This darling little dinner spot is growing (!) with the addition of two new talented chefs at the helm—NC natives chef Elizabeth Murray, most recently of Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn; and pastry chef Tanya Matta, who boasts a celebrated background in the industry, from Atlanta’s Seeger’s to NYC’s Gramercy Tavern. Together, the pair have reimagined the Littler menu, with such additions as bluefin tuna crudo, housemade carrot cavatelli, Southern fish cassoulet and—for dessert—red currant mousse. Clearly, you’ll “littler-ly” need a “little” bit of everything.
Bootch, please. You’re gonna wanna chill with your scobies at this kombucha taproom offering a broad variety of “better not bitter” alcoholic (!) and nonalcoholic fresh fizzers made with high-quality ingredients. Get in the spirit with refreshing flavors (think hibiscus strawberry lemonade, tamarind, black raspberry and white pomegranate) serving up allll the health benies of bootch—like antioxidants for a healthy energy and immunity boost. And if bootch isn’t your thing, beer is on tap as well. Bottoms up!
Monster margaritas, cheesy ACPs and 12 different kinds of tacos. … Is this heaven? Because it sure tastes like it. Enter Mezcalito, which offers a unique Tex-Mex take on Mexican cuisine boasting a blend of bold, authentic and fresh flavors at three locations across NC, plus another one coming soon to Durham. Now more about those margaritas. … They’re legit as big as your head and come decked out with an assortment of toppings—from popsicles to watermelon on a stick to tamarind candy sticks. And they’re strong, so order up some quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos and more to line your stomach.
Don’t worry, be hoppy. Belly up to the bar at this family-owned craft beer and wine shop (or pop a squat on the sunny patio) for a curated selection of over 25 local beers (plus prosecco) on tap—served by cicerones and sommeliers (!). Founded by Pavel and Kelly Chtcheprov, Bottle Theory features a tap system built by Pavel, a home brewer and engineer, that reduces waste and prevents brews from going flat. (Um, no flat beer? Yes, please!) Weekly events like trivia, free wine tastings and live music—plus weekly rotating food trucks—raise the bar even further. Our (bottle) theory? You’re gonna wanna stay awhile.
An ice cream a day keeps the summer humidity away! And this beloved locally owned ice cream shop in Wake Forest knows how to keep it cool. Best known for its soft serve cones, Dairy Depot offers a myriad of unique flavors (think butter cookie, maple, cotton candy and cinnamon bun—plus the classics), as well as sundaes, milkshakes and parfaits. And not to be missed are its signature Train Wrecks, aka essentially an elevated McFlurry-esque creation featuring ice cream with flavor, candy and fruit mix-ins. I scream, you scream…
Lake hair, don’t care. GreenLife Boat Cruises is about to float your boat this season. Here’s how.
Ahoy! All aboard Captain Carleton Green’s GreenLife Boat Cruises in Falls Lake. Started during the pandemic to rekindle the joy he felt as a kid of being out on the water, Green offers various timed premium boat rides and cruises that are ideal for soaking up some rays with your crew this summer. A Black- and family-owned business, GreenLife also propels its services with partnerships with other Black and local businesses like Seven Springs Winery, On Board Catering & Charcuterie, cigars from Abbie’s Tobacco Shop, EnTOURage Party Bus, and more. “GreenLife is an elevated experience for people to enjoy the leisure Falls Lake has to offer with a core focus on pouring back into the community,” says Green. Now, it’s aboat time you catch a ride. Read on for what you need to know before booking your boat cruise.
Bucks: $400 for a two-hour ride; $800 for a four-hour ride; $1,200 for a six-hour ride; $1,600 for an eight-hour ride; $250 for a two-hour fishing trip
Boat crew: Holds 9 people
What’s included: All private charters include a licensed captain, courtesy bottle of wine for every two hours, stops of your choice, and a cooler with ice.
WEB EXCLUSIVEEnjoy the outdoors through Dix Park’s summer programming, from sunflowers to live music to workout classes and more.
Go to Dorothea Dix Park for the sunflowers (ya better hurry before they’re gone!), and stay for the multitude of events going on this summer. From live music and movies to outdoor workout classes and more, there’s plenty of fun to fit into your summer cal.
Dix Park’s sunflowers experienced peak bloom last week, but there’s still time to get your obligatory summer sunflower ’Gram before they completely droop (like another week or two—max). Pics or it didn’t happen.
Bend and streeeeetch at Williams Field every Monday with yoga instructor Patrice Graham. BYO yoga mat and water for Find Your Flow every first and third Monday, a relaxing and rejuvenating vinyasa flow practice, and Let’s Begin every second and fourth Monday, perfect for newbies or yogis who need a refresh.
Every Thursday, relieve some of the week’s pent up stress anxiety with a Tai Chi lesson from instructor Tish Oakley. The series of slow, continual movements also helps bring you mental and physical balance and improve overall health and vitality.
Don your favorite sports gear for Family Sports Night on Aug. 7, complete with a showing of The Mighty Ducks. Beer, wine and food are permitted, but food trucks will also be on-site for when the munchies hit. “Quack, quack, quack!”
A DIY card will always beat out a store-bought one. Head to The Chapel on Aug. 21 to learn how to marble paper using shaving cream and paint; then add personalized details with stamps and mixed media. Perfect for a friend’s upcoming birthday, promotion, engagement or just to show them some love.
North Carolina singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Josh Daniel takes the stage at the newly renovated Chapel Event Center on Aug. 22 for an evening of feel-good live music.
The bird’s the word. Learn about Dix Park’s resident and migrant birds—including sparrows, woodpeckers and hawks, to name a few—and sharpen your identification skills as you birdwatch with local urban ecologist Deja Perkins on Aug. 28.
Think you know everything there is to know about Dix Park? Think again. Take a free 3.5-mile walking tour to learn about the park’s history, buildings and legacy of Dorothea Dix, as well as the City’s plans for Dix’s future.
WEB EXCLUSIVEOrder a picnic basket from Catering Works ahead of one of NCMA’s outdoor events this summer.
Instead of telling you to beat the North Carolina summer heat, we’re gonna urge you to embrace it with a picnic and a special event at the North Carolina Museum of Art (because food + sparkling wine makes everything better). Catering Works is providing the ’Gram-worthy spreads for weekends and amphitheater special events (think concerts and movie nights) at the art museum this season.
Picnic basket options include the Elite picnic basket with shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, Bellini mixer and sparkling wine splits, and other desserts, plus snacks and utensils; the Classic basket with pimento tea sandwiches, spring pasta salad, prosecco splits, and more; and a Family Picnic with the choice of four different sandwiches and chips. Gluten-free and vegetarian picnic baskets are also available.
Catering Works’ picnic baskets are just one reason why we’re excited to hit up the NCMA this summer. The museum also brought back its beloved outdoor movie series at Theater in the Museum Park, with upcoming films including Sister Act on Aug. 7, Singin’ in the Rain on Aug. 14 and The Wiz on Aug. 21. We provided the nostalgia—now you just bring the popcorn.
And while people say nothing beats dinner and a show, legend also has it that “nothing is better than a picnic.” Ok, well at least according to Zooey Deschanel. Advance ordering for picnic baskets required, cateringworks.com/our-venues/nc-art-museum/picnic-in-the-park.
WEB EXCLUSIVEDorothea Dix Park’s The Oak Room is perfect for kiddos and dogs alike.
Before we know it, summer will be over (time flies when you’re having fun in the sun!), so take advantage of the warm weather and the kiddos being out of school by spending some quality time outdoors—with your pup, if you have one!
Lucky for us, Raleigh is home to a plethora of beautiful green spaces that make getting outside a breeze, and your doggo surely could use a day out to stretch its legs. Dorothea Dix Park—recently dubbed the Central Park of the South by Travel and Leisure Magazine—is the perf locale for any occasion: charcuterie with the squad, a family picnic or an afternoon of fetch with the dog!
And hanging out at Dix just got a whole lot brighter with the recently debuted Oak Room, located right next to Harvey Hill, Dix Park’s new go-to spot for families and dog owners alike. While the kiddos are hanging out on the swings and Fido runs free, relax on the benches or the bench swing, and pack a picnic lunch to enjoy under the shady picnic tables (a great way to cool off and refuel during a day of play). Water fountains designed with both water bottle and dog-drinking capabilities will keep you and your furry friends hydrated all day long. This hidden gem will no doubt become a crowd fave this summer when it comes to beating the heat while soaking up some sun!
