Tag Archives: Downtown Raleigh

Picture of the Week – Morning visit to Yellow Dog Bread Company in Raleigh

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I snapped this week’s photo yesterday during my early morning visit to the new Yellow Dog Bread Company. Yellow Dog is located in the redeveloped strip mall located at the corner of Franklin & Person Street in downtown Raleigh. This area is undergoing an incredible revitalization and is quickly becoming a hot spot of local activity downtown. While I typically pick up a baked good during my visits, on this particular morning I stopped in for a quick cappuccino made by my friend and local coffee aficionado AJ. Yellow Dog uses beans from Lamplighter Roasting Co. out of Richmond, VA and the drink AJ crafted for me with their espresso was fantastic.

I’ve made several visit to Yellow Dog in recent weeks to try their various breads, cookies, and other baked goods and plan on sharing a full overview in a featured post on the blog in the very near future. In the meantime make sure you check this place out. It is quickly becoming one of my weekly “must visit” spots!

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Weekend Picks! Oct 18-20th

Weekend Picks October 18-20th

Weekend Picks October 18-20th

As we enter the third week of October one of the areas biggest annual event has come to town. The North Carolina State Fair kicked off this past Thursday and is one of my top picks for this weekend. If rides, petting zoos, and fried foods aren’t your thing, there are many other great events going on elsewhere in the Triangle this weekend worth checking out. Here are my top picks for this weekend!

Friday October 18th

North Carolina State Fair Kickoff Weekend!
The state fair has come to town and runs through Oct. 27th. There is something for everyone from the rides, fried food, animals, and live entertainment. Fireworks cap off each night too. Check the fair website for the full event schedule.
http://ncstatefair.org/2013/index.htm

Free Espresso Friday at Jubala Village Coffee – Raleigh
Did you know every Friday at Jubala Village Coffee in North Raleigh is “Free Espresso Friday”? Every Friday they buy 10 lbs of a “guest” espresso and give out free espresso shots until they run out. This Friday’s espresso is Counter Culture Coffee’s “La Golondrina”.
http://www.jubalavillagecoffee.com

Live Music at DeMarco’s – Donnie Howard Acoustic – Raleigh
Donnie Howard returns to the DeMarco’s Restaurant and Bar this Friday night at 8pm. Enjoy great pizza and Italian dishes along with a fantastic selection of wines and craft beers while listening to great live music.
http://www.demarcosnc.com

Saturday October 19th

Cooke Street Carnival – Downtown Raleigh
Cooke Street Carnival returns for a fifth year and this year they are having a block long cook-out. They will have bands and the art vendors like previous years, but this year they are focusing on food and drink with some of your favorite local food trucks, beer vendors, juices, vegan food, coffee, desserts, bread, a pickle eating contest and more.

This year they are partnering with Learning Together, a local non-profit children’s organization and inclusive daycare to help donate some supplies for the children and give the kids some fun activities at the carnival. Please bring some supplies to donate or you can donate money at the event. We will put a full list of needed supplies on our website.
http://cookestreetcarnival.com/

Bull City Coop Tour – Durham
The Third Annual Bull City Coop Tour gives visitors an up-close peek into the living quarters of some of Durham’s feathered residents.

Maps for the self-guided tour will be available at the Durham Farmers Market and Bull City Burger and Brewery for a suggested donation of $5.00 per adult and $20.00 per carload. Kids under 12 are free. No donation amount will be turned down. Tourists will visit each location at their leisure as long as it is within the time limit, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m on Saturday October 19th, 2013.
http://bullcitychickens.com/bull-city-coop-tour/

Chickensrock – Bull City Burger & Brewery – Durham
Following the Coop Tour, be sure to swing by Bull City Burger & Brewery for more fun at their “Chickenstock Festival” from 4-8pm. It is a free, fun and funky edu-party that brings the community together to learn about urban chicken-raising and sustainable living. The event will feature live music, vendors and awards for Durham’s top-rated roosts!
http://bullcitychickens.com/chickenstock-festival/

Raleigh Roundup “Bourbon & Bubbles” Benefit Event
The 2013 Raleigh Roundup will be held on Saturday, October 19th at Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh. Join us for this fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society. Event includes live music, plenty of food and drink, a live and silent auction, a raffle, and plenty more fun. The 2013 Raleigh Roundup will take place on Saturday, October 19 at Marbles Museum in Raleigh. Tickets are $150 (see website for details)
Event Website

Taylor’s Wine Shop BBQ Event to benefit YMCA
This Saturday (October 19th) from 11am – 2pm, you can buy a plate of our very own pitmaster, Bill Brown’s BBQ. Plates are $10 each and include slaw, potato salad and a roll. BBQ sandwiches, handmade desserts and BBQ by the pound will also be available. All proceeds will go to the Gail Cash Memorial Endowment Fund to benefit the AE Finley YMCA.
Event Website

Sunday October 20th

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Pop-Up Sunday at Ornamentea – Downtown Raleigh
POP-UP Sunday is this Sunday from 12-5pm in the Ornamentea Parking Lot. The event provides local businesses, artists and the community a chance to mingle. This Sunday’s market will feature several artist vendors, local Beer, Food Trucks. Always a fun time and a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
http://popupsunday.com/

“Surveying the Terrain” at CAM Raleigh – Downtown Raleigh
Raleigh’s Contemporary Art Museum has a new exhibit called “Surveying the Terrain” This exhibit explores how ten contemporary artists are using maps, mapping technologies, cartography, surveying, science and politics to create artworks. The exhibition focuses on the how the artists’ relationships to the Earth, the art they create, and our relationships to each other are condensed, extended, distorted and interpreted by beauty, politics, environmental degradation, poverty, surveillance, privacy and censorship. And do not miss Family Sundae from 12-3pm this Sunday: explore the Surveying the Terrain exhibition, visit the Creation Station for hands-on activities, meet our student docents and experience CAM Raleigh’s interactive Family Sundae Ice Cream Bar (patent pending). Family Sunday is FREE thanks to the generous support of the CAM Raleigh community.
http://camraleigh.org/exhibitions/

Bull City Racefest & Food Truck Rodeo – Durham
Over 5,800 runners will race in Durham’s Bull City Race Fest & Food Truck Rodeo Sunday. The family-friendly event will feature Food Truck Rodeo at the finish line by Diamond View Park. There will be live music on the course which highlights Downtown Durham, Trinity Park, Duke’s Campus, and Forest Hills. Check the race course on their website and go out and cheer on the runners – always fun to do (bring a cowbell!). Afterwards join the runners at the food truck rodeo!
http://www.bullcityracefest.com

Walking Dead – Watch Party at Motorco- Durham
Don’t have AMC but want to watch one of the most popular shows on tv? Afraid to watch a show about zombies alone? Then head over to the Garage Bar at Motorco in Durham and watch the show with friends while enjoying a beer or cocktail. They’ll show last week’s episode at 8pm followed by this week’s new episode at 8pm. All on the big screen!
http://motorcomusic.com/tv-nite-walking-dead-7


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Pop-Up Ice Cream Parlour in Downtown Raleigh!

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You’ve probably heard by now that a cool Pop-Up Ice Cream Parlour has opened up in downtown Raleigh. It is located at 131 S. Wilmington Street just north of Hargett Street and right next to the restaurants Gravy and Sitti around the corner from Morning Times.

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Several of the people I follow on instagram have been posting fun pictures of the parlour so I decided to walk down there on my lunch break a few weeks ago and check it out. Being a “pop-up” style place means it is temporary and will only occupy the current spot until the end of August. Even though it is only temporary they have done a great job with place. It has lots of tables spaced out across the hardwood floor and great lighting. The parlour has a nice open feeling with huge windows at the front of the shop overlooking the busy sidewalk along Wilmington Street.

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The ice cream shop features locally produced ice cream. Right now the offer ice cream from two local producers but have plans to open their own creamery in the future to sell once they open their permanent location down the road. Given the temporary nature of the shop, the menu is surprisingly inclusive offer a wide range of flavors (14 regular flavors and 4 rotating ones). In addition to traditional ice cream by the scoop in a cup or cone they also have ice cream floats, sundaes and smoothies.

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I opted for a single scoop of the strawberry ice cream in a cone and it was fantastic. I live it when strawberry ice cream has large chunks of actual strawberries in it. I was pretty hungry since I hadn’t had lunch yet so I scarfed this cone down in record time, but I had the presence of mind to grab a picture before I made it disappear. Something I’m not always good at!

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I really enjoyed my visit to the Pop-Up Ice Cream Parlour and was glad I had the chance to visit. During subsequent visits downtown I’ve noticed they have been quite busy so it appears word has gotten around and people are enjoying access to great locally produced ice cream.

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Last week, the news and observer reported that the owner, Laura Suther, is planning to open a second Pop-Up location downtown at 6161 N. Person St. next door to PieBird. This second location is still being negotiated but the plan is to sell ice cream as well as some locally produced items like milk and eggs. The Person street location may become a year-round operation should it prove successful in that neighborhood. I think it will!

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While plans for the second location are being finalized you can continue to get your ice cream fix at the Wilmington Street Pop-Up Ice Cream Parlour through August 31st.

Pop-Up Ice Cream Parlour
131 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC (Open through August 31st)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PopUpIceCreamParlour
Twitter: @popupicecream

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Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo Success!

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Food Trucks on Fayetteville Street

In case you missed it, this past Sunday downtown Raleigh was the host of a huge food truck rodeo – the biggest ever in Raleigh with over 40 food trucks in attendance. Trucks were set up along Fayetteville Street starting just south of the Capital Building. The inaugural event ran from noon to 5pm on Sunday, but if you missed it don’t worry, similar food truck events will be held on June 9th, August 11th, and October 13th. Visit DowntownRaleighFoodTruckRodeo.com for updates about future events.

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Barone – New Meatball Food Truck

Raleigh has checkered past with food trucks. While the food truck rules in the City of Oaks are not quite as lenient as in Durham, contrary to popular belief foods trucks are allowed in Raleigh. This was just the first time so many of them were all together at one time here in Raleigh. All in all I think the event organizers did a good job with this first event. There were over 40 trucks spanning a wide range of cuisine including meatball sandwiches, pizza, Korean bbq, and dumplings. Several of the local fan favorites were on hand like Klausie’s Pizza, Chirba Chirba, and American Meltdown. There were also a few new trucks I’ve never seen before from neighboring Greensboro like Urban Street Grill, and Great Escape.

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Seating Area

Everyone I talked to was appreciative of the seating areas provided so people had a place to sit and eat instead of being forced to stand and balance their plates. Of course there were some complaints about the usual long lines and wait times for some of the more popular trucks, but I have been to enough of these events to know it comes with the territory. Some say you should have more trucks, but honestly that just draws even more people and the popular trucks will always have a big fan base waiting in line. In general a good rule of thumb is to come early and come with a game plan so you don’t waste time looking for trucks you want to try.

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Local Beer – Aviator Brewing out of Fuquay Varina

Another great aspect of the rodeo was that it featured some of our great local breweries too. Three local breweries, Aviator Brewing, Carolina Brewing Company, and the City of Oaks newest addition Raleigh Brewing Company, were all on hand selling their brew. All three did a great job of ensuring they had enough beer and kept the line of thirsty rodeo fans moving.

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Sweet Stacey Cakes – Cupcake Food Truck aka “Smiles”

Several of my favorite trucks were at the rodeo and I made a point of hitting them first before the long lines started forming. I got a smoked turkey sandwich from Sympathy for the Deli and followed it up with a “Thin Mint” cupcake from Sweet Stacey Cakes. I never miss a chance to get food from these trucks when I see them and they never disappoint. Both really hit the spot on Sunday! Another favorite of mine is the Parlour Ice Cream truck. Their salted caramel ice cream is heavenly!

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Food Truck Fans

Looking back on Sunday’s event I think this first large scale rodeo in Raleigh will go down as a big success for the city and serve as an example of the growing demand for such events in Raleigh. Hopefully city leaders will continue to recognize the positive role food trucks play in the evolving downtown scene and will create an environment that encourages more of these events in the future. For information about future food truck rodeos in Raleigh check out DowntownRaleighFoodTruckRodeo.com or follow them on facebook.

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This Weekend’s Picks! April 5-7, 2013

April 5-6 events

Following a relatively quiet Easter weekend this first weekend in April is packed with events! Everything from art walks and grand openings to film festivals and food trucks.  See below for my top picks of things to check out this weekend. Have a tip or suggestion for next week? Send me an email at TriangleExplorer@gmail.com.

Friday April 5th

First Friday Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh
First Friday is a free self-guided tour of downtown’s cutting edge cultural hot spots. Local art galleries, art studios, alternative art venues, and museums stay open late the first Friday of every month to welcome thousands of art-seeking enthusiasts downtown. The event runs from 6 pm-9 pm, but some venue hours may vary.  For detailed venue information, click here.

When: Friday 6-9pm
Where:  Various locations throughout downtown Raleigh
More Info: website

Grand Opening Celebration of Coffee Bar at Videri Chocolate
Stop by Videri Chocolate in Raleigh’s downtown Warehouse District to join them in celebrating the grand opening of their new coffee counter serving Stumptown Coffee. Espresso drinks and hot chocolate served all night. Free Trophy Brewing beer will be served along with a showcase of local artwork by Sean Martin. They will also have some First Friday specials on chocolate & Coffee

When: Friday 6-9pm
Where: Videri Chocolate, 327 W. Davie Street, Raleigh
More Info: website

Sola Coffee 1st Anniversary Celebration
Sola Coffee Celebrates their one year anniversary all weekend long! Featuring coffee tastings, live music, and a drawing for free mini donuts for a year.

Friday @ Sola
– “Tasting a World of Coffee” Free Coffee Tasting ~ 1-3 pm
– Live Music by Dublin Down (Celtic Music) ~ 7:30 pm

Saturday @ Sola
– Live Music w/ Gabe Trace (Jazz Pianist) ~ 10:15 am
– Live Music w/ Mac Brown (Acoustic Covers) ~ 11:30 am
– Live Music w/ Smith & Leonhardt (Acoustic Covers) ~ 7:30 pm
– NCAA Michigan v. Syracuse Game (In TV Meeting Room)
– Drawing for Hot Mini Donuts for a year (2 winners) ~ 8:30 pm

When: All Day Friday & Saturday
Where: Sola Coffee & Cafe, 7705 Lead Mine Road, Raleigh
More Info: website

Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham
Annual international Film Festival dedicated to the theatrical exhibition of non-fiction cinema. Each spring Full Frame welcomes filmmakers and film lovers from around the world to historic downtown Durham, North Carolina for a four-day, morning to midnight array of over 100 films as well as discussions, panels, and southern hospitality. Set within a four-block radius, the intimate festival landscape fosters community and conversation between filmmakers, film professionals and the public.

When: April 4-7th
Where: Various locations in Durham (list of venues)
More Info: website

Saturday April 6th

Rock & Shop Market
The Rock & Shop Market is a hip shopping event that features over 75 juried emerging artisans & makers from the Southeast and beyond. These artisans sell their wares alongside bands, djs and food trucks. The market, started in 2004, attracts thousands of shoppers per event.

When: Saturday 11am-7pm
Where: Durham Armory, 220 Foster Street, Durham
More Info: website

Free Full Frame Film Screening w/Food Trucks in Durham Central Park
Grab a blanket and head out to Durham Central Park to watch a free screening of  the documentary “Trash Dance,” a story about “a choreographer that finds beauty and grace in garbage trucks, and against the odds, rallies reluctant city trash collectors to perform an extraordinary dance spectacle. On an abandoned airport runway, two dozen sanitation workers—and their trucks—inspire an audience of thousands.” Several food truck will also be on hand to sell food to the crowds.

When: Saturday 6pm (Food Trucks) 8:30 (Film Begins)
Where: Durham Central Park
More Info: website

Sunday April 7th

Wild Food & Herb Market in Carrboro
The Wild Food + Herb Market is a monthly outdoor market featuring foragers, herbalists, wild food cultivators and local nature educators. The Market is the first of its kind in the United States. This market is a great place to buy, sell, trade and gather with others interested in wild foods and herbs.

When: Sunday 1-4pm
Where: 301 West Main Street, Carrboro
More Info: website

My New Business “Must Visit” Suggestion
My weekend “must visit” for those of you visiting Durham this weekend is the The Parlour. They make INCREDIBLE  ice cream by hand & support local producers whenever possible. They started out as a food truck selling ice cream from a cool little bus and recently opened their brick and mortar location at 117 Market Street in Durham (Across from the Bull Statue). In addition to regular ice cream, they make sorbets and coconut-based vegan flavors. Their downtown location also sells house made pastries and sodas, and select espresso drinks.

 

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