Learn,Play,Celebrate! @MarblesRaleigh @ImaxRaleigh #FamilyFun #outandaboutAva

August is a busy month for us here at SobeSavvy.com –myself and my daughter fondly known as #outandaboutAva are celebrating birthdays ..And what better way to celebrate than with a day filled with learning while playing!  Marbles Kids Museum is a place to let your inner child run wild along with your little ones. That’s why I thought it would be a great idea to head to downtown Raleigh with my husband and our daughter for a family playdate!

But before we ventured into the children’s museum, we watched a 45 min documentary showing at Imax Raleigh called National Parks Adventure. It was in 3D and it gave us a visual tour of some of the most famous National Parks in the USA. We left the movie with more than a few places added to our bucket list to visit ! Savvy tip: Be sure to download Stealz app and get free popcorn to enjoy with your movie!

After the movies, we stopped for some fun in the sun outside in the courtyard between Imax and Marbles. Recess games and activities were set up for all to enjoy. In our gadget obsessed culture, it was refreshing to see that Marbles created a space for kids to get moving while enjoying fresh air !

I especially liked the different sized hula hoops, which meant I could join in on the fun and give my daughter a quick tutorial as seen here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BI-oUnGjk1B/

We headed inside for more fun and games. We discovered that Marbles had created a daily celebration of the 2016 Summer Olympics with Radical Recess: Olympic Edition. Lots of cool interactive activities to choose from !                  

Check out the schedule at Marbleskidsmuseum.org/calendar/   

This reading corner even had Olympic themed childrens’ books ! 

Speaking of reading, my child is an avid reader and loves to visit the reading nook in the garden. Be sure to go out to see the unique space ..and don’t worry about the bees, Marbles reminds us how important they are in helping gardens grow! 

This Saturday Aug 20, celebrate starting school at Marbles Kick-off to Kindergarten ! Practice a lunch line, get moving at recess, hop on a school bus and much more. Free for rising kindergarteners and their families. Presented by NC 529 Savings Plan See details here:  marbleskidsmuseum.org/kickofftokindergarten

Our now 5 yr old had a great time at Marbles Childrens Museum and Imax. Both places are suitable for families and a great choice when looking for something to do that is budget friendly. Marbles has been nominated for 2016 Best In The Triangle Awards in the following categories : “Best Museum and Best Place to Take Kids”.  Plan to go and have a truely fun day for all!

Happy #TastyThursday #TeaFreaks ! Open Now @McAlistersDeli #Raleigh #NC off Capital Blvd #McAlistersDeli

On Monday, July 25th , McAlister’s Deli celebrated its Grand Opening of its newest location at 5505 Capital Boulevard in Raleigh, NC ! As a North Raleigh resident, I was happy to learn McAlister’s Deli is now open and serving the community. 

Known for serving “American Regional favorites” with a smile, this restaurant serves good food and great tea to wash it all down with. Did you know there was a cult following of “tea freaks” who love McAlister’s Famous Sweet Tea?! Well, I have a confession..my name is Leslie and I am a tea freak.

Yesterday I went to the new location in Raleigh with my husband and daughter. While I was familiar with their beverage menu, I had never tried their food. Their menu is not your typical deli menu because it offers so much more than just hot/cold sandwiches. For example, McAlister’s serves nachos for starters, entree salads, giant stuffed potatoes known as ‘Spuds’, desserts and they offer a variety of vegetarian options. 
For our almost 5 year old foodie, we ordered from the kids menu. Her choice of mac & cheese included a drink (she loved the strawberry lemonade), a side item (fruit cup was selected) and a treat (graham crackers).  The Just For Kids menu is suitable for kids 12 and under and for $3.59 it’s a great value !

My husband was in the mood for a good sandwich, and by the looks of the menu he came to the right place. Hot Sandwiches, Grilled Sandwiches,Classic Sandwiches, Club Sandwiches..OH MY ! He went with the Spicy Southwest Chicken Griller and opted to substitute the baguette with a croissant. In my opinion, (yes, he thankfully offered me to have a bite ) it was not too spicy but oh so flavorful. It was served with a pickle and a choice of side (he got chips).

Speaking of spice, variety is the spice of life and McAlister’s Deli has a ‘Choose 2’ option for those of us who loves variety! I went with a cup of potato soup and their seasonal pecan berry salad. It was so good, especially once I added gorgonzola cheese to it. And of course with me being a tea freak and all, I ordered a peach sweet tea and wildberry tea. Very refreshing! 

We also enjoyed a sweet ending to our meal by trying two of their desserts: A fresh baked sugar cookie for her (she read the word cookie on the window before we even got in and thought she could have that for dinner, thanks McAlister’s Deli) and a brownie for us. 

Thumbs up for the sugar cookie! 

Some things I learned from our visit (besides how tasty everything is) : 

  • McAlister’s Deli does catering 
  • Online ordering is available at www.mcalistersdeli.com
  • There are 27 locations in North Carolina (lucky me!)
  • Tea by the Gallon is on the menu for $8.00 ( tea freaks rejoice! )

From the smiling greeter at the door to the delicious food we were served, our first dining experience with McAlister’s Deli Raleigh/Capital Blvd was enjoyable and filled with tasty memories ! We will definitely be back. 

Cheers and Welcome to the neighborhood!

#BringItLiveTour takes #Raleigh on a ride @DECRaleigh @BringItLifetime #DD4L ! #soNCsavvy RECAP #bringit

On July 13,2016 , Coach D and her Dancing Dolls of Lifetime’s Bring It! came to Raleigh, NC to show off and show out at Duke Energy Center for The Performing Arts as part of the “Bring It! Live” tour. SobeSavvy.com joined fans to see the Dance Team Grand Champions & TV stars, known for their high-kicks and hair-flips , on their first tour! 

Whether you watch the Lifetime show, where Bring It! has aired for three seasons and counting, or have seen the Dancing Dolls compete across the country, anyone who goes to see these dancers on tour would enjoy their performances! Coach D told the Raleigh audience to strap in, buckle up and prepare ourselves for a rollercoaster ride because the Dancing Dolls came ready to thrill us! 

Once the DJ dropped the beat and yelled  DD4L , the crowd filled with young kids, teenagers, young adults and parents stood up on their feet to see the high-octane dance and athleticism that these dancers have brought to the hip-hop majorette world. The dance routines are filled with hip-shakes that could cause an earthquake, death drops, splits, and their own brand of power and energy, which has earned them more than 100 trophies! 

This tour showcased their other dance styles as well, from ballet, jazz, to a moving contemporary dance piece paying tribute to the #BlackLivesMatter movement, as seen here:

We were reminded that a “Change is Gonna Come” and to not only be inspired but to be inspiring ! I believe the best is yet to come for Coach D and these women on their dance/life journey and encourage you to support and attend this tour coming to a city near you! 

Details about the show can be found at bringitlivetour.com. Check out #BringItLiveTour to see what others have said about this amazing show!  Here are a few photos /video of last night’s tour stop in Raleigh!                                   

Fans Outside the beautiful Raleigh Memorial Auditorium,home to the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

A DJ inside the lobby gets the party started!

This group of family/friends show up in the Dancing Dolls team color :RED!

Fresh Empire was there providing a free and fun photo op with props with their important message to : Keep It Fresh, Live Tobacco Free

They even gave young teens the opportunity to spin to win free prizes! See more #FreshEvents @FreshEmpire

Bring It ! Live swag for sale

This little girl is warming up before the show, rocking her DD4L tee! 

The DJ inside the auditorium is keeping the party going as fans are being seated before…..SHOWTIME !

Say it with me: DD4L ! 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BH0iLrkjcr0/

Photographs of The Grand Opening of the Bohemian Garden @Boheme_Durham #beergarden

On Sunday July 10, 2016, SobeSavvy.com joined guests for the official grand opening of the Bohemian Garden courtyard at Boheme , Durham’s newest  farm-to-table restaurant .  

The event, which featured an all you can eat Luau BBQ and live music in a dog friendly environment, took place in its lush garden patio area. A casually stylish crowd showed up to enjoy a beautiful late afternoon in their zen like outdoor space.

Beer, wine, and liquor beverages were available for purchase as well.  The bar also had tropical cocktails to go with the polynesian cuisine themed spread. A jazzy quartet kept the mood fun while all the guests and their four legged friends had fun. A true sanctuary and the perfect place to enjoy a warm summer evening as seen here in my video montage : 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHs_LuQjGfF/
Hope your enjoyed the photos and make sure Boheme and their garden patio are on your must to do list this summer !!

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#FoodieFriday spotlight: @ToriiNoodleBar #ToriiNoodleBar #NationalShrimpDay #Mochi

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National Shrimp Day is an annual food holiday celebrating the jewel of the sea: SHRIMP ! On Tuesday May 10, 2016, we decided to celebrate at Torii Noodle Bar By Kanki which is upstairs from their sister Habachi Restaurant Kanki located at Crabtree Valley Mall.
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On their website they describe themselves as- Kanki’s freshest new concept, the Torii Noodle Bar offers a Japanese dining experience made with love, spirit and harmony. Traditional Japanese fair, as well as to-go sushi to enjoy alongside great sake, and carefully selected wines and beer.
I really agree with their self description. Inside the decor is what I call Japanese chic. Lots of light wood and natural sunlight streams in the intimate dining area. On such a delightful day we opted to eat alfresco on their patio.
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The variety of shrimp ,shrimp and more shrimp items on the menu would make Forest Gump proud. We dined on the following:
*Appetizers: Shrimp Tempura ( batter-dipped,lightly seasoned,served with tempura dipping sauce)
Ebi (shrimp sushi), Hot Rockin’ Lava Shrimp (tender large shrimp, fried to a golden brown and tossed in a not too spicy but tasty lava sauce)
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*Entrees: Lunch bento box (served with fresh tossed salad with ginger dressing, west coast roll, steamed rice, Tempura shrimp and vegetables with homemade dipping sauce and stir fried shrimp teriyaki style and Shrimp Tempura Udon Noodles. The buckwheat noodles were delicious and I loved the hon tsuyu broth! The lunch was served quickly and reminded me that healthier options can be served fast and for a better quality and value.
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My little girl loved the Japanese soda and the more than personable Director of Operations, Gee Dararouksa was happy to show my daughter how to recycle the chopsticks paper into a holder !
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They have a great cocktail and sake menu. Their sake flight was amazing and it complemented the cuisine perfectly. Instead of a fast food lunch, you can come here and get REAL food for roughly the same price and in a efficient ,timely manner.
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Enjoy these photos from our wonderful dining experience at Torii Noodle Bar!

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*Pictured here : Gee Dararouksa, Director of Operations ~ Reuben Rodillas, General Manager ~ Alex Cordova, Corporate Executive Chef

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For a sweet ending , try the Japanese Ice Cream known as Mochi Ice Cream. Available in Vanilla, Chocolate, Green Tea, Red Bean, Strawberry, and Mango, my personal favorite !

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We enjoyed lunch and had fun dining at Torii Noodle Bar! Its definitely my family’s favorite place for japanese food in Raleigh, NC ! Next time in Crabtree and want a Asian cuisine fix ? Go to Torii Noodle Bar. They will take good care of you and your tastebuds!

Photographs of @GreatGrapesFest #NCWine @DrinkEatRelax ~A #soNCsavvy Recap by SobeSavvy.com

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We here at SobeSavvy.com love food, wine and a good time! If you do too, this festival was for you!

The 13th Annual Celebration Great Grapes! Wine and Food Festival  returned to Town of Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre on April 23, 2016 from 11am-7pm. People come from all over to North Carolina’s premiere casual NC wine festival with HUNDREDS of wines available. The show has seen hundreds of thousands of happy guests over the years who have the chance to enjoy the following:

220 Wines from 20 Wineries 
Great Live Music 
Fun Festival Eats
Arts and Crafts and Gourmet Items
FREE Kids Area *Free Parking

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEjykSWiXNu/

Many choose to enjoy The VIP Area with The VIP Ticket option which offers early entrance into the event at 11am, a souvenir glass and lanyard and access to all the show tastings and access to the VIP area which features specialty wine selections not available elsewhere, free water and soft drinks, and featured food tastings (served Noon – 3pm). 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEj0jJiCXCC/

Guests came with lawn chairs, blankets, family (it’s kid friendly) and friends to take a day to UNCORK THE FUN ! Here are some photos from this fun -filled day for wine lovers! Cheers and hope to see you next year!
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#TravelTuesday : #SobeSavvy Samples the Carolinas at #TasteCarolina @Carowinds

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This past Sunday I took my daughter on a little road trip from Raleigh to Charlotte. Off we went on I-85 South to the famous Carowinds Amusement Park https://www.carowinds.com

The Spring weather had finally taken hold and it was a bright and warm afternoon when we arrived. Although they have immense rollercoasters and rides , we were there for the Taste Of The Carolinas Food and drink Festival https://www.carowinds.com/taste

This event is a culinary salute to unique Carolina cuisine from both North and South. There are 7 different food booths representing different regions/areas of the Carolinas. Simply purchase your tokens of various amounts and take a food journey through the history of the Carolinas.

We didn’t know where to start, but we decided on the Charleston booth. We chose the shrimp and grits. Unlike the traditional dish, the fresh Carolina shrimp were coated in a grits batter and fried to a golden brown served with awesome tarter sauce. Superb! Next up around the corner was a order of catfish from the Outer Banks booth. Fresh and delicious. Time for something cold to wash all that goodness down with. I went with a local craft beer from the wine and beer booth. All beer and wines on sale are from Carolina breweries and wineries. We strolled down to the Low Country of South Carolina booth for seafood gumbo. Right amount of heat and the Okra was perfect.

Since my sweet tooth was calling, I decided on some Pecan Cinnamon Bread Pudding from the mountains of Asheville. Topped with cream cheese icing, this was literally a great way to end our food travels at Carowinds. It was great to be able to take a food tour all in one compact area. This unique even takes place every Saturday and Sunday through May 1. Whether you are near or far from Charlotte, take a trip to Carowinds..your stomach will thank you !

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Photo Credits: Barry Heigh

#WineWednesday Giveaway! Win 2 VIP Tix @GreatGrapesFest Cary,NC April 23! #NCWine @DrinkEatRelax

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We here at SobeSavvy.com love food, wine and a good time! If you do too, then this festival is for you!

In just 30 days, The 13th Annual Celebration Great Grapes! Wine and Food Festival is returning to Town of Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre.

On April 23, 2016 from 11am-7pm come
to North Carolina’s premiere casual NC wine festival with HUNDREDS of wines available. The show has seen hundreds of thousands of happy guests over the years. Take a look here at our coverage of last year’s festival to see how much fun we had and why you should make plans to go!

I am hosting a giveaway for one winner to receive 2 VIP Tickets to Great Grapes Wine & Food Festival in Cary, NC!
Leave a comment below of why you want to go!

Here’s what you get:
220 Wines from 20 Wineries 
Great Live Music 
Fun Festival Eats
Arts and Crafts and Gourmet Items
FREE Kids Area *Free Parking

Enjoy The VIP Area with The VIP Ticket option which offers you early entrance into the event at 11am, a souvenir glass and lanyard and access to all the show tastings and access to the VIP area which features specialty wine selections not available elsewhere, free water and soft drinks, and featured food tastings (served Noon – 3pm). 

Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the lawn.  Bring the family (Kids are free! ) bring your friends and take a day to UNCORK THE FUN! Tickets available HERE

Contest ends April 12th. Winner will be selected randomly on April 13th at noon.
Cheers and Good Luck!

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***UPDATE***Congratulations to P.Williamson..your 2 VIP Tix will be available at Will Call. Enjoy!
Thanks to all who entered. Be sure to Follow SobeSavvy.Com for more great contests/giveaways!

 

#Raleigh Win tix to DJ @BizMarkie 80s vs 90s Tour @RitzRaleigh on 2/25! A #SobeSavvyGiveAway #soNCsavvy

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Come out in your 80s or 90s best, dressed and Ready to Party!

What: 80s vs 90s Party
with DJ Biz Markie

Where: The RITZ Raleigh
2820 Industrial Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609

When: Thursday, February 25, 2016 7:30pm

Tickets on sale now via Groupon , Ticketmaster.com , Or at RitzRaleigh.com. The Ritz box office (opens at noon), or charge by phone 800-745-3000.

Two local Raleigh bands: 120 Minutes Band and Trainwreak square off for a battle of the decades, playing your favorite hits from the 80s and 90s. DJ Biz Markie’s “Got What You Need” as he spins two full sets and emcees throughout the night.

Be Sure to Follow on Twitter & Instagram at @RitzRaleigh and like Facebook at facebook.com/RitzRaleigh for information and updates!

SobeSavvy.Com will be there to capture the fun..check back here or Follow on Twitter & Instagram @IJust_LoveThis.
Wanna join me?
Comment Below in the Blog comments
Or
Comment on Instagram underneath this video
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBsmeXoiXHF/

*One Winner will be randomly selected to win a pair of tix . Giveaway ends 2/18 at noon . Good luck!

Hope to see you there!
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Hey #Raleigh, Take Your #Valentine to #VitaViteRaleigh for #DateNight ! #WineBar #ArtGallery @downtownRaleigh #VitaVite #soNCsavvy

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Two things in life that my husband and I enjoy immensely are art and wine. Not necessarily in that order !

Since that’s the case, we headed into the downtown Raleigh warehouse district. Our destination was a new spot that we had heard alot of positive vibes about. A wine bar named Vita Vite in Italian that literally means “life” and “vine. I could also call it an art gallery that offers great wine.

The bar inhabits a gorgeous space with high ceilings and a roaring fireplace. Furnishings that are not shabby but definitely chic. Leather sofas and tables that make one feel as if they are at their wealthy cousins country home. Art work is everywhere and most is for sale. What an awesome way to support the art community here in Raleigh! Huge wall pieces and small pieces abound. High top tables and an attractive bar with beers on tap round out the front of the bar. In the back is another room where more art work is displayed and also can be utilized for private events and parties.

The wine list is curated by owner, Lindsay Rice. To say Lindsay is passionate about wine is SUCH an understatement. During a conversation that evening, she exuberantly explained that she wanted a space and bar where people would not feel intimidated or overwhelmed with a wine experience. She keeps the ever rotating list of wines short and pocket friendly. Lindsay advised she purposefully does not put specific tasting notes under the wines listed so as not to tell patrons what they SHOULD be tasting. This way they can experience it with no preconceived notions.

We enjoyed a beautiful Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and a delicious Cab from California. It complemented a charcuterie board of bread, cheese and meats perfectly.

Enjoying all of this on a rainy night made it all the more special inside of this beautiful warm space by the fire. Intimate stylish and immersed in art, this was an awesome place for our date night. With Valentines Day coming up, the perfect place to go with that special someone.

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P.S.If you enjoy Sauvignon Blanc, Try this Hunky Dory 2014 from New Zealand at Vita Vite & Tell em’ SobeSavvy sent ya ! Cheers