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.