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.

al n