In late July, I took Andrea Griffith Cash‘s advice and had myself a staycation. Now, I didn’t follow all of her guidelines (find them on page 54). I sort of did the CliffsNotes version; I only took one day off, and I was working maybe 30% of the time, but, hey, I wasn’t in the office – I was exploring my city.
And, being that when I was working it was on this, our ninth annual food & drink issue, I gravitated toward restaurants and bars, with a couple retail and cultural excursions in between. I started at Beyú Caffé for breakfast. I ordered a cup of coffee and the French Quarter Toast. Now, I don’t even like French toast all that much, but this challah bread with fresh blueberries, strawberries and the restaurant’s whiskey creme sauce immediately brightened my morning and had me ready to take on my Durham-filled day.
Other stops on my tour included The Wine Feed, where I got a flight of rosé and picked up a great deal on a bottle of it, too. At Jack Tar + the Colonel’s Daughter, I finally tried the poutine and an incredibly refreshing and interesting cocktail that combined vodka, Home:bucha blueberry kombucha and ginger (for more unique cocktails, flip to page 34). I dropped by Runaway to check out the talented Ryan Cocca’s art exhibit, Non-Legends, on view till October 18, and then went to the Artisan Craft Market at 305 to pick up a few gifts after browsing the unique items made by more than 40 local artisans. After that, I made a victory lap, perusing the galleries at 21c Museum Hotel, hitting up the new Snow Factory for some Thai pan-fry ice cream rolls and finishing the day at County Fare for a cider and Bulkogi food truck fare with a couple of good friends.
It was a packed day, and I slept pretty well that night having accomplished most of my must-visit list. I’m not even bummed I didn’t make it to all of them – it’s easy enough to pop by another time when they’re just a few miles away instead of hundreds or thousands.
I hope this issue gives you some inspiration to plan your own staycation.
THE FOOD AND DRINK ISSUE
Add a bit of intrigue next time you imbibe
A few of our chefs share their tried-and-true recipes for late summer
The end of Nana’s marks the beginning of a new chapter for Scott Howell
Meet the founders of Firsthand Foods, learn more about local CSA and produce box options, and why you should sign up for a GreenToGo box
FEATURES
Skip the travel expenses and explore your own fabulous backyard
62 What We Love About Living in Croasdaile
The Foleys found their true home in this tight-knit community
DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS
PictureDURM helps us showcase images curated by locals
Our top events in September
What we’ve heard around town …
Duke’s Dr. David S. Pisetsky shares the highs and lows from his Durham Senior Games experience
Author Carl W. Kenney II’s quest for authentic Southern food
Bites of Bull City’s Amber Watson offers options for non-alcoholic drinks
Discover our city’s best restaurants
Tying the knot, Bull City-style
CITY PICS
12 American Dance Festival’s opening night fête
14 16th annual Duke Hospice Gala
16 United Way of the Greater Triangle’s Day of Action
17 Liberty Arts Sculpture Studio & Foundry’s Feast From the Furnace
17 The 2018 Book Babies graduates
