N&O Person of the Year

For nearly two decades, civic boosters in Durham, North Carolina, have tried to convince outsiders that their old tobacco town should be known as the City of Medicine. But with strong competition from major league crime and minor league baseball, the City of Medicine moniker has yet to stick.

Despite the mild identity crisis, there’s one way in which the City of Durham is truly blessed. It’s filled with remarkable restaurants. And one of these extraordinary eateries serves as the favorite meeting place of Preacher Joseph J. Peters and sexy Sally Susser.

On most Tuesday evenings, observant diners at the Emisphor Grill will find the couple holding down a brocade booth in the backest, darkest corner of the restaurant, sometimes laughing, occasionally groaning, and frequently leaving before even glancing at their menus.