I scoured Nextdoor at the beginning of the pandemic for someone with an extra coffee machine to use for a few weeks of working from home. A neighbor named Paul had one to spare and left it in his garage for me. But as we all know by now, those weeks became months. Thanks to the borrowed Keurig and bags of Little Waves Coffee Roasters beans, those months were blissfully caffeinated. When we returned to the office last fall, Paul’s machine was relegated to a closet. And on a shelf it remained for an embarrassingly long time (though Paul, by now, insisted I keep it). I finally returned the Keurig to its rightful owner this summer along with a thank-you note and gift certificate.
In late July, I received a letter in my mailbox from Paul, who used the Antonia’s certificate for lunch – a Caesar salad and con salsicce on a bed of fettuccine – on a day where 10% of revenue was donated to a nonprofit. “Today’s fundraiser [benefited] the Exchange Club of Hillsborough and our continuing work with The Exchange Club’s Family Center of the Central Piedmont,” he wrote. “So not only [did] your kind gift help feed this old guy, but it will also help us work with families in crisis and hopefully prevent some child abuse. Pretty good twofer.”
Thank you to Paul for your continuous generosity. For another example of paying it forward, turn to page 66 and read about the women of WE Power Food – cover subject Samantha Swan of Cottage Lane Kitchen is a member – who share their knowledge with new entrepreneurs. Elsewhere in our 12th annual food, drink and farm issue, dig into Ackland art-inspired dishes from local chefs, four new or nearly open restaurants, a changing of the guard at Breadman’s and more, starting on page 56. But first, coffee. – Jessica Stringer
THE FOOD, DRINK AND FARM ISSUE
62 Rise & Shine
Longtime breakfast restaurant Breadman’s enters a new day
64 The Spice of Life
Cottage Lane Kitchen’s founder reflects on a decade of business
68 Lavender Fields Forever
A visit to Lavender Oaks Farm
70 New Kids on the Block
Four recent and soon-to-open restaurants add flavor to our dining scene
FALL ARTS
36 Fall Arts Checklist
Can’t miss concerts, events and more
46 Garden Galleries
View stunning sculptures en plein air
56 The Local Palette
Chefs dream up dishes inspired by a new Ackland exhibit
FEATURES
30 Carolina on Our Mind
Two Morehead-Cain scholars from Chapel Hill share their experiences
32 Gotta Getaway
Find inspiration for your own fall trips as a few of our neighbors share their recent and upcoming regional travels
HOME & GARDEN
90 Right Plant, Right Place
Our readers’ favorite landscapers talk planting roots in Chapel Hill, design philosophies and how to add curb appeal to your home
92 Back to the Future
A Chapel Hill change agent renovates a 1965 prefab home, keeping its soul and story
DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS
8 About Town
Events not to miss
18 Noted
What we’ve heard around town …
26 What We’re Eating
News from our restaurant community, plus a dish we love
83 Joyous Cooking
Crook’s Corner: yesterday and tomorrow
110 Weddings
Fisher & Lucha
Kait & Vlaar
Kenny & Martin
PEOPLE & PLACES
10 The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro Women’s Social
