It’s coming up on a year that we’ve been in our home, and it’s over two years that we’ve been in North Carolina! Wow!
All I have to say is that I’ve loved all of the food and other adventures so far…and I can’t wait for more.
Here’s what I’ve enjoying locally for the past few months:
Crude Bitters Cocktail Class
We were so thrilled to recently discover that Crude Bitters (near downtown Raleigh) offers very affordable cocktail classes at their cozy little shop. We had a fabulous time trying the amazingly creative cocktails featuring Crude Bitters combined with Foggy Ridge Cider. Both of these companies are worth supporting! You can sign up for other Crude cocktail classes here.
Fair Game Beverage Co.
The cocktail class also helped us realize that we have a lot of local distilleries. One of them that we got to try was The Flying Pepper vodka from Fair Game. This stuff is incredible. It’s got heat, and made an amazing cocktail that tasted like pepper jelly. We hope to tour Fair Game in Pittsboro sometime soon.
Camos Brothers Pizza
After our cocktail class, we had a hankering for pizza and discovered that there’s an amazing NY pizza place close to us in Fuquay-Varina. If you live down south Raleigh, check out The Bronx pizza, garlic knots and everything else at this spot.
Fiction Kitchen
Although this vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurant doesn’t take reservations, it is worth the wait! Everything from the beginning cocktail (Dirty Beetz) to the finishing chocolate torte was incredibly tasty, without being too filling. We tried the cheese plate, the curry and the vegan pulled pork with smashed potatoes. I will definitely come back to Fiction Kitchen, whether I’m vegan, vegetarian or neither.
Simple Twist
We keep finding good restaurants near us out in the country, and I’m loving it! Simple Twist is a new one of the radar and offers cheap, family-friendly but creative fare. We enjoyed the fried green tomatoes with goat cheese, as well as the Mexicali Blues rice bowl. They also have quite a few local beers on tap.
Lowe’s Foods
Lowe’s Foods is a great grocery store that is full of local goodies to explore (and even discounted pie). Although I don’t do most of my grocery shopping here, I enjoy having one close by for sweet treats and quality meats.
A&C Supermarket
I’ve recently discovered a fabulous Asian supermarket on my way home from work (on 401 or Fayetteville Road behind Cookout). They have reasonably priced Asian specialties, seafood and produce.
Trophy on Maywood
There’s a new Trophy in town…and it’s close to the farmers market. (You know, in case your car breaks down and you’re stranded there and need a beer close by.) This was the first place I tried the Milky Way salted caramel stout — so good! They also have food trucks many nights of the week.
Draft Line Brewing Co.
Another Fuquay-Varina spot that we’ve added to our list is Draft Line Brewing. Draft Line has plenty of room for visitors to enjoy their local beers (I tried the pale ale), and they have lovely outdoor seating and fun games indoors.
Lynwood Brewing Concern
The great breweries just keep coming around here! Lynwood Brewing Concern (an offshoot of Lynwood Grill in North Raleigh) also has food trucks, plenty of seating and a long lineup of tasty brews (with specials throughout the week). We loved the Hop on Top and Mosaic Pale Ale, and we took home a Deez Coconutz.
Vintage Church
I know this is a shameless plug, but Vintage Church (my church) is one of my favorite spots in Raleigh. It’s downtown near Moore Square, and visitors are welcome!
Have fun eating, exploring and enjoying wherever local may be to you!