When it comes to caffeinated beverages, chai lattes have a chokehold on me (think like Lorelai and Rory Gilmore’s coffee addiction a la Gilmore Girls). Like many, a cup of joe was my go-to wake-me-up bev for years, but after making the switch a couple of years ago, I’ve never looked back—barring a fun seasonal latte here and there to scratch an itch. Now, as a bona fide chai latte stan, I give you my fave versions around town, ideal for a hot or iced moment that delivers a more subtle buzz than caffeine-heavy java. Sip and savor away!
This rant has been lightly edited for style and space and is not endorsed by Raleigh Magazine.
Raleigh, thankfully, is a coffee mecca—brimming with cozy nooks to steep in (my faves include The Optimist and Pine State Coffee). But there’s a small issue percolating on the local coffee scene. A problem brewing beneath the surface, roasting the core of authenticity. … It’s a fraud, it’s a fake, it’s an imposter cappuccino!
A real cappuccino, brewed lovingly in a local shop, is a very simple work of art. It has three distinct equal layers: an espresso base, milk center and froth top. All layers must be equal to be considered a cappuccino. So a typical 2-oz. double shot of espresso would be topped with an equal 2 oz. of milk and 2 0z. of froth.
Armed with this knowledge, it becomes painfully easy to spot the “imposters.” These imitation cappuccinos can’t hold their own weight—the balance becomes impossible to meet, mainly due to the crazy sizes being thrown at the exhausted consumer with the promise to “wake them up” with something hip and large.
A great rule of thumb to detect these frauds is the size. If a cappuccino comes in any size other than a 6 oz.—maybe an 8 oz.—that is not a cappuccino. The proportions get thrown off to the point that not even girl math can account for it.
Case in point: An 18 oz. (real size in the wild) cappuccino would need 6 oz. of espresso (not too many baristas serve more than 4 ounces), 6 oz. of milk and 6 oz. froth. The pure amount of froth alone would not rest on the drink. The most likely scenario is that the amount of milk is actually greater than the espresso and froth—and that ain’t no cappuccino. It’s its cousin, the latte.
Now don’t get me wrong—there’s nothing wrong with lattes. But why lie? Why not just sell the customer a 16-oz. latte and not call it a cappuccino? It begs the question: How are they differentiating these drinks? If one were to order both a 16-oz. latte and a 16-oz. cappuccino, would they be able to tell the difference? My guess is likely not.
So, be careful out there, Raleigh—and don’t be fooled. This cappuccino conundrum must be put to an end.
How one couple’s innovative side hustle became all the buzz for kids, parents and brew lovers alike.
What do you get when you combine a power couple with invaluable skills and a passion for entrepreneurship + a novel idea combining an indoor play space for children and cafe for their parents? Meet Libby and Mark Azzarello’s Bumble Brews. A side gig-turned-unexpected success story, Bumble Brews—which serves to entertain both kiddos ages 6 months to 6 years and adults with buzzy brews (think coffee + beer and wine)—now boasts two locations in Cary and Raleigh, the latter of which opened Dec. 1.
Libby, a residential real estate agent, and Mark, a former corporate professional, embarked on this entrepreneurial journey in December 2022. “My husband always wanted to pursue entrepreneurship,” shares Libby, reflecting on the early days of their venture.
Assisted by a franchise coach who helped them fine-tune their aspirations, the couple was originally working on different ideas—until they met Bumble Brews original owners Blair and Brendan Byrnside.
“We used to take our daughter to the Cary location and loved the combination Blair dreamed up of a safe and fun place to play, but also incorporating our love for coffee and local beer,” reflects Libby. “It appealed to me for the creativity and children part, and Mark for the beer and coffee.”
Libby, self-dubbed as the “food, beverage and entertainment” connoisseur of their marriage, and Mark, the “operations and logistics”-focused half of the partnership, found their perfect match in Bumble Brews. In September, Mark took a bold step by leaving his full-time job to dedicate more time to the business. Libby continues to practice residential real estate, cleverly integrating her work into the play cafe.
“I’m excited to tie real estate into Bumble Brews, and I’ve shifted a lot of marketing to help moms and families connect with each other,” she says. “Some of our guests have asked me to be their real estate agent, so it’s been nice to see an organic growth to my full-time business.”
In addition to serving great brews and providing a fun space for kids, Bumble Brews has become a hub for community gatherings and casual coffee meetups. The full cafe is buzzing with a range of local beer, wine, cider and Champagne selects. And it’s not just for parents.
“One of our most asked questions is ‘Can I visit and purchase coffee if I don’t have a kid?’, and I always tell people, ‘Yes!’” maintains Libby. “You don’t have to be a parent to enjoy our coffee shop. The Raleigh location is positioned underneath an apartment building, so sometimes people just want to grab a coffee.”
With their joint vision, Libby and Mark Azzarello aimed to create a space that was not only female-friendly, but also a comfortable hangout for dads. “The whole industry is more female-leading because you’re working with moms, but we wanted to create a space where dads felt comfortable,” Libby explains.
Additionally, Bumble Brews’ party room offers a blank canvas for guests to curate their own theme with decorations to bring the space to life. If planning an event, guests can book the open-play area, the party room or the entire space.
Another unique feature of the Raleigh location is the consignment bookshelf where local authors can display their books. “We want to support as many local authors as we can,” says Libby.
While managing a business on top of a full-time job can be challenging, Libby attributes much of the success to their supportive network and encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to leverage others’ strengths to avoid burnout.“I am surrounded by experts and people who want to help. It’s hard as a business owner, when you’re used to being independent, to lean on other people,” she shares. “But my friends told me, when I ask for specific help, I’m giving them a gift.”
Reflecting on their journey, Libby shares a candid insight: “We’re building the plane as we fly it—we’re learning as we go.” As they continue to navigate the intricacies of entrepreneurship, the Azzarellos are not just brewing up a successful business, but a community where families can connect, relax and have fun.
This Triangle coffee shop is brewing up a new location.
Fresh brews in Northwest Raleigh: found (finally!). New World Cafe—a cozy cafe by day and worldly restaurant by night—has uprooted to a more spacious locale in Duraleigh Corners, complete with a full kitchen and drive-thru window. Going above and beyond a good cup of joe and breakfast nosh, the cafe (previously located in The Village at Townridge) is currently serving up beverages and a limited menu, but—come its spring grand opening—will convert to a casual restaurant at night, serving wine, beer and international small plates in a clean and minimalistic atmosphere.
“Our company mission is to provide the best coffee in the Triangle with the two best local roasters, Counter Culture and Black & White Coffee, along with good food options that customers enjoy,” says owner and operator Mike Zhu. “We strive to make the environment friendly and open to everyone. We just want everyone to be comfortable.” And how could you not be comfortable with day-to-night ops in a homey atmosphere?! Name a better perfectly blended cafe and eatery combo—we’ll wait. newworldcafes.com
Dulcet dulce found. Beyond merging melodies and mocha—NTM an array of other craveworthy coffees—around town via specialty on-the-move espresso cart Quarter Note, husband-and-wife duo Andrew and Amy Bang are brewing up a new brick-and-mortar Jan. 10 in Glenwood Place, near Ladyfingers and Sushi Mon (!).
Dubbed for the couple’s love of music and coffee, natch, Quarter Note nods to how notes play a pivotal part in both rhythm and brews. The upcoming storefront thus stages a lively coffee experience via a bright and airy atmosphere, plants, and subtle nods to the couple’s music theme. “We want people to come, feel welcome and stay for a while, or grab something quick and go,” says Amy.
Featuring Texas-based Porch Culture Coffee Roasters, the biz also spins up its own homemade syrups and chai. “We also love quality, and that’s something we really strive for,” adds Amy. Sounds like the perfect blend!
