FRESH. Ice Cream

I have a deep rooted attachment to ice cream.

According to family legend, a few days before I was born my mom polished off an entire pint of Rocky Road without batting an eye. I like to think that thanks to this ravenous pregnant appetite, my infant body developed an undeniable physiological need for ice cream, as if chocolate covered peanuts and marshmallow swirl now course through my veins alongside plasma and white blood cells.

I say all this to properly explain how excited I get at the prospect of eating ice cream, and how much MORE excited I get when I find a Triangle ice cream spot serving a quality product that's not only naturally made, but also locally sourced.

FRESH in Raleigh has me practically giddy.

Peanut. Butter. Cup.

Cafe Meridian

If having a lot of choices at lunchtime is something that overwhelms you, you may want to consider bringing a brown paper bag to Cafe Meridian. Deep breaths. You really can't make a bad decision. It'll be okay.

With a massive list of hot sandwiches, daily/rotating specials and more homemade sides than you will know that to do with, Cafe Meridian is certainly not lacking in menu variety.

BLT+ with Pesto Bowtie

Deli-icious Truck

Crab Quesadilla with Black Beans

@DeliiciousTruck

Putting the Deli in delicious (or is it the icious?), Deli-icious has more going for it than just cleverly hyphenated word play. 

This truck puts out a solid lunch spread that goes beyond standard deli style sandwiches.

Monuts Donuts

Carrot Cake Donut.
Up close and personal

Where: 110 East Parrish Street, Durham
Hours: Monday through Thursday 7 AM - 3 PM
Friday and Saturday 7 AM - 5 PM
Sunday: 8 AM - 3 PM
http://monutsdonuts.com/
@MonutsDonuts


A morning that starts at Monuts usually has a way of turning into a particularly awesome morning. Walking down Parrish street, anticipating the deliciousness that's just on the horizon, my mood is magically lifted by the prospect of expertly crafted sweet circles of fried dough.

Pizza Nite at Scratch

When: Wednesday nights, 5 - 8 PM
Where: Scratch Baking, 111 W Orange St, Durham, NC 27701
http://www.piefantasy.com/
@scratchbake

If you're familiar with Scratch Baking in Durham, it's probably because of their awesome pies. Sweet pies. The kind of pies that reward you for finishing all of your vegetables at the dinner table.

But recently I discovered that Scratch is expanding their pie repertoire into the savory realm. Pies topped with delicious sauce, melty cheese and an assortment of meats and veggies. 

I'm talking, of course, about the pizza pie.

Sam's Bottle Shop

Where: 1112 W. HWY 54, Durham, North Carolina 27705

Hours: Mon - Wed: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

Thu - Sat: 9:00 am - 10:00 pm

Sun: 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

@SamsBottleShop
https://www.facebook.com/samsbottleshop1

This past weekend I got to stop by Sam's new bottle shop, which recently had its grand opening April 10th. And let me say: I. Am. PUMPED for this new location.

Raleigh World Beer Festival

Triangle Beer lovers
enjoying the Lonerider Tent

Like a kid in a candy store.

An often overused phrase to describe a moment of extreme joy and excitement, but a phrase that immediately comes to mind when I think back to my emotions while attending The World Beer festival in Raleigh last year.

Booth upon booth of craft breweries as far as the eye can see. A bounty of kegs and bottles of delicious beer. A four hour window in which to sip, savor and sample to your hearts content.


The World Beer festival is an over 21 candy store.

Fullsteam Ahead!

Runners mingling in front of Fullsteam

One of the many things that I love about the Triangle is the extensive running community that thrives across the three cities. The area is a genuine treasure trove of outdoor trails, weekend races and running meet-ups. In Durham, my favorite running discovery over the past year is the Fullsteam Ahead! Run Club.

Organized and sponsored by Bull City Running Company (an excellent locally owned running supply store in South Durham), the club brings together runners of all shapes, sizes and skill levels.