Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Lawson.
Hi Alexis, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always had a passion for hospitality and entertaining. I attended Johnson and wales university in Charlotte majoring in baking & pastry. After leaving Charlotte & returning to my home city of Durham, NC, I applied to work as a server at bonefish grill. They saw my resume, and insisted I apply for a line cook position. As someone who never formally worked in a kitchen , I was reluctant, but they taught me what I needed to know, and my natural talent took over. I became the kitchen manager within a year at 19. From there I went on to open and train new hires at new bone fish locations, work in places such as Ruth’s Chris & J Alexander’s. Once the corporate restaurant experience grew tiring, I started my own meal prep and catering business, Chef Lex Meals. While I continued to hone in on providing top hospitality experiences for my clients, I was requested to help cover some bases for what was formally krill. After a few months at krill, we decided to rebrand with a new concept from my creative lense & Nerra Kitchen & Bar was born.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Overall it’s been extremely smooth! We opened Nerra in September 2025. Some challenges have been coming up with creative ways to expand our seating since we are a small intimate place. The hospitality and food aspect has been smooth because it’s a passion for me,
So it’s all about doing what feels natural. We also had the challenge of flipping the space and giving Nerra its own identity in a short period of time ( 2 weeks)While we wanted to honor the space held for businesses before Nerra, we still wanted Nerra to feel warm & Unique.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We specialize in seafood driven cuisine with a “southern” flare. We specialize in curating food that feels familiar with an elevated twist. We are proud of how we make our guest feel while dining with us.
We want Nerra to feel like a gathering cove, a place where you can come with family, friends, or by yourself and receive warm & welcoming hospitality without feeling rushed. We are also proud of the many reviews we have received from guest who express the family atmosphere that they feel when dining with us. We have formed a tight knit staff whom a lot of are family, so it’s nice to have that shine through our service experience
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Chef Lex is huge in manifesting. Everything I have vocalized and believe that I want for myself and this business
Has come to fruition, and we have so much further to go! So I’d say, I’m lucky, blessed & highly favored because I say so and I have a great team assisting me as well as a long linage of ancestors watching over and guiding.
Pricing:
- 1/2 priced small plates every day from 4-6 pm at our bar
- $28 all you can eat brunch buffet on Sundays
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.NerraDurham.com
- Instagram: @NerraDurham
- Facebook: https://Www.Facebook.com/NerraDurham
