Friday Fun Food Facts - December 16, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

Triangle restaurant news...that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler.

• According to the TBJ, the Triangle is getting its first Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery in North Raleigh this spring, just down the street from like-minded Hooters. Tilted Kilt is a Celtic-themed restaurant and bar that "caters to a male demographic." And before I get into any more trouble with the wife, they do have burgers, pizza, sandwiches, wraps and salads - so I've heard. It is expected to open in March, just in time for March Madness. Not that I'll ever go, but it will be located at 4516 Falls of Neuse Road in the Falls Center shopping center, in the stand-alone building adjacent to Carolina Ale House (the building that has housed a Cooker restaurant, Taste of Thai and the Japan Inn restaurant). I don't think I'll provide a link...

• Through his GoGoRaleigh site my buddy Dana McCall announced this week that Vesuvio's, a casual Italian restaurant, will open in North Raleigh's Peachtree Market in the space formerly occupied by Bear Rock Café (and before that, Atlanta Bread Co.).  Look or a springtime opening. In the meantime, visit their website here.

• Videri Chocolate Factory opened this past Thursday at 327 W. Davie St., in the Depot Station across from The Pit barbecue restaurant. Videri offers up homemade chocolate bars made from organic cocoa beans, organic cocoa butter and organic sugar. Starr Sink and her husband Sam Ratto are behind the factory. It is open from noon to 10 pm Thursday through Sunday. Get more information here. Or here on their Facebook page.

• Neomode will open its new North Raleigh Mediterranean/Lebanese eatery next week. The cafe and market will open in the Harvest Plaza shopping center at Strickland and Six Forks roads. Neomonde's other Triangle locations are on Beryl Road in Raleigh and Chapel Hill Road in Morrisville.  Visit them online here.  Or visit their Facebook page here.     

• Menchies Frozen Yogurt opened up its newest location over in Raleigh last weekend.  This marks Menchies third Triangle area location. It is located in Sutton Square at 6325 Falls of Neuse Road. Find them on Facbeook here. Or visit their website here.  

• Today is the first full day for Alvin Cotto's latest venture - Bistro 155 in Apex (near the intersection of US 1 and Hwy. 55). Many of you know Alvin from his successful catering operation - We Cook For You (you can order from them here). Bistro 155 is located at 1402 E. William St. in the location that used to house Ocean Stars Seafood Restaurant. Congrats to Alvin and his team! Drop them a note on Facebook here.

• We told you about this a few weeks ago, but the owners of ShabaShabu in Durham have converted that space and opened it as Fish House - a fish house and wine bar. It is located at 4020 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. directly across from Spartacus Restaurant.

• Randy's Pizza is opening its 6th Triangle location this Saturday with a grand opening from 11 to 4. Look for free slices of pizza and soda as well as drawings for tons of cool prizes. The newest location is in the Alexander Village Plaza, at 2121 T.W. Alexander Drive, near Brier Creek. Visit them on Facebook here.  Or visit their website here.

• The Triangle's newest food truck hits the streets today (December 16th). Baguettaboutit will launch at Golden Belt in Durham as part of Third Friday. These sausages are inserted into a freshly baked French baguettes along with your choice of 8 unique sauces. Golden Belt is located at 807 East Main Street, Durham, NC 27701. For more information, visit them online. or follow them on Twitter @baguettaboutit.

• And speaking of food trucks, and lots of food trucks, coming up tomorrow (December 17) from noon until 6 pm is the Rock & Shop Market. It's a huge urban craft fair featuring 110 vendors selling their handmade goods, 2 bands playing, a DJ, a fashion show, and a food truck rodeo of sorts to boot. This year's event will be held at three adjacent venues in Durham - Motorco Music Hall, FullSteam Brewery, and the Trotter Building. The list of trucks slated to be there includes: Chirba Chirba; KoKyu BBQ; Parlour; Pie Pushers; Old North State BBQ; Will & Pop's; BikeCoffee; Only Burger; Klausie's Pizza; and Slippin Sliders. The trucks will be parked outside of Motorco and FullSteam. Admittance to the event costs $5. This will get you into the three venues to shop, see the bands, hear the DJ, see the fashion show, etc. Access to the food trucks is of course free. For additional information, directions, and details, go here.  

• The Chick-fil-A at North Hills is turning 7 and they want you to celebrate with them today (December 16)! They will have a variety of activities throughout the day. Lots of activities for the kids, including appearances by Cow Santa! For all the details of the day, visit the restaurant's Facebook page or their website here. 

• Western Wake Farmers' Market holds its pre-Christmas Market from 3-6 p.m. Dec. 22, featuring locally grown produce, meat, eggs, honey, coffee, breads, sweets, crafts and more. The market is on Morrisville Carpenter Road between Davis Drive and Highway 55 in Carpenter Village.

• Vivace at North Hills will offer "La Vigilia," a seven-course seafood menu with optional wine pairings, at dinner during the week leading up to Christmas. It's the restaurant's observation of an Italian Christmas Eve tradition in which diners await the midnight birth of Jesus. The number of courses varies from city to city in Southern Italy. Details and reservations.

• And finally, looking to eat out on Christmas Day? The News & Observer has you covered with this handy, dandy list. Check it out here.

And with that, I say goodbye to 2011. Hard to believe and what an amazing year it has been. But there is no rest for the weary here (not that I'm weary, but that is the saying...) as I will be reworking A LOT of menus on our site, adding new restaurants and caterers, and revamping this very blog during the holiday break. So, many, many, many thanks to all of you, and to all...a good night! See you in 2012!