The proof is in the pizza as Timber Pizza Co. brings its Michelin status to Raleigh.
Raleigh’s aspiring Michelin gravitas is rising—literally. DC-based Timber Pizza Co. is opening its first NC location in the former Ladyfingers space at High Park Village Oct. 15, and bringing with it major clout. Read: a five-year Michelin Bib Gourmand Award—not to mention a nod as Bon Appetit’s Pizzeria of the Year a mere year after its initial brick-and-mortar splashed on the scene. So, clearly, you’re gonna wanna slice of this.
Founded by two friends with a passion for pizza looking to escape burnout from the corporate desk jockey grind, Timber originally operated out of a parked ’67 Chevy truck from which the duo cranked out pies in a used wood-fired pizza oven at farmers markets, wineries, breweries and the like. Their signature crust, created from New York- and Neapolitan-style dough recipes they found online, is still used today—now at the hands of executive chef Dani Moreira, who joined the operations in 2015 to add a little pizzazz to the pies post-grad from The Culinary Institute of America in New York.
Fast-forward to now, and Timber is making its first expansion outside the DMV right here in Raleigh. CEO Luke Watson promises a welcoming neighborhood pie shop that at once fits right in with the surrounding community while boosting our city’s thriving food and bev offerings to boot.
“We just felt Raleigh checked all our boxes. We spent a lot of time [here] and realized it had the right feel for us, and we think we’ll be meaningful contributors to an already great community,” he emphasizes, adding the city is an attractive choice for Timber for its growth, warm vibe, and prolific population of college students and families. “[Raleigh] has an awesome food scene, so we’re just happy to be a part of it.”
To wit, Raleighites are already spoiled with great pizza joints (looking at you, Oakwood Pizza Box, Trophy, Lilly’s Pizza, and the like), and the Timber team acknowledges that, with Watson adding: “It’s America’s favorite food. There’s a lot of people eating pizza, so I think there’s room to share the space a little bit.”
Now, that space will include Timber’s Michelin-lauded hype, bringing a “Neapolitan-ish”-style ’za to the local lineup with a unique mixture of high-quality toppings and flavor profiles not usually seen at your average dough destination. Think chorizo, soppressata, Peruvian sweet peppers and spicy honey on The Bentley—its most famous pie, according to Watson—and The Green Monster, topped with pesto, fresh mozzarella, feta, zucchini and kale.
Those are just two of the 10 popular pizzas Timber’s Raleigh locale will feature—a few of which are seasonal and boast of-the-moment produce—churned out of that wood-fired oven, now the highlight of the restaurant. Additional pickings include empanadas and fresh salads—plus a full bar with both local brews and DC favorites.
Naturally, with pizza comes a signature friendly come-as-you-are vibe that Watson hopes will attract all walks of life—whether with the fam, kiddos, group of friends or a date. “We pride ourselves on appealing to everyone,” he maintains. “You can show up in sweatpants or a tux and either way you’ll feel really comfortable.”
Because, ultimately, Timber’s MO goes deeper than just serving up great slices. “People’s faces light up when they talk Timber—and that’s just the experience we’re trying to give,” says Watson. “We’re not just focused on serving great pizza, we’re focused on amazing experiences.” timberpizza.com
No partner? No problem. Gift yourself these local experiences and goodies for V-Day.
Get ready to treat yo’self this Valentine’s Day. Boo’d up or not, nothing feels better than receiving some TLC from the person who understands you best. Here, a handful of ways to celebrate yourself this V-Day—because in this modern-day fairy tale, Cinderella doesn’t need a prince to have a ball. Amen!
A Massage at The NOW Massage Knead a release? Now is the perfect time. This rejuvenation haven offers a serene sanctuary ideal for peak relaxation with a variety of massages and enhancements on the menu. So if a soothing self-care date is up your alley, this will be sure to rub you the right way (!).
Solo Wine + Charcuterie Date at Vita Vite Nothing says self-love like a little wine-and-dine alone time. Cozy up over sips and snacks—aka the perfect pairing for some well-deserved R&R. And don’t forget to ~canvass~ the gallery of local art and other goods for an additional gift to take home.
Wine Class at Vitis House Vinophiles, this one’s for you! If you’re looking to unbottle facts about Spain’s delicious wine culture, look no further. Get lost in the wide world of romantic reds via the Feb. 9 class, or have chef-owner Doreen Colondres guide you through smelling and tasting like a true somm via a Sensory 101 course Feb. 16.
Concert Outing Keep your beats up this lovestruck season by taking yourself out for a laugh or dance sesh. LANY will be crooning at The Ritz Feb. 13 and 14, while Lincoln Theatre has three different shows from Feb. 9 to 11.
Comedy Show Like laughing more than singing? Indulge yourself in some quality entertainment by attending shows at Goodnights Comedy Club or Raleigh Improv. What is the day of love without a little laughter?! Go for “couples therapy” at Goodnights Feb. 13, or chuckle along to comedian, actor and writer Drew Morgan’s “constant state of existential crisis” Feb. 14 at Improv.
Take Yourself on a Personal Shopping Spree Ball on a budget this V-Day at some of your favorite local shops by setting a limit for yourself and going on a spending spree (Deco and Edge of Urge are two of our faves). After all, there’s nothing a little retail therapy can’t fix!
Gift Yourself Flowers and Chocolates As Miley Cyrus says, you can buy yourself flowers (#preach). Let your self-love reach full bloom via a floral arrangement from Fallon’s Flowers. And if you have a sweet tooth, Videri Chocolate Factory or Escazú Chocolates promise to curb your craving. Videri even offers self-guided tours to see where the delicious magic happens. It’s giving Willy Wonka…
Grab a Takeout Pizza The ultimate form of self-care? Pizza, obviously. Grab a pie from Oakwood Pizza Box, Trophy Brewing & Pizza, Lilly’s Pizza or any of your other fave local spots, and chow down on your couch while bingeing movies and TV shows. Ah, it doesn’t get much better than this!
Exciting changes and new local businesses coming to Raleigh’s cherished Five Points area.
Nestled between Downtown and North Raleigh, Five Points is a historic gem. Rooted deep in Raleigh’s identity with its 1920s-era architecture and long-standing outposts (think Hayes Barton Cafe & Dessertery, Lilly’s Pizza, and NOFO, to name a few), the area has long remained relatively—and arguably delightfully—unchanged. Now, however, Five Points has some reinvigorating reconstruction and concepts coming down the pipeline. … And before you flip—no, there won’t be high-rises.
First and foremost, the city is poised to up the safety factor for those who live there, frequent it, and those passing through by foot or on wheels. While Five Points is considered by most as a rather quiet part of town, the neighborhood is also infamous for the accident-prone intersection where Glenwood and Glenn avenues and Fairview and West Whitaker Mill roads all meet. From May 1, 2017, to April 30, 2022, there were 143 reported crashes within 300 feet of the intersection, 22% of which resulted in a reported injury, including one fatal crash.
As a result, the city kicked off a Five Points Streetscape and Safety Study in 2022—expected to be complete this fall—to keep both drivers and pedestrians safe in the charming district. Three different concepts are currently under consideration for the intersection. The first includes traffic signal/left turn improvements—specifically adding separate signal movements for Fairview Road and Whitaker Mill Road; extending the curbs at Glenwood Avenue and Fairview and Whitaker Mill roads; and converting the flashing yellow arrow on Glenwood Avenue into fully protected left turn signals. Second, a single-lane roundabout; and, finally, a multilane roundabout.
But “combining elements of the three into a preferred alternative is possible,” says City of Raleigh Department of Transportation Senior Transportation Planning Supervisor Jason Myers.
“The roundabout alternatives have the benefit of slowing every driver through the intersection, even during off-peak travel times when Glenwood Avenue isn’t busy,” Myers explains. “Roundabouts are also proven to reduce the frequency of serious crashes, and when installed in situations with sufficient street capacity, they also respond flexibly to different traffic patterns throughout the day.”
Myers notes, however, that both roundabout alternatives are expensive and disruptive projects to implement, and, once the design and construction of the project is funded through the city’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), would take three to five years to go through the necessary processes, with the traffic signal/left turn improvements concept on the shorter end of that timeframe.
Concepts Coming
The potential intersection improvements will anchor a handful of other highly anticipated hot spots coming online in Five Points, including recent ventures like Uncle Jessie’s Honkytonk, Loop (coming soon) and the reopening of the Rialto (slated to start shows as early as July). On that same block, Lonerider Brewery also recently shuttered, spurring buzz around what may take its place. We’ve heard rumblings other restaurateurs are interested in and touring the space—stay tuned for updates.
To boot, there’s the emerging district on the backside of Five Points, dubbed Five Points East (think of it like Midtown and Midtown East), with a cluster of new spots in the works. Cheetie Kumar (of now-shuttered Garland fame) is opening her new concept Ajja in the area this summer directly beside Anisette Sweet Shop, which will certainly serve to bolster the community, drawing in locals and out-of-towners alike.
On the heels of Kumar’s announcement—and neighboring Ajja—is Trophy Brewing Co.’s sixth location, Trophy Brewing Outpost, opening in the former Electric Supply Co. building in 2024. “We’re excited to join our good friends Cheetie and Paul in this great neighborhood,” said Trophy co-owner Chris Powers in an exclusive interview with Raleigh Magazine when we first shared the news in June.
Clearly, Five Points and the surrounding area are on the comeup, and rest-assured these new changes and concepts won’t take away from the OG Raleigh friendly and welcoming vibe for which the district is known—but, instead, bring it into the next era and make it more attractive and in line with our fast-growing city.
