#soNCsavvy

Events in North Carolina

Hey #Raleigh, Jan 12 is #CurriedChickenDay – Get some NOW @curryinahurrync @MorganStFoodhll #FoodieFriday

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FACT | Food Holidays don’t just stop at Thanksgiving for Foodies. We celebrate anything that our tastebuds desire whether it is on the calendar or not!

However, when I saw that National Day Calendar listed January 12 as Curried Chicken Day I had one place in mind to go and enjoy curry chicken. That place is Curry in a Hurry!

Located in Morgan Street Food Hall, which recently nominated for Best New Food Hall by USA Today, Curry in a Hurry transports customers to India right here in downtown Raleigh. Owned by Chef Alaksha Surt, this restaurant features award winning, authentic Indian Food dishes using recipes influenced by her mom and grandmother. You can taste her passion for cooking in every spicy, flavorful bite!

Her food truck, which is the only Indian Food Truck in our area, has been a regional fixture in and beyond the Triangle for some time. Last year she decided to open a brick and mortar location and become the only Indian restaurant in the popular Morgan Street Food Hall. Foodies from near and far flock here to get a taste of her unique flavors. Some dishes are mild and some dishes have that kick that only authentic curry can deliver.

Recently my husband and I enjoyed a spicy lunch date at Curry in A Hurry. We learned that Chef Alaksha Surt hails from Bangalore, India and combines authentic Indian spices with fresh, quality ingredients to cook her curry dishes. We ordered the Butter Chicken, their signature dish, and Green Chicken Curry.

Curry in a Hurry’s Butter Chicken

The Butter Chicken was described to us as the starter dish for those unfamiliar with curry. The flavorful chicken is so tender and melts in your mouth like butter. It’s mild spice makes it a great introduction to Indian cuisine. We enjoyed every tasty bite of this dish.

Curry in a Hurry’s Green Curry Chicken

Love a little spice in your life? Then the Green Curry Chicken is your dish. For those of us who enjoy Thai food, you will enjoy how Curry in a Hurry prepares theirs. From the rice, to the green curry sauce the quality of the fresh ingredients does not get lost.

Head to Curry in a Hurry to enjoy a taste of India (and Thailand too) with the amazing flavors and spice used in their curry chicken dishes. They also offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Come try for yourself and you too will be back again and again to celebrate #curriedchickenday anyday!

SobeSavvy Tip: Right across from Curry in a Hurry is a great place to enjoy a sweet ice cream treat. Raleigh Rolls uses fresh ingredients to make ice cream before your eyes! This unique and delicious Thai ice cream is the perfect dessert after having the Green Curry Chicken, another Thai fave.

Customize your own ice cream treat at Raleigh Rolls

Do you enjoy Curried Chicken? Have you tried Curry in a Hurry? GET SOME NOW!

CURRY IN A HURRY

MORGAN STREET FOOD HALL

411 WEST MORGAN ST

RALEIGH, NC

http://www.curryinahurrytruck.com

REVIEW | ‘A Motown Christmas’ Cary Arts Center in @TownofCary 12/28-12/30/18 #CaryNC #FamilyFun

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🎶 Candles burnin’ low

Lots of mistletoe

Lots of snow and ice

Everywhere we go
Choirs singin’ carols
Right outside my door

All these things and more
(All these things and more)
Whoa, that’s what Christmas means to me my love 🎶

In my home, Christmas just ain’t Christmas until we start playing ‘A Motown Christmas’ cd, which is a compilation album featuring christmas music sung by some of the greatest artists to ever come out of Motown. The album came out in 1973 (the year I was born) and its music can still be heard and enjoyed today during the holidays. The lyrics above are from Stevie Wonder’s ‘What Christmas Means To Me‘ is one of my favorites! In fact, the whole album is a family favorite. That’s why when I learned that ‘A Motown Christmas‘, a musical review presented by Li V Mahob Productions and the Town of Cary, was coming to the Cary Arts Center I had to make plans to see it! I even hosted a giveaway for 1 winner & guest to enjoy opening night on Friday 12/28 at 8pm.

I went to the Saturday 12/29 3pm show with my husband, our daughter and my mother, who came from out of town to see this show! We thought it was FANTASTIC! Their renditions of so many Motown classics were incredibly good. The groups were paired to best utilize their vocal similiarities to the originals. There was plenty of hand clapping and foot stomping to go along with superb storytelling. We got a bit of history lesson to start the show of how this production came to be along with the humble beginnings of Motown. There was no better combination than the festive Motown Sound and the gospel of love. The whole family can celebrate the joys of the holidays at this exciting, family fun musical event.

About the Show

This musical revue showcases original Christmas and holiday songs by Motown’s most celebrated artists like The Supremes, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye as well as the sounds of your favorite traditional carols. Under the music direction of Ronzel Bell, the direction of Deb Royals-Mizerk and choreography by Darian Moore, this show offers audiences a unique holiday experience full of soul, holiday joy and a message of Love.

The Cast
This show has one intermission and runs approximately 2 hours, but as the saying goes..time flies when you are having fun! The cast, which features some of the Triangle’s most gifted singers and musicians, did an amazing job of entertaining the audience. They kept us dancing and singing along in our seats without missing a beat!

Buy Tickets

There is still time to get tickets for the last show on Sunday 12/30 at 3pm. Tickets available through etix or The Cary Theater Box Office, 122 East Chatham Street, Cary NC

Adult 18+: $24

Senior 55+/Student/Child: $22

Military: $22

Group of 10+: $20

For more information contact: (919) 462-2051

Motown music is cross generational bringing joy and wonderful memories. Christmas time with a Motown influence uplifts us all! Nate Jacobs’ A Motown Christmas is a great way to say goodbye to the holidays and hello to the New Year. I definitely think this is a show worth seeing with the whole family!

Moses T. Alexander Greene , Producer of ‘A Motown Christmas’ and the Director of African American Cultural Center at NC State University with #outandaboutAva

•HAVE YOU SEEN ‘A MOTOWN CHRISTMAS’ MUSICAL REVUE? •WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOTOWN CHRISTMAS SONG?

Cary Arts Center

101 Dry Ave.

Cary, NC 27511

@CarolinaBallet Presents The Nutcracker Review + Giveaway! Win 2 Tix 12/29 @DPAC #NC #FamilyFun #Arts

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On Sunday December 16, SobeSavvy.com celebrated the 18th annual performance of Carolina Ballet’s The Nutcracker presented by PNC with magic sponsored by WRAL-TV. This family friendly show, performed at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium has become a Mommy & Me tradition for us. We both love performing arts and enjoyed seeing magic combined with ballet in this wonderful show featuring Tchaikovsky’s incredible music. Choreographed by Robert Weiss, Carolina Ballet presents The Nutcracker is not only “Magical.Magnificent.Mysterious”, but Unique because it features grand illusions by world renowned magician Rick Thomas as well as a live music by the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle!

My daughter, fondly referred to as #outandaboutAva, first saw this perfomance in 2016 when she was 5 years old. Now that she is 7 and has read The Nutcracker story, seen the Disney movie: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, and learned the music in school, she was so excited to see this holiday classic! Carolina Ballet does an outstanding job working with the children from ballet schools across the Triangle as well as their own, The School of Carolina Ballet to perform this magical tale of holiday adventure based on a novel by E.T.A. Hoffman. The Nutcracker is one of the most recognizable scores in the ballet repertoire and definitely a performance the whole family should see because it appeals to the child in everyone!

What is The Nutcracker about?

This enchanting tale, in which toys come to life and treats dance with delight, follows young Clara and her prince as they journey to the Land Of Sweets. It begins when young Clara receives a nutcracker from her godfather, a wizardly toymaker named Drosselmeyer. Sneaking downstairs to see the toy after everyone else has gone to bed, she suddenly finds herself caught in the middle of a pitched battle between the toys and an army of mice. After saving the nutcracker with a well-thrown shoe to the Mouse King’s head, Clara and her now-living prince venture into the Land of Snow and the Land of Sweets to celebrate. Throughout their adventures, Tchaikovsky’s dazzling inventiveness propels the dances of nimble flowers and regal fairy queens. The “Waltz of the Snowflakes” floats weightlessly whereas the “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” tiptoes to the haunting, music-box chimes of a celesta. A medley of exotic national dances—including a Spanish bolero and Russian Trepak—add to the phantasmagoric celebration before the whole dream ends, as all dreams must.

When and Where is it playing?

Dates: December 14, 2018 – December 23, 2018 at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Raleigh at 3401 Atlantic Ave., Raleigh, NC 27604

Dates: December 29, 2018 – December 30, 2018 at DPAC- Durham Performing Arts Center in Downtown Durham at 123 Vivian St., Durhan, NC 27701

*See website>> CarolinaBallet.com or call 919.719.0900 for dates/times/prices

SobeSavvy Tip: Before/After the show or during intermission, you can get some holiday shopping done at The Nutcracker Boutique. You’ll find a variety of things like ornaments, socks or even a nutcracker of your very home to take home to be apart of your family traditions for years to come!

Enter to WIN 2 Tickets !!

Carolina Ballet presents The Nutcracker and SobeSavvy.com have teamed up to share a #SobeSavvygiveaway with you and give one winner a holiday memory that you will never forget!

Enter for a chance to be awed by the magic and choreography of Carolina Ballet and win (2) tickets to Carolina Ballet: The Nutcracker at DPAC on Sat 12/29 at 7pm.

To Enter:

💥 Like this post

💥 Leave comment below why you’d like to go

💥💥 Bonus entry if you leave comment on the Instagram post below + Follow @SobeSavvy

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrLnEechNwa/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1woncstnowlax

Winner will be chosen by random.org on Dec.19, 2018 at noon.

Good Luck!

Update: Contest Closed. Congrats to Valerie Contreras, @hellominimama ! Have a wonderful time!

Things to do in #Raleigh | Visit @OURBODYRaleigh @TriangleTown Now Through Thru March 2019

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I think we all at one time or another have wondered, ” How exactly does my body function?”  Well now you have to wonder no more. There is currently an exhibit at the Triangle Town Center here in Raleigh called “Our Body, The Universe Within” https://ourbodyraleigh.com/

Last here a decade ago, it has returned bigger and better than ever. This unique exhibit displays actual preserved human corpses and fetuses. They use a technique called “polymer impregnation” ,which in essence preserves the bodies and internal organs EXACTLY as they are. Muscles ,tendons and even arteries are there to amaze  all who visit.

The exhibit is broken down into the different parts of the human anatomy. Brains, hearts and lungs are some of the few things to behold. I don’t want to give away too much but to see the ENTIRE human body in it’s natural state is amazing.

I think the area displaying a smokers lungs and heart may have to most impact on alot of people. After seeing that I cannot imagine someone not try to give up smoking or more importantly emcourage young folks to never take up the habit. The entire experience was eye opening to say the least. Humans are truly a unique self sustaining species.

Come take a DEEP look and see how. Our Bodies is open currently selling tickets until the end of February 2019.

5 Years of Holiday Cheer! Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical is here @DECRALEIGH #RudolphRaleigh #familyfun

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🎶You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all🎶 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer..

We all know and love the song that goes along with the animated television story of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”! Now is your chance to fall in love all over again with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical, in it’s 5th year is now playing at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts inside the A.J.Fletcher Opera Theater to see this all time favorite holiday classic brought to life on stage!

Before seeing the show, SobeSavvy.com was invited to a special Blogger Party to celebrate it’s 5th year anniversary! If you saw my IG instastories @SobeSavvy, then you saw how much fun we had prior to the show! If not, be sure to check out my you tube video below.

There is actually a chance for all guests to enjoy lobby festivities before seeing the show. I recommend arriving early so you can:

• SHOP for adorable gifts and plush toys for your little one or find the perfect Christmas gift!

• SNAP photos with the larger than life characters from the special including Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster and of course, Rudolph!

• POSE for the camera at the step and repeat and capture a picture from your memorable night out!

My husband and I grew up watching this all time favorite cartoon special every single year at Christmas time. So to experience it with our daughter and see it come live on stage is such a joy! We all had fun taking a trip to Christmas Town all the way to the North Pole to Santa’s workshop. We watched the story unfold and enjoyed seeing Rudolph grow from a young buck who went thru adversity to a deer who became a leader necause he never stopped believing in himself. So what his nose was different. You Glow Rudolph!

Kids of all ages were in the audience to experience the wonder that this story truly is. My girl enjoyed this at 7 years old as much as she did when we went to see Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical in 2016, when she was age 5! There was plenty of dancing and singing. The audience was invited to sing-a-long with the lyrics to ‘Silver and Gold’. This musical truly brought the warm feelings of the holidays to our hearts. The last scene actually had REAL snow falling on the audience. The kids and adults alike were delighted!

Now thru Dec 24, grab your family, young and old to see the greatest Christmas tale ever told! Come dressed in your holiday pjs or wear a Santa’s hat to this family fun show filled with singing, dancing and great acting! Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and Rudolph are all ready to entertain you! Buy your tickets now to Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical. It is the absolute must do for this holiday season !!

Watch highlights from the Blogger Party celebrating the 5th Year Anniversary of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical!

Thanks again for inviting SobeSavvy.com to the event and performance. For more info on how you can get tickets to the show, go to dukeenergycenterraleigh.com.

Happy Holidays!🎄

#FoodieFriday | Family Dining at FIREBIRDS Wood Fired Grill #NorthHills @FirebirdsGrill #Raleigh

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Happy Friday! Time for another drool-worthy Foodie Friday Feature. This time I am highlighting Firebirds Wood Fired Grill. Have you ever been? We have three locations here in the Triangle [Durham/Southpoint Mall, Morrisville and Raleigh/North Hills]. I had gone before to enjoy their Happy Hour but I did not know about their amazing Kids Menu! I learned more about the restaurant at the North Hills Block Party event and was interested in dining there with my family. We went there for lunch on Sunday prior to seeing The Nutcracker and The Four Realms and had an enjoyable experience. From the great service to the tastiness of the food and the welcoming atmosphere, I would definitely recommend dining at Firebirds!

Drinks/Appetizer

With a full bar featuring an extensive wine list and creative cocktails, there are so many beverage choices to choose from. Our waiter kindly suggested we try a few of their non-alcoholic craft beverages. I am so glad he did because the Strawberry Basil Cooler and Wild Berry Ginger Craft Soda were both refreshing.

Firebirds partners with an organization called “Alex’s Lemondade Stand“. They contribute a portion of every lemonade sale to this pediatric cancer foundation. So naturally we ordered a lemonade for our daughter!

We had the Lobster Spinach Queso as a shareable appetizer. Chunks of lobster and fresh spinach in delicious high quality queso cheese with bell peppers. Tri-colored tortilla chips came with it. Simply one of the best quesos I have ever had! Three words of advice: ORDER.THIS.APPETIZER.

Recommended: Lobster Spinach Queso

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpzxNxGn-wQ/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=z9bi4ra8euld

Kids Menu

I was very happy to see that the food offered to little ones are from a KidsLiveWell approved menu. Not many restaurants have this healthy recognition for most of the items on their kids menu, so I am pleased to see this and spread the word to other parents!

The Kids Live Well program verifies that certain kids dishes meets or exceed child nutritional standards. They have 5 entrees and 3 sides that meet this standard. Their kids menu has everything from shrimp tacos and wood grilled mahi to ribs. My daughter wanted the ribs. They came fall- off -the -bone tender with a honey barbeque sauce. She chose fresh fruit and brocolli for healthy sides. Fries came out in error so it was a bonus side for her.

Speaking of bonus, the Kids Menu itself is a mini activity book unlike anothet focusing on important values and interviews from Kid Heros. For more Kids Fun Visit FIREBIRDSKIDS.COM

Entreés

If I had to describe their entrees with one word it would be delicious. Firebirds offers so many yummy options on their menu and what we each ordered was tasty, flavorful, and satisfying!

My husband went with their Filet Mignon which was cooked to a perfect medium at his request. It came tender with a side of mashed potatoes and port mushrooms. Every steak they serve is aged a minimum of 21 days.Top quality and great taste.

Recommended: Filet Mignon is a staple on the menu. Their kitchen is a scratch kitchen and all of their steaks and seafood are hand-cut in house.

I went with the wood grilled salmon. It was basted with key lime butter and veggies. At my waiter’s suggestion, I got it chile rubbed style. In fact he advised that you can request anything on the menu to be chile rubbed. I added a skewer of shrimp and a side of Southwest Au Gratin Potatoes. We all enjoyed the gooey baked goodness of that side dish!

Dessert

Four Words.: SAVE.ROOM.FOR.DESSERT ! Firebirds offers an array of terrific desserts like Warm Chocolate Brownies, Key Lime Pie, Chocolate Cake and a White Chocolate Mousse. But me and my sweet tooth are here to testify that their Creme Brulee Cheesecake will knock your socks off ! Such a fantasic sweet ending to a fantastic meal!

Recommended: Crème Brulee Cheesecake

SobeSavvy Tip: Firebirds offers dishes featuring ingredients for that season. The next seasonal feature is not until their Winter Features which will launch on November 28th. Be sure to mark your calenders and make reservations [on OpenTable] today! Plus, join the Firebirds Inner Circle for updates. Check out more from Firebirds on their website.

Also Firebirds is honoring our Veterans on Monday with this awesome deal⤵️

Firebirds is an excellent choice for a date night, meeting with friends, celebrating a special occassion or simply dining with family in a nice casual setting. Adults and kids can find alot to love about Firebirds. I know we enjoyed everything about our meal and look forward to dining here again!

Thank you to Firebirds for hosting SobeSavvy.com at your Raleigh North Hills location for Lunch. My opinions of the dining experience are 100% my own!

FIREBIRDS Wood Fired Grill

North Hills

4350 Lassiter At NORTH HILLS Ave. Ste 118, Raleigh,NC 27609

919.788.8778

Raleigh.FirebirdsRestaurants.com

#DateNight Ideas|Plan a Havana Nights Theme Night Out in #Durham @amendolacigars @CubanRevolution

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It’s Friday night and my 7 year old has plans to go on her first sleepover, so I let my creative juices flow and planned a Date Night Out for my husband and I. The Theme: Havana Nights. The Place: Durham,NC …but first I had to get date night ready and shop for the perfect outfit. I hit up a thrift store for these Cuban inspired fashions.

DATE NIGHT OUTFIT

Red Dress + Heels by Jessica Simpson + Bracelet + Hair Flower Accessory and Printed Shirt for Him from Carolina Thrift

This Mama is date night ready!

Residents living in The Triangle are blessed to have a plethora of choices when it comes to date night. Durham was our area of choice this Friday night because its a vibrant city that has been in the midst of an urban renaissance over the past 10 years and it continues. There are a multitude of bars, lounges and hot spots all over Bull City. So we got in the car and headed to Downtown Durham. My husband made a customized Latin Jams playlist on Spotify for us to jam to along the way! My new fave is by Will Smith/Marc Antony/Bad Bunny! Have you heard it? Take a look and listen here ⤵️

Lounging at Amendola Family Cigar Co.

Living in Miami for almost 20 years, my husband and I grew an appreciation for cigars. However it is a pastime that we just don’t get a chance to indulge in as parents. I knew surprising him with a visit to Amendola Family Cigar Co. would be a great place to kick off our date night!

This local down-to-earth cigar lounge is a converted house with a full size walk in humidor and also a fire pit on the front patio that welcomes cigar aficionados to sit fireside and relax with their favorite cigar. It is the brainchild of founder Jeff Amendola. Originally from Bronx, NY. he states…”My interest in cigars created a bigger monster, collecting cigar boxes! In 2010, I decided to put my fascination and love for cigars into action and started my own cigar manufacturing business! I want the cigar smokers in my community and beyond to experience a fresh hand rolled cigar without having to go to Cuba, The Dominican Republic, or cities like Miami to enjoy a fresh hand rolled cigar.” Jeff invited us to try out two of their cigars. A full bodied Maduro for my husband and the Sweet Carolina, a mild cigar with a sugar tip, for me.

We sat and chatted over a glass of bourbon and rum (the lounge is BYOB} for about an hour while Jeff walked us through their business and supply line from Honduras. Only premium Honduran leaf and some in his line have Cuban seed. They sell cigars from Chocolate to Bold and everything in between! The lounge also offers various memberships that allow patrons to have their own custom name plated locker where they can keep their stash of cigars and libation secure on the premises. The comfy atmosphere and choices make Amendola the go to spot on a date night or just when you want to sit solo and reflect in a relaxing space. It’s the perfect place to pregame, end the night or just unwind anytime. Be sure to check them out and follow on Instagram @amendolafamilycigars.

Dinner at Cuban Revolution Durham

Let’s face it, when you mention NC, the words “latin” is not the first thing to come to one’s mind. Lucky for us we were invited to try out a restaurant called Cuban Revolution located in Durham’s Warehouse District on Blackwell Street. A stone’s throw from the DPAC and Durham Bulls Stadium, this restaurant/bar had quite a vibe on a Friday night!

Their menu covers the very best of Cuban cuisine. You can choose to get a few tapas and cocktails or a full blown dinner. The iconic Cuban Sandwich is front and center. All their sandwiches are made on pressed authentic Cuban bread. They also had different pork entrees in the Cuban tradition.

We started off our Havana Nights culinary adventure with two cocktails and two tapas : Mango Mojito • Caipirihna • Fried Green Beans • Gambas Ajo. The tapas were a recommendation of our server named Demi. She was quite helpful and knowledgeable of the menu. We decided to share a Havana Pork Platter. The pork is slow roasted in Mojo and Adobo served with rice, beans and plantains. It was just enough for the both of us to have room for some of their Key Lime Cheescake and a Cafe Cubano.

SobeSavvy Tip: Every Friday and Saturday night a band starts at 9:30pm, so make plans to enjoy a live performance with your meal. For more info, follow on Instagran @cubanrevolution

👀Watch YouTube Video of Highlights from our Date Night In Durham -“Havana Nights”❤

➡️As parents, date nights are rare, so I wanna know, on your last date night, where did you go? Let me know in the comments below!⤵️


CONNECT WITH ME – Leslie at SobeSavvy.com Facebook |YouTube| Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

#FoodieFriday | Celebrating Harvest Season at @SimplyCrepes in Raleigh,NC

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One of my favorite foodie times of the year is Harvest Season and I recently got to celebrate it at Simply Crepes in Raleigh,NC. Located in the picturesque Lafayette Village, Simply Crepes invited me in to try their Autumn Menu.

Their seasonal menu features fresh ingredients and flavors you would associate with harvest time like apple and pumpkin. For a limited time, their new offerings are on their Autumn Menu for you to try.

Cooler temps call for hot drinks to warm you up! Their Hot Apple Cider or Pumpkin Chai Latte will do just that.

Next we tried a beautiful Harvest Salad as a starter. Candied walnuts, blue cheese crumbles and a wonderful vinegrette dressing made this the perfect first course!

Freshly made crepes were served next. We tried three of their savory crepes: OktoberFest, Pommes Brie and Monte Crepe-O.

Oktoberfest was a wonderful take on German inspired cuisine. German sausage and maple sugared sauerkraut topped with a apfel marinier sauce served with potato salad. I am not a sauerkraut fan but their use of maple sugar was quite enjoyable!

Pommes Brie, as the name suggests is a crepe with ham, brie cheese, caramelized onions and bacon jam topped with perfect thin fresh slices apples. All the ingredients paired so well together! The bacon jam, as well as all the sauces and salad dressings, is made in house.

Monte Crepe-O is their take on the iconic namesake sandwich Monte Cristo. Turkey, ham and gruyere cheese stuffed inside a pan fried egg battered crepe. If that is not enough how about it also has a side of raspberry sauce for dippin or just pour it over the whole thing!

Simply Crepes also has two harvest inspired sweet crepes: The Pumpkin Crepe and Cinnamon Apple Crepe. Both were very very good. I suggest to try one of each in petite size and switch plates halfway through with your date! Both served warm with vanilla bean ice cream are simply amazing!

SobeSavvy Tip: Planning on hosting a holiday party? Catering is available at the restaurant or order online and have them come to you! Connect with Simply Crepes on Twitter, IG, Facebook and be sure to check out their weekly specials ⤵️

Huge thanks to Simply Crepes for hosting SobeSavvy.com and Food Diary of A City Girl, who recently featured Simply Crepes on her list of places to enjoy pumpkin dishes.

The next time you are in Raleigh,NC make plans to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at Simply Crepes for a unique and delicious dining experience! Which savory or sweet crepe would you try first?

Simply Crepes

8470 Honeycutt Road, Suite 110

Lafayette Village

Raleigh, NC 27615

Store & Catering: 919-322-2327

http://www.simplycrepes.com

Event Recap | sip + savor A Wine, Food and Music Experience #sipsavor18

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On Sunday, October 14, 2018, SobeSavvy.com joined wine and food lovers for an experience known as Sip + Savor, which was held at DPAC in Durham, NC. Good Food, Good Wines, and Good Times is how I would summarize this event! It was quite the experience for foodies, wine lovers and anyone who enjoys learning and discovering more about culinary scene in the Triangle.

Last year I attended their inaugural event and was pleased to see this event return and sell out! This year in addition to food sampling from 30 of the area’s finest restaurants, paired with wine from around the world, guests could also attend a wine seminars.

Each year, Sip+Savor helps to raise funds and awareness for a local non-profit. The 2018 festival helped to raise funds for the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle and Band Together partnership. Band Together is a Raleigh-based nonprofit that uses live music to raise $1 Million dollars for a different nonprofit each year. Their 2019 fundraising partner is Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. The Food Shuttle’s mission is to “pioneer innovative, transformative solutions designed to end hunger in our community”.

New this year was the Lexus Lounge, which included plush seating, cigar rolling station and a Mixology Bar with Sean Umstead. I tried the ‘Bee Amazing’ made with Durham Beeswax, honey roasted NC Squash, Svedka and local ginger soda! Very refreshing!

This event was well organized and gave guests the option of taking wine notes and placing an order from the Wine Feed to pick up and pay for it later. How convenient!

Many of the Chefs used locally sourced ingredients to create some delicious dishes to pair with some amazing wines. The following Restaurant and winery pairings were found on the Second /Third Floors:

18 Seaboard + Bear Flag/Sonoma

Acme Food & Beverage Co. + Orin Swift Cellars/Napa and Sonoma

La Residence + Louis Martini/Sonoma

City Kitchen + Votto Vines/Mediterranean

Clouds Restaurant + Napa Cellars/Napa Valley

COPA + Viña Pomal/Rioja

Counting House + Kim Crawford Wines/Marlborough

Crossroads Chapel Hill + Saint Clair Family Estate/Marlborough

Cuban Revolution Restaurant & Bar + Le Morette/Italy

Elements + Domaine Saint Landor/Loire Valley

The Fearrington House Restaurant + Jermann/Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Glasshalfull + J Vineyards/Russian River Valley

Gocciolina + LaMarca/Prosecco DOCG, Italy

Guglhupf + DAOU Vineyards/Paso Robles

It’s A Southern Thing + Chalk Hill/Sonoma

Pickle Jar Cafe + Freemark Abbey/Sonoma

Kipos Greek Taverna + Pascual Toso / Argentina

Local 22 + Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard/Santa Barbara

Locals Seafood + The Hess Collection/Napa Valley

Lula & Sadie’s + Robert Hall Winery/Paso Robles

Mandolin + The Prisoner Wine Company/California

Mateo Bar de Tapas + Browne Family/Columbia Valley

Nanasteak + Banfi/Italy

Old North Meats & Provisions + Hope Family Wines/Paso Robles

Parizade + Elouan/Oregon

Pittsboro Roadhouse + B.R. Cohn Winery/Sonoma Valley

Saint James Seafood + Gérard Bertrand/Languedoc-Roussillon

Tylers Restaurant & Taproom + Biltmore Winery/North Carolina

Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe + Talbott Vineyards/Monterey

Washington Duke Inn & JB Duke Hotel + Franciscan Estates/Napa and Monterey

Live Music, cheese, desserts, bubbly and coffee were found at the On-stage experience, which featured the following vendors:

Carrboro Coffee Roasters (Official Coffee Sponsor)

Saladelia Café

The Mad Hatter’s Cafe & Bakeshop

Durham Toffee

Boxcarr Handmade Cheese

Afters

Rise Biscuits Donuts

Neomonde Mediterranean

👀WATCH my recap video of sip + savor and make sure to visit their website and follow on Facebook and Instagram. Here are some of my favorite moments from #SipSavor18! Hope to see you there next year!

Event Recap | Brunchfest in #CaryNC @drinkeatrelax @BoothAmp #Brunch #SobeSavvy

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On Saturday, October 6, 2018 , SobeSavvy.com joined Brunch Lovers in Cary at Booth Amphitheatre for an ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-TASTE Brunch Extravaganza known as BRUNCHfest!

From 11am-3pm, here is what guests experienced:

• A souvenir glass that will facilitate their ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-TASTE drinks

• Brunch samples from 15+ of the Triangles hottest brunch spots + taste the sausage and bacon griddles (food served until 2pm).

• The Almost Famous Bloody Mary Bar featuring all of your favorite toppings and fixin’s to build your own masterpiece!

• The Boozy Coffee Bar, where attendees enjoyed hot and iced coffee drinks!

• Dueling Mimosa Bars featuring fresh squeezed juices and lovely sparkling bubbles for your pleasure.

• Rosè Wine Garden featuring Rose’s from around the World.

• Great selection of 60+ beer, spirits and wine.

• Hot beats from one of the Triangle’s best DJ

• Lawn activities and games

If you believe that “Brunch Is Love” then this is your kind of event. Here is where BRUNCHfest is coming to next:

For more information, please visit www.drinkeatbrunch.com and WATCH MY VIDEO to see more of the fun!⤵️

What is your favorite thing about Brunch..the boozy cocktails or food?