Friday Fun Food Facts - May 27, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

•  There is a lot of "moving and shaking" going on this week in the Triangle restaurant scene, so let's jump right into it with the week's biggest news.

• First, pitmaster and living legend Ed Mitchell has left The Pit in downtown Raleigh. He announced that he would be opening his own restaurant "somewhere in the Triangle" and it appears to involve a partnership of sorts with Butterball making turkey bbq. You can follow what Ed is up to here.   

• Meanwhile, Greg Hatem announced that everything would remain the same at The Pit - and that he has plans to open a second location over in downtown Durham later this year, or early next year. Stay tuned as announcements regarding that shake out in the next month or so.  

• In other late breaking news, Jonathan Munsell (Jumpin' Jonny's) and Niall Hanley (Hibernian, Solas & The Diner) have announced that they will be bringing all of Jumpin' Jonny's cheese-steaks, full catering lineup and delivery to the already amazing dining options at The Diner. Stay tuned as more announcements come out of this dynamic partnership. 

• The other big news of the week from the N&O's Andrea Weigl is that Chef Todd Whitney has left J. Betski's in Raleigh and has joined the staff over at Durham's Vin Rouge.  

• And with that move, came word that Vin Rouge's owner and chef, Matt Kelly, will be opening a new Spanish tapas restaurant in downtown Durham this fall. No set date, nor do we know the location just yet. We'll keep an eye on it. 

• Also over in Durham, the Triangle's latest rendition of Five Guys opened this past Monday at Patterson Place in Durham. That location is conveniently located at the intersection of 15-501 and I40, next to the new Moe's location. 

• Over in Morrisville, we're getting close to the grand opening next month of the Triangle's very first Sir Pizza - which will be at the corner of Davis Drive and McCrimmon Parkway. Sir Pizza has quite a following and has locations in High Point, Thomasville, Troy, Siler City, Asheboro, Randleman, Burlington and Aberdeen. 

• Rumors of Chubby Tacos moving out of their cramped space in the Lake Boone Shopping Center and into the former Second City Grill space were squashed this week with a sign appearing with the announcement that the space would become the Barking Cow Pub.  

• Perhaps the biggest holiday of the year is just around the corner. Yep, National Doughnut Day is coming up next Friday, June 3rd! And Krispy Kreme will be offering up one FREE doughnut of any variety to those that visit. Go here to find a participating Krispy Kreme location near you. I love this country!

• Teaming up with Kathleen Purvis, the N&O has put together a pretty cool list of "food festivals" across North & South Carolina. Check out the interactive map here. 

• We've got the perfect Father's Day outing for you, although all the details aren't finalized just yet. But, word on the street is that there will be a huge food truck rodeo on June 19th in Durham. So, scrap your plans to buy dad a tie this year, and take him to the food truck rodeo instead! Stay tuned for more details as they unfold. 

• Now in its 4th year, Triangle Restaurant Week returns to the area with three-course prix-fixe meals at $15 for lunch and $20 or $30 for dinner. The event will take place during the week of June 6th - 12th, 2011. For more details and a list of participating restaurants, go here.   

• Here's a fun event to put on your calendar. Cackalacky will celebrate its 10th anniversary next week at The Cackalacky Cookout. It will be held from 11 until 4 p.m. on June 4th in front of A Southern Season (University Mall in Chapel Hill) where Cackalacky secured its first wholesales account 10 years ago. Proceeds will benefit the Diabetes Bus Initiative. In addition, The Guilty Pleasures will play bluegrass and Duck-Rabbit Brewery will sell its brews.

• This Saturday, The Saturday Market continues at Rebus Works in the Boylan Heights district in downtown Raleigh from 9 am until 2 pm - an event that combines farmers, crafters and food & beverage trucks. This week will feature the Bulkogi Korean BBQ food truck, and a whole slew of food and craft vendors. More information here. 

• If you love Moe's and the thought of four nights in Aruba, listen up. Stop by any Triangle area location of Moe's to sign-up for the Burrito Lovers Getaway and you could win. Registration ends on June 6th, with a winner chosen on June 9th (I'm going to win, so you are really wasting your time!)

• Saffron of Chapel Hill is now hosting wine dinners with their first one scheduled for Wednesday, June 1st. A four-course meal will be paired with wines chosen by Thomas and Drew of Hope Valley Bottle Shop. The cost is $45 per person. Call 919.240.7490 to reserve your spot. 

• Over in Chapel Hill, The Weathervane in Southern Season will host a Highland Beer Dinner on June 15th at 7 pm. The dinner will feature 5 courses and 5 beers. Call 919.929.9466 to make your reservation.