Friday Fun Food Facts - July 29, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• North Raleigh seems to be the "hot" restaurant location this week. First up is the news that Simply Crepes has opened in LaFayette Village complex of shops and eateries. This is the third location for Simply Crepes and marks the first location outside of New York. Visit them on Facebook here. 

• Just across the way over on Creedmoor Road, al Dente, an Italian restaurant, has opened in the Stonehenge Shopping Center at 7456 Creedmoor Road. Visit them online here.   

• Also in North Raleigh, in the Brier Creek shopping complex, there is a new Indian option with the opening of Chakras Fine Indian Cuisine. It is located on the "Wal-Mart" side and you can visit them online here. 

• A quick update on a couple of announcements we have made in recent weeks/months. It now appears that Nanataco has set an official date of August 16th for their opening. Nanatacos will be in Durham on University Drive in the former Fish Shack location and is owned by Nana's Scott Howell.

• And we have a new time frame for another Durham restaurant to be opened by Revolution's Jim Anile. We originally reported that L'Uva, an Italian restaurant and bar, would be open just after the 4th of July. We are now looking at a middle to end of August open date. It will be located on the American Tobacco Campus in the former Café Zen space. Not much going on with their website, but you can keep up with their updates on Facebook here.  

• Over in Raleigh, The Diner on Glenwood South is set to get a new neighbor in the next month or so. Joel Lane's Public House is working toward a mid- to late-August opening. Located in the Creamery building, and sharing a patio with The Diner, they will serve "tavern classics" and will be open seven days a week.

• If you are as big a fan of Cary's Food Factory as I am, you better get over there today or tomorrow (before 3 pm)! Jimmy & Lisa are closing the doors to the downtown institution. That's the bad news. The good news is two-fold. One, they will move over to Durham to open The Food Factory at Devil's Bistro on Duke's campus around the middle to end of August (before the students return). The second bit of good news is that a family member, Ray Dorry, will reopen the Cary location in a matter of weeks as Dorry's Downtown. Expect a very similar menu.

• And in a bit of shocking news, the N&O's Andrea Weigl reported this week that Chapel Hill's Cypress on the Hill has closed their doors.

• Looking for a good deal? You better move fast! Today and today only you can get a $40 gift card at The Twisted Fork Grill, Market & Bar for just $20. The gift card is for dine-in only. The Twisted Fork is located at Triangle Town Center or visit them here.    

• Here's a little bit of interesting news that shook my southern foundation a little last week. Our beloved Bojangles concept (founded in Charlotte) has been sold to an interest in Boston. But apparently, we're told, we won't see much change. They better not mess with the fries and the sweet tea!

• Where can you find 60 beers, 40 bourbons and tons of barbecue? At the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival being held at Koka Booth Amphitheatre on August 5th and 6th, of course. The event features events on both Friday and Saturday (and some of them have already sold out). Visit their website for additional information and tickets.    

• And finally, I'll be on vacation next week so there will be no Friday Fun Food Facts Friday, August 5th (unless I get really tired of laying round in the sun, sipping beer and relaxing!).

Friday Fun Food Facts - July 22, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

The Triangle appears to be going more international this week with several announcements "around the globe."

• Downtown Raleigh is getting more international flare with the recent opening of Babylon which opened on West Lane Street in a former yarn mill. Samad Hatchby opened Babylon two weeks ago and serves food from his homeland, Morocco, and southern Europe. Visit them online here and to get detailed directions. 

• Mantra Indian Cuisine & Bar, which will be a fine-dining Indian option in Raleigh's Glenwood South district, is set to open the second week in August at 116 N. West Street in the space most recently occupied by Vintage Bar & Grill. They will be open for lunch and dinner. Get more information here. 

• According to the Carpe Diem website, Salamandra re-opened earlier this summer on Hillsborough Rd. in Durham (2627 Hillsborough Road to be exact), just next door to their former location. If you're looking for authentic, fresh and inexpensive Mexican cuisine, you'll want to add this to your list. 

• And completing the international "theme," Laziz Biryani Corner has opened at its new location at 3281 Avent Ferry Road, Suite 117. LBC features Indian and Pakistani cuisine. Visit them online here . 

• If you've got a sweet tooth, listen up - we've got a couple of items of interest. First, the owners of The Cupcake Bar, a delivery cupcake business founded in 2008 and based in Cary, will be opening a retail space in the Five Points area in downtown Durham. Sisters Katie & Anna will begin construction on their brick and mortar location at 102 Morris Street in September. In the meantime, you can continue to get your cupcakes at Coffee & Crepes in Cary's Crossroads or at Tin Roof Teas in Raleigh's Cameron Village. 

• And we're also hearing (via Andrea Weigl at the N&O and Bull City Rising) that Daisy Cakes, an extremely popular Durham pastry truck, will be opening a storefront location later this fall in downtown Durham. The business will be located at 401-A Foster Street, right next door to the Bull City Arts Collaborative. And don't worry, they'll continue to operate their truck, both at the store and at special events.  

• If you've been to the Moe's at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Weston Parkway in Cary, you know it is a little limited on seating. Not anymore. That location is currently expanding into the former Sprint location next door and will increase it's seating from about 60 seats to well over 150 and will also have a private room for parties and events. Welcome to (a bigger) Moe's! 

• And speaking of renovations and additional seating, the small parking area that was out in front of Zely & Ritz, Sushi Blues and Taiphoon Bistro on Glenwood South has been torn out and is being replaced with a very large outdoor seating area. Very cool! 

• In a quick update for you Mellow Mushroom fanatics, the newest location in Cary is getting closer and closer to reality. The latest update estimates an end of August, first of September opening.  

• Guess I've been under a rock for this one, but Serena, a Sicilian-inspired restaurant in the heart of RTP (Miami Blvd. next to Randy's), is under new ownership. Stop by and say hello to Giuseppe and Kelly.  

• Anyone want to buy a Mexican restaurant? Los Potrillos Mexican Restaurant in Chapel Hill (aka Los Po's) near the intersection of East Franklin and Estes Drive, has an "Operating Restaurant For Sale" sign outside their restaurant. The sign on the door also says that they are closed for vacation and encourages folks to visit their other location at 220 W. Rosemary Street. We'll keep an eye on it. 

• Looking for somewhere to dine next Wednsday (July 27th) night? Head on over to Durham for two special dinners. First, Guglhupf is offering a farm-to-table dinner featuring products from Four Leaf Farm. The five-course meal with wine pairings will cost $45 plus tax and tip. And Dos Perros is offering a five course-meal paired with Durham's Fullsteam Brewery beers. The dinner costs $40 plus tax and tip.  

• Mark your calendars for the next variation of Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week which will be Aug. 22-28. Almost 30 restaurants have signed up to offer three-course prix fixe meals for $20-$30 per person. Some restaurants will offer three-course beer or wine pairings for an additional $10. For more information, go to their website . 

• Where can you find 60 beers, 40 bourbons and tons of barbecue? At the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival being held at Koka Booth Amphitheatre on August 5th and 6th, of course. The event features events on both Friday and Saturday (and some of them have already sold out). Visit their website for additional information and tickets.

• Piedmont Restaurant is also hosting a Farmer Wine Dinner with Wine Authorities at 7 pm on Thursday, July 28th. The dinner will feature wines made by wineries that are more farm than winery. These producers are focused on the agricultural aspect of the wine world. Make your reservations now by calling 919.683.1213 or visit their site here. 

• Due to a huge response to their dinner on July 27th, Blu Seafood and Bar on Hillsborough Road in Durham will extend their Lobster Night an extra night to  July 28! If you are interested in attending, or need more information, visit their site.

Friday Fun Food Facts - July 15, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Horowitz's Deli is returning to North Raleigh! Well, not exactly, but as close as we are going to get, and that is a great thing! Brothers Rick and Gary Weinberg are teaming up to resurrect the Horowitz concept (Rick was the original manager at Horowitz's Deli and Neil Horowitz is a consultant on this project) with the opening of Weinberg's - The Delicatessen which is scheduled to open this fall next to the Harris Teeter in the former Bombay Kitchen location on Falls of the Neuse Road. Construction on the space begins this week. Follow their progress on Facebook here. 

• According to the Duke Chronicle, Cary-based eatery The Food Factory will operate a location out of Duke University's The Devil's Bistro on central campus beginning this fall. The new eatery is tentatively being referred to as The Food Factory at Devil's Bistro, though the name could change slightly. The on-campus restaurant will be open for lunch, dinner and late night. Here's the article in the Duke Chronicle. 

• Chris Harris (formerly of City Beverage in Durham) and partner Danny Qaddomi have purchased the Tap City saloon at 6675 Falls of Neuse Road in North Raleigh and renamed it Fork and Barrel (new signage to go up soon). Tap City just opened this past fall in the old Stonewood Grill space at Falls Village on Falls of Neuse Road. Expect an overhaul of the menu.

• Alvin Cotto, owner of We Cook for You Catering and Raleigh Chocolate Fountains, has announced that he and his wife will open Bistro 155 at the intersection of US 1 and Highway 55 in Apex in the Apex Banquet Hall. The exact location is 1402 E. Williams Street where Fuji Asian Bistro was located. Bistro 155 will initially serve breakfast and lunch and is planning for an August opening. We'll get you an exact open date once we learn of it.  

• Dulce Café in Durham's Sutton Station on Fayetteville Road is now open. If you're looking for French press, espresso drinks, in-house made pastries, delicious sandwiches and gelato, this spot is worth the visit. 

• Listen up Q Shack fans. We are inside of two weeks before the opening of The Q Shack in the food court at Crabtree Valley Mall. What's cool about this venture (other than the great Q) is that it is owned by the farmers who provide the product for the Q Shack. Talk about Farm to Table! We'll let you know as soon as we get a firm opening date. 

• According to the website/blog BBQ Jew and now confirmed from numerous sources on Chowhound, the history-rich A&M Grill in Mebane, has gone out of business. 

• Only open for a few months, Downtown Raleigh's Fai Thai restaurant has closed. Fai Thai was part of the Empire Eats conglomeration of restaurants and the space will be utilized for private parties and to coordinate catering for all the Empire Eats restaurants. Chef William D'Auvray is still with Empire Eats.

• Antonio's Gourmet Market & Patio Bistro in Raleigh is hosting an N.C. Beer Festival tonight (Friday, July 15th) at 6pm! You don't want to miss this event as several local breweries are coming out with brews for every taste bud. The cost is $15 and Antonio's Gourmet Market & Patio Bistro is located at 8460 Honeycutt Road in Raleigh. Visit them online here.  

• This Saturday the Carrboro Farmers' Market will host its annual Tomato Day celebration. Starting at 8:30 on Saturday, the Tomato Day event includes tomato samples, a display of more than 70 varieties, cooking tips and recipes, as well as live music, face painting for the children and a raffle. For more information about either event, go to their website.  

• Speaking of tomatoes, Acme restaurant in Carrboro will host its 10th Annual Tomato Festival this weekend (July 15-17) - which basically means the restaurant takes a weekend to offer a menu full of tomato-based dishes. All tomatoes used (and we're talking 600-700 pounds of tomatoes!) come from the Carrboro Farmers' Market.  

• And if that is not enough tomato action for you, the Piedmont Restaurant over in Durham is having its Coon Rock Farm Tomato Dinner this Saturday night at 7. Be sure to reserve your spot soon as seats are filling up fast. The dinner is $45 per person. Wine pairings are an additional $20. Call for reservations to 919.683.1213 or visit their site here. 

• The Angus Barn is offering another complimentary wine tasting this Sunday, July 17 from 3:30-5pm. Reservations are not required and complimentary Wine Cellar tours will be available. Get more information at their website. 

• Capital Club 16 in downtown Raleigh will be hosting a Summer Seafood Bake (a communal style seafood wine dinner) on Monday, July 18th. The event will feature a 3-course dinner with an opening reception, lots of seafood and great wine pairings! Call 919.747.9345 to reserve your spot.   

• The Carolina Ale House in Cary just completed the installation of a new 72-tap open-air patio bar and is celebrating the grand re-opening with a Pints & Pipers Lawn Party on Wednesday, July 20th. All pints will be $3 each, with the exception of several high gravity beers, and The Magic Pipers, Raleigh's premier cover band, will play live 7p - 11p.  

• Moe's extremely popular "Free Queso Day" is back and cheesier than ever! On July 20th, Moe's Southwest Grill will be offering a free six ounce cup of queso to every customer, no strings attached. This offer is valid at all Moe's locations from 11 am until 9 pm.

• Piedmont Restaurant is also hosting a Farmer Wine Dinner with Wine Authorities at 7 pm on Thursday, July 28th. The dinner will feature wines made by wineries that are more farm than winery. These producers are focused on the agricultural aspect of the wine world. The full menu will be out in a few days. Make your reservations now by calling 919.683.1213 or visit their site here. 

• Due to a huge response to their dinner on July 27th, Blu Seafood and Bar on Hillsborough Road in Durham will extend their Lobster Night an extra night to  July 28! If you are interested in attending, or need more information, visit their site.

Friday Fun Food Facts - July 8, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Cantina South, which took over the former Bogart's location on Glenwood South, is now open! Cantina South serves modern Mexican cuisine with entrees between $13 and $20, specialty margaritas and more than 50 tequilas. Check them out and welcome Kevin Summers back to the Raleigh restaurant scene!

• Here's some great news out of Durham. Nana's Scott Howell recently announced that he will take over the former Fish Shack location (2512 University Drive in Durham - aka former Rockwood Filling Station) and will open a Mexican restaurant called Nanataco. Howell is shooting for a late July opening. His newest venture will feature fresh tamales, burritos, and of course, tacos. In addition, he says to expect rotisserie chicken, housemade chorizo and an expanded outdoor seating area.

• We reported this many months ago, but it looks like the old Seafood North location (10630 Durant Road in Raleigh) is very close to getting a new tenant. A sign was spotted this week by my buddy John, aka Triangle Explorer, for Munchies Mexican Grill. Stay tuned for any new information we get.

• Downtown Raleigh has a new option for Turkish cuisine with the opening of Troy Mezze Lounge. Located on Blake Street in City Market in the former Edelweiss Café location, Troy Mezze  is owned by Arif Denk and offers up a large selection of Turkish food.

• If you find yourself up in Wake Forest early in the morning, you might want to check out their latest addition - Main Street Grille Café & Bakery. While they are known for their breakfast (and specifically their homemade Apple Cider Donughts), they also serve up sandwiches, burgers and such. Good Southern cooking! Thanks to John (aka Triangle Explorer) for the tip on this. They are located at 1318 South Main Street, or you can visit their website here. 

• The Triangle is about to get its sixth Applebee's location! The newest location will break ground in Durham's Patterson Place (15-501 and I40) this month and anticipates a November opening.

• Somebody in Chapel Hill is looking good, and we're not talking about John Edwards' latest $400 hair cut. No, this is food related and we're talking about a "face-lift" of sorts that was recently completed at Carolina Brewery on West Franklin Street. I've seen pictures and it looks pretty spiffy. Plan a trip over to Chapel Hill and check them out.

• Over in Durham, Mad Burrito announced plans to open in Northgate Mall's food court in early September.

• And for those counting down the days until the opening of the newest location of Chipotle -  you're going to have to wait a little longer. The Hillsborough Street location has moved back their opening date until right around August 31/September 1. As we get closer we'll let you know the exact opening date.  

• In our last issue, we reported that Johnny's of Carrboro had closed. That is true, but apparently it is a temporary close and will re-open, albeit under a new name. Details are still being worked out, but we will keep you posted.

• In related news, former Johnny's of Carrboro partner Brian Plaster, is now over at Frosty's on Jones Ferry Road between Chapel Hill/Carrboro and Pittsboro. The vision there might involve a name change to Johnny's at Frosty's, and will be similar to the venture over in Carrboro.

• Just a reminder that the Chick-fil-A on Walnut Street in Cary at Cary Crossroads will be closed (starting tomorrow) for a month-long renovation. But don't fear, you can still hit the Chickf-fil-A at Cary Town Center, just a few miles down the street.

• Speaking of Chick-fil-A, today is "Cow Appreciation Day" at all Chick-fil-A locations. Which simply means, dress up like a cow (or give it a good try) and you'll get free food!  

• Here's an interesting combination - A food truck rodeo (featuring Pie Pushers, The Parlour, Hot Diggity Dogs and Farmhand Foods) and women's arm wrestling! The event is this Saturday, July 9th, at the Casbah in Durham. The food trucks will be set-up and rolling at 7 pm, with the arm wrestling beginning at 9 pm. Let me know if you go!

• Somebody at the NY Times has a love affair with Durham - which we think is a great thing! Check out the NY Times' latest article on Durham! 

• If you are a beer connoisseur, good news is on the horizon. Bottle Revolution, a new specialty beer store, will open Aug. 5 on Lake Boone Trail in Raleigh next to Buffalo Brothers. Check their website for details on their fast-approaching opening.   

• Wild Ginger Asian Bistro and Sushi, which was located on the first floor of the Progress Energy building in downtown Raleigh, has closed their doors.  

• Two of the South's most iconic brands, Cheerwine and Krispy Kreme, have announced the re-release of their limited edition Cheerwine Filled Krispy Kreme Doughnut. But get them while they last - the limited edition treats will only be available until the end of July. To find the nearest location carrying Cheerwine Filled Krispy Kreme Doughnuts visit their website.  

• Antontio's Gourmet Market will host a Mexican Fiesta today (July 8th) and tomorrow. Festivities will begin tonight at 5pm, and will continue on Saturday at 12 noon. Bring your family, friends, and your appetite and enjoy their specially designed hot and spicy menu. Antonio's Gourmet Market is located at 8460 Honeycutt Road in Raleigh in Lafayette Village or visit them online here.  

• The Saturday Market At Rebus Works this weekend looks especially "foodie"! This weekend you'll find Blue Sky Dining (joining with Locals Seafood), Muddy Dog Roasting Company, Bobby's Ice Water and all the regular vendors featuring garlic, field peas, heirloom tomatoes, peaches, watermelon, corn, lemon tahini, homemade mustard, tomato sauce, butter, cheese and much, much more.  The Saturday Market is located at 301-2 Kinsey Street, (next to the Boylan Street Bridge) in Raleigh. Visit them here for more information.   

• On July 12, Brixx-Raleigh (Brier Creek Shopping Center) is playing host to a five-course beer dinner featuring the amazing beers of Left Hand Brewing! Tickets are $35 each. Click here for a peek at the menu and call 919.246.0640 to reserve tickets!   

• Next Friday, July 15th, Antonio's will host a Beer Fest. The cost is $15 and includes tasting and all you can eat hors d'oeuvres. Purchase your tickets in advance at the Market! More details here.    

• Saturday, July 16th will be the Carrboro Farmers' Market annual Tomato Day celebration. Starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, July 16, the Tomato Day event includes tomato samples, a display of more than 70 varieties, cooking tips and recipes, as well as live music, face painting for the children and a raffle.
  For more information go here.  

• Speaking of tomatoes, Piedmont Restaurant is hosting the First Annual Piedmont Tomato Dinner on Saturday, July 16th at 7 p.m. The dinner will be 5 courses and will feature Coon Rock Farm's heirloom tomatoes in every dish. Call 919-683-1213 for reservations.  Spots will fill up fast!

• Capital Club 16 in downtown Raleigh will be hosting a Summer Seafood Bake (a communal style seafood wine dinner) on Monday, July 18th. The event will feature a 3-course dinner with an opening reception, lots of seafood and great wine pairings! Call 919.747.9345 to reserve your spot.  

• Moe's extremely popular "Free Queso Day" is back and cheesier than ever! On July 20th, Moe's Southwest Grill will be offering a free six ounce cup of queso to every customer, no strings attached. This offer is valid at all Moe's locations from 11 am until 9 pm.

• Due to a huge response to their dinner on July 27th, Blu Seafood and Bar on Hillsborough Road in Durham will extend their Lobster Night an extra night to  July 28! If you are interested in attending, or need more information, visit their site.

• Don't forget Foster's Market in Chapel Hill every other Thursday at 6:30 pm for a casual, family-style meal made from fresh ingredients from local farms. Reservations are required and are $25 and include a three-course meal, with an option of adding a $12 wine pairing. Get more information here.