Around Town: Krave Pours Exotic Alternatives to Alcohol

Posted on Sept. 8, 2015

The first time you tasted black coffee or tea, you probably grimaced. But you likely came back for more because it made you feel better. Many people have that same reaction to the exotic roots and teas that Elizabeth Gardner ’89 brews at Krave, the alternative-to-alcohol lounge she opened in March. Business has grown so much that she has ordered more couches and bar stools.

Gardner discovered the concept of a kava oasis while running a law practice in Miami. Because she had witnessed the dire consequences of some clients’ behavior due to their irresponsibility with alcohol, she sought out alcohol alternatives when she wanted to go out with friends.

After relocating to North Carolina, she opened a lounge with a wave wall on which serene images are projected. She serves kava — an earthy drink passed around in a coconut shell at luaus — as well as maca, ketum and 29 varieties of yerba mate. Depending on the concoction, imbibers might feel relaxed, focused or stimulated, without the jitters brought on by caffeine.

Krave has free Wi-Fi, a public computer and printer, and chargers at every carrel.

Hours: Noon to midnight, seven days a week.

Krave, 105 W. Main St., Carrboro, 919-408-9596

Cafe Balances Comfort Food, Health-Conscious Fare

Cindy McMahan ’85, co-founder of the popular Carrboro diner Elmo’s, has followed up her first success in Carr Mill Mall by opening Cafe Symmetry in the space once occupied by Panzanella. She pulled together a team heavy with UNC alumni and serves gourmet food cafeteria-style. (Completing the Symmetry partnership are Micah Asby ’95, Shawn Covington, Mariel Hewett ’10, Felipe Labrada and Charles Mills ’89.)

Symmetry balances health-conscious options with comfort food like Grandma made, including many dishes for vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free diners. One cold salad combines asparagus, apples and cabbage; another mixes kale and berries. Proteins include a jackfruit mock tuna and a bison chili. The chef created a Gruyere cheese and fig jam panino and a pulled-pork sandwich with apple slices and cheddar on a rustic roll. Save room for dessert, including cookies, cupcakes, bars and pies.

The cafe has a full bar that draws on fresh-squeezed juice to concoct a beet margarita and a basil and grapefruit martini.

Expect to spend about $10 to $15 for a meal without alcohol.

Hours: Opens at 11 a.m. every day and closes at 10 p.m. most days, but 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Cafe Symmetry, 200 N. Greensboro St., Carrboro, 919-903-9596

Bella’s Brings Its International Cuisine to Carrboro

When the new Carrboro Arts Center Plaza opened last year, Bella’s International Cuisine moved from Durham to be part of the community-oriented town. Bella’s is family-owned; matriarch Claudia Berrigan is the owner and chef, assisted by daughters Valerie and Alessandra Hernandez.

The restaurant serves brunch Tuesday through Sunday, featuring chorizo and avocado eggs Benedict and Nutella-stuffed French toast with strawberries and whipped cream. Bella’s closes for a couple of hours, then reopens for dinner, offering steak au poivre, a filet mignon with cognac cream sauce and pistachio-crusted grouper with a sherry cream sauce. Start with an appetizer such as cranberry scallops with bacon-maple sauce. Finish with a three-chocolate cheesecake that blends milk and dark chocolates and is topped with a bittersweet chocolate ganache.

Bella’s has a full bar and serves specialty drinks such as a rum-based cocktail made with habanero blood oranges, as well as local beer in bottles.

Appetizers range from $4 to $13, entrees from $15 to $25 and desserts from $5 to $8.

Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; and 5-10 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. An outdoor patio with umbrellas seats 30. There’s free parking in the arts center’s parking deck next door.

Bella’s International Cuisine, 360 E. Main St., Carrboro, 919-903-9963

Crepes Come to Franklin Street

Crepes have joined the wraps and burritos on West Franklin Street.

As classes got underway at Carolina, Sree Valluru opened Crepe Traditions in the spot once held by Gigi’s Cupcakes at 140 West. Crepes, both savory and sweet varieties, are made in an open kitchen in sight of customers. Each crepe takes about two minutes to make, introducing a fast food that can be eaten in the cafe or on the go.

Crepe Traditions will serve coffee drinks made with Intelligentsia Coffee.

Initially, Crepe Traditions will be open for lunch and dinner. If those crepes prove popular, the cafe might add breakfast crepes.

Crepe Traditions, 140 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, 919-391-9999

Ms. Mong Has Mongolian Flare

After the Korean restaurant Chopsticks and More closed earlier this year, Ms. Mong arrived in mid-June with Mongolian barbecue.

Co-owners Alex Kim and Isaac Park also use locally grown produce to create vegan and gluten-free dishes. The menu features seven types of Mong Mi sandwiches, unusual takeoffs on banh mi, along with burritos and the classic Mongolian plate, letting diners select their own ingredients, including crispy pork belly, and sauces.

Meals are priced between $7 and $10.

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Saturday; closed on Sunday.

Ms. Mong, 163 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, 919-933-5277

— Nancy E. Oates