RALEIGH RAMBLE #2
MOORE SQUARE
We are continuing our Abroad at Home project. You might say we are exploring our new region in nibbles. I mean that in terms of food, of course, but also in terms of how much ground we cover on each outing. Lunch is the highlight, but beforehand we wander the several blocks adjacent to that day’s restaurant and see what we can see and maybe even go in a business or two.
This week, the Chief Penguin and I focused on Moore Square. This is a large square and a center for programs for kids, performances by buskers, craft activities, and the like. A wide concrete walkway cuts through and in a few areas, beds of colorful zinnias beckon. A low wall along one side provides a place to sit. A photography exhibit, Click!, graced temporary wire fencing. This square also boasts a visitor’s center and clean public restrooms.
Moore Square was originally called Baptist Grove. This was in honor of a small wooden church (built 1872) at the corner of Blount and Hargett Streets. It was one of the first fully integrated churches in Raleigh and served several congregations there until 1896.
We strolled around the area, noting the brick sidewalks (a la Cambridge, MA) and the brick buildings. We stopped in the small art gallery across from City Market where we had an engaging conversation with two women artists about art in the city and election politics.
Later, looking at a sign about historic City Market and its current tenants, a pleasant-looking man asked if we needed help. He proceeded to tell us he had worked nearby for many years and highly recommended Sosta Cafe in the Red Hat Amphitheater for its menu’s French slant, while also acknowledging Big Ed’s southern restaurant next door.
DIM SUM LUNCH
We had a reservation at Brewery Bhavana, a welcoming light-filled big space. As its name suggests, it has more than 20 of its beers on tap plus wine and cocktails, all to accompany a menu of dim sum and other dishes. Part of their attraction is a book-lined wall in the back and selected new books and beautiful bouquets of flowers for sale up front.
I am not much of a beer drinker, but I did sample Brisk, a very low alcohol Pilsener, while the Chief Penguin went for a very hoppy IPA.
We shared and loved the pork and scallion dumplings, curry chicken filled buns, and an order of the cucumber salad with Szechuan vinaigrette. There are lots more temptations on the menu, and we must return!
VIEWING: THOUGHTFUL BRITISH CRIME SERIES
RIDLEY, Season 2 (PBS or Prime Video)
Detective Inspector Alex Ridley is retired, but acts as a consultant to Carol, one of his former colleagues, in this new season of Ridley. Alex Ridley is a brooding guy and a musician, still haunted by the deaths of his wife Kate and daughter Ella. Part owner of a local club, he regularly plays and sings there. At work, he’s apt to go off on his own, then returning to offer his cogent thoughts.
The episodes in this season are all in 2 parts. There’s a depth and complexity to them which make for rewarding viewing. A case involving a former colleague and an earlier murder is especially poignant. Compared to Moonflower Murders, which we are also watching, this series probes character, while the other is slick and sometimes amusing. Ridley is serious stuff. Recommended! (~JWFarrington)
A BIT OF FUN
RAZZMATAZZ SENIOR DANCE TROUPE
I had the fun of seeing Razzmatazz perform this past week. They are a group of senior women who love to dance and who perform to Broadway hits old and new. With lots of kicking and a different sparkly, sequined costume for each number, their enthusiasm was infectious. The audience smiled, tapped their feet, and even bobbed along. At the end, each dancer introduced herself and gave her age. They ranged from 65 up to 81 years, the oldest of these limber dancers. Fun!
Note: Header photo was taken in Moore Square. All unattributed photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.)
