Ah what a wonderful concept. Restaurants all over the US (World?) have been using the draw of a half-priced bottle of wine to lure customers in on “off” nights for some time now it seems. Some also use the dinner for two and bottle of wine for XX dollars as well. Either way, it keeps people happy and half-lit for low cost.
Just don’t stop to think about it is all. The reason for this is because if you do think about it, the only realization you will come to is that you are getting hosed every other night of the week. This should come as no surprise to most of us. You’re paying at minimum 100% markup on most bottles of wine. So even at half price they are probably making a buck or two on you and they got you in there to eat. In the end, it’s not awful. Most of as happily, or some times begrudgingly, pay these premiums for the joy that comes with a nice meal and a bottle of wine shared amongst friends.
With that I’ll share my favorites in Raleigh. For a general kick back good time and CHEAP eats head to Helios on Tuesday nights. I went last week with a few friends and it was a great time to sit back and relax, share a few stories, and a bottle of wine. Another favorite is at Duck and Dumpling. Be prepared to drop some coin on this but the food is AWESOME and they have an excellent wine list to choose from.
Over the past few weeks I’ve definitely gotten into a few random encounters and activities, this was probably the most unexpected. A new McCormick & Schmick’s is opening here in Raleigh at Crabtree Valley Mall. I learned all about this from Ginny and Sue. M&S has a giant crab resting above the restaurant to help advertise. It just so happens I share something in common with this crab. Fortunately it’s not anything freaky like an exoskeleton, or a related disease, or infection. No, we share a name, Jake.
Around a week ago Ginny and Sue made some connections and put me in touch with Dana with the PR firm running the Grand Opening event for this new restaurant. Apparently they though that having someone with the same name as the crab was grounds for involvement in the whole ordeal. So after a few email exchanges I was in. In addition, Dana was nice enough to let me bring along a few friends, Abby and Kelly, to help make some memories.
The “Toss” wasn’t really much of a toss, more of a passing down a line, but it was still cool. The sad thing about the whole affair is that they lined up about 10 of us in our aprons in front of the place and did introductions. “Please welcome Raleigh statesman X, Stormy!, Miss North Carolina, NBC 17 News Anchor Page Crawford, Executive Chef X, General Manager X, and some random dude named Jake.” Not really embarrassing as much as flat ridiculous. Hopefully some photos of the fish will show up, I’ll be sure to share.
Following the toss we all huddled inside near the bar where they were kind enough to provide lots of cold air conditioning, champagne, and delicious food! We ended up sticking around for a number of hours and even ran into some other friends from the Carolina Rollergirls. I think they may have even convinced someone we know to try out for the team!
Big thanks to my parents for blessing me with this wonderful name. Had it not been for them we’d never have had so much random fun.
Finally, thanks to Abby for the photo to commemorate the occasion.
There I was enjoying a nice leisurely drive into the office on a Friday morning. Feeling good, bopping along to some Left of Center, when what do I spy but a “SILVER ALERT” on the I40 overhead information signs. I think to myself, “Self, have you been drinking?”. What is this “SILVER ALERT” they speak of? Was AMBER not cool enough? Were the kids feeling a little under appreciated?
As it turns out it’s a means to track missing persons that may not be able to care for themselves. The NC Department of Crime Control and Public Safety describes the requirements for a Silver Alert as:
- The person is 18 years old or older
- The person is believed to be suffering from dementia or other cognitive impairment
- The person is believed to be missing – regardless of circumstance
- A legal custodian of the missing person has submitted a missing person’s report to the local law enforcement agency where the person went missing
- Law enforcement reports the incident to the NC Center for Missing Persons
Just thought this was interesting. One of those things that just made me say hrmmmm… So I did a little investigation. I’m sure most of you have either never seen one of these alerts or likely doesn’t care. Regardless here is the info, take it or leave it.
Earlier this week I saw a post on New Raleigh that The Colony will be having a one night viewing of The Big Lebowski for the 10th Anniversary of the film. I had never seen the it in a theater previously, so I was really excited about the opportunity. People came decked out in all kinds of bowling gear and Little Lebowski Over-Acheiver t-shirts. Watching a movie with lots of serious fans can be a great experience, and this did not disappoint. After the show last night all I could think about was going to the theatre to go check out more classic films. Totally thrilled there are more to come over the summer via Cool Classics at the Colony.
The Colony doesn’t provide the only unique movie viewing in Raleigh. The North Carolina Museum of Art also presents movies throughout the summer on the lawn. NCMA shows a wide variety of film genres from art house films, to Oscar winners, to summer blockbusters, to nostalgic favorites. I’m looking forward to Persepolis, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Michael Clayton, and The Bourne Ultimatum.
Another alternative viewing option comes to Moore Square in downtown Raleigh with their Saturday Movies. Pretty wide variety of films to be seen here as well. For me it’s going to be all about Close Encounters. I saw this movie in the great outdoors when I was camping in Connecticut as a kid. It’s just a killer film to see outside under the stars (or the streetlamp glare I suppose). Either way, definitely one to go see if you are in town over the Fourth of July weekend.
Hopefully most of us are mature and responsible enough to know that any more than a couple of drinks and it is time to call a cab to get a ride home from the bars. One of the complications of this is the retrieval of your vehicle the morning after. Not the end of the world, but it is definitely a pain to deal with on a hangover. Just no fun for anyone.
A friend of mine in the Charlotte area had turned me on to a business that has really taken off in the area. It’s a service called Two Guys and a Ride that will send a car with two drivers to wherever you, and your car, are at. Then one of their drivers will drive you and your car wherever you want while the other driver follows in the “chase car”. The cost varies a bit, and the memories are fuzzy, but I think the cost is about what a cab alone would cost plus around 15 dollars depending on distance traveled. It’s a brilliant service that is convenient and safe for everyone involved. Bravo!
I am currently challenged with how to get to the Jimmy Buffett concert at Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek and get everyone home safely. Two Guys and a Ride sadly does not exist in Raleigh. However, through the magic of the internet, and a suggestion from Cecil over at the Urban Planet forums, I found Safe Ride Home. My prayers are answered! I plan to call later today and set up an appointment to get all of my friends, myself, our car, and all our tailgating goodness safely home after teh concert.
I really cannot emphasize enough how important it is to be responsible when out partying and galavantic around. Please designate a driver, take a cab, walk, bike, crawl, cab-it, or find a Safe Ride Home.
Update: I just spoke with Safe Ride Home and we are all set for a ride home after the concert back to downtown for some after party! The cost is 10 dollar vehicle delivery fee and 3 dollar per mile up to 10 miles. What a great deal for safe delivery of people and vehicle!
Today I was contemplating the fact that I may soon be attending a laundromat near me in order to deal with some laundry. Nothing wrong with this. Been there before, be there again. A bonus is that I tend to get my laundry done much more quickly at a laundromat. You can gobble up a number of machines and get everything banged out in one go. Also, when in the laundromat I tend not to let things just sit there idle. It’s all go, go go. When laundering at home I tend to wander, watch TV, not pay attention. The laundry isn’t going anywhere, why bother.
What I have realized is that the miracle that is Suds’N'Duds is no longer accessible. This mecca of laundy was where I often took care of my clothes cleaning needs while attending college. Who could possibly argue with the genius concept of drinking beer, playing pinball, and getting laundry done? I found the phone number for the Carrboro, NC location. I let my fingers to the walking, but alas, the number was disconnected. I am half tempted to just drive over there one day after work to verify the demise.
A generous reward is avilable to anyone that has information that may lead to the ressurection of this location or the idendity of an alternative
I recently aquired a bicycle. Actually MY bicycle. From my childhood, age 13. Surprisingly enough it’s actually a good size for me still. Apparently I was taller than I thought back then. Overall, great news. I think it was actually a pretty nice bike for back in the day. It seems to have held up pretty well overall. Rust free, brakes work, shifters work, good to go. My sister even used it for a while and hooked it up with a rear blinky light and a decent basket and rack on the back.
The equipment seems to be ready to roll. I, however, don’t feel quite so prepared. When I was a kid I would ride this bike around our North Raleigh suburban subdivision to get to the pool and that was about it. Now I am getting ready to use this thing as a downtown transportation alternative. I’ve never ridden on any city streets along with traffic. My first instinct is just to use sidewalks and whatnot, but I think that’s kinda frowned upon. Seems like the only way to really learn is just to get out there and do it.
That said a little investigation seemed in order. It’s kinda how I roll. I get some new idea in life and I use the great intarweb to research it to death. I found an informative site on bicycle safety. Aptly named BicycleSafe. It’s full of great tips on how to not get hit by cars. This seems like a very important thing and so I am thrilled to get some expert advise on the subject. Unfortunately it also led me to this. “Doored” is what they call it and apparently it leads to a great deal of mayhem and pain. Let’s hope that I don’t end up in such a position.
Now equiped with bike and basic safety knowledge it is time to go forth and pedal. Wish me luck tomorrow. I hope to be back in one piece to tell the story.
I have made a pretty regular habit of stopping in at the Brueger’s Bagels on my way into the office most mornings now for a bagel\cream cheese and a Diet Coke. I’m an American dammit and I can eat anything I want while I drive. If I want to smoke a cigarette and eat a bagel and make a phone call and drive all at the same time then that’s my right! Everyone else is doing it. Much to the detriment to the safety of our highways and byways. We all bitch and moan when we see others do it, only to crawl back to our corner to indulge in a little drive and shave\makeup.
Why bagels? It’s fast and easy and convenient to me. Sometimes. The issue I have is that hot bagel + cream cheese = big giant mess. I’m serious, it’s ridiculous. People in other cars must look over at me and have some pretty strange thoughts. There I am sipping on my coke with a big white ring of sticky goo all over my mouth. Gross, right? I mean the napkins help and all, but I can’t be cleaning up like a dainty little tea and crumpets girl after every bite as I cruise down Wade Ave. So every time I roll into Brueger’s most people are franticly searching for their favorite flavor “HOT!” while I search for something old and crusty so I don’t have to drive around looking like some kind of circus clown. Today I found Assiago Parmesan and Lite Veggie Cream Cheese. Sadly, the “HOT!” sign was lacking even though they were hot.
So if someone saw me cruising through Raleigh today and was a little concerned that there might be some ravenous lunatic in the left hand lane, don’t be alarmed, it’s just hot bagels.
