Get Crunk

Garden & Gun's latest issue ranks Chapel Hill's own Crunkleton as a Favorite Bar in the South*.  Highlighted as a place to congregate with friends, the twentieth century furniture and huge bay window overlooking Franklin  St invite socializing-- the best quality of a bar.

"Sometimes we forget that the best bars are no more about drinking than a bed is about sleeping.  They're about both whom you're with when you're in them, and how good you feel when you're there."


I remember when Crunkleton opened up in July of 2008.  I was there for their first night when they didn't even have the credit card machine working.  The schtick with bartenders in tuxedo shirts and bowties became ever-popular with the post-grad young professionals over the years and the Crunk is often standing room only.   So congrats Mr. Crunkleton, stay classy.

*Honorable mention to The Cave that made the best dog-friendly bars.

Garden & Gun

My wonderful Jordan sent me a fantastic housewarming present when I got to Louisville I unwrapped a rather large package full of "essentials" for my life in Kentucky. Included in the box was:

-a handle of bourbon (duh)

-two mason jars (for us to drink the bourbon from...duh)

-a miniature horse statue (now sitting atop my stove)

-play money (to start my gambling addiction with)

-a toy gun (shoot first, ask questions later)

-a twinkie cookbook (because that's the way to a man's heart)

-Garden & Gun magazine (only the classiest publication next to the Daily Tar Heel)

-the sweetest card from a dear friend

We used to make fun of Jordan for reading Garden & Gun magazine, but it's a great gift for someone who is new to a state. It's my training for going from a Carolina girl to a Kentucky girl. This edition was all about BBQ. Here are a few clippings that I snipped from the pages... I may not be able to enjoy all the places in NC anymore, but you should!

Old Hickory Pit Bar-B-Q's chopped mutton sandwich (Owensboro, KY): anoited with vinegar, Worcesteshire sauce, and allspice, a dip that doesn't downplay the meat's pungent gaminess. Mmmm

12 Bones Smokehouse's hogzilla (Asheville, NC): Obama has eaten here! Pliant sausage, thick strips of sugar-cured bacon, shredded pork on a toasted sub roll. Yes sir, Mr. President.

Windy Corner Market (Lexington, KY): Rustic reclaimed siding, floorboards that once fenced a horse farm, and a screened porch overlooking rolling pastures all make a welcoming, unhurried feel.

The Bywater (Asheville, NC): I really want to go here! Feels like an old friend's backyard with a spacious lawn tricked out with patio lights, venues for horseshoes, bocce, croquet, and frisbee golf, and a couple of grills for BYOB (bring your own BBQ). 18 beers on tap from the local microbrews. Caution: Jambands have been known to spontaneously erupt on the premises.