Tag: Downtown Raleigh

Locally Notable

Building a Better Jubala Coffee ↬

The new Hillsborough St location of Jubala is really bringing it with a dual counter setup to help ease delays during high traffic times:

The split-service setup establishes what’s essentially like an indoor, walk-up drive-through counter devoted entirely to customers on the go from the hotel upstairs, the university across the street, offices nearby or anywhere else. That station, marked “Take” in a pointillist design on the front, caters to the hustlers with a three-group La Marzocco Linea PB custom powder-coated in yellow, matte white and black, with gleaming chrome and stainless accents. “We’re using the volumetrics for our to-go drinks,” said Wells.

At the other end of the counter over the pointillist-treated word “Stay,” a La Marzocco Strada EE two-group with see-through side panels is the tool for drinks to be enjoyed in-house. “People come up and they’re lifting their kids up over the counter to look inside, to see that there’s this analog, mechanical art to the thing that we’re making,” said Wells. The Strada is powder-coated in subtly contrasting gloss and matte blue, with matte black accents. Both machines have walnut portafilter handles, and both were customized for Jubala by Espresso Parts.

O&F
Locally Notable

Business Insider picks Bida Manda as best in NC

For Business Insider’s Best Restaurant in Every State write-up, contributor Emmie Martin selects Raleigh’s Bida Manda as North Carolina’s best. No arguments here. The BI piece is short on details, so if you have any reservations about checking out Bida Manda, check out Walter Magazine’s 2013 profile of the restaurant. Here’s a taste:

With one of the few true Laotian restaurants in the United States, these two twenty-somethings are introducing Raleighites to the fresh and unexpected cuisine of their tiny native country. They’re doing it with the help of a local community rooted at N.C. State that has risen up to make their dream a reality. And they’re doing it in tribute to their parents, who have been prevented by post–9/11 visa restrictions from traveling here to witness their children’s achievement.

…

With ingredients common to the food of its neighbors in China, Vietnam, and Thailand, and with techniques inherited from its years as a French protectorate, Laos’s food is a tantalizing hybrid. Flavors are refined but surprising; dishes are familiar but refreshing, and always beautiful.

The accolades for Bida Manda are well-deserved and are a great testament to Raleigh’s ever-evolving culinary scene.

Brief

Is Growth Bad for Business?

Are Raleigh’s growing pains causing problems for downtown businesses? WTVD 11 says yes. Indy Week says no.

Indy Week’s argument is more convincing, but I’ve also always been on the side that found the sharp criticism of Raleigh’s ordinances to be a bit over-dramatic.

Locally Notable

Poole’s Diner makes The National Eater 38 ↬

More accolades and notoriety for Poole’s Diner in Downtown Raleigh:

Christensen has firmly planted herself at the crossroads of high-low dining: beyond the macaroni, her menu changes nightly, offering dishes homey in flavor and meticulous in execution. During a spectacular spring meal, that meant delicate flounder filet over turnip greens creamed with pureed turnips, and fried soft-shell crab over early tomatoes with Brussels sprouts slaw.

Via Indy Week

O&F
Duly Noted

WRAL: Briggs Hardware returns to downtown Raleigh ↬

I don’t love everything about the DTR renaissance (and the associated somewhat misappropriated faux-activism that goes along with it), but I do love that there are efforts underway to blend old and new.

Her competitive advantage boils down to three unique elements: an in-store handyman, $5 delivery by scooter and listening to what her customers want to see in stock.

“People need to have a key cut, buy nuts and bolts, to fix a leak in a pipe over at the restaurant down the street,” Murray said. She talks to customers and downtown businesses, genuinely interested in what they need to buy in an approach that feels much more like helping people than a business venture.

Great story, I hope it works.

O&F
Short Cuts

N&O: Ashley Christensen to open pizza joint in downtown Raleigh ↬

No target opening date yet, but it has a name: PooleSide Pie, apropos to its location next to Christensen’s flagship restaurant, Poole’s Diner.

“I’m super excited about it,” Christensen wrote in an email. “Much like coffee, I think there’s lots of room for great pizza of varying styles in downtown. I predict that you’ll see a number of unique spots to pop up in the next couple of years. The idea of that makes me very happy.”

I can’t wait.

O&F