Friday Fun Food Facts - July 23, 2010

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• They are rounding up the food trucks again in Durham - this Sunday, July 25 from 5-7:30 pm at the Durham Central Park pavilion (where the farmers market meets). The vendors include Only Burger, Daisy Cakes, Mom's Delicious Dishes, Parlez-Vous Crepe, Joe's Diner (hot dogs), Fired Flour (pizza), Indian Food on Wheels, Bulkogi Korean BBQ To Go and Locopops. Deejay Piddy Pat will play music. This is well worth the trip!
  
  
• If you've ever wanted the feeling of eating in a cook's kitchen, well hop on over to Chapel Hill where Kitchen just opened their doors. The small restaurant has taken shape in the former home of Ba-Da Wings next to Foster's on MLK Blvd. The restaurant boasts a menu that includes duck confit ($12 or $18 depending on the portion), seared salmon ($17) and four styles of mussels (all $12). Though not your everyday cookhouse, Kitchen has a laid-back, pleasant feel. It's open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner. Visit their site here.
  
  
• Tickets are on sale now for the Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival (www.beerandbourbon.com) on Aug. 6 and 7 at Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park. The menu features 60 varieties of beers, 40 types of bourbon and 10 styles of barbecue. Tickets to the event allow unlimited access to tastes of beer and bourbon; barbecue costs extra, except at the Friday Night Pig Pickin'. At 3 p.m. on Saturday, catch up on a bit of bourbon history with Nikki Smith of Maker's Mark Distillery or see who's up for the title of Ms. Bar-B-Q-Babe or the Triangle's Best Beer Belly.
  

• With all this heat, who is thinking what I'm thinking? Yep, time for a skinny dip...That's right, The Skinny Dip frozen yogurt shop has opened its first Triangle area location beside Trader Joe's in Cary. They also will open a Quail Corners location in Raleigh soon. Check out their website here.
  
  
• Since we're talking about the heat, and cold refreshments... Everyone's favorite ice cream spot made a big change this past week for your convenience. This past Monday, Locopops started accepting credit cards at three of their Triangle area locations: 231 S. Elliott Rd, Chapel Hill; 2600 Hillsborough Rd, Durham; 1908 Hillsborough St, Raleigh.
  
  
• Quizno's is back at it again, but this time they have sweetened the deal. Their coupon now is any small sub, chip and a fountain drink for $2.99. Yes, you read that right. You can't pack a lunch that cheap! But hurry, the coupon expires 7/30/2010 (OK, if you've been reading this newsletter, you know they'll have a new coupon next week, but everyone loves a little urgency!)
  
  
• The next downtown Cary Walking Food Tour is coming up on Saturday, July 31st at 1:30 p.m. The cost is $28 per person and includes tastings at 6-8 restaurants. Hurry, as space is limited. More details here.
  
  
• On Thursday, I noticed the finishing touches being put on the new Firehouse Subs in Chapel Hill's Meadowmont Village. As I got in my car, they were carrying the chairs in. Probably just a matter of days now!
  

• The Busy Bee Café in downtown Raleigh at 225 South Wilmington Street is offering weekly coffee tastings that are free and open to the public. Every Saturday at 10 a.m. featuring Counter Culture Coffee. Yummmmm!
  

• McDonald's Corp., which had planned a nationwide fruit smoothie sampling event July 22-24, called off the promotion due to unprecedented demand. Nice move MickeyD's.
  
  
• Here's a great site for coupons - especially under their Restaurant listings (a lot of BOGO offers). Visit here.
  

• If you're looking for the business spot to wheel and deal, you may want to hit the Angus Barn's Wild Turkey Bar & Lounge. The long-standing watering hole of Raleigh is featured in the July issue of Entrepreneur Magazine as one of 15 top bars in which to do business.
  
  
• The Raleigh restaurant community is coming together to aid one of its own. Hamid Mohajer, one of the owners of Mo's Diner in downtown Raleigh, has been diagnosed with Stage IV Cancer. The community is rallying around Hamid and his wife to help fight the disease and the mounting medical bills. If you feel compelled, please visit this link to learn more about some of the fundraisers that are being planned. Thanks!
  

• We've told you about these sites before, but they are worth mentioning on a regular basis as you really should check them out. Twongo, Groupon and Living Social feature a great deal here in the Triangle every day (typically 50-70% off) based on the general concept that the more people that buy, the more money everyone saves. The deals have become very popular here in the Triangle and have quite a following. If you haven't visited these sites (you'll want to sign-up for the daily e-mail), you really should. There are some GREAT deals on restaurants as well as other things like spas, facials, events, etc.
  

Kudos for Snapfinger Catering
We typically don't like to pat ourselves on the back, but this e-mail from a client that uses our site for her catering made us grin from ear to ear, so we thought we'd share it with you. Thanks Cindy!

Dear Sean:
Everything was perfect! The ordering process is super simple! Moe's arrived on time with my order exactly as I requested. The meeting attendees appreciated having something different for lunch. Snapfinger Catering made me look like a superstar! I look forward to tomorrow's lunch delivery ;-) Thanks for taking the hassle out of catering!

Extremely pleased customer,
Cindy Stoll, Square 1 Bank

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Hungry yet? Have you placed your order for next week's meetings? What are you waiting on? Click here to be directed to one of Snapfinger Catering's 50+ restaurants and caterers!

Kitchen (in Chapel Hill) is Open!

Kitchen has opened in Chapel Hill on Martin Luther King Blvd. (Historic Airport Road) in the same shopping Center as Foster's. Dick and Sue Barrows fell in love with Chapel Hill while their daughter, Leslie, was a student at UNC-CH and left the "restaurant world" in Pennsylvania to bring their talents to the Southern Part of Heaven. The concept is great food, using as many local products as possible, served in a comfortable setting where folks will want to come again and again. I think they have succeeded. They are open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4:30 to 10 pm; Friday and Saturday from 4:30 to 10:30 pm; and Sunday from 4 to 8:30 pm. See their website here.

Friday Fun Food Facts - July 16

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• One of the Triangle's most anticipated restaurants opened this week in Chapel Hill. Chef Shane Ingram of Durham's Four Square Restaurant opened [One] in Meadowmont in Chapel Hill (former B. Christophers location). Check them out here.
  

• Tomorrow (July 17) is the 13th Annual Tomato Day at the Carrboro Farmers' Market. There will be tomato tastings, tomato recipes, live music and face paintings. If you've never trekked over to the Carrboro Farmer's Market, it is a real treat for the entire family and this may very well be the Saturday you want to go. Things get started at 8 a.m. and the market is located on the town commons next to Carrboro Town Hall at 301 W. Main St. Additional information is here.
  

• The Cameron Village sidewalk sale is back this weekend - 10-6 today and tomorrow and 11-6 on Sunday. And while the sales may be good, I think it is just another great reason to try some of the great eating establishments at Cameron Village - Café Caturra, The Flying Biscuit Café, Uncle Fatty's, Moe's, The Village Deli and a half dozen or so more.

• Quizno's has issued a new coupon good through July 22 for two small deli or classic subs for $5. That's a good deal! Pay attention to the fine print. (Also, in case you haven't noticed, it seems to constantly update itself with a "new" deadline)
  

• It is Friday and I know you like a good deal. Well, try two entrees off of T.G.I. Friday's new Caribbean-inspired summer menu, and you'll be treated to a $10 gift card (for a limited time). More details here.
  

• Listen up Philly natives. Anvil's Cheesesteaks has opened at 2893 Jones Franklin Road in Cary. Bob "Anvil" Thompson is a native of Philly and promises authenticity. I'll let you be the judge.

• And also in Cary, Olive Tree Market at 270 Nottingham Drive is now open and offers a selection of Middle Eastern spreads, salads, bulk spices, imported cheeses and baked goods, as well as fresh lamb, goat, beef and chicken, all of which are local and halal. There are plans to expand into a deli. We'll keep an eye on it.

• In Chapel Hill on West Franklin Street, The Courtyard has some exciting news on the way, including Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe which will open this Saturday in the old Sandwhich's location. Additionally, Crepes Veronique has opened bringing international treats to Chapel Hill. And finally, L'incontro Pizzeria is set to replace Baba Ghannouj, although no time-frame is yet available.

• We've got a couple of special dinners to tell you about. Porter's in Raleigh is hosting a five-course N.C. beer dinner at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 21. Here's the deal: five chefs from Urban Food Group restaurant group (Porter's, Vivace and Coquette) will each be cooking a course paired with different N.C. beers. The cost is $50. Call 821-2133.
  

• And if you miss that, the next night in Chapel Hill (Thursday, July 22) Chef Seth Kingsbury of Pazzo in Chapel Hill is offering a Terradora di Paolo wine dinner. It's a five-course meal for $80. Dinner starts with a prosecco reception at 6:30 p.m. For a reservation, call 929-9984.

• Over in downtown Durham's West Village there is a bit of news/speculation going on. According to Bull City Rising (a local blog) Tosca's is moving out. And a sign posted at Cinelli's over at Main St. & Broad St. touts the restaurant's closure and relocation to the space that Tosca holds in West Village. Again, this has not been 100% confirmed, but Bull City Rising is a very reliable source. More news to follow.

• Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q has announced (via Twitter) that they are opening a location in Selma, N.C. at the end of 2010. Stay tuned for more information on that.
  

• In Raleigh this past Wednesday, a new all local food market opened called Bickett Market. They will be offering local seafood, meats, wine and produce. Check them out online here.
  

• And finally, two bits of news from "Fast Food Nation" (if you know me, I'm not a fan), but I thought these two "nuggets" (pun intended) might be of interest. From the "I never thought I'd see this" file comes the news that Taco Bell will begin offering breakfast at all 5,600 locations sometime in 2011 or 2012. No further comments from me. And, though I'm not a fan of McDonald's, I decided to share this only because it is their drinks (which I've heard are yummy). So here it is - a coupon for $1 off their fruit smoothies or frappes. Enjoy!
  

New at Snapfinger Catering
We are pleased to announce that we will be bringing on The Matthews House & Catering to the Snapfinger Catering platform. And the great news is that you won't have to wait long to start enjoying chef's incredible fares. Their menu will be up on the site by then end of July, if not earlier.

If you've ever attended an event at The Matthews House, and enjoyed some of the incredible cuisine, you'll be excited as I am that these offerings will now be available for your office and your next event.

Here are the other vendors (so far) that are joining our site this summer and we should have up on the site over the next few weeks:

If you have a restaurant or caterer you'd like to see on the site, please let me know (you get 500 points in our SNAP Rewards program once they join!). Drop me an e-mail.

Friday Fun Food Facts - July 2, 2010

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Ciago's on St. Mary's Street in Raleigh is now open! We told you about this a while back, but it is now official. The family-style pizza-pasta-ale house is the latest from out-of-retirement Chris Candes, former owner of Hillborough Street's Two Guys. So expect some of your Two Guys' favorites. Looking for more than pizza? They've got steaks, chops and seafood too. It is located at 522 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh.

• According to the Downtown Raleigh Guide, Chris London's Rock'n Roll Hero Sandwiches, Hero Subs, and Tavern is coming to downtown Raleigh next month. However, no details as to location or official date are available at this time (helpful, right?). The site isn't much help either. But we'll keep you posted.

• One of Durham's most tenured establishments (21 years) Saladelia Cafe has added yet another Durham location, this time in Hock Plaza at 2424 Erwin Rd. They opened this past Wednesday and this marks the café's fifth location, joining other spots at University Drive, the American Tobacco Campus, The Perkin Library on the Duke campus and the Smith Warehouse on South Buchanan Boulevard. Congrats to Saladelia!
  

• A Raleigh institution is turning 50! Happy Birthday Angus Barn! And they are celebrating this weekend with several events: On Saturday, from 7-11 pm, a party at the Angus Barn's Pavilion with live music, a dessert buffet, cash bar and family activities. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children. But dinner guests receive free tickets to the party. And on Sunday at 4:30 pm, they will have bourbon tasting and a five-course dinner for $100 in the Angus Barn's Wild Turkey Lounge. Eddie Russell, master distiller of Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey in Kentucky, will lead the tasting. And finally, on Monday from 6-11 pm, another party for the public inside the Pavilion with live music from the band Mid-Life Crisis and a buffet featuring hors d'oeuvres and desserts. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $10 for children. Again, dinner guests receive free tickets to the party. The restaurant is at 9401 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. For reservations or more information, call 787-3535.

• Looking for a great resource for what is going on and happening in downtown Raleigh? We'll look no further than the newly redesigned site for downtown Raleigh. It has lots of great information on restaurants, things to do and nightlife.
  

• It happened. Starbucks did it. Free wi-fi in all their stores. And as great as it is, my only question is, "What took you so long?" Welcome to 2007!

• They are doing it again. Go ahead and loosen your belt buckle a notch. Krispy Kreme is opening their latest store in Wake Forest (11721 Retail Drive - across from Chick-fil-A) on July 7th. But be sure to get there early as there are tons of giveaways. Check out more here.
  

• Want to take a trip to the Italy? Well, if you can't swing that, how about a taste of Calabria (the tip of the "boot" in Italy) instead? Gravy's Chef Tony Fusco is back with another Italian Food Tour dinner Monday, July 5 at 7 pm. This time, he's taking us to the rich, bountiful region of Calabria. $30 per person for the food, $45 with the wine pairings. Call 896-8513 to make your reservations or go to their website.
  

• Or if you are a foodie that is more turned on by true Thai cuisine, here's a "can't miss" event - On Tuesday, July 6th, The Duck & Dumpling Chef James Yott Boyle, who learned to cook as a teenager from his Thai mother and grandmother, will provide a taste of his heritage in a three-course meal that will blend traditional Thai cuisine with the modern. The cost is $30. An additional $15 for wine and sake pairings. Call 838-0085 or visit their site to make reservations.

• T.G.I. Friday's recently introduced its new Caribbean-inspired Summer menu featuring fourteen new appetizer, salad, sandwich, entrée and combo dishes starting at $8.99. Check it out here. Be careful, this will cause you to drool - promise!
  

• Rick's Diner has completed its move down the street to Hope Valley Square. In that shopping center, Rick's will join Pop's Backdoor and the soon-to-open, brick-and-mortar location of the popular food truck - OnlyBurger.

• It is set! Durham's premier special event, the World Beer Festival, returns on October 9th to Durham Bulls Athletic Park! Tickets will be sold through the Durham Bulls box office, starting the middle of this month. Details will be announced on their website.
  

• And unfortunately, with good news also comes some bad news. We learned this week that Durham had two restaurants close their doors. The first was Restaurant Eden, which was located at the SouthCourt Building near the intersection of Shannon and University Drive. Restaurant Eden didn't quite make it to its one-year anniversary. The second casualty is Portobello Road, in Brightleaf Square next to Dolly's at Gregson and Main.
  

What's Coming to Snapfinger Catering?
Well, the biggest news this week from the "what's coming" column, is that we will be adding one of the Triangle's largest caterers to our site and a HUGE favorite over in Durham, RTP and Chapel Hill - The Picnic Basket. The Picnic Basket is an eight year old institution that is owned and operated by Erik Dailey and will be a tremendous addition to the Snapfinger Catering lineup. It is likely we will have their menu up over the weekend and available for you next week. Stay tuned on that and if you haven't tried The Picnic Basket, you are in for a treat.

In other Snapfinger Catering news, The Q Shack is getting ready to add some "grill" options to their menu where they'll literally bring their grill out to your event and cook on site. Stay tuned for that.

We're still working with Rosati's on finalizing their catering menu, so you Chicagoans will have to wait just a little bit longer.

And finally, if you remember Peggy Bloodworth of Entree Vous fame - well she has closed up her location of Entree Vous at the Streets at Southpoint, but has joined forces with Mark Day Catering & Event Planning and will soon be available on the site with all of her favorites, plus all that Mark Day Catering & Event Planning has to offer - which is nothing short of amazing.

So, lots going on this summer and lots to look forward to.

Triangle Restaurant News - June 25, 2010

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

• We begin this week with a request for you to complete a quick survey about "At Home Casual Catering." We are expanding into the casual home catering area (i.e. think graduation parties, birthday parties, religious ceremonies, neighborhood gatherings, summer cook-outs, etc.). If you'll take a couple of minutes to help us gain a better understanding of this market, we'll reward you with 150 points in our SNAP rewards program! Take our survey here. Thanks in advance. P.S. If you don't participate in our Rewards Program (earn points toward gift cards just for using Snapfinger Catering), drop me an e-mail and we'll get you set-up!

• These are becoming the biggest foodie hot spots in the Triangle - another food truck round-up from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, June 27 at the Durham Farmers' Market pavilion on Foster St, in downtown Durham. There will be shade, music and the Outsider Art Gallery will be showing off local folk art. It is looking like it will feature: Only Burger, Daisy Cakes, Bulkogi Korean BBQ To Go, Taqueria Lopez taco truck, Indian Food on Wheels, Parlez-Vous Crepe, Mom's Delicious Dishes, Kona Chameleon, plus LocoPops might be there with their pops cart and Joe's Diner in East Durham is rumored to be bringing their hot dog cart.

If you like beer and donuts, you'll love the next few postings...

• Every Sunday from now through September, at all Triangle locations of Krispy Kreme, you can get soft serve sundaes for free when you buy one (BOGO). No coupons required.

• But that's not the biggest Krispy Kreme news going. Maybe I'm the last to know, but Krispy Kreme will open up another Triangle location at 157 E. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill in late August.

• And if that is not enough, plans were just announced for a Wake Forest location of Krispy Kreme. Enough already - this is bathing suit weather!

OK, let's switch to beer...

• Looking for a reason to go to the beach? Who isn't? What if I told you cold beer was involved? This Saturday, New Bern (or Brewbern) is hosting a beer fest. The event will be at the New Bern Convention Center. There will be two rounds of beer tastings from 12-4 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. About 45 microbrewers will be pouring. Tickets cost $35 in advance and $40 the day of the event. To purchase tickets click here.
  

• Carolina Brewing Company will host their 15th Anniversary Beer Dinner on Thursday July 1st at 6:30pm at 42nd Street Oyster Bar and will feature 5 beers paired with 5 courses carefully selected by Executive Chef David Greenwell. Tickets are $59 all inclusive and must be purchased in advance by Wednesday June 30th. You may purchase your seats online or by calling 919-831-2811.

OK, let's get to some other "food" news (yes, believe it or not, some would argue that donuts and beer are not "food")...

• We shared this with you months ago, but the Capital Club 16 (touted as a traditional American bar and restaurant) has opened in the old Champa Thai space at the corner of Salisbury and Martin Streets in the Capital Club Building in downtown Raleigh. Their soft opening was last night.

• We are excited to share with you that a Raleigh institution that closed back in April, has re-opened under new ownership. The Rockford on Glenwood South has re-opened - same hours, same menu (almost) and a new outdoor patio with covered seating.

• In August, Italian Pizzeria III - affectionately called IP3 by regulars - will observe its 30-year anniversary. A favorite of Chapel Hill locals, this is also a great place to catch some of the World Cup - even if Italy is no longer playing. Go USA!

• I'll be the first to get in line for a biscuit at Chapel Hill's Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen, but I was a little surprised this week to see the Food Network Magazine name SBK as the best breakfast in North Carolina. Really? The chicken biscuit is good, but the best breakfast in North Carolina? Really?

• Don't forget, starting next Thursday, all Starbucks will begin offering FREE Wi-Fi Internet access in all their stores. A little coffee and a little surfing anyone?

• North Hills is getting a bowling alley! Which also means bowling alley food! Come on, you know you love it. Plans are underway now for Sparians Midtown Bowling Boutique (boutique?)in a space on the first floor of the Park & Market apartment building in the North Hills complex.

• Do you need or know of someone that requires a gluten free meal? Well, The Melting Pot is listening and has released a completely gluten free menu. Check it out here.
  

What's New Over at Snapfinger Catering
Looking for a little more variety from Moe's Southwest Grill? Thinking that maybe you'd like a tray full of mini-burritos for your crowd? Or maybe you'd like the convenience of a boxed meal from Moe's - like a Box O' Burritos? Well, we've got great news for you! Moe's has expanded their menu to offer both of those options and more. Check out Moe's new menu here. And don't forget our little money-saving tip from Moe's. When you order the Fajita Bar, they bring enough "product" for 3 fajitas per person. If you figure the average person eats 2 fajitas, you only have to order for 14 people (42 fajitas) to feed 20 people! But keep this our little secret - don't tell the folks at Moe's I told you this!! Order now from Moe's.

BakeHouse Bistro & Jumpin' Jonny's are joining forces and combining under one name / one concept. BakeHouse Bistro and Jumpin' Jonny's will now be known only as Jumpin' Jonny's Catering! With this change, owner Jonathan Munsell announces that his catering and restaurant concepts are being consolidated into one single concept. But don't worry, nothing will go away and he assures me that they recognize today's need for timely and convenient service and will continue to deliver nothing but the highest quality food. On Snapfinger Catering, we will keep both concepts up (so as not to confuse you), but will eventually migrate to the single concept. Visit BakeHouse Bistro or Jumpin' Jonny's menus today.

We added them to the site a few months back, and one of our customers told us, "They are hands down the best sandwiches and salads around. They truly are the best kept secret in town." We'll Artisan Sandwiches and Salads has ramped up their offerings and has added some great new options including: Curry Chicken Sandwich, a Meatball Sub and Greek Wraps (with and without chicken). If you haven't tried Artisan yet, give them a try for your next meeting. Check out their menu here.

Hungry yet? Have you placed your order for next week's meetings? What are you waiting on? Click here to be directed to one of Snapfinger Catering's 45+ restaurants and caterers!

Friday Fun Food Facts - June 11, 2010

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

• Last week we reported the closing of Ruby Tuesday at Crabtree Valley Mall. This week we can tell you (before anyone else) that the new tenant will be Cantina Laredo. This will be the first location in North Carolina for the chain which has roughly 125 locations in 18 states. If you're not familiar with this concept, it is to Mexican what P.F. Chang's is to Chinese. No "open" date yet - in fact, it is not even showing up on the "Coming Soon" tab on their website. Let's just say, you heard it here first.

• Listen up Cary-ites, Chef's Palette Restaurant and Bar is now open at the Stonebridge Village Shopping Center at the intersection of Kildaire Farm Road and Ten Ten Road. Check it out here.
  

• If you were a big fan of Two Guys pizza on Hillsborough Street when it was owned by Chris Candes (he sold it in 2007), we've got good news. Chris has come out of retirement to open a new Italian restaurant called Ciago's at 522 St. Mary's Street in Raleigh (formerly BBQ Ribs & Co. and about a dozen other things...). The new concept, which opens June 28th, will feature some of your favorites from Two Guys.

• In Apex, restaurateurs Niko and Victoria Angelis, owners of Ocean Stars restaurant, are retiring after 37 years. The last day will be THIS Saturday. But the space won't sit empty for long. Fugi Asian Bistro will open in its spot in a few months, offering sushi, hibachi and a buffet.

• Yo quiero Taco Bell! Taco Bell is apparently giving away its new product, limeade drinks, through July 11, or until ½ million online coupons are redeemed (whichever comes first). So you better hurry! Click here!
  

• In Cary, the Herons restaurant at the Umstead Hotel will be closed from July 5 through Sept. 10 for renovations. Didn't they just open?

• Listen up wine lovers. Tuesdays and Thursdays are your days at Savoy in North Raleigh. Savoy sells its wines by the bottle for half price (on ALL wines!). Let's just say Savoy has an award-winning list. Oh, and did I mention the food is amazing!?!
  

• If you live in Garner, you no longer have to wait for the wind to shift to get a waft of burgers being grilled up at Char-Grill. The crazy-popular burger joint has opened another Triangle location at 1155 S.W. Timber Drive East.

• The Cary location of Courtney's ain't just for breakfast anymore. Owner Jeff Seidenstein has transformed the Cary location into Courtney's Bistro (1885 Lake Pine Drive) and is now open all day.

• Coffee lovers can now enjoy a great (and I mean great) bite to eat at Café Helios (located on Glenwood South). They've brought on chef Rob Bland - a very talented chef who is anything but bland. He's already added a seasonally changing menu of sandwiches and small plates that are to die for. Great coffee and great food - sounds like Glenwood South just keeps getting better and better!
  

• If you haven't been to the renovated and recently re-opened N.C. Museum of Art (you should, it is truly amazing) let me give you yet another reason besides the "new space" and the Rodin exhibit. It is also the new home of Iris, the museum's restaurant which is very hip, and very, very good. And the best news, chef Andy Hicks and his wife, pastry chef Jennifer Hicks, are still whipping up their amazing fare!

• Looks like the Triangle has landed on the expansion map for yet another national chain's expansion plans. Margaritas Mexican Restaurant will open a dozen locations across North Carolina, with four of those being in the Triangle. It is too early to offer up any guesses as to where, but we'll keep an eye out.
  

• Alright RTPers, tear yourself away from those computers and get out to try three new eateries in "the park." Cilantro Mediterranean Grill (5400 S. Miami Blvd.) where the specialty is Persian style kebabs. Just three miles down the road is Screaming Coyote Café (2945 S. Miami Blvd.), a counter service weekday lunch spot featuring Southwestern fare called "California style Mexican." And just two doors down in the same shopping center, Worth It Café serves up scratch-made soups, salads and an eclectic assortment of sandwiches in a café described as "the first farm to table restaurant in RTP."

• Shirt and flip-flops required! Huh? Come on, don't act like you don't know that next Friday (June 18th) is National Flip-Flop Day. To celebrate, Tropical Smoothie Cafe stores in Raleigh (1028 Oberlin Road and 8111 Creedmoor Road) will each give away free 24-ounce Jetty Punch smoothies (strawberry and banana smoothie) to the first 500 customers who visit the store wearing flip flops. So wiggle your toes on over - there is no doubt it will be hot!

• Wendy's is launching a new line of premium salads. The latest upscale salads are Apple Pecan Chicken, Baja, BLT Cobb, and Spicy Chicken Caesar

• If you're looking for another reason to eat at Chipotle, the burrito restaurant recently announced that all of the beef it uses is now naturally raised - making it the largest restaurant seller of naturally raised meats. Mooooo!!

• Looking for a deal at Quizno's? Here is a coupon for a sub, fountain drink and chips for $2.99. Hurry, it expires June 18.

Friday Fun Food Facts - May 28, 2010

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

• Next Friday, June 4 is National Doughnut Day, so mark your calendar and visit either Krispy Kreme or Dunkin' Donuts as they'll both be offering free donuts (drink purchase required at Dunkin' Donuts

• Which brings up some GREAT news...The "Hot Now" light at the downtown Raleigh Krispy Kreme will flicker back on on Tuesday, June 1 after several months of renovations. The first person in line will receive one dozen doughnuts a week for a year! In addition, someone who is in line before 5:30 a.m. will be chosen at random to flip the switch on the store's iconic "Hot Now" sign.

• And just down the street from Krispy Kreme is Raleigh's latest addition to the restaurant scene - Market (938 N. Blount St.) whose motto is "Local ingredients, West Coast inspired." Be sure to work them into your "gotta try" list of restaurants. Early reviews are proving that it is well worth the effort to get there.
  

• And staying in downtown Raleigh, on the ground floor of the Progress Energy building on Fayetteville Street, newcomer La Volta has opened its doors. La Volta is an authentic Italian restaurant open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. La Volta means "the vault", paying tribute to the fact that their location was a former bank, and the "vault" is now their wine cellar.

• Speaking of Italian...Do you think you're Italian? Here's how you'll know...Italians eat about a 1/2 lb. of bread a day & drink 26 gallons of wine a year. That might explain a lot of things for many of us!

• Cameron Village has added another restaurant to its lineup of great eateries. The latest addition is Café Caturra (432 Woodburn Road) and is the first North Carolina location of a small Virginia-based chain. Café Caturra is hardly a typical chain, though, starting with the fact that it's a wine bar/sandwich shop/wood-fired pizzeria rolled into one and that it's sandwiches are served on La Farm Bakery breads!

• Looking for a new breakfast joint? The Irregardless Café at 901 West Morgan Street on the outskirts of downtown Raleigh is now serving breakfast every day they are open (they are closed on Monday).

• In search of dinner plans? Saffron opened its second Triangle location this week at East 54. Check them out here.
  

• This looks like a recipe for success - local restaurant owner Giorgios Bakatsias is teaming with former Rocky Top Hospitality co-owner Kevin "Michael" Summers to open two new eateries in Wake Forest, at the intersection of N.C. Bypass 98 and Jones Dairy Road. The first restaurant is a Tuscan-style eatery called Girasole Trattoria, which means sunflower neighborhood café in Italian. Construction on the building is already complete, and the restaurant is scheduled to open early next month. A pub-style bar dubbed Gatehouse Tavern also will open by the end of June.

• A couple of new bakeries have emerged in both Durham and Raleigh. In Durham, Phoebe Lawless will open Scratch Artisan Bakery at the end of this month at 111 Orange Street in downtown Durham. And Sheila Duncan will open PieBird shortly after that in downtown Raleigh at 618 N. Person Street.

• Locopops has decided to add Locopints to the mix which are pints of frozen Locopop ice creams and sorbets. Locopops has 4 Triangle locations as well as a half-dozen satellite locations. Find out more here.

• Gravy, in the heart of downtown Raleigh, has a new lunch and dinner menu. Check it out here.

• Check out the Buy One Get One Free entrees being offered through June 1st at Twisted Fork, Michael Deans, Red Room & Bogart's! Can't beat this, but you better hurry!

• Ruth's Chris at Southpoint has extended its $25 three-course meal for Triangle Restaurant Week until May 30.

• Chick-fil-A offering free Spicy Chicken Sandwich. To promote the launch of a new spicy version of its famous chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A Inc. has started an online giveaway. By clicking here customers can make an online reservation for a free Chick-fil-A Spicy Chicken Sandwich. The offer is good from May 31 to June 5. The sandwich will not be added officially to the chain's menu until June 7.

• There are a couple of printable coupons for Quizno's HERE, and you have a few days left to use them. But hurry, they expire May 30.