Raleigh's downtown is buzzing with creative energy and a fertile local food scene thanks to Tasty Beverage Co., a craft-beer store in The Raleigh Depot; The Raleigh Wine Shop, a purveyor that sells wine and regional provisions from Hillsborough Cheese Company, Farmhand Foods, and OlliSalumeria; and chefs such as Ashley Christensen of Poole's Downtown Diner, Chuck's, Fox Liquor Bar, and Beasley's Chicken + Honey. Folks here revere their roots with opinion and humor. "We're surrounded by a rich farm community and vibrant restaurants," says Ashley. "We're very proud of each other. It makes us want to be better at what we do on a daily basis."