WEB EXCLUSIVE With the Carolina Ballet‘s annual holiday performance of The Nutcracker comes a host of special Nutcracker-themed drinks and desserts from local restaurants and bars.
This year, more than ever, this collaboration serves to support both the arts and the local establishments who are all experiencing difficulties due to COVID. Stop by one (or two, or three!) of these Triangle locations for a delicious holiday treat in honor of the Nutcracker.
While Carolina Ballet is unable to perform The Nutcracker for a live audience this year, WRAL and Capital Broadcasting Company have partnered together with PNC to stream a special performance right to the TV in your living room. Catch it on air December 25th at 7 p.m. on WRAL-TV.
Chocolate-Valpolicella Budino with Fallen Gingerbread Soldiers
Chocolate and gingerbread go hand-in-hand in this dessert by chef Teddy Diggs of Coronato. The pudding-like dessert is served cold with whipped cream and crushed gingerbread cookies for a decadent treat you won’t want to share.
Japanese Snowball
Kanki Japanese Steakhouse 4325 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh; 4500 Old Wake Forest Road, Raleigh; 3504 Mt. Moriah Road, Durham
Holiday-themed cocktails always seem to taste better than standard ones—perhaps it’s the sprinkle of holiday cheer? Kanki combines Malibu rum, Pearl Nigori sake, crème of coconut and pineapple juice in this merry cocktail for a fruity and festive sip.
Layers and layers of holiday deliciousness make up this labor of love from Sassool, including sweet syrup, butter, creamy white chocolate, crunchy walnuts and candy canes. We bet you can’t have just one piece.
Have your dessert and drink it too with STIR’s Walnut King cocktail. Courvoisier V.S., creme de cacao dark, Frangelico, half and half and house-made black walnut bitters make the end of your dinner experience festively sweet.
This delectable drink is made with Absolut vodka, Chambord liqeur, lemon juice and simple syrup—a perfect combination for kicking off the holiday season.
This specialty cocktail, created by head bartender Josh Gagne, is made with spiced rum, coconut, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, Nutella and shaved chocolate. Basically dessert in drink form!
Enjoy the flavors of the season with this delicious polenta-based cake from Il Palio. Juicy plums, hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a dollop of freshly whipped cream on top add a magical sweetness.
This contemporary patisserie in the heart of downtown Raleigh has become well-known for the sweet, artful work of owner and pastry chef Daniel Benjamin. Keep an eye out over the next couple days to see what delightful dessert he has created to contribute to the Nutcracker-themed lineup.
WEB EXCLUSIVE In a year of turbulence, change, activism and the highest voter turnout in over a century, the city of Raleigh has been pretty busy. You may or may not be aware that Raleigh has 29 boards and commissions made up of volunteer citizens that weight in on important developments, arts projects, policies and other goings-ons in the city.
If you’re interested in anything from transit and bicycle and pedestrian safety to arts and the environment, joining a Raleigh board or commission is the perfect opportunity to take your involvement to the next level and affect real change in your community, while influencing important decisions that impact other residents.
The only qualification for volunteers is that they must be a citizen living in the City of Raleigh.
Do some research on some of Raleigh’s 29 boards and commissions to decide which one looks right for you. You could be responsible for promoting environmental protection standards by joining the Environmental Advisory Board, evaluating city planning agendas by joining the Planning Commission or making decisions affecting your local parks, recreation and greenways by joining the Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board. If there’s something you’re interested in being a part of when it comes to city decision making, there’s most likely a board or commission that would appeal to you.
Once you’ve found a board that matches your interest, check here to see when members’ appointments expire. You can also view each group’s meeting schedules here to see what lines up with your day-to-day life. Most boards and commissions observe a two-year term; you may serve on up to two boards or commissions at once.
Volunteer members are nominated and appointed by City Council. In order to be considered, just fill out the form on the individual board or commission page.
At a time when it can be intimidating to engage in a messy political arena or take part in a controversial policy, individuals still need to have their voices heard. Raleigh’s boards and commissions is a great way to get involved with what’s going on in your community and make a difference within the city. Make your voice heard today. Apply for a city board or commission now!
WEB EXCLUSIVE Pop-up markets have become all the rage lately, largely due to coronavirus-related regulations. They make shopping into a whole new experience and there’s always something new to see and/or buy. This holiday season, we encourage you to log off of Amazon and shop from these local makers, artists and businesses at open air pop-up markets in and around Raleigh.
Masks and social distancing are required at all events listed below.
Triangle Pop-Up’s markets have been wildly successful across the Triangle. This holiday season they’re taking it to the next level by setting up a temporary shop with over 35 local vendors for a month straight right downtown. A one-stop shop for all your gift needs!
Explore Raleigh’s first monthly vintage market along with a curated food truck lineup. Sip on some of Trophy’s signature beers as you shop the day away (and mark some items off your Christmas list)!
Enjoy food from a selection of 12 restaurants, live music on the patio and handmade products from some of Raleigh’s best local makers. Support small this holiday season by gifting from their selection of accessories, clothing, home goods, custom gifts and more.
Dates: November 29, December 6, 13, 20; 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: 4011 Cardinal at North Hills Street
Hosted by the MAKRS Society with the purpose of bringing local makers, artists and small businesses to the public, this pop-up will be happening for the first time this Sunday at North Hills Midtown Park! This pop-up market, made up of 30-plus local vendors (and a food truck!), will be returning through the end of December.
Fount Coffee started a monthly event with Triangle Pop-Up the second Saturday of each month. Grab a latte or a hot chocolate to keep you warm as you browse the outdoor booths at this special holiday-themed market.
Enjoy a full kitchen and bar, plus a half acre of outdoor dining before or after your holiday shopping spree. Based in Durham, this beautiful venue is worth the drive.
Check out a line up of good food, drinks and live music right in downtown Raleigh at another Triangle Pop-Up market at Transfer Co. Food Hall. Here to meet all your last-minute gifting needs and your craving for an afternoon or evening out.
WEB EXCLUSIVE The standard sandwich lunch can get really repetitive and boring when that’s the only thing you pack for the office every day (trust us, we know). For National Sandwich Day, we encourage you to spice things up and add some excitement to your lunch hour with some unique and tasty sandwich options around Raleigh. Read on for the most delicious excuses to try something new—satisfaction guaranteed.
The Raleigh Times is best known for their craft and Belgian beer and rooftop patio in the heart of downtown Raleigh, not to mention their news-worthy sandwich lineup, including this Bangin’ Shrimp Po-Boy.
Wilson’s Eatery offers a variety of sandwiches, flatbreads and salads made with locally sourced ingredients. Carry out or dine-in in a laidback warehouse space or on their patio alongside the beer garden shared by their partner Lynwood Brewing Concern.
Located inside of Transfer Co. Food Hall, Benchwarmers offers breakfast sandwiches on their freshly baked bagels, and, yes, they do taste as good as they look.
For an authentic New York Deli-style experience, hop on over to Mookie’s in Cary. We recommend the Reuben, and for any vegetarians, they offer a version made with roasted Fox Farm mushrooms.
If you ever find yourself in North Raleigh, you have to swing by Sola and grab one of their lunch or breakfast sandwiches. We recommend the Sola Turkey on Boulted Bread Sourdough—add avocado if you’re feeling wild.
Whiskey Kitchen is known for their whiskey, craft cocktails and inventive Southern fare, but this fried chicken sandwich threatens to steal the show. Enjoy on their spacious patio in the heart of downtown.
Beasley’s is best known for their fried chicken on waffles, sandwiches or by the piece. Try their classic chicken sandwich with special sauce or their chicken biscuit with pickled green tomato.
Union Special Bread has made a name for itself since opening in 2019 as an all-day bakery and café. Using locally sourced ingredients when they can’t make them from scratch, they serve breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with a variety of delectable sandwich options.
WEB EXCLUSIVE Wake County Government recently announced a reopening of select public library locations. As of Monday, November 9th, East Regional, Eva Perry Regional, Northeast Regional and Southeast Regional Libraries will be open to the public.
Although this is a big step from their no-contact Books on the Go service, there are still precautions in place.
Before entering, library security will take your temperature. All patrons are encouraged to limit their visits to 15 to 30 minutes, observe posted library capacity and maintain social distancing.
Of course, masks are required, and lounge seating, tables and study rooms will no longer be available. Computer sessions will also be limited to 30 minutes a day. Plexiglass shields have been installed at service desks and hand sanitizer is readily available.
For any readers uncomfortable with this option, Wake County is still offering their Books on the Go service for a contactless pickup.
Browse the library’s online catalog and reserve up to 30 items. Once you’ve received an email confirming your materials are ready, schedule a time for pick up at one of Wake County Libraries’ locations. Staff will set out the books with your name on them at the front desk or at the front of the library.
All staff are required to wear face masks and gloves and sanitize frequently. Returned materials are also kept on a 72 hour hold after being returned to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
This service is available Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, 1 – 5 p.m at all Wake County Public Library locations.
