Friday Fun Food Facts - May 6, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

Openings / New

• The newest beer and food joint in the Triangle is now open over in Durham. Just yesterday, the much-anticipated Geer Street Garden officially opened. Geer Street is on the corner of Foster and Geer Streets and is open daily beginning at 11:30. Visit them on Facebook here.

• Marcos Pizza, which has a location in Raleigh on Hillsborough Street, has immediate plans to open two more Triangle locations. One will be in North Raleigh in the Falls River shopping center (1141 Falls River Ave) and the other will be in Apex at 1015 Davis Drive. Visit their site for more information.   

• Draft, which was the former Hi-5 on Glenwood South, has opened. It is the latest in the Rocky Top Hospitality line-up. Its full name is Draft Carolina Burgers & Beers, and they tout serving up the three B's - burgers, beer (all from North Carolina) and billiards. Check them out at 510 Glenwood Avenue.

• Speaking of Rocky Top Hospitality, they have recently appointed Marshall Smith, one of the area's most talented chefs, as their new executive Chef at The Red Room Tapas Lounge on Glenwood South. I can speak from personal experience that Chef Marshall is super talented!

• The former 101 Lounge in downtown Raleigh has changed ownership and will re-open soon as Calavera, and will specialize in Empanadas and other Latin American tapas, as well as high-end cocktails. Calavera is located on the back end of the new Progress Energy building at the corner of Blount and Davie streets.

• According to Triangle Business Journal, Shane Ingram (Four Square in Durham & One in Chapel Hill) is opening up a new restaurant called G2B (short for Gastropub to Beer). The restaurant will be in the SouthCourt building at the corner of Shannon Road and University Drive. This same location has housed Restaurant Eden, Restaurant Starlu and Seasoned Ticked Sports Museum.

• Downtown Raleigh's newly opened Wilmoore Café will extend its hours until 8 p.m. this evening for First Friday. The will also have beer & wine. Perhaps if the turnout is large enough, it will become a regular thing...??? Right now they close at 5.

Food Truck News

• This coming Saturday (May 7) there's a Craft-in-a-Can party at Sam's Quik Shop in Carrboro from 12-4 pm. The event will "celebrate" craft beers that are sold in cans. And it just so happens there will be a food truck round-up in conjunction with this. Food trucks will include Bulkogi Korean BBQ, Slip and Sliders, Farmhand Foods, and more. All you need is an appetite and a koozie!

 Tip of the Hat

• Our tip of the hat this week goes to six Triangle restaurants that are finalists in this year's Best Dish in North Carolina contest sponsored by the N.C. Department of Agriculture. In the casual dining category, those include Mez in Durham, Market in Raleigh and Tribeca Tavern in Raleigh. In the fine dining category, those include Il Palio at the Siena Hotel in Chapel Hill, McCormicks & Schmicks in Raleigh and Zely & Ritz in Raleigh. The contest is designed to encourage restaurant owners and chefs to use N.C. foods. Judges will visit the finalists over the summer and taste the dishes. The top three winners in each category and in each region will be announced in November.  

Events

•  Still looking for something to do for mom this Sunday that won't break the piggy bank? How about ice cream for $2. Cold Stone Creamery in Brier Creek, Durham, Apex, Cary, Garner and Smithfield will offer moms $2 Love It Signature Creations.   

• Hillsborough Wine Company will hold their First Friday wine tasting tonight from 5 -7 pm. Tonight's offerings will be samples of Oregon wines. Check out more information here.   

• Looking for a local farm where you can go to pick strawberries? The N&O has you covered here. Also, you can contact the state Department of Agriculture at 733-7887, or visit here, or you can contact your local cooperative extension office. The N.C. Strawberry Association also has links to some strawberry farms, plus tips and recipes.

• Here is another great list put together by the N&O's Andrea Weigl that lists all the upcoming wine tastings. 

• Market Restaurant in downtown Raleigh will host brunch on May 8, Mother's Day, from 10 am-3 pm that will feature all local ingredients with proceeds being donated to support Farm It Forward shares for community members in need. Ben's Produce also will sell flowers and bedding plants at Market on May 8 to raise funds for the program.

• The Saturday Market at Rebus Works continues this weekend with some added extras. The food vendors will include, Locals Seafood, Double T Farms, New Grass Gardens, Veggie Barn, Sweets, Porch Rockin' and Bee Blessed Pure Honey. They will also feature local crafters including Peggy Jones (wire wrapped jewelry), lollipop salior (hand-poured soy wax candles in vintage containers & felted coffee sleeves made from vintage sweaters) Liz Phiz (handmade coloring books). Aviator Brewing Company will also be on hand serving up delicious brew from 11-2, along with live music and kids' crafts.

• Chatham Street Café & Catering, located at 140 E. Chatham St., will host a Mother's Day brunch from 10 until 2 on Sunday. The special menu features scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, goat cheese, chives and tomato; a spring omelet with asparagus and curry goat cheese; Monte Cristo breakfast casserole; and strawberry spinach salad with hearts of palm, walnuts and poppyseed dressing. To make a reservation, visit here.  

• Here is something you might want to add to your Tuesday night rotation - All Local Dinner at Martin's Curry Rice in Morrisville. Come enjoy the best and healthiest dinner in town every Tuesday night at Martin's, featuring local produce from the vendors of the Western Wake Farmers Market. Reservations are encouraged. Get more information here or email them at events@martinscurryrice.com.

Freebies (or very inexpensive) 

• Listen up Starbucks Frappuccino fans, you can get your "Fraps" at half-price now through May 16th during their happy hour every day from 3 to 5 pm. They've even got their own website, so be sure to use the store locator to make sure your corner/neighborhood Starbucks is participating.    

• The Chick-fil-a at North Hills has a number of "freebies" coming up for Moms and Nurses, as well as a very cute Moms & Daughters Tea Party coming up this Saturday morning (complete with flowers delivered by the cow!). Check out the details here.