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Coffee-Tea

April 16, 2022 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Alimentari at Mothers & Sons in Durham for Sandwiches, Groceries, and Gravy

Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen more restaurant activity in the Bull City as we slowly pull out of the pandemic. And was once old is new again! Take, for example, Lucky’s Delicatessen on W. Chapel Hill Street. A victim of the pandemic, the deli closed but the space ended up transitioning to Alimentari at Mothers and Sons. Which is not a bad thing at all, here’s why!

Coffee bar at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Coffee bar at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com

If you like Italian food, you’ll really enjoy Alimentari at Mothers and Sons. While “alimentari” in Italian means food or groceries, this location means a LOT more. While you will find a refrigerated case with delicious Italian meats and prepared items, the dining room and bar offer up coffee, sandwiches, and salads, in their casual but stylish space. The interior has been refreshed in European style: painted metal ceiling, classic Italian posters on the walls, and some lovely woodwork above the front counter and kitchen prep area. It all feels open and inviting, a welcoming spot for classic Italian-American eats.

Seating at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Seating at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Service is available from 11am to 3pm, Tuesday to Friday and 9am to 3pm on Saturday. The breads are baked in-house and fresh! Choose from a short list of sandwiches covering all the classics (meatball, chicken parm, Italian, Caprese) and salads for your meal. Sandwiches are served bare so if you want a side, you’ll have to order it a la carte. Prices are quite reasonable with sandwiches and salads in the $8 to $12 range.

Pepperoni stromboli at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Pepperoni stromboli at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com
Porchetta sandwich at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Porchetta sandwich at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Over the course of two visits (dine-in at the restaurant and take-out), I’ve had a good chance to try quite a bit off the Alimentari menu and it’s all quite good. Classic Italian-American sandwiches like the chicken and meatball parm, served up on a chewy focaccia roll and slathered with gravy (red sauce) and melted cheese. I preferred the meatball out of these two sandwich options. My favorite option is probably Alimentari’s roast pork sandwich served with thinly sliced meat, rapini, melty mozzarella, and aioli. It’s a succulent bite with plenty of savory meat, soft richness, and greens in every bite. The pepperoni stromboli I tried was also solid but not as memorable as I would have hoped for.

Meatball sandwich at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Meatball sandwich at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com
Chicken cutlet sandwich at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Chicken cutlet sandwich at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Service at Alimentari is quite friendly and good, they can get you in and out pretty quickly and don’t miss much. I sort of expected this level of service given what I’ve experienced at Mothers and Sons but it’s a nice touch at this price point. I’ve yet to purchase anything out of the refrigerated case but it all looks quite fresh and tasty! Overall I’m pretty satisfied and happy with what Alimentari is serving up from sandwiches to service and ambiance. And while part of me will miss Lucky’s Delicatessen a bit, Alimentari is doing a lot of things right at lower price points.

Refrigerated case at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Refrigerated case at Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com
Interior of Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Interior of Alimentari at Mothers and Sons in Durham – nctriangledining.com

 

Alimentari at Mothers & Sons

105 W Chapel Hill Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.864.8841

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Durham, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Coffee-Tea, Italian Restaurants

January 10, 2017 by Ron Wen 5 Comments

Boulted Bread in Raleigh Delivering Delicious Carbs in Loaf Form!

Corner of Boulted Bread, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Corner of Boulted Bread, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

There’s something amazing about a good loaf of bread.  Thick crackly crust, soft leavened insides with just the right amount of pull and chew.  We’ve been blessed in Raleigh with the arrival of first, Yellow Dog Bakery and now, Boulted Bread!  I had seen an article about the three founders of Boulted Bread in IndyWeek and it piqued my curiosity.  Over the course of three visits, color me impressed and carb’ed up…

 Counter at Boulted Bread, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Counter at Boulted Bread, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Boulted Bread sits in a quiet spot off of Boylan Heights on South Street.  The right you’ve got the Men at Work car wash and barber shop.  Across the street the Ice Market and a church.  But there on a corner in the burnished blue storefront and garage roll-up door is Boulted Bread!  It’s a pretty tiny (cozy) space and an interesting mix of hipster and old school Raleigh.  Small display counter up front, check out the chalkboard on the side-wall to get an idea of what’s on the bread menu for the day.  While the shop may open at 8am, the breads were scheduled to come out at 8:30 am and 12:30 pm during my visit.  For my visit, Boulted Bread had Levain (sourdough), rye, ciabatta and baguettes in the oven…

Bread rack at Boulted Bread, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Bread rack at Boulted Bread, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
 Beautiful loaf of levain bread from Boulted Bread, Raleigh-NC Triangle Dining
Beautiful loaf of levain bread from Boulted Bread, Raleigh-NC Triangle Dining

In addition to the breads, you’ll find a lovely display of pastries ranging from croissants to buns and tarts.  I’m making some seafood stew that night so I order up  a loaf of levain ($6.50) and a pull-apart bun made with raspberry jam and Escazu chocolate ($4) .  While prices at Boulted are on the slightly higher side, you do get the comfort of knowing you’re support some baking artisans and the local economy which is always a good thing.  At home I pull the bread out of the loaf and it’s a wonderfully crusty and slightly burnished exterior with a super soft and elastic interior.  There’s a lot of glutinous texture to this Levain loaf and the hit of sour makes it perfect to be paired with my cioppino for the evening.  I didn’t get to the bun that evening but snacked on it the next day and it was solid too.

Pastries at Boulted Bread, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Pastries at Boulted Bread, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

So thanks for perking up this neighborhood with your wonderful baked goods, Boulted Bread!  While you’ve only been up and running for several months, I think your breads may be on par with my bakery fave, La Farm.  And with Yellow Dog Bread Company on the east side and Boulted Bread right in the center of downtown Raleigh, we are looking good for all manners of baked goods and breads.   I’m already looking forward to my next visit…

 

Boulted Bread

614 W South Street

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.999.3984

Location on Google maps

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Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Bakery, Coffee-Tea

April 15, 2018 by Ron Wen

First Take: Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood in Durham For Exquisite Coffee and Churros

Front of Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Front of Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood, Durham – nctriangledining.com

There’s something to be said for a soothing cup of coffee or latte in a bustling shop! It’s all about a quick treat and break in your day whether you’re going solo or meeting up with a friend. A good coffeehouse is as much a neighborhood meeting spot as anything else. Out in the Lakewood neighborhood of Durham, you’ll find the latest outpost of the very popular Cocoa Cinnamon. And after a couple of visits, I’d have to say that I’m jealous of the Bull City and wish we could get one here in Raleigh, here’s why!

Interior of Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Interior of Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood, Durham – nctriangledining.com

From the outside, Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood is unassuming. Small patio out front, brick-faced building with some roll-up doors. Poke your head inside and you’ll quickly realize what it’s really all about! Cocoa Cinnamon stretches a long way back with plenty of space to chill out in. The bright artwork on the walls, cheerfully bright tables and multi-color retro plastic chairs give a bit of a fiesta feel to the space. All very basic and utilitarian, highlighted by the concrete floors and exposed metal beams.

Order area at Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Order area at Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood, Durham – nctriangledining.com

I head to the back of the space, past a coffee grinding area, to the order counter. Cocoa Cinnamon has a small menu of gourmet coffees, lattes and hot chocolate along with the piece de la resistance: churros! Staying true to their Mexican roots, it all makes sense to me. A chalkboard menu shows off the beans for the day along with the specials. You may need to be a bit patient in line since Cocoa Cinnamon is quite popular and orders can get complicated.

Churro station at Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Churro station at Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood, Durham – nctriangledining.com

Over a couple of visits I had a chance to try one of Cocoa Cinnamon’s chocolate drinks, a caramelo latte and churros! And while I certainly enjoyed the sipping chocolate (deep, rich and not too sweet) and coffee drink, what really gets me excited are the churros! Fried fresh in front of you, choose from regular sugar, cinnamon sugar, cardamom or orange sugar, yummy! The churros come out nice and warm with a crunchy, star shaped crust wrapped around a soft, tender interior. A fun snack that’s great for dipping in your coffee or cocoa.

Churros and sipping chocolate at Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Churros and sipping chocolate at Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood, Durham – nctriangledining.com

The scene at Cocoa Cinnamon is also super-chill, a mix of families, hipsters and senior citizens, you seem to get a good cross-section of Durham here. You’ll find plenty of people hanging out with friends, playing board games or just studying. I actually like the Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood better than the original, it feels more open and bright which works better for me! And it’s fun for people-watching…

Metal skull table at Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Metal skull table at Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood, Durham – nctriangledining.com

So while I may not be a huge gourmet coffee fan, I certainly do appreciate the variety and quality of the hot drinks at Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood. And double bonus for the freshly made churros! While I’m not 12 years old, I can certainly appreciate these fresh, crunchy pastry sticks, especially with some great coffee. Thanks so much Cocoa Cinnamon for your third Durham location! If I ask nicely, can I get a Cocoa Cinnamon Raleigh sometime soon?!

 

Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood

2013 Chapel Hill Rd Suite A

Durham, NC 27707

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Durham, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Coffee-Tea

July 14, 2019 by Ron Wen

Layered Croissanterie: A Flaky Take on Delectable Pastries for Downtown Raleigh

Front of Layered Croissanterie in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Front of Layered Croissanterie in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

While I’m more of a savory guy versus a sweets guy, color me curious when I first heard about Layered Croissanterie coming to West Street in Raleigh. I hadn’t heard much through the foodie grapevine and its quirky location just north of Peace Street had me wondering. Layered Croissanterie officially opened up on June 30 and I’ve been able to stop in several times and sample their pastries. And I can tell you for sure that this savory-loving foodie is super excited to have them in the neighborhood, here’s why!

Pastel logo at Layered Croissanterie in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Pastel logo at Layered Croissanterie in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

First things first, if you’re headed over to Layered, it’s located on a quiet section of West Street just north of the popular Cardinal Bar and the future Publix. You can also access West street off of Wade Avenue, right on the exit ramp for Capital Boulevard South which is really easy if you notice it. Layered Croissanterie sits in a newer, renovated building in white brick, just look for the pastel-colored logo and roll-up garage door.

Seating area at Layered Croissanterie in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Seating area at Layered Croissanterie in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Viewable baking area at Layered Croissanterie in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Viewable baking area at Layered Croissanterie in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Inside Layered Croissanterie it all feels white, light and airy with plenty of sunlight, casual seating up front. The modern looking space features a viewable baking area and small, counter order area in the back-right. A display of the day’s pastries sits up front on white pedestals so you can commence drooling before ordering! Note that Layered Croissanterie is only accepting cards as payment right now and is open 6 days a week, closed on Monday’s.

Crowd at Layered Croissanterie in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Crowd at Layered Croissanterie in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

The menu at Layered Croissanterie is super simple: a handful of regular croissant pastries, rotating seasonal pastries along with coffee drinks and beverages, easy peasy! I’ve worked my way through a good chunk of the menu and have high praise for the croissants here. They are perfectly baked, buttery and showcase a density of layers for your enjoyment.

Croissant display at Layered Croissanterie - nctriangledining.com
Do not eat, for display only at Layered Croissanterie 🙂 – nctriangledining.com

While you can’t go wrong with any of them, my favorites include the double-baked bananas foster which is split down the middle and filled with chunky, banana spread and topped with cream. The lemon meringue cruffin (croissant muffin) is also fantastic, crowned with soft and sticky meringue and filled with a bit of lemony cream down the center. Oh and the kouign amann (pronounced Queen Aman) pastries are delicious simplicity. A croissant type pastry layered in a sugary crust, yum!  Get your pastries for take-home or enjoy it at Layered with a hearty cup of Counter Culture coffee and you’ll be in sweet and flaky heaven!

Lemon meringue cruffin at Layered Croissanterie - nctriangledining.com
Lemon meringue cruffin at Layered Croissanterie – nctriangledining.com

I had a chance to chat with Layered Croissanterie’s owners, Mark and Kawsar to learn more about their business and pastries. A very cool and hip couple, Layered Croissanterie is their first food-retail bakery experience and their baking talents were honed over 10 years as a hobby. Head baker Kawsar, was a school-teacher in her prior life and has been baking for friends and family before channeling her skills into Layered Croissanterie.

Croissant display at Layered Croissanterie - nctriangledining.com
Croissant display at Layered Croissanterie – nctriangledining.com

They are usually up and working on pastries at 3 to 4 am given the 3-day process to make the croissants (make dough, shape dough, proof and bake). Wondering how they get those wonderful layers? Butter is laminated/layered on the dough, folded over three times and then folded several more times resulting in anywhere from 9 to 12 layers of flaky goodness, very time intensive.

Breakfast hash danish at Layered Croissanterie - nctriangledining.com
Margherita and Reuben croissants at Layered Croissanterie – nctriangledining.com
Breakfast hash danish at Layered Croissanterie - nctriangledining.com
Breakfast hash danish at Layered Croissanterie – nctriangledining.com

And there will be more seasonal/international flavors over time, a savory spinach-bechamel croissiant (the Popeye) is the latest addition to the Layered Croissanterie menu! All I can say is that I’m excited to have this new pastry shop in Raleigh (and so close to home) but I’m pretty sure my waistline will be bearing the brunt of their deliciousness. So welcome to the neighborhood, Layered Croissanterie. Can’t wait to see what comes out of your ovens over the rest of 2019!

Layered Croissanterie

911 N West Street, Suite 107

Raleigh, NC 27603

984.200.1200

 

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Bakery, Coffee-Tea

December 26, 2020 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh, a Haven for Coffee and Cats

Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

If you’re a fan of four-legged felines, you now have another option to get your scritches on: Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh! As far as I know, they are the second cat cafe we have in the Triangle in addition to the ground-breaking Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill. Located in a small house off of S. Wilmington Road, just south of downtown Raleigh, you can schedule some time in their cat room along with enjoying some hot coffee beverages and vegan snacks. They’ve also got a small patio out back to sip on your bevvy and enjoy some fresh air. I got in for a visit when they first opened in October and I’m happy to say they are already up to kitteh adoption #28 in late December! They are some good people doing some great work for our furry friends. Stop on in if you need a dose of kitty love, coffee or cat-themed items…

Coffee counter at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Coffee counter at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Interior of Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Interior of Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Cat room at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Cat room at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Cat room at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Cat room at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Chill cat at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Chill cat at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Black kitty at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Black kitty at Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
https://www.nctriangledining.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/PurrCupCafe-VideoVisit.mp4

 

Purr Cup Cafe

210 Prospect Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.322.4003

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Coffee-Tea

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