Friday Fun Food Facts - April 29, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

Openings

• In Wake Forest, Sweet CeCe's Frozen Yogurt & Treats opened Thursday at 3624 Rogers Road. It is a frozen yogurt shop where customers serve themselves frozen yogurt, choose their own toppings and pay by weight. The chain now has 23 locations, but this is the first North Carolina location.

• According to the N&O's Sue Stock, Cary - jokingly referred to as "City Accepting Relocating Yankees" - is getting ready to get a little more "yankee" this summer with the opening of the NY Bagel Café Deli. It will be located in the Shoppes of Kildaire at the corner of Kildaire and Cary Parkway.

• Downtown Raleigh has a new café. Wilmoore Café, located at 223 S. Wilmington Street, opened their doors this week serving coffee, tea, sandwiches and more. Currently just operating during the day, they plan to eventually open in the evening.

• Greek Fiesta has opened its sixth Triangle location in Towne North Plaza at Creedmoor and Strickland roads in North Raleigh. Check out their website here.  

• Sue Stock also announced this morning that Cappolla's Pizzeria & Grill will open next month in the Food Lion-anchored Market at Riverwood in Clayton.

• We told you about this back in February, but Sue Stock announced this morning that Red Monkey will finally open next week in Crabtree Valley in the Pharaoh's and Aggie's space next to the Cheesecake Factory.

• We got word this week that the former North Seafood Bistro on Durant Road is being converted into a quick serve Mexican joint. More details to come as we gather them. 

• The Triangle's newest Moe's Southwest Grill is open in Durham. It is located near the intersection of 15-501 and I-40 just behind the AT&T store.

• The newest location of Carolina Ale House is moving forward with plans announced this week. The location will be on Glenwood South in the old Creamery location, directly across from Armadillo Grill. Demolition is expected to start this summer, with construction to commence later this year. This will mark the 16th location, the 7th here in the Triangle.

• Just in time for the warm weather, Sparians Bowling Boutique and Bistro has opened their new outdoor patio which features outdoor seating for dining as well as a lounge area.

• In Chapel Hill, The Lodge Bar & Grill is now open at the corner of Henderson & Rosemary Streets in the former Lucy's location. 

Closings 

• The Cold Stone Creamery across from the Streets at Southpoint will sccop its last scoop of ice cream on Mother's Day, May 8th.

• Shaba Shabu in Durham has closed. It will reopen as Sushi Mori. Don't have an exact date, but you  can see their menu here.   

Food Truck News

• Raleigh has a new food truck. LocalMotive is rolling around the area and serving up brunch. LocalMotive is the brainchild of Chef Ian Altschul and Lucas Kinnin. Check them out on Facebook here. 

• And expect yet another new food truck in June as Café Prost, a food truck specializing in German pretzels, coffee, and bratwursts. Find their website here or follow them on Twitter @cafeprost.  

Events

• Beginning this Friday, Friday's on the Front Porch returns to the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill. The event, from 5-9pm every Friday, allows you to enjoy a picnic, drink special and live bluegrass music. More information here.  

• Antonio's Gourmet Market (in Lafayette Village in North Raleigh) is hosting a Crawfish Boil on Saturday, Aril 30th beginning at 12 noon and going until the last tail has been peeled! RSVP so that they know how many to expect. You can do that on their Faceok page or by calling them at 919-887-6310. 

• This Saturday at Johnny's of Carrboro, they are having a good old fashioned pig pickin with live music and beer and wine specials. Get more information on their  Facebook page here. 

• Don't worry, you can sleep in on Saturdays and still get farm fresh veggies. Starting next Tuesday, the Western Wake Farmers' Market in Cary will be adding Tuesday market hours 3:30 - 6:30 pm.  Visit their website here.   

• Celebrate Cinco de Moe's all day on May 5, 2011 with $3 chicken, ground beef and tofu Joey burritos at all 15 Moe's Southwest Grill Raleigh-area locations. As always, Moe's will offer free chips and salsa with every order.

• The Taco Maker is sponsoring a special Cinco de Mayo event on Thursday May 5, from 11 am-7 pm at 3800 New Bern Avenue in Raleigh. There is a 15% off of all orders, with music, beer and a special band performance. The event will also feature free crustos for the kids.

• Larry's Beans has announced their next public tour will be on Saturday, May 7th. This is your chance to get a "behind the scenes look" at how it all happens. Hurry, because it is limited to the first 150 people! Of course there is lots of coffee to consume, and goodies from Neomonde. Visit their Facebook page now - or visit their website here. Did I mention it is free?

Friday Fun Food Facts - April 15, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

Openings

• Hillsborough Street has a hot new pizza joint aptly named HotBox Pizza. Hailing from the Midwest, HotBox is sure to be a huge hit. Welcome to Jamie and his team! Visit their site here or "Like Them" on Facebook here. 

• Speaking of pizza, Pizza Inn has made its return to Durham in a building at 3906 N. Duke Street that was a pizzeria in the '60's, then a Pizza Inn and then vacant. It has been gutted and completely rebuilt by Troy Harrington and Mike Cotton (former operator of Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q).

• Relish Café and Bar, a new neighborhood café and bar specializing in comfort foods with a "new southern" twist, opened a week ago last Tuesday at 5625 Creedmoor Road in Raleigh. Visit them on Facebook.

• The long anticipated Ruben's on Person Street in downtown Raleigh is expected to open this week. Ruben's will specialize in turkey nuggets, turkey burgers, wings & eventually beer in the evening.

• Moe's Southwest Grill just opened its newest location in Durham yesterday and will open another location next Thursday. Yesterday, Moe's opened its newest location inside the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. And the other location will be in Patterson Place in Durham, across from New Hope Commons near the intersection of 15-501 and Interstate 40.

• If you are a fan of King's Sandwhich Shop over in Durham, we've got great news that is worth getting up early for. T.J. McDermott, owner of King's (701 Foster St.) expanded the shop's hours and menu this past Thursday to add breakfast. King's will be open from 7 am to 4 pm Monday through Saturday. The breakfast menu will include biscuits, country ham, sausage, bacon, grits and fatback. Check it out.  

• We reported several weeks ago about Tribeca Café going into The Hue in downtown Raleigh. We also noted the name they shared with Tribeca Tavern (although completely unaffiliated). It has since changed their name to The Astoria Cafe & Lounge and is shooting for a late May, early June opening.

• We reported several weeks back about the opening of Bull City Burger & Beer (which we hear is well worth the visit). Well, things just got better yesterday as Durham Mayor Bell poured the first pint of their own beer! So, get on over to Bull City and try their newly flowing livations!

• A reminder that Geer Street Garden restaurant has slightly modified their anticipated open date. Their site now shows "around the weekend of April 22nd" as when they will open. It is located at 644 Foster Street in the old gas station on the corner of Foster and Geer streets in Durham.  Visit their page on Facebook here, to get the official word on when they swing their doors open.  

Closings 

• We got word this week from a reader that Bellini Italian Restaurant, located at the corner of Fairview Road and Oberlin Road in Raleigh, has closed. 

• A peek in the window (and locked doors) makes it appear as if Chocalaterie Stam over in Chapel Hill's East 54 has closed their doors. They have also been removed from the chain's website.  

Food Truck News

• There will be a food truck gathering in conjunction with Durham's Full Frame Documentary Film Festival at Durham Central Park tomorrow (4/16). The food trucks will begin serving food at 6:30 pm under the park pavilion. Food trucks in attendance include: Farmhand Foods Sausage Wagon, Daisy Cakes, Joey D' NY Dogs, Only Burger, Parlez-Vous Crepe, Klausie's Pizza, Slippin' Sliders, and The Grilled Cheese Bus.

• Rebus Works will also begin hosting The Saturday Market which will bring together farmers, crafters, food trucks, brewers and more every Saturday from 9am-2pm beginning April 23rd through November 19th. The website is coming soon, so in the meantime, you can visit their Facebook page.   

Events

• The extremely popular Farm to Fork Family Style Dinners have returned to Foster's Market in Chapel Hill & Durham. The dinners, which feature a different local farmer each week,  returned to Foster's Market of Chapel Hill this past Thursday and will return to the Durham location next Thursday (Apr 21st). Reservations are recommended. More information here.  

• You won't want to miss the 'Cuegrass Festival this Saturday at The Pit in the warehouse district in downtown Raleigh. The event runs from 11 am until 4 pm and will feature a day full of great 'cue, local brews and toe-tappin' bluegrass music. And the $5 charge goes to the North Carolina Farmers. More information here.

• Midtown Farmers' Market, located in the heart of North Hills in the Commons, opens its 4th season this Saturday (4/16). They are open from 8 am until noon and will have lots going on including an Omelet Extravaganza and live music. Get more information here.   

• Get a fresh start to the season at the Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market's Spring Fling KIckoff on Wednesday, April 27 from 10am-2pm in City Plaza on Fayetteville Street. This opening day celebration offers a complete sensory experience to cure spring fever! Taste the freshest strawberries, smell the basil starts, see your friends, and listen to live bluegrass. More information here.  

• If you are planning on eating out on Easter Sunday, you won't be the only one. Thirty-three million Americans are expected to celebrate the Easter holiday by dining out, according to new research from the National Restaurant Association. So, word to the wise - make reservations now!

• As part of Herbfest in Cary on May 5th, award-winning Chef Lucindy Willis of the Yancey House Restaurant will conduct a special cooking demonstration and discuss culinary uses of herbs. The $25 ticket gets you into a reception where you'll be able to sample Chef Lucindy's creations, accompanied by specially selected wines. Tickets may be purchased here.

• Larry's Beans has announced their next public tour will be on Saturday, May 7th. This is your chance to get a "behind the scenes look" at how it all happens. Hurry, because it is limited to the first 150 people! Of course there is lots of coffee to consume, and goodies from Neomonde. Visit their Facebook page now - or visit their website here. Did I mention it is free?

• Here' s a great dinner you won't want to miss. On Thursday April 21st at 6 pm, Herons Restaurant (Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary) will be offering a winemaker dinner featuring Tommy and Amie Baudoin of Morgan Ridge Vineyards in Gold Hill, N.C. The four-course meal will cost $85. Call 447-4200 for reservations.

• And finally, the Eno River Farmers' Market will have their Harvest Dinner on Saturday, April 30! If you've never been, this is a real treat as the meal is sourced from the local farms, prepared by the vendors, and presented elegantly in the market house along with live music. Tickets go on sale at the market house on April 2nd and are $60. More information on their website. 

Freebies

• Subway will have their annual customer appreciation day on Saturday, April 16th where they will have a "buy one get one" free special on their subs. More information here.

• Maggie Moo's stores will offer free mini-sundaes as part of the chain's Sundae Stimulus from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, April 18th. Both the Brier Creek and Cary stores are participating.

• Participating Cinnabon shops will give away two free Cinnabon bites from 6 until 8 pm on Monday, April 18th.

• On April 22, Evos restaurants will be handing out free organic milkshakes. The only Triangle area location is at 1800 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill (Eastgate Shopping Center).

• Starbucks will offer a free cup of coffee or tea to anyone who brings a reusable mug to a store April 22 as part of Earth Day.

Tip of the Hat! 

• Our "Tip of the Hat" this week goes to Green Planet Catering for winning the Raleigh Chamber's Pinnacle Business Award for Small Business Sustainability Award. Congrats to Daniel and his team.

• Our second "Tip of the Hat" this week goes to Lou & Joy Moshakos, owners of locally owned and operated LM Restaurants, Inc., who donated $23,000 to Carolina Hurricanes' Kids 'N Community Foundation. LM Restaurants is the parent company of Carolina Ale House as well as many other restaurants in Eastern North Carolina and the Southeast including Taverna Agora in Raleigh. 

Friday Fun Food Facts - April 8, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

Openings

• Hillsborough appears to be the hot spot this week with two big announcements. The first is that the Hillsborough BBQ Company opened this week in downtown. It is located at 236 Nash Street. Visit their website here.   

• Also in Hillsborough, the space that used to be Tupelo's restaurant is now open as Antonia's Restaurant, serving up authentic Italian cuisine. Antonia's will use fresh, local ingredients in its menu and is located at 101 N. Churton St. in downtown. Open for dinner, visit their site here.

• Downtown Raleigh is getting ready to get another coffee option. David Fowle (who owned and operated Café Udine until 2002) is about to open The Wilmoore Café at 223 S. Wilmington St., next to Busy Bee. In addition to the coffee, the café will boast a full kitchen featuring Chef Jackson Harris (18 Seaboard & Herons). They will have a soft opening on April 12th, with an opening party set one week later on April 19th and wide-open the following day.

• Over in Durham, we just got word that the much-anticipated Geer Street Garden restaurant will open on Thursday, April 21st. It is located at 644 Foster Street in the old gas station on the corner of Foster and Geer streets in Durham. The restaurant and bar will serve simple American food made with as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. Visit their page on Facebook here.

• Also in Durham, on Fayetteville Road we saw an "Opening Soon" sign on Dulce Café in the popular Sutton Square. In addition to the café, it appears as if it will feature pastries and gelato. No word yet on an open date, but we'll keep an eye on it.

• If you are a big fan of Aladdin's Eatery on Falls of the Neuse Road in Raleigh, you'll be glad to know they opened a second location in Brier Creek, nestled between Bruegger's and Caribou Coffee. Thanks to Sue Stock at the N&O for this news.

• Golden Corral will open its new "pavilion" style restaurant at 3424 Capital Blvd. next Thursday. The store is larger and features a buffet divided by types of food. As a result of this opening, the New Bern Avenue store has already closed and the Millbrook Road location will close next Tuesday.

• Thanks to John, aka Triangle Explorer (check him out here on Facebook), there was an "Opening Soon" sign spotted for NY Pizza in the shopping center directly across from Northridge Country Club on Fall of the Neuse Road in Raleigh. We'll keep an eye on it (or ask John to) for an open date. 

Closings

•  According to the N&O's Sue Stock, Crepes Veronique, located in the Courtyard on West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, closed last week. However, don't be surprised to see them "pop up" somewhere else.

• Stock also reported this morning that Courtney's Bistro on Falls of Neuse Road closed. But don't fret, the one at 407 E. Six Forks Road is still open.

• We are sad to report that Treehouse Café, which was located in the middle of RTP near the intersection of Highways 54 and 55, has closed its doors. 

Food Truck News

• I guess one could argue that "ice cream trucks" were the first "food trucks" before food trucks were cool. But look for a new "ice cream truck" (it is really a converted mini-school bus turned into a mobile ice cream parlour) coming to the Triangle this May called The Parlour. Follow them on Twitter @parlourdurham or visit their Facebook page.  

• We mentioned them last week, but the newest food truck in the Triangle, Pie Pushers, a gourmet pizza truck, will have their debut dinner on Monday, April 18th at 6 pm at Watts Grocery in Durham. More information on their dinner here.  

• There will be a Food Truck Rodeo this Saturday (April 9) from 4 - 7 pm in the lot at Al's Garage in Carrboro. Food Trucks will include Captain Poncho's Tacos , Blue Sky Dining , Klausie's Pizza, and Indian Food on Wheels. The event will also feature Capoeira Performers demonstrating their Brazilian martial arts & Carga Mundial De Awesome performing.

• There will be a food truck gathering in conjunction with Durham's Full Frame Documentary Film Festival at Durham Central Park on Saturday, April 16th. The food trucks will begin serving food at 6:30 p.m. under the park pavilion. Food trucks in attendance include: Farmhand Foods Sausage Wagon, Daisy Cakes, Joey D' NY Dogs, Only Burger, Parlez-Vous Crepe, Klausie's Pizza, Slippin' Sliders, and The Grilled Cheese Bus.

• Rebus Works, a small art gallery in Raleigh's Boylan Heights neighborhood is hosting a Food Truck Rodeo from 5:30 to 9 pm on Thursday, April 14. The trucks include OnlyBurger, Bulkogi Korean BBQ, Klausie's Pizza, The Grilled Cheese Bus, Blue Sky Dining and Kona Ice. In addition, beer from Aviator Brewing Company will be available. It's free (the event, not the food) and open to the public. For more information, go here.  

• Rebus Works will also begin hosting The Saturday Market which will bring together farmers, crafters, food trucks, brewers and more every Saturday from 9am-2pm beginning April 23rd through November 19th. The website is coming soon, so in the meantime, you can visit their Facebook page.  

• If you are a food truck junkie (like me), my buddy John (aka Triangle Explorer) has put together a great list of upcoming food truck "events." Check it out here.  

• If you're on Twitter and like to follow all the food trucks in the Triangle, the N&O's Andrea Weigl has created a super handy Food Truck List on Twitter. Find it here.  

• And for a list of al the food trucks, head over to Ben Smith's blog, The Food Life, where he has compiled a comprehensive list of all the area's food trucks. Find it here. 

Events

• If there is one food event you attend a year, make it this one. And get your tickets EARLY! Trust me, do not wait to get tickets, it will sell out. The annual Farm to Fork Picnic is from 4-7 pm on Sunday, June 26th. The event pairs local chefs with local farmers as they prepare food for the picnic under food tents that circle the picnic area. Bring blankets and chairs and prepare to feast! Tickets cost $60. More info here. 

• Wake Tech's annual Culinary Arts Showcase is next Tuesday, April 12th from 4 -7 pm at the Raleigh Convention Center. At this much-anticipated Triangle event you'll be able to watch chefs compete, view culinary artistry, and taste local specialties. Featured restaurants include Angus Barn, 42nd Street Oyster Bar, The Pit and Second Empire, just to name a few. Tickets are $10. Get tickets and more info here. 

• While most farmers' markets in the area opened this past Saturday, the Chatham Mills Farmers Market will host their first day of the season this Saturday at Pittsboro's historic mill (480 Hillsboro Street in Pittsboro). The market will run from 8am to noon.

• Larry's Beans has announced their next public tour for May. It will be on Saturday, May 7th. This is your chance to get a "behind the scenes look" at how it all happens. Hurry, because it is limited to the first 150 people! Of course there is lots of coffee to consume, and goodies from Neomonde. Visit their Facebook page now - or visit their website here. Did I mention it is free?

• The third annual SEEDS Pie Social is Sunday April 10, from 2-6 pm. For $10 (or more) you get to try four slices of pie from some of the best restaurants/chefs in Durham. Lots of pie, hanging out in an awesome garden and helping a cool organization in Durham - it's a win all the way around. Participating restaurants include Toast, Watts Grocery, Scratch Bakery, Foster's, Durham Catering, The Farmer's Daughter, Daisy Cakes and more. More information here.  

• There are lots of reasons to go to the Southern Women's Show in Raleigh this weekend, but here is one more reason in case you need it - bring in a jar or two of your favorite peanut butter to the show and pick up a special Gift from The Virginia Carolinas Peanut Promotions located in Expo Hall. The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina will be collecting donations inside both entrances all three days of the show.

• Fullsteam Brewery has concocted another fun event - TMWNCSP. Get it? It stands for - Things Made With North Carolina Sweet Potatoes. Kind of rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? (I get the idea these guys just sit around trying to come up with creative reasons to drink beer!) The "event" will be this Sunday, April 10th from 2-4. Get more details on their Facebook page.  

• You won't want to miss the 'Cuegrass Festival on Saturday, April 16h at The Pit in the warehouse district in downtown Raleigh. The event runs from 11 am until 4 pm and will feature a day full of great 'cue, local brews and toe-tappin' bluegrass music. And the $5 charge goes to the North Carolina Farmers. More information here.

• Here' s a great dinner you won't want to miss. On Thursday April 21st at 6 pm, Herons Restaurant (Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary) will be offering a winemaker dinner featuring Tommy and Amie Baudoin of Morgan Ridge Vineyards in Gold Hill, N.C. The four-course meal will cost $85. Call 447-4200 for reservations.

• And finally, the Eno River Farmers' Market will have their Harvest Dinner on Saturday, April 30! If you've never been, this is a real treat as the meal is sourced from the local farms, prepared by the vendors, and presented elegantly in the market house along with live music. Tickets go on sale at the market house on April 2nd and are $60. More information on their website. 

Freebies

• Ben & Jerry's will have their annual Free Cone Day on Tuesday, April 12th! They will open the doors of their Scoop Shops from noon-8pm. Get in line as many times as you like! Use their store locator to find the location closest to you!

• Subway will have their annual customer appreciation day on Saturday, April 16th where they will have a "buy one get one" free special on their subs. More information here.  

Tip of the Hat! 

• Our "Tip of the Hat" this week goes to Chef Jason Smith of 18 Seaboard was awarded the Iron Carrot at Lunch In, an Iron Chef-style competition held at Underwood Elementary School. He received the award for his winning healthy lunch creation barely beating out Chef Todd Whitney of J. Betski's.

Friday Fun Food Facts - April 1, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Seems like there is weekly news coming out of Rocky Top Hospitality, and this week is no different with the news that Glenwood South's Hi5 will close on Monday and will re-open in exactly one month as Draft Carolina Burgers & Beers. The new burger joint will focus on local products and over 40 beers on tap from all over North Carolina. I wonder how similar it will be to their wildly successful Tribeca.

• Speaking of Glenwood South, I spoke with "Jonny" himself over at Jumpin' Jonny's and they will be opening up a second location in the Glenwood South district in the not-too-distant future. The location is still "top-secret" according to Jonathan Munsell (Mr. Jumpin' Jonny himself), but he will let us know soon.

• Nancy, my "Quay Correspondent," shared with me that next Tuesday Krispy Kreme will open at its newest location at 728 N. Judd Parkway in Fuquay-Varina. The "typical" opening day promotions will be in play again with the first customer receiving one free dozen Original Glazed doughnuts every week for a year, and the next 49 customers receiving one free dozen Original Glazed doughnuts every month for a year. Get there early!

• Speaking of your sweet tooth, the N&O's Sue Stock is reporting this morning that SnoZone Ice Cream and Sweet Shoppe is open in the former Local Yogurt space at the corner of Spring Forest and Falls of the Neuse roads in Raleigh. They sell Hershey's Ice Cream, Otis Spunkmeyer cookies and brownies, Jelly Belly products and candies.

• The N&O's Greg Cox told us this week about two new Taiwanese restaurants that are worth checking out. The first is Taipei Café on Chapel Hill Road in Morrisville which opened back on March 11th. And the second is Taipei 101 which opened back in February on Chatham Street in Cary. See Greg's article on these restaurants. 

• Looks like things are picking up at the old Angelo's space at the corner of Martin and Blount Streets in City Market in downtown Raleigh. Next month Battistella's, a New Orleans style restaurant, will open. Follow the updates here. 

• We have another food truck in the Triangle! Tonight Pie Pushers, the much anticipated new gourmet pizza truck, will make its debut at Motorco at 8 pm for a CD release party. Keep up with them on their Facebook page here. 

• Speaking of food trucks, there will be a Food Truck Rodeo on Saturday, April 9th from 4 - 7pm at Al's Garage in Carrboro. Confirmed trucks at this point are: Captain Poncho's Tacos, Blue Sky Dining, Klausies Pizza and Indian Food on Wheels. The event will also feature Latin music and dancing!

• A few weeks back we told you about Empire Eats new venture - Fai Thai - In the former Duck & Dumping location in downtown Raleigh. Well, the good news is that as of this past Wednesday, they started serving lunch on weekdays from 11 - 4 pm. Visit them online here, or stop in for lunch. 

• Spring seems to be the time to introduce new menus, and so it is with Moe's Southwest Grill. All 14 Triangle-area locations of Moe's will be adding three new items to their menu for a limited time only - a spicy burrito, quesadilla and rice bowl which feature Moe's new Spicy Queso and Jalapeno Sour Cream. For more information, visit them here.  

• If you like a few drinks as much as you like food, you're going to like this. Next week (April 4-10) thirteen local restaurants are participating in Yelp's first ever Drinks Week. Each restaurant will feature three adult beverages at half price. No coupons are needed, just ask for the Yelp menu before you order. More details here.   

• We are sad to report that after a 5 year run, Bistro 64 over in Cary's MacGregor Village closed a week ago last Tuesday.

• In other bad news, it was reported in the Wall Street Journal that Sbarro Inc. is making plans to file for bankruptcy. No word yet on what that means for the two Triangle locations at Cary Towne Center and Crabtree Valley Mall, but I'd get over there pretty quickly if you are a fan.
  
  We've got a list of events coming up you might be interested in, so go ahead and get your calendars out.

• Starting tomorrow, the farmers market over in Chapel Hill at University Mall is getting a new name and a new location. Now known as the Chapel Hill Farmers' Market, it will move across the parking lot at University Mall, between Southern Season and K&W Cafeteria. Check out their new website.   

• Speaking of farmers' markets, here are some links to the area markets, with most of them opening this weekend! The Carrboro Farmers' Market  kicks off earliest at 7 am on Saturday. And at 8 am, several other markets open, including Durham Farmers' Market; the Chapel Hill Farmers' Market; Hillsborough Farmers' Market; the Eno River Farmers' Market; the Western Wake Farmers' Market in Cary; and Downtown Cary Farmers' Market.

• Not to be outdone by their Saturday counterparts, the Wednesday edition of the Carrboro Farmers' Market will host its "Unique Tastes of the Piedmont" as part of their "grand opening" next Wednesday, April 13th from 4 - 6 pm featuring local bread artisans. More details here.

• This Saturday from 1 - 5 pm Weaver Street Market in Carrboro will present their 7th Annual Spring Wine Show. Tickets are $5 per person for unlimited tastings and a free glass. Over 30 wines available for tasting and purchase; click here to see the list in advance.  If you can't make it this weekend, they'll be doing it again on April 9th at their location in Southern Village in Chapel Hill. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the earthquake and tsunami recovery efforts in Japan.

• Better get your tickets now for the 2011 Piedmont Farm Tour which will be held the weekend of April 16 & 17 from 1-5 pm each day. This is the tour's 16th year and will feature over 40 farms making it the largest sustainable farm tour of its kind in the country. Complete information about the tour and the farms, with interactive maps and contact information, plus tour tickets are available here.  The tour cost is $25 per vehicle in advance and $30 or $10 per farm that weekend.

• On April 9th, Moore Square in downtown Raleigh will be converted into the World Beer Festival. The day is divided into two sessions (12 - 4 pm and 6 - 10 pm). The cost is $40 per session for unlimited samplings of over 250 beers! More information here. 

• You won't want to miss the 'Cuegrass Festival on Saturday, April 16h at The Pit in the warehouse district in downtown Raleigh. The event runs from 11 am until 4 pm and will feature a day full of great 'cue, local brews and toe-tappin' bluegrass music. And the $5 charge goes to the North Carolina Farmers. More information here.

• Here' s a great dinner you won't want to miss. On Thursday April 21st at 6 pm, Herons Restaurant (Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary) will be offering a winemaker dinner featuring Tommy and Amie Baudoin of Morgan Ridge Vineyards in Gold Hill, N.C. The four-course meal will cost $85. Call 447-4200 for reservations.

• And finally, the Eno River Farmers' Market will have their Harvest Dinner on Saturday, April 30! If you've never been, this is a real treat as the meal is sourced from the local farms, prepared by the vendors, and presented elegantly in the market house along with live music. Tickets go on sale at the market house on April 2nd and are $60. More information on their website.    

• Our "Tip of the Hat" this week goes to Goodberry's ice cream. Today only, if you donate $10 or more to Meals on Wheels of Wake County, you'll get a $5 Goodberry's gift card. Meals on Wheels is trying to raise money to purchase "hot bags" to keep the meals warm as they are being delivered. Donate here. All major credit cards are accepted and your gift card will be mailed to you.