If you’re loco for the Panthers, take your cat scratch fever full steam ahead with NC by Trains fan train rides.
On the prowl for a live home Panthers game without the (hellacious) drive down 85? We’ve got the inside track—Amtrak, that is. Offering fans a cheap, easy, no-muss-no-fuss designated driver—without the hassle of traffic and parking—the train from Raleigh to the Queen City has long-been the go-to for in-the-know Panthers fans who make the mass exodus on game day to get down, get their game on and get back. And, this year, NC by Trains is rolling football trains to transport proud Panthers to and fro select games—with plenty of extra play time. (Our rec: stadium-adjacent tailgate hot spot WFNZ Jack Daniel’s Dog House). Here, your “know how to go.” All aboard! ncbytrain.org
Outbound train: 6:30am, Raleigh Union Station, Piedmont Train 73
Arrival Amtrak Charlotte Station: 9:40am (hey, tailgating time!)
Bank of America Stadium transport: ~10-minute Lyft/Uber
Kickoff:1pm, unless otherwise noted
Departure from Charlotte: 7pm (we see you postgame party!)
Back to Amtrak: ~10-minute Lyft/Uber (allow extra time for pickup)
Inbound train: 10:11pm, Amtrak Charlotte Station, Piedmont Train 78
The Kitchen Table is so much more than a board game cafe—it’s a social shift.
Whatever you thought you knew about board game bars… do not pass go, do not collect $200 and forget everything—including thoughts of sitting around playing Monopoly or Dungeons & Dragons in some dark dive. In fact, at hip hang The Kitchen Table board game cafe, you intentionally won’t find Monopoly at all. “I’ve always loved games,” laughs owner and game collector Sharon May, “just not that one.”
Instead, you’ll find a chic, bright, modern welcoming scratch kitchen and craft cocktail bar that competes in ambiance and offerings with some of the top hot spots in town, complete with 400 games to boot—running the gamut from two-player games to party games and everything in between, with carefully researched new additions each month.
Photo by Kierra Angell
First opened in 2019 before shuttering for two years starting March 2020 (thanks, pandemic), the neighboring sister concept to North Raleigh powerhouse restaurant Relish, also owned by May, was the second board game cafe to bow in NC—preceded only by Asheville’s Well Played.
While bars with board games are by no means new, “board game cafes”—bars built around the concept as a sort of board game sanctuary, complete with “game gurus” who teach games tableside—have absolutely emerged as an “it” trend. Already popular in Europe and Canada, the concepts are now taking off in the U.S.
For its part, The Kitchen Table cafe was born out of a combo of hobby and happenstance. “My daughter had gone to the beach with friends and learned the game Ticket to Ride,” says May. “She brought it back home and we were instantly addicted.” At the same time, May was ruminating a concept for her newly acquired adjacent Relish space that wouldn’t exist in direct competition. “I found out there was such a thing as a board game cafe—and it was like ‘eureka!’”
While the closure was less than ideal, The Kitchen Table reemerged this spring (reopening exactly two years to the day) at a time when its very essence had catapulted its appeal—in this moment where, post-pandemic and isolation, people wanted to connect differently (never mind screen fatigue). Add to that, for many, shaking your money maker shoulder to shoulder in a sweaty club had become less appealing than, say, putting down your phone and sharing a table and some friendly competition with your besties, boo or even your grammy at “the kitchen table.”
“As somebody who loved to go out, the pandemic wrecked that for me—but this place has fostered a different kind of socializing,” says The Kitchen Table Bar Manager Kierra Angell, who admittedly went from being “not really into board games” to becoming a self-dubbed “board game person” currently addicted to the houseplant-themed game Planted. “Literally anyone can get into the games here,” she adds. (And, fret not, OG games like Sorry and Scrabble, etc. are on offer—and games are smartly labeled from easy to medium to difficult.)
Inspired by popular Toronto-based Snakes & Lattes, May implemented “gametenders”—people who love games, love to teach and talk about them, and who will help you find a game based on your interests, she says. Even if that interest is, say, Monopoly, they’ll help you find an alternative.
“Monopoly is designed to keep making people lose until there is one winner—and if you’re out early you’re just watching along for hours with no joy,” says May. “But the European style of board gaming—and what’s popular now—is a cooperative style.” In essence, everybody plays together to beat a common goal.
“And it’s so much fun,” says May. “I wanted it to be a place that is comfortable to go to, where you enjoyed sitting for a while with good food and drinks.” To wit, the local-leaning cocktail program crafted by Angell with aptly named sips like Casual Gamer, One More Turn and, of course, Ticket to Ride, is complemented by rotating drafts, bottles and wines. And in the spirit of being a fam-friendly all-are-welcome space (you do not have to be 21), spirit-free musings like the Dragon’s Breath and Meeple Mule deliver—all perf potions to wash down the scratch-made offerings that set The Kitchen Table apart.
“We are a full-on restaurant experience and a board-game experience,” says May. Ultimately, it’s all in the name. The Kitchen Table: It’s a place of connection. A place you go to strategize and cooperate. A chill convo-driven hang with good eats and dope drinks. Niche, meet necessity. kitchentableraleigh.com
Mezcalista and all-around bar badass Lily Ballance (of Willco fame) has opened La Veladora.
“Stay up all night and get lit.” That is what self-proclaimed “mezcal pusher” and William & Company owner Liliana Ballance (aka Willco + Lily to regulars) wants you to do at her new Willco back bar, La Veladora, whose name literally translates to the essence of that sentiment, she jokes.
La Veladora has three meanings, she tells Raleigh Mag in an exclusive interview. One, the Day of the Dead altar candle that burns through the night; two, a nightwatcher (“so kind of a night owl,” says Ballance); and, three, the traditional glass you use to drink mezcal in Oaxaca, Mexico (aka the birthplace of the agave spirit). Hence, “up all night lit,” she laughs. “It’s really the perfect name.” But beyond triple entendre, this longtime local hospitality vet—she co-owns uber-popular Five Star and is the former owner of now-defunct empanada/tequila hot spot Calavera—is responsible for putting Raleigh on the mezcal map… a buzz factor made only more buzzy by her new “agave Mexi cave.”
For its part, Willco splashed on the scene in 2015 and catapulted the Person Street District to the destination it is today—and, in that time, has become the No. 1 seller of Del Maguey artisanal mezcal in controlled states in the U.S. (In fact, the brand’s ambassador just made a house call to educate the Willco staff!) Not bad at all for a cozy 40-seat bar in Raleigh. “It’s awesome. It’s crazy. It’s really cool,” says the mezcalista… “And I’m so proud of it.”
Now, her brand-new back bar, which quietly and intentionally joined the scene in August by word of mouth only (think a select text invite to seven of her friends—aka some of Raleigh’s key players: Oscar Diaz, Ashley Christensen, Chris Powers, etc.), will serve over 80 impossible-to-find varietals of mezcal, rare small-batch tequilas and obscure agave spirits like Raicilla, Bacanora and Sotol (Ballance is an agave aficionado after all). Add to that a lot of education (“we’re bringing that to Raleigh so people know there’s more to agave than tequila and mezcal,” she says) and a solid dose of history.
For starters, the bona fide mezcal bar is adorned with authentic traditional relics that hail directly from Huatuclo Mexico en Oaxaca, handmade by local artisans specifically for La Veladora and shipped over by her cousin—think mezcal cups, pottery, blankets, masks… even local herbs and bitters. In essence: “everything that’s really traditional from that part of Mexico,” says Ballance. “I want it to have the Mexican/Latin vibe of Willco with a lot of art and culture—and just want it to look like a little cave.”
And it does. Moving from front to back is a transformative experience, where you enter to find a dark candlelit space with burning palo santo wafting through the air to a backdrop of Mexican music. And it just works. “It feels like you are in two places at once,” says the mezcal maven. “Completely different music, cocktails, vibe.” It’s the definition of cool.
Adding to the authenticity, the space itself is a local artifact. Walk in to see the awe-inducing craftsmanship of the original near-80-year-old copper ceilings now revealed after being covered by fire damage. Or the cool Mexican tile. Or the restored original worn, rustic walls where you can literally see the layers of paint and brick, whose tatter serves as poetic justice for the agave anthem Ballance is serving up. Or the bar built by longtime Willco barback and former PieBird executive chef Christian Rivera’s bare hands from the original cedar burnt wood floors—both for authenticity (and super-sleek look) and to ingeniously overcome the severe supply chain delays and costs. Fun fact: The crafty barman (aka the “wooden witch”) is also responsible for all the woodwork at Willco.
“He took every piece and every nail and everything out and made the bar,” says Ballance. “There was a lot of damage, but we were able to reconstruct the original space without adding anything—we just repurposed and enhanced what was there, which is really cool because that bar is one-of-a-kind in the world. Nobody’s gonna have this type of wood—and burnt design. I was very lucky to have very artistic and driven people who were willing to do that. … And it was so exciting to see what was in my head come to life for the first time ever.”
Now open four days a week with DJs spinning vinyls to bookend the weekend hours on Thursdays and Sundays, La Veladora is just getting started. Look for intimate monthly 10-seat agave dinners pairing top local chefs, rare primo mezcals and “the magic behind each bottle,” says Ballance. “I’ll tell you all about this bottle and the grandmother,” she adds. Literally—she’s known to travel to the Mexican villages, stay with the families, learn about the agave they use, how they make it, etc. “There’s a purist agave movement—no additives—and the people behind it are so talented. I’ve been nerding out about the movement and the brands that really shine—and just want to get them here.”
Just like Willco, La Veladora hasn’t—and won’t—need all the flashy marketing fanfare. Case in point, right now, at 11pm on a random rainy Wednesday, Willco is abuzz to the point you’d think it was Friday night. And not in an off-putting unapproachable way. But in an alive all-are-welcome energetic-yet-chill way. It’s all genuine. All authentic. And it’s a vibe. Just like Lily—which is likely why everything she touches turns to (agave) gold.@laveladorawilco; @willcobar
Think there’s nowhere to eat lunch in DTR? Think again. There are 100+ places to get your midday grub on in Downtown right now. Here, your go-to guide for lunch Downtown right now, divided up by district. Dig in!
The Roast Grill “Good friends, good dogs, good times” are on order at this famed hole-in-the-wall 13-seat Raleigh staple “burnin’ ’em for you” since 1940. 7 S. West St.
Taverna Agora – RM Best Restaurants 2022 Specialty cocktails and authentic Greek wines complement traditional Greek dishes in the rustic old-world ambiance inside—or alfresco on the open-air rooftop patio. 326 Hillsborough St.
Smoky Hollow
The Cardinal Bar– RM Best Bars 2021 “Spirits & everybody” is the name of the game at Jason Howard’s (think The Atlantic Lounge, Pink Boot) West Street drinking den and hot dog haven. The Cardinal’s infused liquor makes for some of the best—and cheapest—shots in town. Chase them with one of the lowkey bar’s famous beer-braised hot dogs, which are also available as veggie dogs. 713 N. West St.
Dose Elixir Bar Whether you just namaste’d a Dose class or you’re passing through the Hollow, grab your daily “dose” at Dose Yoga’s in-house smoothie bar concept and walk-up window to elevate your mood and stay balanced. Pick your potion, from adaptogenic and plant-based protein smoothies, smoothie bowls and wellness lattes—positive side effects, guaranteed. 415 N. Harrington St.
Gringo A Go Go With its playful vibe, plant-filled patio and housemade margs, this sup spot has been sating local Mexican-food lovers (including vegans!) since 2014. 100 N. Person St.
(Ish) Delicatessen Not quite Jewish, a little Italian and maybe Southern, this sandwich shop boasts “weird sandwiches from weird people” for breakfast and lunch. 702 N. Person St.
The Station at Person Street – RM Top Bloody Pick Nestled in a renovated Amoco gas station, this chill neighborhood hangout offers spacious indoor and outdoor seating that’s perfect for noshing on creative spins on bar food classics and craft brews. 701 N. Person St.
Big Ed’s City Market – RM Top Business Breakfast Pick Having called City Market home since 1989, Big Ed’s continues to serve up some of the best in Southern cooking in town seven days a week for breakfast, brunch and lunch. 220 Wolfe St.
The Bridge DTR For “bloody good” British food, international friendship and football (OK, soccer) visit London Bridge. Across-the-pond classics include rocket salad, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and a full English breakfast. 110 E. Hargett St.
Gravy Ask any Italian-American what “gravy” is, and they’ll tell you it’s the pasta sauce their moms and grandmas cooked fresh nightly. So, naturally, at Gravy, they prepare their own each day—among a host of delish Italian-American selects. 135 S. Wilmington St.
Sitti Named for the most beloved Lebanese figure, the grandmother (sitti), this DTR sup spot by restaurateur Greg Hatem (with Neomonde owners, the Saleh family) honors his Lebanese heritage with delish authentic dishes and spirits, and an inviting atmosphere. 137 S. Wilmington St.
Transfer Co. Food Hall (see individual listings herein) Located in the historic Carolina Coach Garage and Shop, this hip food hall houses local seafood, burritos, bagels, housemade meats and pastas, burgers, Asian fare, and more—plus a bar. 500 E. Davie St., 984.232.8122, transfercofoodhall.com
Vic’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria Owner Mario Longo has been serving authentic old-world Italian and NY-style pizza and traditional pastas for 30+ years overlooking City Market. Pro tip: Park it on the patio. 331 Blake St.; 4035 Lake Boone Trail
Clyde Cooper’s BBQ Since 1938, Clyde’s has been a fave for its award-winning barbecue (with three styles to choose from to boot!), succulent beef brisket and juicy chicken—NTM the sides! 327 S. Wilmington St.
Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar Never give up! Named for famed NC State coach Jim Valvano, upscale Italian fare is served alongside casual ops like pizzas and salads. 420 Fayetteville St.
lucettegrace Start your day at this contemporary patisserie with croissants and coffee; escape midday with the box lunch (your choice of sandwich, salad or soup, and a treat) or reward yourself post-work with those legendary macarons. 235 S. Salisbury St.
Manhattan Cafe Grilled cheese is for grown-ups! … And lunch is a vibe at this super-fresh local cafe by three brothers serving brekkie and lunch since 2009. 320 S. Wilmington St.
The Raleigh Times – RM Best Bars 2021; RM Top Bloody Pick Located in the home of the 100-year-old building that housed the former The Raleigh Times newspaper, this downtown staple now encompasses almost an entire city block (with a rooftop patio to boot), plus a generous selection of craft beers and eats. 14 E. Hargett St.
Sono Raleigh Let the good times roll at this sexy-chic-but-approachable vibrant sushi resto serving up world-class rolls (not to mention ramen and other Japanese faves), with a huge cocktail and sake selection to boot. 319 Fayetteville St., Ste. 101
Buena Papa Fry Bar @ Morgan Street Food Hall Fries before guys—and everything else. Buena Papa’s loaded fries (topped with everything from Colombian refried beans and fried pork belly to meatballs and tomato sauce to grilled chicken and tzatziki) are truly all you need in life. 9411 W. Morgan St., Ste. 104
Irregardless Café Treasured by carnivores and omnivores alike, this classic Raleigh venue is known for its global cuisine, as well as its flavorful and inventive vegan and vegetarian dishes. Come back at night for a meal to a backdrop of live music. 901 W. Morgan St.
Morgan Street Food Hall(see individual listings herein) An oasis for some of Raleigh’s best food and drink ops, this new-age food hall serves up everything from wood-fired pizza, tacos and burgers to lobster rolls, ice cream and more—not to mention cocktails at its indoor/outdoor bar. 411 W. Morgan St.
Parkside “Parked” at the entrance to the Warehouse District, Parkside is situated in a building that’s served up Southern hospitality for over 100 years. Take a seat at the reclaimed barnwood bar for chef-inspired dishes and 25-plus beers on tap. 301 W. Martin St.
The Pit Continuing NC’s barbecue legacy, The Pit doles authentic whole-hog, pit-cooked barbecue (think chopped barbecue pork and beef brisket). Opt for the warm-hued interior or the patio with a front seat to the hustle and bustle of downtown. 328 W. Davie St.
A Place at the Table – RM Top Business Breakfast Pick Having quickly gained local love and national acclaim, Raleigh’s first pay-what-you can cafe offers breakfast ops like quiche and waffles, and such lunch classics as salads, sandwiches and paninis. 300 W. Hargett St.
Sam Jones BBQ Prominent NC pitmaster Sam Jones brings his family’s signature Eastern North Carolina chopped whole-hog Q to Raleigh at Sam Jones BBQ, where trays and sandos are best served with the Skylight Inn-style cornbread. 502 W. Lenoir St.
Tuscan Blu Ciao, bella. At this authentic Italian resto, classic Tuscany-inspired pasta, meat dishes, and daily specials await—either to dine in or enjoy alfresco on the patio. 327 W. Davie St.
Whiskey Kitchen– RM Best Bars 2021; RM Top Brunch Pick Exposed bricks, lofty ceilings, garage door-style edifice, light-strung large patio and a communal vibe serve as the setting for this whiskey haven—housing hundreds of top-notch whiskies, with a full bar program and Southern-inspired plates for pairing to boot. 201 W. Martin St.
DeMo’s Pizzeria & Deli Um, you’re def on a knead-to-know basis when it comes to this local pizzeria and deli dishing homemade eats with fresh local ingredients that’ll steal another lil slice of your heart with every, well, slice (or salad, or sub…). Insider tip: Don’t sleep on the delivery service. 222 Glenwood Ave.
Hibernian Irish Pub Sláinte! Irish eyes are smiling indeed at this longtime two-story Glenwood South staple, famed for its Irish social club feel, beer and liquor selection, wraparound rooftop patio (with bar), and, of course, delish Irish dishes. 311 Glenwood Ave.
La Santa It doesn’t get more authentic Mexican than a family-owned resto serving up fare using the owner’s mother’s recipes from Guadalajara—think handmade tortillas, bolillo and chicken enchiladas—best served with mezcal cocktails and margs. 222 Glenwood Ave., Ste. 107
MoJoe’s Burger Joint With a dozen-ish different styles, MoJoe’s signature award-winning handpressed burgers are 100% Sterling Silver Choice beef and 100% delicious. Add fries, famous MoJoe’s sauce and a brew (or a signature shake) for the full experience. 620 Glenwood Ave.
My Way Tavern – RM Best Bars 2021 With a Cheers-esque vibe and TVs on every wall, this neighborhood tavern is a great spot to catch the game over cocktails and brews—and all the food you need to keep your game day fueled. 522 St. Mary’s St.
Sushi Blues An affordable spot to get a wide selection of fresh sushi and sashimi in a casual, sleek environment, Sushi Blues is known for its BOGO rolls (try the Wolfpack) and half-price wine bottles on Sundays and Wednesdays. 301 Glenwood Ave.
Tobacco Road Sports Cafe & Brewery – RM Best Bars 2021 Born out of owners Amra brothers’ vision for combining good food and sports-watching, TR is the quintessential spot for catching the game over world-class beers, cocktails and fresh locally sourced fare. 505 W. Jones St.
A tone-on-tone color palette visually expands the volume—sans harsh lines—in this stylish Brier Creek Country Club sophisticated-modern open kitchen, where the existing footprint is maximized by reworking the dimensions and scale of the room’s main attraction: the island. Taking center stage, the designated gathering place is intentionally designed to at once downplay the fridge/hood and draw the eyes in as the wow factor in this simply edited and elegant open kitchen to an inviting refined-chic effect. We chat up interior designer Anita Bhattacharya, NCIDQ, of Otrada Design LLC for tricks of the trade on how to mimic the refresh. otradadesign.com
Vertical Vibes Don’t harsh the vibe. Extend the backsplash tile vertically up the wall to bring the viewer’s eye up toward the ceiling and expand the overall volume of the room. Benefit—a taller appearing ceiling. Better still? No horizontal lines!
Go Tone-on-Tone For a larger, more cohesive and refined look, keep the wall, tile and cabinetry palette simple via a tone-on-tone palette with color transitions to minimize lightness to darkness (aka sharp value) contrasts. This helps to reduce any one item grabbing your eye so you and your guests see the overall composition of the space.
Zero In To emulate this modern, inviting look, select a similarly sophisticated neutral wall hue, designate your island footprint and choose a contrasting-yet-timeless countertop color (white, black, taupe). Pop in some black sculptural pendant lights—and, well, good luck getting the guests to go home.
