Golden Era Foundation Downtown Raleigh Website $10 Foundation has another wonderful cocktail to add to its list with the Golden Era. Bourbon has been my spirit of choice for the past year or so, but recently, it’s been a bit too harsh for my palate. So I’ve gone back to my first love, rum.
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28 December, 2011
La Quercia Aglianico 2010
La Quercia Aglianico 2010 Puglia, Italy I purchased this wine based on its super appealing nose at a wine tasting at Hope Valley Bottle Shop recently. It smells like brown sugar with white pepper and leather notes. I haven’t had many leathery wines lately, so that may be what appealed to me most. Drinking it
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23 December, 2011
The Olivia @ West End Wine Bar
The Olivia West End Wine Bar West Village, Durham Website $9 I love when bars creatively mix and match their spirits to come up with unique combinations you’d never expect. The Olivia had one of those descriptions I just had to try; Sauza hornitos tequila with the flowery St. Germain, sour mix, and cranberry
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21 December, 2011
Central Coast Banshee Red Wine 2007
Central Coast Banshee Red Wine 2007 This is a rich wine with a depth to it that makes me happy to drink it despite the fact that it’s not really that great. It’s dark brown in color. Milk chocolate is the dominant taste, which is its main drawback for me. There are healthy doses of
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19 December, 2011
Philadelphia: Food and Drink, Part 1
Our very short trip to Philly last month was filled with lots of food and drink—probably too much of the later, but you’ll have to ask me for the full story. In one and a half days, we managed loads of cocktails, mussels, lobster pudding, Indian, and of course, a cheesesteak. I hope
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16 December, 2011
Old Havana Sandwich Shop
Old Havana Sandwich Shop 310 East Main Street Downtown Durham Website $5.50–$10 I’ve been twice now to Old Havana Sandwich Shop, and it’s a wonderful choice for lunch or coffee. The owners are always super welcoming and happy to share their offerings of good Cuban sandwiches. I am not a Cuban sandwich traditionalist—if
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12 December, 2011
Mango Bellini @ Nantucket Grill
Mango Bellini Nantucket Grill and Bar Sutton Station, Durham This sparkling wine cocktail was an unexpected treat! A traditional bellini is usually prosecco combined with peach puree or juice. Oftentimes, peach schnapps is added as well, but it’s not required. However, whoever comes up with the drinks at the Nantucket Grill in Sutton Station made
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9 December, 2011
The Roxy Review and Yelp’s Mobsters and Molls Party
On occasion, I get the pleasure of an invitation to the swanky, fun, creative parties put on for Yelp Elite members. Last Sunday night was one of those occasions, and the theme was mobsters and molls. That theme happens to fit the venue, a few-month-old club in Durham called the Roxy, to a tee. The
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8 December, 2011
Dearly Beloved Forever Red 2009
Dearly Beloved Forever Red 2009 Mendocino County, CA No shame here—I bought this wine because of that freaking awesome label. Seriously, it has texture! And the name of the wine is in the skull’s teeth! I love it. Forever Red contains lots of tart, but luscious, berry. Think thick, juicy boysenberries. Cedar is on the
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7 December, 2011
Yamazushi
Yamazushi 4711 Hope Valley Road Woodcroft, Durham Website Yamazushi is a Japanese restaurant that’s been in the Woodcroft Shopping Center since 1986, owned by the same husband and wife pair, George and Mayumi Yamazawa. I’ve been once before, at least four years ago, and it struck me then as your standard sushi and teriyaki restaurant
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