After 5 years of living in Raleigh I finally stopped in at the Person Street Pharmacy to try one of their famous milkshakes. This is an interesting little pharmacy nestled between the Oakwood and Mordecai neighborhoods. It has been open in Raleigh since 1910 and is the only pharmacy left with a real soda fountain. 
They have a special on “Milkshake Mondays” when you can get a milkshake for just $2.50 or a malt for $3.00. I had a chocolate milksake and I must say it was pretty darn good. They make it with real chocolate icecream and milk and than spin it in an old fashioned milkshake mixer for a minute or two. I was there late in the afternoon on Monday just before closing so it was quiet, but I hear it draws quite a lunch crowd, especially on Wednesdays when they have a lunch special of two hotdogs for 99 cents. 
They also offer fresh made orangeade and tarty limeade drinks and are well known for their grilled pimento cheese sandwiches. I spoke to the two nice ladies working the day I stopped in and they mentioned that in addtion to their breakfast and lunch items they also sell cake by the slice which are baked fresh and dropped of every few days by a long time local resident named “Mrs. Ruby”. Apparently she is 95 years old and has supplied them with their cakes for many many years. 
You get the a real neighborhood store feel when you walk in the door and it seems like a great place to relax and escape from the outside hustle and bustle of downtown. The next time you are in downtown Raleigh and looking for a quick bite to eat, or a great milkshake or cold drink, check out a little bit of Raleigh history and drop into the fountain and grill at the pharmacy. You can see the rest of the pictures from my visit to the Person Street Fountain & Grill in my flickr photo album.
Milkshake Mondays at the Person Street Pharmacy!
Filed under Restaurant Reviews
Lunch at Zoës Kitchen in North Hills
This past weekend my wife and I had lunch at Zoës Kitchen, which just opened up a month or so ago in the newest section of North Hills. Zoe’s features “Mediterranean-Inspired” food like hummus and kabobs, but they also have other offerings like turkey sandwhiches and chicken wraps and salads.
They have indoor seating with a sleak modern decor and also feature a few outdoor tables under an awning along the sidewalk. Service is great and low-key. It is the type of place where you order at the counter and they give you a number to put on your table and they bring out the food to you when it is ready.
My wife enjoyed the hummus salad plate which includes a greek salad, cucumber riata, hummus, pita bread, and olives. I opted for the Chicken Roll-ups which are tortillas filled with chicken, feta, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomotoes, and a side of salsa. We agreed that they were both fantastic. It was very affordable too. Including drinks, our total bill was around $17.
I know we will be back to grab a bite to eat here the next time we go out to see a movie at the North Hills Theater. You can check out their full menu here.
Filed under Restaurant Reviews
Picture of the Week – Cuban Revolution in Durham
This week’s picture was taken while dining at Cuban Revolution in the American Tobacco Campus in Durham this past week. My wife and I had dinner there before seeing Wicked at the Durham Performing Arts Center. It seems like a very popular place with the after work crowd. Pretty decent food with a Cuban flare, and some great beer prices ($3 pints). It is a great pre-show dining location given it is right across the street from the theater.
Filed under Picture of the Week
Downtown Raleigh Oasis – Springtime in Cameron Park
Around this time every year I am reminded just how colorful the Triangle becomes with the arrival of the spring. I make sure I always carry my camera with me as the weather warms up because I never know when I will come across the perfect shot of vibrant spring colors like the purple flowers of an eastern redbud getting ready to leaf out or the blazing red blooms of a azalea bush. Two years ago this week I went out on a quest to find some nice spring shots and I discovered Cameron Park, one of the most amazing historic neighborhoods in the Triangle.
This neighborhood is hands down one of the most beautiful and historic communities in downtown Raleigh. Nestled between Hillsborough Street and the Cameron Village Shopping area Cameron Park has the distinction of being one of Raleigh’s first “planned” suburbs.
It was developed in 1910 on land that was once part of the Duncan Cameron plantation. It quickly became the most exclusive of Raleigh’s three major early 20th century neighborhoods and was designed to attract the upper middle class. It is hard to believe, but back then the lots sold for $1,000 to $2,500. The restrictive covenants on the lots at the time specified that a home within the neighborhood must cost at least $3,000 to build.
While it is located within walking distance of modern day shopping and downtown attractions, the neighborhood is filled with mature trees and landscaping that make it feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The neighborhood features homes with various architectural styles including Queen Anne / Colonial Revivals, along with Georgian, Tudor, and Mission Revivals. The houses are generally larger in size and were upscale for their period (and still are today for that matter).
The topography varies throughout the neighborhood providing different levels of relief with some homes located on flat level lots while other stand above on what appear to be raised terraces that overlooks wooded areas. Three ravines cut through the neighborhood adding to the varied topography of the neighborhood. The feel of the community is further enhanced by the mature trees located throughout the community and the pocket parks set aside to retain the natural setting.
For more details on the history of the Cameron Park Neighborhood check out the Raleigh Historic District Commission’s website for additional information. You can also view the rest of my spring photographs taken in Cameron Park in my flickr photo album.
Filed under Historic Neighborhoods
Ten Thousand Villages Photo Contest
I am a bit of an amature photographer so I am always on the lookout for photo contests to enter. It is a fun way to become inspired to try new things with yor camera and a great way for your work to be enjoyed by others. Provided below is information about a photo contest being held by Ten Thousand Villages right here in Raleigh. The photo subject is “use of fair trade items in your home”. Entries are due by May 6th (see details below). Good Luck!
Enter the Fair Trade My Home Contest at Ten Thousand villages in Raleigh–submit a photo of how you have used fair trade items in your home. On World Fair Trade Day (May 8), store customers will vote for their favorite. Prizes will be awarded in two categories: Adults and Children (age 12 and under). The winner of the adult category will receive a lovely large etched terra cotta serving bowl, suitable for use at the dinner table or simply for display. The kids category winner will receive a gift basket of fair trade items.
Entries may be submitted by email to marketing.raleigh@tenthousandvillages.comPrinted photos may be mailed/dropped off at the store(Attn: Marketing, Ten Thousand Villages, 435 Woodburn Rd, Raleigh, NC 27605). Make sure to include your name, phone number, email address, and age (if entering in the children’s category). A brief description about the room or item is encouraged. Entry deadline is May 6.
Filed under Events
The Triangle Explorer 