Friday Fun Food Facts - October 7, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Listen up Moe's fans. Your wait is over! The newly expanded and larger Moe's at the corner of Westin Parkway and Harrison Avenue opened (soft) yesterday! The grand opening is planned for next Friday, October 14th. Congrats to David, Kermit and their team!

• There is a new food truck, I mean bike, in Durham! And to make it even better, it is a donut bike! Monuts (I'm guessing it is a meshing of "mobile" and "donuts") has just joined the growing mobile food scene in Durham. Check out their story and find out where they are. 

• The doors to the former location of The Food Factory in downtown Cary have reopened as Dory's Downtown Deli! They opened this week (soft) and are planning a grand opening celebration for next Monday. Look for some familiarity, as Ray Dory is a cousin of Lisa Schmid, one of the owners of The Food Factory. Welcome to Cary Ray! 

• There is a new dining option in Chapel Hill. Guru India will have its grand opening tomorrow (October 8) with half-off meals. Chef/owner Narinder Singh had two restaurants in Greensboro before taking over this location, which was the former India Palace. Guru is located at 508 W. Franklin Street. Get more information here.   

• Not too far over in Pittsboro, a new Greek restaurant has opened at 964 East Street called Greek Kouzina. They also own the Greek Fiesta restaurants in Raleigh and Cary.

• We told you last week that Shane Ingram had parted ways with ONE Restaurant in Chapel Hill and G2B in Durham. This week we learned that Sean McCarthy (Magnolia Grill & Giorgio in Cary) has taken over at ONE. And that Carrie Schleiffer (Table in NY) has taken over at G2B. Be sure to check out these young talents!

• Looks like things are starting to move forward with The Garland at 14 W. Martin Street in downtown Raleigh. While it is too early to talk about an opening date for Raleigh's next Indian cuisine, we can tell you that the initial phase will feature a walk-up window, with the final phase adding a dining room and outdoor seating. The Garland will be in the former location of Martin Street Pizza.

• My buddy Len informed me this week that over in Cary The Stonewood Grill & Tavern (1080 Darrington Drive) has closed their doors after a 10-year run. Cary was Stonewood's only location outside of Florida.  

• While news came out this week that the contract to reconstruct Pittsboro's infamous courthouse had been awarded, there was also news this week that Red Star Coffee, located just off the circle in downtown Pittsboro, had closed.

• And over in Chapel Hill, The Daily Tar Heel confirmed that Chill Bubble Tea has indeed closed their Franklin Street location there in the heart of downtown.  

• Speaking of Chapel Hill, who else misses Bonne Soiree and chef Chip Smith? Well, he is returning to the Triangle once a month to cook a Sunday supper at The Inn at Celebrity Dairy in Siler City. The first one is October 16th at 1:30 pm. The meal includes passed hors d'oeurves, an appetizer, entree and dessert. The meal costs $75 with wine pairings and $50 without wine. The next two are scheduled for Nov. 13 and Dec. 11. To make a reservation, call 919-742-5176. For more information, go to their site. 

• Looking for some free food? Look no further than Hot Box Pizza on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh on October 28th. On that day from 2-5 pm, stop by and celebrate the 6th Annual National Breadstix Day for a free sample of stix. Hot Box is located at 2304 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh. 

• Speaking of free food, how about a little free cider - especially with the nip in the air that has ushered in the fall season. Take a friend with you this Saturday to the Saturday Market At Rebus Works and you'll both enjoy a complimentary cup of cider. The Market also features tons of other food and drink options. For more details, check it out here.  

• If you are looking for cooking classes, food tours and more food events, the N&O's Andrea Weigl has put together an amazing list. Check it out here.

• The 18th Annual Taste of Chatham will be held on Oct. 16 from 4 to 6 pm at the Carolina Meadows Auditorium in Chatham County, just outside of Chapel Hill. Enjoy food from some of Chapel Hill's finest eateries. Tickets for the event are $50 per person and are limited to 150 seats, so purchase your ticket early by contacting Megan Coggins at 542-4512 or at megan.coggins@chathamcouncilonaging.org.

• The first ever RTP Food Truck Rodeo was a huge hit and will now become a monthly event. In fact, the next one is already scheduled for Thursday, October 20th from 11:30-1:30. This week's event featured three food trucks and attracted over 250 people! They are hoping to increase the number of trucks for October's event.

• And speaking of food trucks, it didn't take Raleigh long to plan a huge food truck rodeo - Food Truck King - also scheduled for October 20th (but in the evening from 5-9:30 pm). It will be held in City Plaza along with music, circus performers (not sure if that includes some of our Raleigh city councilors that fought the food trucks) and beer. The event is sponsored by The Raleigh Downtowner magazine. The event benefits Meals on Wheels and will conclude with the tapping of "Food Truck King" as voted upon by attendees. Food Truck King is free to attend, but tickets are available for sale to 250 attendees to sample tasty treats from all food trucks plus two free beers and a chance to win $200 worth of gift certificates to local restaurants. Get more information here.