Category / Restaurants

by Leo Suarez

Downtown Raleigh Ice Cream Roundup

Alright people, we still have about two months before Fall starts and there’s bound to be some more hot weekends until then. Staying cool in the shade or in the air conditioning is a must but for those that still go out to enjoy downtown Raleigh during the warm nights and sunny days, ice cream makes a great treat. As a slight addict, I give you a list of some places in downtown to treat yourself.

Turkish Delights

Located in a purple house in Glenwood South, Turkish Delights serves a ton of flavors of ice cream. You can sit on the couches inside or the shaded tables in the front lawn. There are also many different types of Baklava here. The best part about Turkish Delights? They are open late.

Google map location

Summer Business Hours
(April, 1st – October, 31 st.)
Sunday – Thursday: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Friday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 12:00 mid.
Hours change slightly in the winter.

Crema

Is Crema an ice cream or coffee shop? Who cares cause they have both. You’ll usually hear jazz playing over the satellite radio in this shop on Fayetteville Street. With lots of flavors of ice cream, Crema can make some wonderful combos for you to take on a walk through town.

Google map location

Hours:
Mon-Thurs (7 am-7 pm)
Fri (7 am-10 pm)
Sat (10 am-10 pm)
Sun (11 am-5 pm)

Other places to get cold, awesome treats

The Diner has all kinds of shakes, floats, and sundaes. Enjoy them on their spacious outdoor patio.

Krispy Kreme has a doughnut/ice cream combo that looks very interesting. Anyone tried this?

Milkshakes from Char Grill is a tradition. Dipping fries into them is an experience,

by Leo Suarez

Restaurants Coming Soon, Eventually, Someday

I noticed the other day while walking down Hillsborough Street the “Coming Soon” sign in the building next to Second Empire. Don’t get excited about this if you are not already familiar with it, that sign has been there for over a year. Now I understand that the times are tough and the restaurant business is competitive but these “Coming Soon” signs have got to go.

Tyler’s Teaseroom

No one wants the Tyler’s Taproom rumor to die. It seems to pop up every now and then and any movement over at Seaboard Station has beer lover’s screaming for the taproom to finally open. First mentioned on the blog over two years ago, the Raleigh location tease is still up on their website with the “Coming Soon” details taunting you to keep believing.

Glenwood South Ale House

Mentioned in November of 2008, a new member to the rooftop drinking army of one was going to be Carolina Ale House at the corner of Tucker and Glenwood Ave. As of a few weeks ago, the “Coming Soon” sign was still up on the glass windows facing Glenwood. Reliable sources have told me that this Carolina Ale House is not happening so don’t let the sign fool you.


Signs from March 2009.

Of course, I would love to be wrong and for all these possibly great places to finally open up and contribute to downtown Raleigh. But after years of “Coming Soon”, the best the signs do is give the tourists something to look forward to on their next visit, or the one after that, or the one after that……

by Leo Suarez

Summer Oh-10 Eats and Drinks Roundup

Now that Beerfest and Artsplosure are over, it’s time to branch out for some new or new-ish eats around downtown. Recently, there have been a couple “coming soon” signs teasing us about new options around downtown Raleigh. Here is a list of what I have seen.

  • La Volta is now open near City Plaza in the Progress Energy building.
  • A restaurant called Ciago’s has a “coming soon” sign on the corner of Johnson and St. Mary’s Street. Will this place stay open longer then a year? Let’s hope so.
  • ZPizza has signs and a website for its newest location in City Plaza.
  • A new nightclub and lounge has opened in The Depot. Hush is located next to Jibarra on Davie Street, facing the parking lot of The Depot.
  • A “coming soon” sign for Blu Bar is up in the once empty space next to Two T’s, near 108 E. Hargett Street.
  • Mirage, a sushi bar and club has opened in one of the West at North retail spaces on West street.
  • Cafe Helios is renovating. They are adding a kitchen and hiring a chef. This is part of their menu upgrade, described more on their blog.

Anything I’m missing?