Every time I order pizza, I think of the Pizza Town SNL skit with Aziz Ansari.
It haunts me. If you ever see me laughing for what seems like no reason, I am thinking about this skit! Click here
Here’s the next round of pizza stops we’ve had in the area.
Primo Pizza
I was introduced to this pizza a couple years ago. A few of us teachers from Centennial would stop here occasionally. We tried the calzone after a workshop one day and it was delicious! During the pandemic, it became one of my favorites simply because it has a perfect drive thru situation. This is solid NY style pizza. I love the crust.
Cary’s Primo Pizza
Raleigh Pizza Times
This might be my favorite pizza in the area. Definitely, top 5 or sure. Roman and I went here for a date night a couple nights ago. We couldn’t stop eating it. This pizza might be the reason I love Raleigh so much.
Maybe I should move to RaleighRaleigh Pizza Times: My Raleigh go to
Di Fara Pizza
Gonna give this newly opened Cary Pizza joint another chance. I think it was because it was opening week or maybe it’s the NY filtered water… we thought the pizza was sloppy. I loved it when I was in NY many years ago so hopefully it will be better next time we try it.
Cary’s Di Fara Pizza- great outdoor seating
Of course, we had Ricci’s pizza this week as well. That is a given. I tried their white pizza for the first time and thought it was great! While taking Gi to her gymnastics meet this weekend, we ate what we thought is the second worst pizza we’ve ever had. I won’t even mention the name of the place because I’d like to forget that experience all together. Plus, it was in Virginia Beach…and we’re not making this a national pizza thing.
We ARE continuing our national donut tour, however. We stopped at Sugar Plum bakery for this Texas Glazed donut.
I ABHOR waiting in line, but I did, for this huge donut! 😊
Our busy schedules resurrected this week! We had everything from a travel gymnastics meet to an inauguration! There was some stress eating and some pleasure eating. Overall, an amazing foodie week!
Pizza Stops
As my ninja turtle friends would say, “truth, justice and a slice of pizza”. The inauguration brought some truth and justice (issues) to the forefront, and I ate pizza 4 times this week.
I accidentally left my wallet at home when we went out for lunch one day, so that led us to plan B… an online order from Pizzeria Faulisi in Cary. There is nothing but love for this wood fired pizza. With a mix of local Raleigh and authentic Italian ingredients..the flavor is fantastic. You’re going for more of a Neapolitan pizza here, and it is definitely worth the try!
The next pizza stop occurred when I almost ran out of gas (this would the 4th time running out of gas in this Jeep) and I noticed we were close to a pizza joint called Vicinos in Morrisville. You can’t just pass by a place that has a 4.8 google rating. We savored the crust and the NY pizza style. I’ll definitely have to do a side by side comparison of a couple pies with this one included.
Another night this week, I didn’t feel like cooking because of a massive headache, so the kids picked up a pie from our go-to place, Ricci‘s. Ricci’s is a mile away from our house and it really is top notch. We are so lucky to have it… from service to food, you can’t go wrong. Their garlic rolls (with cheese) are on another level. Ricci’s is an at least once a week stop.
The last pizza stop was at Trophy in Raleigh. I was passing by from Wye Hill and I thought… Why not? This pizza is the epitome of great bar pizza-feel good, crunchy, gooey, and cheesy!
Cary got some love this week! I was excited to start some readings for my grad class and nothing goes better with readings, than a hot cup of coffee to accompany. Brew, is an all time favorite and the place I stop at before hitting up Dom’s Bagels. DoNUT underestimate their doughnuts either. I order a dozen bagels each week because I just can’t go very long without Dom’s!
With drives back and forth to Stretch Lab and gymnastics this week, I discovered Esteamed Coffee’s location and it was the highlight of my week. I fell in love with their mission to support those with disabilities as they seek employment. Such a great place with great hot chocolate!
Sometimes, when you’re in Cary, you just have to stop at the old soda fountain shop for ice cream. Ashworth Drugs is our little old town pharmacy and is known for it’s hotdogs too. I can’t do hot-dogs tho. You know, the whole vegetarian thing and all.
Speaking of vegetarian, my all time favorite Apex restaurant is Provincial because NO one does a better vegetable plate. I was so happy to make it here this week. The veggie plate is superb every single time I have it. The plate is seasonal and rotating! It has been over a year and it was so good to be home! Be sure to order the kid’s Mac n Cheese. No shame.
Brew, Vanilla Latte with Almond MilkDom’s upside down donuts, Cinnimon Sugar and Asiago bagels with cream cheese… and always a plain bagel with butter Esteamed Coffee: 4 hot chocolates please!Mint Chip from Ashworth DrugsProvincial: Broccoli, Whipped Potatoes, Zucchini, Brussel Sprouts, Rice, Carrots, and Kids Mac N Cheese 😋
Raleigh Rants
The best food I had this week was at Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing. I kid you not, you must go for the most delicious BBQ fries and beer cheese you will ever have. I know, you’re suppose to go for the beer and the views, but I urge you, ALSO go for the fries and their amazing sangria too. The outdoor seating was impeccable, with several heaters, so this cold wimp, was just fine. I can’t wait to go back again! Maybe I’ll get my Raleigh Beer Trail passport stamped next time!
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Thanks to my daughter’s gymnastics meet, I got to travel to a South Carolina beach, in January! I have to admit, my Covid fears are mostly centered around being in an inclosed space, CLOSE to many unknown people not wearing masks. Being a spectator to this meet gave me the chills. Fortunately for me, I was encouraged to drop her immuned-self off with her coach, while I kept a virtual eye on her from the hotel. This is the kind of gym mom I was meant to be. She had a great time, receiving several medals, and I provided donuts and views. This cute donut shop called Peace, Love and Little Donuts had really funky fun toppings.
North Myrtle, SCPeace, Love, and Little Donuts (oreo, salted pretzel, fruity pebbles, chocolate sprinkles, Banana split, m&ms, strawberry cheesecake, coffee cake, Reeses, Samoa, apple pie, s’mores)
That was quite a foodie week! Now, I have to detox…but Triangle Restaurant Week is upon us! I better get to running laps!
Gallivanting around Sir Walter’s city usually takes the edge off of my wanderlust itch and makes me feel great about supporting local. Raleigh is near and dear to my heart because I spent the greatest college days at both Meredith College and NC State. Seeing my city flourish and consistently recorded on “Best Places to Live” lists, makes me proud. This city has gone through its fair share of struggles during the pandemic but, it is still thriving. This week, I took the 20 minute drive from Cary to continue discovering new gems and revisiting old favorites. A few highlights…
Stop For A Drink At STIR
Stir it up, little darling, and satisfy your heart’s desire with amazing craft cocktails and a side of ceviche. It’s a laid back scene so you’ll find a diverse assortment of comfort foods to warm you up during these cold days and maybe you will hear Bob Marley playing in the background. They offer food and beverage kits to-go and provide a heated patio, so, overall, it’s a win win!
Whiskey Bramble
Pizza at DeMo’s
Staying true to my resolution, pizza reviews have commenced. All reviews are based on a plain cheese pizza. If you can’t get the basics right, then what’s the point. This Raleigh pizza joint will be high on my final list. I am in love with the tangy but sweet sauce and crunchy but chewy crust combination. I’m all about that New York attitude and DeMo’s shines with it in every slice. Also, have you tried their cheese fries?!
Raleigh’s North Carolina Museum of Art
If you’re feeling bored or get “kicked out” of the house, like I did, the NC Museum of Art is a cool place to hang… by yourself with 7 security guards. Guess it’s just me that gets kicked out of the house.
I love this museum venue for many reasons. It’s got an artsy walk path outside, the Iris Restaurant has fancy food, and the museum hosts awesome movie nights and concerts at the outside amphitheater.
Obviously, many of those events won’t be happening for a while, but it was a nice change of scenery to take an art walk this week. If you go, reserve a free timed ticket for entrance. Be sure to buy those Golden Mummies exhibit tickets that begin in March.
Not. A. Soul.Maybe my favorite piece. Deception. Humanity.A mirrored light show!
Coffee Comparisons
This summer I read, The Tea Girl Of Hummingbird Lane and it made me give up my coffee addiction and jump into tea sipping. It was a good 5 months of being coffee-free. Then, I went to Panama. It was café con leches all day, everyday. When I got back to the negative 900 degree weather of NC, I found that just ordering a Panamanian bag of coffee and making it myself was exponentially better than searching for satiation elsewhere.
Still, there is something comforting about ordering a hot latte and secretly comparing it to a Panamanian cup when I’m out and about. While I was Raleigh roaming, I couldn’t help but warm my hands up with a try from these two yummy coffee shops. (Meeple’s Brew in Morrisville and Iris in downtown Raleigh)
Service is 💯 A teacher knows best.. I am sure a teacher decorated and instilled the 6 feet apart rule perfectly!
I thank my kids for kicking me out of the house and making me step away from my Brigerton Binge! How does one even have a conversation these days without talking about Brigerton!?
The word on my scandal papers is that as the the 1st semester of school came to an end this week for my kids, they got down with catching up on work. My daughter informed me she had a 26 in Spanish class because she couldn’t turn in her flip grid videos due to the terrible WiFi in Panama. Umm, excuse me?! My youngest revealed that he had missed 7 days worth of math lessons. Yep. Imagine my mood. So, in order to keep my calm and not be on top of the children like a pestering mother I am really good at being…I gladly took that drive up to Raleigh.
I am happy to update that I got a good little adventure while the kids caught up. My daughter recorded all those flip grid videos, including her Rachel Ray quesadilla recipe in Spanish, and sent them to her teacher. She bumped that 26 to an A. Littlest kid, well, he pulled some late nights, but he got it done and got it done magnificently, also earning an A.
A happy ending to our scandal papers! (Signed-Travel Ninja, not Lady Whisteldown!)
Travel Ninja 