We have a new cheese shop in Durham and lo, it is a glorious occurrence!  The Reliable Cheese Company was opened to fill a void in Durham’s foodie niche: the local cheese shop, where one can pick up great cheeses, meats, and other specialty goods and receive advice and guidance from a knowledgable cheesemonger.  That cheesemonger is Patrick Coleff, who has been in the cheese industry for five years, learning the trade at the great Murray’s in Manhattan and working at a few other …

There are two exciting events coming to downtown Durham this weekend to support our local businesses and the Triangle’s local nonprofit organizations. First up is Bright Lights, Bull City on Saturday, 10/23, an event sponsored by Durham Magazine to celebrate our vibrant downtown, Brightleaf, and West Village businesses. There will be live music at Alivia’s and free food and drink at several businesses including Fifi’s, Posh the Salon, and Magpie’s from 2 to 6 pm. Much like an art walk, this event is designed for you to make your …

HV Bottle Shop doesn’t look like much and the name doesn’t really make sense (as in Hope Valley), but further investigation reveals a much needed spot for more casual wine drinking and two very helpful owners.  Thomas and Drew have been around the block for a while (having worked at Nana’s and Foursquare(?) or the like) before opening their welcoming bottleshop in Woodcroft Plaza.

All of the Carpe Durham squad has been there by now and the results are officially tallied: it’s a great place.  They have a handy-dandy wine dispenser for …

Wine Authorities (2501 University Dr) is having their 1st birthday party today, 5 – 7pm.  There will be:

• Free Wine
• Fancy Cheese (La Casa Dei Formaggi)
• Fancy Cupcakes (Artisan)
• Counter Culture Coffee (decaf, but still)
• A BURGER TRUCK.

That last one is not listed on the W.A. site but was in the email that they sent out to their list (a fun list to be on if you have …

I have no idea how I could have missed the opening of a wine and beer store, but somehow I didn’t know about BrandyWine Cellars (6905 Fayetteville Rd) until last month. BrandyWine is a nicely decorated, medium sized wine shop with a very friendly staff. Their website mentions beer from many different countries, but I only saw a couple of cases, so do not go if that is what you are looking for. Wine, on the other hand, they have plenty of!

They have free wine tasting every …

Shade Tree has been a favorite study spot of mine for a long time. Most people who go there seem to go for the purpose of studying, so they are quiet. The lighting is good during the day thanks to two walls of windows. And, most importantly, they serve a very good cup of coffee.

My friend and I went there the other day for a reading sprint. Caffeine is helpful for that. She was also hungry (and it is hard to read on an empty stomach), so she decided …

Toast just got awesomer in my book–I was getting impatient for them to start serving wine, and the owner says she’s working on that but probably getting close (apparently the ABC is annoying). But in the meantime you can bring in wine! Yay!

Also, downtown Durham has wireless, so you can get that at Toast. Yeah, I’m totally there right now.

I think this is important enough to be the first post.

There are at least three places in Durham to get free alcohol and, at two of them, learn something about it at the same time.

Every Friday from 5 – 8 pm Parker and Otis, near Brightleaf, has a beer tasting. The in-store beer guy, or sometimes a rep from the featured brewery, is around to tell you about the beer, if you care.

Every Saturday, there is a wine tasting at 12 – 3 pm at …