From what I can tell, not much has changed.  My wife’s Black Bean Quesadilla Points were a bit different (had rice inside) but we were certainly used to random nuances each time we visited the former incarnation of The Rockford.  It’s one of the things we loved about the place.

The draught beers were not listed on the menu; our server suggested that we always ask as they plan on changing that lineup regularly.  For those who are concerned, I can also confirm that they still have Old Speckled Hen (I apparently should be hearing some hallelujahs out there).

Anyway, they have not yet had an ‘official’ opening and are operating on word-of-mouth only for now as they get things up and running.  Luckily for them, raleighing doesn’t quite have the reach it used to so they should be able to keep things under control for a while longer.  All I can say is that, in my opinion, the world just got a little bit more ‘right’ today.

Here’s the first entry in what I hope becomes a regular feature here on raleighing.com, Raleighing Raves.  Occasionally, I’ll pick a topic and list my own personal favorites in the area.  First one up is the beloved yet oft undervalued sandwich.  There are a bunch of great sandwiches available here in Raleigh but I’ve narrowed my list down to 5.  I’m leaving out burgers as to me that’s a whole separate genre.  So, without further ado, here are my top 5 favorite sandwiches in order:

1. ABC – The Rockford
   The first time I saw this sandwich on The Rockford’s menu I was certainly intrigued, but not sure I even wanted to give it a try.  Apple, Bacon, and Cheddar?  Really?  With battered bread and powdered sugar?  Just sounded like a bit too much for me.  Well, luckily I did give it a try and many years and many visits later I have yet to eat another sandwich at The Rockford.  I’m getting hungry now just thinking about it.  Sure, it’s a heart-attack of a meal, but so worth it.
2. Chicken Salad (Clay’s Favorite) on Pita – Sunflowers
   I love chicken salad, both traditional and non-traditional.  While I love the basic chicken salad on wheat toast at Tookie’s, Sunflowers’ chicken salad with grapes and pecans is incredible, especially when paired with their pita.  The chicken is sliced into chunks which gives it a good consistency.  While not listed in the ingredients on the menu, I taste a hint of lemon in the mix which mixes well with the sweetness of the grapes and the savory of the pecans.  Unfortunately, you can’t get the pita bread at dinner (not sure why) so you’ll have to go with the sunflower bread as dictated on the menu which is still good.
3. Cuban – Raleigh Times
   Raleigh Times made some great changes to their menu in the past months.  The best addition, in my opinion, is their Cuban sandwich: roasted pork loin, Black Oak ham, pickles, tomatoes with garlic aioli & mustard on pressed Cuban bread.  Yes, it is as flavorful as it sounds.  The mustard and pickles tangy, the ham sweet, the pork loin aioli savory all adding up to one tasty sandwich.  I love many other items on the RT menu, like the burger or the Country French salad, but I think this one is my favorite.
4. Turkey Berry Panini – Cafe Carolina
   Ok, so I’m seeing a trend here.  I obviously like a little sweetness in my sandwiches.  This one from Cafe Carolina has cranberry chutney along with smoked turkey, swiss cheese, coleslaw, and grilled sourdough.  It, too, has a great balance of savory, sweet, and tangy.  I also love the light crunch of the toasted bread.
5. Smoked Turkey Breast on Wheat – Village Deli
   My wife and I used to live in Cameron Village Condominiums and loved being near the Village Deli.  We’d have lunch there all the time and this sandwich quickly became a favorite.  It is a simple turkey sandwich made spectacular by their homemade Vidalia Onion Dressing.  If you’re getting one to go, make sure they put the dressing on the side as the sandwich will get pretty soggy if you don’t.

Ok, there’s my five.  There are some others that I’ll give honorable mentions to:  Tookie’s Chicken Salad on Wheat Toast, Tropical Smoothie’s Turkey Bacon Ranch, and Morning Times’ Apple Brie toasted.  So what are your local favorites?  Use the comments to let me know.  I’m always looking for new favorites!

But anyway, one thing SparkCon certainly has going for it is the recruitment of some of Raleigh’s best to organize and produce the events.  One of ’06′s more successful “Sparks” was the fashionSPARK fashion show.  It was well-attended and full of energy.  This year, I am expecting even better things now that the beautiful Allison Beale is one of the producers.  Certainly among the most fashionable people in Raleigh, Allison is the owner of George Public Relations and is a former writer/editor for SheSheMe (back when it was based in Raleigh and was cool).  I’m also happy to say she’s an occasional contributor to Raleighing!

Riviera

This Friday night, Allison and the rest of the fashionSPARK team will be hosting the premiere of the fashionSPARK 2006 DVD at Riviera.  Doors open at 9pm and the show will run from 9:15-9:30pm.  They will also have Guest DJ Keith Ward keeping the festivities hopping.  So, head out to your favorite galleries for First Friday events and then stop on by Riviera for all the fashionable fun.  Definitely need to go pick up all my Fluevogs tomorrow so I have something to wear!

712 Tucker

Representatives for the project say that the decision to convert has nothing to do with a lack of sales as the price point was a very desirable one for many younger buyers, but it is instead a response to market demands for more rentals in the downtown area. Speaking with other industry leaders proves that this is a widely held view, and that downtown Raleigh actually does not have enough rentals to meet market demand. The Lofts will very likely add a density of younger professionals who cannot yet afford to buy but want to be a part of downtown; this should in turn add more life to the Glenwood South area on non-weekend days.

For those concerned that the project will be Oberlin Court part deux, rest assured it will be the same physical structure, the same finishes, the same amenities, and very likely the same floor plans originally planned for 712 Tucker. Currently there are 179 units planned and there is no word yet on what rental rates will be, though I imagine they will be similar to Oberlin Court. All in all, I think it’s a fantastic move by Crosland and they deserve kudos for responding to the needs of the market.

The festivities will begin at 4:30pm and will include live music by the Arts Together Pre-school Children’s Chorus, kite flying (first 150 kids get a free redbird kite), and refreshments.  After the dedication, there will apparently be a “Redbird” procession which will end at a concert stage on which the Raleigh Concert Band will perform.

Redbird Sculpture

“Redbird” was created by Asheville artist Harry McDaniel.  While in the picture above it looks like a grouping of giant abstract flowers, viewed from the right angle the red shapes form a bird, the cardinal being our state bird.  The funds for this sculpture came from the money generated by the Red Wolf Ramble project, which is certainly good to hear.

This is exactly why Fluevog is my absolute favorite brand of shoe which in turn explains why Firefly is my absolute favorite shoe store ever…  Well, that and its awesome owner, Ashley, who I’ll say again is one of the best local proprietors I know.

A couple of weeks ago, Ashley put out a call to local Fluevog owners to seek out “vintage” Fluevogs to display at a month-long exhibit in the store.  I, of course, couldn’t resist contacting her about it.  But, rather than displaying my oldest pair, we agreed it might be funnier if we displayed all of them…  all 11 pairs of Fluevogs I own, all of which remain in active duty.

So, I loaded up a large suitcase this morning and dropped them by the store.  I kinda felt like a parent leaving his children at school for the first time… is that weird?  

Firefly

Anyway, if you want to check out my collection and laugh at my expense (don’t worry, I laugh too), or if you would like to see some really, really cool vintage Fluevogs on loan from cool people around the Triangle, be sure to stop by the store between today and the 30th.  The opening reception is tonight from 6pm-10pm and all new Fluevogs will be discounted 20% to celebrate the occasion!  (Wonder if I’ll buy any… hrmmmm…) If you can’t make it tonight, the sale will continue all weekend.

Perhaps I’ll see you there?  I’ll be the guy not wearing Fluevogs. 

Many of our readers (and Raleighing.com bloggers) have been curious about what’s been happening to Capital City Grocery in the downtown Raleigh Seaboard Station shopping center. One of the downtown area’s only independently-owned grocery stores, Capital City Grocery opened last year and then closed this spring when the business went heavily into debt.

Despite a shaky start and temporary closing for renovations and reorganization, the future now looks bright, with a grand reopening scheduled sometime in June.

Originally charged with finding new investors, Ed Weems and son Mason of Venture Management, Inc., ended up becoming part owners along with other investors. They plan on a grand reopening sometime in June.

The original owners and management will no longer be involved with the new store.

To revise the store philosophy, Weems is working with the Newton family—who owned and ran several downtown stores for 70 years—to devise a sort of mission statement for the grocery store, which begins with a promise of superior service to its customers. They also plan to pay homage to the

Newtons by decorating the store walls with photographs of the Newton family, their stores, and customers.  In 1937, Ela Newton began selling snacks in downtown Raleigh in the same neighborhood as Capital City Grocery. While the offerings were limited she provided the residents of then-dirt Halifax Street with what they wanted. As her customer needs changed her selections expanded and her husband John William, a retired farmer, began helping her serve them. Over the years the store expanded into four Halifax street locations. Soon sons, grandsons and granddaughters were all working there while attending high school and college.

For 63 years Newton’s provided basic grocery items, custom-cut meats and fresh vegetables. Grocery deliveries were made first on bicycles then scooters and finally in pick up trucks. Starting with rotisserie chicken, the Newton

family responded to customer wants by serving meals in the store and providing take home food. Customers from all walks of life were each given the same friendly courteous service and became regulars for years. This tradition continued until the last location at Peace and Halifax streets was sold to Peace College in recent years.

At Capital City Grocery, they are returning to that original focus on the customers in the downtown Raleigh market area. Plans include expanding produce offerings with an emphasis on locally grown and especially organic vegetables. Like Newton’s, they will offer custom cut high-end meats and very fresh seafood as well as items already prepared for those in a hurry.

The new Capital City Grocery is reaching out to the community and once again asking the local residents of downtown Raleigh what they want their store to offer, look like, act like, and feel like. They are committed to returning to the Newton family grocery store philosophy of good old-fashioned customer service.

The Capital City grocery section is being redesigned to carry dry goods, bulk foods, the spices and flavorings even the best cooks strive for, and a “It Begins With Caring” healthy foods section for pets. To the wine offerings they’re adding fresh flowers and gift baskets. Once again many products are local and organic just like the customers asked for in the past.

The “Capital City Kitchen”, like Newton’s, is offering sit down fare as well as full course meals to take home and enjoy with little effort. They’re also adding a new important convenience that is fully in tune with the downtown Raleigh
market. Full catering for private parties and business events is being offered under the leadership of a highly experienced trained Chef.

Capital City Grocery is also offering the same 70-year old Newton tradition of call-in ordering. But rather than speaking slowly as a Newton family member wrote each item down, shoppers will be able to place orders over the internet or by faxing them in. Repeat customers will be also able to pull up their record of regular purchases on their website and indicate how many of each they want to reorder.

Seventy years ago the residents of Raleigh were downtown. Today they’re returning again. Just like Newton’s, the new Capital City Grocery promises a commitment to meeting their neighbors’ needs.

article © 2007 Downtown Raleigh Publishing LLC
reprinted with permission

Anyone who takes the tour can expect to see not only the grand opening of the Plaza (RBC) Condominium sales model, but also Carlton Place Apartments, Founder’s Row, The Dawson, Bloomsbury Estates, a few rehab’d historic homes, the Residences at Quorum, West at North, the plans for the redevelopment of Blount Street, Village at Pilot Mill, 712 Tucker, 630 North, and a handful of other apartments, homes, and condos.  For the full map, check out the website at www.raleighdowntownliving.com.

It is a self guided (and sometimes walking) tour but now that Raleigh has rickshaws you can just grab a ride with one of them! Tickets are $10 and “proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Department’s Designing as 21st Century City lecture series. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Support Circles Program of the Plan to End Homelessness, the joint City of Raleigh, Wake County, Triangle United Way, and Wake Continuum of Care effort aimed at ending homelessness in Raleigh and Wake County.”

The Art Market consists of ceramics, jewelry, painting, photography, woodworking, and textile creations from all over the country.  Kidsplosure is geared at entertaining the little one with flower making, bubbles, a painting station, and a variety of children’s acts on the stage throughout the weekend. 

Venture over to Exploris for interactive experiences from all over the world, a chance to learn about the India culture, and a host of other fun features from all across the globe.

The event officially runs from 11am-7pm on Saturday and 11am-6pm on Sunday.  Parking is available all around Moore Square, but get there early to park closer.  Come by and celebrate the start of summer with amazing art, great live music, and delicious food.

The new website is www.hueraleigh.com and promises to amplify the color in your otherwise gray life.  The project is being developed by Trammel Crow out of Atlanta (who is also responsible for 222 Glenwood) and is being sold by York Simpson Underwood.