When I couldn’t shut the bottom drawer in my kitchen, I knew I had a takeout – and corresponding takeout container – problem. I suspect many of your pantries and cabinets look the same, stuffed to the brim with plastic lids and bottoms.
During the pandemic, I’ve ordered from as many of my favorite restaurants as my appetite and budget allowed. (These days, I know my credit card number by heart.) Find a few of our staffers’ go-to takeout meals on page 66.
I’ve also mourned the loss of some good ones – Lula’s, James Pharmacy – and picked up dinner from newcomers, such as Que Chula Tacos and Napoli Hillsborough. It’s not easy to open or operate a restaurant, let alone in the middle of a global health crisis, so we checked in with the owners of 10 eateries, both the mainstays and the newly established, about their struggles and successes on page 52.
These are excruciatingly tough times, but what I find truly amazing is that food and drink businesses have been generous as ever, from Top of the Hill Distillery donating some of its homemade hand sanitizer to first responders to The Picnic Basket Catering providing a whopping 20,000 meals to the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service. Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe, like many other eateries, put out the call for donations to help keep the business afloat and then shared some of that, awarding $1,000 grants to a few other Chapel Hill restaurants. As Rush Greenslade of Vimala’s says, “Everybody’s hurting.” Find more examples of the culinary community giving back on page 50.
As for my excess of containers, I consider them a badge of honor for doing my part to eat local. It’s been easy to fill them with chocolate chip cookies and almond scones and pass them on to friends and neighbors – my own small contribution to keeping spirits fed in days like these. – Jessica Stringer
THE 11TH ANNUAL FOOD & DRINK ISSUE
42 It’s a Date
Make staying in special with these fun at-home ideas
50 Food is Love
These restaurants bring new meaning to ‘comfort food’
52 Restaurant Possible
Ten eateries share how they’ve adapted in the age of the pandemic
60 Count Your Blessings
Heavenly Groceries provides food for the soul
61 Dessert Course
Children’s cookbook author publishes the ultimate kids’ guide to cupcakes
62 Sugar Rush
Local baker serves up vegan goodies
64 Slice of Life
Catching up with brothers Angelo Marrone and Vincenzo Marrone of Italian Pizzeria III as their West Franklin Street restaurant celebrates 40 years
66 What We’re Eating
News from our restaurant community, plus local dishes we love
FEATURES
20 Change of Art
This fall will undoubtedly look different in many ways, but there are still opportunities to experience and appreciate the arts in our community
70 Across County Lines
Three families – who all live near the borders of Durham, Orange and Chatham counties – know how to make the most of their outdoor living spaces
98 Take a Hike
As summer shifts to fall, spend some time at our major parks and hiking trails in Orange, Durham and Chatham counties
104 Keep It Casual
Stylish and versatile fall fashions for the home office or when you’re on the go
INC.
118 Local Tourism Takes a COVID-19 Hit
Massive drop in visitation numbers and occupancy rates anticipated this year
DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS
8 About Town
Events not to miss
17 Noted
What we’ve heard around town
124 Engagements
Newbauer and Woodfin
Mumma and Wise
126 Weddings
Luchenbill and Schranz
Barbato and Newman
Quow and Rucker
PEOPLE & PLACES
12 Compass Center for Women and Families’ Safe Homes, New Lives campaign
