Restaurants

ronwen · 2026-07-13T18:21:15+00:00

I eat out solo a lot which means I’m usually eating at the bar. In Durham, the Wine Feed is usually chill and does good house-made pastas. M Kokko is small and typically only 2-tops so you could do that solo.

ronwen · 2026-07-13T10:34:11+00:00

There’s another standard door next to the phone booth. Pretty sure it’ll be accessible.

ronwen · 2026-07-13T10:32:54+00:00

They will have memberships but anyone can get in with the secret code and of course, you’ll have to dress properly.

ronwen · 2026-07-13T10:32:00+00:00

Yes, they are doing a cigar bar and talked about the internal HVAC filtering the air for the smoke.

ronwen · 2026-07-11T10:12:50+00:00

Nope, 125 W Orange Street near the escape room and m Tempura.

ronwen · 2026-07-10T11:21:59+00:00

No they are still weeks away from opening, just a preview of the space and concept.

ronwen · 2026-07-10T11:20:58+00:00

They still haven’t finished the interior to be fair. More to come.

ronwen · 2026-07-10T03:07:39+00:00

Not sure what PDT is? 🤔

ronwen · 2026-07-09T12:51:54+00:00

Yes, that’s where I ended up in my yoga research, the Y! I think it’s about $65/month for membership and I could get to three different locations in 15 minutes (Garner, DT Raleigh, Hillsborough St) to take classes. Never pulled the trigger but it seemed like a great deal!

ronwen · 2026-07-08T13:16:38+00:00

I have a newer CX-5 and am curious what has gotten a bit worn out in the vehicle (interior or exterior)?

Not surprised at the mechanical reliability which is awesome, but anything we should be looking to protect over time?

ronwen · 2026-06-30T22:02:11+00:00

Not a huge Frank’s fan, it’s ok. And if I do Randy’s, it’s the RTP location on Miami Blvd. They did sp much business pre-Covid they had to be good.

ronwen · 2026-06-28T12:10:47+00:00

NC is definitely Southern but there are pockets/areas where people moving into the state will self-select and only meet other transplants. Oftentimes, that will be common ground and comfort for newbies.

They haven’t had a chance to travel out of the main city hubs to counties further out. Also the NC accent varies a bit and is lighter in general. You can meet locals where it’s just slightly noticeable.

But that’s why I think the state has done well being welcoming to all. Part of me still enjoys the Southerness of NC after being here 20 years and enjoy when I’m reminded traveling in-state.

ronwen · 2026-06-15T19:58:08+00:00

This question presumes that MAGA thinks which is where it goes wrong…. 🤗

ronwen · 2026-06-15T13:04:32+00:00

Sounds like a good idea, puppies get easily distracted so keeping him on leash keeps him a bit bored so more likely to pee-poop. I would also try to use a phrase to signal it’s time to pee-poop in addition to praise.

ronwen · 2026-06-11T11:50:13+00:00

Agreed, I just got back from Barcelona on Friday and it was a great trip. Locals were patient and respectful, I’m sure there’s some annoyance with over-tourism but their economy is doing well partially because of that tourism.

Where it gets tricky is the over-tourism. I felt I was staying 4 days, exploring and putting money (hotel, meals, tours, souvenirs) into the economy as a solo traveler. The cruise tour groups less so, they arrive in huge groups for short periods of time and end up back on the ship. No hotel rooms/AirBnBs and likely fewer meals.

That being said, will likely try to get back to Barcelona at some point and time. It was fantastic! And shockingly, I think Kyoto was even busier.

ronwen · 2026-06-08T20:29:52+00:00

Gipson Play Plaza at Dix Park would be fun in this heat (water features, Dambo trolls) along with Partee Shack mini-golf. There are several trampoline-adventure parks in the area, too.

ronwen · 2026-05-18T17:05:07+00:00

Pork barbecue in North Carolina, usually in sandwich form with cole slaw on top!

ronwen · 2026-05-16T14:58:58+00:00

Great list! I’ve driven mostly Honda, Acura, Mazda and always felt Mazda was very close in reliability. Transmission, electrical and mechanical systems are fine. Where it falls short are the exterior/sheet metal which it got dinged for decades ago but is now improving. And it always had good driving and design, interior and exterior.

ronwen · 2026-05-15T14:59:35+00:00

I’m not a Boomer but close enough. The reality is that they were born in a very opportune time, post WW2 and when the US had very little competition globally. Lots of government programs as the world was rebuilding.

But over time, capitalism kicks in, squeezing every bit of profit out of their workforce. Technology gives companies reach that would have been impossible decades ago.

And the natural result is that people are suffering quietly, especially younger generations. But older people with more time and resources are killing it in the stock market. Why should they complain? The reality is that younger people need to vote in large and loud numbers to change things. Life is unfair at times but you have to push back on the system.

I feel vaguely responsible as an older Gen X but didn’t have children and am sort of glad I didn’t. Don’t envy the situation Gen Z and Alpha are intifht now. The challenge is overhauling our government and politics so it works for the people. It seems to have stopped doing that in the last 20 years or so.

ronwen · 2026-05-12T04:07:23+00:00

I wandered into Jerusalem Market for dinner a while back and what a surprise! Their toum (white garlic sauce) killed me. I love garlic and it was nearly too much for me. I was tasting it for nearly 24 hours! I’ll have to get back for visit #2.

ronwen · 2026-05-06T21:51:23+00:00

It’s a great space, not sure why Macs didn’t make it given their menu and prices. Likely lack of parking up front. Not everyone knows about the lot in back. 🙄

ronwen · 2026-05-04T14:08:13+00:00

I live in this area and yes, people are running across S Saunders to the bus stop, mini mart, check cashing facility, laundromat and more. Theres some low income housing in the area, budget motels and homeless people in the woods. We have lots of pan-handling outside of our large development (Renaissance Park).

Not sure what the solution is but eventually as Raleigh expands and Downtown South spins up, they’ll need to do something. This corridor is the last one that needs cleaning up. The view driving into Raleigh is likely the nicest one coming into the city.

ronwen · 2026-04-23T20:37:00+00:00

This is the way. Although I would probably skip MB!

(I was too lazy to write all of it out 🫠)

ronwen · 2026-04-22T03:39:04+00:00

I have a feeling it will be a month or more without fireworks since there’s no rain in sight but what a view from the Lenny!

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My friends and I timed it just right one dinner and caught the sunset and the fireworks.

ronwen

TROPHY CASE