Friday Fun Food Facts - November 11, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Neomonde will open its third Mediterranean/Lebanese eatery in the Triangle in December at the Harvest Plaza shopping center (corner of Strickland and Six Forks roads) in North Raleigh. Known for its fresh breads and foods, Neomonde currently has two Triangle locations - one at 3817 Beryl Road in Raleigh and the other at 10235 Chapel Hill Road in Morrisville. Next year, the company will celebrate its 35th year in business. Visit their website here. 

• DaisyCakes, which up until now had been operating out of a really cool retrofitted Airstream mobile cupcakery and bakery (called "Sugar"), will open a brick and mortar location today (11/11) at 10 a.m. on Foster Street in downtown Durham (401A Foster Street to be exact, just steps away from the Durham Farmers' Market). Check them out here. 

• I don't know how John (aka Triangle Explorer) came across this, but in a recent tweet he noted that according to job postings on Craig's List, it is looking like the newest Tyler's Taproom, which will be in downtown Raleigh in Seaboard Station, is shooting for an opening at the end of this month. That's exciting! We'll keep an eye on it (or I'll just ask John to keep me posted!)

• And speaking of another place people are anxiously awaiting, according to posts on their Facebook page it looks like Weinberg's Delicatessen is aiming to open next week, possibly as early as Monday. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for the latest updates.

• This follows on the news yesterday that another "New York style" deli has closed their doors after less than a year in business. On their Facebook page, Streets Deli noted the economy as a driving factor. That marks the second "food" establishment (Stam's was the other) in Chapel Hill's East 54 development to close their doors.

• But the news is not all bad coming out of Chapel Hill. A Chapel Hill institution since the early 70's, Linda's Bar & Grill, has a new owner. Chris Corini took over ownership of Linda's back in August. While much will remain the same, we should see an "upgrade" in the food served at Linda's as Corini has had stints at both Southern Rail in Carrboro and Ruth's Chris Steak House. And don't worry fans, there are no plans to change the name!

• Love coffee? How about ice cream? You're going to love this then. The N&O reported this morning that the great minds behind Joe Van Gogh Coffee (Robbie Roberts) and Locopops (Summer Bicknell) will join forces when they open Joe Van Loco in the Towne North shopping center on Creedmoor Road in North Raleigh. They are shooting to be open by year's end.

• Gonza Tacos y Tequila, which will open in the former Restaurant Savoy space in North Raleigh, will have a soft opening on November 21st and 22nd. Get more information on their Facebook page here.  

• I know I focus just on food, but this is too cool to not mention. Mark your calendar for next Friday, November 18th when World of Beer will open in North Hills (directly across from Harris Teeter on the ground level of the CapTrust building). And if you are wondering if they will have your beer...did I mention 50 drafts and 500 bottled beers!?! The grand opening next Friday will begin at noon and will last until 2 a.m. Check their site out here  or their Facebook page.  

• 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 next one is this Sunday, November 13th 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 final one of the year is scheduled for Dec. 11. To make a reservation, call 919-742-5176. For more information, go to their site. 

• The N&O also reminded us of a great holiday activity when you have a house full of people - that you want out of your house for a few hours (and so you don't have to feed them!). Sign everyone up for one of the walking tours of great local restaurants through Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours. They have tours locally in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill/Carrboro and Hillsborough. Take a peek now and make your holidays a little bit more enjoyable.   

• Want to do something a little bit different this Thanksgiving meal? And keep it local? Then be sure to take some time off from work on Tuesday, November 22 when each of the five local farmers' markets (Carrboro Farmers' Market, Chapel Hill Farmers' Market, Durham Farmers' Market, Eno River Farmers' Market in Hillsborough and the Western Wake Farmers' Market in Cary) will host a special pre-Thanksgiving market featuring locally grown produce, artisan foods, cheeses, meats, eggs and seasonal flowers for your holiday celebrations. Visit the website for Triangle Farmers Market to get ideas and recipes for special dishes you can prepare as well as each market's hours for this event.

• Speaking of Thanksgiving and keeping it local, why not turn to Raleigh's Q Shack to help you with your turkey and/or meal this year. The Q Shack is offering locally raised, all-natural fresh turkeys that feed up to 20 people for just $44.95! You can also order your entire Thanksgiving meal - it simply doesn't get any easier, or better, than that. Check out more details here.   

• McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants will host its 13th annual Veterans Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 13. The M&S location at Crabtree Valley Mall will be participating. On this day, U.S. military veterans will be treated to a complimentary entrée from a special McCormick & Schmick's menu. Get more details here.

• Want to sample local beer and support a deserving charity? (You had me at beer...) Come to the inaugural Homebrew for Hunger Festival this Saturday (Nov. 12), at the new West End public event space at462 W. Franklin St. in downtown Chapel Hill. From noon-5 pm, you can learn about and taste beer from more than 30 local home brewers and craft breweries. The event benefits the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Get all the details here.  

• There is something truly special about both great music and great food. What if the two were combined? Does it get any better? Check this out - members of the NC Symphony will put on an eclectic and intimate performance in some of the area's hottest restaurants in 2012. So, mark your calendars now and get your tickets soon for these dates/locations (they will sell out): February 12 - Humble Pie; April 16 - Bu*ku; and May 20 - Humble Pie. Tickets are $65 per person and includes a multi-course meal and musical performance. Dinner is at 6, followed by music at 8. Get tickets and more information here. 

• And finally, if you're thinking about opening a food establishment (whether it be a brick and mortar location or a food truck), you might want to grab a copy of The Food Entrepreneur's Business Planning Workbook: Costing, Pricing and Marketing your Culinary Creations. The workbook is the creation of Durham's The Cookery, an incubator kitchen space which you can rent by the hour. You can get more information and even order the workbook ($26.99) on their website here.