Curated Taste, Raleigh, NC (2026)

12/31/2025

🎉Thanks for the memories 🎉

Reflecting on 2025, this year has been a remarkable journey of growth, flavor, and elevation. From the desert horizons of Dubai to the milestone moments that defined my professional path, every chapter felt like a deliberate step toward a more refined version of Curated Taste.

One of the proudest highlights was graduating from the Launch program—a true testament to the dedication behind the scenes. That energy carried over into my personal life as I stood by to watch my niece graduate from college, a moment of pure joy and family pride.

In the kitchen, I had the incredible opportunity to cook alongside , learning that heart is the most essential ingredient in any culinary masterpiece.

I also took my perspective to new heights—quite literally—while flying in a Cessna with my friend as she checked off a bucket list goal, seeing the world from a vantage point that changes everything. And to top it all off, hitting a million views on my content was a humbling reminder of the incredible community we’ve built together.

Thank you for being part of this 2025 highlight reel. Here’s to 2026 being filled with even more intentionality and excellence.

✔️Please HEART this post
✔️JOIN the community
✔️SEND my posts to others
✔️SAVE for later
✔️COME back for more!

12/30/2025

🔔CREOLE CUISINE🔔

is serving up the kind of soul-satisfying Creole food that usually requires a flight to MSY. It’s the kind of spot where the gumbo has a roux that’s been simmered to perfection and the po’boys are packed to the brim.

You have to check out their weekly staples like Wing Wednesdays and Seafood Saturdays. I recently indulged in a spread that was a masterclass in Southern comfort:

Featured:

Cajun Shrimp & Grits🔥
Chicken & Beignet Waffles🔥
Croissant Beignets🔥
Shrimp Po’boy:🔥
The Boxes: The Jambalaya Box (rice, beef smoked sausage, chicken, and shrimp) and the Shrimp Box (red potatoes, corn, sausage, and shrimp) 🔥
The Sides: Baked macaroni and cheese, fresh green beans, and savory Cajun dirty rice with ground beef.🔥
Strawberry Crunch Cake🔥
Richard’s Gator Juice and Bayou Punch

📍Raleigh, NC - 1425 Promise Beacon Circle, Suite 106

Fun Fact: The “Po’boy” sandwich has a history rooted in solidarity. It was popularized during a 1929 streetcar strike in New Orleans. Brothers Benny and Clovis Martin, who were former streetcar conductors, promised to feed the striking workers for free. Whenever a hungry striker walked into their shop, the workers would shout, “Here comes another poor boy,” and the name eventually stuck to the iconic French bread sandwiches.

✔️Please HEART this post
✔️JOIN the community
✔️SEND my posts to others
✔️SAVE for later
✔️COME back for more!

12/29/2025

🔔NEW BAKERY🔔

has mastered the delicate balance of French-inspired technique and Asian-crafted precision.

This fusion is exactly why their pastries have a lighter, less sugary profile that has revolutionized the modern bakery scene.

From their signature Cloud Cakes to the perfectly golden pain au chocolat, walking into this bakery feels like an escape from the everyday hustle. It is the perfect spot for a slow morning with a lavender latte or picking up a beautifully boxed set of macarons for a sophisticated holiday gift.

📍Raleigh, NC - 7 Seaboard Ave

Fun Fact: “Tous Les Jours” literally translates to “Every Day,” While the name and aesthetic are undeniably French, did you know that Tous Les Jours is actually a South Korean franchise, established in 1997.

✔️Please HEART this post
✔️JOIN the community
✔️SEND my posts to others
✔️SAVE for later
✔️COME back for more!

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Cheers to a season of joy, love, peace and happiness.

🛍️Full outfit linked in my LTK and storefront (linked in bio)

✔️Please HEART this post
✔️JOIN the community
✔️SEND my posts to others
✔️SAVE for later
✔️COME back for more!

12/24/2025

Did you know that December-January are some of the best times to travel to Dubai for optimal weather and shopping?

Forget the basics—if you want to experience the magic and adrenaline of Dubai, you need to add these six things to your itinerary immediately!

This trip was a 10/10 blend of tradition, luxury, and high-octane fun.

Here’s my Itinerary:

1.) A City Transformed: Since most US to DXB flights arrive in the evening, take a late-night tour to see Dubai’s iconic architecture lit up—the Dubai at Night Tour is a must!

2.) Desert Adrenaline: Go off-roading in a 4x4 SUV) and grab a board for some exhilarating Dune Surfing! 🏄‍♀️

3.) Traditional Rhythms: Witness the incredible skill and grace if a mesmerizing Tanoura Dance performance.

4.) Safari & Stars: End the day in the desert at a BBQ Safari, complete with a memorable Camel Ride under the stars.

5.) Old Dubai Charm: Experience history by hopping on a traditional wooden boat, the Abra, across Dubai Creek.

6.) Top of the World: Ride to the viewing deck of the majestic Burj Khalifa—the world’s tallest building.

Let me know which of these six is hitting your bucket list first?

Fun Fact: You hear the word “Habibi” everywhere in Dubai and the wider Middle East. While many people know it means “my love,” the word is actually derived from the Arabic word hubb, which means “love.” It is most often used as an affectionate, informal term of endearment for friends, family, or even friendly strangers.

Ready to book your ultimate Dubai getaway? Contact me at linked in the bio to start planning!

✔️Please HEART this post
✔️JOIN the and communities
✔️SEND my posts to others
✔️SAVE for later
✔️COME back for more!

12/23/2025

You really need to save this post!

One of Raleigh’s top spots for modern Indian flair, has just unveiled a series of new menu items.

From artfully plated bites that reinvent traditional street food to rich, aromatic entrees that pay homage to regional classics, every dish feels like a curated masterpiece.

Jalwa is undeniably top tier—the presentation alone is worth the visit!

Featured:

Vada Cigar Roll🔥
Flambé Tandoori Quail
Lobster Roasted Pepper Makhani🔥
Goat Kunna🔥
Blackened Chicken Tikka Dari Chawal Mousse🔥
Tempura Dani Guaita & Blueberry 🔥
Mango Lassi Tiramisu
Raleigh Smoked Mule
Hazy Himalayan

Fun Fact: Did you know that the word “Jalwa” translates from Hindi and Urdu to mean “splendor,” “glory,” or a “charismatic presence”? It perfectly describes the impact of Indian spices on global history. In fact, during the Middle Ages, black pepper was so valuable that it was known as “black gold.” It was used as a form of currency to pay rent and taxes, and it was the primary driver for the Age of Discovery that eventually led explorers to the Americas!

📍Raleigh , NC - 6112 Falls of Neuse Rd

✔️Please HEART this post
✔️JOIN the community
✔️SEND my posts to others
✔️SAVE for later
✔️COME back for more!

12/22/2025

Are you team thin or thick crust pizza?

I love a good thick crust, but
may have swayed me in the other direction.

They have brought an authentic Italian market flavor to Fayetteville Street, and I am here for it! DELIZIOSA! It’s the perfect “grab-and-go” for the downtown crowd, but with zero compromise on quality.

Think thin crusted Neapolitan-style pizzas in delicious flavors like chicken wing - or build your own, incredible paninis and meatball subs, and my personal favorite: the finger licking Calabrian and Signature-flavored wings🔥. They also have vegan cheese and gluten-free options. The vegan cheese is pretty good too if you don’t eat the real thing.

Their grab and go options and desserts make it easy for you to wander through City Plaza unencumbered.

Whether you’re fueling up before a show or snagging a “Hot Honey Gabagool” pie for a cozy night in, bookmark Veloce for when you’re craving a taste of Italy.

📍Raleigh, NC - 443 Fayetteville Street

🇮🇹 Fun Fact: While “Veloce” translates to “fast” in Italian, the concept was actually inspired by Italy’s famous Autogrills. If you’ve ever road-tripped through the Italian countryside, you know these aren’t your typical rest stops—they are culinary landmarks serving world-class espresso and artisanal sandwiches to travelers on the go.

✔️Please HEART this post
✔️JOIN the community
✔️SEND my posts to others
✔️SAVE for later
✔️COME back for more!

12/20/2025

Share one gift idea everyone needs to know about?

If there’s one color defining the season, it’s burgundy. Deep, moody, and effortlessly chic—I’ve curated a holiday gift guide that feels as luxe as a glass of vintage wine. From scents that linger to the perfect party look, here are a few things on my guide to gifting this season!

The Gift Guide:

1.) Signature Scents: Elevate their fragrance game with a niche perfume from (Non-Expiring Code: CURATED20 for $20 off $75+ in-store and online)
2.) The Holiday Look:: My favorite cocktail dress of the season. (Linked in my LTK and Amazon Storefront)
3.) The Ultimate Gift: Give the gift of a lifetime with travel experiences via . Group trips and payment plans available. (Linked in bio)
4.) Game Night, Upgraded: A custom playing card deck makes a nice stocking stuffer
5.) Visionary Style: Give the gift of clear (and stylish) vision with frames from (Non-Expiring Code: CURATED20 for 20% off)
6.) The DIYer: DIY Perfume, Candle Making Sets and more Perfect for the crafter in your life. ⚠️ Less than 25 kits left! (Non-Expiring Code: CURATED20 for 20% off)
7.) The Finishing Touch: Wrap it all up in the stunning holiday prints from

Tap the link in bio to shop my picks and don’t forget to use the discount codes!

✔️Please HEART this post
✔️JOIN the community
✔️SEND my posts to others
✔️SAVE for later
✔️COME back for more!

I do not own the rights to this music.

12/19/2025

Have you tried this trend?

Once again AI has done me wrong!

Yet another blatant reminder that I need to stay in my lane.🤦🏽‍♀️

In a world full of filters and algorithms, there is a unique power in developing a perspective that is entirely your own. If you want help finding your own voice in this content creation game, DM me for 1:1 help.

Prompt is in the comments if you dare to try it. 🤣 I want to see your results.

✔️Please HEART this post
✔️JOIN the community
✔️SEND my posts to others
✔️SAVE for later
✔️COME back for more!

I do not own the rights to this music.

12/19/2025

Save this post to your holiday bucket list!

Durham said “let’s make it festive, but make it Bull City.”

The FestiBull of Lights officially turned the city into a winter wonderland. From the larger-than-life festive installations to the shimmering canopy of lights throughout the stadium, it’s the ultimate backdrop for your holiday content.

Cost: $12pp ($5pp train add-on)
Date: November 26, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Time: 5:30p - 9:00p every night

FestiBull Checklist:

☑️Holiday Express & Light Trail: Upgrade your ticket to include the train ride, grab a seasonal beverage and wander through the immersive displays. The synchronized light show is a mood.

☑️Interactive Activations: Keep an eye out for festive photo ops (Santa and Wool E. Claus included), holiday slide, scavenger hunt, craft zone, letters to Santa and more.

☑️Sip & Eat: Hit up the food stations and food trucks for seasonal bites while you explore and get a smores kit to roast by the fire. They also offer private igloos for next level vibes.

☑️Christmas Tree Alley: Check out the collection of trees, each uniquely decorated by its sponsor.

This is the kind of holiday magic that reminds you why Durham is so special.

📍Durham, NC - 409 Blackwell St (Durham Bulls Athletic Park)

Fun Fact: The NC by Train Holiday Express is one of the few places in the country where you can actually ride a train across the outfield of a professional baseball stadium while surrounded by thousands of synchronized twinkling lights.

✔️Please HEART this post
✔️JOIN the community
✔️SEND my posts to others
✔️SAVE for later
✔️COME back for more!

I do not own the rights to this music.

12/18/2025

Tag that friend who loves dinner with a view and save this for your next trip to the National Harbor.

I visited the stunning right on the water, and the upscale, vibrant atmosphere captured my attention the moment I walked in. The giant Buddha statue and the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Potomac provided the perfect backdrop for a memorable dinner.

The menu offered an extensive fusion of flavors, and the sushi was incredibly fresh! We ordered several of their signature rolls and the presentation was truly a work of art.

Between the chic decor and the bustling energy of the National Harbor, it felt like the ultimate destination for a night out.

If you are looking for a spot that combines fine dining with one of the best views in Maryland, this is definitely it!

Featured:

Brussels Sprouts
Strawberry Fields Roll🔥
Volcano Roll🔥
Calamari
Crab Cake🔥
Indonesian Fried Rice🔥

📍Oxon Hill, MD - 188 Waterfront Street (National Harbor)

Fun Fact: The National Harbor, where Grace’s Mandarin is located, is a relatively young destination! This 350-acre multi-use waterfront development only began construction in 2004 and opened its first phase in 2008, quickly transforming a quiet stretch of the Potomac into one of the most visited tourist hubs in the D.C. metropolitan area.

✔️Please HEART this post
✔️JOIN the community
✔️SEND my posts to others
✔️SAVE for later
✔️COME back for more!

I do not own the rights to this music.

Curated Taste

12/31/2025

12/30/2025

12/29/2025

12/25/2025

12/24/2025

12/23/2025

12/22/2025

12/20/2025

12/19/2025

12/19/2025

12/18/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category