Midtown Magazine – September/October 2025

FALL FASHION Picnics, parties, and elegant nights FIND SANCTUARY AT THE GRAND BOHEMIAN RALEIGH’S HAUNTED HISTORY FIGULINA’S CHEF DAVID ELLIS

Plus

ROD BRIND’AMOUR

On Reaching Milestones, Making Memories

EDITOR’S LETTER

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here’s a moment every fall in Raleigh when the shift happens. It’s not always the calendar that tells us, but a feeling in the air—that first morning you reach for a sweater, the way the afternoon light slants across the downtown skyline, the collective buzz of a city gearing up for a new season of culture, sport, and style. The lingering summer humidity finally gives way to a crisp energy, and we all seem to breathe a collective, contented sigh.

This issue is a celebration of that shift. We’ve filled these pages with the people, places, and experiences that define this vibrant time of year in our city.

The energy shift is nowhere more electric than at Outside the beautiful Biltmore Estate during a family trip in 2023. the Lenovo Center, and we are thrilled to bring you a private conversation with the man at the heart of it all: Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour. He shares his thoughts on leadership, the upcoming season, and the community that has so passionately embraced its hockey team.

This season’s style is all about celebrating the moments, big and small, that make autumn in Raleigh so special. That’s why, for our fall fashion feature, we turned to the incredible tastemakers at our own local boutiques. Together, we’ve curated a collection of looks that are not just beautiful, but perfectly suited for every unique occasion on your calendar. From the layered, casual chic style you need for an afternoon picnic to the show-stopping elegance required for a fall wedding, you’ll find inspiration to help you step into the season with confidence and style— all while supporting the local businesses that define our city’s fashion scene.

Embracing the season’s unique mood, we also offer two distinct fall excursions.

First, we take you on a haunted history tour of Raleigh’s most storied landmarks, uncovering the spooky tales that linger just beneath the surface of our city. Then, we travel to the mountains for a stay at the magnificent Grand Bohemian Lodge in Asheville—a city that has shown incredible resilience one year after Hurricane Helene.

Of course, the cultural heartbeat of our city is strong this season. You’ll find a preview of the much-anticipated bluegrass festival, a guide to the can’t-miss fall events, a savory recipe from the brilliant chef at Figulina, and a look inside a remarkable North Carolina–based pottery studio.

As this season invites us to look both outward at our thriving community and inward at our own well-being, we are also proud to present our special section, Meet the Doctors. This guide is an introduction to some of the top medical professionals in our area, dedicated to keeping our community healthy and strong.

This issue is your guide to making the most of a truly special time in Raleigh. We hope it inspires you to get out, explore, and connect with the vibrant energy of the autumn shift.

Warmly,

Kyle Marie McMahon Editor-in-Chief

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F O UN DER A N D OWNE R Ronny Stephens PUBLI S H ER Joe Sanger EDI TO R - I N - C H I EF Kyle Marie McMahon A RT DI R ECTOR Sean Byrne CON TEN T EDI TOR S EN I OR G R A PH I C DESIGNE R Dathan Kazsuk COPY EDITOR Cindy Huntley S OC I A L MEDI A A ND CO MMUN I TY EN G AG EMENT M ANAGE R Crystal Watts C L I EN T S UCC ES S MA NAGE R Erica Sanger DI R ECTO R O F S A LE S Collin Pruitt ACCOUN T EX EC UTIVE Mackenzie Steiner STA F F PH OTOG R A P HE R Jessica Bratton FA S H I ON STYL I ST Sofia Lujan DI STR I BUTI ON Joe Lizana, Manager DistribuTech.net CO N TR I BUTI N G WRITE RS Kurt Dusterberg, Dathan Kazsuk, Kyle Marie McMahon, Jennifer Primrose, Charlotte Russell, Kristen Schrum, Katy Shero, Crystal Watts CON TR I BUTI N G PH OTOGRAPHE R Josh Manning

Midtown magazine is published six times annually. Any reproduction in part or in whole of any part of this publication is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.

Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.

Midtown magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photography or art. Unsolicited material is welcome and is considered intended for publication. Such material becomes the property of the magazine and is subject to editing.

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SUBSCRIPTIONS 6 print issues (1 year) Available online at midtownmag.com 4818-204 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609 Phone: 919.782.4710 Fax: 919.782.4763

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CONTENTS

S E P T E M B E R / O C TO B E R 2 0 2 5

FEATURES 24 FALL FASHION

Insipration for stylish looks to suit every fall occasion

38 ROD BRIND’AMOUR

Reflecting on his legacy and the

future of the Hurricanes

48 ASHEVILLE GETAWAY

The Grand Bohemian bounces back after Hurricane Helene

54 HAUNTED HISTORY

Spooky local ghost stories on a

sightseeing tour of Raleigh

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54 ON THE COVER Models Briona Natrigo and Rachel Danielle Harrell for our fall fashion feature, shot at Millbrook Manor.

Photo by Jessica Bratton.

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CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS

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HOME & LIVING

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S E P T E M B E R / O C TO B E R 2 0 2 5

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Haand Pottery creates unique tableware

OUT & ABOUT

Roundup of fun fall events in and around Raleigh

SIP & SAVOR FIGULINA

Chef David Ellis provides a restaurant-worthy recipe

AUTUMN SPIRITS

Local spots offer up seasonal cocktails

AUTUMN REDS

A sampling of four North Carolina red wines

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KALEIDOSCOPE

BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

Preview of the upcoming Raleigh Wide Open festival

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LOCAL ART

Capturing wildlife with unique photography

SPONSORED CONTENT

IN EVERY ISSUE 12 CITY SCENE Social Scene

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Behind the Scenes

75 FAMILY LAW 83 PLASTIC SURGERY

Home Styler

Foodie Focus

Tastes of the City

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61 MEET THE DOCTORS

CITY SCENE | SOCIAL SCENE

BY CRYSTAL WATTS

Sterling Law, led by Cara Dudek-Petri Gibbons, is officially open in downtown Apex, celebrating its grand opening with community leaders and support from the Apex Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Joe Sanger.

The iconic Angus Barn celebrated its 60th anniversary in style with a 1960s-themed party featuring food stations, live music, a classic car show, and retro attire. Photo courtesy of the Angus Barn.

Durham is gearing up for the return of the CIAA Football Championship, bringing a week of youth clinics, local eats, and community celebration—plus hometown energy from Shaw University. Photo by Kyle Marie McMahon.

Wong’s Tacos, a bold new “Mexanese” concept blending Asian and Mexican flavors, officially opened its first North Carolina location in Raleigh’s Glenlake, bringing playful dishes, vibrant décor, and a fresh dining experience to the Triangle. Photo by Jennifer Primrose.

GalaxyCon kicked off its 4-day takeover of downtown Raleigh with an electric ribbon-cutting ceremony, star-studded guests, epic cosplay, and nonstop fan-fueled fun at the Raleigh Convention Center. Photo by Dathan Kazsuk.

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Let’s be social!

Follow us for all of the don’t-miss events in Raleigh.

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CITY SCENE | BEHIND THE SCENES

ABOVE: Our fall fashion shoot took place at the gorgeous Millbrook Manor in Raleigh, and we lucked out with a clear, if overcast, day. Here, we are setting up for our shot for a fall picnic date, featuring croissants from La Farm Bakery and charcuterie from Pro’s Epicurean Ristorante in Cary. Model Fabrizio Bianchi waits patiently while stylist Sofia Lujan adjusts model Briona Natrigo’s hair.

RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM: Our fall fashion photo shoot was an all-day affair, but is it really work when you are doing it with friends? Stylist Sofia Lujan adjusts Fabrizio Bianchi’s hand placement to better accentuate the jacket while our other two models, Rachel Danielle Harrell and Briona Natrigo, have a laugh. Rachel lounges before the fall wedding shot. Hair and makeup stylist Evelisse Hahn finishes Briona’s hair while Fabrizio waits for Rachel for the symphony look. Make sure you check out the full article on page 24 to see the beautiful work done by photographer Jessica Bratton.

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CITY SCENE | HOME STYLER

BY KURT DUSTERBERG | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY VENDORS

SEASONAL SHIFT

As summer weather begins to give way to cooler temperatures, we can turn our thoughts to autumn hues dotting the landscape. But it’s not just colors that usher in the new season. Styles, scents, and cozy decorations bring about changes that signal a special feeling in the air.

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1. Daphne satchel handbag, $179 | Designed For Joy 2. Ella B. pumpkin spice candle, $36 | Swagger 3. Hazel Mazel stoneware mug and saucer set, $18.98 | NOFO @ The Pig 4. Uttermost decorative swirl vases, $99 (large) or $75 (medium) | Inspirations 5. Preserved 5x7 moss art, $55 | City Garden Design 6. Tessellate planter, $395–$595 | Trig Modern 16 | midtownmag.com

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OUT + ABOUT | FOODIE FOCUS

News for Raleigh foodies compiled by the Midtown staff, with contributions from Triangle Food Guy Sean Lennard, who blogs at trianglefoodblog.com.

Good Graces, a market, bar and eatery concept, opened at 540 St. Albans Drive in North Hills in the Innovation District. The menu features Southern favorites, refreshing drinks, and grab-and-go meals.

Peri Brothers Pizza, a two-in-one dining experience, has opened at 7321 Six Forks Road in Raleigh’s Celebration at Six Forks shopping center. The establishment offers a fullservice modern Italian restaurant and bar with handmade pastas and curated wines. Guests can also enjoy New York–style pizza for takeout and delivery.

Narrative Coffee opened its first brickand-mortar location at 300 Morris Street in downtown Durham on the first floor of the Durham Innovation District office building. The shop, which previously operated out of a truck, is open weekdays from 7 a.m.–3 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m.–3 p.m.

Wong’s Tacos is a blend of Mexican and Asian cuisines. Photo by Dathan Kazsuk.

Dino’s Pizza has opened in the University Hill shopping center at 3109 Shannon Road in Durham. The pizzeria is the latest from Matt Kelly and partner Tom Cuomo. The wood panelled walls, red and white checkered tablecloths, and stacks of red plastic cups recapture the pizza vibes of childhood. The restaurant is open Wednesday–Sunday from 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Roots Natural Kitchen, a Virginia-based eatery that caters to college students, is open at 2712 Hillsborough Street near North Carolina State University. Roots will begin serving salads and grain bowls during next year’s spring semester. Roots has an existing Chapel Hill location that opened in 2021.

Boatman Spirits Co. has expanded its hours to include weekend lunch. The Mediterranean street food restaurant at 713 Seaboard Station Drive in Raleigh is open from 11 a.m.–midnight Saturday and Sunday. The restaurant will offer a lunch version of the regular menu and add new items in the coming weeks.

Figulina, located at 317 S. Harrington Street in Raleigh, has also begun lunch service.

Grab-and-go lunch options are available Wednesday–Friday from 11a.m.–2 p.m. Menu 18 | midtownmag.com

items include hot focaccia sandwiches, pasta salad, and takeaway bites.

Serafina Ristorante has opened its doors at 126 N. Salem Street in Apex. Guests can expect upscale Italian dining. Serafina is located in the former home of The Peak on Salem.

Sticks & Stones Coffee Coalition is now open at 620 Lakestone Commons Avenue in Fuquay-Varina. In addition to coffee, the shop sells locally made pastries and build-your-own flower bouquets.

Kinya Ramen has opened at 202 NC Hwy 54 W., Suite 506 in Southpoint Crossing.

The ramen and sushi restaurant fills the space formerly occupied by the Melting Pot. The Durham location, the first in North Carolina, will serve poke bowls, kani salad, several types of ramen (including tonkotsu and veggie), sushi rolls, and yakitori meat skewers.

Inka Grill is open at 16 W. Martin Street in downtown Raleigh in the former Capital Club 16 space. The restaurant prepares the vibrant flavors of Peru with dishes such as lomo saltado (a steak-based dish typically served with fries or rice), ceviche, Peruvian-style paella, and other authentic dishes.

Wong’s Tacos has opened at 4251 Parklake Avenue in Raleigh. The full-service, Asian-Mexican fusion (“Mexanese”) spot brings bold flavors that combine Asian ingredients wrapped in Mexican style. The menu includes bao buns, bowls, big tortillas, fajitas, and tacos.

Shawarma Stop Mediterranean Cuisine has opened a new location at 10966 Chapel Hill Road in Morrisville near Wake Technical Community College’s RTP campus. The restaurant has an existing location at 2810 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh near North Carolina State University. The menu includes pitas, wraps, platters, and more.

The Williams House Craft Taproom has opened at 210 E. Chatham Street in Cary in the former location of Bull City Ciderworks. The Williams House serves drafts and flights, craft cocktails, and all-day coffee selections. Evening events include live music, trivia nights, and more.

LRB Provisions has plans to open at 2009 Guess Road in Durham as a counter-service spot that will focus on takeout lunch. The menu will rely on ingredients from local farms and purveyors, along with sandwiches served on house-baked breads and rolls. The menu will also include rotating flavors of house-made potato chips, smoked meats and fish, pickles, desserts, and beverages.

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O U T + A B O U T | TA S T E S O F T H E C I T Y

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1. BOATMAN SPIRITS CO., RALEIGH Chickpea gazpacho. A light, citrusy chilled soup. Photo by Forrest Mason.

3. SASSOOL, RALEIGH AND CARY Butternut squash salad with Brussels sprouts, crunchy pepitas, feta, and maple Dijon vinaigrette. Photo courtesy of Sassool.

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2. FIGULINA, RALEIGH Hot-pressed focaccia sandwich. Prosciutto, nduja aioli, roasted seasonal veggies, and caciocavallo. Photo by Samantha Taylor.

4. JALWA INDIAN BISTRO, RALEIGH Lamb sukka vol-au-vent. Flaky pastry filled with spicy lamb, topped with tangy tomato chutney and lamb floss. Photo courtesy of Jalwa Indian Bistro.

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From picnics to parties to perfect nights

BY KYLE MARIE McMAHON | ART DIRECTION BY SEAN BYRNE STYLED BY SOFIA LUJAN STYLING | HAIR + MAKEUP BY EVELISSE HAHN PHOTOGRAPHED BY JESSICA BRATTON

Autumn in Raleigh brings a magical energy that fills the air, golden light filtering through the city’s oaks, and the magnetic pull of a social calendar that comes alive with renewed vibrancy.

This is the season of experiences, where every outing becomes a destination in itself. And for every destination, there is an opportunity to dress the part—to create a look that not only suits the occasion, but elevates it.

In this spirit, we partnered with some of Raleigh’s most stylish local boutiques and the beautiful Millbrook Manor to curate a portfolio of looks designed for the signature moments of a Triangle autumn. This is fashion inspired by the destination, whether it’s a sun‑drenched park, a warmly lit dining room, or the grand hall of the symphony.

These are more than just outfits; they are the starting point for a perfect fall memory, showcasing the incredible style our city's vendors have to offer.

A NIGHT AT THE SYMPHONY An evening with the North Carolina Symphony is an invitation to embrace timeless glamour. As the lights dim in the hall, the moment calls for a look that matches the elegance of the music. This is style at its most refined and cultured— think dramatic lines, classic silhouettes, and luxurious details that create a sense of occasion.

It’s about dressing for the art, the atmosphere, and the magic of a perfect night on the town.

FAB IS WEARING, All from Alexander Eton Men's Clothier: • Alexander Eton Black Notch Lapel Cashmere and Wool Tuxedo • Eton Signature Textured Shirt

• Jose Real Black Wholecut Leather Shoes • TAG Heuer Watch and Gold Diamond Ring Courtesy of the Stylist

• Dion Woven Jacquard Satin Stripe Silk Tie RACHEL IS WEARING: • Burgundy Satin Skirt by Ulla Johnson from Dress

• Ippolita 18k Yellow Gold Hammered Jet Set Earrings

• Cream Lace Top by Róhe from Dress

Sabel Bracelets from Fink's Jewelers:

• Cuoieria Fiorentina 1933 Fold Over Handbag from Rangoni Firenze

• 3.9mm Polished Paperclip Link in 14k Gold

• Valentina Regale Shoes from Rangoni Firenze

• 6mm Stretch Bracelet in Polished 14k Gold

• Crystal Fox Stole from Douglas Furs • Sabel 14k Link Necklace, Paired with Sabel Collection 1 ct Diamond Pavé 14k Yellow Gold Disc Pendant from Fink's Jewelers

• 4mm Bead Stretch Bracelet in 14k Gold

• 5.5mm Open Concave Curb Bracelet in 14k Gold • 3mm Tube with Love Knot Bangle in 14k Yellow Gold SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025 | 27

HOLIDAY HOUSE PARTIES As the holidays approach, the season of gathering begins.

Whether it’s an intimate Thanksgiving dinner with family or a festive Friendsgiving with your chosen crew, the occasion calls for a look that is both celebratory and sophisticatedly comfortable.

Think rich jewel tones, luxe fabrics, and polished silhouettes that feel special without being stuffy. This is the art of looking perfectly put‑together to toast the season with those who matter most.

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RACHEL IS WEARING: • Burgundy Faux Leather Zip-Up Midi Dress from Swagger Boutique • Cuoieria Fiorentina Large Flap Handbag from Rangoni Firenze • Amalfi Leopolda Shoes from Rangoni Firenze • Black Double Sided Mink Stole from Douglas Furs Jewelry from Kendra Scott: • Adela Watch in Ivory Mother-of-Pearl • Juliette Band Ring in Gold with White Cubic Zirconia • Livy Rings Set of 3 in Gold • Kaitlin Band Ring in Gold • Gold Elton Cuff in Iridescent Drusy • Kaitlin Chain Bracelet in Gold • Kelly Bangle in Gold • Sophie Gold Crystal Open Frame Earrings in White Cubic Zirconia • Kaitlin Statement Necklace • Mini Elisa and Abbie Convertible Strand Necklace in Ivory Mother-of-Pearl

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BRIONA IS WEARING: • Green Floral Pleat Detail Dress from Swagger Boutique • Suede Jacket, Courtesy of the Stylist • Whiting & Davis Handbag from Rangoni Firenze • Amalfi, Feròce Shoes from Rangoni Firenze Jewelry from Kendra Scott: • Elisa Curb Chain Necklace, 18k Gold in Red Tiger's Eye • Dolly Parton x Kendra Scott Vintage Gold Statement Chain Necklace • Dolly Parton x Kendra Scott Vintage Gold Locket Long Pendant Necklace • Dolly Parton x Kendra Scott Vintage Gold Statement Chain Bracelet • Elle Watch • Andi Band Ring in Gold Color Bar Customization Items: • Elle Earrings • Emilie 3-Stone Ring • Emilie Link Bracelet FAB IS WEARING, All from Alexander Eton Men's Clothier: • Alexander Eton Lanificio Di Pray Brown Prince Of Wales Heritage Plaid Sport Coat • Emanuel Berg Medium Blue Twill Denim One-Piece Collar Premium Luxury Shirt • Jack Victor Voyageur Upwool Teal Dress Pants • Anderson’s Mid Brown/Navy Woven Leather Belt • Ambitious Navy Combi Leather Low-Top Sneaker • TAG Heuer Watch and Gold Diamond Ring Courtesy of the Stylist

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FALL PICNICS There are certain perfect autumn afternoons in Raleigh that feel like a gift—when the air is crisp, the sun is warm, and the city’s green spaces beckon. For a romantic picnic date on the sprawling lawns of Dorothea Dix Park or the cultured grounds of the North Carolina Museum of Art, it's one of effortless elegance. It’s about cozy knits, rich textures, and practical yet polished layers that are as comfortable on a blanket as they are chic for a golden-hour stroll.

BRIONA IS WEARING: • Eva Sweater by Pistola from Villa 19 • Lennon Boot Cut Jeans by Pistola from Villa 19 • Jogger FT Shearling by Back 70 Sneaker from Main & Taylor Jewelry from Kendra Scott: • Kaitlin Hoop Earrings • Ainsley Gold Convertible Chain Necklace • Emery Beaded Strand Necklace in Blue Lapis • Daphne Enamel Stretch Bracelets in White, Green, Red, Light Pink, and Bright Orange • Mini Elaina Stretch Bracelet in Iridescent Drusy • Leighton Band Ring in Gold Color Bar Customization Items: • Elyse Ring in Gold • Danielle Clear Crossbody Bag • Bag Strap in Red • Game Day Bag Charms in Blue, Black, and Dark Orange FAB IS WEARING, All from Johnnie-O: • Crosswind Quilted Performance Vest • Sully 1/4 Zip Pullover • Atlas Lightweight Stretch 5-Pocket Pant • Prima Vintage Suede & Nylon Sneaker

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FALL WEDDINGS A fall wedding is a celebration of modern romance, and as a guest, your attire should be a chic tribute to that joy. Navigating a formal dress code requires a look that is both show-stopping and respectfully elegant. This is celebratory style at its finest—a sophisticated ensemble that feels both contemporary and timeless, ensuring you are perfectly dressed to witness the "I do's" and dance the night away.

RACHEL IS WEARING: • Baobab Cara Dress from TrenLend • Jeffrey Campbell Rococo Slingbacks from Main & Taylor • Olga Berg Crystal Clutch Bag from Main & Taylor • Jewelry Courtesy of the Stylist BRIONA IS WEARING: • Baobab Athena Maxi Dress in Strawberry from TrenLend • Sondra Roberts Clasp Handbag from Main & Taylor • Jeffrey Campbell Snoah Slingback Peep Toe Pump from Main & Taylor • Jewelry Courtesy of the Stylist

THANK YOU Alexander Eton alexandereton.com Douglas Furs fursandjewelry.com dress. dressraleigh.com Evelisse Hahn instagram.com/makeupbyevelisse Fallon’s Flowers fallonsflowers.com Fink's Jewelers finks.com Johnnie-O johnnie-o.com Kendra Scott kendrascott.com Main & Taylor mainandtaylorshoes.com Rangoni Firenze rangonistore.com Sofia Lujan Styling sofialujanstyling.com Swagger Boutique shopswaggernow.com TrenLend trenlend.com Villa 19 villanineteen.com Marian & Jerome Harrison Our models: Fabrizio Bianchi Rachel Danielle Harrell Briona Natrigo And a special thanks to Millbrook Manor themillbrookmanor.com for hosting our photo shoot.

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ROD BRIND’AMOUR: Reaching Milestones, Making Memories

Rod Brind’Amour has been the face of the Carolina Hurricanes for 25 seasons. Before he’s finished, he wants to bring the Stanley Cup back.

STORY BY KURT DUSTERBERG PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOSH LAVALLEE/ CAROLINA HURRICANES UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

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arolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour spends most of his days living in the moment. For the past 37 years, his life has revolved around the National Hockey League’s schedule, where it takes 82 games across 6 months just to reach the playoffs.

So it may come as a surprise that he has given some thought to a couple of upcoming milestones—ones that have defined not only his career, but also the arc of sports history in North Carolina.

Brind’Amour arrived in Raleigh in January of 2000, a veteran forward traded from the Philadelphia Flyers. The Hurricanes were playing their first season in Raleigh following two uninspiring years in Greensboro—their temporary home after relocating from Hartford, Connecticut.

“I knew as little about North Carolina as probably anyone,” Brind’Amour says. “I knew of Michael Jordan as a kid. I got a little glimpse of it when N.C. State won under Jimmy V. There’s no way I would have thought I would make this my home for 25 years.”

But it’s a different hockey anniversary that has left a more indelible impact. The upcoming NHL season marks the 20th anniversary of Carolina’s Stanley Cup championship in 2006.

Brind’Amour was named team captain before the season started, and what followed took the hockey world—and the Triangle—by surprise. The 35-year-old forward led the Hurricanes on a 2-month march through the playoffs that culminated in a Game 7 win against the Edmonton Oilers in the final. As the team’s leader, Brind’Amour secured his place in team history and put his stamp on the playoff run with a team-best 12 goals.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CAROLINA HURRICANES

MIDTOWN: It’s not very often that someone spends such a long time connected to one franchise.

This has become an entire era of your life—25 years. That’s a big chunk of your life.

The first thing I always think about, honestly, is how fast things go. It’s almost sad for me. Life’s going. It’s happening for everybody, and it’s ticking on. I just want to enjoy every day. You’re at a different stage of your life. It goes by so fast.

And I guess one of the takeaways is that you never could have seen it coming, right?

No chance—that’s what life is about.

You just never know how things are going to go. That’s what I’ve taken out of that. Even players I’ve come across over the years. I grew up idolizing certain players, like Wayne Gretzky.

I got to play with him in the

Brind’Amour retired after the 2009–10 season, but he has remained a Hurricane ever since. He served seven seasons as an assistant coach during a 9-year playoff drought. But upon being named head coach before the 2018–19 season, he embarked on another journey of lifting the Hurricanes to the heights of the NHL. He has led the team to playoffs—and won a round in the postseason—in each of his 7 years behind the bench. Last season, he earned his 300th win faster than any coach in NHL history.

The road to 25 years in Raleigh has been marked with challenges, too.

Brind’Amour retired as a player in 2010 when the Hurricanes bought out the final year of his contract. And while his playing career suggests he is worthy of enshrinement in the Hall of Fame, he has never been selected— for reasons beyond his control.

Heading into his 8th season, his unparalleled success as a coach—the team has reached the Eastern Conference Final in two of the past three seasons—has only raised expectations for the Hurricanes.

Over the summer, the 55-year-old took time to discuss his quarter century with the Hurricanes. Sitting in the coaches’ offices at Invisalign Arena, he spoke candidly about the highs and lows, the Hurricanes’ resurgence, and the expectations of winning another Cup.

[1998 Winter] Olympics. I never thought I’d get to play with him and room with him. And now, I don’t call him a friend, but he texts me. You don’t know who the next guy you’re going to come across is. That’s what’s great about our life, because there is a lot of change. You don’t know who’s going to be impactful in your life.

That’s what hockey does for you.

You played 21 seasons in the NHL. Was it difficult to retire?

For me, the end was real tough because the last year was brutal. And yet I still felt like I had a lot left. I was 39 going on 40. My conditioning was great. For me, getting cut down to [playing] basically 6 minutes a night, that’s what did it.

Then I couldn’t get out of my own way, playing 6 minutes and trying to produce like I was getting 20 minutes. Now I am playing

poorly, but it’s because I’ve got to score on this shift or I’m not getting another one. That’s what happened at my end.

They didn’t offer me a chance to come back. At that point I had to decide: Okay, go play somewhere else or be done with it? There’s no way I was going to leave my kids to play. I know it wouldn’t have worked.

So it was an easy decision in that regard. I had a good perspective on it, I think.

You were an assistant coach for the last 7 years of a 9-year playoff drought for this franchise. When you took over as head coach, what made you think you could turn this team into a winner so fast?

For that 7-year period, having three different coaches [Paul Maurice, Kirk Muller, and Bill Peters], that was probably the best thing that could

PAGE 38: Brind’Amour speaks during a post-game press conference at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh. OPPOSITE PAGE: As captain, Brind’Amour helped make the Hurricanes Stanley Cup champions in 2006. THIS PAGE: Brind’Amour looks on from the bench prior to the start of an NHL home game against the Nashville Predators.

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”As a player, you only worry about your mistakes. As the coach, everybody’s mistakes are your mistakes.

That’s where the stress comes in. I’ve got to do a better job of letting it go, but it’s hard to do because you know it all matters.”

ABOVE: Head coach Rod Brind’Amour directs the team during practice at the Lenovo Center.

The team also has practice sessions at the Invisalign Arena in Morrisville.

have happened because I got an education three different ways. All of them were different. I had ideas in my head that I thought would be better.

I was like, I think we’re missing the boat here. There’s something that none of these guys are doing.

[Video coach] Chris Huffine and I sat there in the summer putting video together. I remember thinking, we’re changing how the game is played. We’re going to be so much more aggressive than anyone has ever really done. We were going to put a real “pressure” game together and see what happens.

That’s the way I would want to play.

And if you’re not as talented as the other teams, it’s a way to kind of close the gap. And we weren’t, if we’re honest. We weren’t as talented.

I had no idea if it was going to work, but I felt like we had great people in this locker room. There were some good, young kids and a leadership group. I don’t want to say there were mess-ups [previously] in how we handled that, but there clearly were. I thought, I don’t have to do anything. This should get us a little better. And it just worked out.

There’s a line between players and coaches. As a coach, having a relationship with players is important, but it’s not the same as interacting as a teammate. What is it like trying to straddle that line as a coach?

I just had this conversation with my wife because we’re going to [Jalen] Chatfield’s wedding. I was joking that I’ve got to get out of there by 10 o’clock because the guys want to have

fun. I’ve kind of passed that now, because the guys know they can have fun around me.

I do think that once you get to know guys as long as I have in here, it changes a little bit. We do have a coach-player relationship, but I think it’s more out of respect for the positions. That’s what makes it special for me. For a lot of the guys I have, it’s more than that. We have genuine friendships. There is a line, and I know there is—but there really isn’t.

What is a night like for you after a loss?

The losses blow. It’s probably what wears me out the most; you never get back to level. And the wins don’t do anything for you, and that’s the problem. They don’t even out.

And that’s a good thing, because of what the expectations are. We’re supposed to win every night, which is tough to do. As a player, you only worry about your mistakes. As the coach, everybody’s mistakes are your mistakes. That’s where the stress comes in. I’ve got to do a better job of letting it go, but it’s hard to do because you know it all matters. I don’t think I ever will, which is the nature of it. But that’s part of the gig.

During the summer, the Hurricanes signed the top forward on the free agent market, Nikolaj Ehlers, from the Winnipeg Jets. And the team traded for a quality defenseman in K’Andre Miller from the New York Rangers. These are impact players that can help you win.

That’s what I like about where we’re at as an organization. If there’s something out there that can make

Rod Brind’Amour looks on during training camp at the Lenovo Center.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025 | 43

us better, we’re going to try to figure out how to get it.

Ehlers is a piece of that. Can he play with some of our top guys and make them better? For me, it’s talent, and that’s what Ehlers has.

Whatever we think the potential is with [Miller], we’ve got to get it out of him. We know from watching that he’s big, he’s strong, he can skate. He’s got a great shot, and all the instincts are there.

You’re hopeful it makes you better.

The additions were the best we could do. It’s already a great group that we have. The group does a great job of bringing in the new people and making them feel at home so that they can play their best.

This season will be the 20th

tomorrow is going to bring. We can’t control anything down the line. Time is the biggest thing. We’re running out of it.

anniversary of winning the Stanley Cup. Do you find yourself reflecting on it very often?

Yeah, I love thinking back on it. I just love the relationships we forged in that time, literally forever friendships. I could not have talked to some guys in 10 years, but there’s this special bond you have. It goes so much deeper than winning a Cup. I don’t know how to explain it, really.

So, 20 years? The biggest thing is just time, the value of it. Take advantage of every day. That’s what we preach here. Don’t look ahead. Try to enjoy this game. Give it your best, because you don’t know what

You’ve won the Stanley Cup as a player. What would it mean to you to win it again as a coach?

I’ve done it, and I’d love to do it 100 times. It’s not something that gets old. But it’s so special of a thing that you want people close to you— the people who have sacrificed—you want them to experience it. That means everyone, from the organization down to the fans. You really want it for them because it is so special. And I know that now by doing it.

“[Winning the Stanley Cup] is so special of a thing that you want people close to you— the people who have sacrificed—you want them to experience it.

That means everyone, from the organization down to the fans.”

Head coach Rod Brind’Amour delivers a postgame locker room speech at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The Hurricanes’ social media team is known to use goal horns to censor his excitement.

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For me to be the coach of it? Whatever. That’s kind of the sidebar of it.

To see people, the way they think and feel about themselves when they can actually say they’ve won. To me it’s so silly that you have to win it to be a winner, but just think about what has happened to our team over 7 years: if we had won one time in 7 years and been [lousy] the rest, everyone would think of us differently. But we’re knocking on the doorstep. It would change perception and everything, and that would be huge.

A rare smile from Rod Brind’Amour as he looks on during morning skate at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025 | 45

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The lobby of the Grand Bohemian has been fully renovated after Hurricane Helene and reopened in May with many restored original pieces of wood and art.

FINDING SANCTUARY at the GRAND BOHEMIAN ASHEVILLE STORY BY JENNIFER PRIMROSE PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE GRAND BOHEMIAN LODGE ASHEVILLE

J

ust steps from the gates of the Biltmore Estate, the Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville draws you in and invites you to stay awhile. On my first visit, I realized almost immediately that this isn’t just another place to spend the night—it’s an experience shaped by local art, rich details, and the kind of welcome that makes you forget the world beyond its doors.

A well-appointed spa and fitness center complement the amenities, providing guests with every opportunity to relax or stay active during their stay. The atmosphere strikes a balance between old-world charm and contemporary luxury, inviting visitors to slow down and savor each moment.

Like much of western North Carolina, the Grand Bohemian faced unimaginable damage when Hurricane Helene struck in the fall of 2024. Torrential rains swelled the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, sending water rushing straight into Biltmore Village—and through the hotel’s front doors.

Director of Rooms Andy Brown remembers it clearly. “We hung out on the second floor and watched it,” Brown says. “We were putting towels at the base of the doors, thinking it couldn’t get worse … and then we got the alert they were going to release the levee.

That’s when it came in fast. Within 10 minutes, we had six, eight inches of water pouring in.”

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025 | 49

The floodwaters swept with relentless force. They flooded the entire first floor, submerging the lobby, bar, front desk, restaurant, and countless treasured furnishings and art installations. The impact was devastating. When the waters finally receded, the sight was heartbreaking. “It looked like a current going right through the hotel,” Brown recalls. “Furniture floated out the doors, upended, stacked on top of the bar.

Everything was gone.”

Many hotels might have shut their doors for good after such destruction. But for the Grand Bohemian— part of The Kessler Collection—giving up wasn’t an option. Within hours, restoration crews were on site, carefully dismantling and cataloging every piece of carved wood, every antique pillar, and every one-of-akind artwork.

“We took down every panel of wood, labeled them, and sent them to Charlotte to be restored,” Brown explains. “Same with the antique pillars and the artwork. It wasn’t just replacing what was damaged—it was reclaiming it.”

Some elements, like the boutique Black Forest Wine Room with its striking onyx backdrop, were nearly impossible to replicate. Today, this moody, intimate space remains a true jewel of the hotel—a haven for wine lovers and connoisseurs alike. Yet where nature took more than it gave back, the hotel leaned into reinvention—commissioning a local artist to hand-paint a mural, no stencil needed, to honor what had been lost.

By May 2025, the Grand Bohemian reopened its doors. When I stepped into my room, it was hard to believe what this place had endured just months before. Plush fabrics, rich woods, and handpicked art pieces surrounded me in warmth. The space felt simultaneously decadent and deeply comforting.

Each room is carefully curated to blend luxury with a sense of place. Textures and elements echo Asheville’s artistic spirit and mountain heritage.

Perhaps most remarkably, about 70 percent of the original staff returned, many having worked at other Kessler properties while their Asheville home was being revitalized.

“We’re proud of our little hotel,” Brown says. “It might be small, but we go over the top in the details.

And after everything we’ve been through, it feels really good to welcome guests back again.”

AN IMMERSIVE WORLD OF ART

One of my favorite moments was wandering through the Grand Bohemian Gallery, guided by curator Constance Richards, whose passion for this space runs deep and feels contagious the moment you step inside.

When she unlocked the gallery’s story, it became clear this wasn’t just a hallway lined with art—it’s part of the hotel’s very soul.

“There was mud sitting right here,” Richards recalls, pointing to the spot on the gallery floor where the river’s aftermath had once settled. “A lot of things probably just washed down the river.”

Rather than rebuild the gallery exactly as it was, the team took a bold step. They tore down a dividing wall to let the gallery flow straight into the lobby, blurring lines between art and hospitality. Now, whether you’re sipping a cocktail or a coffee, you’re invited to explore vibrant works by artists like Jean Claude Roy. He is a self-taught French painter, renowned for kinetic landscapes and the tiny sun hidden within each canvas.

“They come in and try to find the sun in each painting,” Richards says. “It’s become a ritual.”

Once a year, Roy brings his new collection here for an intimate art-and-wine dinner that’s become the

OPPOSITE PAGE: Inside the Grand Bohemian Gallery you’ll find unique paintings and work from artists both locally and abroad, including Jean Claude Roy. THIS PAGE: The Red Stag Grill on the ground floor of the Grand Bohemian offers guests a fancy night out.

hotel’s biggest creative event. “It’s our biggest art event,” Richards says. “We unveil everything that night. It’s like a celebration of his year’s work.”

Alongside Roy’s kinetic landscapes, the hotel showcases the mystical oil and gold leaf paintings of Chris Sedgwick. His work is steeped in mythology and alchemical symbolism. The elegant, ballet-inspired figures of Anna Razumovskaya are also featured. For guests drawn to more than just paintings, this was the first Kessler gallery to incorporate fine jewelry and apparel into its curation. Monthly receptions, trunk shows, and “meet the artist” evenings keep the space alive year-round. It remains a gathering place for locals and travelers alike.

“Mr. Kessler was ahead of his time,” Richards notes.

“Before all those ‘art hotels’ became trendy, he realized guests wanted to buy what they saw. So he built an entire gallery program.”

Today, that vision thrives in Asheville, Charleston, Greenville, St. Augustine, and Mountain Brook (Alabama)—but here, the gallery’s comeback feels like a personal triumph you can see and feel.

A CULINARY ESCAPE AT THE RED STAG GRILL

The Red Stag Grill is the signature restaurant inside the Grand Bohemian. It is its own destination—part European chophouse, part hunting lodge, part culinary adventure. Beneath crystal antler chandeliers, guests can savor a spread that feels both decadent and comforting.

The offerings include elk carpaccio, crispy quail, and the Bohemian Hunt Board, stacked with prosciutto and smoked boar sausage. The menu strikes a fine balance between upscale game and Appalachian comfort.

For the bold, there’s the $100 martini cart—a tableside showpiece featuring Belvedere 10 vodka and Procera Blue Dot gin, artisanal olives, and Italian vermouth, all poured into crystal stemware. The extensive wine list, boasting over 700 bottles, makes any wine enthusiast feel right at home.

Breakfasts at Red Stag Grill are equally inviting, featuring local ingredients and options such as smoothie bowls, avocado toast, omelets, and smoked salmon toast, accompanied by rich French press coffee.

It’s the perfect way to start a day of exploring Asheville’s mountain charm.

A stay at the Grand Bohemian in Asheville is proof that what is built with intention and care can weather even the fiercest storms. The lobby gleams again, the Black Forest Wine Room glows with soft light, the gallery pulses with life—and the staff greet you like family, ready to share the next chapter of a story that somehow feels like your own.

Experience the Grand Bohemian Asheville for yourself—step inside, and become part of its remarkable story.

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The lobby of the Grand Bohemian is a treasure trove of unique wood sculptures, rare paintings, and books— a perfect place to unwind with a drink while waiting for your reservation at the Red Stag Grill.

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Th t he N e bricks ou C Ex ecut i tside of ve M ansio n.

Raleigh’s Haunted History

STORY BY DATHAN KAZSUK | PHOTOS BY JESSICA BRATTON PHOTOGRAPHIC DIGITAL ALCHEMY BY SEAN BYRNE

R

aleigh might be all rooftop bars and luxury apartments these days, but underneath that shiny new veneer is a city with some serious mileage. And with that age comes history. And with that history? Well, let’s say things tend to hang around long after last call.

I’ve never really bought into ghost stories. Those paranormal reality shows where someone screams about cold spots or picks up a crackly “Get out” on a $19 voice recorder? Come on. I always chalked it up to overactive imaginations or bad audio mixing. But recently, that smug skepticism of mine took a bit of a hit—all thanks to a cloudy afternoon walk through Oakwood Cemetery when my trusty iPhone picked up not one, not two, but three EVP (electronic voice phenomena) responses that made the hairs on my arms stand up.

That unexpected brush with Raleigh’s spiritual side sent me down a rabbit hole of local legends, haunted histories, and supposedly cursed corners of downtown. To dig a little deeper, I reached out to Brad Kennedy, owner of Tobacco Road Tours, which offers historical ghost walks in both Raleigh and Durham. With a group of curious friends and a few brave souls from the Midtown team, we tagged along for a private Haunted Footsteps tour of downtown’s most spirited spaces.

Brad had stories. And I’ve got a few of my own up my sleeve. What follows is a ghostly guide to Raleigh’s creepiest corners—a mix of fact, folklore, and the kind of things that go bump in the night.

Let’s go ghost hunting.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A “Memento Mori” photograph is where a family member poses beside a sibling or relative who is deceased. In this image, the woman on the left is deceased. An eerie ghost story from inside the second floor of the North Carolina State Capitol involves a story from this room. Bricks outside of the North Carolina Executive Mansion were engraved by chain-gang prisoners, leaving their mark on history.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025 | 55

the tale a hundred times, but that just made it worse. “It’s not just the creaks and moans,” he adds.

“There’s something about that place ... like it still wants to be remembered.” And maybe that’s exactly what these ghosts are doing.

THE NORTH CAROLINA EXECUTIVE MANSION

of t he I n front

House. n a m ol H White-

THE YARBOROUGH HOTEL If Raleigh’s ghosts had a social calendar, the old Yarborough Hotel would’ve been the hottest haunt in town. Back in its heyday—from 1865 to 1891—the Yarborough wasn’t just a place to crash. It was the political and social nucleus of downtown.

Presidents stayed there. Governors plotted there. And according to Kennedy, who’s been running ghost tours in the Triangle for nearly two decades, “People traveled hundreds of miles just to be seen in its lobby.”

But its glamorous reputation didn’t go quietly.

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On July 3, 1928, the Yarborough caught fire and burned beyond repair. What rose in its place—now known as The Hudson—may be modern condos, but some say the old energy never left.

Kennedy discussed Room 219 with our small crew of skeptics.

A woman staying there—after a spat with her husband—noticed a strange, dark pool on the floor.

Curious, she touched it. “It started to crawl up her arm,” he says, “and as it did, it turned red— like it was oxygenating.” She ran screaming down the hallway and never returned. Kennedy’s voice was steady, like a man who’s told

The North Carolina Executive Mansion may be a Queen Anne showpiece with sweeping staircases and handcrafted trim, but some say it still echoes with unfinished business from the very first man who ever lived—and died—inside. Governor Daniel G. Fowle moved into the grand home in 1891 with his four children.

A widower, Fowle commissioned a custom-made bed large enough to share with his youngest son. It was designed for comfort, but would quickly become something else entirely.

Fowle died in that very bed just three months later—the first (and only) sitting governor to die inside the mansion. Some say he never left.

Years later, in 1969, Governor Bob Scott replaced Fowle’s original bed, claiming it was too short for his feet. But soon after the swap, something strange began to happen. “At the right hour of 10 o’clock,” Kennedy told our group, “Scott and his wife would hear a knock—just one, a deep boom— from behind the headboard.”

It wasn’t plumbing. It wasn’t the wind. It happened night after night. Not violent, not threatening—just persistent. Scott eventually named it the knock of Governor Fowle. The only theory that made sense? Fowle wanted his bed back.

And apparently, he got it.

Fast-forward to Governor Roy Cooper’s administration. Aware of the legend, Cooper had Fowle’s original bed frame tracked down, restored, and returned to the mansion. Since then, the knocking has stopped. For now, at least. But as Kennedy put it during our tour, “You never really leave the building if you never wanted to.” Especially when your unfinished business is framed in oak, covered in linens, and waiting on the second floor.

turned to leave, her bag bumped the door. The arguing stopped.

The men slowly turned toward her—all five of them. Even the three with their backs to her, their heads twisted around 180 degrees, locking eyes with her in dead silence.

She ran. Out the door. Into the night.

Too shaken to return, she contacted the North Carolina State Capitol Police the next morning and agreed to give a full report—

under one condition: They record every word. That recording still exists, capturing one of Raleigh’s most unsettling and credible ghost encounters.

OAKWOOD CEMETERY Tucked behind the wrought iron gates at 701 Oakwood Avenue, this 19th century burial ground is one of Raleigh’s most hauntingly beautiful spaces—and, by many accounts, haunted in more than just appearance.

THE STATE CAPITOL In 1996, a young woman—likely a graduate or law student—was working late in the historic North Carolina State Capitol when she began hearing voices down the hall. It was just after 5 p.m. in February, already dark outside.

She assumed it was a late group of tourists getting one last look.

But the voices weren’t casual— they were shouting, arguing. Heated.

She stepped into the hallway and saw them: five men, dressed in 1800s clothing—top hats, beards, long coats—engaged in a full-blown political fight. Their gestures were aggressive, their voices loud, and they were debating something related to the Civil War. She stood frozen, trying to make sense of what she was seeing. As she OPPOSITE PAGE AND ON RIGHT: The Haunted Footsteps tour pauses in front of the White-Holman House. Built in the late 1700s, this house is famous for the peg-leg ghost whose footsteps— “step…clack, step…clack”—can be heard on the back staircase.

Haunted Fo

otsteps G u

ide B rad

Kennedy

It was a chilly February afternoon—the kind of day when the fog clings low, making everything seem a little more sinister. My wife, Jen, and I were walking the grounds filming for our YouTube channel, not expecting much more than scenic B-roll. But the real surprise didn’t hit until we got home and started editing the footage.

While panning across the bars of a locked mausoleum, Jen joked, “We should get one of these.” And right there, on the audio track, a man’s voice answered back: “If you want to.” No one was around. No one else spoke. And just like that, the hair on our arms stood straight up.

But it didn’t stop there.

Later, while filming near a child’s grave adorned with Batman figures, we captured a small voice—

clear as day—telling me to “Stop.”

And just a few moments after that, the camera picked up what sounded like two distinct voices speaking to each other … but in a language we couldn’t place. I even sent the clip to a paranormal group in Durham.

Their verdict? Definitely something. And even they couldn’t identify the dialect.

I used to be a skeptic. Chalked it all up to dust particles, lens flares, maybe a creaky squirrel.

But after that day? Let’s just say I’m a little more open-minded than I used to be.

Do you believe? Because now ...

I just might.

Ready to book a Haunted Footsteps Tour of your own? Visit Tobacco Road Tours at

ass of 2025 at Cl s ep st ot Fo d te The Haun tive Mansion. cu e x E C N the the gates of

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tobaccoroadtours.com

GHOST IMAGE BY STOCK.ADOBE.COM/THIAGO

Founded in 1869, Historic Oakwood Cemetery was initially established as a final resting place for Confederate soldiers. Over time, it grew into a sprawling 102-acre garden cemetery where many of North Carolina’s most notable figures now rest. Among them: Governor Charles Brantley Aycock, U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, and North Carolina State University basketball coach Jim Valvano.

Visitors love to talk about the strange things they’ve seen or felt at Oakwood Cemetery—cold spots, whispers in the wind, shadowy figures darting between tombstones. Paranormal investigators have captured their share of odd photos and EVP recordings. And now? I’ve got a few of my own.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025 | 59

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Kim Greer, NP is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with over a decade of experience. Specializing in hormone replacement therapy (HRT), she takes a compassionate, holistic approach to care.

Her personal journey with hormone optimization and weight loss fuels her passion for helping others regain energy, balance, and vitality.

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Dr. Dicie Nathani, a holistic chiropractic physician and co-owner of 4EVER Young North Raleigh, also runs her own holistic medicine facility, where she practices functional medicine. Her passion for whole-body healing inspired her to help create a space where patients can improve their health through IV therapy and hormone optimization.

At 4EVER Young North Raleigh, we don’t just treat symptoms—we empower transformation.

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FRONT ROW: Lavanya Nagaraj, MD; Michele Lokitz, MD; Jayashri Ghate, MD; Kathy O’Rourke, MD; Caroline Day, PA-C; Shelley Cathcart, MD; Holly Rasmussen, PA-C BACK ROW: Jocelyn Mendes, MD; Kendall Hash, MD; Karla Flores Chavez, PA-C; Carrie Alspaugh, MD; Brittany Atkinson, PA-C; Nikita Goel, MD Blue Ridge Dermatology Associates offers comprehensive and personalized skin care, treating a wide range of skin conditions. Each of our providers is a board-certified and state-licensed medical professional. Together, we have years of experience diagnosing and treating skin conditions—with a genuine concern for your health and happiness.

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Our goal is to deliver exceptional care and to be a trusted resource for the health of your skin by getting to know our patients as individuals—not just by their medical charts. As a locally owned practice founded here in the Triangle, we are a part of the community, and we take pride in caring for our neighbors as if they are family (and some of them are!). We hope to be your choice for dermatological care.

the best, most comprehensive, and compassionate medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatologic care.

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CAROLINA TOTAL WELLNESS Dr. Didem Miraloglu, MD, MS, IFMCP; Dr. Susan D. Denny, MD, MPH, IFMCP; Dr. Elena Hart, MD, IFMCP Susan D. Denny, MD, MPH, is the founder of Carolina Total Wellness in Raleigh. For over 12 years, she has led a team of highly trained and dedicated physicians and health coaches in serving the functional medicine needs of people in the Triangle. Drs. Denny, Miraloglu, and Hart are all experienced medical doctors with additional certification in functional medicine through The Institute for Functional Medicine.

At Carolina Total Wellness, our functional medicine physicians are highly skilled in evaluating, assessing, and treating chronic problems such as autoimmune diseases,

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gastrointestinal illness, inflammatory disorders, mood disorders, chronic fatigue, pain disorders, memory problems, and other chronic, complex conditions. They also focus on the prevention and treatment of heart disease, diabetes, cognitive impairment, hormonal imbalances, and digestive disorders.

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Dr. Don Bailey At Lane & Associates Family Dentistry, we believe your smile should be as powerful as your personality. With over 45 years of trusted care and a dedicated team that includes the Official Team Dentists of the Carolina Hurricanes, we deliver advanced cosmetic dentistry with a personalized touch.

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LANE & ASSOCIATES FAMILY DENTISTRY

M E E T T H E D O C T O R S | M IDTOWN PA IN A N D SP IN E C L IN IC

MIDTOWN PAIN AND SPINE CLINIC Thomas J. Weber, DO Thomas J. Weber, D.O., is passionate about serving his community and helping patients live a pain-free life. After enlisting in the U.S. Army at age 18, he worked extensively with the special operations forces and began his medical career by earning his doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from Kirksville College in Missouri. Upon graduation, he completed an internship at Eisenhower Army Medical Center and received his board certification in anesthesiology from Walter Reed National Military Medical Hospital.

Post-residency, Dr. Weber was deployed to Iraq, and at age 29 was selected chief of anesthesia, working as a trauma

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anesthesiologist. Once stateside, he established the first pain management clinic at Fort Bragg, treating soldiers and their family members.

After 12 years of active duty, Dr. Weber retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel and attended Wake Forest University, completing his fellowship in pain medicine and becoming board certified.

In 2012, Dr. Weber joined Duke Raleigh Hospital as the medical director of pain medicine services, launching the pain clinic for Duke Neurosurgery. In his 5 years at Duke, he became the highest-producing

anesthesiologist before starting his own pain management clinic, Midtown Pain and Spine Clinic, in 2017.

“What sets Midtown Pain and Spine apart is our white-glove service, quick access for appointments, and treating the patient from head to toe. Along with advanced diagnostics, nonsurgical, and interventional treatments, we help cure pain so patients can get back to an active lifestyle.”

8300 Health Park, Suite 309, Raleigh 984.272.4028 midtownpainandspine.com

Dr. Macon Singletary, Diplomate in Periodontology Start Smiling Again!

A beautiful smile can help you feel confident and attractive, affecting how you feel about yourself and how others perceive you.

Healthy teeth and gums are the first step toward that radiant smile.

Dr. Macon Singletary of North Raleigh Periodontics & Implant Center has been improving smiles from the gums up for over 25 years. As a Board Certified Diplomate with the American Board of Periodontology and a Laser Certified Periodontist, Dr. Singletary treats gum tissue

to maintain the health, functionality, and aesthetic qualities for his patients.

Dr. Singletary graduated from Duke University with a bachelor’s in chemistry.

He received a DDS degree from Emory University School of Dentistry and completed his specialty training at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry, Department of Periodontics. He then became a diplomate, which is defined as “a periodontist who has made significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements of the specialty and who is certified by the American Board of Periodontology.”

Dr. Macon Singletary continuously strives to provide the highest quality dental implants and other periodontal treatments to his patients while offering options for both sedation and financing. “My ultimate goal is to educate my patients concerning their treatment options and to provide excellent periodontal care.”

7805 Fiesta Way, Raleigh 919.518.8222 northraleighperio.com

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M E E T T H E D O C T O R S | N O RTH R A LE I GH P E RI O DO NTI CS & I MP LA NT CE NTE R

NORTH RALEIGH PERIODONTICS & IMPLANT CENTER

MEET THE DOCTORS | PREMIER PROSTHODONTICS

PREMIER PROSTHODONTICS Dr. Hugh Murphy Dr. Hugh Murphy is a board-certified prosthodontist practicing in Raleigh, North Carolina since 2017. He is highly regarded for the artistry in his work as well as his ability to treat patients with complex needs and high expectations.

As a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics, Dr. Murphy has been recognized for being outstanding in his field.

He is also a professional artist and published author and illustrator, with commissioned works including various watercolors and illustrations for the American Museum of Natural History in New York, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Penguin Randomhouse Publishing, and others. His artistic skill and advanced training has helped solidify his reputation as the premier dental specialist in Raleigh.

Last year Dr. Murphy opened Premier Prosthodontics, a stunning, state-of-the-art facility designed to provide patients with the ultimate experience in comfort and care.

Luxurious surgical suites with TVs on the ceiling give patients that are nervous about going to the dentist a calm, comforting environment. The office also has the most beautiful in-house lab with the latest technology and equipment that Dr. Murphy uses to design, plan, and fabricate exquisite restorations that result in exceptional treatment outcomes for his patients.

“Whether you are seeking to restore your smile and look your best or are seeking complex treatment to restore your quality of life, we have the compassion and character to treat your needs as well as the talent and expertise to surpass your expectations.”

3820 Ed Drive, Suite 100, Raleigh 919.510.8886 premierprosthodontics.com

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Dr. Bhavna Vaidya, MD When it comes to redefining modern wellness, no one is doing it quite like Dr. Bhavna Vaidya, MD. An integrative, board-certified physician and founder of Regenesis MD, Dr. Vaidya is transforming lives by combining advanced medical aesthetics with a deeply personalized, whole-person approach to health and longevity. Voted Raleigh’s Best Med Spa of 2025, Regenesis MD has become the gold standard for clients seeking to look and feel their best—from the inside out.

Dr. Vaidya’s unmatched expertise lies in her ability to treat what traditional medicine often overlooks: the intersection of beauty, aging, hormone health, and emotional well-being. Her innovative protocols blend cutting-edge treatments like IV therapy, bioidentical hormones, peptides, PDO thread lifts, and regenerative aesthetic procedures— delivered in a supportive, medically-led environment that prioritizes the individual, not just their symptoms.

With over 200 premium supplements and medical-grade skin care products offered in-house, Regenesis MD delivers fully customized wellness regimens that empower patients to reclaim energy, confidence, and vitality at every stage of life.

Dr. Vaidya’s patients aren’t just seeing results— they’re experiencing radical transformation.

From reversing signs of aging to resolving long-standing health concerns, her work is nothing short of life-changing.

This isn’t just a med spa—it’s a movement.

And Dr. Bhavna Vaidya, MD is leading it.

8020 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh 919.322.2844 regenesismd.com

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M E E T T H E D O C T O R S | R EG E N E SIS MD

REGENESIS MD

MEET THE DOCTORS | SPECIALISTS IN PLASTIC SURGERY

SPECIALISTS IN PLASTIC SURGERY Dr. Matthew Blanton and Dr. Sanjay Daluvoy At Specialists in Plastic Surgery in Raleigh, board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Matthew Blanton and Dr. Sanjay Daluvoy are redefining cosmetic transformations with a highly personalized, natural-looking approach. Think—you, only better. Warm, individual attention lies at the heart of their practice philosophy—what is important to you is crucial to us.

Dr. Blanton brings top-tier training from Duke University and specializes in cosmetic procedures such as mommy makeovers, breast reductions, and rhinoplasties. His consultations are tailored to each patient’s goals. Patients consistently praise his compassion, clear explanations, and realistic expectations, often noting how confident and cared for they feel every step of the way.

Dr. Daluvoy blends academic excellence with a genuine commitment to patient care. A graduate of Duke University’s plastic surgery fellowship, he offers careful, detail-oriented work in procedures such as deep plane facelifts, tummy tucks, and mommy makeovers. His meticulous approach and natural-looking results have earned him glowing praise from patients, who describe him as professional, thorough, and deeply compassionate.

The surgeons operate from an in-house private AAAASF-accredited surgical center with an exceptional care team.

Whether enhancing the breasts, sculpting the body, or refining the nose, their goal remains unwavering—creating authentic results that boost confidence and look effortlessly natural.

3633 Harden Road #200, Raleigh 919.785.0505 specialistsinplasticsurgery.com

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M E E T T H E D O C T O R S | TR IA N G L E ACUP UNCTURE CLI NI C

TRIANGLE ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC Daerr Reid, LAc Reclaim Your Balance. Restore Your Glow.

At Triangle Acupuncture Clinic, our team of nine experienced acupuncturists offers a welcoming space where holistic care meets compassionate expertise. For over 20 years, we’ve been helping the Triangle community feel their best—one personalized treatment at a time.

Meet Daerr Reid, LAc, a seasoned acupuncturist with over two decades of clinical experience and a deeply intuitive approach to healing. Her specialties include pain management, hormonal balance, digestive health, anxiety, and more! All rooted

in the wisdom of Chinese medicine and integrated with modern biomedical insights.

Daerr has also served as president of the North Carolina Society of Acupuncture and Asian Medicine and is a respected voice in the profession.

Now, Daerr brings that same depth of knowledge and care to our Cosmetic Acupuncture and Integrative Microneedling service; offering natural facial rejuvenation techniques that enhance both skin health and inner vitality.

Whether you’re seeking internal balance or an external glow, Daerr and the team at Triangle

Acupuncture Clinic are here to guide your wellness journey. Step into a space where healing is personalized, modern, and deeply rooted in tradition.

“I’ve been living for almost two and a half years with unexplained symptoms, and after only one month of treatment with TAC, I’m finally experiencing some relief!”

—C.V., Raleigh 4301 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 210, Raleigh 104 S. Estes Drive, Suite 104, Chapel Hill Instagram: @triangleacupunctureclinic triangleacupunctureclinic.com

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M E E T T H E D O C T O R S | TA N N A N P L A S T I C S U R G E R Y

TANNAN PLASTIC SURGERY Dr. Shruti C. Tannan Your journey through motherhood and time is uniquely yours, and so is your beauty. Are you looking to restore your youthful silhouette after pregnancy or lift sagging skin due to aging or weight loss?

Dr. Shruti Tannan and her all-female team at Tannan Plastic Surgery are ready to customize a treatment plan just for you.

Dr. Tannan is a board-certified plastic surgeon who brings a rare depth of expertise to her practice with a subspecialty in microvascular and hand surgery. Her commitment to excellence is reflected in her active memberships with

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The Aesthetic Society and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, two top-tier plastic surgery organizations in the country. She and her husband are longtime residents of North Carolina.

As both a mom and a plastic surgeon, Dr. Tannan truly recognizes the unique pressures women face. She looks beyond surgery, helping you feel naturally beautiful and confident from within. Tannan Plastic Surgery embraces a patient-centered approach, identifying your personal goals and understanding your daily activities and responsibilities both inside and outside the

home. With their own Quad A certified operating room and highly skilled team, Tannan Plastic Surgery offers a full range of breast, body, and face procedures, always putting you first.

2709 Blue Ridge Road #150, Raleigh 919.797.0996 tannanmd.com

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D E PA R T M E N T H O M E & L I V I N G

MADE BY HAND

Pottery pros Mark Warren and Chris Pence are creating creamics and community in central North Carolina and beyond STORY BY K ATY SHERO | PHOTOS COURTESY OF HA AND

T

he art of hosting a good dinner party goes further than the food; it’s how the table is set.

The table setting establishes the ambiance and mood for the occasion, and memorable, eclectic tableware pieces open doors to conversation and connection: key commodities Mark Warren aspires to evoke in every piece of pottery that’s crafted at Haand. “There’s a presence to a handmade thing that people connect with,” Warren says.

Warren is the co-owner of Haand, a porcelain pottery business housed in a 13,000-square-foot former hosiery mill in downtown Burlington.

Warren, along with his business partner Chris

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Pence, have been crafting, mastering, and sharing their art since 2012. You could say Warren and Pence know pottery like the back of their hand.

But for Warren, falling into pottery was accidental.

He was initially interested in furniture design and metalworking, and only took a class in ceramics at the Penland School of Craft to gain the translatable skill of moldmaking for metalworking. “I kind of just started doing ceramics in this class, and it was the first thing I’d ever done that people were like, ‘Hey, can I buy that from you?’” Warren says. He jokes, “Perhaps they didn’t have good taste or perhaps I didn’t, but people actually wanted to buy this.”

He says he realized how fulfilled this made him and knew he had to pursue his newfound passion. He had a vision—and so did Pence, a former accountant.

Together, the Jacksonville natives and high school friends paired their creativity with entrepreneurship to form Haand. “We were talking about it, and it just sort of clicked,” Warren says.

However, the road wasn’t always smooth. Haand’s roots started in a Durham “decrepit farmhouse with no potable water and mercurial electricity,” and putting in overtime at gift shows and craft fairs to make sales.

Then, a breakthrough: Ashley Christensen’s Death & Taxes restaurant in Raleigh.

“That was a really big order, and then we started doing more restaurant orders, and that was sort of our bread and butter for 5 years,” Warren says. “You think about it—they need like 1,000 plates. That’s a week of work, and then you add a couple of other restaurants in, and it adds up.”

Today, Haand has worked with more than 175 restaurants—locally, nationally, and internationally— and that number continues to grow. You may have even crossed paths with their pieces, as they can be found in many beloved establishments around the Triangle, including Peregrine and Brodeto.

Peregrine co-owner and designer Patrick Shanahan says all of the restaurant’s dinnerware is from Haand, and they love supporting a local business whose aesthetic “speaks a similar language to that of the restaurant … embracing the handmade, the wabi-sabi, the unique and daring.”

“Customers often ask where our plateware was made or we catch them tipping the plates to catch a glimpse of the maker’s mark, and we love seeing their surprised look when they realize they’re made in North Carolina,” Shanahan adds.

Chef Scott Crawford, owner of Brodeto, seconds this. “Customers often comment on the beauty and uniqueness of our plateware,” he says. “The Haand pieces we have are organic and neutral in colors, like vanilla bean and terracotta, to match our design aesthetic.” He also emphasizes how important it is that he, as a small business owner, supports other small businesses and local craftsmen who are “committed to quality and relationship-based service.”

OPPOSITE PAGE: Haand pottery is used a lot in the North Carolina restaurant industry thanks to its unique and organic look.

THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: Haand founders, Mark Warren and Chris Pence. They employ a small but dedicated team at their studio. An employee casts dinnerware.

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“They were eager to make custom pieces to complement our specific concept. That willingness to create something new for us makes me especially proud to support them,” he says.

Warren agrees that Haand’s commitment to quality, detail, and sustainable practices make them stand out, but his 20-plus employees are also an ingredient in their success. “We’ve had a lot of people who have worked with us for quite a while,” he says. “Being that safe place for our employees, and watching them grow and be with us, and sweating their butt off in July and still being happy to be doing this … it’s rewarding.”

Equally rewarding, he says, is having an outlet to execute ideas and watch them flourish into life. “For me, this is pathological. If I wasn’t doing this here, I’d be doing it at home and annoying my wife,” he says with a laugh.

There are a lot of exciting plans in store for Haand later this year, including a new tableware line, more shapes, and glassblowing. Warren says it’s an exciting time as there’s a renewed interest in local and authentic goods.

“If a person made it, you can tell someone really cared about it,” he says.

“It’s easier to be creative now with computer-generated creativity like AI, so by not doing that, there’s even more of an emphasis to have something that someone’s labored over.”

RIGHT: An employee stamping the maker's mark on the bottom of a plate.

BELOW: Haand also offers colorful versions of their dinnerware.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 919.782.4710 midtownmag.com

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025 | 79

Photo courtesy of Crossroads Corn Maze.

D E PA R T M E N T O U T & A B O U T

FALL TRADITIONS, LOCAL ROOTS STORY BY KRISTEN SCHRUM

E

very fall, a quiet kind of magic rolls into the Triangle’s farmland—rows of rustling corn, tractor engines humming to life, and families spilling into pumpkin fields with boots and an apple cider in hand. But behind the hayrides and corn mazes are local families who’ve worked the same soil for generations, neighbors who turned their land into gathering places, and simple traditions that keep people coming back year after year.

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Ken’s Korny Corn Maze (Garner) Where Getting Lost Is the Whole Point Back in 1999, Ken Walker plowed six acres of corn into a maze. “From the very beginning, Ken’s goal was to create a maze that brought families and friends together to enjoy the outdoors and see agriculture in a different way: from the middle of a sea of corn.” says Amy Woolard, manager of Ken’s Produce and Garden Center.

More than two decades later, Ken’s Korny Corn Maze is still a fall staple in the Triangle, known for its winding trails and cheerful wordplay. “I love seeing the smiles, hearing the laughter, and watching people get corn-fused,” Walker is known to say. In addition to the maze, there is a 2-acre Adventure Zone with slides, games, cattle lassoing, and even soccer billiards.

Then there’s Ken’s Pumpkin House—three greenhouses bursting with 27 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, plus mums, fall flowers, fresh North Carolina apples, and plenty of front porch–worthy décor. It all connects back to Walker’s first idea: Fall fun could be rooted in farming, and the best traditions start with a simple walk through a field of corn.

Corn Maze Season: Sept. 20–Nov. 9 Maze Hours: Friday: 4–9 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Sunday: 12–8 p.m.

Garden Center Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Page Farms (Raleigh) A Front Porch Welcome, Four Generations Deep Tucked just outside the city, Page Farms has been in the same family for over a century— four generations working the same hundred acres since 1922. Fall at Page Farms is one of the most anticipated times of year. “Our hay ride takes you through the cow pastures, so you have a good chance of seeing animals,” says Justin Page. “It drops families right off at our pumpkin patch, where they can pick their pumpkin right off the vine.”

In addition to the unique pumpkin patch, guests can enjoy a corn maze, a hay maze for little ones, slides, swings, duck races, and plenty of wide-open space for kids to explore.

Fall Season: Sept. 20–Nov. 2 Farm Hours: Tuesday–Thursday: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Friday–Sunday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Hill Ridge Farms (Youngsville) A Generations-Deep Fall Festival with Room to Roam When the Hill family first welcomed visitors to their farm in 1968, it was one of the area’s first “pick-your-own” destinations. What started as a small local offering has grown into a fullscale fall festival, drawing more than 10,000 guests each weekend—all still managed by the same family with the same neighborly spirit.

“There’s so much to do,” says owner Jennifer Garry. “We have jumping pillows, a huge jumping pad, giant slides, train rides, carousels—it’s really a full day.”

A standout feature is the Country Store, packed with nostalgic charm—barrels of candy, farm-themed toys, and seasonal gifts.

But it’s the fresh doughnuts that leave the biggest impression. Don’t leave without trying the Apple Cider Glazed or Apple Cinnamon Sugar, and if you’re lucky, a slab of homemade fudge for the road.

Fall Festival: Sept. 24–Nov. 7 Farm Hours: Wednesday–Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Porter Farms & Nursery (Raleigh) Award-Winning Pumpkins With two locations (Ten Ten Road and Highway 42), Porter Farms has been a trusted name in local produce since 1997. Known for its friendly staff, exceptional quality, and freshly picked vegetables, the farm has built a loyal following, with many customers claiming its corn and tomatoes rival their own home gardens.

Come fall, Porter shifts focus to what they do best: pumpkins. “Our pumpkins have won ribbons at the [North Carolina] State Fair,” says nursery manager Gylian Morris. “And we have a huge variety.” At the nursery, visitors will find the largest selection of pumpkins and ornamental gourds in Raleigh.

Alongside the pumpkins, the farm offers colorful mums, dried corn stalks, ornamental gourds, and fall décor—all grown or sourced with care. There’s even a small photo stop for families looking to mark the season.

Pumpkin Season Begins: Early September Farm & Nursery Hours: Daily: 8:30 a.m.–9 p.m.

Crossroads Corn Maze (Knightdale/Rolesville) Where the Stalks Go Dark and the Phones Stay Pocketed Tucked between Knightdale and Rolesville, Crossroads Corn Maze offers a quieter kind of magic. Lee and Paula Perry started the maze in 2017 with their two children, Charlie and Kaylee, hoping to create a place where families could unplug, play, and make memories close to home.

Eight seasons later, the experience remains deeply personal—and intentionally small.

“We don’t want to get any bigger,” says Paula. “The families that come love the uniqueness of our size.” On any October weekend, guests can expect a warm fire, hot cider (or cold, if that’s your thing), s’mores, and simple, well-loved attractions: hayrides, pumpkins, lawn games, and the fan-favorite scavenger hunt. “Everybody raves over the scavenger hunt,” Paula says. And when the sun goes down, the stalks stay open—night mazes are a Crossroads tradition. Bring a flashlight and a sense of adventure.

What stands out most, though, is what’s missing. “What’s so fun for me as an owner is watching families not on their phones,” Paula says. “They’re constantly playing and enjoying making memories. And that is so amazing to see.”

Fall Season: Oct. 3–31 Daytime Hours: Friday: 1–9:00 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Sunday: 1–7:00 p.m.

Night Maze (When the Stalks Go Dark) Hours: Friday–Sunday: 7–9 p.m.

For a full list of fall activities across Wake County (and some beyond), check online at midtownmag.com for our Fall Fun Roundup.

Photos courtesy Ken's Korny Corn Maze.

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Figulina’s chef David Ellis prepares the dough for his orecchiette dish.

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D E PA R T M E N T S I P & S A V O R

TALKING SHOP WITH FIGULINA’S CHEF DAVID ELLIS STORY BY DATHAN KAZSUK | PHOTOS BY JESSICA BRATTON

I

’m not usually the guy who volunteers to get his hands dirty with hot dough on a weekday, and luckily, I didn’t have to.

But I did get to watch chef David Ellis effortlessly shape orecchiette, or as he puts it, “little ears.”

We’re standing at the pasta counter inside Figulina, his breakout Italian-ish restaurant in Raleigh that’s managed to fuse old-world technique with Southern charm—and is now riding high on a James Beard nomination for Best New Restaurant.

“I actually taught a pasta class here yesterday,” he says, forming the dough with the kind of ease that only comes from muscle memory. “It was a bit messy—people were flinging flour everywhere—but they loved it.”

Today, Ellis was making hot water dough. No eggs. “This is a good one for people to do at home,” he tells me. “No machine necessary. Just your hands and maybe a little patience.” He used durum flour to shape the orecchiette, using those perfect ridges to cling to the sauce.

I learned the hard way the last time, making dough for traditional Hungarian pastries—and haven’t made it again—but with some tips from Ellis, it might be time this holiday to give it another shot.

The restaurant’s name, Figulina, isn’t just a random Italian-sounding moniker. It has roots—both personal and historical. “My wife, Sam, came up with it,” Ellis says, while kneading the dough into that signature Play-Doh texture. “I’m originally from Stoke-on-Trent in England, which was known for pottery. She found this Latin word, figula, which means ‘to mold’ or ‘to shape.’ And from that came ‘figulina’—meaning ‘potter’s workshop.’”

It’s poetic, really. Pasta as sculpture. Plates as pottery. I get it! And Sam’s hand is everywhere in this space—designing the mural, managing social media, even inspiring tattoos. Yes, people have gotten her artwork inked on their bodies. “Someone got the two fish with noodles from our menu tattooed,” he laughs. I think they were angling for a discount.

Before we moved into the kitchen, I watched him bring the dough to life— cutting it, rolling it into tiny logs, then using a bench scraper and his thumb to shape each individual piece. “There might be 30 pieces on a plate,” he explains, “and we’ll do 30 of those plates in a night. That’s 900 little ears.

All made by hand.”

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That kind of commitment isn’t new to Ellis. Before opening Figulina, he spent time under the culinary powerhouse that is Ashley Christensen at Poole’s Diner.

“Ashley’s a force,” he says. “Being around someone like that—who’s constantly pushing boundaries—it makes you want to work harder. Be better.”

That same work ethic has followed him into Figulina’s kitchen. The James Beard nomination? It was a surprise. “I was in the kitchen, just prepping like any other day,” he says. “Then my PR person called. I had no idea. I wasn’t thinking about awards—I was just focused on the food.”

Food speaks multiple languages. And Figulina leans Italian in structure, but it’s also unapologetically Southern. Blistered tomatoes, local okra, smoked pork—it all finds its way into dishes that are equal parts comfort and craft. “We try to use what’s around us,” Ellis says. “Italian technique with Southern ingredients.

I mean, back in Europe, I didn’t use corn or okra—but here? It just works.”

He’s even slipping in some of his British roots.

“When we first opened, I had a few small plates that Chef David Ellis creates pasta with practiced ease, forming the dough with warm water and durum flour, shaping the pasta using a bench scraper, and topping with grated cheese.

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leaned English—soda bread, piccalilli, things like that,” he recalls. “These days, it’s more in the brunch menu. But I want to bring more of that back.”

When we sit down to sample his creation, Ellis sets down a plate that hits the sweet spot between rustic and soul—his handrolled orecchiette dressed in vibrant pesto, blistered cherry tomatoes, and fresh grated cheese. It’s warm, comforting, and quietly refined. As I take a bite, I can’t help but feel a little déjà vu. I think of this building’s past life as Humble Pie, where I once sat just a few feet away eating gnocchi.

This space has seen quite the transformation. From 1990 until its closure in 2023, it was home to Humble Pie. Before that, it served a more utilitarian purpose as a tile distributing company. Now, with Figulina and chef Ellis at the helm, this historic building is entering its new chapter—one I hope continues for years.

And as for the future? Ellis doesn’t seem too concerned about chasing those accolades. “The goal is to make good food, stay curious, and have fun,” he says.

After all, what’s more satisfying than shaping something from nothing—pasta, a restaurant, or dreams?

CHEF ELLIS’ ORECHIETTE RECIPE

W

eigh out 400 grams of durum flour and 200 grams of warm water. Bring the dough together in a bowl by making a well in the middle of the flour, then pour the water in.

With a fork, start mixing the water, bringing in little bits of flour from around the edges and mixing into the middle. Once it gets really thick in the middle, start mixing it all together, cutting the dough into little bits with a knife.

Once it is an even, shaggy mix, ball it up by squeezing it together.

Knead for a few minutes until it has a dimpled texture. Continue kneading until you have a nice, smooth ball, another three or so minutes.

Wrap tightly and rest for at least 30 minutes, but preferably 1 hour.

Slice a piece of the dough ball and, using your hands, roll out into a long strand on a chopping board. Once it is the width of a big finger, slice it into 2-centimeter pieces.

Press down and drag a knife firmly across the wooden board. It will curl up on itself, then turn it inside out over your finger.

Take some time to experiment with different

pressures when dragging; you need to press more firmly than you think. If it isn’t turning inside out well, it’s too thick, and you need to press harder.

Place the finished orecchiette on a baking tray dusted with coarse semolina.

Pesto Trapanese 50g whole almonds 1 garlic clove 50g olive oil 5g basil 15g parsley 250g cherry tomato 115g Roma tomato 60g pecorino romano 3g sea salt Toast the almonds at 350°F for 7–10 minutes, until golden brown.

Blend the almonds and oil until a smooth puree forms, then add the herbs and blend until smooth.

Add the remaining ingredients and puree until smooth.

Dish Pickup Serves 4 250g cherry tomato 1 Tbsp olive oil Pesto trapanese 1lb orecchiette Pecorino Romano Fresh basil Preheat a saucepan over medium heat.

Add the olive oil and the cherry tomatoes. Season the tomatoes with sea salt and cook until the skins begin to blister and the tomato starts to break down.

At this point, add the pesto trapanese and turn the heat down to low.

Drop the orecchiette into a pot of well-salted boiling water and cook for 4 minutes or until they have reached your desired texture.

Transfer the cooked orecchiette to the pan with the tomatoes and pesto trapanese, along with a little of the pasta water.

Toss the orecchiette with the sauce until the sauce coats and clings to the orecchiette.

Plate the pasta in a bowl and finish with a sprinkle of grated pecorino Romano and torn basil.

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D E PA R T M E N T S I P & S A V O R

AUTUMN SPIRITS What's Stirring in Fall Cocktails This Season

A

STORY BY DATHAN KAZSUK

s the crisp air rolls into the Triangle, so does a shift in the cocktail mood. The citrusy spritzes and beachside frozen blends of summer quietly fade, replaced by aromas of cinnamon, toasted oak, and smoked orange peel.

Bartenders across the region are prepping for their favorite season—when cozy lighting, richer spirits, and nostalgic flavors dominate the glass. In this roundup of fall’s most inviting cocktail haunts, we’ll sip through some standout spots around the

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Triangle, which include Durham’s Alley Twenty Six, Broadside & Brews in Wake Forest, Raleigh’s Boatman Spirits Co., and Olde Raleigh Distillery in Zebulon.

These drinks aren’t just about flavor—they’re about feeling. They’re meant to be held a little longer, sipped a little slower, and shared with good company in dimly lit lounges or on breezy patios wrapped in flannel. These bartenders aren’t just leaning into fall—they’re building menus that embrace it.

BOATMAN SPIRITS CO., RALEIGH Let’s begin during a quiet afternoon at Boatman Spirits Co. as co-owner and seasoned mixologist Zack Thomas gets to work. He makes it all look effortless, even as he leans into serious topics like seasonal flavor theory and bartender philosophy.

“Fall is just Thanksgiving,” Thomas says. “It’s drinks and flavors your family would love—those deep, rich, spicy notes.”

But while cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and allspice might be the easy go-to, Zack is quick to push boundaries. “We’re still cocktail nerds. So we introduce flavors that might not be as familiar to most people—things like quince, pomegranate, and dried fruits like raisins, which are underused but really dope.”

His latest creations embrace that Mediterranean lean, blending tradition with unexpected flair. One drink Thomas is developing uses passum—a Carthaginian wine infused with raisins that dates back to ancient times. He brings it into the modern world via a sherry cobbler, layered with powdered sugar and mint.

And in autumn, presentation matters. “In the summer, people are about being outdoors and with friends. But fall?

Fall’s about the ritual,” Thomas explains. “Guests want a show. It’s the season where bartenders get to shine—throwing cocktails, using fire, stirring with intent. We’re not just making drinks, we’re performing.”

Thomas’ fall menu showcases ingredients like chestnut orgeat and Corsican mint, swapping the expected for the elegant. “Cardamom’s another big one,” he notes. “It’s nostalgic and light—perfect for fall. You don’t want your fall cocktails to feel like a dessert course.”

ALLEY TWENTY SIX, DURHAM And while Thomas might be stirring things up in Raleigh, Durham has its own cocktail sage.

Enter Shannon Healy, the owner and visionary behind Alley Twenty Six, a nationally recognized bar that helped elevate Durham’s cocktail scene to what it is today. With a career that spans from Manhattan’s cocktail dens to

OPPOSITE PAGE & ABOVE: Zach Thomas with Boatman Spirits Co. gets creative with his fall drinks, using ingredients such as raisins in the drink above. Boatman Spirits cuts its own cubes for special drinks and the perfect old-fashioned. Photos by Josh Manning. BELOW: Shannon Healy of Durham's Alley Twenty Six likes using barrel-aged spirits to craft drinks to warm the body during the cooler months. Photos by Dathan Kazsuk.

building his own bitters line, Healy brings a thoughtful, ingredient-first approach to everything he pours.

When asked what flavors scream fall behind the bar, Healy doesn’t hesitate. “Barrel-aged spirits are always my go-to this time of year,” he says. “Things like cinnamon and allspice —those ‘fall’ spices—are actually used in warm-weather places like Jamaica all the time. But in our heads, they’re these cozy, cold-weather flavors. That association has evolved, and we play off that.”

For Healy, autumn cocktails are about the between—that liminal space where it’s no longer summer, but not quite winter. “Fall in North Carolina? It’s inconsistent at best. Some days are hot, some cold. So we have to craft drinks that work in that ‘shoulder season,’” he explains. “We’ll experiment with darker spirits, like barrel-aged gin or scotch, but also use seasonal fruits—persimmons, pawpaws, or cranberries if we’re edging toward November.”

The cocktail he crafted for this season embodies that balance. “It’s basically a fall twist on ranch water,” Healy says.

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ABOVE: This fall, look for the S’mores Old-Fashioned (left) made by Kristy Whipple at Zebulon’s Olde Raleigh Distillery. While over at Broadsides & Brews, Joni Falvey will feature a drink made with gin, pomegranate rosemary syrup, bergamot liqueur, and Earl Grey tea. Photos by Dathan Kazsuk.

“I’m using El Tesoro Añejo tequila, which brings warmth, some Becherovka for that cinnamon spice kick, and apple juice. It’s simple but smart—and that’s what people want right now. Something they recognize, but just a bit outside their comfort zone.”

For Healy, the real art is subtlety. “You have to meet people where they are. Give them the seasonal vibes without pulling them too far from what they know. And maybe—just maybe—get them to try something they wouldn’t have ordered last year.”

OLDE RALEIGH DISTILLERY, ZEBULON Tucked away in Zebulon, owner and master blender Brandon McCraney may still be working toward producing in-house distillate, but in the meantime, his expertly blended smallbatch bourbons have built a cult following. And if you’re seeking fall flavors, tasting room manager Kristy Whipple has just the thing.

“Fall, to me, is sitting around the campfire wrapped in a blanket, sipping something warm and cozy,” Whipple says.

“It’s about comfort—caramel, cinnamon, allspice, that feeling of making memories with friends.”

Whipple’s signature seasonal creation, the S’mores OldFashioned, captures that exact sentiment. Built on a base of Olde Raleigh’s small-batch bourbon, the cocktail includes chocolate bitters and just a touch of simple syrup, but it’s the garnish that seals the deal—an indulgent graham cracker and chocolate syrup rim paired with a toasted marshmallow.

“That rim makes the whole drink,” Whipple says. “And the marshmallow? People sip, bite, stir, melt—it’s an experience.

Do it however you desire.” As for what inspires her cocktail experiments? “I try to play with ingredients I’ve never used before. Figs, bananas, maple—even Dr Pepper found its way 90 | midtownmag.com

into one of my drinks. I want that wow factor.”

At Olde Raleigh, the drinks aren’t just well-crafted— they’re stories in a glass. And as the weather cools, there’s no better place to wrap your hands around one.

BROADSIDES & BREWS, WAKE FOREST In Wake Forest, Broadsides & Brews has become more than just a bar—it’s a cultural hub for cocktails, conversation, and creativity. Owned by Joni and Bryan Falvey, this arts-forward cocktail and piano lounge opened in late 2023.

“People told us we brought energy and excitement to Wake Forest,” says Joni, who not only co-owns the lounge but also crafts its seasonal drink menu. And when it comes to autumn cocktails, Joni delivers comfort in a glass.

“Autumn drinks should feel like wrapping your hands around a warm mug,” she says. “We’re leaning into spices, warmth, and depth—bourbons, rums, rye. They all have this ability to evoke those nostalgic flavors of fall.”

Falvey also crafted a second drink—a yet-to-be-named riff on a gin old-fashioned that’s anything but ordinary. Made with Cardinal barrel-rested gin, pomegranate rosemary syrup, Italicus Bergamot liqueur, and Crude’s Earl Grey, Juniper, and Rose bitters, it’s a stunning fall cocktail that highlights floral, citrus, and herbal notes. Look for that on the menu once the temperatures drop.

So, whether you’re sinking into a leather booth with a fig-laced dram in Durham or torching marshmallows in a smoked old-fashioned out in Zebulon, one thing’s clear— fall in the Triangle isn’t just a season, it’s a vibe. Ditch that pumpkin beer, grab your favorite flannel, and let your cocktail do the storytelling. Just don’t forget to eat the marshmallow.

NORTH CAROLINA RED WINES

BY JENNIFER PRIMROSE and DATHAN KAZSUK

With summer officially behind us and the cooler weather approaching, we dug into our wine cellar for some big North Carolina red wines.

Remember, not all North Carolina wine is sweet. These four reds explore many French and Italian varietals—perfect for the remainder of the year!

HIDDEN VINEYARD 2022 WILD THING PETIT VERDOT

PICCIONE VINEYARDS 2021 SIGNATURE RED BLEND

RAFFALDINI VINEYARDS 2022 GRANDE RISERVA

DYNAMIS ESTATE WINES 2019 THE MOUNTAIN ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Hidden Vineyard Dark, moody, and a little wild. This latest creation from the team over at Hidden Vineyard has blended a wine with hints of blackberry, smoky oak, and black pepper to make a wine perfect for the cooler weather.

This is proof that Petit Verdot doesn’t need blending to steal the show. Let it open up, and you’ll catch whispers of espresso and that guilty pleasure of danger.

Piccione Vineyards This Tuscan-inspired red blend signs its name in bold ink— think cherry cola, dusty herbs, and a classy vanilla finish.

Structured but suave, like a lawyer with a Vespa. Pair with meatballs or Mafia movies. Either way, you’ll finish the bottle.

It’s a wine that says, “I’ve got stories,” and delivers with every sip.

You'll find this wine in what I like to call NC’s “Little Italy.”

Raffaldini Vineyards Old World swagger with Appalachian altitude. This Montepulcianodominant blend struts with black cherry, tobacco leaf, and that telltale Raffaldini dried fig charm. Ageworthy? Absolutely.

But why wait when it’s already dancing on your tongue like Pavarotti at a vineyard opera? It’s bold yet elegant—like an Italian leather boot stomping through Yadkin soil.

– DK

– JP

– JP

$40/bottle

Hidden Vineyard Dobson hiddenvineyard.com

$48/bottle

Piccione Vineyards Ronda piccionevineyards.com

$65/bottle

Raffaldini Vineyards Ronda raffaldini.com

Dynamis Estate Wines A Bordeaux-style hit—massive structure, silky tannins, and flavors layered like an expensive oil painting.

Cabernet leads, but merlot, malbec, and friends play backup with grace. Plums, graphite, a hint of cigar box. This one’s for sipping slow— preferably fireside, with Sinatra on vinyl.

There’s altitude in the bottle.

Dathan Kazsuk and Jennifer Primrose are Triangle Around Town, a Raleigh-based lifestyle platform dedicated to uncovering the stories behind wine, beer, spirits, food, and travel. Since 2013, they have built a reputation for thoughtful storytelling that highlights small businesses, artisan producers, and hidden gems from across North Carolina and beyond— offering readers a taste of culture through every feature.

With years of experience and a deep connection to the community, Triangle Around Town brings passion and purpose to every piece. They can be found on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube as Triangle Around Town. You can also find them at trianglearoundtown.com.

– DK

$140/bottle

Dynamis Estate Wines Jonesville dynamisestatewines.com SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025 | 91

D E PA R T M E N T K A L E I D O S C O P E

RALEIGH WIDE OPEN Ready to Build on Bluegrass Festival Success STORY BY KURT DUSTERBERG

W

hen Raleigh Wide Open kicks off in the fall, the two-day event should feel very familiar to music fans.

The celebration will take place downtown along Fayetteville Street on Friday, October 3 and Saturday, October 4. If that sounds a bit like the IBMA World of Bluegrass that made its home in Raleigh each year since 2013, you’ve got the idea.

Think of Raleigh Wide Open as the spinoff.

When World of Bluegrass moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee for 2025, Raleigh nonprofit PineCone, an organization dedicated to the preservation of roots music, stepped in with an event of its own after producing previous World of Bluegrass events. “We really want to build on that success,” says David Brower,

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PineCone’s executive director. “The community really embraced the music and the big street festival that happens up and down Fayetteville Street.”

While the previous festivals focused mostly on bluegrass, Raleigh Wide Open will expand the field to include Americana, folk, gospel, and blues performers.

“Everybody can hear something that speaks to their experience,” Brower says.

The new festival will focus on artists from North Carolina, where much of Appalachian traditional music originated. In particular, the lineup will include an emphasis on acts from the 26 counties most affected by Hurricane Helene last September.

“A lot of the music is rooted in the Piedmont— whether it’s blues or gospel or bluegrass or old time,”

Brower says. “It’s participatory by its very nature. It’s meant to be played as much as it’s meant to be listened to. All of the tunes that you’ll hear if you come out to Raleigh Wide Open can be played by just about anybody at a very simple level.”

For more than 40 years, PineCone has focused on preserving the tradition. That includes square dancing, which will take place each evening at the Martin Street Stage. “Reach out to a stranger standing next to you, grab their hand and swing for a little bit,” Brower says. “That’s what you do during a square dance. They’re called and taught on the spot. So as long as you can follow directions and stay relatively in time, you can do it. There’s no experience required, and it’s super fun.”

The event will include more than 30 acts playing on six stages. The performances are free, but there will be ticketed shows each night at Red Hat Amphitheater. Food trucks, beverages, and an art market will round out the experience.

“We’re here to enrich people’s lives by bringing them together around music that is both accessible and entertaining,” Brower says. “And for us, that means string bands—fiddles, banjos, guitars, and mandolins.”

MEYER BRINGS PASSION, VERSATILITY TO AMERICAN TRADITIONAL MUSIC When Eliza Meyer takes the stage at Raleigh Wide Open, she will be one of the longest-tenured musicians connected to the IBMA World of Bluegrass days. Pretty impressive for someone who is still in college.

Meyer, a rising senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has been a regular performer since her childhood, when she appeared on the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) stage. “I got to play the music I wanted to play for people who wanted to see it,” she says.

Meyer’s music education started early. She began with classical lessons at age 6, then discovered a love for traditional music. “My mom grew up in Appalachia and was a lover of traditional music her whole life, and she played that for me at home, as well as Southern gospel,” she says. “That’s what was available in the car and what we listened to.”

Meyer has performed in a bluegrass ensemble at UNC, but she does not call herself a bluegrass artist. “I grew up influenced by Appalachian music, string band, square dance music, and traditional music,” she says. “That’s what I try to focus on with my music and repertoire.

Stylistically, I much prefer American traditional music.”

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025 | 93

PAGE 92: Bluegrass artist Willie Watson performs outside City Plaza. Photo by Todd Gunsher.

PAGE 93: Local musician Eliza Meyer has performed at the bluegrass festival since the early days. Photo courtesy of Raleigh Wide Open.

THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: Sister Sadie brought in a huge crowd for their performance on the Davie Street stage. Photo by Todd Gunsher. Introspective singer-songwriter Sunny War hails from Nashville. Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins.

OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Bluegrass artists on the bill for this year's festival: Jason Carter, Charly Lowry, and Blue Cactus. Photos courtesy of Raleigh Wide Open and Steph Stewart.

After starting on the fiddle, Meyer took up the banjo at age 13. Soon she was participating in summer camp intensives with the great North Carolina players. She became a fan of the pioneering women of bluegrass, including Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard. While attending Broughton Magnet High School here in Raleigh, she gained classical training, eventually adding operatic and jazz vocals in college.

“I loved learning about that type of vocal music and what the voice can do as an instrument,” she says. “That training has made a huge difference. It’s made me a better singer all around. It makes you a stronger singer.”

With a wealth of training under her belt, she recorded her first album, Hello Stranger, at age 17. She’s now looking ahead to her next challenge. “College has offered me an opportunity to improve fundamentally as a musician. The next thing I record will be a more updated reflection of who I am as a musician, because I’ve had time to grow into an adult.”

No matter how Meyer refines her musical skills, don’t expect to find her on tour one day. As an American studies major, she anticipates a career involving academic research on historic preservation or American culture and history.

“I’ve made the conscious choice not to make a primary living as a musician,” she says. “The academic aspect of music history and cultural history is what I get enthusiastic about,” she says. “I’m really happy to just have my music be for pleasure. I think there’s plenty of success to be had without making it my day job.”

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D E PA RT M E N T K A L E I D O S C O P E

BY CHARLOTTE RUSSELL

EVAN KAFKA CAPTURES THE SOUL BEHIND THE EYES Asheville-based photographer Evan Kafka draws upon over 25 years of experience in commercial photography, where he primarily focuses on capturing human subjects, to create his latest series, Trophies. In Trophies, Kafka photographs the heads of live animals. He achieves the effect of isolating the head from the body through careful lighting, backdrops, and draping fabric over the animals’ bodies.

This visual technique references the concept of taxidermy heads, yet here the animals are alive, allowing the viewer to make direct eye contact with the subjects.

Kafka captures their movement in fleeting moments. In these milliseconds, animals such as peacocks, deer, and box turtles reveal human emotions like fear, joy, and confusion. All works in his series are the same size, regardless of the animal’s size, enabling viewers to look directly into each subject’s eyes and appreciate their colors, textures, and personalities.

Trophies has been exhibited at the Asheville Art Museum, the Spartanburg Art Museum, and various other institutions.

Currently, Kafka is a featured artist at the Grand Bohemian Lodge locations in Asheville and Greenville, North Carolina.

Kafka’s work has appeared in major advertising campaigns, including a recent campaign for Apple’s iPhone 15, which featured babies, as well as on over 70 national magazine covers.

To view more of Kafka’s fine art photography, visit his website, fineart.evankafka.com. For his commercial work, go to evankafka.com.

“What I appreciate about the Trophies series is that the photographs are both strange and shocking. Are the animals alive or dead? However, when you examine them closely, you can see into their souls and begin to perceive them as characters, imagining what they might be thinking.”

– Evan Kafka

WH ITE TAI L D EER 618 2020, P H OTO G R A P H A RC H I VA L P I G M EN T P R I N T O N PA P ER , 24X 30 I N C H E S

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