Birds of a feather flock together to imbibe and vibe at Fayetteville Street’s newest bar and restaurant.
If Ella Fitzgerald was a restaurant, it would be Birdie’s Barroom & Kitchen. While LM Restaurants’ and Highwoods Properties’ summer-debuting dining + drinking destination on the ground floor of the 150 Fayetteville Street building won’t be 1920s-themed, it will lean into the trailblazing jazz singer’s big personality and “hostess-with-the-mostess” vibe, with the name a nod to her bird-themed songs “A Hot Canary” and “Lullaby of Birdland.”
“We’re sitting on Fayetteville Street; Downtown Raleigh has all this history; our building has this art deco lean—so we really gravitated toward Ella Fitzgerald,” says LM President and owner Amber Moshakos. “And when we’re talking about revitalization, we’ve got to talk about the energy it takes to make it big, and that’s who she is. … So in the heart of North Carolina, along the main street of Raleigh, we are reawakening our sense of place.”
Taking a cue from Fitzgerald’s MO of being a larger-than-life joymonger and life of the party who connects people—turning strangers into friends—the resto will be a hub for social interaction: a true watering hole and meeting house for reconnecting and reigniting community over great food and drinks.
The all-day dining and imbibing experience will boast a morning barista-led cafe nicknamed Breakfast at Birdie’s; a grab-and-go section, online ordering and full-service dining for lunch; and sit-down dinner service. To boot, the American grill will feature a central bar-in-the-round with ample outdoor seating and a private event space.
“We are committed to providing the most exceptional workplace experience we can for our customers,” says Highwoods SVP and Raleigh Market Leader Skip Hill. “And we believe if we can stimulate them at the start with coffee, nourish them at noon with lunch and then hydrate them at happy hour, they’ll be able to achieve together what they cannot apart. Our decision to partner with Amber and LM Restaurants was a deliberate one, as we could think of no better homegrown purveyor of exceptional experiences to realize the collective goals for North Carolina’s Main Street.”
And what better character to revive Fayetteville Street than Fitzgerald, who was known for her legendary parties, joie de vivre, personable grace and charm, and overall warm hospitality—which will certainly be echoed at Birdie’s.
“If you’re at Birdie’s, Birdie knows you,” maintains Moshakos. “And that’s the beauty of Birdie’s being this place of moxie and spunk and grit—because that’s what Raleigh is. Through grace and moxie, from sunrise to moonrise, all will be welcome at Raleigh’s next living room.” @birdiesraleigh
Slated to bow on the first floor of the landmark 150 Fayetteville Street building this summer, Birdie’s will deliver an all-day dining and drinking experience—from sunrise to moonrise—with a morning barista-led cafe nicknamed Breakfast at Birdie’s; a grab-and-go section, online ordering and full-service dining for lunch; and sit-down dinner service. To boot, the American grill will feature a central bar-in-the-round with ample outdoor seating and a private event space.
“Being a Downtown restaurant, it’s so critical to us to be approachable and useful to that guest at any time,” LM President and owner Amber Moshakos told Raleigh Mag. “Being able to meet the guest where they are—whether that’s through online ordering or grab-and-go or sit-down dining—that’s where Birdie’s needs to transform throughout the day.”
More than just a restaurant, Birdie’s will act as a true watering hole for connections to foster between both patrons and employees, with a welcoming environment “catering to everyone from suits-to-sneakers,” maintains Moshakos, adding: “We are thrilled to bring the vision of a meeting house to life in the heart of Raleigh, where every guest is not just a customer, but a newfound friend and member of our extended family.”
A beacon of warmth, hospitality and fellowship, the upcoming location will be go-to for casual drinks, lunch meetings, celebratory dinners and everything in between.
“We are committed to providing the most exceptional workplace experience we can for our customers,” says Highwoods SVP and Raleigh Market Leader Skip Hill. “And we believe if we can stimulate them at the start with coffee, nourish them at noon with lunch and then hydrate them at happy hour, they’ll be able to achieve together what they cannot apart. Our decision to partner with Amber and LM Restaurants was a deliberate one, as we could think of no better homegrown purveyor of exceptional experiences to realize the collective goals for North Carolina’s Main Street.”
And a Main Street destination it will certainly be, embodying “the spirit of the quintessential hostess-with-the-mostest, infusing every interaction with grace, moxie and charm”—just like the street it’ll call home.
A new partnership is brewing in the Little City Brewing space.
Little City Brewing is entering a new era. The local favorite Local Icon Hospitality brewery in Smoky Hollow will be transitioning into a brand-new operation dubbed Flour & Barrel, a collaboration between local restaurant guru Anthony Rapillo (of V Pizza, Flask Cocktail Bar and The Side Door Craft Cocktails fame) and current owner Jon Seelbinder—opening at the end of May. A modern-day meet-cute, the partnership began on Instagram.
“I was incredibly fortunate to meet Anthony after he reached out via a heartwarming Instagram message as a young entrepreneur,” recalls Seelbinder. “I have seen few with as much grit, enthusiasm and genuine love for the business. He will undoubtedly continue to excel and grow in this space.”
Seelbinder emphasizes the Little City location has always been a natural fit for a crafted food-driven concept—and Flour & Barrel will certainly fit that vision. Rapillo plans to add a full kitchen; demo one of the bars; and update the bar tops, floors and chairs, giving the entire space a face-lift.
The name a nod to its split intention (read: housemade pasta and bread and barreled spirits), Flour & Barrel will lean heavily on rustic Italian small plates highlighting flour-based dishes—think focaccia sandwiches and deconstructed lasagna, plus different types of meatballs and chicken dishes, with ingredients repeated throughout to create a zero-waste kitchen. And for those who get hungry in the after-hours, a late-night menu will serve up pizzas, sandwiches and more after 9pm (!).
Photo by Sean Junqueira
On the “barrel” side of the menu, F&B’s cocktail list curated by Flask’s beverage director will bring barrel-aged trends like bourbon and mezcal to the forefront. The microbrewery in the back will continue to play a huge part in the new restaurant/bar under head brewer Josh Wing, who was also part of the original Trophy team and ended up at Little City via a 20-year connection between Seelbinder and Trophy’s Woody Lockwood, Wing’s first cousin.
In keeping with its trend-forward, industry-competitive MO, the beer lineup promises to stay fresh and delicious, with new flavors like an Italian Lager to complement the Italian-based menu.
“I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to work with Anthony and to lean on the continued mentorship of Jon to bring crafted food and an expanded cocktail program into this space,” says Wing. “I think the oven-fired menu and Anthony at the helm fill a much-needed void in this part of town—and I can’t wait to brew new beers, reimagine existing brands, and just get really creative to match the innovation that will surely flow from the kitchen and bar programs.”
Also gone is the OG LCB regularly front-parked Virgil’s food truck—because full kitchen—making way for a streetside patio a la parklet (think like Clockwork’s), adding extensive outdoor seating come the warmer months.
With the alfresco op and upscale food and bev menus, Rapillo hopes to add a new upscale flair to the cherished space, separating itself from the DJ-dense Glenwood South party scene and draw in locals looking for a more “adult” outing—sans the shooters, party vibes and hangover. “We don’t want to cater to a college crowd—or even kids who are 22 or 23 just looking for loud music or a DJ and a place to go get really drunk,” says Rapillo. Instead, it’s more of a hot spot for a date, GNO wine night or a friendly group outing over craft cocktails.
“When I first moved here—I lived a couple blocks from [Flour & Barrel]—I was the exact clientele we’re looking for,” Rapillo continues. “We’re going for the working professional living in Smoky Hollow or other nearby apartments or even the condos directly above us. You pay all this rent and there’s not a ton of places within walking distance that fit the vibe you’re looking for… like an elevated cocktail bar.” And there’s no doubt that Flour & Barrel will deliver that high-quality experience. Cheers to change! flourandbarrel.com
Scott Crawford’s Brodeto to bow at Raleigh Iron Works in December.
It was during a trip to Croatia in 2018 Scott Crawford enjoyed a particularly tasty traditional brodeto (otherwise known as fish soup) that he thought, “I could just do a whole restaurant about this type of [flavor] profile.” And, now, that serendipitous idea will become a reality as his resto of the same name is anticipated to open at Raleigh Iron Works before the end of the year.
First announced late last year, Brodeto will pay homage to the cuisine of the Adriatic portion of the Mediterranean—specifically Southern Italy and Croatia—via lighter coastal Italian food, with a strong focus on seafood. Rustic, humble and memorable are just a few words Crawford uses to describe the fare.
“We fell in love with those flavor profiles, so we’re gonna cook them the way we cook here,” says Crawford, who’s spent the last four years traveling to the region—most recently exploring 16 cities in Italy alone. “I’m not from Italy; I’m not trying to honor my family with this as I was with my other businesses. I’m not pretending to be this guy who trained in Italy or anything like that. This is very authentic in that we love this concept—we love the feeling that we got there and we want to recreate that.”
Brodeto will, of course, be a highlight of the menu, and rotate seasonally with a heavier broth in the colder months and a lighter one in summertime. Additional menu highlights include crudo, housemade pastas (orecchiette, cavatelli and lightly stuffed pastas, to name a few styles) and breads (namely a Croatian bread, a crusty Italian bread and a great focaccia). Not to mention wood-fired meats, vegetables and seafood on a Beech wood-fired hearth rack system—similar to how food is prepared in Croatia—with seafood being sourced both locally and from the Mediterranean.
There will also be a chef’s table-like experience where diners can order dishes not found on the restaurant menu, like a seafood or crudo tower. “People should anticipate what they experience at Crawford and Son and Jolie,” Crawford emphasizes, “where you can expect a little unexpected—some nice surprises. … But also this is very grounded and based in a tried-and-true style of cooking. I think finding that balance is where we really have a lot of fun as a team.”
The simple yet masterfully balanced cocktail program by Beverage Manager Jordan Joseph will also place a large focus on coastal flavors, amari and herbal liqueurs, coal-grilled fruits and vegetables, infused salts, and bitters—not to mention a list of coastal and mainland wines from Italy, Croatia, Slovenia and throughout the Adriatic.
“Travel, to me, is such a big part of being inspired—and I was inspired there to want to cook that food and bring that experience to people in our community,” says Crawford. “The region has so much to offer and show, and the flavor combinations are limitless between linking the best of what each territory can offer.” And, so, a worldly trip for the senses awaits. brodeto.com
What if you could change your city with just $5? Enter our Give Raleigh campaign, where that’s exactly what you can do—and double your impact. Until Nov. 10, every donation—whether $5, $10 or some larger amount you have to spare or want for a tax write-off—is being matched by our partners TowneBank/Towne Insurance, up to the first $10K donated.
Proving that “no act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted,” Give Raleigh allows each of us to truly impact the lives of people in Raleigh with as little as $5 or as much as you can contribute to a trio of significant local nonprofits making a daily difference: A Place at the Table, TLC (founded as Tammy Lynn Center) and Transitions LifeCare. Beyond the tangible effect these three altruistic endeavors makes locally, they share a common thread of imparting dignity by leveling the playing field—whether that’s via sustenance, empowerment or compassion.
Over the last eight years since our inception, Raleigh Magazine has donated, sponsored and supported many local charities in hopes of one day launching a project such as this one to create even greater positive change in the city we love. That day has come—and we implore you to help us make our first 40-day Give Raleigh campaign a grand-slam success. giveraleigh.com
A Place at the Table
We all deserve “a place at the table”—which is exactly what the so-named pay-what-you-can cafe has been serving Raleighites for almost six years. At A Place at the Table, just $10 donated dishes a dignified made-fresh-daily meal to a hungry Raleighite—meaning when you donate just $5 to Give Raleigh, when doubled, you are feeding one person and making a direct impact on Raleigh. By allowing patrons to pay it forward via the Table card, APATT empowers those in need of a meal to “pay” for their meal with a black card (read: acts like a credit card) that levels the playing field for all diners. While it can be hard to find a seat at APATT, the compassionate cafe is not just a “place” to grab a delicious breakfast or lunch. It’s “a place where everyone has dignity and choice”—where everyone and anyone can get a meal no matter how much money they have to their name. tableraleigh.org
How Your Support Helps:
• Provides meals to community members in need, addressing hunger and food insecurity in Raleigh • Sustains the only pay-what-you-can cafe in Raleigh • Helps cover rent, food costs and other operations of the cafe
Transitions LifeCare
Endings can be—and should be—just as beautiful as beginnings, and that’s exactly what your $10 donation to Transitions LifeCare can deliver to a child or adult who deserves to die with dignity, and to a family making the most difficult decision of their lives. No one wants to die in a cold, lonely hospital room or care facility, nor do they want their parents, sibling, spouse or child to. Founded in 1979 as Hospice of Wake County, Transitions LifeCare answers that call by enabling everyone touched by a life-altering or terminal illness to “catch the joy and share the pain” via compassionate care—either at home or in the in-patient Hospice Home—and emotional and spiritual support for the patient and the family navigating end-of-life decisions, serving as the guidepost for transitioning Raleighites peacefully. transitionslifecare.org
How Your Support Helps:
• Provides compassionate care—either at home or in the in-patient Hospice Home—so no one spends their last days in pain or discomfort • Covers cost of care for all seriously and terminally ill adult patients in need • Gives grief support to patients, families and members of the community free of charge, providing the chance to hold their hands at a time when they are acknowledging the need to heal
TLC
None of us would ever want to be denied our favorite cup of joe or the feeling of warm sunshine on our face. Ultimately, it’s life’s simplest pleasures that are our most essential needs. And those needs are precisely what you can meet by donating just $5 of TLC (tender loving care) to TLC (formerly Tammy Lynn Center). Born out of the desire to empower people with intellectual or developmental disabilities with the same opportunities as their able-bodied peers, TLC provides a vast roster of life-changing care for families—respite care, autism therapies and community living support, to name a few—to instill dignity, ignite hope and embrace possibility. And your donation is that difference-maker—the ability to change not just an individual’s life for the better, but an entire family’s. nctlc.org
How Your Support Helps:
• Provides educational-, residential-, therapy- and community-related support services • Gives options for individuals in the areas of physical, nutritional, developmental and occupational therapy; speech-language pathology; and psychological supports • Offers on-site residences with daylong care for children and adults with profound disabilities and complex medical needs • Offers tailored care management • Options for respite care and other supportive services
