Friday Fun Food Facts - June 17, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Which Wich? That's right, you now have a choice here in the Triangle when it comes to which Which Wich you want to visit. Got it? The second Triangle location of Which Wich Superior Sandwiches opened this week in Brier Creek Shopping Center. That said, I'm still partial to the original location on Lake Boone Trail!

• OK, forget what I said about Fuhgeddaboudit Pizza last week. It didn't close. Well, it did, but it immediately re-opened with the same operators and became Camos Brothers Pizza. Give them a look-see. And if you want the "full story" on what happened, check it out here. 

• Hibachi Sushi, a fast Japanese & Thai entrée joint, opened last week in Chapel Hill's Meadowmont. Check 'em out. 

• Bojangles' opened this week at 1513 N. Arendell Ave. in Zebulon. For franchisee Tri-Arc Food Systems, this will be their 46th location across the Triangle and in southern Virginia.

• Over in Durham, chef and part-owner of the Vin Rouge French bistro on Hillsborough Road, Matt Kelly, has plans for a new restaurant in downtown Durham at 107 W. Chapel Hill St. that previously housed The Book Exchange. He said he has plans to open a Spanish tapas restaurant called "Mateo" there, serving small plates of food made with local ingredients. No open date as of yet - but we'll keep you posted. 

• Also in Durham, Jim Anile, chef and owner of Durham's Revolution, has a new venture planned for the former space of Cafe Zen (410 Blackwell St., Durham) at the American Tobacco Campus in Durham. L'Uva, an Italian restaurant and wine bar, is set to open towards the middle of July. Here is their website (but there isn't much to look at just yet).   

• Listen up Holly Springs, it appears as if there is a new restaurant headed your way called Little Hen, which will be located at 5160 Sunset Lake Road. They are looking at a mid-July opening, but you can get a sneak preview of their cuisine at the Pints for Pets Beerfest this weekend. You can also view their menu here.   

• You can now get your cup cake fix from The Cup Cake Bar at Old Havana - but only on Fridays and Saturdays. The Old Havana Sandwich Shop, which is located at 310 East Main Street in Durham, will begin carrying The Cup Cake Bar's special creations. Get more information on these delectables at their website here.   

• Don a pair of flip flops today and you can enjoy a free 24-ounce strawberry-banana smoothie at either Raleigh location of Tropical Smoothie Cafe. This give-away is in honor of National Flip Flop Day. Tropical Smoothie has locations at  1028 Oberlin Road and 8111 Creedmoor Road - both in Raleigh. 

• The new Fearrington Granary is now open for lunch! Located on 15-501 between Pittsboro and Chapel Hill, the Old Granary also has a new menu, a new look, new hours and has added a new bar. Make your reservations today!   

• The Niche Wine Lounge in downtown Holly Springs will host the first annual Pints for Pets Beerfest this Saturday from noon until 6 p.m. $25 includes all tastings, t-shirt and a mug - and supporting a good cause. Get more information here.  

• Check out the first annual Triangle Tastes and Tunes this Saturday, June 18 from 5 - 11 pm in the 100 block of Fayetteville Street in front of Isaac Hunters Tavern. This event will feature a raffle with prizes, delicious food trucks, and live music. The following food trucks will be appearing at this event: Klausie's, Valentino's Food Truck, Slippin Sliders, Blue Sky Dining and Mama Jean's Bar-B-Q Shack.

• This Saturday, June 18, the Piedmont Pepper Pods and friends will once again take over Central Park for the Ninth Annual Bull City Chili Challenge. There will be winners in four categories: Texas Style, Freestyle, Restaurant and Junior. And there will be a salsa competition. The cook-off is open to the public from 11 am until 2 pm (or till the chili runs out). Chili turn-in is at noon, so go early to get the best tastes. Tasting kits consist of a spoon, napkin and 2 oz. cups for sampling chili. Admission is free and it's $4 for a tasting kit. All proceeds benefit the Durham Central Park. More information here.  

• And if you are there at Central Park, you might as well stick around as there will be a food truck rodeo this Sunday, June 19th, from 5-7pm in Durham Central Park!

• Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 26th at 6 p.m. as Bull City Burger and Brewery will host a special Dinners a l' Art event - Burgers, Brews & Bluegrass - to support the Durham Arts Council! $40 per person includes a burger, fries, 2 freshly brewed beers, great music and a great cause of supporting the arts! Event starts at 6 pm. Grab those tickets before they're gone!  

• North Raleigh's Antonio's Gourmet Market & Patio Bistro has a couple of events coming up that you'll want to get on your calendar. This Saturday, June 18th, they'll host an Italian Feast from noon until...The patio will be a buzz with sights and sounds of Italy, including amazing Italian fare and wines. And then on Thursday, June 23rd, prepare yourself to enjoy Spanish Night from 6-8 p.m. This night will feature live music, Spanish cuisine and Spanish wine. For more information call 919-887-6310, or check out their website.  

• Kudos this week to Chef Mario's Catering for snagging a slew of awards recently, including: 2nd Place People's Choice, and Honorable Mention from the judges at the Epicurious Vino Challenge; "Talk of the Town" top 4 star rating in customer satisfaction; and ranked in the Top 100 Small Business in NC and the Top 300 in the Southeast by Business Leader media. Kudos to Chef Mario, Darcy and their entire team!