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  • Cary Spotlight (Travel + Discover Edition): Issue #370

Cary Spotlight (Travel + Discover Edition): Issue #370

Explore Wellington’s Cuisine, RDU’s Milestone & Cary’s Irish Pub Scene

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

🧭 From Coffee to Māori Cuisine: Discover Wellington’s Best Food Spot

✈️ RDU Tops September Travel Records, But Faces Satisfaction Drop

😋 Savor Cary: Doherty's Irish Pub Review

😋 Tasty Trend: Honey Butter Garlic Salmon Bites 😋

🏛️ Support Local Businesses: Cary Spotlight Directory

Question: What was Cary, NC's population in 1970?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Discover Bee Banhmi, a local business sponsor of Cary Spotlight. They do catering, online ordering, home delivery and in-store. Great food made with quality ingredients.

“Dined with you today and had forgotten how fresh your ingredients are and how tasty the food is! Thanks for making me feel like I am visiting Family when I come in to eat. Friendly staff welcomes you in and eagerly share their knowledge about the choices to ensure you get exactly what you want/need! Love Bee BanhMi!” ~Lorraine Cross

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Wellington on a Plate (WOAP) 2019 finalist dish. Credit: Jeff McEwan

From Coffee to Māori Cuisine: Discover Wellington’s Best Food Spot

In Wellington, New Zealand’s political capital, food culture reigns as a celebrated art. With bustling streets lined by coffee shops, artisanal breweries, and restaurants offering everything from Māori cuisine to Italian family recipes, the city has earned a reputation as a vibrant culinary hub.

Wellington’s love affair with coffee and craft beer runs deep, and visitors will find no shortage of specialty roasters and brewers. A morning walk reveals skilled baristas crafting flat whites with precision, while taprooms welcome guests with the latest in craft brews. But the city’s food culture extends far beyond drinks.

A stroll through Wellington is like walking through a layered history of flavors and traditions. Iconic neighborhoods such as Cuba Street and the Waterfront come alive with street-side eateries, modern food alleys, and award-winning restaurants. The city’s compact layout makes exploration easy, inviting visitors to uncover its hidden culinary treasures and cultural gems around every corner.

Recommendation: Take a three-hour guided food tour offers a chance to dive deep into Wellington’s unique offerings. Stops include a Māori waterfront eatery, a second-generation Italian pizzeria, and tastings of locally made chocolate. Along the way, visitors gain insight into the local architecture and history woven into the fabric of the city. From fine dining to neighborhood cafés, Wellington’s food scene captures the creative spirit of the city.

Whether you're in town for the day or staying longer, this tour is an invitation to savor the best of Wellington’s flavors, culture, and charm in every bite. Explore NZ Food Tours | Top Food Experiences in Wellington

What type of food experiences interest you the most?

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RDU Tops September Travel Records, But Faces Satisfaction Drop

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) achieved new milestones in September 2024, setting records for both monthly and Labor Day travel. About 1.27 million passengers passed through the airport, marking a 2.3% increase over the same month last year, while Labor Day weekend alone saw 188,000 travelers, a 7% rise from 2023.

However, with growth comes challenges. RDU, once ranked in the top five large airports in North America for three years, dropped to 13th in the 2024 J.D. Power Satisfaction Study. To address growing passenger volume, the airport is rolling out new features, including biometric kiosks for international departures in Terminal 2, enhancing efficiency with facial recognition technology.

Travelers can also enjoy new dining experiences in Terminal 2, such as Crawford’s Genuine, a restaurant from James Beard-nominated chef Scott Crawford, alongside Black & White Coffee Roasters and Carolina Craft, a bar featuring local beverages.

Looking ahead, RDU has begun constructing a replacement for its main runway, with the project expected to cost over $500 million. This new infrastructure, partially funded by a $10 million FAA grant, will ensure the airport can meet future demand and maintain international and West Coast connectivity. While managing record growth and maintaining passenger satisfaction remains a balancing act, the airport is investing heavily to keep pace with evolving traveler expectations. Read Full Report

Just curious…

What area of RDU would you like to see improved next?

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Which recent improvement at RDU excites you the most?

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Please Support Our Local Cary NC Community Food Pantries
👉Click Their Images To Learn more or Donate or Volunteer👈

Credit: Doherty's Irish Pub

Doherty's Irish Pub Review

Doherty's Irish Pub is one of the eateries that was nominated by the Cary Spotlight’s readers for our Savor Cary Giveaway. If you had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below. Here are the results from our last reader poll (see below). Check out their menu on their website: Doherty's Irish Pub

Reader Poll Results (Issue # 323)

Doherty's Irish Pub (22 Votes)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Love this place! (please share your recommendation) (22)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 😊😊😊 I have never been there but I might give it a try (0)

Cary Spotlight Reader’s Feedback:

“We enjoy the traditional food--choices on the menu are perfect. The Staff have always been welcoming and helpful--it is often difficult to narrow down what we want that day. Doherty's is our first place to go when we have visitors to Cary; and, the atmosphere is perfect for a celebration.”

“It’s my favorite restaurant for fish and chips that are comparable to what I would get in Ireland. I’ve never had a bad meal there. ”

“Great selection of food & beer and great service. ”

“Perfect fish and chips along with other favorite things on the menu like Shepherds Pie and the Brisket Sandwich. We have never been disappointed and appreciate the friendly staff.”

Doherty's Irish Pub

Click to share 3 things you love about this place or recommend an item people should try on their menu.

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Support Local Businesses: Cary Spotlight Directory

Cary, NC! Know anyone who would love a free listing on our new Cary Spotlight Directory? It's a community resource website for newcomers and long time residents. Let them know about our newest asset.

We are adding local businesses, charities and Veterans Organizations.

Honey Butter Garlic Salmon Bites 😋

Pan-seared honey garlic salmon bites offer a delicious and easy option for a healthy dinner. With just a few basic ingredients and a hot skillet, you can prepare this dish in about 15 minutes. The recipe produces flaky, tender salmon with a sticky sweet honey glaze. It's straightforward enough for a weeknight dinner but also impressive enough to serve to guests. Serve it alongside rice and steamed vegetables for a well-rounded meal.

📋 Ingredients List:

  • 1 ½ lb salmon fillet, cut into bite-sized pieces
    Spice Up the Salmon

  • 1 Tsp Garlic Powder

  • 1 Tsp Onion Powder

  • 1 Tsp Paprika

  • 1 Tsp Italian Seasoning

  • 1/2 Tsp Salt

  • 1 Tsp Lemon Pepper Seasoning

  • 1 Tsp Old Bay Seasoning

    Honey Butter Garlic Glaze

  • 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic

  • 4 Tbsp Unsalted Butter

  • 1/4 Cup Honey

  • 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce

📝 Instructions:

Tips To Make Honey Garlic Salmon

  • Dry the salmon with paper towels to get rid of any extra moisture.

  • Cube the salmon into even pieces for even cooking.

  • Gently toss the salmon with seasoning until all the pieces are well coated.

  • Add cayenne pepper to the seasoning blend to give the salmon a spicy kick.

  • Allow the salmon to marinate in the seasoning mixture for 30 minutes to an hour if you have time.

  • Use fresh garlic for the best flavor.

  • Easily make this in the air fryer. Preheat to 390 degrees and cook for 7-9 minutes, flipping halfway through.

  • You can also make this recipe with cubes of chicken or shrimp. Adjust the cooking times accordingly.

Give it a try and let us know what you think. Print version of this recipe

How tempting do you find today's recipe?

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The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇

In 1970, the population of Cary, NC, was 7,640. At the time, Cary was a small but growing town, laying the foundation for the rapid expansion and development that would follow in the coming decades. (Cary: Through the Years, p 24)

As of 2023, Cary, North Carolina, has an estimated population of approximately 180,010. The town continues to experience steady growth, driven by its attractive quality of life, robust economy, and proximity to the Research Triangle. Over the years, Cary has developed from a small town into one of the fastest-growing municipalities in North Carolina, with diverse demographics and strong community engagement.

For more detailed information, you can visit sources like Neilsberg.

For more historical insights into Cary's development visit these resources: