Coffee Crate Monthly Subscription Service Featuring NC Roasters

Just before the holidays I had the chance to try Coffee Crate, a new Durham-based  coffee subscription service that focuses on North Carolina coffee roasters. The box I received included three 4-ounce bags of whole bean coffee from three different NC roasters.  This was the first time I tried a service like this and came away very impressed. I think coffee subscriptions are a fun way to try new coffees and make great gifts for the coffee geek in your life. I’m particularly fond of this new service by Coffee Crate because they are local and feature NC roasters, several of which you can’t normally find for sale here in the Triangle.

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The three individual four ounce bag of beans contained in each delivery go a long way. I enjoyed all three roasters included in the box I received. The coffees featured were a Kenyan coffee from Joe Van Gogh (Hillsborough), a Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia roasted by Mount Air Roasting (Asheville), and a nice espresso blend by Beans Boro Roastery (Greensboro). All three were very fresh (roasted just that week) and made for excellent cups of coffee. I enjoyed experimenting with the Kenyan and Yirgacheffe using my Chemex and  pulled several great espresso shots to make cappuccinos using the Beans Boro blend.

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As an added bonus the delivery also included a chocolate chip cookie from the Appalachia Cookie Company along with a printout with details about each coffee. Coffee Crate offers multiple subscription options ranging from 1 month, 3 month, 6 month, and one year. Subscription prices range from  $29 for 1 month to $23/month if you sign up for a year. Shipping is included in the price.  There is still time to sign up for their February deilivery which will offer coffee from NC roasters Enderly, Biltmore , and Reposo. I was very happy with my box of coffee from Coffee Crate and recommend you check them out. For more details about their monthly subscription service visit their website at http://coffeecrate.co/.

Coffee Crate – Durham, NC
Website: http://coffeecrate.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coffeecrate
Twitter: @CoffeeCrate
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nstagram: @CoffeeCrate

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First Friday Art at Brushstroke in Raleigh w/ Chriba Chirba & Nickelpoint Brewing

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Photo Courtesy Felicia Perry Photography

On the First Friday of the month local artists are featured at galleries throughout Downtown Raleigh. It’s a time for the community to celebrate the local art culture and meet the creative people behind the work. This Friday from 6-9pm four great local artists will have their talents on display at Brushstroke Studio & Gallery.  Brushstroke is a working studio and art gallery located at located at 520 N. West Street in the Glenwood South District of Downtown Raleigh. On display will be paintings by acrylic artists, Susan Bolick, Shade Maret and Gail Scoggin; as well as photographs by Felicia Perry, which will include a series of photographs taken throughout North Carolina.

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Image Courtesy Artist Susan Bolick

The art alone is more than enough reason to come out, but if you need a little nudge out the door the amazing Chirba Chirba Dumpling Food Truck will also be parked at the gallery this Friday selling their famous dumplings. To help wash it down free beer is being provided by Raleigh’s own Nickelpoint Brewing Company. In addition to all this there will be a special giveaway by Midtown Grille. Brushstroke Studio is easy to get to from Peace Street and with free parking available in their lot. The gallery is also easily accessible via the R Line, stop R4 West Street. Hope to see you there!

First Friday at Brushstroke Studio & Gallery – February 6th 6-9pm
520 N. West Street – Raleigh, NC (map)
Brushstroke Gallery: https://www.facebook.com/BrushstrokeArtStudio

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Gonza Tacos y Tequila Opening New Location in Durham Tuesday Feb. 3rd

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Gonza Tacos y Tequila is set to open their third Triangle location in downtown Durham at 604 Fernway Avenue, in the West Village Complex, this Tuesday February 3rd. I had chance to get a preview of the new location on Saturday night. I loved the cool atmosphere of the space and the great food. With it’s Colombian influence and eclectic Dia de los Muertos décor, Gonza Tacos y Tequila is far from your stereotypical Mexican restaurant. There are no #18 ground beef specials on this menu; instead you’ll find items like Ceviche del Dia, Ensalada del Huerto, Chiles Endiablados and Callo de Hacha Tacos. As well as unique desserts, like their Flan de Coco and Talega de Platano – so popular it’s even been featured in the News & Observer as a “Specialty of the House.”

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Along with a robust offering of tequilas, Gonza Tacos y Tequila features local beers on tap, as well as creative drink specials that change weekly. Additional features at the new location include a great bar, private dining area & spacious patio seating that is pet friendly. For more pictures of the Durham Gonza location visit their facebook photo album here.

Gonza is open for  lunch Tues-Fri 11:30am-2:00pm and dinner Tue-Thur 5-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 4-10pm, and Sunday 4-8:30pm. Closed Mondays.

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About Gonza Tacos y Tequila
In 2011 Cousins Gonza Salamanca and Carlos Rodriguez opened their first Gonza Tacos y Tequila in North Raleigh on Lead Mine Road. In 2013 they opened a second location in Wake Forest at The Factory on S Main St, Wake Forest. They have won multiple awards including “Best Latin American Restaurant in Wake County” by Wake County Living Magazine 2014, “Best Mexican/Latin American in the Triangle” Indy Award 2014, National Top 50 – America’s Most Popular New Restaurants in 2012 by UrbanSpoonMultiple and “Diner’s Choice” winner by OpenTable.

Gonza Tacos y Tequila
Phone: (919) 907-2656
Website: www.Gonzatacosytequila.com
Twitter: @Gonza _Tacos 
Instagram: @GonzaTacosyTequila 
Facebook Page (Durham location): https://www.facebook.com/GonzaTacosyTequila.Durham

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Picture of the Week: Night Run in Downtown Raleigh

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Downtown Raleigh at Night

Last week I took my camera with me as I embarked on a short run around downtown Raleigh. I snapped the picture above as I ran laps around  the Halifax Mall government complex on the northern edge of downtown (near Peace Street). In case you were wondering, the walkway loop around  the quad is approximately 0.35 miles making it a great spot to run laps at night after work if you are like me and work downtown.

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Smashburger Raleigh Giveaway!

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I’m happy to share that the news that the new Smashburger location in Raleigh’s Falls Village Shopping Center is offeringe Triangle Explorer readers a chance to win two FREE dinner entrees. To enter simply leave a comment on this post sharing your favorite burger topping or milkshake flavor. You can also enter by sharing this post on twitter using the hashtag #ExploreSmashburger. The winner will be randomly chosen next Friday January 30th at 3pm and notified via email.

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About Smashburger
Smashburger has a wide selection of fresh, never frozen Certified Angus Beef burgers “smashed” on a 400-degree flat grill to sear in the juicy flavor and served on toasted artisan buns. They have more than just burgers too, offering tender grilled chicken sandwiches and fresh-tossed signature salads, and handspun Häagen-Dazs shakes. They also offer a variety of irresistible sides including rosemary and garlic–seasoned Smashfries, Haystack Onions and Veggie Frites (flash-fried and seasoned carrot sticks and green beans).

To learn more about the Smashburger experience you can read my full review of their Durham location here.

Smashburger – Raleigh
6679 Falls of Neuse Road – Raleigh, NC (map)
Website: http://smashburger.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smashburger
Instagram http://instagram.com/Smashburger
Twitter: @SmashBurger

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