Coffee-Tea Archives ~ NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

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

Purr Cup Cafe

210 Prospect Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.322.4003

Location on Google maps

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

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 — Seating 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.

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

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

March 2, 2019 by Ron Wen

First Take: Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh Offers a Zen Garden Setting for Hot Drinks and Snacks

Front of Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Front of Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Over the past year or two, the Warehouse District has been popping! With the new Union Station and Dillon building opening up, there’s an expectation for a lot of future growth in this neighborhood. And along with living quarters and transportation, you’re going to need some restaurants to feed all these people, eh? Well out at the Dillon building, we’re starting to see some new restaurants come to life and Heirloom Brewshop is one of the more recent additions. Offering up coffee, tea, sake and some snacks, this hip and modern space will give you some ideas on where the Raleigh food scene is headed towards. Step on inside and let’s go check it out!

Organic design at Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Organic design at Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

From the outside, Heirloom looks pretty simple with gold, gilt lettering out front and a large glass face for maximum visibility. Walking by, you can see the milieu of young hipsters chatting away and working on their MacBooks. Inside you’ll find a modern but organic feel to the space. Primarily light woods and whites, there’s a trellis of sinuous wood slats overhead, highlighting the space. It all feels a lot like if Bida Manda and Brewery Bhavana got together and had a baby coffee shop! But it all works quite well, it’s a very clean space from an interior design perspective. Conceptually, I think Heirloom mimics a modern Asian tea shop in terms of esthetics and design.

Halogen beam coffee brewers at Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Halogen beam coffee brewers at Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

At the counter order area, you’ll spy an interesting array of brewing equipment. From a wild-looking cold drip coffee distiller to modern, fusion tea brewers, they definitely spared no expense when it comes to brewing equipment here at Heirloom. Everything is displayed out in the open for your viewing pleasure. To the left of the counter is a retail space showing off a variety of tea products along with a selection of sake cans. Peruse through Heirloom’s menu and you’ll find a nice range of teas, coffees, sakes, cocktails and small plates to choose from. There’s also a display case of pastries to snack on, up front! Heirloom is open from 7am to 10pm (11pm on Friday and Saturday) making for easy access.

Retail area at Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Retail area at Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Counter area at Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Counter area at Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

After you order, grab one of the small two-tops or hang out at the counter stools up front. Heirloom Brewshop provides a power-strip up by the front windows if you need to charge up your MacBook or laptop. The space is built for comfort, conversation and a lingering visit. Acoustics are decent here and it’s a good spot to have a quiet conversation. It all feels very comfortable and organic, Heirloom Brewshop provides a Zen-like feel to your visit.

Brewed tea at Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Brewed tea at Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Heirloom offers a great variety of brewed coffee, pour overs, cortados along with Asian oolong, jasmine tea and more. Check out the menus below for details. And while I’m certainly a fan of Heirloom’s teas and coffees, explore the small plates menu! With very Asian options such as fried Lotus root, chilled noodles and Taiwanese chicken, you can enjoy a snack with your drink. I also tried a really unique strawberry sakura crepe cake. A thinly layered (25+) stack of thin crepes with alternating buttercream frosting. Not super-sweet but the texture of this Sakura cake was really interesting.

Taiwanese popcorn chicken at Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Taiwanese popcorn chicken at Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Sakura crepe cake at Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Sakura crepe cake at Heirloom Brewshop in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

All in all, it’s hard to really describe Heirloom Brewshop but I think it’s ahead of its time here in Raleigh. Part coffee shop, part lounge, part eatery, there’s a little bit for everybody here! They are pushing the envelope when it comes to hot-brewed drinks and certainly taking some chances with their in-house pastries. Just enjoy it for what it is, a relaxing garden setting for hot drinks, snacks and conversation!

Heirloom Brewshop

219 S West Street

Raleigh, NC 27603

Heirloom Brewshop tea menu, coffee menu, sake menu, cocktail menu, small plates menu

Location on Google maps

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…

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

July 2, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: Jubala Coffee Delivers Caffeine on Hillsborough Street!

Front of Jubala Coffee on Hillsborough St, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

While I loves my coffee, I’m not a huge coffee house fan. I guess it’s because I really can’t rationalize dropping $5 on a 30 minute cup of java no matter how good it is. But I know how popular coffee houses are nowadays so I was curious to see what the new Jubala on Hillsborough would be like. The original is way up there in N. Raleigh at Lafayette Village and I only had a chance to visit once. It felt good but a bit unfinished to me. So it was time to head on down to the new Jubala for some java!

Counter area at Jubala Coffee on Hillsborough St, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

First thing to note is that this new Jubala is located in the Aloft Hotel building along with the new Gonza Tacos y Tequila. Signage is minimal from the outside except for a small hanging sign out front. Step past the darkened store-front panels and Jubala brightens up immediately! Blond woods with plenty of light and modern accouterments, Jubala feels very airy and open. Stone polished floors, a nice retail display of coffees, there’s no line so I get to quiz my barista a bit on their flat white. Thankfully, he’s pretty hip but not too hip to answer my silly questions so give me a flat white, barista!

Back room at Jubala Coffee on Hillsborough St, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

I grab a table by the wall, there’s plenty of power outlets in Jubala’s space and decent wi-fi. The back room is populated by small tripod stools, modern long filament lighting and a coffee bar behind the counter. It’s a well-designed space with decent sound/noise control, the feel is Scandinavian overall. My flat white comes out and it’s good but in all honesty, I couldn’t tell much difference between it and my usual latte. The roast is deep but not burnt making for a flavorful cup.

Jubala Coffee on Hillsborough is definitely a nice, modern environment for some good coffee. They have spent a bit of money decorating the space and it shows. Parking is tough in this area, just be aware there’s a private lot behind the hotel for patrons of these businesses in the building. So thank you Jubala for bringing your great java to ITB Raleigh!

Jubala Coffee

2100 Hillsborough Street

Raleigh, NC 27607

919.758.8330

Location on Google maps

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