been exploring, testing and workshopping over his entire career to bring a whole melting pot of flavor into this experience—a transportive experience where you feel like you walked out of Raleigh and ended up all over the world,” says Shanahan. “You can really explore the world through our menu in a night.”
Naturally, good ’ole Southern hospitality—at a heightened level—will be a prominent fixture to boot. “Really our goal is to bring true hospitality back to the South,” maintains Shanahan, by treating the guests in such a way they can “really relax and feel like they left Raleigh and all their worries behind.” And, so, a world of new experiences awaits.
Consider Saif Rahman & Patrick Shanahan’s upcoming restaurant a game changer for The Exchange—and for Raleigh. (Photo courtesy of Shanahan)
Our recs for where to eat and drink in Wilmington right now.
Wilmington’s food and bev scene is on the comeup. And shining a spotlight on all those great eats and drinks is the first inaugural Feast Wilmington, which took place at Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park March 22–24—and Raleigh Magazine got the pleasure of attending.
With an MO of “showcasing and celebrating the Wilmington region’s emergence as a top culinary destination,” the F&B fest boasted four unique events over the course of the weekend, including a VIP kickoff Friday, an elevated brunch and evening pier party Saturday, and a beer and food pairing Sunday. To boot, Raleigh chefs who opened coastal restos repped during the fest—think Giorgios Bakatsias (G Prime) and Sunny Gerhart (Olivero).
Local musical guests set the tone as the city’s top chefs flexed their culinary skills each day while End of Days Distillery provided the sips—in addition to the 20 local breweries featured on day three.
After a full weekend of eating and drinking our way through the events, it’s safe to say Wilm proved itself as a burgeoning foodie city. Save a handful of dishes, almost everything we tasted at Feast was a hit—with our biggest complaint being we wished the bite-sizes were bigger (and that’s saying something).
Naturally, it’s hard to play favorites when there’s so much food to enjoy—but there were a few that stood out to us during our three-day foray into Wilm’s extensive eateries by way of Feast. During the VIP Kickoff on Friday night, it was the Anatra Alla Cacciatora Pizza from Benny’s Big Timethat had us coming back for seconds… and thirds (and maybe fourths—no judgment!). You can’t beat a good slice, and this one starring duck was quite impressive. Olivero’s crispy lasagna was another big hit in our book, as was Covey’s slow-roasted pork cheek with sour cherries, maple and crispy oats. An unusual combo, but it worked!
With EIC Melissa Howsam being a brunch stan, we had high hopes for day two’s morning event—and it did not disappoint. There were tons of shrimp and grits ops from which to choose (naturally), but our fave had to be Brunches’ version with a velvety lobster cream sauce. Other standouts includedBuen Dia’s rajitas con crema (roasted poblano pepper, onions and corn in a creamy sauce); Drift’s blueberry pancakes; and Oliver’s on the Cape Fear’s green eggs and ham, aka avocado devilled eggs topped with crispy pancetta and served with a side of smoked maplewood bacon.
While it started off as a rainy weekend, the sun finally came up in time for the end of the brunch event, and by time the Pier Party rolled around things were drying off. Our faves from this night included Coquina Fishbar’s house-smoked fish dip, Maine Lobstah Shack’s lobster bisque and PinPoint’s smoked pork belly.
And while we were relatively stuffed by Sunday, we legit couldn’t wait to ~feast~ some more. Standouts included Beat Street’s Ahi Tuna Toastada Copper Penny’s meatballs and Los Portales Taqueria’s tacos al pastor. We’ll definitely be adding all of these spots to our list of places to visit the next time we’re in town—and you should too.
Beyond our, well, feast, Wilm’s sip + stay vibes are too good not to imbibe. Here, where to tuck in the next time you’re on the coast.
The Blind Elephant It’s worth sleuthing down an alley off North Front Street—and potentially getting lost— to experience this hidden speakeasy and “home of spirits and secrets.” Peep the colorful chalkboard menu for a rotating lineup of cheekily named “elixirs” (see: the spicy Fire Walk With Me and Game, Set, Matcha), cocktails on tap and mocktails—or just ask the bartender to whip you up something fun and fresh. We rec cozying up in one of the spacious booths to experience the lively yet intimate atmosphere, plus regular live tunes. @theblindelephant
Drift We can guarantee it’s worth ~drifting~ out of bed for a cup of java—or refreshing latte or smoothie—paired with a healthy yet delicious brekkie or lunch in the casual light-filled atmosphere (it’s a vibe—and you’ll def feel like you’re on the coast). The Bodega Breakfast Sandwich and breakfast burrito are cult faves, but the Market Bowl Breakfast is also a tasty light op. Ask for the homemade pesto on the side to top your meal with—I promise it’s a game changer. P.S. Stay tuned to our May issue for news on Drift’s wave into Raleigh! driftcoffee.kitchen
Arrive + Dram Yard For a cute and quaint stay, look no further than this highly ’Grammable boutique hotel boasting 34 guest rooms, a restaurant and courtyard bar with fire pits. When we tell you we spent half our weekend at the gazebo bar sipping cocktails and chatting with the bartender and other guests, we’re not kidding. Frankly, there’s nowhere else we’d rather be on a warm sunny day—save the beach, obv. Our rooms were also gorgeous (s/o the pink bathroom!), and the beds were oh-so-cozy. A serene stay all around—would sleep (and drink) there again. arrivehotels.com
Coglin’s Fill that empty hole in your heart left when Coglin’s Raleigh location closed (RIP) and break out your dancing shoes. The ’80s- and ’90s-themed bar is truly a blast from the past, with all your fave jams on rotation and a dance floor big enough to really bust a move—plus jiggle juice in the form of fish bowls, shooters, buckets and cocktails. “This is how we do it!” coglins.com
The Husk With an ever-so-apt tagline—“A neighborhood bar where you feel like a neighbor, even if you aren’t”—you’ll feel right at home in the casual drinking den (especially if there’s a State game on—go Pack!), with the vibey patio being a prime socializing spot. The full bar offers up all your faves—from classic ’tails to beer and seltzer—while the food menu comes in clutch when the drunchies hit. Think fries and tots, hot dogs, pizza, pretzel bites, and more. huskdowntown.com
Hidden Grounds Giving major “rex” appeal (get it?!), this cute backyard oasis dino-themed coffee shop is a major vibe. Upon discovering it a few months ago, it’s now a must whenever I visit Wilm. The line will inevitably be long, but it’s worth it once you’re sipping on one of the specialty coffee bevs (the chai is also killer) out on the grassy back patio, which offers myriad seating ops—from covered couches to swing chairs to plush seats. And, naturally, hidden dinos are aplenty (a fan + fam fave). Talk about a dino-mite experience! @hiddengroundsilm
Duck and Dive Pub Duck into this dive bar for none other than a simple mixed drink, beer, wine or shot to get the night started or close it out. A genuine watering hole without all the frills—but with plenty of character—the spot also hosts live music on the reg, in addition to drink specials daily. Cheap drinks and a good time? Say less. @duck_and_dive_pub_ilm
Dram & Draught Miss home?Dram’s signature cool-classy ambiance gets a Wilmington makeover with more casual surrounds and the same exquisite cocktails you know and love—plus a few local specialties. Post up at the bar or slide into one of the window seats for a street view perf for people-watching. Cheers! dramanddraught.com
Elm Partners is investing in building up Raleigh by putting good people in good places.
When Humble Pie announced last fall it was closing its doors after 33 years of business, Raleighites were heartbroken—and left posturing what could possibly take its place. But there was always a plan for the building. … Enter Elm Partners, a local full-service commercial real estate firm founded on the simple goal of “making Raleigh better.”
One such instance—and a full-circle moment—Ashley Christensen approached Elm to assist Poole’s then-chef de cuisine David Ellis in opening his own restaurant. At about the same time, Jim Beriau reached out with the sale of Humble Pie, where Christensen incidentally got her first industry job working as a prep cook.
“We raised a bunch of money through friends and family, structured a payback model for Dave, and it worked,” says Elm Managing Partner Nick Wilson, who ultimately helped secure the serendipitous space and assembled the design and construction team for a new concept Raleigh has already rallied behind. “We’re really just trying to put good people in good places. That’s the most important thing to us—and Figulina is the perfect example of that.”
“We feel quite fortunate to have found Nick Wilson and the Elm Partners group at the beginning of our restaurateur journey. What sets Elm Partners apart is not just their ability to find spaces, it’s their genuine investment in the success of their clients and their impact on the community. They didn’t just hand us the keys to a new location; they opened doors to endless possibilities, offering invaluable insights and support every step of the way.”
David Ellis, chef/owner, Figulina
The deal also perfectly encompasses his and partner David Meeker’s inspiration for starting Elm Partners in the first place—just a pair of pals/neighbors “helping friends get better real estate deals.” Clearly tapping into a need, business blossomed, and now the duo represents buyers, tenants and development properties across Raleigh and Durham—mostly by word-of-mouth thanks to their vast Rolodex of connections in the local food and bev world.
“Folks like Ashley Christensen, Caroline Morrison of Fiction Kitchen, Kim Hammer of Bittersweet and Andrew Cash of Jubala got behind us early on, and that allowed other folks to trust us,” reflects Meeker. “We can’t thank them enough for their early belief in us.”
Unlike your standard brokerage firm, Wilson approaches deals from a consumer POV, thinking long and hard about good fits for each client. “All those food and beverage people, they’re kind of like artists—they’re really creative—and it has to feel right to them,” he says.
“They really care about us as owners/operators and want us to succeed on a personal level, knowing that a rising tide lifts all boats,” says Mala Pata’s Marshall Davis of their partnership with the brokerage. “It feels good to work with folks who share some history with me as a native and see the city’s potential in a healthy way. They understand our vision—and that gives me confidence.”
So while some people may see the closing of iconic Raleigh havens like Humble Pie as a sign Raleigh is “dying” or “losing its soul,” Wilson sees them as openings of opportunity for a new wave of talent.
“It’s important to me to backfill these spaces that are important to people in Raleigh,” says Wilson. “There’s a lot of creative people out there who want to do cool things, and they’re gonna do them—it’s just about: How do we make them happen?”
A committed crew, Meeker and Wilson—along with Elm VP Jeremy Deckelbaum (who represented Dose and YogaSix’s Bloc[83] location, and was Elm’s first employee) and associates Blaine Smith, Matt Tomasulo and Paul Siler—already have a ton of new deals and projects in the works for this year and beyond (Wilson hints they’re currently in talks with Jubala, Benchwarmers, Trophy Brewing and others).
“We believe in Downtown Raleigh when a lot of people are hesitant,” emphasizes Meeker. And Raleighites are certainly benefiting from that belief. As Wilson says, chalk it up to “another one by Elm Partners.” elm.partners
Our hot takes and tips from Dreamville Festival 2024
Clearly, J. Cole has proven Raleigh is not, in fact, a *sleepy* city. Each year, his Dreamville Festival just gets dreamier and dreamier.
And it is certainly a dream come true for our city to host such an incredible and far-reaching event—read: one that garnered a $145.9 million economic impact last year alone—and saw upward of 52K people per day this year as music lovers from all over the globe flocked to Dix Park for the fest, now in its fourth year.
“It feels like homecoming,” said performer Teezo Touchdown in a sit-down chat with Raleigh Magazine at the backstage Artists’ Lounge. “I see why people come to festivals—it is a different type of energy. So if you’ve never been to a festival before, please go to one. It’s a really fun experience.”
But despite all the hoopla—and easily being one of the world’s most alluring fests—Dreamville is still in its relative infancy. And with that comes kinks. While this year delivered some standout artists (see SZA, Nicki Minaj, 50 Cent, Rae Sremmurd, ScHoolboy Q and many more), there were some, ahem, not-so-dreamy moments. Having attended every Dreamville since its inception, here are our hot takes.
BEST
Music Mix
This year’s fest delivered the perfect balance of both big names and up-and-comers, shining a light on lesser-known musicians like Teezo Touchdown, Chase Shakur and TiaCorine, who are surely going to pop off in the ~dreamy~ aftermath.
Teezo really made an impression with his microphone-laden bouquet, an ode to Morrissey and The Smiths (who he was intro’d to by Lil Yachty—also a Saturday performer). “It’s really cool that everytime I grab flowers when I’m performing, in the back of my mind I’m thinking about Lil Yachty and The Smiths,” he said. (Cue the aws.)
To wit, a handful of throwback artists provided a jolt of welcoming nostalgia, adding to its crossgenerational all-are-welcome vibe. (Hey, Monica and 50 Cent!) “You can find me in the club, bottle full of bub…”
Of course, it wouldn’t be a successful Dreamville Fest without J. Cole’s surprise guests. This year, he brought out Central Cee, 6lack, Lil Durk, Benny the Butcher and others to dazzle the Dreamers. And they did not disappoint!
No Line, No Problem
While in years past we spent the bulk of our time in the VIP area, this year we decided to lean into the main experience on Day One, and mostly gallivanted around the general admission grounds—save for a foray backstage.
And color us impressed at the ease of getting a drink from the many bars, which typically had almost zero line for spirits averaging around $15/drink. … The same, though, cannot be said for food (see below)—though the amount of local food trucks/vendors was pretty noteworthy. We saw the likes of Cousins Maine Lobster, Buoy Bowls, Oak City Fish and Chips, Chirba Chirba Dumpling, and more. Talk about variety!
WORST
Gone Hungry
Whether on GA grounds or in VIP—you might find yourself hangry. On the main grounds Saturday, vendor lines were so long, in fact, we ultimately decided to wait until we left the fest to eat (!). And those fest food prices… ouch (we’re talking $13 for three chicken tenders—um, no).
Sunday we returned to the Fam section and VIP area near the Rise stage. You’d think VIP = easily fed, but, alas, there were no vendors or trucks in the Rise VIP, which was definitely a miss in our books. All in all, the Rise stage VIP area was a little lackluster compared to the one near the Shine stage, which was way bigger, with more bars, vendors and attractions.
Mic Drop
Sound issues abounded at this year’s fest, leaving both festivalgoers and performers frustrated—so much so Rema even closed out his set early and walked off stage enraged.
Beyond the literal mic drop moment, many of the surprise guests’ mics during J. Cole’s performance Sunday night weren’t working—a real bummer especially for those artists who didn’t get their own individual set during the weekend. Some fans were also disappointed about the overall sound quality. Perhaps a better sound check next time?
Still Can’t Hear Me Now—or Find Me
We’ve reported each year how unreliable the cell and Wi-Fi service is—and unfortunately this year is no different. Beyond making it impossible to communicate (or post!), if you separate from your crew, this year we also tested the “Find My Friends” op for non-festgoers to locate us as a safety test. Upon three separate tests at different times Saturday/Sunday, one read “last known location three hours ago” while two others were about an hour—but froze indefinitely.
Beyond the potential safety issue, there’s the whole getting in and out bit (see below)—but kinda hard to order a Lyft without a signal.
Better Late Than Never?
Notice Dreamville Fest’s Insta account didn’t post any photos or videos from Nicki Minaj’s performance? 👀 Perhaps the biggest upset of the weekend was Minaj arriving an hour late to her set time, which ultimately cut into J. Cole’s headlining act Sunday night. Womp womp. Fans crowded the Rise stage only to be left waiting… and waiting… and waiting. Personally we gave up after half an hour, but some fans stuck around to see the Pink Friday princess.
Trapped & Screwed
We’re not sure if it’s ever going to be easy to get out of the festival grounds, despite mass efforts and such seemingly smart ops as shuttle offerings and designated parking lots.
On exiting Saturday, we were escorted out the West Entrance and, since we had no service to get an Uber/Lyft, we made the trek to D.P. Dough on Avent Ferry, where we waited almost an hour to get a ride at a reasonable price. (At this point it was after midnight and Ubers were still at least $50.)
Sunday, we chose to drive Downtown and park in the deck attached to The Casso. In essence, we had a “getaway car”—and it was a total game changer. While we still had to hike from the festival grounds, at this point we’re pros and the walk is second nature (comfy shoes are key!).
Still, for a fest that encourages shuttles and ride shares, transpo out of the grounds remains a major issue. And having been to every installation of Dreamville since its inception, we can say with confidence that, so far, driving was the easiest, fastest, cheapest and least stressful way to get in and out.
Katsuji Tanabe flexes his chef expertise via the upcoming restaurant’s rustic yet elevated menu.
Flour & Barrel’s shining star is poised to, ahem, rise—and the new restaurant from Anthony Rapillo and Jon Seel hasn’t even opened yet. Enter local celebrity chef Katsuji Tanabe, who Rapillo recently tapped to help curate and design the elevated menu.
While the overarching theme of the menu hasn’t changed much from the previously announced iteration—with focaccia sandwiches and homemade pastas being the two pillars on the “flour” side—the duo completely reengineered the dishes, adding some Tanabe-influenced flair.
See the likes of a standout bone marrow dish, oven-fired shrimp, oven-roasted quarter-leg chicken and lots of fresh made-to-order pasta, natch, made with a machine from Italy. Think lasagna prepared in a cast iron with meat sauce, ricotta and bechamel; fusilli with nduja sausage and chile oil; and mafaldine topped with a vodka sauce.
“The menu is all about being rustic and taking advantage of the amazing Italian oven (the biggest oven I’ve ever seen),” says Tanabe, who had help from and was inspired by his Italian chef friend, Silvia Barban, of LaRina in Brooklyn. “This is like me making you pasta at my house—full of flavor and memorable.”
“We are not a fancy establishment, and we are not an authentic Italian restaurant. These are Italian pastas and techniques made by me in my style of cooking.”
—Katsuji Tanabe
The pair were first introduced to each other at a Raleigh MagazineBest Bars Party (!), but Rapillo admits he was a fan of the Top Chef winner (and the show) before they met. And this isn’t the first time they’ve worked together since that fateful meeting: Rapillo has hosted two private pizza dinners at his cocktail bar Flask in which he and Tanabe created a menu together for ~30–40 people.
“We became really close, really quick—I always wanted to partner with him,” Rapillo recalls. “He’s a better chef than anyone I’ve ever met. He’s even influenced the cocktail menu.” (Hey, beer-infused cocktails!)
Now, the talented restaurateurs are finally taking on that journey together, with Flour & Barrel anticipated to open later this month. “I knew he would be able to take [the restaurant] to a place we just would not be able to take it to without him—and he’s proven that even before we’ve opened,” maintains Rapillo. Clearly, dining and imbibing here should be at the *top* of your list.
