Do you love pop-up shops, locally made products, once-a-month special events, WOMEN,…read moreboutique-thrift items, recyclable goods, sustainable cleaning supplies, jewelry, BEER, letter-press cards and oh so much more?! Then let me know you, the Durham Patchwork mini-market is about to be your new best friend! I "secretly" took my boyfriend to Fullsteam on the first Saturday of the month so we could "grab a beer." Little did he know that there was a full-blow POP-UP shop within! My eyes got wide and he realized he'd been tricked, but man oh man was it worth it [and he got a beer out of it!]. This little market is any girls dream! While you sip on a brew you can wonder between vendors [the majority female entrepreneurs and artisans] and have conversations while they tell you about their products, which they are all very passionate about. The vendors change from month to month, but the covered [non air conditioned] space in Fullsteam is filled to the tippy top. This is a perfect spot to pick up presents for friends, yourself or stock up on Christmas supplies! You can support many local business in one stop AND in a chill but popping environment. Check out their facebook page [www.facebook.com/TheDurhamPatchworkMiniMarket] for the latest vendor news and updates. And now you know where to find me every FIRST Saturday from 12:00-4:00pm.

I found out about this pop up market just the day before, lucky me! Unlike other pop up shops,…read morethis one was free admission. The event went from 12-5. There were a variety of craft vendors that were local artists. I would rather buy a local artist print, mug, ring, etc than go to a mall. I wish there was more 'walking' room though, it was very packed (which is a good thing).

Although I'm not a fan of sweet with savory, I finished everything on my plate…read more We had never tried chicken with waffles before and our server took us through the options and even brought out tasting samples of the different types of butter :) It does seem like I'm mixing up brunch and dinner food items though in terms of the flavor profiles. However, the waffles were excellent and the fried chicken had incredible flavor. I'm still not completely sold on the combination but everything on the plate tasted perfect. Highly recommended.

Dame's chicken and waffles is pretty good. The smears are delicious with so many options. The…read moresyrups also have options and would have loved to try the Calypso syrup but they ran out. We did get there at 3pm for a very late lunch so that's on us. Definitely recommend getting there earlier to make sure you get the sides and syrups you're interested in trying. The service was a little on the slower side but that's kind of what I expect with a popular place like this. It was still plenty of diners despite how late it was! There's a decent amount of seating and it's definitely on the cozier side with squeezing folks in. We are happy we were able to try this place and would definitely love to try it again in the future.

Been coming here for a few months, and it feels like one of Durham's best-kept secrets. My coffee…read morehas always been served quickly and with care, and they offer a nice variety of pastries as well. This isn't the kind of coffee shop you visit just to grab a drink and leave, because the space invites you to linger. It's a great spot to settle in with a book, or spend a couple of hours writing. It is located at an interesting plaza, occasionally, there is EDM music from next door drifting in, but somehow it adds to the atmosphere, making the place feel like a hidden little escape with a touch of mystery. Such a unique place to check out both day and night (becomes a wine bar)!

The cappuccino was rich, close to Cafe Reggio's in NYC, where the cappuccino was first introduced…read moreto the US. The Venezuelan roll had some spices and sweetness. The owner seems really nice and knowledgeable. Would definitely come back! It was a little hard to locate, but there's a wine shop next to it that has clearer signage. Vibes were great despite the exterior appearance.

We came with a group of three on a Thursday night around 7pm. We accidentally walked into M Sushi…read morefirst (right around the corner), but they sent us on to the right place. There's not a ton of seating, but we got a table quickly. The service was quick, and even though the place was small, it felt more cozy than cramped. I liked having the menu on the wall! They had two vegan options, and my partner & I both got the Biang Biang noodles. It was good, and perhaps even better the next day (the serving was big enough that I couldn't finish it). My sister got the Jjajiang Mian & absolutely loved it. This was a very positive experience, but not mindblowing--I think that the hype around the "M" restaurants perhaps raised my expectations a bit too much. It's also possible that their non-vegan options are stronger than their vegan options. Overall, though, very yummy, the prices are very reasonable for Durham ($16 for the Biang Biang noodles), and I would come back & try the veggie curry if given the chance.

I came to M Kokko after trying M Sushi their two vegan dishes. I went on a Thursday evening and was…read moreseated immediately as a party of two. I was disappointed however when they told me they are currently out of the vegan udon curry dish, which was 1/2 items I could eat. Nevertheless, I ordered the other dish, Biang Biang Noodles. The store was not full, there were two servers and at least 3 tables that were empty but the wait time to get my single dish or noodles took over 30 minutes - way longer than expected. While the noodles were well cooked and packed with flavor, I felt that the dish was far too oily and without much tofu/protein. Perhaps the other meals are less oily and more protein packed, but for being the only vegan option available that day, unfortunately this is all I have to offer at this time.

I am a regular Rise patron and rewards member for several years. I love their selection of…read morebreakfast and brunch options. I usually order a biscuit and save half for a second meal. When I order a box, I order it plain and then add my own fixings at home. My box creations can make up to three meals. I've begun adding my own fixings to their biscuits too. I'm pleased with Rise's pricing, regular coupon offers for loyalty members, and a reward point system that's easy to track. They've recently sent out coupons in those coupon clipper mailers and I found they carry great value. This Rise location (like their location in Chapel Hill) caters primarily to takeout clients. There are some bar tables and outdoor patio seats if you want to eat on site. I'm a takeout client myself (as I hinted above) and prefer building on top of what I order. Rise's biscuits can't be beat. They are flaky, fluffy, and reheat well. My tips for reheating: - Microwave: Lightly sprinkle water on the open faces of your biscuit (not the hard crust) and cover before microwaving. - Air fryer: Use the "Reheat" setting and reheat your biscuit at 325º for 4-5 minutes.

The chicken biscuits and cinnamon rolls are always fresh and delicious. The stuff is always…read morecourteous, helpful, pleasant and professional. The restaurant is always clean and the lighting is very bright.

A clean spartan interior. Friendly and fast service, greeted and shown to a table right away. I was…read morebrought my water and the Banchan (selection of complimentary Korean appetizers). These are very helpful and I can graze on them while I let my stew cool down a bit. The Budae Jige (Korean Army base stew) comes out piping hot with the rice. It's a stew that combines American army influences along with Korean touches. It contains spam, sausage like a sliced up hotdog, beans, kimchi, vegetables, tofu and cheese cooked in a spicy broth. It was delicious and creamy and not too spicy to start. The sausage was nicely smoky. The vegetables were mainly squash, zucchini and cabbage. The cheese or was it sliced rice cakes were a good textural contrast. After eating all the solids along with broth and the rice, stew got a lot spicer with just the broth and pepper flakes. I will definitely be back to try some of the other menu items.

Just wanted to share some pictures from our recent visit. Delicious as always and fast attentive…read moreservice. Rice cakes were perfectly tender. The beef in the japchae was melt in your mouth and very flavorful. We have never had their KFC somehow but it's insanely good. Come check them out.

This fabulous Asian fusion restaurant on Franklin St is one of Chapel Hill's hidden culinary gems…read more-- an unparalleled blend of service, atmosphere and taste that makes it worth the drive from anywhere in North Carolina. On a recent visit, our family started off with an delicious order of Pork & Chive Dumplings, while I enjoyed a perfectly prepared Old Fashioned from the bar. For our entrees, we shared plates of tender Shaking Beef tasty Sticky Rice and succulent Pork Ribs, all paired with a fabulous Pinot from the restaurant's impressive selection. Service was outstanding throughout our visit, and Lantern's softly lit, intimate setting makes it the perfect spot for a date night or just to escape the Carolina heat. Everything about our visit was wonderful, and the prices were more than reasonable for a meal of this caliber. An amazing find in Chapel Hill!

A favorite for many years revisited after too long--birthday celebration with a couple that joined…read moreus every Friday night for all the years we lived downtown. This is a very special, romantic New York or Paris kind of spot. It was a great evening with killer soft shell crab and for me a perfect Black Manhattan. We all loved the evening. No detail was not perfect!

This is one of the small businesses at Boxtop RTP in Durham. The Meat & Graze location is small and…read moredoesn't offer indoor seating, but the charcuterie is amazing and you can always enjoy it in any of the outdoor seating with wine (and, if during a live performance, that will elevate the experience to perfection). I stopped in and ordered a small charcuterie snack box because I'd already ordered a big lunch. The charcuterie box was freshly made to order. I will be back and will remember this establishment for my catering needs as well!

Another black own business that you need to check out! Simple charcuterie boards. You can build…read moreyour own, grab one or let her make one for you. May 2024. I had her make mine and it was the best decision. I had fruit, nuts, crackers, honey and much more. It was presented so cute and I only paid $12. If you're looking for a snack give them a try.