With the start of the new year, a spate and flurry of new restaurants have hit the Triangle of late. One that caught my eye was the new Hummingbird out in Raleigh! Brought to you by Chef Coleen Speaks from Posh Nosh Catering, Hummingbird sits neatly between bar and cafe offering up a range of breakfast items, sandwiches and small plates. I managed to stop in several times to check out the Hummingbird concept for drinks and eventually for some meals. And it’s a super interesting and different concept for the area, here’s why!

First things, first! If you’re looking for Hummingbird, it might take a keen eye. Head on over to Whitaker Mill Road, Dock 1053 and the Lynnwood Brewing Concern. There’s a huge parking lot in this facility but given the popularity of Lynnwood Brewing Concern, it fills up pretty quickly. This building used to be an old warehouse and industrial area so signage is pretty discrete. Hummingbird sits at the corner backed by its Whitaker & Atlantic event space, look for the wood-carved sign hanging overhead! There’s one set of stairs that sits conveniently at the corner, otherwise you’re in for a long walk! Inside Hummingbird, you’ll be greeted by a clean and modern space with sea-green tile, white marble-top bar and hummingbird stencil in the corner. It all feels modern and stylish, along with a hint of New Orleans given the chef’s professional experience (Emeril Lagasse – NOLA Restaurant). The bright stools covered in yellow leather just completes the scene at the bar, adding a saucy bit of color to the space!

To the side sits another lounge space with small 2-tops, green, leather bench seating and mushroom-shaped seats in tawny leather. The retro paintings dotting the walls give the room a feel of modern, hipster and silly. So choose your seating option, grab a seat at the bar or hang out in the side-lounge, my friend! Now on to the food. Hummingbird is open from 8am to 2p, 4pm to midnight, Monday to Saturday with a limited menu in the late hours. The menu skews across a variety of food styles and flavors, think eclectic diner eats and coffee! Oh, and the cocktails? Yeah, that’s a special category of adult beverages for Hummingbird. The bartenders have some talent here so don’t miss out! So you can stop by any time of day and grab something to eat, here. And the coffee will probably counter-balance the cocktails in the end…

On the breakfast side, they’ve got a short list of items and I was able to try the ricotta fritters and sticky butterscotch bun. The ricotta fritters are super-light fried dough speckled with sugar crystals and served with a light cream and jam, delicious! And the sticky butterscotch bun?! Ah-mazing! Take a soft, rolled bun and douse it with the thick, buttery sweetness and top with walnuts. In all honesty, either of these pastries works well as a dessert and happy ending for a meal.

Lunch service has just started at Hummingbird and they offer a selection of sandwiches. A big thumbs-up for the reuben stuffed with pastrami and kimchi served on rye bread. And the muffaletta is a great example of a classic Nawlins sandwich! Salami, ham, cheese, olive tapenade between a fluffy, seeded bread. Very similar to what I’ve had down in New Orleans, a great cold sandwich!

For my dinner visit I enjoyed the Hummingbird Fizz, a light cocktail mixed with hibiscus tea vodka and Peychaud’s, light on the tongue but with a bit of a kick! The dinner menu at Hummingbird is pretty interesting, featuring an eclectic variety of small plates (char-broiled oysters, fried rice, lamb meatballs and more). Enjoyed the charred cauliflower with green goddess sauce along with a wonderful buttermilk fried quail! Great crusty coating and served with tangy pickle slices and spicy Korean aioli. A fun play on Korean fried chicken from my perspective!

Service at Hummingbird is excellent, they’ve got a seasoned front of the house here. And certainly the bartenders are top-notch for their mixology skills so don’t miss the cocktails! Overall I’m pretty impressed with Hummingbird and Chef Coleen, she’s got an interesting spin on a New Orleans eatery that morphs depending on what time it is.

In the mornings, it’s a spot to grab a coffee and sticky bun. In the afternoon, a satisfying sammich and drink. And in the evening, a cool spot for cocktails and small plates, it just depends on your mood but Hummingbird will keep you fueled up, day or night. And the food is off to an excellent start, I suspect Chef Coleen will be playing around with and expanding the menu over time. So thanks so much for bringing this cool culinary concept to the Wake Forest Road corridor. There’s already a regular following from Raleighites at Hummingbird so looks like the secret is out, enjoy!

Hummingbird

Dock 1053

1053 E Whitaker Mill Road, Suite 111

Raleigh, NC 27604

919.301.8900

Location on Google maps

When you talk about bars and cocktails, speak-easy type bars are usually what comes to my mind. From Foundation to C. Grace, Greenlight Bar and Watts & Ward. Dark, dim and hidden for some serious cocktail drinking. But every now and then you get a different interpretation of a classic cocktail bar and William & Company in Raleigh fits that bill. Located in the increasingly popular Oakwood neighborhood, it’s been quietly making some great adult bevvies for several years (opened in April of 2015). And it continues to get better over time!

Inside William & Company you’ll find yourself in a classic and comfortable setting. L-shaped bar to the right, comfortable stuffed couches and chairs to the left for lounging. The large plate glass windows up front give you a great view to the action outside on Person Street. The crowd at William & Co reflects the neighborhood and is comfortably hip and younger. It’s definitely a spot for locals to gather for dates and conversation. The cocktails at William & Co are usually more of a spin off classics. You’ll find margaritas, old fashioneds, daiquiris and more but usually with a twist. Aromatics, fruit juice and additional flavors are brought into the mix to bring in a unique and seasonal perspective. A chalkboard next to the bar displays some special beers, drinks and cocktails for the evening, don’t miss it.

I’ve been here four or five times (at least) and they shake up a quality cocktail here. Fresh juices and herbs-aromatics are used often to bring an unusual flavor profile to the drinks here. And while I’m sure they can do your classic cocktails, I usually explore a bit with their seasonal offerings. And once you get your cocktail, you can hang out at the bar, grab a comfy seat in the lounge area or take it outside on their sidewalk patio for some fresh air. Just beware, the fluorescent signs at Krispy Kreme may pull you in! And I have to confess, the cocktails at William & Co go pretty well with hot-glazed donuts… 🙂

All in all I’ve been pretty pleased with my visits to William & Co since it does some great drinks but in more of a lounge setting. And while it’s got a neighborhood feel, the bartenders here are professionals that know how to take care of their regulars and newbies. (Very important) So rock on, William & Company! Perfect for pre-drinks before dinner next door at Crawford and Son, perfect for a evening night-cap, or perfect for a quiet date night. You’re doing a lot of things right for Raleigh’s cocktail culture….

 

William & Company

616 N Person Street

Raleigh, NC 27604

919.335.3165

 

Location on Google maps