Friday Fun Food Facts - January 28, 2011

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

• Downtown Raleigh is taking a couple of big blows this week with closings being reported by the N&O's Sue Stock. The popular lunchtime spot, The Brass Grill, has unexpectedly closed according to a sign on the door. If you've been there lately, I don't think you would have seen that coming. It will be missed.
  
• Also, in a blow to Raleigh's City Plaza, Krispy Kreme has announced that they will close up that location after this weekend's NHL All-Star game festivities. The store opened in October of 2009 and has a lease that runs through 2014.
  
• In better Krispy Kreme news, they are set to open a new store in Fuquay-Varina in April at 728 N. Judd Parkway.

• And if that is not enough sugar, folks in Fuquay can also get more goodies at the Cup Cake Bite - a new cupcake shop that just opened at 512 Broad Street. This follows the success of Fuquay's Aviator Brewing Company and the soon to open barbecue restaurant affiliated with the brewing company. You've got to love "The Quay" - beer, pig, cupcakes and donuts!

• A few weeks ago we told you about the opening of Bellini over in Raleigh (former EVOO on Oberlin Road). Well, now those same owners have opened up a new "ristorante | pizzeria" called Vino at the intersection of Morrisville Carpenter Road and Davis Drive.

• And not far from there, Durham is now home to the Triangle's first location of Jake's Wayback Burgers. It marks the North Carolina's third location and is located right along Highway 54 near the exchange with 540. It is in the same center as the new, gigantic Wal-Mart/Sam's complex.

• And Durham now has its very own pizza truck - Pie Pushers. You can follow them on Twitter @piepushers.

• Heading over to Chapel Hill, this past Sunday saw the grand opening of Jahan International Market & Persian Tea Room. They are located in the same strip as The Pig - yet another example of the diversity of Chapel Hill!

• Back over in Raleigh, Bangkok Thai is now open in Wakefield. The address is 13200 New Falls of Neuse Rd. - which is right next to the Food Lion and in the same strip as Hayashi and the new Wakefield Tavern.

• Unfortunately, a few more closings to report. 2nd City Grill, located in the Lake Boone shopping center, has closed according to the N&O's Sue Stock. And the Il Forno Italian Grill in South Park Village in Holly Springs has closed.
  
• The Triangle is stepping up and quickly gaining a reputation as a destination for craft beer lovers. The N&O's Andrea Weigl wrote a great article on this "bubbling" scene noting the area's nine breweries, five annual beer festivals and even a "brews cruise" tour. Last year, the number of breweries from Durham to Fuquay-Varina rose to 11. Four more are expected to open this year, and another four are within a 90-minute drive. Read the entire article here.
  
• In other alcohol related news, this week North Carolina welcomed the opening of its 100th vineyard (Cauble Creek Vineyards in Salisbury). North Carolina now finds itself 7th on the list of largest wine-producing states in the nation (on a side note, I read that we were once #1, prior to prohibition). Keep up with all the state's vineyards at this cool site.
  

• The N&O's Greg Cox just put out his annual list of The Best Restaurants in the Triangle. It is quite an impressive list and can be viewed here in a "prnter-friendly" format, or a more entertaining interactive format here.

• The 14 area Moe's Southwest Grill locations are celebrating the All Star weekend in the Triangle by offering 99-cent Joey Junior burritos today (Friday)! Visit here to find a nearby location.

• Dickey's Barbecue is giving away free samples TODAY (Friday) from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. of it's new Spicy Cheddar Sausage. It will become a menu item next Tuesday, so this is your chance to get a sneak preview. Find a Dickey's near you here.
  
• Make a note on your calendar. On Tuesday, Feb. 8th, Bruegger's Bagels will host a "birthday bash" giving away free bagels until 2 p.m. Only catch, a coupon is required that you can obtain by either signing up for their newsletter or by "liking" them on Facebook.
  
• Looking for a unique Valentine's dinner for two? PoshNosh Catering is doing a dinner show, cocktails and dinner on Monday, February 14th at Flanders Gallery at 302 S. West Street in Raleigh. It begins at 6:30 and the cost is $150 per person. Contact Coleen at 919.839.6004 to get your reservation.

• An here are a few more Valentine's dinner options put together for you by the N&O's Greg Cox - a list of "romantic" spots for the big holiday. Check it out here.