Claire Cusick

If you don’t know who Phoebe Lawless is, well, too bad for you. Because you’re missing out on some kickass pie, and that means more for me. No, I’m joking. To hold back my knowledge of an awesome baker would defy the spirit of baking (and cooking, too), which is: You create so you can […]

I could hear the panic in my friend’s voice. “Bandido’s in Carrboro is closed!” she wailed into the phone. “So is Patio Loco on Franklin Street! What is going on?” Indeed, the demise of just one such restaurant in Chapel Hill causes pain for my most Tex-Mex-loving friend (who hails from neither Texas nor Mexico, […]

I don’t know about you, but I need a non-food food column. I’m writing this during the height of the holiday season, which today featured a workplace holiday potluck of staggering caloric proportions. Sausage balls, sweet potato casserole, creamed spinach … Then I returned to my desk to find an enormous gift basket full of […]

For those who might be overindulging this time of year (“Who, me?” she says, through a mouthful of peppermint bark), I have some good news. The RBC Center in Raleigh is now using oil free of trans fats. That’s right. As of last September, the arena voluntarily switched all of its fryersthose in the concession […]

I hope I’m not being Scrooge-like by mentioning the drought. You’ve surely heard the same news I have: Triangle water supplies are dwindling. In Durham’s case, less than two months’ supply remains. I’m also hearing that restaurants are trying to figure out ways to stay open in case of further restrictions. So while you peruse […]

Very sad news from Durham, folks. Restaurant Starlu (3211 Shannon Road, 489-1500, www.starlu.com) is going out of business as of Dec. 22. Chef Sam Poley wrote an e-mail to friends and customers, and said in part: “We have truly enjoyed the opportunity, but we can no longer sustain the effects of factors we cannot control. […]

This time of year, Sunday suppers are best with warm, savory food. Sundays make me think of pot roast perfuming the whole house, or rich, scratch-made mac-and-cheese. The folks at Enoteca Vin (410 Glenwood Ave., Suite 350, Raleigh, 834-3070, www.enotecavin.com) must think so too, because they’re offering a series of suppers every other Sunday through […]

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I’m thankful for family, friends and pie. And, needless to say, our area’s fun, rich food scene. Now, far be it from me to suggest that being with your loved ones would drive you to drink. No, no. The idea to stage a beer fest on the day after Thanksgiving comes from […]

Vance Remick, owner of The General Store Café (39 West St., Pittsboro, 423-5639, www.thegeneralstorecafe.com) sent an update on the café’s expansion. And what an expansion it will be for this local favorite, located right off the town square. The new place will be four times the size of the old. Construction is under way to […]

Yes, I know, that bowl of leftover Halloween candy is still sitting on your counter (or desk or table), and we’re barely into November, but trust me, it is not too early to start making your Thanksgiving reservations. Is there a restaurant you want to go to? A bakery that makes great pies or rolls? […]