Does this Raleigh skyline look a bit off? It was also generated using AI. | AI-generated image via Pixlr
Raleigh is entering the 22nd century, and we want to celebrate all the achievements of Oak City from the last 100 years — from food technology to indomitable hockey, and of course, highway construction.
In 2039, a local chef partnered with NC State’s entomology department to explore entomophagy (read: eating insects), and it’s taken Raleigh by swarm. From barbecue crickets to stewed beetles, insects have quickly become a local delicacy and one of our favorite meal worms. The beetle steak at Angus Barn is our tiny but mighty local fave.
In 2065, the Carolina Hurricanes notched their 10th consecutive Stanley Cup, led by the oldest coach in the league, Rod Brind’Amour. At 94 years young, Brind’Amour is winningest NHL coach ever — and by a long shot.
Meanwhile, city officials say 440 construction is set to be finished within the year, but Raleighites are concerned it might face another 50-year delay.
We might be pulling your leg with the future, but trust us, things get even more interesting in the 2050s.
Ponysaurus Brewing Co. Birthday Week | Tuesday, April 1-Sunday, April 6 | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | Ponysaurus Brewing Co. | Price of purchase | Celebrate one year of this local brewery’s Raleigh location with barbecue pizza, cupcakes, and a $10 lunch deal all week.
Emily Carpenter | “Gothictown” | 7-8 p.m. | Quail Ridge Books | Free | This Southern gothic novel follows a restaurateur moving to a small, creepy town in Georgia — meet the author.
Thursday, April 3
Trivia Night | 7-10 p.m. | Raleigh Brewing Company | Price of purchase | Quiz yourself + your friends and win a prize for first, second, and third place.
Meet your answer to “I don’t need anything.” | Photos by Village District
We all know someone who is impossible to shop for.
Kiss gift receipts goodbye for your next birthday, anniversary or holiday and give the gift of 50+ shops, restaurants, and specialty stores with a Village District gift card.
Pro tip: Gift cards are easily purchased via the self-serve kiosk at 2068 Clark Ave. (near Cheshire Cat), so you’re covered for any last-minute gifting.
April 1. That might explain today’s top story... but don’t be caught without plans like a fool. We’ve got all of Raleigh’s best events this month, like the Harlem Globetrotters, tasty festivals, and can’t-miss music.
Closing
Boba shop Budacai will rebrand as Amrut, a full-service Indian restaurant with a full bar. The downtown eatery will still serve a reduced boba tea menu and will soft-open Tuesday, April 15. The owners of Budacai previously operated Indian restaurants in Morrisville, and Amrut will be one of a few downtown Indian eateries. (The News & Observer)
Sports
Know any Cameron Crazies trekking to San Antonio for the Final Four? Our friends at SATXtoday have put together a top-notch guide to the 210 + the final games of the tournament so you can worry about cheering on Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel instead of the nitty-gritty details.
Eat
A beach fave that was featured on “Shark Tank” is bringing its seafood to Raleigh. Topsail Steamer, a ready-to-go seafood steamer bucket company, will open its first 919 location in North Raleigh near Deja Brew. No word on an opening date, but we’ll be first in line. (Triangle Business Journal)
Community
Wake County will replace Southgate Library in Southeast Raleigh, one of the smallest in the system, with a 12,000 sqft building in the neighborhood, thanks to $19 million in unallocated funds from the library bond voters approved in November. The county said it expects the new library to open in 2031. (INDY Week)
Drink
If you’ve been in NC for long, you might be familiar with some of NC’s unique alcohol laws, including happy hour restrictions and no bottomless bevs. Read up on the need-to-know laws to continue drinking responsibly in NC.
Category
Coming Soon
☀️ $10 bowls downtown
We can’t wait for this new addition to Smoky Hollow. | Photo by @spclsigns
From the brains behind local bowl spot Happy + Hale, 70 & Sunny opens early April and will serve up healthy $10 bowls in Smoky Hollow out of a vibrant cherry red shipping container.
70 & Sunny will serve Happy + Hale-style bowls through June 30, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to sell out, and is complemented by a new Olipop-branded dog park and Lululemon pickleball courts. Plus, expect live music and rotating pop-up shops throughout the summer. Sounds like this is the place to be for summer lunches.
Owner Tyler Helikson also owns Smoky Hollow eatery Madre, and you can find 70 & Sunny near the Publix, facing North Harrington Street. Let’s dig in.
The Buy
The Buy
Cute heeled raffia slides, dressy enough for warm-weather events and neutral enough to elevate everyday outfits.
Y’all — I tempted fate. After declaring pollen season to be “fairly tame” in Friday’s newsletter, I woke up on Saturday to a hazy city, a coated car, and a sneezy coffee date with friends. Guess I’m a real April fool.
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