Hey, yolks! Raise a toast with us to our morning meal picks.
Some say breakfast is the most important meal of the day—and there’s a celeb out there chomping on cornflakes with orange juice for her breakfast/brain food. Here, what we are (or aren’t) munchin’ on in the morn.
“When I have time, I love having an egg and avocado on top of Trader Joe’s GF Norwegian Crispbread. But when I have to dash out of the house I grab a Kind protein bar. And always coffee!”
“I almost always have the following three things: coffee, banana, peanut butter. Either in a smoothie form or PB/banana on toast with a side of coffee. 😊”
321 Coffee teams up with NC State for new co-branded coffee.
Wake up with a cup of Pack pride via 321 Coffee’s new co-branded coffee with NC State (!). Dubbed Greater Good, the coffee partnership is many years in the making. 321 Coffee founders Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans met during their freshman year as Park Scholars at NC State—and the pair credit the university for much of the coffee’s success.
To wit, the company’s first sales came on campus; Wrege and Evans’ friends and fellow NC State alumni helped get the first shop at the State Farmers Market off the ground; and benevolent brewers were selected to be a part of NCSU’s Miller Fellowship, which helped them transition into full-time entrepreneurship.
“This coffee brings the story full circle,” says Wrege. “So much of what we have created is thanks to NC State and the people that we met along the way. We are proud to be a part of the Wolfpack.”
The coffee also represents the shared value between 321 Coffee and NC State of working in pursuit of the greater good, says Wrege. Both parties strive to make a meaningful impact in the community, with 321 Coffee currently employing 50+ adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs).
NC State University
Sam, one of 321’s first employees and a lifelong Wolfpack fan, is featured on the Greater Good coffee packaging. “NC State and 321 are like a second family to me,” he says. “Having their support means everything.”
To top it all off, a portion of the proceeds from Greater Good sales will go to support NC State student scholarships in the areas of need, merit, study abroad and athletics. So, one Pack, one goal. Talk about caffeinating for a good cause!
Where to sip, sup, shop and more outside Raleigh this month
1. SipCha APEX + CARY Giving us boba-flies is this Taiwanese bubble/fruit tea and Thai rolled ice cream shop—rolling out fresh and refreshing sweet treats a la Eastern flavors now at two Triangle locations. Whether you’ve got a hankering for slurping some boba bubbles, are in the mood for something fruity, or want to embrace your milk tea moment—this cute Asian sweet spot has an op for you. … And we love it so matcha. sipchaboba.com
2. Bombolo CHAPEL HILL Sibling dream team Garret Fleming and Eleanor Lacy—of now-shuttered fan-fave Big Belly Que fame—are back at it, opening this rustic European-style bistro featuring bold dishes in a cozy atmosphere. Top Chef alum Fleming, who serves as executive chef, has been “intentionally experimental” with the menu, creating a collection of fare and flavors with influences ranging from France to Southeast Asia. And with Lacy overseeing the dessert/wine program to boot, this ambitious endeavor is sure to satisfy patrons of all palates. It’s giving “Be Our Guest” a la Beauty and the Beast… and we’re ready to pull up a chair.bombolochapelhill.com
3. Bean Traders Coffee Roasters DURHAM Hey, boho babes and bros. If you’ve bean craving a cozy eclectic space to settle in for a study sesh and snag some serotonin—er, caffeine—this warm, hipster-esque spot boasting delish baked goods, high-quality coffee and amaze vibes is for you. And the java joint clearly runs on love, as husband-wife owners Christy and Dave Chapman met when she served him a cold-brew coffee, after which he dedicated himself to learning and loving the coffee craft—finding his passion and getting the girl in the process (!). So clearly, all you need is peace, love and beans… beantraderscoffee.com
4. The Friend’s Table FAYETTEVILLE You’re gonna wanna grab a seat at this table. Started by Portia Grady and Mahalia Robinson, this welcoming sup spot offers an upscale appetizing experience through high-end Southern comfort breakfast + brunch eats such as chicken and waffles, fried deviled eggs, and bacon-wrapped salmon, to name but a few delish dishes (don’t sleep on the brunch shots either!). Created with an eye for “cuisine, culture and curating creative spaces,” the friendly atmosphere and fab fare form the ideal recipe for the “Good Life,” indeed. thefriendstable.com
5. Benny’s Billiards & Sports Bar CARY Calling all ballbusters! Belly up to this sporty and sociable watering hole for sports, brews and your classic bar grub for a night out shooting the breeze—er, billiards. Find 10 pool tables, an in-house cash league and darts for the activity-seekers, plus a fully stacked bar, beer on tap and kitchen offerings for the foodie fanatics… or those who simply appreciate an order of wings or fried fare (pro tip: sharing is caring!) after a drinking sesh. Fun fact: This bar is named after a precious pup (!). Would you hit that, cue-ball? bennysbilliards.com
A cup of coffee… it’s simple, but nevertheless can make or break your morning. Going to work without it would be a tragedy (never mind the dirty look from your boss when you show up late)—but having the coffee shop get your order wrong? Borderline world-ending.
Lately, I’ve noticed when ordering a cuppa joe, the question that follows from the barista is often: “hot or cold?” I’m sorry, but pretty sure all coffee is assumed hot unless explicitly stated otherwise. You either order a freshly brewed cup of coffee or an iced coffee or cold brew (I’m not even going to touch on all the fancy macchiatos and such). Did I say “iced”? No. So why in the world am I getting asked this question?!
There is something about that statement too… hot or cold? It’s terribly unelevated! In that same vein, cold is miserable, especially in the wintertime. Don’t even think about asking me if I want a cold drink in the middle of winter.
I will say, however, I’ll take the brutal cringey question over having the barista make me the wrong drink. I’ll never forget the morning I went to my favorite local coffee shop and politely asked for a plain latte. Moments later, at the other end of the bar, the drink appeared; the barista simply smiled and nodded in my direction. But, alas, it was iced. Day. Ruined.
—Hot Coffee Snob
Want to rant with us? Read more opinion pieces here and here.
Bean into the espresso martini rage? Here are some local spots to grab a sip.
Affectionately dubbed “the adult vodka Red Bull,” an espresso martini is all the rage again—originally gaining steam a la ’90s… and now back in an era of popularity serving nostalgic sweetness (plus a shot of energy!). And there’s no signs of the trend tanking anytime soon. This caffeinated alcoholic beverage has the power to wake you up and mess you up at the same time, making it the perf pick-me-up for a night on the town. Here, a few of our fave intoxicating—and delish—iterations at local bars and restos. Cheers!
