January 21st is a big day for Motorco. During the day, it will play host to the second Luchadoras competition, Durham’s own women’s Mexican wrestling extravaganza. We’ve been told this time there will be even more wrestlers and a tag-team match. The beloved Captain Poncho’s Tacos truck will again be out front (order early) and bikeCOFFEE! will be there with a special Counter Culture Luchadores coffee and a La Luchadora Tabla (a slab of dark Mexican chocolate, cayenne, cacao nibs and Mexican coffee). It’s $5 …

Pop’s is another Durham staple. It’s not a hidden gem or off the beaten path, but it is – simply put – one of the best restaurants in town. And once again in the interest of Carpe Durham becoming a complete dining guide for the Bull City, I wanted to do a quick post.

With both a static entrée list  and seasonal offerings, Pop’s is actually relatively affordable. Only the steak tops $20 and one could make a lovely dinner out of any of Pop’s wood-oven pizzas, all of which are $10. …

The folks over at Triangle Meatless Mondays let us know about a contest they are running that features a few Durham-based goodies as prizes. We blogged about Triangle Meatless Mondays when they started up last year, and now they are seeking pledges to go meatless on Mondays in 2012. Going meatless one day a week is a great way to make a small difference in promoting more sustainable and healthier agricultural and eating practices.

Everyone who enters the Pledge-olution by 1/8/2012 will be entered to …

Bull Street Gourmet and Market, a gourmet food market and cafe, recently opened in the now always bustling Hope Valley Square. With Only Burger, Tutti Frutti, Rick’s Diner, Pop’s Backdoor and now Bull Street, I’m starting to envy folks who live on this side of town.

Welcoming and warm, Bull Street Gourmet and Market (an off-shoot of a popular market of the same name in Charleston) has a well-curated small selection of wine, …

Baguettaboutit, a new sausage/baguette truck, hit the roads of Durham last Friday night and it oddly feels a bit corporate. They already have t-shirts with a pithy slogan “wanted bread or alive,” clever sandwich names, a video screen in the front window showcasing their wares, and cute little pre-printed ordering bags.

The concept of Baguettaboutit is European-style fresh baguettes stuffed with a variety of sausage and sauce options. Their pre-printed ordering bags have their sausage baguette options and a design-it-yourself form. You walk up, write …

Last night was the soft opening of Surf Club – Durham’s newest watering hole. Surf Club, just a block up from Fullsteam and Motorco, is the brainchild of Rhys Botica, a partner or owner in some of the popular bars around town (Whiskey, The Federal, Bull McCabes). A rare Durham site, Surf Club is just a bar bar – no themes, no gimmicks, no food – just a well curated beer and liquor selection. It’s refreshing.

The décor is dark and lovely …

Sadly our favorite New Year’s tradition the Wusses are playing in Carrboro at the Cats Cradle this year. So that leaves us to look into other options for ringing in 2012 in the Bull City. As always this is not a complete list and we will continue to update.

Events/Parties:

Beyu Caffe New Year’s Eve
Bernie Petteway Trio
10pm $25 VIP seating, $15 standing

Bull McCabes New Year’s Eve
Can’t find anything on their site, but Bull McCabes always throws a great New Year’s Eve party. There are always tons …