In the mood for some booze? Raise your spirits at this “refined and crafted” women-owned and -operated distillery, so dubbed for the two robed women, Liberty and Plenty, in the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina. Beyond its wide range of unique vodkas, rums, whiskies and (soon!) gins—all of which aim to tell “stories of aspiration, curiosity and purpose”—the combo cocktail bar and distillery is known for its spacious industrial tasting room… which also plays host to live music sets featuring local artists. Sounds, ahem, neat! libertyandplenty.com
Paul & Jack Bakery & Pastry Shop WAKE FOREST
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill pastry spot. Helmed by pastry chef Jacques Akl-Matar; his wife, Alina; and their “most important assistant,” baby George, the delectable bakery boasts a curated rotating menu of made-from-scratch confections—think Black Forest cake, blueberry ricotta Danishes and tiramisu. No matter what your sweet tooth is craving, there’s a slew of delicious desserts and treats to try every day. …Pro tip: Take a cue from Kate Spade and eat cake (and pastries!) for breakfast. @paulandjack_nc
HomeSlice Tavern YOUNGSVILLE
What’s up, homeslice? This vibrant indoor/outdoor hangout spot in the heart of downtown Youngsville caters to lovers of booze and ’za. Name a better pairing—we’ll wait. Supplement your drink sesh (choose from cold brewskis, wine and creative housemade cocktails) with sizable cheesy pies topped with the likes of sausage, pepperoni, bacon, olives and mushrooms. To really get buzzing like a dancing queen, belly up with your besties for nightly drink specials, such as local bourbon for $7 (!) on Saturdays. And be sure to check the calendar for karaoke nights, DJs, themed holiday parties and a plethora of rotating events. Say cheese! homeslicetavern.com
Hempsmith Clothing Co. PITTSBORO
Did you know the Environmental Protection Agency calculated clothing and footwear disposal resulted in 13 million tons of waste in 2018? This Pittsboro-based clothing brand aims to slow fashion consumption and create durable and sustainable fashion made from hemp plants—aka a renewable fiber that uses minimal water and space; absorbs carbon; and can be turned into versatile (and super-fashionable) hats, tops and sweatshirts in a wide range of colors and prints. Make fashion slow again! hempsmithclothing.com
Right Meow Cat Cafe FUQUAY-VARINA
A cat cafe where every purchase goes to saving furry lives? You’ve got to be kitten. This cute kitty oasis provides rescue cats a safe, comfy and cage-free home while showing off their personalities to potential forever families. If you aren’t in the market for an adoption, you can still stop in to get your fix of cat-titude, along with a coffee, espresso bev or boba tea. Either way, you’re supporting a purr-fect purpose and getting a sweet treat. It’s a win-win! rightmeowcatcafe.com
Where to sip, sup and shop outside Raleigh this month
Louie and Honey’s Kitchen (Nate Allen)
Louie and Honey’s Kitchen
WINSTON-SALEM
Mother knows best! At this nostalgic bakery, find mother-daughter duo Naomi and Natalie Gingerich dishing out decadent desserts reminiscent of their grandmother’s table—think seasonal heirloom treats and old-fashioned cakes and pies with an array of European delights sprinkled in. The pastry case is filled daily with an assortment of sweets running the gamut from scones to cookies to doughnuts—and do not sleep on the Amish cinnamon rolls, a heritage recipe topped off with a brown sugar frosting. It’s the tastiest nod to family tradition you’ll find outside of your own grandmother’s kitchen. louieandhoneyskitchen.com
Bull City Solera + Taproom
DURHAM
If pizza and nachos had a baby, it would be the mouthwatering Mexican pizzas found at this Bull City gem—made with corn tortilla chips and alll the toppings. Additional fusion fare includes Italian tacos (a tortilla shell cross between corn and pizza dough with American-Italian fillings) and loaded burritos. … And be sure to satiate your sweet tooth with the housemade triangle-shaped churros (!). Brought to you by the same people that started Bull City Burger and Pompieri Pizza, this sup spot also touts a slew of recurring events—think pinball, board game nights, yoga, hammered trivia and a knitters happy hour. You’re gonna wanna get a slice of the action!bullcitysoleraandtaproom.com
Esteamed Coffee
CARY
Brewing up more than just delish drinks, this nonprofit Cary coffee spot creates employment opps for adults with differing abilities—and showcases art from 17 local artists with special abilities to boot. Situated inside a bright and airy quaint cottage, this Downtown Cary hot spot serves up your fave java, smoothie and snack selects while supporting a pretty sweet cause. How’s that for brewing esteem?! esteamedcoffee.com
The WalkUp
CARY
Step—er, walk!—right up to Cary’s recently bowed cocktail club, a swanky and suave bricked-out building with a regal and refined ambiance. Find cocktails, wine and beer on call for your next post-work drink sesh with your coworkers, date night or GNO. Pro tip: The hidden light-strewn patio offers some of the best seats in the house! … It’s giving happy hour vibes—at any hour, really. thewalkupcary.com
Bright Black
DURHAM
Lighten up and foray into the Bull City for a whiff of this family-owned candle company, complete with a new creator’s studio and scent showroom (!). With a mission to honor the “brilliance of blackness,” founders Tiffany and Dariel Griffin—and their little one Elena!—create each candle with care and positive intentions. Sniff a slew of aromas with names ranging from Durham and Paris to Gospel and Hip-Hop. And we’d be remiss not to mention the signature scent, a heavenly combo of earthy and citrus that nods to the fam dynamic in scent form. So lit.brightblackcandles.com
“Far East funk” stars in the form of vibrant dishes—with a funky twist, natch—inspired by prolific Triangle restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias’ trips to Taiwan, Thailand and Hong Kong. Continuing to expand his restaurant “empire” with Krill, the Asian concept near Ponysaurus promises to satisfy with the likes of fried whole fish with green papaya salad, duck soup dumplings with foie gras, peanut-crusted calamari, and noodle dishes—plus sake, wine and Asian-inspired cocktails to wash everything down. Inside the space, colorful murals only add to the Southeast Asian nostalgia—and there’s also a patio for alfresco dining. “Play that funky music…” krillrestaurant.com
Husband-and-wife team Todd and Jodi Stevens built their Holly Springs clothing and gift boutique on—what else—blessings. *Cue Drake song.* Originally started as a hobby tinkering with an embroidery machine, then an Etsy shop, Bless Your Heart Boutique now offers clothing, jewelry, local items, plus all things personalized for children, adults, brides, sororities, grandmas, fathers and so much more. The duo also surveys customers about their likes and dislikes regarding fashion, and caters to their wants and needs. So whether you’re looking to upgrade your wardrobe with some local ’fits or need a gift for a friend/loved one, this Southern shop has got it all. Aw, bless your heart, indeed! blessyourheartnc.com
Roll out! Sushi night gets an upgrade at SUYU, which blends traditional Japanese cuisine with Korean-inspired flare—and boasts a head chef with over 20 years of experience and a Certified Sake Professional on hand to boot. Choose from specialty rolls like the Hotel California (made with avocado, crab and cucumber, and topped with spicy tuna, masago, mozzarella and sweet soy), nigiri and sashimi, small plates like dumplings and Korean fried chicken, and more. So, yeah, we like the way they roll. sushisuyu.com
“Jeni’s makes it better.” And the award-winning scoop shop certainly made the Triangle’s summer better when it opened its Brightleaf District location in Durham—aka Jeni’s second NC outpost (the first bowed in Charlotte). Jeni’s prides itself in not using any stabilizers, emulsifiers, synthetic flavorings, dyes or off-the-shelf mixes, meaning each smooth and creamy scoop is built on real ingredients (!). Melt over bestsellers like brown butter almond brittle, gooey butter cake, and brambleberry crisp, or take home a pint to enjoy on the couch in your jammies—rom-com encouraged. (Then scoop Jeni’s in Raleigh once it opens in Village District.)jenis.com
“We need to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn’t matter—but work is always third.” Parks and Rec’s Leslie Knope obv has her priorities straight, and we’re sure she’d be a fan of the Waffee Station, a beloved breakfast spot churning out authentic Liege waffles using pearl Liege sugar imported from Belgium (!) and cooked on—what else?—a Belgium waffle iron. Made fresh to order and topped with anything from cinnamon sugar and whipped cream to peanut butter, bacon and bananas, you’re sure to love these sweet creations a waffle lot. waffeewagon.com
Where to sip, sup and shop outside Raleigh this month.
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TapStation APEX Tap into this recently opened family-friendly brewery and resto from the team behind Scratch Kitchen and Taproom, The Mason Jar Tavern, and Mason Jar Lager Company. Located in the historic Holt & Sons building (the team retained most of the original structure while rebuilding and enhancing the rest—allowing them to remain a part of the historic registry), TapStation features two stories from which to enjoy a brew made on-site, including a rooftop patio with a second full bar and curated bourbon menu (!). And there’s no shortage of comforting eats—from shareable apps to elevated burgers and chicken sandwiches to hot dogs and beer brats. Don’t mind if we do! tapstationapex.com
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Der Nachbar Bottleshop & Taps DURHAM Prost! Northwest Durham’s newest German-inspired bottle shop—which translates to “the neighbor” in German—offers both brews to go and 20 beers to enjoy on tap (plus wine and cider), either posted up at the bar or out on the patio. The casual sip spot was born of two neighbors’ (hence the name) dream of opening a local bottle shop during the pandemic—and now that dream is a reality. We couldn’t be hoppier. @dernachbar_durham
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Heritage Donuts WAKE FOREST You donut wanna pass up the opp to visit this mom-and-pop doughnut shop specializing in a variety of yeast-raised, cake and old-fashioned dunkers. The hole-y pastries are prepped fresh every morning starting around 2am (really) and served from 6am until they’re sold out (aka usually by the early afternoon—so set your alarms!). Fave holes include the maple bacon doughnut and crumb cake doughnut… and those with a sweet tooth are also gonna wanna try the pinecones, cinnamon rolls and apple fritters. Aw, we love this a hole lot… facebook.com/heritagedonuts
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Meeple’s Brew MORRISVILLE, CARY You’ll never get board at Morrisville’s first board game cafe, which just opened a second location in Cary. Between the two outposts, there’s over 850 board games from which to choose (!)—NTM a killer food and drink menu of coffee, smoothies, milkshakes, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and almost-famous waffles (try the sugar-loaded Troublemaker Waffle with bananas, blueberries, strawberries, whipped cream, caramel and chocolate sauce) that’ll fuel your competitive edge all day long. And be sure to keep an eye out on Meeple’s cal for gaming events. Game on. meeplesbrew.com
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Rustic Phoenix ZEBULON This “local mercantile with a cool vibe” was born of founders Frank and Elizabeth Carbone’s love of visiting out-of-town “local” gift shops. Enter the farmhouse-style shop—their way of bringing that same “small town store in a small town” vibe to downtown Zebulon while supporting NC businesses and artisans. Goods ranging from gifts and home decor to candles and soaps to pet products and jewelry rotate constantly—so there’s always something new to discover. Not to mention grab-and-go flowers by Preston Flowers & Gifts in Cary and… putting the cute in charcuterie: its ready-to-go charcuterie boards. Um, date night—check! rusticphoenixshop.com
There’s no need to wine when you can make a quick trip over to the Bull City for a glass of vino and some delectable desserts. More than a hundred labels await, so perfect chance to nosh on a chocolate tart, munch on a macaron (or two!) or lighten your mood with a lemon custard in a made-from-scratch shortbread crust while you mull it over. NTM the craft cocktails, cold brews, shareable desserts and small plates—the perf recipe for your next glam GNO or date night. Because some things are too sweet not to share. aperitifnc.com
2. Jetplane Coffee
DURHAM
This self-proclaimed “restaurant disguised as a coffee shop” made the move from pop-ups around town—where coffee was served from a portable coffee cart fashioned from an airline service cart—into its first brick-and-mortar location with a vision to be a safe space for people to come enjoy some good ol’ java. With a menu of modern diner-style comfort food (plus an incredible banh mi that may just be the best in Durham), fan-favorite baked goodies (cinnamon stacks, anyone?) and coffee brewed with local beans, this approachable cafe operates based on a simple statement: quality, dignity, service. So jet on over to the Bull City for your next lunch date or unwind with a gluten-free muffin and a cuppa joe on a slow Saturday morning. Sounds fa-brew-lous to us. jetplanecoffee.com
3. Carpenter Wine Cellar
MORRISVILLE
Hey, brew. Get ready to go beer-serk over Carpenter Wine Cellar’s extensive assortment of vino and brew selections. With pro tips from its team of dedicated wine and beer specialists, patrons can uncork an array of choices fit for any budget, including limited-editions and seasonal offerings. Did we mention there are over a dozen drinks on tap? Pale ales, IPAs, sour beers, pilsners and stouts—oh, my! BRB, we’re going to work on our six-pack. carpenterwinecellar.com
4. Atlas
CARRBORO
Introducing Atlas, your new friendly neighborhood bar—a place that you’d be happy to go to regularly… whether after work, on the weekend or for any occasion in between. Stocked with a bevy of books, curated art and an assemblage of items from all over the world, Atlas’ atmosphere will remind you of your cool—somewhat crazy—aunt’s house, minus all the family drama, says owner Kevin Callaghan. This worldly and aesthetic bar invites patrons to connect—and then keep coming back again and again—via a heavy emphasis on creative cocktails, a curated wine and beer menu, and expert employees. So, navigate yourself over to a seat at Atlas—no passport required. atlascarrboro.com
5. Bluebird
CHAPEL HILL
Ooh la la. You’ll want to say oui to everything on acclaimed chef and UNC alumnus Brandon Sharp’s (of Hawthorne & Wood fame) new French-inspired menu at Bluebird, opening this spring. Located in Meadowmont Village, the French-bistro style restaurant features classic dishes like salade lyonnaise, sole Véronique, and roast chicken with black truffle—plus a variety of French wines, ciders and cocktails. The outdoor veranda is the perfect perch for brunch, lunch or dinner (or just a glass of vino!) a la Emily in Paris. Bon appetit! bluebirdnc.com
