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.