by Elliott Harrell | Jan 28, 2025 | Do, February 2025
Meat, cheese, wine and friends
If a plate of snacks for dinner is wrong, we don’t want to be right. Viral in popularity ever since “girl dinner” was coined on a 2023 TikTok giving name to the “snacky supper” (aka a bountiful smattering of charcuterie, accoutrements, and/or random pairings of leftovers—think a half-bag of chips + three bites of pasta), the all-the-rage graze sesh makes for the perf Galentine’s Day, best paired with a bevy—and a bestie, obviously. Here, where to gather ’round Raleigh with your gaggle of gal pals for max cheesiness, in the best way.
Postino
Let’s go girls… to build your own bruschetta board. Mix and match from a variety of toast ops ranging smoked salmon and pesto to French onion—or spring for the likes of a Greek hummus board or table cheese. Bottle of vino required for all the gossip (girl) vibes. postinowinecafe.com
Whiskey Kitchen
No situationships here. Just fine-aging whiskey (and friendships!) over small plates like cracklin’ biscuits, crispy broccoli, farm cheese and roasted cauliflower. And fries before guys—always. whiskey.kitchen
Vita Vite
Finally, an excuse to pop bottles and ~wine~ all you want about your love life—or lack thereof. Snag a spot by the fireplace at the Downtown sip spot (but please, don’t try to burn the letters your ex gave you) while you nosh on the ever-changing lineup of cheese and charcuterie options. Pair with mustard to add a little spice to your life. vitaviteraleigh.com
STIR
If you’re not looking to commit (to a full bottle), this happening North Hills outpost offers both a Slay Then Rosé cocktail—or spring for “just the tip” of a bottle by taking advantage of one of their fancy Coravin pours. Complete the meal with oysters with mignonette and the Chef’s Board, brimming with bread, nuts, cheeses, meats, and more. stirraleigh.com
The Raleigh Wine Shop
Meat and cheese—it’s what’s for dinner. And when it’s RWS’ cut-to-order charcuterie and artisanal cheeses from around the world, it’s perfectly acceptable, especially when paired with a glass or two. Vinofile vixens will enjoy the wide selection of vinos on offer, with its wine-by-the-glass program allowing you to taste your way through several ops. theraleighwineshop.com
by Lauren Kruchten | Dec 2, 2024 | December 2024/January 2025, Eat
Moo Deng walked so The Hippo Wine Bar could run.
If the viral sassy pygmy hippo Moo Deng was any indication, the world is obsessed with those barrel-shaped semiaquatic icons. Now, Raleigh’s getting a new hippo obsession in the form of the December-slated and revamped Hippo Wine Bar, recently acquired by North South Hospitality.
The hospitality group made up of Vance Daniels and Katie and Clayton O’Kane—also behind fast local fave Gussie’s—is keeping the same name (with Sorena Dadgar also staying on as the operating manager), but giving it a refreshed vibe in collaboration with Julia Petiprin of Cincinnati-based design consulting company House of Departure, who also helped with the interior design of Gussie’s.
Katie says Petiprin drew inspiration from the name, but instead of going really on the nose with something like animal print/safari vibes, she’s “using colors, textures and lighting to give us warmer, cozier vibes.” Think natural elements such as handmade tile, West Africa-inspired patterns, and natural wood tones and fibers throughout.
“We’re definitely focusing in on things you can’t get other places. There’s a couple of really phenomenal wine bars already here, and, more than anything, we’re just really excited to be part of that community.” —Katie O’Kane, North South Hospitality
And while the OG Hippo leaned more wine shop than wine bar, the trio hopes to shift the new space more bar. “We want it to be a place you could hang out for a while—that could be the spot you are going to that night,” says Katie. “It doesn’t have to just be a place you’re stopping for a bottle of wine on your way home or waiting with a glass of wine before dinner.”
They’re also hoping the addition of food—think charcuterie, tinned fish and the like—will further encourage people to linger a while. And, leaning into North South Hospitality’s “everyone’s considered” MO, Hippo will also offer beer, beer cocktails, shandies and spritzes in response to the national low-ABV trend.
“I find that Raleigh—and I really love this—is looking for lower-ABV stuff as opposed to asking for the strongest thing,” says Daniels. “I think it’s because people are happy here. No one’s drinking to forget; they’re just drinking to have fun—they’re not miserable. … And the spritz menu will really scratch that itch.”
Ultimately, it’s just “damn good wine”—for everyone. “There can be such a misconception of pretension around wine when it’s made by farmers. It doesn’t have to be such a scary, pretentious thing,” maintains Katie, who’s also a sommelier, noting she is a fan of Triangle pros who’re working to change that narrative to have vino be more approachable. … So whether you’re a wine lover or not, rest assured Hippo’s going to make a splash. @the__hippo
by Anna Beth Adcock | May 30, 2023 | Eat, June 2023
Calling all cheese aficionados! A slew of Gouda cheese-y Qs to snack on.
“Do you like cheese? Why, yes, I do.” And whether or not your fave is Gouda like Viola—er, Sebastian?—in She’s the Man, we rounded up some sharp trivia all about the local cheese scene to top (had to) our best-of burger content. We swiss you the best of luck!
- Feelin’ board? Grazin’ Gals is run by food/hostess guru Carolyn Mundorf, who left her job in which sector to follow her creative charcuterie biz dreams?
a. Tech
b. Real estate
c. Hospitality
d. Marketing
- With vibes that are anything but cheesy, Vita Vite touts art, wine and charcuterie (natch) for a hangout spot where you can relax, socialize or unwind as you sip and snack. From what city does its delish cheese straws hail?
a. Wilmington
b. Asheville
c. Savannah
d. Columbus, GA
- All a-board! Barcelona Wine Bar feats a treasure of tasty tapas reminiscent of Mediterranean, Spanish and South American flavors—including gobs of cheese ops, of course. In how many states can you find this delish and welcoming wine bar/resto?
a. 10
b. 11
c. 12
d. 13
- It ain’t easy being cheesy. The Cheese Shop offers sharp skills in cut-to-order cheeses, meats and other gobbleworthy goodies. In which Downtown Carrboro bar is thi sup spot located?
a. Glasshalfull
b. The Station
c. Bowbarr
d. Belltree Cocktail Club
- The first full-service locally conceived and owned restaurant to drop in Smoky Hollow, Madre will offer cheese board selects to whet or sate those cravings. Which Raleigh sup spot is co-owner Tyler Helikson also behind?
a. Happy + Hale
b. Barcelona Wine Bar
c. Tazza Kitchen
d. Layered Croissanterie
- Nothing can get cheddar than this! Boxcarr Handmade Cheese offers “artisan cheese handmade with love” via sibs and biz partners Samantha and Austin Genke. What year did the fam first establish their cheesy endeavor?
a. 2012
b. 2013
c. 2014
d. 2015
- Let’s get shredded. Raleigh Cheesy believes the best way to celebrate significant life events is through cheese (we concur!). What was founder Courtney Bowman’s job before going full-send into the cheese scene?
a. Waitress
b. Pharmacist
c. Teacher
d. Lawyer
- How legen-dairy. Relish Craft Kitchen & Bourbon Bar boasts oodles of cheesy delights on its menu—from macaroni and cheese to grilled cheese to cheese fries. (How’s that for Southern comfort food?!) What’s the name of the resto’s sister concept/board game cafe?
a. Got Games?
b. Stay Board
c. The Kitchen Table
d. Board Games at Relish
- Tastefully, yours. Ladyfingers adds a tasteful touch to both your extravagant affairs and modest mixers (the pimento cheese is always a must). Since what year has this fam-owned business been on the scene?
a. 1975
b. 1985
c. 1995
d. 2005
Answers: 1. A; 2. D; 3. B; 4. A; 5. A; 6. D; 7. C; 8. C; 9. B
