Louisiana-inspired game-day spot Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux coming to Raleigh
We call this one a win (!).Raleigh just scored a new location of Baton Rouge-based Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, set to open in 2023.
The City of Oaks outpost will mark the third Walk-On’s location in North Carolina (adding to Fayetteville and Wilmington), but the first for longtime friends and first-time franchisees Mark McFarland and Hunter Rougeou—who announced June 8 that the award-winning restaurant was taking a shot and bringing a taste of Louisiana to the Triangle.
And the duo isn’t stopping here. They say they hope to expand throughout the Atlantic coast. “Hunter, who is a Louisiana native, introduced me to Walk-On’s, and I fell in love with everything about the brand—from the delicious food and friendly service to its community involvement,” says McFarland. “I currently live in Virginia, so we felt this was a great opportunity to bring this amazing concept to the Raleigh area and possibly expand further north over time.”
Founded in 2003 by former walk-on LSU basketball player Brandon Landry (hence the name), Walk-On’s features a bayou-inspired menu with unique twists on game-day staples and NoLa mainstays like crawfish etouffee, duck and andouille gumbo, and po’boys—plus burgers, salads, tacos and more—all of which are made from scratch using fresh ingredients. Walk-On’s also serves up a selection of signature drinks, beer and wine, making for a more, ahem, spiritedgame-day experience.
“We’re excited to welcome Mark and Hunter to the Walk-On’s family as franchisees,” says Walk-On’s Founder and CEO Brandon Landry. “The North Carolina market has been great for Walk-On’s, and we know it will only get better as more locals get a Taste of Louisiana. These guys are successful professionals and know how to take care of people, which is what our Walk-On’s purpose is all about!”
Highballs in a National Historic Landmark? Yes, you can. We told you it was coming and after a pandemic-related pause, now The Parlor at Heights House Hotel is officially here. Taking your summer to new heights (get it?) is this chic cocktail spot nestled in the buzzy hotel a la pre-Civil War historic mansion restored by visionary first-time hoteliers Sarah and Jeff Shepherd that opened last year to lots of hoopla and fanfare (and just landed on Travel + Leisure’s 2022 IT List as one of the 100 best new hotels in the world).
Now slated to bow June 1—and adding to the buzz (pun intended)—is The Parlor, thus serving nonhotel guests up the opp to experience this 1858 Italianate-style local gem with a global draw sans the required staycay while sipping from—you guessed it—the Italian-influenced craft cocktail menu, all-Italian wine list, or both Italian and local brews. And since cheese makes everything better, charcuterie and cheese plates are also on offer. From there, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure.
The intimate space begs you to grab a bev, explore the ground floor and find a spot to chill a bit. Though, clearly, Heights House serves up plenty of reasons to pack that overnight bag too. Reservations only via Tock for up to 6 people, Sun. 2–7pm, Tue.–Thu. 4–9pm, heightshousenc.com
… for a “house party” at DTR’s new “interactive social museum”—aka the House of Art pop-up bar that promises to be your new fave drinks (and art + music!) destination.
There’s a new pop-up bar near Moore Square hosting an adult “house party” every weekend—and everybody’s invited. Formerly known as The Outpost, House of Art puts unity, diversity, art and music at the forefront—along with fair-priced drinks, natch, that all mix to make for a killer-good time.
“The No. 1 thing we’re trying to do is create a space where everyone’s comfortable, whether you’re Black, white, gay, straight, old, young, male, female. … it doesn’t matter,” says owner Mikhail Wright. “We just want everyone to come in and feel comfortable, so that’s why we put so much work into the interior design.”
The “interactive social museum” features incredibly ’Grammable rooms designed by interior designer Brittany Singer—think colorful neon lights, balloons, vibrant art, walls made of cloud material and even a room designed to look like an igloo (and it’s either actually colder in there or your mind is playing tricks on you…).
Dante Jones Photography
And in an effort to help bring more culture into the city, House of Art hosts a variety of local music artists every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Additionally on Sundays, they’re teaching the “art of yes” through different experiences like BYOI (bring your own instrument), local vendors and more. “We let artists do whatever they want,” says Saul Parada, who helps book entertainment for House of Art (as well as for Watts & Ward). “There are so many young, talented artists in this town… we want them to be able to have a space and give power back to the people.”
You can expect House of Art to keep it fresh—along with rotating entertainment, the spot will change up its decor and name (you might’ve known it as St. Nick’s Christmas House during the holiday season). But the one thing that won’t change is its dedication to the community. Says Wright, “We’re just trying to figure out a way to make Raleigh the ‘City of Art.’” @housofartnc
There’s no need to wine when you can make a quick trip over to the Bull City for a glass of vino and some delectable desserts. More than a hundred labels await, so perfect chance to nosh on a chocolate tart, munch on a macaron (or two!) or lighten your mood with a lemon custard in a made-from-scratch shortbread crust while you mull it over. NTM the craft cocktails, cold brews, shareable desserts and small plates—the perf recipe for your next glam GNO or date night. Because some things are too sweet not to share. aperitifnc.com
2. Jetplane Coffee
DURHAM
This self-proclaimed “restaurant disguised as a coffee shop” made the move from pop-ups around town—where coffee was served from a portable coffee cart fashioned from an airline service cart—into its first brick-and-mortar location with a vision to be a safe space for people to come enjoy some good ol’ java. With a menu of modern diner-style comfort food (plus an incredible banh mi that may just be the best in Durham), fan-favorite baked goodies (cinnamon stacks, anyone?) and coffee brewed with local beans, this approachable cafe operates based on a simple statement: quality, dignity, service. So jet on over to the Bull City for your next lunch date or unwind with a gluten-free muffin and a cuppa joe on a slow Saturday morning. Sounds fa-brew-lous to us. jetplanecoffee.com
3. Carpenter Wine Cellar
MORRISVILLE
Hey, brew. Get ready to go beer-serk over Carpenter Wine Cellar’s extensive assortment of vino and brew selections. With pro tips from its team of dedicated wine and beer specialists, patrons can uncork an array of choices fit for any budget, including limited-editions and seasonal offerings. Did we mention there are over a dozen drinks on tap? Pale ales, IPAs, sour beers, pilsners and stouts—oh, my! BRB, we’re going to work on our six-pack. carpenterwinecellar.com
4. Atlas
CARRBORO
Introducing Atlas, your new friendly neighborhood bar—a place that you’d be happy to go to regularly… whether after work, on the weekend or for any occasion in between. Stocked with a bevy of books, curated art and an assemblage of items from all over the world, Atlas’ atmosphere will remind you of your cool—somewhat crazy—aunt’s house, minus all the family drama, says owner Kevin Callaghan. This worldly and aesthetic bar invites patrons to connect—and then keep coming back again and again—via a heavy emphasis on creative cocktails, a curated wine and beer menu, and expert employees. So, navigate yourself over to a seat at Atlas—no passport required. atlascarrboro.com
5. Bluebird
CHAPEL HILL
Ooh la la. You’ll want to say oui to everything on acclaimed chef and UNC alumnus Brandon Sharp’s (of Hawthorne & Wood fame) new French-inspired menu at Bluebird, opening this spring. Located in Meadowmont Village, the French-bistro style restaurant features classic dishes like salade lyonnaise, sole Véronique, and roast chicken with black truffle—plus a variety of French wines, ciders and cocktails. The outdoor veranda is the perfect perch for brunch, lunch or dinner (or just a glass of vino!) a la Emily in Paris. Bon appetit! bluebirdnc.com
A new board game bar and lounge is opening in Downtown Raleigh.
How’s this for a trivial pursuit? A new board game bar and lounge has opened in Downtown and it’s brewing up friendly competition, eats and drinks. Essentially, take the Warehouse District’s uberpopular barcade Boxcar Bar + Arcade, replace the arcade-style games with hundreds of board and card games, throw in a craveworthy (and drunchie-approved menu) and you’ve more or less got Side Quest Game Lounge + Bar.
The geek-themed environment will “put your parents’ basement to shame,” what with an ever-expanding game collection including classics like Settlers of Catan, Trivial Pursuit and Cards Against Humanity (“Santa now gives the bad children… Nickelback” FTW), as well as some other under-the-radar games worth a little friendly competition. You can even bring in your own games with the purchase of a Play Pass (available in daily, monthly or yearly incriminations) and/or participate in a tourney.
And in the game of Life… there’s always time for some food and drink. Between W’s, grab a cocktail, beer, glass of wine or a shot (maybe to help take the edge off any losses)—and when hunger strikes, make it an appy hour with the likes of cheese bread, hummus or nachos, to name a few, or really fuel up for the competition with sandwiches, flatbreads, salads and desserts. sidequestgameloungeandbar.wordpress.com
