Plus, "false fall" parks to enjoy.
 
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Today’s Forecast

88º | Scattered thunderstorms | 50% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:44 a.m. | Sunset 7:46 p.m.
 

🍳 Scramble to this brunch pop-up

Raleigh chef is spicing up brunch with Eggcellent
A plate of three eggs florentine
Eggcellent is cooking up distinctive flavors, like this eggs benedict florentine. | Photo provided by Jay Ross
Chef Jay Ross, owner of Saltie Pepper Hospitality, is serving brunch through a new venture called Eggcellent throughout Raleigh. Eggcellent is a pop-up brunchery hosting events at local spots and serving inventive takes on breakfast and brunch staples.

We spoke with Jay and got to the nitty grits-y of his unique business and culinary style.

Expect interesting flavor combos like Japanese-inspired bacon, french toast BLTs, pistachio parfaits, and steak + eggs with shishito chimichurri.

Before Jay was whipping things up in the kitchen, he watched his parents cook and joined in. When college and adulthood arrived, he began to hone his skills before starting in the industry in his hometown of Wilson, NC. Jay moved to the City of Oaks in 2015.

“I ended up staying on the front side of things when I started working in the industry, but I would always look over the shoulders of whatever chef I was working with at the time and try to learn from them and ask them a bunch of questions,” Jay told RALtoday.

A bowl of parfait with granola and fruit.

Jay is cooking up some serious flavor at his brunch pop-ups.

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Photo provided by Jay Ross

Then Jay founded Saltie Pepper, a holding company for a variety of ideas, including Eggcellent. The name Saltie Pepper comes from a precursor band to Earth, Wind & Fire called the Salty Peppers. Jay grew up on Earth, Wind & Fire and liked the connection to cooking with the elements in the kitchen.

Jay is inspired by other Raleigh chefs, like Oscar Diaz from Cortez, Scott Crawford of Crawford and Son, and Stanbury‘s Drew Maykuth.

Eggcellent and Saltie Pepper may move to a to a brick-and-mortar location someday, but for now, head to Jay’s pop-ups for an unforgettable gourmet brunch.

Jay and his breakfast sandwiches can be found every Friday at Pine State Coffee, and keep an eye on Saltie Pepper’s Instagram to find Eggcellent brunches throughout the week.
Columbia Village District LLC
 
Events
Tuesday, Aug. 29
  • Bands at Brookside Bodega | Tuesday, Aug. 29 | 5-8 p.m. | Brookside Bodega, 1000 Brookside Dr., Ste. 119, Raleigh | Free | Enjoy tasty bites and cold drafts while supporting local artists.
  • Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night | Tuesday, Aug. 29 | 7-9 p.m. | Seven Saturdays Tap Room, 1399 Capital Blvd., Raleigh | Free | Test your crew with fun pop culture quizzes with prizes.
Wednesday, Aug. 30
  • Drink and Draw | Wednesday, Aug. 30 | 7 p.m. | The Wicked Witch, 416 W. South St., Raleigh | Free | Sketch a live model and enjoy drink specials — don’t forget to bring your own art supplies.
  • Stand up Comedy 101 | Wednesday, Aug. 30 | Times vary | Kōmana Brewing Company, 1020 Ryan Rd., Cary | $50-$250 | Drop in or attend all six classes to learn how to get your comedy career off the ground.
Thursday, Aug. 31
  • Mommy and Me Joyus Afternoons Meet Up | Thursday, Aug. 31 | 1-3 p.m. | Umbrella at the Garden, 12825 Norwood Rd., Raleigh | Free | Relax with friends and your little ones with a refreshing drink.
  • Wine Tasting | Thursday, Aug. 31 | 6-8 p.m. | Killjoy, 116 N. West St., Raleigh | $35 | Sample four unique wines in this spirited cocktail bar.
100+ more events
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News Notes
Weather
Coming Soon
  • Ice cream shop Milk & Sin will open later this year, serving cereal milk-flavored ice cream. The Raleigh location has begun construction at 124 E. Martin St. on the ground floor of Skyhouse. The menu will have 16 different cereal-infused creations, like Cinnamon Toast Crunch and other favs. (The News & Observer)
Civic
  • The Wake County Board of Elections will host a same-day voter ID event on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. At the Board of Elections Office off of New Bern Avenue, eligible voters will be given a free photo ID intended for voting.
Travel
  • According to SmartAsset, the price of domestic airfare at Raleigh-Durham International Airport increased by 16% in the past year. Prices rose from an average of $320 in the first quarter of 2022 to $372 in the first quarter of 2023. RDU’s price increase is in line with the nationwide average of 16%.
Plan Ahead
  • Reservations for Heights House Hotel’s Tuscany-themed October supper club open this Friday, Sept. 1 at 12 p.m. Your ticket includes a prix fixe meal + a wine or mocktail pairing, plus 20% off a stay at Heights House that evening. Pro tip: Join the mailing list to make your reservation an hour early.
Development
  • Johnston County’s Flowers Plantation is growing and blooming. In 2025, the North Waterfront District will open with waterfront restaurants, a hotel, condos, and other mixed-use features. Check out the renderings.
Biz
  • Raleigh-based Advance Auto Parts will welcome Shane O’Kelly as its new CEO, effective Monday, Sept. 11. The company’s current CEO, Tom Greco, announced his retirement earlier this year. Advance Auto Parts is Raleigh’s only Fortune 500 company. (Triangle Business Journal)
Cause
  • Raise a glass and Toast to the Table at A Place at the Table’s fall fundraiser on Nov. 16 at the Fairview Raleigh. Individual admission starts at $125. Get details on tickets to support this generous restaurant’s mission of providing good food to all.
Try This
  • The 50-minute NOW massage focuses on rejuvenating, relieving stress, reducing anxiety + inducing total relaxation — all of which we can confirm. Pro tip: First timers to The NOW Massage Midtown Raleigh enjoy a complimentary enhancement. See our recent visit or book your next one.*
Finance
  • How many cards are in your wallet? Make your answer “one.” Earn a $200 sign-up bonus simply by spending $500 in your first three months with this card. Pair that with 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for your first 15 months — oh, and unlimited cash back.*
 
Outdoors

🥾 Cooler weather means getting outside

Explore 37 parks in Raleigh
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Take advantage of cooler weather with a paddleboard through Lake Johnson. | Photo by RALtoday
Have you looked at the weather for the week? It might be a little dreary, but things are cooling down. Maybe it’s just false fall, but we’re taking every opportunity to enjoy some cooler weather at these Raleigh parks.

Lake Johnson Park, 4601 Avent Ferry Rd.
Take a stroll along the water on the 2.8-mile paved greenway or the 1.5-mile unpaved nature trail loop. Enjoy other amenities like fishing boardwalks, rental boats, and hammock posts.

William B. Umstead State Park, 8801 Glenwood Ave.
As Raleigh’s only state park, this scenic sanctuary covers 5,599 acres and is filled with hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, plus amenities like boat rentals and campsites.

Lions Park, 516 Dennis Ave.
With 41 acres, this community park features a fitness center, lighted basketball and tennis courts, athletic fields, and a BMX race track.

Check out 30 more Raleigh parks at the link below, including parks for the pups, the whole family, a relaxing stroll, and getting fit.
Get outside
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The Wrap
 
Allie Remhof.jpg

Today’s edition by:
Allie
From the editor
Now that September is just around the corner, I am so ready for true fall weather and activities. Got any fall Raleigh bucket list items? Let us know. Personally, I’m counting the days until the NC State Fair, the first couple NC State football games, and orange oak leaves lining downtown.
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