In spite of COVID, chefs are still bringing the art of backyard pig picking to the City of Oaks.
Raleigh foodies billed 2020 as “the year of barbecue,” with excitement brimming over several new barbecue restaurants slated to open in town. And, though the coronavirus shutdown threw a wrench in some pitmasters’ plans, not even an international pandemic can stand between Raleighites and their beloved barbecue for very long.
North Carolina has long been known as a barbecue destination, and the battle between the state’s Eastern and Western styles has raged for decades. Now, with celebrity chefs and famous pitmasters flocking to the Triangle, Raleigh is looking to make its name as a barbecue capital.
Before we all go hog wild, we wanted to find out whether plans for various, much-hyped barbecue joints were smoking hot or on the back burner. To be sure, the cloud of COVID-19 still looms (an estimated 60 percent of restaurant closures nationally are feared to be permanent). Will this year still usher in a barbecue revolution for Raleigh? Dig in and see for yourself.
Lawrence Barbecue
Expected Opening Date: Winter/Spring 2021
Jake Wood likes to think outside of the box. Bringing Lawrence Barbecue to Boxyard RTP, he plans to unite two popular, local pastimes: eating barbecue and slurping oysters. Boxyard RTP, a modern retail hub that looks to transform what it means to eat, drink and shop local in the Triangle, is a unique setup of food and retail vendors, utilizing shipping containers to house businesses such as Fullsteam Brewery and Medicine Mama’s Farmacy. Wood has been busy not only preparing to open to the public this fall, but serving more than 500 free meals to service industry and frontline workers throughout the COVID pandemic. With ample outdoor seating to allow for social distancing, whether you’re seeking pulled or shucked, Lawrence Barbecue will surely hit the spot.
Sam Jones Barbecue
Expected Opening Date: TBD
You just can’t talk about North Carolina barbecue without mentioning the name “Sam Jones.” Part of a six-generation barbecue family, the James Beard Award finalist is bringing his renowned skills to the former Dusty’s Garage space near Boylan Heights in downtown Raleigh. Jones’ grandfather opened the famed Skylight Inn in Ayden, North Carolina in 1947, and in 2015, the first Sam Jones Barbecue opened its doors in Winterville. “We take great pride in the tradition of cooking whole hogs over wood, which is something that had almost become a thing of the past,” Jones says. As he does at the Skylight Inn, Jones will smoke his meats in a detached smokehouse; but unlike at Skylight, Sam Jones Barbecue will serve a full bar of cocktails, beer and wine. With an opening date fast-approaching, we won’t have long to wait before we’re enjoying some legendary Sam Jones ‘cue.
Wyatt’s Whole Hog Barbecue
Expected Opening Date: 2021
Photo by Forrest Mason
It’s no surprise that barbecue fans are eagerly awaiting the opening of Wyatt’s Whole Hog Barbecue in the newly revitalized Gateway Plaza off of Capital Boulevard. Wyatt’s sister restaurant, PICNIC in Durham, was named one of Time Magazine’s “Eight Best BBQ Spots in the Carolinas” in 2016. “This is my first solo venture, so I’m excited to have more creative control, though my goal is to not stray too far from my roots,” says owner and pitmaster Wyatt Dickson. “I’m really proud of what [co-owner] Ryan Butler and I have created at PICNIC over these last four years and this is an opportunity to expand on that.”
We can look for Wyatt’s to be larger than PICNIC, both in terms of space as well as the overall experience. Smokers will be in full view for guests, adding to the restaurant’s look and feel, as well as to “reinforce our mission to preserve and honor the Eastern North Carolina whole hog barbecue tradition and showcase these beautiful pastured pigs that [Butler] raises exclusively for us at Green Button Farm,” Dickson says. Dickson’s restaurant will utilize the whole hog, serving house-made sausage and South Carolina style hash as well as traditional pulled pork. Wyatt’s is partnering with its Gateway neighbor, Union Special bakery, to use its buns for those hankering for a barbecue sandwich. While we hungrily await Wyatt’s official opening next year, customers can make orders a week in advance from PICNIC to be delivered to the Wyatt’s site every Thursday.
The Preserve
Expected Opening Date: TBD
Photo by Felicia Perry Trujillo
Ed Mitchell, a name that became synonymous with barbecue when he brought the crowd-pleasing joint The Pit to downtown Raleigh, is bringing his talents to a new venture. The Preserve, to be be located on Creekside Drive in the old Carolina Ale House building, is joining LM Restaurants’ Lou Moshakos (owner of Carolina Ale House and Vidrio) with plans to showcase Mitchell’s cooking front and center. Though this powerhouse duo was hoping to open the doors to the public this year, COVID has curtailed plans for an opening in the near future. The team is currently shifting resources and working to get the kitchen space finished so that takeout and catering orders can begin to bring the ’cue to Mitchell’s fans on the double.
Longleaf Swine
Expected Opening Date: 2021
The popular food truck Longleaf Swine is heading to its first brick-and-mortar location in the old Oakwood Café space on East Edenton Street. Diners will enjoy delicious barbecue, cooked with the whole hog, all-wood method, in a unique setting in the heart of the Oakwood Historic District. As the owners work to renovate the building, they plan to first set up the kitchen in hopes of serving guests in an outdoor space, as well as offering takeout. Pitmaster Marc Russell brings a hint of Puerto Rican flair to some of his dishes, such as local smoked whole fish with poblano rub, and esquites—the Longleaf take on corn off the cob with Cotija cheese.
Friendship Barbecue
Jason Howard, owner of The Cardinal Bar and the underground Atlantic Lounge, had hoped to open Friendship Barbecue on North West Street last year, but, due to COVID, he’s decided not to move ahead with the restaurant. Instead, Howard says, he is excited to continue work on the Rainbow Luncheonette and The Pink Boot, a bar, in the Rainbow Building at 911 North West Street, with plans to open as soon as dining and drinking restrictions are lifted.
No Mexican dining experience is complete without chips and guacamole. Guac, in its most basic form, is a delicacy—the mixture of avocado, red onion, lime juice, cilantro and salt is a wonder on your tastebuds—but add in a few extra ingredients and you’ll take the spread to a whole new level of flavor. We asked three of our favorite local Mexican restaurants to give us their special guacamole recipes for you to recreate at home.
Driftwood Cantina
Mango Guacamole
4 avocados, diced ¼ medium red onion, diced fine (I like to soak in cold water before adding to the guac; it takes the bite out) ½ to 1 bunch cilantro, chopped; the more the merrier 2-3 limes, juiced 1 serrano or jalapeño chile, sliced thin; leave seeds in for more spice 1 mango, ripe but firm, diced 1 tsp. salt or more if needed (I also like to add lump crab to this guacamole sometimes)
Cantina 18
Pineapple & Habanero Guacamole (Feeds approximately 16 people)
10 avocados, mashed 1 pineapple, diced 1½ Tbsp. signature Cantina 18 Habanero hot sauce 1 red onion, diced ½ bunch cilantro, chopped ½ tsp. cumin 1 Tbsp. lime juice salt & pepper to taste
Combine pineapple, onion, cilantro, cumin, lime juice, salt, pepper and avocados. Make sure to season well.
Salt & Lime Cabo Grill
Fire Roasted Tomato & Goat Cheese Guacamole
4 avocados ¼ cup garlic cloves (roasted/diced) ¼ cup lime juice 1 Tbsp. kosher salt 1 cup green onion, finely chopped 1 Tbsp. diced, sautéed yellow onions 2 Tbsp. roasted tomatoes 1 Tbsp. goat cheese 1 tsp. cilantro to top
Place avocados in a bowl, crush with hands but leave some chunks.
Add garlic, lime juice, green onions and salt. Mix and taste; add more salt or lime juice as needed.
A color commonly associated with pristine ocean waters and moody skies, blue-gray has a calming yet still playful effect in any room in the home. The peaceful color is perfect for those looking to add a pop of something more interesting than black, white or gray—but nothing too outlandish.
1. Mars Gray by Debbie Robbins, 24”x30”, $400; For Your Convenience 2. Precedent Bellatrix chair, $1285; Beyond Blue Interiors 3. Stripe coasters set of 4, $19.95; Zest Cafe & Home Art 4. Seashell shaped dish, $16.95; Zest Cafe & Home Art 5. Matouk Eden Collection hazy blue full/queen, $475; Charlotte’s 6. Bamboo style frame, $12.95; Zest Cafe & Home Art 7. Geo chenille Jacquard pillow cover 20” x 20”, $45; West Elm 8. Book bundle, $18.95; The Shops at 1700 9. Barneyville Traditional Chesterfield Sofa, $799.99; Target 10. Crystalline vase, $35; The Shops at 1700
My favorite blue-gray paint color is Sherwin Williams Daphne SW9151. Blue-gray paints are calm and relaxing in a room and seem to be popular choices these days. It can be a neutral when paired with other colors and can be used in a traditional or contemporary home.
— Julie Flournoy, For Your Convenience
Our favorite blue-gray is “Blue Fescue” from Benjamin Moore’s Century Collection. We love this French-inspired tone in a flat finish – it looks great on the walls of our design library!
— Robert MacNeill and Brittany Roux, Roux MacNeill Studio, rouxmacstudio.com
Benjamin Moore Santorini Blue is a soft blue with a gray undertone. It will give a beach-like vibe to your space, imparting a breezy, cozy feel!
North Star is an easy-breezy color—easy to live with and the perfect neutral backdrop. Love it paired with creamy white and melon-hued accents for the more bold!
This dramatic hue can be found in many of our favorite projects. It’s a gorgeous color for cabinetry and built-in bookcases, as well as powder rooms and dining room walls.
I love this stately blue-gray for adding contrast to otherwise neutral spaces, such as in a coffered ceiling or on a powder room ceiling paired with wallpaper or a light wall color. Exceptionally gorgeous in a gloss finish, it is wonderful for interior doors or for changing up an all-white kitchen by painting the island.
Passive SW7064 by Sherwin Williams is a fantastic soft and neutral blue-gray hue to use in spaces with lots of natural light. It creates such a soft tone for a space and really sets a fabulous foundation to build a great color story upon for an entire home…heck, it was what I used most in my own home because it makes leather and dark-wood antiques look so freakin’ good!!
Nicholaus M. Neptune is an artist, educator, entrepreneur and community advocate currently serving as the managing director of Transfer Company Food Hall, Ballroom and Work Hall, a former partner and co-founder of Raleigh’s shared creative studio The Assembly and owner behind the music, entertainment and consulting firm Good Times Assurance Company.
For more than 15 years, Neptune’s work has been defined by the constant celebration, building and strengthening of community and culture through music, art, food and play. In 2020, Raleigh Magazine recognized his longtime community work by including him in our “30 in their 30s” feature as one who’s working “hard for positive change … to make life better for everyone in the city.”
Neptune currently serves as an appointed commissioner with the City of Raleigh’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission and is a board member with the Wake Tech Community College Foundation.
This September, he begins coursework in an executive program in social innovation and design, a joint program organized by the University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design and its School of Social Policy and Practice.
Photo by Joshua Steadman
Where’s your hometown: Winston-Salem. Home to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (where my youngest sister is currently pursuing a degree in filmmaking and animation), Winston-Salem State University, Wake Forest University and Forsyth Tech Community College. Winston-Salem has enjoyed a renaissance in its downtown food, beverage, music and arts scene over the last 15 years; there’s always something new to see when I return home to visit with family.
What neighborhood do you live in today: As of this writing, I’m in the middle of moving ever closer to downtown – truth be told, I’m grateful to have never lived more than 10 minutes from downtown over the last 10 years, including in Five Points, near NC State and more recently in Longview Gardens and Olde East Raleigh.
What do you love most about Raleigh: Our people, our talent, our drive – there’s this undercurrent of recognition that we’re living through a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape the growth and trajectory of our city. It’s truly remarkable and a privilege to be a part of this community at this time.
What book are you currently reading: Currently, I’m working through “The Geography of Opportunity,” a collection of policy papers on housing choice, affordability, racial equity and metropolitan growth and development, featuring contributions from economists, urban planners, civil rights attorneys, and, more broadly, individuals committed to expanding opportunity for populations historically denied it and improving outcomes in education, employment, safety and health for the same populations for generations to come. I’m also revisiting Christina Greene’s “Our Separate Ways” (an in-depth study of African American women and their role in sustaining the Black Freedom Movement from the 1940s through 1970s in Durham).
What are you currently listening to: Given our current times, a lot of live albums including James Brown’s “Say It Live and Loud: Live in Dallas 08.26.68,” Aretha Franklin’s “Aretha Live at Fillmore West,” The Rolling Stones’ “Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! The Rolling Stones in Concert” (also featuring B.B. King and Ike & Tina Turner live at Madison Square Garden), and, more recently, Sylvan Esso’s “WITH” live album. In terms of podcasts, The Daily and Still Processing from The New York Times, Podcast Raleigh with Ashton Mae Smith and Hayes Permar and WNYC’s On the Media. All are favorites and regular listens.
What’s your style mantra: Define who you want to be – despite society’s expectations – then dress accordingly.
Who are your style influencers: Architect Jordan Ryland, clothier Victor Lytvinenko and the designers Gino Reyes, Steven Smith and Judah Oechsle—all local gentlemen and friends whom I have a great deal of respect and appreciation for as it relates to their values, personal aesthetics and style. The floral designers Nikelle Orellana-Reyes, Hannah Ross Clarke, Deana Nguyen, and the recording artists Kate Rhudy and Zen Stewart are local women for whom I would say the same—impeccable tastes and values to match.
Favorite clothing labels: In an alternate universe, one where I had access to limitless resources, I’d likely wear Raf Simons, Calvin Klein, Raleigh Denim, Adidas, Champion, Patagonia and Marine Layer every day.
Boxers vs briefs: The truth is that “boxer briefs” are perfect for capturing the best of both worlds.
Local go-to shop: Though I don’t actually go shopping very much—because, again, I don’t live in an alternate universe with limitless resources—whenever I do, I deeply appreciate the selection found at Unlikely Professionals, Edge of Urge, Father & Son, Raleigh Denim and Vert & Vogue in Durham.
Where was your last great lunch: Well, it should go without saying that I’ve enjoyed countless great lunches at Transfer Company Food Hall, but when I get off campus for lunch, I can typically be found picking up (or dining outside) A Place at the Table, State of Beer, Beasley’s Chicken & Honey, lucettegrace, Capital Club 16 and Tazza Kitchen at Cameron Village.
What’s your go-to, sure thing piece in your closet: Currently, a faded green utility jacket by the San Francisco-based Marine Layer. I should mention, beyond the clean, coastal aesthetics of their clothing, I’m particularly appreciative of their commitment to sustainability.
Favorite piece of jewelry: A gold necklace my father wore throughout his 20 years of service in the U.S. Army. He gave it to me before I left for college (for good luck, as it was given to him before joining the Army) and I’ve worn it ever since.
Where are you dreaming about traveling: At the moment, given how long it’s been, I’d love to visit my family in Winston-Salem. Otherwise, I’d love to travel through South America and Africa.
How do you stay fit: I’m generally able to walk or bike wherever I need to go downtown day to day, so that’s incredibly helpful. That said, once I’ve restored some balance to my work/life schedule, I’d like to re-introduce more running, volleyball, 4-square and ultimate frisbee.
Favorite cocktail/drink: Coffee to start the day. A Greyhound or Paloma at brunch (preferably captain’s strength); whiskey in the evening (or an Admiral’s Nightcap at Transfer Co., which is generally whatever Courtney Fugate or Zach Neuman’s interpretation happens to be on any given weekend evening).
SPONSORED CONTENT: Let’s face it. No one loves their shaving routine. It’s inconvenient at the best of times and painful—hello razor burn and shaving nicks—at the worst of times. Shaving is just something we do to temporarily get the smooth, hair-free skin we all want.
But at one time or another, you’ve probably dreamed about never having to twist yourself into a pretzel again in order to remove the hair in those hard to reach places… and you don’t need to!
We talked to the laser hair removal experts at Milan Laser Hair Removal about ditching the razor, and here are the top 7 reasons why you should do laser hair removal.
7 Reasons Why You Should Stop Shaving
It’s simple; you want hair-free skin without the hassle. With laser hair removal, that’s exactly what you’ll get! You’ll not only be able to say goodbye to shaving, but you’ll be able to ditch other outdated hair removal methods like waxing, plucking, sugaring, and depilatory creams as well because the hair is gone for good.
Now, let’s look at the top seven reasons why you should switch to laser hair removal.
1. Permanent Results
The first reason why you should stop shaving is that it’s a never-ending cycle. You’re only removing a portion of the hair, and it will simply grow back in a few hours or even a couple of days. On the other hand, each laser hair removal treatment will provide you with permanent results when done properly.
That’s because, during the treatment, a laser pulse is delivered directly to the hair follicle, which destroys it so that it can never—ever—grow again. That being said, new hair follicles can become active for a variety of reasons such as pregnancy, menopause, age, or genetics, and new hair can grow.
Most places that offer laser hair removal services sell packages of 6 or 9 sessions, you’ll just want to keep in mind that at these places, you’ll probably need to buy more packages or pay touch-up fees down the road. Your best option is to find a place that offers unlimited laser hair removal sessions for life at no additional cost like they do at Milan Laser.
2. Skin Irritation
When you think about it from your skin’s perspective, the process of shaving is very abrasive. You’re dragging razor blades over uneven surfaces to cut the hair as flat against your skin as possible. Even razors that are advertised as “flexible” will rub against your skin causing irritation and damage. This is why it’s very common to remove the top layer of skin as you shave.
Since shaving only offers temporary results, you’ll need to do it frequently. At best, this constant friction can leave your skin dry, itchy, and painful. However, it can easily lead to angry, red bumps and razor burn—which is probably worse than stubble when you’re trying to get smooth skin. Plus, because you have to continue shaving in order to maintain your results, your skin rarely has time to heal from this damage, which can lead to extended outbreaks of ingrown hairs and razor burn.
In the short-term, shaving may seem like the less expensive option. However, it’s a bottomless pit expense. You’ll only ever get temporary results, and will always need to keep spending more money and more time to maintain those results.
Now let’s say that on average, you spend $30 a month on shaving supplies. That means your yearly shaving expenses would be $360. Now, since it’s not permanent, let’s assume you’ll shave for 50 years. That would mean that in your lifetime, you’d spend $18,000 on your shaving routine.
When you compare that to the cost of laser hair removal, it’s easy to see that you’ll save money—not to mention time—with the permanent results that you can get with laser hair removal. Also, most places offer payment plans to help make it more affordable. For instance, Milan Laser offers no-interest laser hair removal payment plans with payments that can be as low as $29 a month.
4. Pain
While it doesn’t exactly tickle, laser hair removal is significantly less painful than waxing, and any discomfort fades much faster than the annoying pain of razor nicks, which can last for days after you shave.
Most lasers have a comfort feature built-in or one that is used as part of the treatment process to help make the treatments less painful. Some of the less sophisticated methods include using a numbing cream, messy gel, or blowing chilled air onto the area being treated to help ease any discomfort. However, for the most comfortable laser hair removal treatments, you’ll want to go somewhere that uses a laser with a built-in cooling mist like the one Milan Laser uses. This technology releases a cooling mist immediately after each pulse of the laser during a treatment. To help put that into perspective, most Milan Laser clients describe it as feeling like the sting of a rubber band snap that fades away instantly.
5. It’s For Everyone
We’ve all heard the myth that laser hair removal only works for people with certain skin tones or hair colors. Heck, there are even rumors that it’s only for women. It’s myths like these that have so many people still using outdated hair removal methods like shaving and waxing.
While some of these myths might have been true—except that it’s only for women, that one has never been true—when the FDA first approved laser hair removal back in the late ‘90s, a lot has changed since then.
There are a lot more lasers on the market than there used to be, and technology has advanced quite a bit to make laser hair removal safe for everyone—regardless of skin tone. For example, a laser like the GentleMax Pro—which is the laser Milan Laser uses—will provide you with the safest laser hair removal treatments. That’s because it’s really two lasers in one machine, which allows treatments to be customized to treat the specific skin tone and hair type of each client.
Unfortunately, one thing that hasn’t changed is that laser hair removal does not work on white hair or “peach fuzz”. This should not be confused with blonde hair, which is treatable.
Just imagine, never worrying about unwanted stubble or embarrassing razor burn ruining your day. You could put on your bathing suit on a moment’s notice without a care in the world or snuggle up with someone special without worrying about stubble crashing the party.
Your shaving routine will never be able to get rid of those nagging concerns, but laser hair removal can make them a distant memory.
7. Stress
In today’s fast-paced world, your time is precious. It seems like everyone wants some of it… and you never seem to have enough of it! So, why add to your stress levels by sticking to your old hair removal routine.
The truth is whether you’re shaving, waxing, sugaring, or plucking, if you’re only getting temporary results, you’re throwing your time—and your money—away. The average person spends nearly 40 hours a year shaving. Just imagine what it would feel like to get that much of your precious time back every year AND have smooth, hair-free skin all of the time!
While this isn’t an exhaustive list of reasons why you should switch to laser hair removal, hopefully, it helps shed some light on the benefits of ditching your shaving routine.
If you have more questions, feel free to give the experts at Milan Laser a call at 833-No-Razor or go in for a free consultation. You can visit with a local laser hair removal expert at either of their Raleigh-Durham laser hair removal locations, which are conveniently located in the Shops at Falls Village in Raleigh and Southpoint Crossing in Durham.
