Friday Fun Food Facts - February 4, 2011

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

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Without too much shameless self-promotion, I did want to take this opportunity to let everyone know that this week I launched the Triangle's only locally-owned online corporate catering website - aptly named Triangle Food Guy.

Please take a moment to visit the site, and by all means, if you have corporate catering needs - order away! There's also
a promotion right now for $500, $300 and $200 gift cards to Bailey's Fine Jewelry

I've been doing this for seven years and am extremely excited to now have my very own operation and would love the opportunity to work with each of you!

Check out the site!

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• Rocky Top Hospitality Group this week announced that their 13-year-old, flagship restaurant Michael Dean's would close after Valentine's Day. The good news is that it will quickly become the newest location for Rocky Top's hottest new concept - Tribeca Tavern (the original location is over in Cary). Look for a mid-March opening of Tribeca in that Falls of the Neuse Road location. And take note that there are already plans for a third and fourth location! Stay tuned.
  
• I think this was the most anticipated, most talked about opening in recent history, but it is official now - Streets Restaurant Deli & Market in Chapel Hill is NOW OPEN! And let me tell you from experience (the wife and I ate there on Wednesday), it is good. Listen up New Yorkers, get over there and let me know what you think! They are located in the 54 East complex heading into Chapel Hill (right behind the Aloft Hotel).
  
• Downtown Raleigh is in line to get a new restaurant with a Mediterranean focus according to the N&O's Greg Cox. Babylon is slated to open at 309 N. Dawson Street in March. The menu will be Mediterranean in focus, with Moroccan and Southern European influences.
  
• I noted this back in my January 21st edition, but it is certainly worth another mention - if you are looking for a truly authentic Cuban sandwich, look no further than downtown Durham (301 E. Main Street) where Old Havana Sandwich Shop has opened. The reviews coming in are that this is the real deal!

• Last week we noted that Il Forno Italian Grill in Holly Springs had closed. Well, Sue Stock at the N&O is reporting this morning that Fiesta Mexicana will take over that spot with their fifth Triangle location. No word yet on the timing.

• In the "This is Completely Rumor" file this week, we are hearing rumors that the Lake Boone location of Chubby Taco will move down the strip into the recently vacated 2nd City Grill location. We haven't been able to get confirmation on that, but we can certainly see why the extremely popular taco joint needs more room!

• Chapel Hill has a new food truck - well, I guess it depends on if you consider donuts as "food" (I know I certainly do). Anyway, @DoughnetteTruck (for you Twitter people) is making its premier this Friday at Wootini, an arts gallery located in the heart of Carrboro on Lloyd Street (right across from the Cats Cradle). Looks like they'll be frying up come raised apple cider donuts beginning at 7 p.m.

• And keeping with the donut theme, tomorrow morning is the 7th annual Krispy Kreme Challenge. If you are not familiar with it - "runners" begin at the NC State Bell Tower, run 2 miles to the Krispy Kreme on Peace Street, eat a dozen donuts, and "run" back - in under an hour. This is a great spectator event - don't forget your camera.
  
• And the final "donut" mention of this issue is that February is "Chocolate Lovers Month" at Dunkin Donuts and they are rolling out a new line of donuts just for the month - Cocoa Confetti, Reverse Boston Kreme and Cocoa Kreme Puff - all for $.89.
  
• Fish-eaters in Durham take note. The Fish Shack in Durham has closed. The fish version of the Shack, was a concept crated by Dan Ferguson, owner of The Original Q Shack - which remains alive and kicking as usual. The Fish Shack was located on University Drive right next to The Original Q Shack.

• We got word this week due to an observant passerby, that the Edelweiss Café in City Market Square (317 Blake Street) in downtown Raleigh has closed. In addition to this observation, the number is disconnected and the website is down. Edelweiss opened in 2007 in Selma - and moved to Raleigh two years later.
  
• Have you made Valentine's Day plans yet? Well, the N&O's Andrea Weigl has put together a very nice list of both Valentine's Day dinners as well as cooking classes (for those opting for the at-home romantic evening). Check it out here.

• And 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.
  
• And of special note, Ashley Christensen, owner/chef of Poole's Downtown Diner, has announced that she will donate 100% of the profits from her restaurant's Valentine's Day dinner service to Cookies for Kids' Cancer. That Ashley sure has a big heart!
  
• And on the Valentine's theme, Cary's Matthews House will have a dinner and dance on Saturday, February 12 beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a champagne toast and candlelit dinner. Reservations are only $50 per person, so call 919.467.1944 to make your reservations. Even better, overnight stay packages are available!
  
• The Q Shack in Raleigh has some good news rolling out. The first is that their bread is now being handmade by the infamous Neomonde Bakery in Morrisville. Just when you thought their barbecue couldn't get any better. They've also got some great catering options for the Super Bowl as well as $1 ribs all day on Valentine's Day. The Q Shack is the perfect place to take your honey on Valentine's! See more on their site.
  
• Bruegger's is having a birthday and you get the "gifts" - 3 free bagels on February 8th. But here's the catch (although it is not really a catch because you wouldn't go to someone's birthday party unless you were friends with them, right?), but you have to "friend" them on Facebook or join their e-mail list to get this coupon - go here.
  
• If you're looking for a place to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, you might try one of the area's Carolina Ale House locations. Not only is the food great, and the atmosphere perfect for watching the biggest football game of the year, but they'll also be giving away 42-inch HDTVs at all their locations at half-time. Find a location near you here.
  
• Blu Seafood and Bar in Durham is offering two special dinners this month: an "Oyster Extravaganza" on February 9th and a wine dinner featuring Spanish cuisine on February 16th. To make a reservation for either night, call 286.9777. More details on their website.
  
• Do you want to own an ice-cream shop? Well, the owners of Goodberry's (Raleigh's very own) want to talk to you. The makers of Goodberry's are beginning to offer the brand's first franchising opportunities to area developers and franchisee operators. This process will begin in April. Visit their site for more information.
  
• T.G.I. Friday's announced a new menu featuring 14 new items. Everything from appetizers, to entrees, to beverages to their dessert menu. Check out their new menu items here.
  
• This is a little out of our area, but worth noting for any trips west. Durham-based Local Yogurt will be opening up its fourth location near Elon University in March (116 W. Lebanon Ave.). The other three locations are in Durham, Raleigh and Greenville.
  
• And for you do-it-yourselfers out there, there is a workshop scheduled for March 5 at Marbles Kid Museum called Dig In, designed for anyone who wants to build and maintain a community garden or gain expertise for success in a home garden. Register here.

• This is worth keeping around for a couple of issues - N&O's Greg Cox 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.

• 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.