Friday Fun Food Facts - December 16, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday Fun Food Facts - December 9, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Downtown Raleigh has landed a new quick Asian restaurant for the "little pod" (one of four) located on Fayetteville Street formerly occupied by Krispy Kreme. Fire Wok will be a Chinese food option featuring hibachi-grilled dishes, sushi and teriyaki. It is expected to open in early 2012. The same family owns Vic's Ristorante Italiano in City Market and La Volta Italiano in the Progress Energy building - both in downtown Raleigh.  

• Chocoholics unite! It was just announced this week that Videri Chocolate Factory will be swinging open their doors next Thursday, December 15th! Videri is located in the heart of downtown in the historic Depot Station, across from The Pit. Visit their Facebook page here or their website here. Look out Hershey, PA - you ain't got nothing on us! 

• The owners of ShabaShabu have closed down the Durham location (Raleigh remains open) and will quickly convert that restaurant into The Fish House, a restaurant and wine bar serving primarily grilled fish such as swordfish, salmon, tilapia and tuna. The restaurant is located at 4020 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. No open date is set, but they are hiring, so it will be soon.  

• Got word this week from our friends over at Carpe Durham that there will be a new coffee shop coming to the RTP area. Koinonia Coffee House will be opening soon at 2945 Miami Blvd. in RTP. Get more details here.

• Also in Durham, my buddy Chris Duke (owner of Anna's Gourmet Goodies) shared with me that a new comfort food restaurant called Big Daddy's Grill has opened in downtown Durham at 608 N. Mangum Street (near the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau).

• Speaking of Anna's Gourmet Goodies, now is a great time to give them a visit if you are looking for the perfect (and delicious) holiday gift. Check out their holiday gift ideas here.  

• With winter upon us and things getting colder, the food truck scene in the Triangle is heating up! (Thanks again to Mary-Ann Baldwin!) The first is Sarge's Chef on Wheels brought to us by Janet & Julius West, a husband and wife chef team. They describe their cuisine as down-home cooking with an Asian/Caribbean Flair. Sign me up! Visit them here.   

• Also coming on the food truck scene later this month will be Baguettaboutit (get it?) food truck which will feature European-style sausage sandwiches across the Triangle. Visit them here. 

• And this isn't exactly food-truck news, but is just as sweet. There is a "new kid" in town popping up at various venues tempting your dessert palette - Whoopie Squares. Intrigued? Think large, square oreo cookie, but 100 times better. They are a handcrafted gourmet snack with fluffy filling sandwiched between two cake-like cookies. Operating out of The Cookery in Durham, find out here when you can give one a try. 

• According to one of our readers, it appears as if Dogs and Something Else (yes, that is/was the name) has closed. The fast food restaurant served up Venezuelan style meals up at13200 New Falls of the Neuse Road in Raleigh.

• Alright, I know what you are thinking - Where can we go out to eat on Christmas Day? Right? Fear not for the News & Observer has you covered. Here is a list of Triangle area restaurants open on Christmas Day. 

• And I know you are trying to think of what you can get that special person (or yourself for that matter) for the holidays. Well, the good folks over at Chapel Hill Magazine have put together a great list of cookbooks by local chefs - including Andrea Reusing, Bill Smith, Bill Neal, Mildred Council, Sara Foster and more. Check it out here. And to make it even better, a handful of these chefs will be on hand at A Southern Season in University Mall in Chapel Hill this Friday and Saturday where you can actually get a copy of their cookbook signed! Here is a link to their website and the schedule of book signings.   

• Guglhupf Bakery, Patisserie and Cafe in Durham is holding its annual German Christmas Market from 10 am to 4 pm this Saturday (December 10th). It's a version of the Weihnachts Market so popular in German villages, where folks can get a bite to eat while they enjoy music, kids' activities and holiday shopping. Guglhupf Bakery, Patisserie and Cafe is located at 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. For information, visit them here.  

• Here is another opportunity for you to pick up some locally made and crafted goodies for that "foodie" on your list - the St. Thomas More Christmas Holiday Shoppe. The craft show will feature over sixty artisans and crafters. The show is on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9 am to 4 pm at 920 Carmichael St. in Chapel Hill. Admission is free.

• So, if you haven't planned out your Saturday yet - hit the St. Thomas More Christmas Holiday Shoppe, then swing by A Southern Season (just a mile away), and then head straight down 15-501 into Durham and hit Guglhupf Bakery!

• And finally, something to get on your calendar as well. The Western Wake Farmers' Market will hold its pre-Christmas Market from 3-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, featuring locally grown produce, meat, eggs, honey, coffee, breads, sweets, crafts and more. The market is on Morrisville Carpenter Road  between Davis Drive and Highway 55 in Carpenter Village. Get more information here.

Friday Fun Food Facts - December 2, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Bull Street Gourmet & Market, which originally opened on Bull Street in Charleston, S.C. has opened their third location, not on Bull Street, but in the Bull City. This location is on Shannon Road in Durham, in the same strip center with Pops Backdoor, Rick's Diner, Tutti Frutti and Only Burger's brick and mortar location. Visit them online here.     

• Gonza Tacos y Tequila is now officially open. They opened this week in the former Savoy location in Greystone Village in North Raleigh. To keep up with all they have going on, visit their Facebook page here. 

• We told you two weeks ago to look for a Thanksgiving week opening for Mandolin, and Sean and his team kept their word opening on November 23rd at the corner of Fairview and Oberlin in Raleigh. And contrary to popular belief, there is plenty of parking. Check out their website for details or visit their Facebook page here.

• A new bakery opened in downtown Durham this past week at 111 W. Parrish Street. Loaf is the storefront from Ron Graff and his wife Jamie, who have set up the stand with the same name at the Durham Farmer's Market every Saturday for the past few years. Loaf's hours aren't set in stone yet, but we've heard they would be open 7am-7pm Monday-Saturday.

• Einstein's Bros. Bagels has opened a location in Durham on Erwin Road (3000 Erwin Road to be exact) near the Lenox Baker Children's Hospital. Visit them online here. 

• Last week Glenwood South got a little sweeter with the opening of Tutti Frutti frozen yogurt shop. It is located at 222 Glenwood Avenue near Glenwood's intersection with Lane. Learn more about Tutti Frutti here.  

• Jake's Way Back Burgers has opened a second Durham location - with this one being in the food court at Northgate Mall. The other Durham location is off of Miami Blvd. next to the new WalMart and Sam's Club (near the 540 interchange). Jake's also has a location in Mebane at the Tanger Mall Outlet.

• We told you back in September that Vin Rouge owner, Matthew Kelly, was putting together the financing to open a Spanish-inspired tapas bar and restaurant called Restaurant Mateo. Well, it looks like everything came together and he will soon be opening near Vin Rouge at 109 W. Chapel Hill Street (the former Book Exchange location) in downtown Durham. If his plans continue to come together, look for a springtime opening. We'll keep an eye on it.

• Go ahead and circle February 2, 2012 on your calendar and get ready to "Eat More Chicken" as the country's first two-story Chick-fil-A (with two drive thru windows) opens in Cameron Village. See a photo of their progress and get more information here. 

• The Diner, which opened in January, 2010, closed their doors last week to walk-in customers. Their catering operation continues (you can order catering here) as Niall Hanley looks for a new owner of that spot in the popular Glenwood South district. Also, all outstanding Diner gift cards will be honored at Hibernian Restaurant & Pub, just down the street at 311 Glenwood Avenue. In addition to Hibernian, Hanley also owns Solas Raleigh.

• And folks over in Cary are going to have to find a new place to get their morning mocha, as we learned about two weeks ago that It's a Grind (in the Cornerstone Shopping Center at the intersection of High House and Davis) surprisingly closed their doors. However, the Raleigh location on Falls of the Neuse Road in the Quail Corners Shopping Center remains open.

• And I don't know when this happened (it could have been a while, as I had almost forgotten they were there), but the Bear Rock Café up on Six Forks Road across from Six Forks Station is no longer operational. Bear Rock continues, however, to do well at the original location on Lake Boone Trail in Raleigh, the store in Morrisville and the newest location over in Durham.

• Here is the latest "rumor" running around the food scene right now. So you remember Chip & Tina Smith, the chef/owners of Bonne Soiree Restaurant that closed this last May over in Chapel Hill? After closing, they moved to New York, but have been coming back down periodically and doing dinners at The Inn at Celebrity Dairy in Siler City (the last one of the year is coming up. Sign up here). Well, word on the street is that fans of Bonne Soiree have convinced them to come back to North Carolina permanently. This will be a fun story to watch in early 2012. Stay tuned.

• One of the region's premier fine dining destinations has received its first five-star rating from the 2012 Forbes Travel Guide. Herons, the restaurant at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, received the top honor after earning four stars from Forbes in each of the past four years. Herons is one of 25 restaurants worldwide and the only one in North Carolina to receive Forbes' five-star rating for 2012. Congrats to Scott Crawford and his team.

• A new cook-off challenge will entice barbecue fanatics today (Dec. 2) when Historic City Market and Big Ed's host City Market Pig Wars in downtown Raleigh. Four professional and non-professional teams will face off in this new First Friday event. Eating will commence at 5:30 and will be complemented by live music and support for the Easter Seals. Get more information here.  

• Congrats to Chef Greg Lewis and his team over at Catering by Design as they were awarded the Best Caterer in the Triangle by The Knot (a wedding resource website) and their Best of Weddings Awards for 2012. If you'd like to order their catering, you can do so here.

• And we couldn't conclude without some gift giving ideas for this season for the "foodie" on your list. First up, the News &Observer has put together a great list of gift ideas. Check it out here.

• And if you are looking to give a cookbook as a gift (or suggest it to your loved ones as a gift to you!), be sure to check out the one by Andrea Reusing (Lantern) entitled, "Cooking in the Moment". It just made it onto the NY Times Notable Cookbooks list. As an added bonus, you can get it signed by Andrea herself at A Southern Season over in Chapel Hill on December 10th from noon until 2 pm. Here is the Southern Season Facebook page.

Friday Fun Food Facts - November 18, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Dean Ogan and Rocky Top Hospitality are at it again. It was announced this week that Rocky Top would open their 6th Triangle-area restaurant concept in January of next year in the former Stonewood Grill location over in Cary near the intersection of Cary Parkway and Highway 54. Rockwell's American Grill will mesh the modern day American grill with the comfort of old school diners and delis. We'll let you know a firm open date once we have it. In the meantime, visit them on Facebook here.  

• It is nice to have great friends with great memories. Such is the case with my 'old' buddy Gordon Brown who reminded me of Mandolin's "any day now" opening at the corner of Fairview Road and Oberlin. As we reported back in September, their website still lists this month for their opening, and this week's Independent Weekly suggests it will be sometime around Thanksgiving. Good luck to Sean Fowler, also a Raleigh native like Gordon and myself, who will bring his experience at the Fearrington House to deliver contemporary Southern food to Raleigh. You can keep an eye on their opening announcement at their website here.       

• And for those playing at home, here is an updated list of occupants of the space that will soon be Mandolin -  Johnson's Drug Store, The Bulldog, The Raven, Maccini's, Riptide's, EVOO, Mangia Bistro and Eat Kitchen & Bar, Bellini...and now, Mandolin. 

• Today is the day! The World of Beer will open in North Hills (directly across from Harris Teeter on the ground level of the CapTrust building) at noon (well, it is 5 o'clock somewhere). And if you are wondering if they will have your beer...did I mention 50 drafts and 500 bottled beers!?! Check their site out here or their Facebook page. And I think it is just coincidence, but happy birthday to Mindy!     

• JD's Tavern is opening this weekend in the old Xios Greek restaurant space in Apex at 800 W. Williams Street. They will hold a VIP event on Saturday, November 19th (must have reservations) and will open to the public on Monday, November 21st. Get more information on their website here or their Facebook page here.   

• This Saturday is the last Saturday Market at Rebus Works for the season - and this is one not to miss (Facebook Page). It opens as usual at 9, but will remain open until 4:30. All the "regular" local vendors will be on hand, but check out the food truck lineup - Old North State BBQ, Sausage Wagon, Chirba Chirba, Chicken-N-Que, Klausie's, Slippin Sliders and Triangle Raw Foodists as well as Fullsteam and Aviator Brewery. Spend your whole day on Saturday in downtown Raleigh with the Christmas Parade, the Saturday Market and the re-opening of Pullen Park.

• Speaking of Pullen Park, when it re-opens this Saturday, it will feature a very cool café - Pullen Place Café which will open at 10 a.m. Pullen Place sits in the same place as the park's former concession stand, but that is the only similarity. Holly Taylor and her partners, Steve Mangano and Zely & Ritz chef/owner Sarig Agasi plan to offer fresh, seasonal, local foods at affordable prices. Check out their website here or here on their Facebook page.     

• And a shout out to Andy Siouville who is lobbying hard to become Triangle Food Guy's Western Wake County reporter...Andy shared with me this week that 1750 Original, which was at the corner of Tryon Road and Cary Parkway (behind Chilli's and next to Office Suites Plus), has closed. And from what Andy is hearing, look for an Irish Pub to give that spot a try next. 

• The Raleigh Wine Shop, located at 126 Glenwood Avenue, is about to host their first in-store food & wine event on Tuesday, December 6th at 7:15 p.m. The $30 event will pair wines of central Italy and Tuscany with food prepared by Chef Robin Bodwin. Space is limited, so visit their site now for more details and to make your reservation. 

• If you are looking for yet another reason to stop by Firehouse Subs, here it is. The Raleigh (in Brier Creek) and Garner (next to Lowe's Hardware) locations now feature the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines. The "Freestyles" are the ultimate beverage experience that give you over 100 beverage choices in one sleek touchscreen.

• Jibarra Modern Mexican in downtown Raleigh this week announced that new executive chef Oscar Diaz has developed and released his fall-winter menu after spending the last few months tweaking and refining it. Meet the new chef and browse their new menu on their website or visit them on Facebook here. Jibarra is in the renovated Depot Building in downtown Raleigh (327 W. Davie Street)

• The Heart of Carolina Food Drive for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina kicks off today and runs through December. It is a community-wide food and funds drive to help stock the Food Bank shelves for the coming winter months. ABC 11 Eyewitness News is the lead sponsor.  Get more information here.

• Acme Restaurant in Carrboro will hold a Bordeaux Dinner this Sunday, November 20th at 6:30. A once in a lifetime chance to taste jaw-dropping red Bordeaux from the illustrious 2001 and 2005 vintages. We're talking fancy. And delicious. Reservations are required by phone. It will sell out. Price is $85 per person. Call 919-929-2263.

• Still scrambling around for some last minute Thanksgiving recipes? What if you could get your grubby little hands on recipes from Andrea Reusing (Lantern), Bill Smith (Crook's Corner) and Colin Bedford (The Fearrington House Restaurant)? Well you can, thanks to the folks over at Chapel Hill Magazine. Check out those recipes here. 

• Don't feel like cooking on Turkey Day? No worries. The News &Observer has put together a great list of restaurants that will be open to handle the cooking (and cleaning) for you.  Check it out here.   

• But if you feel like cooking, but run out of energy and great ideas for dessert, don't fret. The Twisted Fork Restaurant & Bakery will provide customers free pumpkin pies with each whole dessert purchased from the bakery for the Thanksgiving holiday season. All dessert orders must be placed by Monday. Nov. 21 at 5 p.m. And did I mention, Twisted Fork was rated the best dessert in Raleigh by CitySearch voters!?! Check them out here.  

• And speaking of desserts and baked goods, I provide you this link just to see if I can get your mouth watering. It is a link to Durham's Guglhupf Bakery and their holiday offerings. Guglhupf is now offering a tempting array of breads, cakes, tortes and desserts - all available for pre-order from now until Monday, November 21 at 4pm. Please, when clicking this link, do not have your mouth directly over your keyboard. You have been warned. 

• The N&O also reminded us of a great holiday activity when you have a house full of people - that you want out of your house for a few hours (and so you don't have to feed them!). Sign everyone up for one of the walking tours of great local restaurants through Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours. They have tours locally in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill/Carrboro and Hillsborough. Take a peek now and make your holidays a little bit more enjoyable.

• Want to do something a little bit different this Thanksgiving meal? And keep it local? Then be sure to take some time off from work on Tuesday, November 22 when each of the five local farmers' markets (Carrboro Farmers' Market, Chapel Hill Farmers' Market, Durham Farmers' Market, Eno River Farmers' Market in Hillsborough and the Western Wake Farmers' Market in Cary) will host a special pre-Thanksgiving market featuring locally grown produce, artisan foods, cheeses, meats, eggs and seasonal flowers for your holiday celebrations. Visit the website for Triangle Farmers Market to get ideas and recipes for special dishes you can prepare as well as each market's hours for this event.

• Speaking of Thanksgiving and keeping it local, why not turn to Raleigh's Q Shack to help you with your turkey and/or meal this year. The Q Shack is offering locally raised, all-natural fresh turkeys that feed up to 20 people for just $44.95! You can also order your entire Thanksgiving meal - it simply doesn't get any easier, or better, than that. Check out more details here. 

• And finally, I close with something I think is pretty cool. Raleigh City Farm is a group that is in the process of bringing rural farming to the city core of Raleigh by turning empty lots into produce-producing plots. If you think this is as cool as I do, check out their efforts here. And to make it even cooler, there are holding a Food Truck fundraiser on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 26th. The event will be in the 200 block of E. Franklin Street in downtown Raleigh from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Only Burger, Chirba Chirba and Klausie's are the trucks confirmed at this point.
  
  
  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
  
  
  I truly have so much to be thankful for. We all do. Thanks for all your support this year as I launched the Triangle's only locally-owned web-based catering service - http://www.trianglefoodguy.com (shameless plug!). And next Friday morning, I'll be hanging out with family thinking about all those things I have to be thankful - primarily an amazing wife and two of the coolest kids you'll ever meet. So, all that to say, I am very thankful...and, oh yeah, no Friday Fun Food Facts next week!!!

Friday Fun Food Facts - November 11, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Neomonde will open its third Mediterranean/Lebanese eatery in the Triangle in December at the Harvest Plaza shopping center (corner of Strickland and Six Forks roads) in North Raleigh. Known for its fresh breads and foods, Neomonde currently has two Triangle locations - one at 3817 Beryl Road in Raleigh and the other at 10235 Chapel Hill Road in Morrisville. Next year, the company will celebrate its 35th year in business. Visit their website here. 

• DaisyCakes, which up until now had been operating out of a really cool retrofitted Airstream mobile cupcakery and bakery (called "Sugar"), will open a brick and mortar location today (11/11) at 10 a.m. on Foster Street in downtown Durham (401A Foster Street to be exact, just steps away from the Durham Farmers' Market). Check them out here. 

• I don't know how John (aka Triangle Explorer) came across this, but in a recent tweet he noted that according to job postings on Craig's List, it is looking like the newest Tyler's Taproom, which will be in downtown Raleigh in Seaboard Station, is shooting for an opening at the end of this month. That's exciting! We'll keep an eye on it (or I'll just ask John to keep me posted!)

• And speaking of another place people are anxiously awaiting, according to posts on their Facebook page it looks like Weinberg's Delicatessen is aiming to open next week, possibly as early as Monday. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for the latest updates.

• This follows on the news yesterday that another "New York style" deli has closed their doors after less than a year in business. On their Facebook page, Streets Deli noted the economy as a driving factor. That marks the second "food" establishment (Stam's was the other) in Chapel Hill's East 54 development to close their doors.

• But the news is not all bad coming out of Chapel Hill. A Chapel Hill institution since the early 70's, Linda's Bar & Grill, has a new owner. Chris Corini took over ownership of Linda's back in August. While much will remain the same, we should see an "upgrade" in the food served at Linda's as Corini has had stints at both Southern Rail in Carrboro and Ruth's Chris Steak House. And don't worry fans, there are no plans to change the name!

• Love coffee? How about ice cream? You're going to love this then. The N&O reported this morning that the great minds behind Joe Van Gogh Coffee (Robbie Roberts) and Locopops (Summer Bicknell) will join forces when they open Joe Van Loco in the Towne North shopping center on Creedmoor Road in North Raleigh. They are shooting to be open by year's end.

• Gonza Tacos y Tequila, which will open in the former Restaurant Savoy space in North Raleigh, will have a soft opening on November 21st and 22nd. Get more information on their Facebook page here.  

• I know I focus just on food, but this is too cool to not mention. Mark your calendar for next Friday, November 18th when World of Beer will open in North Hills (directly across from Harris Teeter on the ground level of the CapTrust building). And if you are wondering if they will have your beer...did I mention 50 drafts and 500 bottled beers!?! The grand opening next Friday will begin at noon and will last until 2 a.m. Check their site out here  or their Facebook page.  

• Who else misses Bonne Soiree and chef Chip Smith? Well, he is returning to the Triangle once a month to cook a Sunday supper at The Inn at Celebrity Dairy in Siler City. The next one is this Sunday, November 13th at 1:30 pm. The meal includes passed hors d'oeurves, an appetizer, entree and dessert. The meal costs $75 with wine pairings and $50 without wine. The final one of the year is scheduled for Dec. 11. To make a reservation, call 919-742-5176. For more information, go to their site. 

• The N&O also reminded us of a great holiday activity when you have a house full of people - that you want out of your house for a few hours (and so you don't have to feed them!). Sign everyone up for one of the walking tours of great local restaurants through Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours. They have tours locally in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill/Carrboro and Hillsborough. Take a peek now and make your holidays a little bit more enjoyable.   

• Want to do something a little bit different this Thanksgiving meal? And keep it local? Then be sure to take some time off from work on Tuesday, November 22 when each of the five local farmers' markets (Carrboro Farmers' Market, Chapel Hill Farmers' Market, Durham Farmers' Market, Eno River Farmers' Market in Hillsborough and the Western Wake Farmers' Market in Cary) will host a special pre-Thanksgiving market featuring locally grown produce, artisan foods, cheeses, meats, eggs and seasonal flowers for your holiday celebrations. Visit the website for Triangle Farmers Market to get ideas and recipes for special dishes you can prepare as well as each market's hours for this event.

• Speaking of Thanksgiving and keeping it local, why not turn to Raleigh's Q Shack to help you with your turkey and/or meal this year. The Q Shack is offering locally raised, all-natural fresh turkeys that feed up to 20 people for just $44.95! You can also order your entire Thanksgiving meal - it simply doesn't get any easier, or better, than that. Check out more details here.   

• McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants will host its 13th annual Veterans Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 13. The M&S location at Crabtree Valley Mall will be participating. On this day, U.S. military veterans will be treated to a complimentary entrée from a special McCormick & Schmick's menu. Get more details here.

• Want to sample local beer and support a deserving charity? (You had me at beer...) Come to the inaugural Homebrew for Hunger Festival this Saturday (Nov. 12), at the new West End public event space at462 W. Franklin St. in downtown Chapel Hill. From noon-5 pm, you can learn about and taste beer from more than 30 local home brewers and craft breweries. The event benefits the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Get all the details here.  

• There is something truly special about both great music and great food. What if the two were combined? Does it get any better? Check this out - members of the NC Symphony will put on an eclectic and intimate performance in some of the area's hottest restaurants in 2012. So, mark your calendars now and get your tickets soon for these dates/locations (they will sell out): February 12 - Humble Pie; April 16 - Bu*ku; and May 20 - Humble Pie. Tickets are $65 per person and includes a multi-course meal and musical performance. Dinner is at 6, followed by music at 8. Get tickets and more information here. 

• And finally, if you're thinking about opening a food establishment (whether it be a brick and mortar location or a food truck), you might want to grab a copy of The Food Entrepreneur's Business Planning Workbook: Costing, Pricing and Marketing your Culinary Creations. The workbook is the creation of Durham's The Cookery, an incubator kitchen space which you can rent by the hour. You can get more information and even order the workbook ($26.99) on their website here. 

Friday Fun Food Facts - November 4, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Word emerged this week that there will be a second restaurant on the ground floor of the RBC Plaza in downtown Raleigh, and this will also be from a restaurateur familiar with the downtown market. Cara and Chris Hylton will open a Spanish-style tapas restaurant called Oro at the corner of Wilmington and Martin Streets. The Hyltons are the couple behind The Mint restaurant.  

• Downtown Raleigh is getting ready to get another Indian option - Blue Mango (which follows the recent opening of Mantra a few blocks away). While it is not open yet, word on the street is that it is very close to opening (the website notes a "Fall 2011" opening). Blue Mango will be located 222 Glenwood South in downtown Raleigh. Not much on their website, but feel free to check it out here.

• And speaking of 222 Glenwood South, earlier this week a sign on the door at the Triangle's second location of Tutti Frutti indicated that it would open this week - but I haven't been able to get by to confirm. Tutti Frutti's only other Triangle location is on Shanon Road in Durham.

• And if that is not enough yogurt news for you, Durham got another yogurt shop last month with the opening of Moonberries Frozen Yogurt which is located in the expansive Streets at Southpoint complex in the strip center right in front of Target. And according to their website, this won't be the only Triangle location. The site indicates they will be opening locations in Raleigh, Cary, Durham (a 2nd) and Chapel Hill.

• The long anticipated opening of the Triangle's third Which Wich Superior Sandwiches occurred this past weekend. The store is located in the "food court" area of North Hills "sandwiched" between Five Guys and The Q Shack. Which Wich's other two Triangle locations are on Lake Boone Trail (just down from Rex) and in Brier Creek.

• And speaking of waiting forever, the wait is over for Sir Pizza fans. The latest North Carolina location will open in Morrisville on Tuesday, November 8th. If you are not familiar with Sir Pizza, you'll want to check out their "Endless Lunch Buffet" which runs 11-2 Monday through Saturday, and all day on Sunday. The Morrisville location is located at the intersection of Davis Drive and McCrimmon Parkway. Check out their Facebook page here.  

• We told you about this several weeks ago, but the doors have swung open again at the former location of Amedeo's North on Falls of the Neuse Road in Raleigh (behind Tribeca Tavern). LaCarreta Mexican Restaurant is now open.

• Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, located in Crabtree Valley Mall, has launched a new small plates menu with seven new dishes (narrowed from 100!) that blend Asian influences with European flavors. Get more information here. 

• Things are heating up at Geer Street Garden over in Durham. Well, if you count their new heated patio space! So don't let the cooler weather keep you from heading on over. Geer Street Garden is located in the former Fletcher's Gulf Station on the corner of Foster and Geer Streets in downtown Durham. Visit their site here.  

• Today is the day most of you have probably been waiting all year for. It is Colossal Collard Day at the NC Farmers' Market in Raleigh! Festivities begin at 11 am, just in time for lunch. Fresh N.C. collards, hushpuppies and chow-chows are all part of the event and can be found at the State Farmers Market Restaurant. You'll be able to enjoy free collard samples as well as a variety of chow-chows and pickled relishes from market vendors. Locally produced collards also will be available for purchase from area farmers. Mmmmmm!

• Elaine's On Franklin in downtown Chapel Hill will celebrate its 12th anniversary this Sunday (November 6) with a dinner that pairs food by chef/owner Bret Jennings with wines chosen by importer Danny Haas. There will be a variety of pairings to choose from. It's $100 per person and starts at 6 pm. Reservations can be made by calling 919-960-2770. Get more details here. 

• The Saturday Market will be hopping this weekend with "foodie" related activity. The highlight this weekend will be Durham's Cookery, which will be talking about their community kitchen as well as selling Monuts Donuts. In addition, Aviator Brewing Company will be there (11 - 2), Slippin' Sliders Food Truck and 10 other "food related" vendors ranging from Muddy Dog Roasting Company to Locals Seafood - just to name a few. Get more details on the weekly gathering that takes place at Rebus Works every Saturday from 9-2 in downtown Raleigh. 

• Outback Steakhouse will be honoring our veterans and active military with a free Bloomin' Onion and Coke all next week (Nov. 7-11). Get all the details here.  

• McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants will host its 13th annual Veterans Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 13. The M&S location at Crabtree Valley Mall will be participating. On this day, U.S. military veterans will be treated to a complimentary entrée from a special McCormick & Schmick's menu. Get more details here.

• Mark your calendars for the extremely popular Kiwanis All You Can Eat Pancake and Sausage Jamboree which will take place next Monday, November 7th (4-8 p.m.) and Tuesday, November 8th (6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.) in The Durham Armory at 220 Foster Street in downtown Durham. Tickets are $6 in advance, $7 at the door. Kids eat free with adult.  

• This year, Tuesday, Nov. 8 is not only Election Day, but also the 23rd annual RSVVP (Restaurants Sharing V/5 & V/5 Percent). Eat out or take out all day - breakfast, lunch and/or dinner - at any participating restaurant, and 10% of your tab will be donated to the Inter-Faith Council's hunger-relief programs, the Community Kitchen and the Emergency Food Pantry. To see a full list of participating restaurants, visit their website here.
   
• Free coffee day is coming to Bruegger's on Wednesday, November 9th. Guests will be treated to a cup of coffee from opening until 2 pm. Donations to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals will be encouraged. More details and to find a location convenient to you, check out their website. 

• Want to sample local beer and support a deserving charity? (You had me at beer...) Come to the inaugural Homebrew for Hunger Festival on Saturday, Nov. 12, at the new West End public event space at462 W. Franklin St. in downtown Chapel Hill. From noon-5 pm, you can learn about and taste beer from more than 30 local home brewers and craft breweries. The event kicks off with "Homebrew U," a series of demonstrations on home brewing basics and tips for novice and experienced brewers alike from a panel of craft brewers including Erik Lars Myers of Mystery Brewing Company, Sean Lilly Wilson and Chris Davis of Fullsteam Brewery and Luke Studer of Bull City Burger & Brewery. The event benefits the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Get all the details here. 

• The annual Triangle Signature Chefs Auction featuring food from more than a dozen restaurants and caterers will be held on the evening of November 13th at the Carolina Club in Chapel Hill. Among the Triangle restaurants serving up tasting-sized portions of their signature dishes will be Winston's Grille, Gravy, The Mint, Solas, Coquette, Il Palio and Revolution. Tickets cost $150.  Proceeds benefit the North Carolina March of Dimes. To buy tickets or for more information about the event and the auction items, go here.

• Chick-fil-A has a couple of things you might be interested in. First, their annual "Cow Calendars" are now out and available while supplies last. They are $6, but note that there are great coupons for each month of the year. And probably more importantly, the "limited time only" Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake has returned.  Get more details here.  

• With Thanksgiving right around the corner, and you find yourself with even less time on your hands, why not turn to Raleigh's Q Shack to help you with your turkey and/or meal this year. The Q Shack is offering locally raised, all-natural fresh turkeys that feed up to 20 people for just $44.95! You can also order your entire Thanksgiving meal - it simply doesn't get any easier, or better, than that. Check out more details here. 

• There is something truly special about both great music and great food. What if the two were combined? Does it get any better? Check this out - members of the NC Symphony will put on an eclectic and intimate performance in some of the area's hottest restaurants in 2012. So, mark your calendars now and get your tickets soon for these dates/locations (they will sell out): February 12 - Humble Pie; April 16 - Bu*ku; and May 20 - Humble Pie. Tickets are $65 per person and includes a multi-course meal and musical performance. Dinner is at 6, followed by music at 8. Get tickets and more information here. 

Friday Fun Food Facts - October 28, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

•  OK, this one is pretty easy. Largest food truck rodeo...ever. This weekend - Sunday, October 30 from 4-8 p.m. at Durham's Central Park. 27 food trucks. Yes, 27 food trucks! I would list all the participating trucks, but it would simply take way too much time. Instead, visit here to see the latest and greatest including additional vendors, activities and directions.  

• This one flew under our radar screen, but we have confirmed that Tracy's New York Deli & Coffee Shop has opened in Chapel Hill. Tracy's is located over on Elliott Road across from Monterrey Mexican.

•  Durham got a new restaurant this week. Bella's Cuisine opened in the dome-shaped restaurant space at 3128 Guess Road in Durham which formerly housed the 2nd location of Backyard BBQ Pit. Visit their website here.  

• Speaking of Durham, the worst kept secret in the Triangle is starting to come to light. The long anticipated opening of the Triangle's second location of The Pit is starting to pick up momentum. It now appears as if The Pit will open in the ground floor of the building at 309 E. Chapel Hill Street in downtown Durham in the old Bargain Furniture space. We'll keep an eye on this and give you updates as we receive them.

• Apparently Ashley Christensen's half-pound burgers at Chuck's were a little too much and a little too pricey for some. No problem. Chuck's now offers a "Little Chuck" that is a 5 oz. burger for $6.75. Check it out here.  

• According to Duke's student newspaper, The Chronicle, The Food Factory at Devil's Bistro is struggling a little bit with some of the restrictions of its new space. But if anybody can make that space work - it is Jimmy and Lisa Schmid. They have cut out their weekday lunch service, but have added on a new delivery service and remain open for dinner, as well as lunch on weekends. If you are a big fan of The Food Factory, and you are over in Durham, make plans to stop by and show your support! Here is a link to their site.  

• Also, apparently Streets Deli in Chapel Hill is struggling to stay afloat. Their facebook page and webite have posted pleas this week entitled, "Save the Deli Week" (October 24-November 6th) and asked for their fans to step up and show some love to the New York-style deli by helping to spread the word. If you haven't been yet, it is well worth the visit. Get more information here. 

• Bruegger's began selling their 2012 Bottomless Mug this week. Guests who purchase the mug receive free fill ups of coffee (hot or iced, in season), tea or soft drinks for the remainder of the year after purchase and throughout 2012 - a total of 14 months for first time purchasers! The cost is $170, but that could be huge savings if you are a big coffee drinker. A percentage of sales also goes to the Children's Miracle Network. Stop by a local Bruegger's for details or visit them here.  

• This is kind of cool - Downtown Chapel Hill now has an app! That's right, you can download the Downtown Chapel Hill App and easily locate your favorite dining and shopping establishments as well as easily find public parking. That's pretty cool. Check it out here.

• Don't forget that today is National Breadstix Day today at Hot Box Pizza. From 2-5 p.m. stop by for your free breadstix (and maybe grab a pie and some cold beer while you are there). Hot Box Pizza is located at 2304 Hillsborough Street. Get more details here.  

• The Raleigh CROP Hunger Walk raises money to help fight hunger both locally and globally and supports several local hunger fighting agencies. The 3.1 mile walk is THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30th at 3pm! (Registration and activities start at 2pm).  The walk loops around downtown Raleigh, starting and ending at Marbles Kids Museum.  The walk is very kid friendly and a ton of fun, and this year we are featuring a Halloween costume contest where the most creative costumes will win gift certificates to Marbles!  People can sign up a team, donate or get more information here.

• The Carolina Ale House in Cary is hosting its 4th annual Carolina Brewfest featuring local and regional beers from 4-8 p.m. this Saturday, October 29th. Up to a dozen North Carolina breweries will be on hand providing samples, including Aviator Brewing Company, Red Oak Brewery and Foothills Brewing. Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 at the door and include beer samples, free food and live music. You can purchase tickets online here. Ten percent of all door sales will be donated to the North Carolina Brewers Guild. The Carolina Ale House in Cary is located at 2440 Walnut Street.

• The Lantern restaurant in Chapel Hill will host a special dinner and conversation with author Michael Ruhlman at 6:30 pm Wednesday, November 2nd, featuring charcuterie and other food that's cured, brined, pickled, fermented and salted. The 10-course family-style meal will include 18-month old whey-fed ham, North Carolina sashimi, crispy rillettes with salted "ume" cherries and moulard duck cured with sake kasu. Cost is $120 per person; that includes wine but not tax and tip. To reserve your place at the table: 919-969-8846. Get more information here.  

• McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants will host its 13th annual Veterans Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 13. The M&S location at Crabtree Valley Mall will be participating. On this day, U.S. military veterans will be treated to a complimentary entrée from a special McCormick & Schmick's menu. Get more details here. 

• The annual Triangle Signature Chefs Auction featuring food from more than a dozen restaurants and caterers will be held on the evening of November 13th at the Carolina Club in Chapel Hill. Among the Triangle restaurants serving up tasting-sized portions of their signature dishes will be Winston's Grille, Gravy, The Mint, Solas, Coquette, Il Palio and Revolution. Tickets cost $150.  Proceeds benefit the North Carolina March of Dimes. To buy tickets or for more information about the event and the auction items, go here. 

• Raleigh's Gateway Restaurant is offering a German dinner on Nov. 5. The four-course meal with German beer and wine pairings will cost $50 a person. Appetizers are served at 6:30 p.m. and dinner starts at 7 p.m. The menu includes a cucumber salad, a beef broth and dumpling soup, rouladen, a thin beef roll-up, served with spaetzle and red cabbage and an apple puff pastry with ice cream for dessert. Seating is limited, so make a reservation by calling Tom or Martina at 832-3020. For more information about the restaurant, go to their web site .

• Mark your calendars for the extremely popular Kiwanis All You Can Eat Pancake and Sausage Jamboree which will take place this year on Monday, November 7th (4-8 p.m.) and Tuesday, November 8th (6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.) in The Durham Armory at 220 Foster Street in downtown Durham. Tickets are $6 in advance, $7 at the door. Kids eat free with adult.

• This year, Tuesday, Nov. 8 is not only Election Day, but also the 23rd annual RSVVP (Restaurants Sharing V/5 & V/5 Percent). Eat out or take out all day - breakfast, lunch and/or dinner - at any participating restaurant, and 10% of your tab will be donated to the Inter-Faith Council's hunger-relief programs, the Community Kitchen and the Emergency Food Pantry. To see a full list of participating restaurants, visit their website here.