Friday Fun Food Facts - December 9, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Downtown Raleigh has landed a new quick Asian restaurant for the "little pod" (one of four) located on Fayetteville Street formerly occupied by Krispy Kreme. Fire Wok will be a Chinese food option featuring hibachi-grilled dishes, sushi and teriyaki. It is expected to open in early 2012. The same family owns Vic's Ristorante Italiano in City Market and La Volta Italiano in the Progress Energy building - both in downtown Raleigh.  

• Chocoholics unite! It was just announced this week that Videri Chocolate Factory will be swinging open their doors next Thursday, December 15th! Videri is located in the heart of downtown in the historic Depot Station, across from The Pit. Visit their Facebook page here or their website here. Look out Hershey, PA - you ain't got nothing on us! 

• The owners of ShabaShabu have closed down the Durham location (Raleigh remains open) and will quickly convert that restaurant into The Fish House, a restaurant and wine bar serving primarily grilled fish such as swordfish, salmon, tilapia and tuna. The restaurant is located at 4020 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. No open date is set, but they are hiring, so it will be soon.  

• Got word this week from our friends over at Carpe Durham that there will be a new coffee shop coming to the RTP area. Koinonia Coffee House will be opening soon at 2945 Miami Blvd. in RTP. Get more details here.

• Also in Durham, my buddy Chris Duke (owner of Anna's Gourmet Goodies) shared with me that a new comfort food restaurant called Big Daddy's Grill has opened in downtown Durham at 608 N. Mangum Street (near the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau).

• Speaking of Anna's Gourmet Goodies, now is a great time to give them a visit if you are looking for the perfect (and delicious) holiday gift. Check out their holiday gift ideas here.  

• With winter upon us and things getting colder, the food truck scene in the Triangle is heating up! (Thanks again to Mary-Ann Baldwin!) The first is Sarge's Chef on Wheels brought to us by Janet & Julius West, a husband and wife chef team. They describe their cuisine as down-home cooking with an Asian/Caribbean Flair. Sign me up! Visit them here.   

• Also coming on the food truck scene later this month will be Baguettaboutit (get it?) food truck which will feature European-style sausage sandwiches across the Triangle. Visit them here. 

• And this isn't exactly food-truck news, but is just as sweet. There is a "new kid" in town popping up at various venues tempting your dessert palette - Whoopie Squares. Intrigued? Think large, square oreo cookie, but 100 times better. They are a handcrafted gourmet snack with fluffy filling sandwiched between two cake-like cookies. Operating out of The Cookery in Durham, find out here when you can give one a try. 

• According to one of our readers, it appears as if Dogs and Something Else (yes, that is/was the name) has closed. The fast food restaurant served up Venezuelan style meals up at13200 New Falls of the Neuse Road in Raleigh.

• Alright, I know what you are thinking - Where can we go out to eat on Christmas Day? Right? Fear not for the News & Observer has you covered. Here is a list of Triangle area restaurants open on Christmas Day. 

• And I know you are trying to think of what you can get that special person (or yourself for that matter) for the holidays. Well, the good folks over at Chapel Hill Magazine have put together a great list of cookbooks by local chefs - including Andrea Reusing, Bill Smith, Bill Neal, Mildred Council, Sara Foster and more. Check it out here. And to make it even better, a handful of these chefs will be on hand at A Southern Season in University Mall in Chapel Hill this Friday and Saturday where you can actually get a copy of their cookbook signed! Here is a link to their website and the schedule of book signings.   

• Guglhupf Bakery, Patisserie and Cafe in Durham is holding its annual German Christmas Market from 10 am to 4 pm this Saturday (December 10th). It's a version of the Weihnachts Market so popular in German villages, where folks can get a bite to eat while they enjoy music, kids' activities and holiday shopping. Guglhupf Bakery, Patisserie and Cafe is located at 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. For information, visit them here.  

• Here is another opportunity for you to pick up some locally made and crafted goodies for that "foodie" on your list - the St. Thomas More Christmas Holiday Shoppe. The craft show will feature over sixty artisans and crafters. The show is on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9 am to 4 pm at 920 Carmichael St. in Chapel Hill. Admission is free.

• So, if you haven't planned out your Saturday yet - hit the St. Thomas More Christmas Holiday Shoppe, then swing by A Southern Season (just a mile away), and then head straight down 15-501 into Durham and hit Guglhupf Bakery!

• And finally, something to get on your calendar as well. The Western Wake Farmers' Market will hold its pre-Christmas Market from 3-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, featuring locally grown produce, meat, eggs, honey, coffee, breads, sweets, crafts and more. The market is on Morrisville Carpenter Road  between Davis Drive and Highway 55 in Carpenter Village. Get more information here.