Bowled Over - Decadent Soups for a Blustery Day
Serving the Triangle 

Because it's not just cold, it's freezing! We think you better ready your spoon for these local stews. Liquid lunches and dinners have never been hotter. Read through this roster. We promise you won't get burned!

Toast Paninoteca - Simplicity and heart best describe this Italian sandwich shop. It's no run-of-the-mill average lunch counter. Toast is a little sandwich restaurant in downtown Durham that's one of those places you'll visit often because of the pleasurable flavors in each bite you take of their Italian style sandwiches paired with a bowl of steaming hot homemade soup. They always offer two homemade soups (one vegetarian) along with daily specials in addition to their menu.  

Toast is a counter-service restaurant and does not take reservations. The homemade soup special we ordered was the delicious cauliflower puree with brown butter, capers and toasted hazelnuts. (photo - above) Simply delicious!

Toast - Hours: Monday 11am-3pm, Tuesday-Saturday 11am-8pm, Sunday Closed.

345 West Main Street, Durham, 27701, Phone: 919.683.2183. Website. 

At MachuPicchu Peruvian Cuisine, in North Raleigh you must try the Trio Ceviche Sampler. Awesome Ceviche combinations served authentic Peruvian styles. The Ceviche sampler consists of: aji amarillo (spicy yellow chili pepper), nikkei (tuna and soy sauce) and rocoto (shrimp, scallops and fish with red pepper). At MachuPicchu, dishes are freshly prepared to order with authentic Peruvian recipes, using only the finest ingredients.

Peruvian restaurants have become one of the most sought-out places to dine. And Raleigh's MachuPicchu is on the map and known for the best Ceviche in the US. Peruvian civilizations as well as today's Peruvians to harvest, combined with a variety of cultural and ancient influences, culminated in the creation of Peruvian gastronomy, which is traditionally varied and sumptuously delectable.

MachuPicchu Peruvian - 4500 Falls of Neuse Road #100, Raleigh, 27609. Phone: 919.526.7378 

Hours: Tues. - Thurs.5pm-9pm, Fri.11:30am - 9pm, Sat. noon - 9pm, Sun. noon - 8pm, Closed Mon. Website.

At The Square Rabbit you'll never go wrong with a hearty bowl of White Bean and Chicken Chili, or a bowl of Tortilla soup with chicken, beans, rice, tortilla strips, Hungarian Beef Goulash or Jamaican Yellow Split Pea soups. All of their soups are prepared fresh daily. The Square Rabbit in downtown Raleigh is a great little shop on the corner of Martin and Fayetteville Streets where you can call and pick-up some wholesome, home-made, fresh foods for lunch, dinners or catered affairs.

This little shop has been around since 1991. Folks have been walking out their front door with savory entrees and quiches, fresh salads, sandwiches stuffed with tasty meats or the best chicken salad in town. And their famous mouth-watering, taste-tempting, ever-so-addictive baked goods are a must. Call to order and find out the daily specials.

The Square Rabbit - Hours - Mon -Fri 10am to 6pm, Sat. 9am to 3pm

19 E Martin St Ste 100, Raleigh 27601, Phone: 919-829-9223, Website.

Foster's Market in Durham and Chapel Hill are special places. Its country decor with a hodge-podge of outdoor seating, down-home cooking using fresh, local ingredients and tons of food options. The soups are easy to overlook, but skipping them are a big mistake.

Foster's doesn't stray too far from the soup staples, the stuff your grandmother used to make, but they do it well. We're particularly partial to their chicken and wild rice soup, but they're all worth trying.  

Hours: both locations open 7 days a week from 7:30am to 8pm. Website.

Don't you think this winter weather is a great time to drown yourself in the Triangle's best broths and stews? Start slurping!

A first Let's Shop Local, a southern shopping spree will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1st from 11am to 6pm at the NC State Fairgrounds in the Holshouser Building. It will feature artists, crafters, and other creative businesses from or near the Triangle. You'll find affordably priced jewelry, hand-painted scarves, soaps, lotions, unique crochet items, pottery, art and so much more!

Come out and find the perfect gift for that special someone for Valentine's Day, and feel good about the purchase, knowing your money is going right back to your local community! All of the vendors live within 30 miles of Raleigh. Click Here to see the many talented crafters and artists partaking as show vendors. 

Stop by the on-site fashion event where models will mingle in the crowds to show you hand-painted scarves, beautiful capes, purses and clutches, hair accessories, wearable art jewelry and more. 

Admission to 'Let's Shop Local' is just $3.00 with children under 12 free. Representatives from Teddslist.com, an online directory for local businesses, are scheduled to be on site, handing out freebie bags stuffed with coupons and goodies from nearby local businesses.

A Buzz favorite - Sean-Paul Adams, a designer for S-Ranked Design Armada will be selling his graphic designed large prints. The print sizes are all poster-sized at either18 x 24, 16 x 20, or 12 x 36 inches.

Sean-Paul will also be taking commission orders for portraits for Valentine's Day gifts during the show. Now that's a fun and unusual Valentines gift anyone would love! Make sure you stop by his booth and find out more about commission works.

Sean-Paul Adams has designed work for companies such as: PINK (Victoria's Secret, The Limited), Scholastic, Foot Locker, Adidas, and DIAGEO.  Check out his website to see more of his works.

Sweater Weather - Glenwood South Tree Sweater Art Installation

A tight knit community, Glenwood South Collaborative brings outdoor art to the Triangle. The Tree Sweater Art Installation took place this past Saturday. Merchants and residents came together to brand Glenwood South as a welcoming and inviting neighborhood by placing these sweaters on the trees creating a colorful display in the Glenwood South district of downtown Raleigh.

For the past six weeks, knitters have been meeting at SpiritWorks Studio to create Tree Sweaters for the city owned trees lining the Glenwood South thoroughfare. The Tree Sweaters are whimsical and as varied as each of the knitters. More than 50 participants, aged 8 to 80 created the 150 sweaters, each in their own colors and style.

Make sure you stop by and take a look at all those warm and snuggly trees. It's a wrap! 

Certain Things in Cameron Village ...Your home for cute clothes. Lu has picked the "cream of the crop" of Tolani scarves just for you! Come in and see for yourself! AND their winter clearance racks still have lots of great finds on them at 75% off!

Certain Things - 404 Daniels St. Raleigh, Cameron Village, 27605. 919.828.5055. Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 1pm-5pm. Website. 

Cameron Clothing Co. - Nina McLemore Spring Trunk Show continues till Wed., Jan. 29 from 10am to 6pm. Nina McLemore's clothing lines are designed by a woman with fashion and business expertise, for smart, confident women on the go. Nina McLemore customers appreciate and understand her simple concept. They love the way her jackets, tops, pants, skirts and dresses look, feel and fit, and how the fabrics do not wrinkle so they'll look fresh all day and evening. Visit Nina McLemore site.

Cameron Clothing Co. - 4351-111 The Circle at North Hills, Raleigh 27609. Phone: 919-420-0411. Website.     

Acquisitions, Ltd. - Mid-Winter Storewide Sale with antiques and accessories 20% to 50% Off. Come find your treasures.

Acquisitions, Ltd. - Hours: Mon. through Sat. 10am - 5pm.  

2003 Fairview Rd., Raleigh 27608, Phone: 919.755.1110, Website.

Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd - Now Accepting Couture for The Spring Catalogue Auction for March 13, 14 & 15, 2014. Objects shown in photo to the left will be offered in this Spring Catalogue Auction. Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. - 620 Cornerstone Court, Hillsborough, NC 27278, Phone: (919) 644-1243, Website. 

Three Homes For Sale In Olde Raleigh

3800 City of Oaks Wynd: $599,900

4308 Johnston Busbee Wynd: $1.195 or Executive Rental @

$5000/mo.

7,214 SF, Transitional w/ All Hardwoods, Gracious Formals, Keeping Room, Master Wing w/Gentleman's Office, 6 bdrs/5.5 baths, Children's Study, Fin. 3rd Floor, 3-garage, .57 Acre. (photo right)

4101 John S. Raboteau Wynd: $699,000

4,012 SF, Large Living Areas, Sunroom,4 bdrs/3.5 baths, Bonus,.52 Acre. (photo left)

Olde Raleigh features three beautiful lakes with centerpiece fountains, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, clubhouse, veranda and two tennis courts. 

Contact: Jill Rekuc, Owner-Olde Raleigh Real Estate

Website: www.olderaleighrealestate.com

Email: Jill@olderaleighrealestate.com

Core Results - New Year, New You! Personal Training is teaching people from all over the Raleigh, Cary and Triangle area how to meet their fitness goals. From kettlebells to TRX, everything is top of the line and brand new at the private Core Results studio. Call and make your first appointment for a Complimentary Session!

Core Results: 1330 St. Mary's Street, Suite A00, Raleigh, 27605, Phone: (919) 946-1737, Email:info@coreresults.net, Website.   

Kenna Custom Painting 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.

How to Decorate When You're Starting Out or Starting Over

A Young Entrepreneur - Please Support! 

Car Wash Service  

Performance Edge Summer Showcase 2014 Music Camp Auditions - Sunday, Feb. 2nd & 9th at 2pm-4pm at Raleigh Boychoir Center, 1329 Ridge Road, Raleigh, 27607. Click Here for more information. Summer Showcase Music Camp: June 16th-22nd Performances: June 21st 7:30 and June 22nd 3:00 A.J. Summer Showcase Music Camp: June 16th-22nd. Phone: (919) 420-0365, Website.

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 businesses!  This is what the Beltline Buzz is all about.