Where to sip, sup and shop outside Raleigh this month.
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TapStation APEX Tap into this recently opened family-friendly brewery and resto from the team behind Scratch Kitchen and Taproom, The Mason Jar Tavern, and Mason Jar Lager Company. Located in the historic Holt & Sons building (the team retained most of the original structure while rebuilding and enhancing the rest—allowing them to remain a part of the historic registry), TapStation features two stories from which to enjoy a brew made on-site, including a rooftop patio with a second full bar and curated bourbon menu (!). And there’s no shortage of comforting eats—from shareable apps to elevated burgers and chicken sandwiches to hot dogs and beer brats. Don’t mind if we do! tapstationapex.com
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Der Nachbar Bottleshop & Taps DURHAM Prost! Northwest Durham’s newest German-inspired bottle shop—which translates to “the neighbor” in German—offers both brews to go and 20 beers to enjoy on tap (plus wine and cider), either posted up at the bar or out on the patio. The casual sip spot was born of two neighbors’ (hence the name) dream of opening a local bottle shop during the pandemic—and now that dream is a reality. We couldn’t be hoppier. @dernachbar_durham
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Heritage Donuts WAKE FOREST You donut wanna pass up the opp to visit this mom-and-pop doughnut shop specializing in a variety of yeast-raised, cake and old-fashioned dunkers. The hole-y pastries are prepped fresh every morning starting around 2am (really) and served from 6am until they’re sold out (aka usually by the early afternoon—so set your alarms!). Fave holes include the maple bacon doughnut and crumb cake doughnut… and those with a sweet tooth are also gonna wanna try the pinecones, cinnamon rolls and apple fritters. Aw, we love this a hole lot… facebook.com/heritagedonuts
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Meeple’s Brew MORRISVILLE, CARY You’ll never get board at Morrisville’s first board game cafe, which just opened a second location in Cary. Between the two outposts, there’s over 850 board games from which to choose (!)—NTM a killer food and drink menu of coffee, smoothies, milkshakes, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and almost-famous waffles (try the sugar-loaded Troublemaker Waffle with bananas, blueberries, strawberries, whipped cream, caramel and chocolate sauce) that’ll fuel your competitive edge all day long. And be sure to keep an eye out on Meeple’s cal for gaming events. Game on. meeplesbrew.com
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Rustic Phoenix ZEBULON This “local mercantile with a cool vibe” was born of founders Frank and Elizabeth Carbone’s love of visiting out-of-town “local” gift shops. Enter the farmhouse-style shop—their way of bringing that same “small town store in a small town” vibe to downtown Zebulon while supporting NC businesses and artisans. Goods ranging from gifts and home decor to candles and soaps to pet products and jewelry rotate constantly—so there’s always something new to discover. Not to mention grab-and-go flowers by Preston Flowers & Gifts in Cary and… putting the cute in charcuterie: its ready-to-go charcuterie boards. Um, date night—check! rusticphoenixshop.com
Unless you’re taking a summer social media/news siesta, you’ve no doubt heard chef Ricky Moore of Durham’s Saltbox Seafood Joint brought home the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast—and what a huge honor for him, the Triangle… and fishermen. Echoing that sentiment was Moore himself as he took stage to accept the culinary world’s highest regional honor: “Bull City, North Carolina! I opened up a place that celebrates North Carolina seafood, so I’m going to shout out North Carolina fisher folk—mean[ing] fishermen and women.” So if you haven’t been to SSJ in a while—or ever—use this summer as an excuse to feast on what foodies near and far have been raving about, from the myriad fried or spice-griddled seafood options (which vary based on what’s been caught by NC fishermen that day) to Moore’s signature Hush-Honeys, aka fried cornmeal fritters glazed with honey (and, yes, you’re gonna want a lot of those). What could be more perfect than fresh-caught North Carolina seafood in the summertime? We’re calling it: It’s o-fish-ally Saltbox season. saltboxseafoodjoint.com
This year, your vote matters more than ever in both local and state elections. Never before has there been more at stake—from rising local and state taxes to gun control to abortion rights. Never mind ongoing decisions about controversial topics like development, sports complexes, affordable housing, residential zoning, NC’s equivalent of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, marijuana and gambling legality, to name but a few.
Translation—your vote counts… and if you don’t vote, not only do you not get your say, you can’t complain when the “it” issue doesn’t go your way. Next up, July 26—an election that usually sees abysmal turnout—for the second primary election (aka runoff election) including that hotly contested Wake County sheriff seat. Then, Nov. 8, for the general election, including mayor, city council, NC General Assembly, courts, district attorney, U.S. Senate and House, to name a few. See you at the ballot box.
Four Raleigh restaurant & bar owners expand concepts to Wilmington.
The beach is calling… and answering that call are four Raleigh restaurateurs and bar owners opening new locations in Wilmington. Seasing the opp to expand their brands to the coast (and gain a whole new audience) are fan faves Dram & Draught, Kipos, Bull City Ciderworks and Olivero—aka just one more excuse to hit the beach. Shell yeah!
Dram & Draught The Dram & Draught empire is taking NC by storm. The uberpopular go-to neighborhood bar (and perennial voted Raleigh Mag Best Bar Overall) boasting three current locations already (Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro) has—wait for it—four other locales in the works in Cary, Winston-Salem, Charlotte and, of course, Wilmington. The new two-story (!) Port City location—which opened in early June—features the same vast whiskey collection and seasonal craft cocktail menu as all Dram sip spots. And though all of Dram’s drinkeries differ, the thread woven through each is that same cool, comfortable and sexy style and vibe that we all know and love. @dramanddraught
Kipos It may come as no surprise given his range and bountiful growth (he’s got 14 restaurants under his belt—and counting) that legendary restaurateur and NCRLA’s 2022 Restaurateur of the Year Giorgios Bakatsias of Giorgios Hospitality Group is expanding his popular Kipos to Wilm. Slated to open in July or August, Kipos Hellenic Cuisine will celebrate the food of Bakatsias’ homeland of Greece—with an added focus on the sea, natch (think spanakopita, moussaka, raw oysters and seafood entrees). And, promising to “Greek” you out, not only will the food transport you straight to the Mediterranean, so too, will the atmosphere, what with a lush partly covered patio, an intimate herb and flower terrace, and romantic gazebos. Opa! @kiposcuisinewilmington
Bull City Ciderworks An apple (cider) a day keeps the doctor away. … And bringing a little bit of liquid medicine to Wilmington this summer is Bull City Ciderworks, whose Port City location (opening this summer!) will be the first cidery by the coast (!)—and its fifth location in NC. The roughly 7,500-square-foot taproom will include 24 taps, fire pits, green space, lounge seating and an expansive bar—NTM Bull City Ciderworks’ award-winning ciders, cider cocktails, beer, wine and nonalcoholic options. And in the summertime, you’re gonna wanna cool off with one of their signature cider slushies. Cheers! @bullcitywilmington
Olivero James Beard Best Chef Southeast semifinalist Sunny Gerhart is taking the Nawlins cuisine for which he’s known next-level by showcasing the nontraditional Spanish-Italian flavors of The Big Easy at his second establishment, Olivero, slated to bow in Downtown Wilmington in early 2023. Inspired by his mother’s side of the family—of Spanish and Italian descent—and his great-grandfather Jose Olivero (aka a sailor from Seville who immigrated to New Orleans, for whom the restaurant’s named), Gerhart will feature housemade pastas; fresh local fish, meat and vegs; and more. @olivero_ilm
5 things you probably didn’t know about the NC Courage.
NC’s professional women’s soccer team proved that courage truly pays off after winning the NWSL Challenge Cup—the club’s first Challenge Cup title in franchise history (um, #squadgoals). Now, the Courage are putting on a brave face for the 2022 regular season—now underfoot, er, underway—and we’re confident these ballers are gonna play for keeps and kick up another trophy. Until then, we dish five fun facts about our #girlpower goal-getters.
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In May, the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF), the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association (USWNTPA) and the U.S. National Soccer Team Players Association (USNSTPA) came to a historic agreement on equal pay for women (!).
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Star midfielder Debinha was named the National Women’s Soccer League Challenge Cup MVP.
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The Courage have players repping six different countries for international play (including the U.S., New Zealand, Brazil, Jamaica, Ireland and Mexico) with five players boasting World Cup experience.
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French forward Valérie Gauvin signed a one-year deal with the NC Courage in late March. The 25-year-old represented France in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, scoring the opening tally for the French against Brazil. A great addition to the team, for sure!
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Confidence meets courage in the NC Courage’s timely partnership with leading medical aesthetics business Merz Aesthetics, which aims to promote confidence, character and sportsmanship among Courage fans and beyond.
