Latest Buzz on...

Fashion, Food & Fun   

Periodic Table:  Elements Restaurant Opens in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill ... You are in for a Treat!  As for the rest of the Triangle ... it's time for a    pilgramage.   Chef Michael Chuong, as followers of An Cuisines restaurant in Cary will attest, is a local treasure.  And now Chuong has brought a new element to Chapel Hill ... Elements Restaurant (soft opening was last Wednesday).  It serves a dynamic combination of classical Asian & European dishes prepared with modern cooking techniques utilizing local & sustainable ingredients.  Located in the spot formerly occupied by Archira Thai and Sushi, Elements is open for dinner only through August 23rd, and then it's on for lunch and dinner!

Local Ingredients - Local Farms: Chuong, who immigrated from Vietnam, recognized that as a   chef he had a large impact on the environment and the community. So he decided to open a  restaurant featuring only ingredients from local farms.  The restaurant will serve New American cuisine and the menu will change weekly to reflect the availability of the product.  Each week the menu will include six appetizers, six entr�es and three desserts. Elements will also offer a raw bar featuring fresh farm-raised oysters, clams and shrimp. Menu items will run from $18 to $30, depending on the nature of the plate.

From Raw to Sophisticated: From raw bar to sophisticated cocktails and fine wine to dynamic fusions of flavor, Elements will share its passion for food and fine dining with its patrons in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere.  Start your evening with Hamachi Sashimi or Atlantic Coast Shrimp Cocktail ... Move on to the Country P�t� (Farm Pork, Mushroom, Brioche, Pistachio, Peach Chutney) ... and Dine on Wild NC Silver Snapper, Berkshire Pork Chop, or the Coon Rock Farm Grass Fed Steak of the Day.  Of course, save room for desserts like Local Peach Strudel or Bourbon Banana Pudding Ice Cream Sandwich.  Toast your experience with a fine wine or unique specialty drink such as the Vanilla Ginger Martini or the Watermelon Basil Mojito de la Noche.  Amazing!  Menu

Elements Restaurant:  Location: 2110 Environ Way, Chapel Hill; Open Tuesday - Sunday; Hours: Lunch (Tuesday - Friday - 11AM - 2:30PM), Dinner: 5 - 10PM; Monday - Closed; Contact: (919) 537-8780; Website, 

To Bee or Not to Bee    

Mama Mia!  We're Sensing a Pattern

VIETRI Opens First Shop in Belk Department Store in Crabtree Valley Mall

Mix and matching patterns galore in handcrafted dinnerware, flatware, glassware, linens, and accessories is what VIETRI is all about and what makes them so popular to collect.

VIETRI Inc., the largest Italian US importer opened the first VIETRI Shop in a Belk department store on Friday.  They are thrilled to be premiering its new space on the third floor of Belk in Crabtree Valley Mall.  The ribbon cutting ceremony was commenced on Friday, and attended by VIETRI's CEO, Susan  Gravely, as well as other VIETRI and Belk corporate representatives. The 700 square-foot space showcases the largest selection of VIETRI in the area, including tabletop collections, garden, home and wall d�cor.

"We began our partnership with Belk over a decade ago.  Being that VIETRI is based in Hillsborough, NC, we are pleased to have such a longstanding relationship with another North Carolina based company, and such a reputable one at that.  We are really excited to launch the VIETRI Shop at Belk," said Susan Gravely, VIETRI Founder and CEO.

A connoisseur of Italian culture and tabletop style, Susan Gravely, with her sister Frances and mother Lee, founded VIETRI in 1983 after a family trip to Italy where they fell in love with colorful handpainted dinnerware on the Amalfi Coast.  VIETRI has grown from a small company representing one Italian factory to the largest Italian importing company in the American tabletop industry.  VIETRI now serves a customer base of over 2,000 top specialty stores in all 50 states, plus Canada, England, Mexico, Europe, South America, Asia and Australia.  Today, VIETRI works with over 30 manufacturers throughout Italy.  Many artisans are members of families with three or four generations of history, using centuries-old techniques.  These manufacturers are involved in ceramic, glass, stainless steel, pewter, terra cotta and Italian stoneware.

VIETRI's fashion-forward yet classic Italian collections combine the richness of European culture with a sophisticated American spirit.  They continue to preserve these valuable traditions by offering collections that will be passed down through generations.

VIETRI continues, with passionate commitment, to bring their customers great designs that are Mama Mia...Irresistibly Italian!

Belk Crabree Valley Mall: 4325 Glenwoood Ave. Raleigh 27612 , (919)782-7010 Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am-9pm / Sunday 12pm-7pm. Website.

VIETRI: (919)245-4181, Website.

Adult floats at Tir Na Nog - Check out these great drinks. Car bomb float with chocolate Baileys ice cream and Jameson Carmel. Crispin Cider Float with honey ice cream and fireball whiskey caramel sauce. Yum! Give them a try at Tir Na Nog, 218 S. Blount St. Raleigh 27601 Website 

CT Weekends New fall lines are in!  Come see what's new.  Great lines such as Joseph Ribkoff.   CT Weekends Located in Cameron Village, 437 Daniels Street, Raleigh, NC. Hours Mon.- Sat. 10am-6pm.  Phone: 919-787-9073. Visit their new Website.  'Like Us' on Facebook and keep up with the new fashions arriving daily.       

Hunt & Gather on Bernard Street holds a Save After Six Shopping Night on the third Thursdays of each month.  On the third Thursday of each month you will find great markdowns, refreshments, and friendly faces at Hunt & Gather, 1910 Bernard Street, Raleigh 27608.  

From 6:00 to 8:00 pm, many dealers will have 20% and more off on selected items. Don't miss this opportunity!  Website. 

The Making of Gone with the Wind opens to the public on Friday, Aug. 31.  The N.C. Museum of History is the only venue in the Southeast to feature this exhibit highlighting one of the most famous films in Hollywood history. The true story of how Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel became a record-breaking movie is revealed in Real to Reel, showcasing authentic memorabilia - costumes, scripts, screen tests, scene props, Vivien Leigh's Academy Award and more.   Website
  

Kenna Custom Painting, Inc.  is available to tackle your residential painting needs.  With their great crews that perform very professional jobs on residential homes, you won't believe how quiet and unobtrusive they are.  So if you have that "itch" to freshen up your home, interior or exterior before springtime, contact them now.  Call 919-855-0082 or Email: kennapaint@bellsouth.net.  Website. 

Join My Blog Simply-Refined:  I am an Interior Designer that can inspire and help you with your designs and decorating needs.  Call  Zaytoun Interiors if you're finally ready to decorate or re-decorate your home or office.  What's your style?  If you're not sure, I can help you tap into your inner self and find what makes you want to come home.  Website, Email, Phone: 305-793-8510. 

Did You Know?  For every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $68 stays in the local economy compared to only $43 if spent at a national chain. Please support our local business!  This is what The Beltline Buzz is all about.   

For More Bargain Buzz ... Click Here