letter
Let’s Eat hat was an unforgettable summer. The civic unrest and calls for justice in response to the brutal slayings of Black women and men. The nervous and volatile energy of an election year. A pandemic that’s changed our lives and impacted livelihoods, in both small and devastating ways. Yet, every day, so many courageous citizens step forward to take care of others in need and fight these important battles. Even with all the weight on our shoulders and on our minds, we all grasp at some concept of normalcy as each day slips by so quickly. There are still some constants, and one is our adventurous, bold and indomitable chefs. Our bars, restaurants, distilleries, breweries and bakeries are reinventing their businesses in ways that they never imagined, and I wish them all success and prosperity. They need our support now more than ever. Which I am eager – hungry? – to provide, if that means ordering takeout and dining in socially distant configurations. Thank goodness we live in Durham, where our dining scene was first-rate pre-coronavirus and where those same restaurants have harnessed that Bull City grit to reimagine serving customers, keep as many employees paid as possible and, somehow, also give back to those who need it most. I have such a reverence for these culinary champions … and not only because I just polished off an ice-cream sandwich from Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets. We cover a handful of restaurant stories and updates beginning on page 42 with a few suggestions for ways you can shop, eat and drink local, turning their offerings into at-home date ideas, followed by a checkup with how other eateries are faring, who is stepping up to help the community, and then rounding out the course with a couple of dessert highlights, just for good measure. While I would like to see Durham in a better place come this time next year, I don’t want to lose any of the businesses and character that got us here in the first place. As happens with our Food Issue every year, I know we’re just skimming the surface of our amazing foodie city. If you know of a story that deserves our attention, please, drop me a line.
LOVE
Your Carpet
5634 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham, NC
Beauty, Artistry & Tradition
FOR OVER 40 YEARS
www.persiancarpet.com 8
@amanda_maclaren amanda@durhammag.com
TH E COVER
Photo by Beth Mann, taken at the home of Theresa and Marcel Choudhury