Favorite Triangle Spots: 2018
Blink and you’ll miss changes all across the Triangle. New neighborhoods are cropping up everywhere, like weeds. Except instead of weeds, there are perfectly manicured yards. Empty fields become grocery stores overnight. Just the mere mention of pancakes and, poof — a brand new breakfast spot appears, like carb-infused magic. There’s good and bad effects to all the growth, but for now I’m trying to lean in and enjoy the benefits.
Here’s a list of some of my faves, right now:
D R I N K .
Alley 26 (Durham) This is what happens when you let the hipsters take over. They bring in fancy cocktails dressed with XXL square ice cubes and sprigs of smoked rosemary. But seriously, this place knows their booze. They make their own tonic syrup, made with lemongrass, limes and sugar, together with the bark of a cinchona tree, from which quinine is sourced. (Who knew?) They sell 12.5 oz bottles for $13, which according to them makes 20 G&Ts. So you could enjoy their fancy cocktails in house, or recreate them at home, bougie ice cubes not included.
(Note to self: In my next life I’m going to come back as the copywriter who comes up with names for nail polishes and cocktails. I’m lookin’ at you, Naples Aprils.)
D I N E .
First Watch (Cary and Raleigh) Fan of pancakes? This place does a pretty sweet stack (and a lemon ricotta one at that). Built off the local-fresh model, their menu is a refreshing mix of fresh-squeezed juices, avocado toast and power bowls, mixed in with the brioche french toasts and eggs benedicts everyone knows and loves. My favorite thing on their menu, however, is a salad — their Sweet Honey Pecan salad is what roughage-dreams are made of. I don’t know what that dressing is but I’d drizzle it on EVERYTHING if I had my way.
ZenFish Poke Bar (Morrisville and Durham) You know what’s even better than sushi? Poké. What is poké, you ask? Deconstructed sushi. I know, I know: mind blown. As with the cronut and the ramen burger before it, its fresh new moniker (longstanding Hawaiian origins aside) makes it fun and relevant and thus has it popping up in suburban strip malls across the country. ZenFish does it well — with perfect lunch-sized bowls of goodness you pick and choose your ingredients for as you go down the assembly line. It’s like Chipotle, if Chipotle offered raw fish, and add-ins like kimchi and seaweed salad. OK fine, it’s nothing like Chipotle. (It’s way better.)
Saint James Seafood (Durham) Oysters are rarely an easy choice in a land-locked area. Nor does one think about them like they would if they lived in, say, Maine, or Long Island. But damn if the Triangle isn’t trying to change that, starting with James Beard-nominated chef Matt Kelly, who most of us know from Mateo Tapas down the street. Saint James has outdone itself with the decor, anchored by a stunning raw bar, lit overhead by an endless row of brass maritime pendants. Their New England Clam Chowder is pretty legit (And I grew up spending summers on Cape Cod. I like to think I have high standards.) But the real stars here are the raw oysters, so start there.
Kipos (Chapel Hill) Want a fun place to have dinner? One that has an awesome ambiance and delicious Mediterranean food? How about one that might encourage you up out of your seat to dance around the restaurant to live Greek music? Kipos is your spot. I recently celebrated my 40th here with 9 friends. Everyone had a blast and loved the food — and it helps that it’s across the street from The Crunkleton, making it the perfect dinner/nightcap duo. Opa!
Andias (West Cary) Oh, Andias. How do I love thee. Let me count the ways, starting with your lemon basil sorbet, and ending with your pistachio rose ice cream. Your ice cream shop has been a welcome addition to the West Cary scene, one that has people craving cold goodness even in the dead of winter. All the awards you’ve already won are testament to your fandom… How do you do it?
S H O P .
Dress (Raleigh) I’ve long been a fan of consignment shops. Having always fashioned myself a deal-finder of sorts, there’s something incredibly satisfying about coming across a gorgeous piece from DVF, philip lim, or Elizabeth & James at 60% (or more) off retail. When I lived in New York, Tokyo7 was my jam — it was where I consigned all my stylist wares and too-trendy things I spent too-too much money on, only to rack up store credits and buy the Balenciaga XL Motorcycle Bag of my dreams, or the Marc Jacobs coat I’d never have afforded otherwise. Dress has managed to fulfill my consignment dreams right here in the Triangle, with endless revolving inventory of NWT or gently-used items that any New Yorker would kill for.
Tiny (Durham) If I were a children’s boutique, I’d want to be Tiny, hands down. This spot has the most carefully-curated mix of children’s gifts, clothing, decor, and toys on the planet — well, maybe not the planet, but for SURE the Triangle. From books to BlaBla dolls and all the unicorn accessories your heart desires in between, they’ve thought of everything. If you’re looking for a special new baby or birthday gift, this is your place.
F A N C Y .
The Umstead Afternoon Tea (Cary) Sometimes you just gotta get all pinkies up, you know what I mean? And when you do, do it at The Umstead. Their tea is served from 2pm-3:30pm and includes five varieties of tea sandwiches (the smoked salmon, rye and lemon cream is my fave), four varieties of scones and three varieties of sweet treats for $36 a person. There’s a live harpist, so like I said, bring your fancy.
The Umstead Spa (Cary) Speaking of the Umstead, here’s a million dollar idea: Give yourself a mental health day this summer and book yourself into the Umstead Spa. You’ll get pool and fitness privileges (if it’s a weekday), which makes it the perfect place to spend an afternoon laying low and recharging your batteries. Nothing says fancy quite like:
- being served frozen grapes and blueberries poolside
- ice cold washcloths with cucumber slices for your eyes
- multiple relaxation rooms with complimentary tea, fruit water, and snacks like chocolate covered bananas
- amazing treatments like the buttermilk and honey wrap
- 5-star service from everyone who works there
