New short film turns Raleigh streets into a love story.
For creatives, “write what you know” is gospel—and filmmaker/producer Darryl Jones puts it to use in his newest short film, Tandem. The project is both a love letter to his wife and Triangle native Hillary—and to Raleigh itself. And as the name implies, cycling takes center stage—a symbol, Jones says, of spontaneity and possibility.
The film follows a lovestruck couple riding along the Cap City’s suburban streets and tree-lined hills. The setting isn’t just cinematography—it’s part of the journey. As protagonists B.W. and Kittie pedal from DTR toward the quieter suburbs, their relationship evolves in step.
You’ll see nods to Jones’ own story. A Wilmington native, he first landed in Raleigh as an NC State undergrad, then moved to Cali with his then-girlfriend—now wife—before circling back to the Triangle in 2023.
Brandon McCarrell
The film opens in Oakwood, where Jones and Hillary first lived together, before rolling into her formative neighborhood Oak Park. From there, it moves into some of Raleigh’s greenest terrain. Scenes shot at NCMA’s outdoor park and Umstead State Park carry particular weight for the creative. “The more Raleigh gets developed, the more important a place like Umstead becomes,” he emphasizes. “So that’s where we end the movie.”
Pivoting from his earlier short films, which leaned on casts, Tandem centers on a single connection. “With a lot of characters, there’s sometimes not enough time for arcs, changes and journeys,” he explains. “I wanted to do something that was very fundamental—like two people who meet, and by the end of the movie, they’ve fallen in love.”
Jones’ passion for place doesn’t end on-screen—it extends behind the camera to his team, most of whom call the Triangle home. Rebuilding his local network after his move back, he says, meant hitting reset—but not for long. He recruited half the crew through one of the New Carolinas Film Collective’s happy hours, co-hosted in Durham by one of Tandem’s producers Blake Kinsey.
“Regional filmmaking is the future of the industry, especially on the independent side,” says the filmmaker. “And I think more important than anything else is for NC—and the Triangle in particular—to develop its own identity. That means telling stories about NC, about all people from NC.”
Tandem is already making waves with its debut at the Carrboro Film Festival—and screens next at the Rialto Feb. 6—a chance to see the City of Oaks from a different vantage point on the big screen. therialto.com
Picture this: It’s 2014. Three and a half inches of snow falls midday, and roads are getting slick fast. Schools let out early, and as everyone rushes home, things get much worse. Vehicles slide off roads and break down; others are stranded. Raleigh’s “snowmageddon” painted a picture for the rest of the country of what goes down when it snows in the South: Locals enter a panicked frenzy, while our more snow-minded counterparts from up North watch, mystified.
On average, Raleigh receives just 6 inches of snow each winter (and even less in recent years), but the city stays prepped for the worst nonetheless—ready to brine streets ahead of potentially dangerous precipitation. The current plan stretches 874 lane miles, dispensing a salty solution that prevents frozen precipitation from bonding to pavement.
That preparation comes at a price. At roughly $0.77 per gallon—including labor, equipment and materials—salting the city clocks ~50K gallons of brine (about ~50 tons of salt), running ~$38,500 a pop.
Because every storm behaves differently, the city doesn’t rely on a standard forecast percentage when deciding whether to brine, Jason Holmes, division manager of the Right of Way Maintenance Division, tells RM.
“Extreme cold temps and wet, rainy conditions inhibit the effectiveness of brine,” he explains. “So if there is rain in the forecast leading up to a changeover to frozen precipitation, we would most likely choose not to expend resources due to the decrease in effectiveness.” The division also coordinates with the county and NCDOT throughout the decision-making process to keep efforts aligned across the region.
Roads with the highest traffic volumes get priority for brining and plowing, notes Holmes. It’s the price of keeping cars on the road when winter decides to bring her wrath—here and across the South.
Michelin mania swept the South this fall as culinary heavyweights from seven states descended on Greenville, SC, for the Michelin Guide American South debut—garnering 228 distinctions across 44 cuisine types—with just 11 restaurants earning the coveted Star.
Since, much has been made of the selects, with chefs, critics and diners alike dissecting every nod, snub and surprise. And, as with any awards season—from the Oscars to the election cycle—the aftermath chatter centers on who made it, who didn’t… and why NC’s lone star shines in Charlotte.
Stars Aligned When Michelin debuted its inauguralMichelin Guide Atlanta in fall 2023, the city—whose former standalone guide is now folded into the new regional edition—saw just five of its now eight Starred spots earn the shine, with four more added in ’24 and one removed this year (Staplehouse).
Mississippi and Alabama were shut out of the Star convo entirely—leaving the 11 awarded divided among NC (one, for Charlotte’s Counter-), Louisiana (three), SC (four) and Tennessee (three). The sole two-Star honor went to New Orleans’ renowned Emeril’s. Michelin also dished a half-dozen coveted Green Stars for eco-friendly gastronomy—two of which landed in Charlotte and Asheville, solidifying NC as a serious contender in the Guide’s inaugural Southeast field.
NC ultimately snagged the most *2025* recognitions overall—with Atlanta earning no new Bib Gourmands and only seven new Recommendations this year. Stars aside, NC lit up the map with seven Bibs and 39 Recommendations, including 19 in the Triangle, 13 in Wake County and 11 in Raleigh alone.
It’s well-known fodder that Michelin is slow to dish out Stars in debut destinations—and a Guide is only as good as the year it represents. Michelin can (and often does) add or remove Recommendations annually with each new release, as we see with Atlanta. So it’s entirely possible that one of this year’s Recs—or even a new arrival—could rise to Star status.
But the bigger conversation locally has centered on the notion that “one of these things is not like the other.” Many argue Herons—one of only 79 Forbes five star restaurants in the world—got robbed of a Star, while The Pit’s Recommendation has sparked plenty of public backlash. The Warehouse District staple certainly holds a place in local lore and still packs in crowds, but many locals say they view it as more of a check-the-box classic coasting on tradition than a high-caliber contender—let alone a Michelin-worthy restaurant that dishes the kinds of consistent, impeccable fare seen across the rest of the category.
Meanwhile, public outcry ran loud for those left off entirely—with Ajja and M Sushi racking up the most decries. As many of our readers and followers have pointed out: “How can Ajja be snubbed when The Pit makes the list?” And: “If The Pit is worthy,” they ask, “where is Longleaf Swine?”
Michelin Method That answer likely boils down to the method behind the Michelin madness. It’s worth noting that both diners and restaurants can suggest spots for inspectors to consider. Those recommendations are passed directly to inspectors for review—and, as Michelin’s Carly Grieff tells RM, all of those restaurants are visited.
And, despite many reports to the contrary, ambiance plays no role in a restaurant’s rating. Michelin’s designations are based solely on what’s on the plate. And while the specifics of the CIA-like top-secret process are famously held close to the chest, the standards themselves are well-defined.
As Grieff notes, “the Guide doesn’t reveal the specific or number of restaurants inspected, the destination assessment process or the inspectors’ methods of evaluating a destination.” Which only heightens the intrigue—and makes it worth revisiting exactly what Michelin is looking for.
So what does it really take to earn (or lose) Michelin merit? The secrecy may run deep, but the standards are crystal clear. We break down how Michelin decides who to consider, how they’re judged and the factors that crown those Stars—and beyond.
Sam Jones BBQ
Who Gets Considered? Restaurants can be submitted for consideration either by the public or by the restaurant itself.
From restaurants: • Restaurant name and contact info • Brief chef background • Website or social link • Weekly hours
From diners: • Restaurant name • City and country • Feedback or recommendation
Stars, Bibs & Beyond Michelin Stars honor the food quality only—not service, decor or atmosphere. Inspectors apply the same five criteria worldwide:
• Quality of ingredients • Mastery of cooking techniques • Harmony of flavors • Personality of the cuisine • Consistency across visits and the menu
Star Definitions One Star – High-quality cooking, worth a stop Two Stars – Excellent cooking, worth a detour Three Stars – Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey
Bib Gourmand Recognizes spots offering exceptional value for money—very good food at moderate prices. Most Bibs typically fall within the € and €€ range
Michelin defines price tiers as:
€ = On a budget €€ = A moderate spend €€€ = Special occasion €€€€ = Spare no expense
Local Spotlight
A baker’s dozen of local standouts just earned coveted spots in the inaugural Michelin Guide American South—cementing what we’ve long known: The Cap City’s culinary scene can hang with the best of them. From coastal-cool crudos to smoke-kissed ’cue, Raleigh’s chefs are plating proof that our flavor runs deep—and our shine’s only getting brighter.
Bib Gourmands
Mala Pata A dream team of local pros powers this masa-mastered Latin spot—bold corn-driven flavor, laid-back polish and Raleigh’s newest must-book. @malapata.molino
Prime Barbecue Beard–nom Christopher Prieto’s ~prime~ Knightdale smokehouse marries Texas swagger and Carolina pride—serving brisket worth the drive and a vibe that smokes the rest.@primebbq
Sam Jones BBQ Clearly Q is having a moment—and Sam Jones is here for it, going hog wild with whole-hog ’cue that keeps Eastern NC’s smoky legacy alive.@samjonesbbq
Mala Pata; Matt Ramey
Michelin Recommended
Brewery Bhavana Part taproom, part dim sum temple, Bhavana remains pure Raleigh nirvana.@brewerybhavana
Brodeto Beard–nom Scott Crawford’s Adriatic-inspired stunner is making waves with open-fire finesse and coastal flair.@brodetorestaurant
Crawford and Son Mod American, mastered—Crawford’s Oakwood flagship still sets the bar with elevated comfort, effortless cool and seasonal finesse.@crawfordnson
Herons Chef Steven Greene’s Forbes five-star stunner inside The Umstead transforms local harvests into high art—a serene, stunning take on Modern American. @heronsnc
Jolie A love letter to Paris and to Raleigh, Crawford’s chic French bistro bottles pure Parisian flair via culinary precision, rooftop views and pure joie de vivre.@jolierestaurant
Poole’s The spark that ignited Raleigh’s culinary fire, two-time Beard winner Ashley Christensen’s reimagined diner still reigns—serving Southern soul and that iconic mac. @poolesdiner
Stanbury Still the city’s coolest fever dream, Stanbury keeps Raleigh under its spell with ever-changing, always electric and pure culinary chaos—in the best way.@stanburyraleigh
St. Roch At RM’s 2025 Best Restaurant of the Year, Sunny Gerhart brings the bayou to Moore Square—slinging oysters, grit and pure Gulf-to-DTR glory. @strochraleigh
Tamasha Chef Bhavin Chhatwani’s bold debut turns up the heat on Indian fine dining with fearless flavor and global flair—with dramatic design for days.@tamashanc
The Pit A Warehouse District staple where whole-hog roots run deep—pit-smoked ’cue, elevated sides and unabashed Carolina spirit.@thepitbbq
Taking care of yourself is so in. Functional wellness habits promoting a holistic approach to health likely already dot your TikTok FYP—and now the trend is taking root in Raleigh. Enter Bloom Collective, a newly debuted botanical haven tucked inside Modern Apotheca in North Raleigh, fostering a destination for mental and physical well-being—and a welcoming community for all.
Creating a space that nourishes both mind and body demands more than just pretty decor, and owners Eric and Corey Stahl checked all the boxes with a cafe, boutique and creative hangout all under one roof. Functional health benefits flow by the sip at the Flower Bar, pouring everything from locally crafted teas to mushroom-powered and adaptogen-infused drinks—and even hemp-infused mocktails—capitalizing on the growing popularity of NA bevs.
“Bloom Collective is more than a cafe—it’s a wellness-driven, community-rooted home for creativity, connection and growth that celebrates the exciting shift toward functional, nonalcoholic drinks,” maintains Eric. “[Our] curated menu of beverages is designed to help guests focus, relax and thrive.”
Further leaning into sustainability, the Greenhouse Market overflows with houseplants, botanical decor, curated gifts and a soothing setting that eases the usual stress of gift-giving. Also not to be missed: the rotating Blossoming Artisans Collection, spotlighting eclectic nature-inspired works curated by local Hummingbird Market.
Even non-pros can flex their creative muscles via local artist-led DIY Bloom Sessions workshops (read: candle pouring, jewelry making, seasonal crafts). Think part lesson, part adult playdate—and an all-around good vibe.
“I wanted to create a space where our community could do it all: gather, make things and enjoy being creative together,” says Corey. A recharge is always in order—and at Bloom Collective, your cup promises to runneth over with wellness. bloomcollective.us
If you think you don’t know Rascal Flatts—think again. From their forever-iconic Cars soundtrack anthem “Life Is a Highway” (aka one of Disney’s biggest bangers) to 17 No. 1 hits, over 23M albums sold, 35M+ more digital downloads and ~11M concert tickets sold, the Columbus-bred threesome has done it all.
After officially disbanding in 2021, the band is back together to finish some unfinished business: A North American 25th anniversary tour that rolls into Raleigh at the Lenny Jan. 15.
Across two decades of tracks radiating that signature twang, Rascal Flatts has defined the sound of mod country—though early albums dipped into a more pop-like sound, proving the band is anything but a one-trick pony. Thanks to immediate commercial success following their distinctly country debut, switching up the sound in later releases felt risky, bassist-vocalist Jay DeMarcus tells RM.
“I wasn’t sure about ‘What Hurts the Most’ at first,” remarks DeMarcus. “At the time, I felt like I was taking a chance because it was on the pop side, and it was a ballad right at the beginning of the year—so that one blindsided me a little bit.”
As for new music, DeMarcus says the main focus is on the road for now—but if any new songs fall in place while on tour, he can’t imagine they wouldn’t take advantage. And while fans might wonder if this is the final ride on the highway of life, the bassist isn’t ready to call it quits.
Regardless of what the future holds for the Flatts, DeMarcus says the next gen of rising country artists are proudly propping up country. “That’s one of the things I love about our genre,” he says. “There’s room for everybody. If you want to come over here and collaborate, we are so ready to accept you for who and what you are.”
So buckle up, fans—Rascal Flatts is back, “country is cool,” and Raleigh’s about to go full throttle.
