by Kara Scott | Oct 12, 2023 | Eat, October 2023
Now Serving cooking up good via Oct. 21 F&B event
Let’s eat, drink and serve together! Now Serving, a Raleigh-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is brewing up an event to uplift the community and bridge the gap between food abundance and scarcity. Dubbed Now Serving Food + Wine, the culinary fest will take place Oct. 21 at Smoky Hollow, with a goal to continue bolstering the MO of the org: leveraging the power of food service to empower communities and bring solace to Raleigh neighbors in need.
“We think the restaurants and hospitality industries are really important, and at the same time we think that hunger is a problem that shouldn’t exist,” says Now Serving Executive Director Greg Lowenhagen. The nonprofit was founded as Sunday Supper in 2016, with its inaugural event gathering ~1,000 people on Fayetteville Street to raise $189,000 for the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund. The model adapted to “to directly support the most vulnerable among us.”
“The question is: How can we get our hospitality industry involved in a more efficient way to help fight that problem?” Lowenhagen adds. “We also want to help our partnered restaurants thrive in business. . … Our partnerships are a great way to tackle both things at once.”
Boiling up bunches of excitement, the Saturday soiree is slated to showcase a lineup of leading local chefs, restaurants and beverage brands from beloved spots such as Blackology Coffee Company, Hummingbird and Oak Steakhouse, to name but a few.
Attendees will also be treated to an outstanding selection of wines from distinguished wineries such as Donelan and Sangiacomo, among others. Craft beer lovers are in for a treat too, with offerings from R&D Brewing, while Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Young Hearts Distillery will be providing the spirits. And beyond the appetizing array of eats and drinks, fuel the fun-filled day with music and cooking demos to boot. With all the wonderful F&B collaborations, the celebration is sure to be a delicious one—but the cherry on top is that every ticket purchased directly supports meals for Now Serving’s six community agency partnerships: Brentwood Boys & Girls Club, Meals on Wheels Wake County, The Women’s Center, New Bethel Food Pantry, Lincoln Park Pantry and Solid Rock Ministry. Dining and drinking for a good cause never tasted so good!
by Kara Scott | Sep 20, 2023 | Eat, September 2023
Fall for Emily Martin’s Cinnamon Rolls this season
“They see me rollin’” … and they craving Emily Martin’s Cinnamon Rolls—especially now that ’tis the season for baked fall treats (!). Available year-round at Cantina 18, these gooey rolls make the perfect quick breakfast or snack—or gift for a sweets-loving friend or family member (hey, holiday season!).
Creator/owner Martin’s recipe for the delightfully decadent old-fashioned treats blends tradition and innovation, using a sourdough yeast starter and a craveworthy creamy glaze on top. “Cinnamon rolls have been a tradition in my family for as long as I can remember,” shares the cinnamon roll chef. “When I learned to make them, I began sharing them with family and friends—and our tradition soon grew.”
Her partnership with Cantina 18 chef and proprietor Jason Smith began three years ago in an attempt to spread the sweetness of her culinary creations with a wider audience—and they’ve remained popular ever since. “We worked together, and his team really took to learning and appreciating the art of making my cinnamon rolls,” she says of the collab.
Enjoy the goods at home via a six-pack bun bundle that requires only a quick heat-up in the oven—and results in a heavenly fragrance and a belly full of goodness. Beyond a delish dessert, the cinnamon rolls make great gifts or menu items for bridal and baby showers, birthday parties, and holiday gatherings.
“Our busiest time of the year traditionally has been holidays, but we have actually seen an increase in demand year-round as people have begun to make them a part of their own special traditions,” says Martin. That said, it’s never too early to begin prepping for the busy season…Roll models of dessert, the buns also pair beautifully with mimosas, coffee or hot chocolate (brunch, anyone?). And in addition to Cantina 18, you can also find them at NOFO. Nice buns, indeed.
by Anna Beth Adcock | Sep 7, 2023 | Eat, September 2023
Raleigh Iron Works’ tasty new tenant
Ford Fry is at it again. He first hinted at his just-announced ATL standout concept Little Rey dropping in Raleigh last year on our podcast—and now this aspiration is finally coming to fruition.
After first dipping his toes into the Triangle food scene via successful Fenton spot Superica, the celeb chef is expanding his reach to Raleigh Iron Works and once again blessing us—this time with his already-thriving Tex-Mex concept. Centered around “al carbon” wood-roasted cooking, the highly anticipated spot will serve an array of droolworthy staples such as al carbon—naturally—plus traditional street-style tacos, fresh salsas and handmade tortillas to boot.
Ford says RIW is the perfect home for the popular restaurant, slated to bow in 2024. “The property is fresh, innovative and visionary—and well-positioned between several growing parts of the city,” he said in an exclusive chat with Raleigh Magazine this week. “Plus, we’re thrilled to be neighbors with talented friends like Brodeto, Eastcut Sandwiches and Andia’s Ice Cream, to name a few. We can’t wait for Little Rey to become part of the Triangle community.”
To complement the fiery menu, a variety of soft-serve ice cream flavors (tres leches! salty cajeta and fried peanuts!) await—or diners looking to sweeten the experience can also tuck into the concept’s cult-fave pancakes with buttermilk syrup.
Thirsty? Enter the impressive beverage program. Masterminded by beverage VP Eduardo Porto Carreiro, the drinks will pair perfectly with the flavors of the fare. Toast to the tantalizing Tex-Mex morsels with an on-the-rocks marg or crack open a Mexican beer from the scad of handselected local and regional craft ales a la the convenient reach-in cooler.
Impressive in both scope and scale, the expansive counter-service taco spot sprawls across 3,100 square feet via indoor and patio seating, with a walk-up to-go window affectionately dubbed Uno Mas. More casual than its Cary-based cousin, the resto exudes relaxation and zest via its rose pink, deep blue and sage color palette; old-fashioned handpainted signs; and Waylon & Willie songs on the queue. And be sure to peep vintage Mexican mementos and standout art compliments of a curated collection decorating the dining room.
“I’m excited about [Little Rey] because I eat it all the time,” said Ford on that prophetic podcast episode, hinting it would one day come to Raleigh. He adds now: “I love the Raleigh area and have wanted to introduce Little Rey here since we opened its big sis Superica in Cary last year. I think the city will enjoy our casual vibe, friendly service, street-style al carbon tacos and cold margs—and we can’t wait to serve them soon.” … We love a full-circle moment. Give us mas!
by Anna Beth Adcock | Aug 29, 2023 | Buzz, September 2023
Eat (and drink!) your way down memory lane for a taste of Raleigh’s restaurant history.
There’s no question that Raleigh is home to a thriving restaurant scene—and while our city continues to level up its eating and drinking game on the reg, ya just can’t beat the classics. Here, we challenge you to summon your nostalgic knowledge for a roundup of Q’s on Raleigh’s oldest eateries, spots you might’ve forgotten about and more. Ready for a trip down memory lane?
1. Char-Grill has been touting the “best burger and fries in Raleigh” since 1960! A Raleigh institution—from its late-night hours to sliding your order into the iconic window slot—the burger joint now boasts how many locations in NC?
a. 7
b. 8
c. 9
d. 10
2. An, ahem, mecca, Mecca Restaurant has been sating stomachs in Downtown Raleigh since 1930 (and she doesn’t look a day over 25!). What was the OG name of the old-school eatery?
a. Mecca Luncheonette
b. The Mecca Diner
c. Raleigh’s Mecca
d. Nick’s Place
3. Get piggy with it via Clyde Cooper’s Barbeque, which has been pullin’ the local pork game for 80+ years. On what holiday did the institution first open its doors?
a. Christmas Day
b. Valentine’s Day
c. July 4th
d. New Year’s Day
4. Way back when… Thad Eure Jr. and Charles Winston purchased 50 acres of land on Highway 70 that would eventually become what is now the iconic Angus Barn steakhouse. How much did they pay for the prized plot of land?
a. $825
b. $6,750
c. $7,750
d. $10,750
5. Hey, playa! Players Retreat—aka “PR”—has positioned itself as the prime hangout spot for Wolfpackers, as it sits on the outskirts of NC State’s campus and touts tons of collegiate memorabilia. Who currently sits at the helm of this fan-fave neighborhood bar?
a. Mickey Hanula
b. Bernie Hanula
c. Pete Jarrell
d. Gus Gusler
6. Mosey up a flight of stairs on Hillsborough Street beside Global Village and you’ll find the treasured Mitch’s Tavern, which has been serving Raleighites since 1974. The resto was also a setting of which famous baseball movie?
a. A League of Their Own
b. Bull Durham
c. Field of Dreams
d. Moneyball
7. Hot wieners found here! No-frills hot dog hot spot The Roast Grill has long embraced the mantra to do one thing and do it well—and in this case, that would be a delish hot dog (served with a cold glass bottle of Coca-Cola, natch). Which condiment does the joint not serve?
a. Ketchup
b. Mustard
c. Chili
d. Texas Pete
8. Ciao, bella! Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant opened its doors in 1963 after NC State alum Richard “Amedeo” DiAngelis turned his desire to fill the city’s need for a local sub/hoagie shop into a reality. What sport did DiAngelis play during his time in college?
a. Baseball
b. Football
c. Wrestling
d. Basketball
9. Before diners chowed down on delish Italian fare on the gorgeous Mulino patio, the aesthetic eatery was the home to Babylon, a restaurant offering eats inspired by which country?
a. Egypt
b. Turkey
c. Croatia
d. Morocco
Answers: 1. C; 2. A; 3. D; 4. B; 5. D; 6. B; 7. A; 8. B; 9. D
by Lauren Kruchten | Aug 29, 2023 | Do, September 2023
Like all things ’90s, pinball is back, y’all.
Cue the nostalgia—pinball is making a comeback. While the first coined machine dates back to the 1930s, the arcade game hit peak popularity in the ’90s—a fact driving its current resurgence as all things of the “Edgy Decade” return to favor (see also: low-rise jeans, claw clips, thin brows and other trends). After all, you can’t beat a classic (!).
Not only are many Gen Xers and millennials harkening back to their halcyon days of youth by buying machines for their homes, pinball tournaments are taking place across the globe—and the classic games are remerging at bars, restaurants, gaming sites and beyond.
Clearly, select Raleigh establishments were ahead of the reemerging trend (we see you Boxcar), but, now, scads of local spots are shooting on the scene. Here’s where to bump those balls around town.
The Avenue
Glenwood South
Must play: Spider-Man
@theavenueraleigh
Beach Shack Bottles & Taps
North Raleigh
Must play: Black Knight: Sword of Rage
@beachshackbottlestaps
Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Warehouse District
Must play: Jurassic Park
@boxcarral
Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard
Five Points East
Must play: Lord of the Rings
@bowstringpizzabrewyard
Brookside Bodega
Oakwood Mordecai District
Must play: Oktoberfest
@brooksidebodega
The Cardinal
Smoky Hollow District
Must play: Monster Bash
@thecardinalbar
Heyday Brewing
Northeast Raleigh
Must play: Deadpool
@heydaybrewing
Industry
Glenwood South
Must play: Fish Tales
@industry.raleigh
Johnson Street Yacht Club
Glenwood South
Must play: South Park
@jsyachtclub
Person Street Bar
Seaboard & Person Street District
Must-play: Stranger Things
@personstreetbar
Roshambo Beverage Co.
Moore Square District
Must play: Beatles
@roshambobevco
Slim’s
Moore Square District
Must play: Monster Bash
@slims_tagrams
To find more pinball machines in the area: pinballmap.com/raleigh-durham
