Hi {{ first name | Raleigh Lover}}!

This week, we were completely wowed by not one—but two—brand-new openings around Raleigh.

First stop: Capulet Cocktail Club at 1 Exchange in Midtown. Say hello to Verona, star-crossed lovers, and a Romeo & Juliet–inspired theme that feels impossibly chic. Think: a uniquely sophisticated Italian cocktail bar inspired by the House of Capulet (ahem… Romeo & Juliet — hit it, Swifties). It’s perfect for date night … so long as the evening doesn’t end in any tragic deaths.

The cocktails? Exquisitely crafted. I loved their House of Capulet, a spin on an Old Fashioned, and their Aperol Spritz was Italian legit. Bellissimo.

From there, we wandered just around the corner to what might be the hottest opening of the year: Sixty Vines in North Hills.

We were absolutely thrilled to give away preview party tickets to five members of our community, and wow—what a night. This wine-country-inspired restaurant is stunning: open-air, elegant, welcoming, and capped with an incredible rooftop space (slated to open Feb/March 👀).

What really won us over, though, is their commitment to sustainability—not just in design and practices, but in how they serve wine. All 60 vine selections are on tap, making it more economical and better for the environment. It’s thoughtful, beautiful, and exactly the kind of place North Hills does so well.

And now, a moment of heartfelt gratitude 💛

Thank you—to every single one of you who opens these emails, follows our tips, and chooses to explore Raleigh alongside us. We truly do our best to highlight local experiences we genuinely enjoy. If we don’t love it, we don’t share it.

That commitment was reinforced for us in a really meaningful way this week. We popped back to Hahvahd Yahd Café in Selma for lunch with Craig’s parents (his dad declared it the best sandwich he’s ever had). The owners, Kristina and Jeff told us that since we shared their café on our last visit, they’ve been inundated with visitors—many driving up to two hours just to try their Boston-style food.

Kristina shared something that stopped me in my tracks: because of that support, it’s the first time she’s been able to take time off to be with her newborn baby.

That’s when it really hit home—how important this ecosystem is. What we do. What you do. When you support local, you’re not just trying a great sandwich or cocktail—you’re changing lives, supporting families, and helping small businesses grow.

Because of that support, they’re now moving forward with an exciting expansion: Northern-style bagels, made with water shipped straight from Massachusetts (yes, really)… and gluten-free options coming too. Yep. Watch this space. We know our Northern friends are already buzzing. We’ll keep you posted.

I believe now more than ever we need to see and understand the threads that connected us. That is my intention behind my Golden Thread newsletter, to highlight how each of us are connected so we feel unity rather than division.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of this community. We’re so honored and grateful to do this with you. 💛

Caroline

P.S. This is our last weekend with Craig’s parents who fly home on Monday. Raleigh and its beautiful people have been showing off for them!

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