by Lauren Kruchten | Aug 24, 2023 | Eat, July/August 2023
If you thought “pivoting” died with the pandemic, think again. The latest Raleigh biz to announce a shift is Junction West—which, fun fact, was voted one of our Best New Bars of 2018 and also where we held our first-annual Best Bars Awards Party (!). The popular Warehouse District gathering space—loved for its chic atmosphere, casual vibe, delicious cocktails and fab patio—is transitioning to a full-time event venue in September (*cue the sobs*).
Co-owner Gabie Frantz says the transition comes after seeing firsthand how “consumer’s habits have changed in this ‘post-pandemic time,’” along with the high demand for events in the area.
“Our model has always been to be a gathering space for the community, and, up until this point, that has been in the form of an event venue and bar,” she reiterates. “Now, the future of Junction West is still a community gathering space, but with a priority focus on events.”
Sept. 10 will be the last day the public can snag a drink at The Bar at Junction West—but fear not, events like The Day Party, live music, yoga, comedy nights, markets and food events will still be kept in rotation. And Frantz promises occasional pop-ups of The Bar on a gorgeous sunny day or in conjunction with a public event. See, it’s not goodbye, just see ya later!
“Our hope is that by transitioning to a full-time venue, it will give us the opportunity to partner with even more organizations and support local causes that are important to us,” Frantz maintains. Groups and individuals can also book private events through the space—from corporate meetings and nonprofit fundraisers to weddings and everything in between.
“We have loved getting to know the Raleigh community through bar service at Junction West over the past five years,” says Frantz. “While we are sad to close this chapter, we are excited and optimistic at the possibilities ahead.” Better go wish your bittersweet goodbyes before it’s too late!
by Lauren Kruchten | Aug 16, 2023 | Do, July/August 2023
Fuel your next road trip from Raleigh with our team’s favorite pit stops.
Everyone knows it’s all about the journey, not just the destination. So when it comes to road trips, pit stops are essential—whether you’re fueling up on food, drinks and/or gas, or just simply need to stretch your legs. In honor of our July/August travel feature touting 25 easy road trips from Raleigh, we tapped the Raleigh Mag team for their essential stops when hitting the road. Take notes!
“Wilber’s Barbecue in Goldsboro on the way to the beach!”
—Gina Stephens, Publisher, @ginasdawgs
“If I had my way, nowhere—but when duty calls, I’m a bathroom aficionado. I even have a budding bathrooms Instagram, @_intheloo_ (!)”
—Melissa Howsam, Editor-in-Chief, @mahowsam
“I like to be prepared for my inevitable sweet/salty cravings, so I typically grab gummy worms and some sort of chip (s/o Nacho Cheese Doritos!) for the road from a gas station (Sheetz is the go-to).”
—Lauren Kruchten, Associate Editor, @laurenn_nicol
“Sheetz—best bathrooms and best snacks!”
—Anna Beth Adcock, Editorial Assistant, @_annabethadcock
“Any local BBQ spot along the way.”
—Debby Serena, Account Executive
“Any small-town breakfast diner—they always have the best food.”
—Cam Rhinehardt, Account Executive, @camrht
“My favorite road trip stop is any fruit stand on the side of the road! The ones near the border of South Carolina are the best.”
—Heidi Reid, Editorial Intern, @heidi.laurel
“Big Oak Drive-In & Bar-B-Q in Salter Path along the coast for shrimp burgers! Or Cook Out—duh.”
—Eric Ginsburg, Contributing Writer, @eric_ginsburg
“My husband and I have a tradition of stopping at the Bojangles on Jones Sausage Road each time we head down to Wrightsville Beach.”
—Matt Lardie, Contributing Writer, @matt_lardie
“Our road trips always start with coffee: hot for us parents and iced for our teenage daughter.”
—Emily O’Brien, Contributing Writer
“Chick-fil-A and Starbucks (could it get more basic?!)”
—Chelsea Sutton, Contributing Writer, @chelsearsutton
“Chick-fil-A!”
—Kelsie Barton, Contributing Writer, @kelsie_barton
“When visiting my brother’s family in Winnabow, NC, we always find an excuse to go to Southport even for a couple of hours.”
—Susan Holt, Contributing Photographer, Susan Holt Photography, @susanholtphoto
“If I’m headed toward Beaufort, New Bern, etc., I like to stop by the Nahunta Pork Center to load up either going or coming. It’s a big ole spot in a strip mall that has every possible porky thing you can imagine.”
—Forrest Mason, Contributing Photographer, @fmasonmedia
“Youngs Pecans in Florence, SC”
—Felicia Trujillo, Contributing Photographer, Food Seen, @foodseennc
“Grabbing coffee on the way to the mountains at Press Coffee in Graham.”
—Sean Junqueira, Contributing Photographer, @seanjunqueira
by Lauren Kruchten | Jul 23, 2023 | Eat, July/August 2023
Two new concepts opening in place of Rainbow Luncheonette and Pink Boot
“I want to create a restaurant that actually represents the diner of Raleigh and not a chef-driven ego—a restaurant truly for the people of Raleigh.” So says chef Alex Ricci, most recently of Cucciolo Terrazza, who is set to open his first independent duo of concepts alongside partners Jonny Ennis (aka Jonny Rocket) and Justin Tatnell this fall.
The concepts will open in now-defunct Pink Boot and Rainbow Luncheonette, both of which shuttered in July. And while the duo of West Street joints will certainly be missed, former owner Jason Howard sees the shift as an op to usher in the next era of budding talent.
“This is not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination,” says Howard. “It’s a tough business. Let them have a crack at it.” Rest assured, Ricci certainly has the chops. Not to mention a cutting-edge vision that will deliver a whole new brand of dining and drinking to the area—and one that will very much be in collaboration with guests.
In Rainbow Luncheonette’s place, Ricci and his partners will be opening Prospects, a diner-esque eatery serving food till 3:30am (!) that Ricci has cultivated with, by and for Raleighites. To create the core menu, he tapped various friends, writers, chefs and other Raleighites for their favorite dishes—either from now or their youth. Think mac and cheeses, kabobs, sandwiches, even a spin on the Lunch Lady pizza as an ode to Pink Boot, plus twists on classic brunch dishes like eggs Benedict, shakshuka, and chicken and waffles (s/o Raleigh Mag!)—NTM desserts from Layered Croissanterie pastry chef Suzanne Downs.
Furthering the intention to truly design the concept as a representation of Raleigh, Prospects will also tout a massive chalkboard on which Ricci will chalk a question (like, say: What is a dish that reminds you of home?) and then feature his interpretation of those guest selects on the rotating seasonal menu.
“I decided since I’ve built the first core menu off of people who impact my life and, in my opinion, the [local] food scene, the entire concept should be cultivated like that for the public as well,” Ricci explains. “This is something that’s not necessarily about me. I’m just at the helm of it.”
As for the Pink Boot side, the trio will open The Devereux in its place, an inviting neighborhood bar that’s “not a dive bar, but not a cocktail bar,” explains Tatnell. And—spoiler alert—there will be boozy slushies.
“I’m doing the spaces a disservice,” says Howard, who is steering his focus on expanding his thriving concepts The Cardinal and Lil Hombre. “It’s time for a change—time to let somebody do it who’s young, hungry and passionate. I’m excited for those guys.” And, so, enter the next gen of dining in Raleigh. Excited yet?
Editors note: This news was exclusively revealed on our Instagram—give us a follow if you don’t already to stay up to date on all things Raleigh.
by Lauren Kruchten | Jul 12, 2023 | Eat, July/August 2023
The Raleigh Magazine team’s favorite summer wines.
It’s summertime and the sippin’ is easy. … As you wine down for the season, you’re no doubt turning to light and refreshing bottles that pair perfectly with warm, sunny evenings and alfresco meals. So we tapped our team for their fave varietals to sip during the summer months—from local vinos to out-of-town treasures that are def worth the online order. Get ready to pop some bottles!
“Pizzolato!”
—Liz Comella, Creative Director, @liz.comella.design
“My go-to is La Marca prosecco rosé.”
—Lauren Kruchten, Associate Editor, @laurenn_nicol
“Pizzolato sparkling rosé… especially sipped with the RM team on the Vita Vite patio right after we go to the printer.”
—Melissa Howsam, Editor-in-Chief, @mahowsam
“My recent fave is Santa Julia Tardio Late Harvest—I also love the wine selects at Trader Joes!”
—Anna Beth Adcock, Editorial Assistant, @_annabethadcock
“Whispering Angel rosé!”
—Debby Serena, Account Executive
“Trader Joe’s Opaline pinot noir brut rosé! It’s light, affordable and comes in a pretty bottle—def my go-to.”
—Cam Rhinehardt, Account Executive, @camrht
“Pinot noir rosé from Samuel Robert Winery. Very tasty, very affordable!”
—Chelsea Sutton, Contributing Writer, @chelsearsutton
“Wölffer Estate Summer in a Bottle Rosé Cotes De Provence is the perfect crisp, refreshing rosé that transports me to the Hamptons with just one sip. And the bottle itself is so pretty—perfect for serving alongside cheese and charcuterie on a warm summer evening!”
—Kelsie Barton, Contributing Writer, @kelsie_barton
“Underwood rosé is my summer go-to because it tastes great—and comes in portable cans. It’s a perfect pick for picnics and backyard BBQs, and for when opening a bottle doesn’t make sense.”
—Emily O’Brien, Contributing Writer
“Local Chatham Hill Winery has a peach wine that’s perfect for making cool sangria on a hot summer’s day!”
—Alisa Hauser, Contributing Writer
“I love a crisp Txakoli from the Basque region of Spain, either white or rosé.”
—Matt Lardie, Contributing Writer, @matt_lardie
“I love prosecco in the summer. … Really anytime, but especially in the summer. I don’t know that I have a favorite bottle—as long as it’s cold!”
—Susan Holt, Contributing Photographer, Susan Holt Photography, @susanholtphoto
by Lauren Kruchten | Jul 5, 2023 | Eat, June 2023
Where you can find the RM team brunchin’ around Raleigh.
Life happens, brunch helps. And on Saturdays and Sundays, there’s no egg-scuse not to gather your crew and get fizzical over mimosas and arguably the best meal of the week (it’s like breakfast, but better—and you don’t even have to set an alarm!). Whether you’re looking for an excuse to day drink or are in dire need of a hefty hangover nosh fest, brunch is always a good idea. Here, the RM team’s fave brunch spots in town.
“Hummingbird… I don’t even like fried chicken and I dream about those chicken and waffles.”
—Melissa Howsam, Editor-in-Chief, @mahowsam
“I’ll brunch anywhere there’s a shakshuka, and Wye Hill’s got one of my faves.”
—Lauren Kruchten, Associate Editor, @laurenn_nicol
“A Place at The Table—I really like the huevos rancheros!”
—Anna Beth Adcock, Editorial Assistant, @_annabethadcock
“My favorite brunch spot is Hibernian Pub.”
—Heidi Reid, Editorial Intern
“I love Cucciolo Terrazza’s atmosphere—and the brunch is delicious.”
—Debby Serena, Account Executive
“First Watch has the best biscuits and gravy… and iced coffee!”
—Cam Rhinehardt, Account Executive, @camrht
“St. Roch for Southern brunch with Cajun flair (think gator bolognese paired with Lowcountry grits and a housemade chile oil). The Sinner Rolls are a must!”
—Kelsie Barton, Contributing Writer, @kelsie_barton
“I could eat pizza any hour of the day, so Poole’side Pies’ new Sunday brunch is my dream. A Carbonara pizza followed by focaccia French toast? Perfection!”
—Matt Lardie, Contributing Writer, @matt_lardie
“Parkside in the Warehouse District. Their handhelds are life-giving!”
—Emily O’Brien, Contributing Writer
“Jubala (or Waffle House, which I would be equally happy with)”
—Chelsea Sutton, Contributing Writer, @chelsearsutton
“It’s not brunch per se, but a sesame bagel with lox and scallion cream cheese from NY Bagel & Deli is also the move.”
—Eric Ginsburg, Contributing Writer, @eric_ginsburg
“Cucciolo Terrazza for the Suciello, sub English muffins for grilled bread.”
—Sean Junqueira, Contributing Photographer, @seanjunqueira
“I’m going with Rosewater—the atmosphere, food and service are all outstanding.”
—Susan Holt, Contributing Photographer, Susan Holt Photography, @susanholtphoto
“If I’m brunching I’m not usually driving to Raleigh, but my fave Chapel Hill brunches would be Bluebird (croque madame) or Bombolo.”
—Forrest Mason, Contributing Photographer, @fmasonmedia
“Barcelona Wine Bar”
—Felicia Trujillo, Contributing Photographer, Food Seen, @foodseennc
