We don’t know many numbers of pi in after 3.14 either—but we do know the best pie places in town to celebrate the day of the mathematical constant. Whether it’s savory or sweet, you’re going to want a piece of this.
Bittersweet Get your pie on—seven different ways. Bittersweet will be opening at 1pm on Friday to make way for pie enthusiasts, serving up seven favorites—including French silk and vegan chocolate raspberry.
Il Falo Everyone loves a good pizza party, and Il Falo agrees. So go ahead and treat yourself with 20% off a second pizza. Twist our arms!
Little Blue Bakehouse Everyone can get a piece of the pie here. And if actual pie isn’t your thing, opt for a decorated pie sugar cookie by Yellow Garden Bakeshop or the cherry pie cheesecake slice from Gryffin Bake Shop.
Ponysaurus The RIW hot spot will be slingin’ pies all day long, including its regular lineup of pizza—plus a special St. Paddy’s Day Reuben pizza topped with corned beef; sauerkraut; and mozzarella, swiss and provolone cheeses.
Slice Pie Company *Pie-hard* fans of Kristen Mullins’s standout desserts got a sweet surprise when she announced her new Oakwood location opening its doors just in time for pi day. And in even better news, she’ll be sharing the space with Sugar Euphoria to double the sweetness.
Mullins credits her crust for the craze around her pies. With a salty, savory bite to it to balance the sweetness of the pie, “the crust is made in a way that goes against all the rules,” she says. Eye on the pie here—Mullins is set to serve up slices, mini pies, half pies and whole pies in her new space.
Asali Desserts & Cafe Pies with pizzazz are the name of the game at this Cary sweet treat spot. Owner Hanadi Asad will be offering $6 slices of pie and cheesecake while debuting two new pie flavors—saffron pistachio cream and pistachio rosewater cream—just in time for the celebrations.
V Pizza Fun fact: If you tell your server you want the pi day discount, you’ll snag $5 off any regular size pizza at the Cary or Brier Creek location. It’s a win-win, natch.
The Durham Hotel Spare change—$3.14 to be exact—will do just fine for this sweet celebration. Baker Phoebe Lawless will have a mix of flavors like chocolate chess, lemon chess and vanilla buttermilk on hand at the Coffee Bar at the hotel.
What to do and where to eat, drink and stay in Bull City
Raleigh’s sister city has got character—that’s a sure thing. Historic meets modern within the “cool, cultured and innovative” walkable municipality where its once-thriving tobacco industry is still very apparent among converted warehouses and brick-laden streets, now home to sought-after apartments, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, boutiques and more.
Brimming with inspiring spaces—not to mention parks, attractions, and a diverse arts and culture scene Durham is ideal for a day trip (pro tip: Take the train!) or overnight stay to take full advantage of its spirit(s) and fine hotels for a comforting home-away-from-home experience. So while you can’t do it all in Durham in just one day—or even weekend—luckily, there’s no reason you can’t go back time and time again. Here’s where to start.
DO
DPAC Raise the curtain on an entertaining night out via a slew of diverse performances at the largest performing arts center in the Carolinas. Upcoming shows this month include & Juliet, The Black Crowes, Charlie Wilson and Iliza Shlesinger—to name just a few—pleasing music and culture fans alike. dpacnc.com
MISSY LANE’S ASSEMBLY ROOM Ya like jazz? You’ll love getting down at this minority-owned live jazz club. The roster of live events keeps the party going on almost a nightly basis, whether it’s funk, hip-hop or soul artists—or album release parties, BYO vinyl nights and more. By day, grind away in the front room with a coffee and grab-and-go food. missylanes.com
GUGLHUPF Prost! A staple since 1998, this popular all-day bakery and restaurant is consistently crowded—and for good reason. An ode to its German roots, the bakery uses traditional European baking methods to produce an ever-rotating selection of baked goods, while the restaurant serves up contemporary southwestern German fare. P.S. The spacious garden patio is the place to be. guglhupf.com
Photo by Graham White
SERAPHINE NOLA fare gets a classy upgrade at brothers Brad and Graham Weddington’s Louisiana-inspired restaurant and bar in the American Tobacco Campus. Boasting a chic interior and pristine patio, the sultry spot specializes in traditional dishes like oysters, gumbo, peel-and-eat shrimp, and boudin sausage, which should absolutely be paired with a house cocktail—and an oyster shooter for the brave. Laissez les bons temps rouler! seraphinedurham.com
M TEMPURA They say everything tastes better fried, and at this popular M Restaurants outpost helmed by Top Chef finalist Savannah Miller, it’s no exception. Tempura—aka lightly battered and deep-fried seafood/vegetables—is, naturally, the name of the game here, with three tasting experiences on offer to snack through. To really immerse yourself, snag a seat at the “bar” and opt for the Kaiseki feat. the likes of shrimp toast, blue crab, crudo and sashimi. m-restaurants.com
Photo courtesy of M Tempura
DRINK
THE VELVET HIPPO Sit and stay awhile at this sun-soaked rooftop lounge founded by five women and named after pit bull type dogs—aka velvet hippos. With its whimsical yet elevated ambiance, complete with an indoor/outdoor bar, greenery and string lights, there’s never not an excuse to kick back for a bevy (and obv your barker is invited)—not to mention events like music trivia bingo, dance parties and Latin night upping the fun factor. velvethippodurham.com
CORPSE REVIVER Durham Distillery’s cocktail bar is a vibe—period. Like a lounge you’d find Gatsby sipping in, the gorgeous space features design elements similar to its liquor bottles, ample booths and velvet chairs to cozy up in, plus a patio answering your fall musings. The signature Corpse Reviver No. 2 is an obvious cocktail choice, but you can’t go wrong with any of the martinis and other bevs feat. the distillery’s award-winning gins. durhamdistillery.com
Photo courtesy of Corpse Reviver
THE ACCORDION CLUB If a laid-back hang is what you’re in search of, look no further. The pitch-perfect dive is everything you could ever want in a neighborhood watering hole: cheap drinks, friendly yet sassy bartenders, pool, darts and hot dogs (just because). And if the moody atmosphere gets to be too much, you can always escape to the back patio for some sun and fresh air. Talk about the best of both worlds. @accordionclub
STAY
THE DURHAM HOTEL This midcentury-mod hotel offers the best of all worlds, whether you’re a slow traveler looking to take advantage of the Raleigh Denim blankets and fresh Counter Culture Coffee delivered each morning, or are all about exploring the on-site restaurant and rooftop bar before gallivanting to nearby hot spots like Alley Twenty Six, Carolina Theatre and Mateo. Think of it as a choose-your-own adventure. thedurham.com
Photo by Travis Dove
21C MUSEUM HOTEL Art museum meet hotel. Downtown Durham’s boutique stay is nothing short of extraordinary, what with its 10,500-square-foot exhibition space, rejuvenating spa and innovative restaurant/bar Counting House. But with the reimagined historic Hill Building’s art deco decor and preserved elements—don’t miss an opp to lounge in the original bank vault—you’re in for a stimulating stay no matter what. 21cmuseumhotels.com
UNSCRIPTED DURHAM Going with the flow is the name of the game here. The former home of the iconic circa-1960s Jack Tar Hotel boasts a contemporary colorful design and vibrant energy—especially at the destination-worthy lively outdoor rooftop. The poolside paradise offers tropicalesque cocktails and bites while playing host to a constant lineup of events, from DJ-fueled parties to free yoga. unscriptedhotels.com
Happy Pi Day! If you’re in the mood for 3.14 times the fun (!), peep our selects for how to celebrate the day locally. … Whether you’re a math enthusiast or a sweet/savory pie lover, one thing remains constant: You’re gonna wanna get a slice of the action.
Pie and cocktails? Name a better combo—we’ll wait. Opening its doors for the special occasion (they’re normally closed on Tuesdays!), Bittersweet will be serving sweet slices and slinging cocktails from 1 to 6pm. … In pie we crust, indeed!
Life’s all about balance, so lace up your sneaks for this 3.14 kilometer (~1.95 mile) fun run at C.M. Herndon Park, followed by a freshly baked crostada by Durham-based James Beard Pastry Chef Award nominee Phoebe Lawless. And be sure to grab an “equation” shirt after you cross the finish line!
Life is as easy as pie at one of Raleigh’s most renowned sup spots touting tons of pie ops—from Key lime and caramel apple to chocolate pecan pies. Yum!
It’s as simple as 3.141592… and it only costs $3.14 to grab a slice of pie from Durham baker Phoebe Lawless on the rooftop of The Durham Hotel—or a whole pie if you’re feelin’ frisky. Expect pie flavors like double chocolate chess; pear and almond crumb; buttermilk sugar; lavender chess; and apple with bacon and crispy cheddar crumb. Keep your eyes on the pies.
Piece out! Grab a pizza pie from this local family-owned Italian joint touting specialty slices that can’t be topped… unless it’s with pepperoni, veggies or extra cheese, of course.
Keeping the soul of Raleigh alive in lieu of another teardown are singer Tift Merritt and Durham hotelier Daniel Robinson, whose plans for the storied Yellow Gables Inn in Mordecai will lean into a sort of deja vu midcentury moment in Raleigh history.
The once-popular rest stop on the hip thoroughfare from Florida to New York a la 1920s to ’50s is one of only two popular remaining stays that hasn’t been destroyed. Now, Merritt and Robinson have resumed plans for reno and restoration. “The goal is to highlight the property’s historic and architectural references without kitsch,” says Robinson, “and with emphasis on the more casual side of Raleigh’s emerging culture: artistic, playful, accessible, informal.”
With construction set to begin on The Gables Lodge in Q1 2023 and a newly signed hospitality agreement with Early Bird Night Owl (projects include The Willard, The Durham Hotel, and The Mayton and Peck & Plume), the hoteliers are primed to keep the soul of the 1925 inn built by William and Ella Johnson in a moment where residents are desperate to cling to some of our significant structures.
The property’s stone garage, rich finishes and 17 cozy rooms will harken back to memories of family road trips and impromptu rest stops at less-than-fancy motels. At Gables, travelers—and Raleighites—will also be able to enjoy a drink from the lodge’s neighborhood bar. Get ready to make those staycation plans. gableslodge.com
And we’ll never be royals… but we can romp around the Queen City.
Uptown Girls (and Boys)
Uptown (not to be called downtown—they’ll know you’re a tourist) is the beating heart of CLT, and it’s chock-full of fun things to do—from theNASCAR Hall of Fame to open-air shopping to museums to acclaimed restaurants and bars. Soak it all up…
For the Fanatics
Sports fans can get their fill year-round in Charlotte, thanks to the Panthers, Charlotte FC, the Hornets and the Knights(P.S. Stick around Truist Field after home games for fireworks!). Game on.
Savor the Asheville flavor during the two remaining weekends of culinary event series Chow Chow (Aug. 4–7, Sept. 8–11) feat. multiple food-focused events—including a handmade tamale workshop and a free Sunday super series. Chow down!
Jam Out
Live music fans are gonna wanna grab tix to a show at legendary music venue The Orange Peel—this summer hosting Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Spoon, Switchfoot and more. Ah, “the way we get by…”
Your ribs’ll be shaking from laughter after attending the Laugh Your Asheville Off Comedy Festival, aka the largest stand-up comedy event in the Southeast, with 40 comics performing at an array of Asheville venues.
Winston-Salem
Brunch is always a good idea. And the perfect day in Winston-Salem starts with brunch at Parisian restaurant The Katharine Brasserie & Bar, located in the The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel (Pro tip: Get the croque-monsieur)—where you should also absolutely lay your head after a day of adventuring. Post-noshing, stroll Winston-Salem’s Downtown Arts District and check out the breweries and ’cue joints on The NCBS Historic Barbecue Trail.
Boone
“Get your awe back” in the “high country”—from breweries and artastic attractions to the Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock (whitewater rafting, wineries, spas!) and, of course, Grandfather Mountain, where you’re gonna wanna hike the highlands. Plus you can’t say you’re an NC’er until you’ve seen NC from the famed Mile High Swinging Bridge (aka America’s highest suspension footbridge—and, yes, it literally swings). Poetry in motion, really.
Durham
Staycation all I ever wanted. … Skip the heavy baggage and gas prices for a summer siesta in the Bull City. Whether you like it dirty or keepin’ it neat, Bar Virgile’s award-winning bar and resto’ll help you get in the spirit and kick it into #vacationmode with a craft cocktail via one of the largest liquor selections in the Triangle. Then keep it jamon at multi-Beard-nominated chef Matt Kelly’s Mateo for tapas that’ll straight transport you to Spain before a nightcap on the rooftop of bougee midcentury-modern boutique hotel The Durham (pro tip: Book the Night Out Package so your nightcap is mere steps from your swank sleep sitch).
Wilmington
Garden Variety
Stop and smell the flowers at the year-round Airlie Gardens, also home to the Airlie Luncheon Garden Party—Wilmington’s premier event during the annual spring NC Azalea Festival.
Flock Here
’Tis the season for seafood, and there’s no better spot to get your fill than Dean Neff and Lydia Clopton’s recently opened Seabird restaurant, which puts a spotlight on local seafood, natch, in addition to creative and seasonal breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes.
