Friday Fun Food Facts - October 15, 2010

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

• I mentioned this a few months back (that the former executive chef at Café Luna, Maurizio Privilegi, was leaving to do his own thing) and now the N&O's Sue Stock has confirmed that he will be opening Blue Tuscan Grille. It is scheduled to open late this year in the Depot Building at 327 Davie Street.
  
  
• In some exciting news out of Durham, former Piedmont restaurant owner/chef Andy Magowan has leased the long-vacant Fletcher's Gulf building at Foster and Geer Streets and plans to open a new restaurant there by February. The focus will be on classic American food with the finest local ingredients available. If you are not familiar with the location, think just outside of center field of the old Durham Athletic Park, across from the recently opened King's Sandwich Shop. Quite a cool little "foodie" area that is becoming.
  
  
• It also looks like Durham is getting its second McAlister's Deli location. The newest rendition will be in the Renaissance Center across the street from The Streetsat Southpoint. It will go in the former S&K Menswear location, which closed at the end of last year. No opening date has been set, but we'll keep our eyes on it for you.
  
  
• Last Friday Downtown Raleigh welcomed its newest addition to the restaurant scene - Sushi O Bistro and Sushi Bar. It is located in the Glenwood South District in the 222 Glenwood building. It is open for lunch and dinner.
  
  
• There is another new food truck on the scene - Valentino's Food Truck. They tout themselves as "da best Italian food on 4 wheels in Raleigh." Be sure to follow them on Twitter (@ValentinoTruck) or follow them on their website so you can keep up with their locations.
  
  
• If you live in Garner, you might want to check out the newly opened TerraFin Station restaurant on Old Drug Store Road. The location has undergone extensive renovations and serves up steak, seafood and pasta. It is definitely worth a visit.
  
  
• Or if you are closer to Wake Forest, you'll be glad to know that there is a now a "fine dining" experience in the Wakefield area - Bruno. Bruno Peros recently relocated from New York and opened the Italian steakhouse. Even if you don't live in Wake Forest, it is worth the drive...I promise.
  
  
• With the sweltering heat behind us, thoughts turn to outdoor dining options. And just in the nick of time, the N&O's Greg Cox has compiled a handy list of outdoor / patio dining options in the Triangle. Check it out here.
  
  
• Speaking of outdoor dining, it might be a good time to head on over to Broad Street Café where they have just added a new outdoor patio area on the side of the building. A nice addition to a great little café.
  
  
• This Saturday is the much anticipated TerraVita Food & Wine event from 1-5 pm on The Green in Southern Village in Chapel Hill. The event features organically-grown wines, microbrews and edibles prepared by some of the area's top chefs. Get more information here.
  
  
• This Saturday from 8 until noon, the South Estest Farmers' Market in Chapel Hill (adjacent to University Mall) will host their annual Fall Festival, featuring fresh fall produce, face painting for the kids as well as veggie printing and paper lantern making. Get more information on their website.
  
  
• If you've never been to Saxapahaw, this is the reason to go! The little town situated on the Haw River in Alamance County (about 10 miles west of Chapel Hill) will hold it's annual Octoberfest celebration from 4-9 pm on October 23. There will be live music, a farmer's market, Fullsteam Brewery on hand, as well as food from Vimala's Curryblossom Café and of course, the Saxapahaw General Store. More information here.
  
  
• Here's a different "dining" experience for you...for $10 for members/$15 for others, the Piedmont Wildlife Center in Durham is hosting a Wild Edible Plant Walk and Feast this Sunday from 2-4. The event will conclude with a feast based on what is gathered on the walk by the attendees. Call 489-0900 for more information or go to their site.
  
  
• If you can't make it to the NC State Fair on Thursday for the Food Lion Hunger Relief Day, don't fret. You can still support the effort of the Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina by participating in their "virtual" food drive - visit their site here.
  
  
• The Weathervane in A Southern Season in Chapel Hill is serving up a five-course dinner at 7 pm on Wednesday, October 27 featuring beers from Duck-Rabbit Brewery (based in Farmville, NC). Tickets cost $45 without tax or tip. For a reservation, call 929-9466.
  
  
• Zely & Ritz's four-course dinner featuring Fullsteam Brewery held earlier this week was so successful, they've scheduled a second one for anyone that missed it (or wants to do it again!). It will be held one on Thursday, October 28th. The meal begins at 7 pm and costs $49 per person. To make a reservation, call 828-0018.
  
  
• There are just two dates left in Raleigh's first ever Supper Club, a dinner series featuring some of downtown Raleigh's best locally-owned restaurants. Participating chefs will dish up unique three-course dinners, each paired with a glass of hand-selected wine, all for just $40 (tax and gratuity included) with proceeds benefiting the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at WakeMed. The remaining dates/locations are: Zely & Ritz (Oct. 19) and Sushi Blues Café (Oct. 25). See menus and more details here.
  
  
• North Raleigh's Taylor's Wine Shop is holding a barbecue fundraiser from 11 am -3 pm a week from Saturday (October 23). A plate will set you back $8, but proceeds will benefit Community HOPE, a program that connects volunteer mentors with high-risk students from low-income neighborhoods for weekly mentoring session.
  
  
• And finally, in my effort to keep donuts in every week's column, I'm proud to announce that Halloween donuts are back at area Krispy Kreme stores. There is one that's iced to look like a pumpkin, one with Halloween colored sprinkles and the much anticipated return of the pumpkin spice cake doughnut. And while it hasn't been confirmed here, some locations are introducing a creme-filled spider web themed doughnut.
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  Firehouse Subs Joins Snapfinger Catering Line-up!
  At Firehouse Subs, we cater to appetites, wherever they gather. Whether it's a party, an office lunch or a game-time feast, we've discovered one constant in our 15-year history; people everywhere love hearty subs piled high with the best meats, cheeses, and toppings around.
  
  Firehouse Subs is currently only available in the airport area, RTP, most of Durham and all of Chapel Hill. We're working on a location to serve the Raleigh and Cary markets.
  
  Snapfinger Catering Welcomes Back Elegant Touches Catering
  At Elegant Touches Catering our 'tag line' is - Anything From Simple To Simply Elegant. That really says it all. We've got a little something for everyone - and that's because we've been doing this for so long. You'll find our menu to be VERY customizable so that you get exactly what you want. You'll also find some very unique, as well as budget conscious, options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.We'll look forward to working with you.
  
  Elegant Touches serves the entire Triangle market.

Friday Fun Food Facts - October 8, 2010

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

• It is my wife's favorite time of the year - our annual trek to the North Carolina State Fair, which starts next week! So let's kick off this week's news with the items that have made the "much anticipated" list at this year's fair: a Twinkie Log (a frozen Twinkie dipped in chocolate with an option to add coconut shavings); the newest deep-fried option will be the cheesy mashed potato bites; and other artery cloggers include: a Krispy Kreme Burger (a hamburger patty served between sliced doughnut halves) and Joe's Big Dogs offered in ¼ pound, ½ pound and pound sizes!
  
  
• And don't forget that Thursday, October 21 is the annual Food Lion Hunger Relief Day at the NC State Fair - where four cans of Food Lion brand food gets you in for "free" and you've helped the Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina. More info here.
  
  
• Just when it seems all we are hearing about are the opening of more donut shops, we learn that the Dunkin' Donuts at Crabtree Valley Mall has closed. Dunkin' Donuts has been in the mall since I was knee-high to a grasshopper...bummer.
  
  
• In a bit of unique news, Chapel Hill's iconic Crook's Corner is opening a second location - Crook's Atrium Café which will be located in the Europa Center in Chapel Hill at 100 Europa Drive. The new location will be open for breakfast and lunch.
  
  
• The Big Food Truck Harvest at Big Boss Brewing in Raleigh has been scheduled for Thursday, October 14th from 5-10:30 pm. Food trucks Klausies Pizza, Moms Delicious Dishes, Only Burger and Valentino's are already scheduled to be there (more are sure to be announced). In addition to 14 taps and 2 casks, Big Boss will have one of the most popular seasonal brews, Harvest Time Pumpkin Ale, on hand. Pumpkin carving contests and live music will also be featured. More details here.

• According to experts enlisted by USA Today, Char-Grill in Raleigh is the best place in North Carolina to savor that classic all-American sandwich - the burger. What began as a single location in 1959 has grown into six locations across the state.
  
  
• Here's a weekly event that will keep your energy level up. Durham's very own Counter Culture Coffee offers free coffee tastings every Friday at 10 am. The "cupping" is immediately followed by a guided tour of the roastery and headquarters. Counter Culture Coffee Roastery and Headquarters is located at 4911 South Alston Avenue in Durham. Call 361.5282 for more information.

• The World Beer Festival is this weekend in Durham and last I heard, there are still some tickets available (which is a huge surprise). But to find out for sure (if you think you might want to go) please visit their site here.
  
  
• This month Chapel Hill's A Southern Season is hosting a month-long food and wine festival. For more information on all the activities and events being held, please visit their site here.
  
  
• Here's to Raleigh's first ever Supper Club, a dinner series featuring some of downtown Raleigh's best locally-owned restaurants. Participating chefs will dish up unique three-course dinners, each paired with a glass of hand-selected wine, all for just $40 (tax and gratuity included) with proceeds benefiting the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at WakeMed. The participating restaurants are: Market Restaurant (Oct. 11); Zely & Ritz (Oct. 19) and Sushi Blues Café (Oct. 25). See menus and more details here.
  
  
• Listen up ladies, The Wine Merchant in Raleigh (Wade Avenue near Whole Foods) is hosting a Ladies' Masquerade Ball from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28th. There will be wine tastings, a raffle, appetizers, complimentary massages and lots of stuff on sale! While costumes are not required, prizes will be awarded for most horrifying, sexiest, most original, best wine theme and best overall. Please reserve a spot by calling 828-6929.
  
  We've got dinners galore to tell you about, so here we go...
  
  
• Next Wednesday (Oct. 13), Raleigh's Zely & Ritz is offering a four-course dinner featuring Fullsteam Brewery. The meal begins at 7 pm and costs $49 per person. To make a reservation, call 828-0018.
  
  
• On Thursday, Oct. 14th at 7 pm, the Boylan Bridge Brewpub will host a cocktail and menu tasting to debut some new items. Tickets are $25 purchased in advance / $40 at the door. To get tickets in advance, click here.
  
  
• The Inn at Celebrity Dairy near Siler City will host its monthly Sunday dinner on Oct. 17th at 1:30 pm. The dinner will feature Aurora Restaurant's chef Gwen Higgins. It will set you back $75 per person. Make reservations here or call 742-5176.
  
  
• Just down the road in Chapel Hill, Pazzo (located in Southern Village) will have a four-course dinner on Tuesday, October 19th at 6:30 pm. The dinner will feature Vietti wines and winemaker Luca Currado. If you are interested in attending the $85 dinner, call 968-1884.
  
  
• Also in Chapel Hill, the infamous Spanky's on Franklin Street has teamed up with Durham's Fullsteam Brewery and will be holding a beer dinner on Sunday, October 26th with five courses, each paired with one of Fullsteam's beers. The cost is $40 per person. Call 919.967.2678 or e-mail spankys@spankysrestaurant.com to attend.
  

• If you've got a spare $145 sitting around you'll want to attend a guest-chef event being hosted at the newly renovated Herons Restaurant at The Umstead in Cary on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 6:30 pm. The guest chefs include Curtis Duffy, Avenues at The Peninsula Chicago and Claudio Aprile of Colborne Lane in Toronto. Call 447-4050 to make a reservation.
  
  
• Durham's Rue Cler is offering a wine dinner at 7 pm on Nov. 1st featuring the wines of Eric Texier of the Rhone and Maconnais regions of France. Dinner costs $65. Check their website or call 682-8844 for more information.
  
  
• And finally, the Angus Barn will host an extraordinary wine dinner on Nov. 12. Arthur Silvente with the Champagne House, Duval Leroy and Hank McCrorie of Napa Valley's Burly Vineyards have teamed up for an "old world meets new world" wine dinner. Chef Walter Royal and staff have expertly prepared a six-course dinner around those wines. Call 919-787-3505 to make reservations.
  
  
• Raleigh is participating this year in Diabetes Restaurant Month which runs Oct. 12 through November 12. Restaurants 518 West, Backyard Bistro, Market Restaurant, Zest Café and Mitch's Tavern will each offer a menu item that meets standards outlined by a registered dietician and an endocrinologist. More information at this site.
  
  
• Dress your little ones up early and take them to your local IHOP on Friday, October 29th, where they'll be serving up Scary Face Pancakes free of charge for children 12 and under (one per child).
  
  
• Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 16th from 1-5 pm as Chapel Hill hosts the TerraVita Food & Wine event on The Green in Southern Village. The event features organically-grown wines, microbrews and edibles prepared by some of the area's top chefs. Get more information here.
  
  
• The World Cask Ale Festival will be held Saturday, October 23rd right here in our own backyard in Durham. It will be held in the Trotter Building on Geer Street and will feature cask ales from around the state and from breweries around the country as well as some great food options from vendors around Durham. Get more information and tickets here.

Friday Fun Food Facts - October 1, 2010

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

• If you are in North Raleigh, today is the grand opening of the Triangle's newest location of Chubby Taco's. Doors open at 11 am at the 10511 Shadowlawn Drive location in the Falls River Town Center.
  
  
• Capital Creations Pizza in Raleigh has closed their Medlin Drive location. But if you're a huge fan, don't fret because you'll still be able to get your pies from the Wake Forest Road location (the last remaining of what was once four area stores). And if you love it a lot, you might even be able to buy-in to the franchise in the very near future!
  
  
• The Triangle is getting its second location of Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, the self-serve yogurt phenomenon. The second location will open in early 2011 in Cary's Crossroad Plaza, next to Jason's Deli. The other Triangle location is in Timberlyne Shopping Center in Chapel Hill.
  
  
• You no longer have to get out of your car to enjoy a treat from Snoopy's Hot Dogs. Well, at least if you go to their newest location in Garner (82 Glen Road). And not only does it have a drive-up window, but it has inside seating! Now that is moving on up! Snoopy's began in 1978 and now has five Triangle area locations.
  

• K&W Cafeterias will open their third Triangle location next Monday, October 4th in Tower Marketplace on Bastion Lane off of US 64. The other two locations in the Triangle are in Cameron Village and adjacent to Chapel Hill's University Mall.
  
  
• And we have a re-opening to announce! The Wine N Things at 7436 Creedmoor Road in Raleigh is open again! For more information, contact them at 919.847.4986. Plans for a grand re-opening celebration haven't been announced.
  
  
• Here is something I bet you didn't know. October is National Cookie Month. So get the month off to a great start by heading over to the Great American Cookie Company today for a FREE cookie from 10 - 2. There are two Triangle area locations at North Hills and Triangle Town Center.
  
  
• Speaking of sugar-goodies, Dunkin' Donuts has opened its latest Triangle area location at 13240 Stickland Avenue. To celebrate, you can get a 16-ounce iced coffee for just 99 cents between now and Sunday. Better hurry before it gets too cold outside to enjoy this offer!
  
  
• Bruegger's Bagels is renovating all 20 Triangle-area locations (part of a national roll-out) that just so happens to mark the bagel chain's 25th anniversary here in the Triangle. As part of that celebration, Bruegger's will be offering free coffee on October 13th until 2 p.m. as well as offering triangle-shaped bagels!
  
  
• This was kind of neat to see. In the October issue of Cooking Light, our very own hometown food critic from the N&O, Greg Cox, had a very neat article featured - The Best Restaurants in Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill. Read the article here, it is worth the read with lots of good information. Congratulations Greg!
  
  
• If you are heading to the Carolina vs. ECU or NC State vs. Virginia Tech football games this weekend, you just might get a coupon for a free sausage biscuit at Hardee's. Pay attention at half-time as a fan (could be you) will have to hit a 30-yard field goal before the coupons will be distributed by the ushers as you leave. Now that's a lot of pressure on one person!
  

• Things are heating up this weekend in Chatham County for the 3rd Annual Pittsboro Pepper Festival. Activities will be held on Sunday from 4-7 p.m. at The Plant in Pittsboro. This is your chance to try more than 40 different peppers as well as pepper-inspired dishes prepared by chefs from 12 Triangle-area restaurants. Triangle Brewery also will be serving up a habanero beer. For more information, directions and to purchase tickets, visit here.
  
  
• If you are a fan of lobsters from Maine listen up. This Saturday you'll be able to get your hands (and mouth) on lobsters that are literally swimming in the ocean as we speak. Here's how it works. This Saturday morning a truckload of large Maine lobsters will arrive at the St. Paul's Lobster Fest. They are offered both live and cooked, plus full meals including their special "Quarta Pounda Lobsta Roll!" Get more details at their website. Cary's Lobster Fest takes place at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Union Street in Cary. Visit their site.
  
  
• Like you need a good reason to hit the beach one more time this season. But if you do, this is the reason - the 24th Annual North Carolina Seafood Festival is being held in Morehead City today, Saturday and Sunday. Get more details here.
  
  
• It is October, which means the Bull City Vegan Challenge has begun. Ten restaurants in Durham will compete in the month-long competition where the public will vote online to determine who has the best vegan dish. Participating restaurants are: Alivia's, Beyu Caffe, Dos Perros, The Federal, Nosh, Parker & Otis, Piedmont, Rue Cler, Toast and Vin Rouge.
  
  
• And if it is October, it also means the North Carolina State Fair is just around the corner! So, coat your stomach with Pepto-Bismol and head on over to see what is being deep fried this year! And to help out a great cause at the same time, make plans to attend on Thursday, October 21 for the annual Food Lion Hunger Relief Day. Just bring four cans of Food Lion brand food to the Fair and your admission is covered and you've helped the Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina.
  
  
• With the change of seasons also comes the return of a made-from-scratch treat from Bojangles: the smoked sausage biscuit for only 99 cents. Get 'em now!
  

• If you're even thinking about attending the World Beer Festival in Durham on Oct. 9, you better get your tickets ASAP. Spots are filling up for the afternoon session-12 to 4 p.m.-as well as the evening session-6 p.m. until 10 p.m. For more information, click here.
  
  Beer and wine dinners seem to be the "hottest" things at restaurants these days. Works for me! Here are some you might want to check out.
  
  
• Carrboro's Glasshalffull will offer a four-course meal this Sunday. The dinner will feature seafood from Core Sound Seafood and is $85 with wine, $65 without wine. For a reservation, call 967-9784.
  
  
• Downtown Raleigh's Gravy will host an Italian Food Tour wine dinner this Monday (October 4) where Chef Tony will prepare a five-course dinner from the Basilicata region in Italy. The cost of the dinner is $30 per person, $45 paired with wine. More information here.
  
  
• Next Wednesday, October 6, Durham's Four Square Restaurant is offering a five-course dinner featuring the wines of the Stolpman Estate. The dinner costs $85. Call 401-9877 for a reservation. Four Square is located on Chapel Hill Road in Durham.
  

• We told you about this one last week - Zely & Ritz will hold a beer dinner on Wednesday, October 13 featuring brews from Durham's very own Fullsteam Brewery and desserts from Raleigh's Crumb. For reservations, call Zely & Ritz at (919) 828-0018. Zely & Ritz is located Glenwood Avenue in the Glenwood South District.
  
  
• And in Chapel Hill, the infamous Spanky's on Franklin Street has teamed up with Durham's Fullsteam Brewery and will be holding a beer dinner on Sunday, October 26th with five courses, each paired with one of Fullsteam's beers. The cost is $40 per person. Call 919.967.2678 or e-mail spankys@spankysrestaurant.com to attend.
  
  
• Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 16th from 1-5 pm as Chapel Hill hosts the TerraVita Food & Wine event on The Green in Southern Village. The event features organically-grown wines, microbrews and edibles prepared by some of the area's top chefs. Get more information here.
  
  
• The World Cask Ale Festival will be held Saturday, October 23rd right here in our own backyard in Durham. It will be held in the Trotter Building on Geer Street in Durham and will feature cask ales from around the state and from breweries around the country as well as some great food options from vendors around Durham. Get more information and tickets here.
  
  
• Listen up T.G.I. Friday's fans. Here is a coupon for $5 off your purchase of $15 or more good through Thursday, October 9, 2010.
  
  
• Ruby Tuesday is offering up their popular BOGO coupon (buy one, get one). Max of $10. Get it here.
  

• This is the last weekend to hit-up CiCi's Pizza for their popular $3.99 all-you-can-eat buffet deal. More information here.
  

Friday Fun Food Facts - September 24, 2010

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

• It appears as if Noodles & Company will be opening their fifth Triangle location in November. The new location will be in the former Camille's Sidewalk Café location in Briar Creek in Raleigh. The other Triangle locations include: Crossroads Plaza in Cary, West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, The Pavilion in Durham and Cameron Village in Raleigh.
  
  
• Downtown Raleigh is getting another sushi restaurant. Sushi O opens next week in the Glenwood South District (222 Glenwood South) and will also serve Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese.
  
  
• Yogen FrUz has opened their first North Carolina location at North Hills in Raleigh. They will be having their "Grand Opening" celebration this Saturday from 10-10 with free t-shirts, yogurt samples and more.
  
  
• The Shish Kabob restaurant located in downtown Raleigh's City Plaza is expanding with another location next month. The store's second location will be in Pinecrest Pointe in North Raleigh at 9101 Leesville Road.
  
  
• It looks like the swinging doors at the Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon in Raleigh will swing no more. The Raleigh location is one of 19 locations across the country that recently closed. The Durham, Knightdale and Clayton locations remain open.
  

• Over in Cary in South Hills Mall there is some letter-changing going on. Huh? The Triangle's last K&S Cafeteria was sold to employees Sylvester and Diane Smith and is now D&S Cafeteria (their initials). Aside from the initials, pretty much everything stays the same.
  
  
• We reported a few weeks back that Sauced Pizza in the Glenwood South District in downtown Raleigh is under new ownership. Word now is that the restaurant is getting a bit of a face-lift to go along with that. The good news is that the restaurant remains open during this improvement process. Check it out!
  
  Looking for some fun stuff to do this weekend?
  
  
• The Carolina Brewery in Pittsboro is holding their annual Oktoberfest Celebration this Saturday beginning at 4 p.m. There will be kids' activities in the afternoon (kids bounce house, clown and magic, face painting and a dunking booth) and live music in the evening beginning at 7 p.m. Plus beer and brats all day. Admission is $5 and includes a token for one beer or food item. More details here.
  
  
• Durham's Guglhupf Cafe is also hosting an Oktoberfest with a twist - Rocktoberfest - a live performance by the German rock band, Die Nierentische. The event will be from 4-10 p.m. this Saturday on the cafe's outdoor patio. Enjoy this festive day with delicious cuisine, paired with outstanding beers and wines. Get more information here.
  
  
• The Anugus Barn is hosting a complimentary wine tasting in the Wild Turkey Lounge this Sunday (Sept. 26th) from 3:30 - 5 p.m. Call 919.787.3505 for more information.
  
  
• This Saturday four area farmer's market will participate in the Triangle Farmer Foodshare Challenge - each market is trying to collect 1,000 pounds of fresh, locally grown food. Participating markets are: Carrboro Farmers' Market, Durham Farmers' Market, South Estes Farmers' Market and Western Wake Farmers' Market. So, head out this Saturday and "buy a bunch and give a bunch!" More information here.
  
  
• Triangle Uncorked is this Saturday, September 25th from 2-6 pm at Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Taste hundreds of wines from around the world for just $25 ($35 day of event). If you want access to the VIP tent, high-end wine tastings and free appetizers, those tickets will cost $75. For more information go to their site. All proceeds benefit The Frankie Lemmon Foundation and the North Raleigh Rotary Club.
  
  
• It is fall (unless you step outside into the heat), which is a time for new menus for many area restaurants. Two to note here: Southern Rail next to Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro has released a new menu featuring new entrees as well as new sandwiches, starters and desserts. Now open for lunch and dinner, it is worth a visit to check out Chef Mark's new creations.
  
  
• And in downtown Raleigh, Sono chef and owner Mike Lee has crafted a new lunch and dinner menu, which debuted this week. Sono is located at 319 Fayetteville Street in the heart of downtown Raleigh.
  
  
• And if it is fall, it means the North Carolina State Fair is just around the corner! So, coat your stomach with Pepto-Bismol and head on over to see what is being deep fried this year! And to help out a great cause at the same time, make plans to attend on Thursday, October 21 for the annual Food Lion Hunger Relief Day. Just bring four cans of Food Lion brand food to the Fair and your admission is covered and you've helped the Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina.
  
  
• Fall also means corn mazes. And at Ken's Korny Corn Maze, if you bring 4 cans of corn, you get ½ off admission - all while benefiting the Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina. Get more information on the corn maze here.
  
  
• Here's another beer dinner you don't want to miss. Zely & Ritz will hold a beer dinner on Wednesday, October 13 featuring brews from Durham's very own Fullsteam and desserts from Raleigh's Crumb. For reservations, call Zely & Ritz at (919) 828-0018. Zely & Ritz is located at 301 Glenwood Avenue.
  
  
• In Fearrington Village, the Old Granary will host an "Evening Out Dinner Series" on Wednesday, September 29th! These popular three-course dinners are $30 per person, $45 with wine pairings. Reservations can be made online or at (919) 542-2121.
  
  
• Ruby Tuesday is offering up their popular BOGO coupon (buy one, get one). Max of $10. Get it here.
  
  
• Uncle Fatty's in Raleigh's Cameron Village has a new coupon ($3 off any entrée). Get it here. It is good through the end of this month.
  
  
• Get your TGI Fridays coupon for half off appetizers. These coupons are good through this weekend.
  

• CiCi's is back at it just in time to help with the time crunch that hits all families as school cranks back up. Their popular $3.99 all-you-can-eat buffet deal runs from September 22 - October 3. More information here.
  
  
• There's a coupon out for all you can eat soup and salad at Mimi's Cafe restaurants for the flat price of $7.99. It's good through Oct. 1. To get the deal, you have to print the coupon and bring it to the restaurant.
  
  
• You've heard the rumors. And they are true. Quizno's has six new $5 Large Toasty sandwiches on their menu. And to encourage you to give them a try, here's a coupon - $1 off a regular and $2 off a large.

Friday Fun Food Facts - September 17, 2010

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

• Looks like Cary is going to land the fifth Triangle location of Jason's Deli. The latest rendition is set to open before month's end at the Crossroads Plaza in Cary.
  
  
• Chubby's Tacos is very close to opening their 5th Triangle area location at 10511 Shadowlawn Drive in the Falls River Town Center in North Raleigh. Falls River is located on Durant Road between Falls of Neuse and Capital Blvd., across from Durant Road Middle School.
  
  
• In downtown Raleigh, Z Pizza is just days away from opening their 3rd Triangle area location. It will be located on the ground level of the NationsBank building right at Raleigh's City Plaza. And it won't just be pizza - their sandwiches and salads are amazing and rumor has it they will also be serving up breakfast!
  

• It was reported and confirmed this week that the building that housed the former Hideaway BBQ at 2210 Capital Blvd. (which closed January 19th of this year) will have a more "Eastern" influence when it re-opens. And no, we're not talking Eastern North Carolina Barbecue. It will be a Chinese buffet of some sort. We'll keep an eye on it for opening details.
  
  
• Yogen Früz is scheduled to open today at North Hills around 1 pm! Yogen Früz serves up frozen yogurt and smoothies. Yum!
  
  
• Apparently things are going very well for Chapel Hill's newest addition to the restaurant scene - Kitchen (located on MLK Blvd. next to Foster's). Kitchen announced this week that they have begun serving lunch from 11:30 until 2, Tuesday through Saturday.
  
  
• According to the TBJ, in 2011 Raleigh will become home to North Carolina's first location of Rex's Chicken. It will be the first of three locations here in the Triangle for the revived fried chicken chain. A site has not been identified as of yet.
  
  
• Durham's very own Scratch Baking made the "Top 10 Places To Get Pie" in the current issue of Bon Appetit. Scratch Baking is located at 111 Orange Street in Durham. See the article here.
  

• Here's an interesting restaurant challenge - the Bull City Vegan Challenge. During the month of October, 10 Durham restaurants will serve up a vegan dish. During the month, you can vote on your favorite dish. The contest will feature: Alivia's, Beyu Caffe, Dos Perros, The Federal, Nosh, Parker & Otis, Piedmont, Rue Cler, Toast and Vin Rouge. Get more information here.
  
  
• Here's a helpful and easy-to-use website that was recently introduced to me. It organizes all of the state's numerous wine events and festivals. Check it out.
  

• Mark your calendar for Triangle Uncorked on Saturday, September 25th from 2-6 pm at Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Taste hundreds of wines from around the world for just $25 ($35 day of event). If you want access to the VIP tent, high-end wine tastings and free appetizers, those tickets will cost $75. For more information go to their site. All proceeds benefit The Frankie Lemmon Foundation and the North Raleigh Rotary Club.
  
  Looking for "foodie" type things to do this weekend?
  
  
• The fifth annual Eastern Triangle Farm Tour will take place from 1-5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. A $25 advance ticket will allow "as many people as you can legally fit into your car" access to 24 participating farms. Advance tickets can be purchased at any Triangle Whole Foods or online at www.carolinafarmstewards.org. On the event days, $30 tickets can be picked up at your first farm stop. To plan a route or learn more about the participating farms, visit the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association's website.
  
  
• The 29th Annual Greek Festival is this weekend at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. The event is 5-10 pm on Friday, 11 am -10 pm on Saturday and 11 am -7 pm on Sunday. Tickets are just $3. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. For more information, go here.
  

• Are you (or your kids) a big Mac & Cheese fan!?! Be sure to drop by the first MacDown, a macaroni-and-cheese contest being held in conjunction with Raleigh's SPARKcon festival this weekend. Judges will evaluate the Triangle's best comfort dish at 4 pm on Saturday under the Big Noodle tent on Fayetteville Street. Participating restaurants include Porter's City Tavern, Spirits Pub and Grub, The Q Shack and Tobacco Road Sports Cafe.
  

• This Saturday, the city of Raleigh will be holding a Battle of the Baked Goods event at the Mordecai Historic Park from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. They will have cake and cookie categories for both youth and adult and prizes will be awarded for first and second place in all categories. Not a baker? Come out and be a sampler! All entries will be available for tasting to the general public from 12-1pm. This event is free to enter and free to sample. More information here.
  
  Looking for a good wine dinner to attend? Here are a few:
  
  
• The Inn at Celebrity Dairy in Siler City will host is monthly afternoon wine dinner this Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The five -course dinner with wine costs $75 and will feature chef Chip Smith and his wife, Tina Vaughn of Chapel Hill's Bonne Soiree. For reservations, call 742-5176 or email: theinn@celebritydairy.com or visit their website.
  
  
• In Fearrington Village, the Old Granary will host an "Evening Out Dinner Series" on Wednesday, September 29th. These popular three-course dinners are $30 per person, $45 with wine pairings. Reservations can be made online or at (919) 542-2121.
  
  
• This Sunday, September 19th at 6:30 pm, Carrboro's very own Acme Restaurant will host its Acme Wine Dinner featuring five courses and five wines for (you guessed it) $55. Reservations are required at 919 929 2263.
  
  
• And Durham's Washington Duke Inn is unveiling its new fall menu with a five-course wine dinner at 6:30 pm on Thursday, Sept. 23. It costs $59. Call 493-6699 for reservations.
  
  And a few coupons / discounts for you:
  
  
• One of my favorite restaurants has a Groupon deal going right now (through midnight tonight). For $30, you get $65 worth of delicious grub and drinks at Savoy, a fine-dining establishment in Greystone Village in Raleigh. Check out the deal here.
  

• In addition to Groupon, you may also want to check out similar "deal sites" like Living Social Deals and Cary's very own Twongo. I monitor all three of these and there are some great deals every day on restaurants, spas, nails, car washes, museum memberships, etc. Sign-up for the daily e-mails.
  
  
• Ruby Tuesday is offering up their popular BOGO coupon (buy one, get one). Max of $10. Get it here.
  
  
• Uncle Fatty's in Raleigh's Cameron Village has a new coupon ($3 off any entrée). Get it here. It is good for two more weeks.

Friday Fun Food Facts - September 10, 2010

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

• Listen Up Wolfpack Fans! Looking to do a little tailgating before next Thursday's home game against Cincinnati at 7:30 pm but pressed for time? No worries! Order your tailgating package from The Q Shack and pick it up at the VIP East entrance to the RBC Center anytime from 3 hours up until 1 hour before kick-off (i.e. between 4:30 and 6:30). How easy is that? View the menu here. All you need to do is add a new location to your profile (RBC Center - 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh, 27607) and you are ready to order...and enjoy a little Wolfpack football and The Q Shack barbecue!
  
  
• Here's a little different "dining" experience for you this Saturday (that your kids will absolutely love!). The NC Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh is hosting its annual BugFest, the largest single-day bug-centered event, from 9 am - 7 pm. Featured at the event is Café Insecta where you get your own taste for entomophagy (the practice of eating bugs!). Seriously. Café Insecta opens at 10:30 am and closes when the food runs out! So come early to enjoy buggy dishes prepared by Acro Café, PoshNosh Catering, Spize Café, Locopops, Market Restaurant and Tijuana Flats Burrito Co. Get more information here and here.
  

• The Carrboro's Farmer's Market is hosting one of its most popular events of the year this Saturday - the 8th Annual Chef Event - when local chefs will show you how to spice up the buffet table. This year, seven culinary stars will be sharing their secrets. Adam Cobb of Glass Half Full, Adam Rose of Il Palio, Amy Tornquist of Watts Grocery, Bret Jennings of Elaine's, Kevin Callahan of ACME, and Sheila and Matt Neal from Neal's Deli will participate. The event begins at 9 am tomorrow and will last until the food runs out. Get there early!
  
  
• Not to be outdone, this Saturday evening at 7 pm the Eno River Farmers Market in downtown Hillsborough will host a sit-down dinner at the Market House prepared by market chefs featuring all local ingredients, wine and music. The $40 tickets must be purchased in advance and are available at Saturday's market which is open from 8 am to noon.
  

• In downtown Raleigh, Tookie's Grill closed its doors in Seaboard Station. Owner Marshall "Tookie" Gullie hopes to relocate the Raleigh store to a new location.
  
  
• According to the Durham blog Bull City Rising, the former AnotherThyme space in Durham will become a new restaurant concept called Off Main. The current one-story structure will add a second-story rooftop deck. Plans call for Off Main to be a restaurant, bar and event space. Stay tuned as they move through the approval process. Roof-top concepts have done very well in Raleigh and Chapel Hill. This will be Durham's first roof-top concept.
  

• Rumor has is that when you return to the RBC Center for NC State basketball or Carolina Hurricanes hockey, you'll no longer be able to order up a 100% Black Angus Beef Thickburger from Hardees. Apparently an in "in-house" burger is now available. A quick perusal of the RBC Center website didn't boast the familiar Hardees logo.
  
  
• Chapel Hill is about to get a new barbecue restaurant. Located in the former home of The Barbecue Joint on Weaver Dairy Road, The Pig is opening this week. They are self-described as "bringing regional flavors and local ingredients to the party in your tummy, featuring whole-hog barbecue, cola-braised pork belly sandwiches and Mee-Ma's low-country, house-smoked, chicken-fried tofu."
  
  
• Herons at the Umstead Hotel in Cary reopened this week after a nearly $1 million makeover. I wasn't sure it could get any better! They are now back up and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
  
  
• In Raleigh, Mami-Nora's opened in the old Papa Lou's location at 2401 Wake Forest Road, serving rotisserie chicken and items like plantains and yucca fries. The company also has a store at 302 Davidson Ave. in Durham.
  
  
• Frozen yogurt chain FreshBerry will open a second Raleigh store at 2526 Hillsborough St., just four months after opening its first. Unlike the first store on Six Forks Road, this FreshBerry will offer self-service, where customers serve-up their own treats and toppings, paying by the ounce. It will open in late September or early October.
  
  
• A couple of new Asian options hit the Triangle over the past few weeks. If you are looking for a little Japanese influence, head on over to the intersection of 54 and 540 (10970 Chapel Hill Rd.) where Teriyakin' just opened. Teriyakin' is a Japanese BBQ restaurant serving char-grilled beef and chicken and whose concept comes from the yatai style cooking usually found in festivals or "Matsuri" across Japan.
  
  
• And over in Cary, Yuri Japanese Restaurant opened in the Shoppes of Kildaire (near Trader Joe's at 1361 Kildaire Farm Rd.). Billed as the place for Sushi enthusiasts and beginners of Japanese cuisine, here are a couple of coupons to encourage you to stop by.
  
  
• Also in Cary, Cafe Caturra opened its second Triangle location in Stone Creek Village (600 Ledge Stone Way). The other Triangle location is in Cameron Village. The concept behind Café Caturra is a place you want to be all day - fresh roasted coffee in the morning, high quality food all day long and unique wines in the evening. Café Caturra also has three other locations in the Richmond area.
  
  
• Looking for a great place to eat this Sunday? Well, downtown Cary's The Food Factory is now open on Sundays from 8:30 'til 3. Stop by and tell Jimmy and Lisa "Hi!" The Food Factory is located at 211 E. Chatham Street.
  
  
• Raleigh's very own Goodberry's turned 22 this week! It was 1988 when Goodberry's opened at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Spring Forest in Raleigh. Now there are nine Goodberry's locations in the Triangle!
  
  
• Raleigh's only location of Hungry Howie's on Oberlin Road is about to get some company. The area's second location just opened on Glenwood Avenue near Haverty's and Blinco's, across from Townridge Shopping Center. Plans are also in the works for a third location to open in 2011.
  
  
• Bob Evans has launched a line of 10 family-sized takeout meals, each priced at less than $20. The family-dining chain is marketing its Bob Evans Family Meals To Go with a "Think Outside the Pizza Box" promotion that gives a $2 discount to guests who bring a pizza coupon into the restaurant. Each dinner, which the chain says serves three to four people, comes with bread and a choice of side dish. More info here.
  
  
• The casual-dining Mimi's Café chain has introduced new fall menu offerings with two- and three-course fixed-price options and new all-inclusive meals for kids. In addition, coupons are available online offering a buy one breakfast entrée, get another one free. In the Triangle, Mimi's has two locations - 6320 Plantation Center Drive in Raleigh, and 1115 Walnut Street in Cary.
  
  
• Mark your calendars for the 20th Annual A Tasteful Affair to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill. It will be held on Sunday, November 7, 2010 from 5:30-7:30 pm at The Carolina Club on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill.
  
  
• As you can tell, I'm very excited about this upcoming event (as this is the third week I have mentioned this). The Museum of Life and Science in Durham is hosting the "Science of Beer" on September 16th from 7-9 pm. Enjoy live music, beer tasting and light snacks. Got kids and no babysitter? No problem, for an additional $10 you can enroll your little ones in "The Science of Root Beer." Members $12 per person / Non-members $15 per person. Pre-registration requested, please call 919-220-5429x313 to order tickets.
  
  
• The Mint Restaurant in downtown Raleigh is offering a four-course wine dinner for $75 at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, Sept. 15. The dinner will feature wines from Beaucanon Winery. For a reservation, call 821-0011.
  

• Cary's An restaurant will mark its 4th anniversary with a special evening on September 18th at 7 pm with special stations, music, dancing and more. The cost is $40. Call 919.677.9229 to make reservations.
  
  
• In Fearrington Village, the Old Granary will host an "Evening Out Dinner Series" on Wednesday, September 29th! These popular three-course dinners are $30 per person, $45 with wine pairings. Reservations can be made online or at (919) 542-2121.
  
  
• Irregardless Café wants to wish you a happy birthday and/or anniversary! If you make a reservation online at Irregardless Café three weeks before your birthday or anniversary, they will send you a certificate for a free bottle of wine! Email reservations@irregardless.com or make your reservation online here.
  

• Wake Forest Coffee Company and Cannon Catering are teaming up to offer cupcakes for sale at the coffee shop until Sept. 18 with all of the proceeds benefiting The Stephen Siller Foundation. The Foundation is named after firefighter Stephen Siller, a Brooklyn firefighter who died while responding to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The foundation's mission is to help children who have lost one or both of their parents.
  
  
• Uncle Fatty's in Raleigh's Cameron Village has a new coupon ($3 off any entrée). Get it here. It is good through the end of this month.
  
  
• Ted's Montana Grill is offering a coupon for $5 off any $15 or more purchase coupon. Get your coupon here. It expires September 19th. There are two Triangle locations - Triangle Town Center in Raleigh and in the Renaissance Center across from the Streets at Southpoint in Durham.
  
  
• On a personal note, but something you could derive a lot of benefit from, my daughter's gymnastics facility is selling Citipass Coupon books as a fundraiser. If you haven't been hit-up yet to buy one of these, just drop me an e-mail and I'll get you one for the low, low price of $25. These books truly are amazing and will save you a gazillion dollars in discounts from over 285 Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Garner & Apex-area merchants. Check out their website here.

Friday Fun Food Facts - September 3, 2010

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

• Big news out of Chapel Hill (and no, this is not football related)...The Ramshead Rathskeller (or simply known as The Rat), once a Chapel Hill landmark, will open by the end of the year under new ownership. This is the best news to come out of Chapel Hill since last week's opening of Krispy Kreme on Franklin Street!
  
  
• Looks like Governor Purdue is ready to do a little drinking. She's proclaimed September as North Carolina Wine and Grape Appreciation Month. And as part of this, you can participate in Grape Day (only in North Carolina) at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh next Friday, September 10th. More information here. I wonder if the governor will show up in one the Fruit of the Loom grape costumes?
  
  
• According to the N&O's Greg Cox, downtown Raleigh's bu-ku's executive chef and founding partner, William D'Auvray, has left the restaurant. Not much else is known at this point, other than he's got something new in the works. We'll keep an eye on it.
  
  
• Here's a coupon just for Labor Day Weekend - TGI Fridays' coupon knocks 25% off your bill over Labor Day Weekend. It is online and printable - and reusable!
  
  
• North Carolina's first Yogen Fruz (frozen yogurt and smoothies) is coming to North Hills in Raleigh! It looks like the opening date is either September 15 or 16th. Visit their site here. Be warned, the site plays some annoying music so turn your speakers down.
  

• The folks that founded McAlister's Deli are bringing a new concept to the Triangle, but not until the fall of 2011. Newk's Express Café will eventually have 5 Triangle-area locations. If your curiosity is killing you, check out their website here so you'll know what to anticipate.
  
  
• It is not like you need another reason to go to Pinehurst, but if you're looking for something to do this weekend, head on down to the 22nd Annual Pinehurst Food & Wine Festival. The four-day event features over 100 labels from all over the globe and 10 featured chefs at receptions and culinary demonstrations. Get tickets and more details here.
  
  
• Staying in town for Labor Day? Gravy Restaurant (136 S. Wilmington Street in downtown Raleigh) is hosting their next "Italian Food Tour" on Monday night at 7 pm (featuring the Apulia Region). Cost is $30. Call 919.896.8513 for more information and reservations.
  

• Here's something else to do if you're in town this weekend. Locopop's is celebrating their fifth anniversary on Labor Day, Monday September 6th from 4-6 pm at all three Triangle area locations. Sales during that time will be donated to selected non-profits.
  
  
• Speaking of anniversaries, Raleigh's legendary Char-Grill is turning 50! To celebrate, during their anniversary week (Sept. 6-10), customers can get 50% off a Char-burger, cheeseburger or hot dog with the purchase of any sandwich. More information here.
  

• And speaking of Char-Grill, they have just inked a four-store franchise agreement in the Charlotte area. The first of the four will open in Davidson in early 2011.
  
  
• The Duke Coffeehouse is now open in the Crowell Building on Duke's East Campus. More information at their website, including new fall semester hours (6 pm - 2 am).
  
  
• Restaurant Savoy announced this week that Christopher Madasz has joined the culinary team as sous chef. Madasz will assist executive Chef Peter Gibson in preparing the seasonally changing menu. Savoy is located in the Greystone Village Shopping Center on Lead Mine Road.
  
  
• Speaking of Savoy, if you haven't been there yet, let me suggest going on any Tuesday when they have their extremely popular half-price bottles of wine.
  

• Need a little more wine? Tonight (Sept. 3), visit the Hillsborough Wine Company (118 S. Churton Street in Hillsborough) for their First Friday Wine Tasting from 5 to 7 pm.
  
  
• If wine isn't your thing, how about beer? On Thursday, September 9th Fearrington Village's The Old Granary will host a beer dinner, featuring a three-course menu paired with beers from award-winning Carolina Brewery. It all begins with a reception on the patio at 6pm, followed by a seated dinner at 7pm. $45 per person, reservations required, call (919) 542-2121.
  
  
• If you can't make it on the 9th, try The Old Granary's "Evening Out Dinner Series" on Wednesday, September 29th! These popular three-course dinners are $30 per person, $45 with wine pairings. Reservations can be made online or at (919) 542-2121.
  
  
• And keeping with the beer theme, you might want to sign dad and the kids up for this. The Museum of Life and Science in Durham is hosting the "Science of Beer" on September 16th from 7-9 pm. Enjoy live music, beer tasting and light snacks. Got kids and no babysitter? No problem, for an additional $10 you can enroll your little ones in "The Science of Root Beer." Members $12 per person / Non-members $15 per person. Pre-registration requested, please call 919-220-5429x313 to order tickets. More information here.
  
  
• Beer and wine not your thing? How abut chocolate? Want to see it made right here in Raleigh? Escazu Artisan Chocolates is now offering tours of their chocolate making facility, every first Friday and Saturday of the month. It is limited to 10 people, so call ahead to make a reservation at 919.832.3433. Escazu is located at 936 N. Blount Street in Raleigh.
  
  
• Apparently the Pho Tu Do located inside the An Chau Plaza / Asian Food Court at 2821 Brentwood Road (just off Capital Blvd.) in Raleigh has closed.
  
  
• Get your leash Sparky, we're going to dinner! According to a statement released last Friday by DENR (Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources) restaurants can now allow cats and dogs in outdoor dining areas as long as conditions to protect public health are met. Wonder if any menus are changing?!?
  

• Your kids probably already know this, but if you want to find out who has the best Mac & Cheese in Raleigh, head on out to the 1st Annual Mac Down on Saturday, Sept. 8th. The event will be part of downtown Raleigh's Sparkcon celebration. More details here.
  
  
• Burger King was sold this week for a cool $3.26 billion (yes, that is a "b"). Just think, you could have owned the "BK Lounge". Oh well. Let's hope the new owners get rid of that creepy Burger King character.
  
  
• Uncle Fatty's in Raleigh's Cameron Village has a new coupon ($3 off any entrée). Get it here.
  
  
• Ted's Montana Grill is offering a coupon for $5 off any $15 or more purchase coupon. Get your's here. It expires September 19th. There are two Triangle locations - Triangle Town Center in Raleigh and in the Renaissance Center across from the Streets at Southpoint in Durham.
  
  
• In honor of their 35th anniversary, The Melting Pot started giving away a $100 gift card every day, and will do so for 35 consecutive days. Enter here for your chance to win! The Melting Pot has two Triangle locations - Wake Forest Road in Raleigh and across from The Streets at Southpoint in Durham.
  
  
• Get a Buy One Get One Free coupon from Ruby Tuesdays right here (up to $10 value; some restrictions, yadda, yadda, yadda)!
  
  
• On a personal note, but something you could derive a lot of benefit from, my daughter's gymnastics facility is selling Citipass Coupon books as a fundraiser. If you haven't been hit-up yet to buy one of these, just drop me an e-mail and I'll get you one for the low, low price of $25. These books truly are amazing and will save you a gazillion dollars in discounts from over 285 Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Garner & Apex-area merchants. Check out their website here.

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