Friday Fun Food Facts - February 10, 2012

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• So here's some big news...Tom Meyer, the owner of The Q Shack at North Hills in Raleigh, is on the verge of introducing a new concept in the café at the Museum of Life & Science. He is currently in a temporary location in the main building offering a light lunch fare, but will take over the café on the museum campus. Expect a diverse menu that will go well beyond barbecue. It will feature local favorites like Locopops, Neomonde and others as well as a menu that is extremely diverse. Many of the offerings will be  locally sourced as well as items actually grown on site. Stay tuned.

• Also over in Durham, the much anticipated Buffalo Wild Wings is now open across from the Streets at Southpoint on Fayetteville Road. This is the third Triangle location for Buffalo Wild Wings - with locations in Garner and Knightdale. Also of note, their webiste lists Morrisville as "Opening Soon" - we'll keep an eye on it. 

• The News & Observer's Andrea Weigl reported this week that Taste, a new American-style tapas restaurant, opened in the former GAKS teahouse location just off Dixie Trail on Medlin Drive in Raleigh. Check them out here. 

• Weigl also reported this week that Empire Eats, the local restaurant group that owns The Raleigh Times Bar, Gravy, Sitti and The Pit, is buying the former Hideaway BBQ location on Capital Boulevard. Greg Hatem plans to use the space to operate his catering kitchen, which opens up anticipation of what will become of the former Duck & Dumpling restaurant on Moore Square in downtown Raleigh (which has been operating as his catering kitchen). We will keep an eye on it.

• Brian and Beth Sloss will host a grand opening celebration of Menchie's, a self-serve frozen yogurt shop, at Waverly Place in Cary on Saturday. This store follows on the heels of the Raleigh location which opened back in December. And this won't be the last. There is one in the works over in Durham at Woodcroft Shopping Center. This Saturday there will be free yogurt from 11 am to 2 pm, as well as free T-shirts for the first 50 children and gift bags for the first 50 customers in line. Visit their Facebook page or their regular site here. 

•  The TGI Fridays at the Beaver Creek Commons Shopping Center in Apex has closed. The restaurant was located at 1140 Beaver Creek Commons Dr. It will be interesting to see who goes into that space. But don't fret if you are a TGIF fan, there are still 4 other Triangle area locations.

• Looking for a unique place to take your Valentine next Tuesday? Why not the Carrboro's Farmers Market? From 5:30 to 9:30 pm the market is hosting a "lovely" food truck rodeo with a portion of the proceeds going to Table and they'll be accepting nonperishable food donations for the Inter-Faith Council for Social Services. The trucks that will be on hand include: Baguettaboutit, Cocoa Cinnamon, Chirba Chirba, Parlez-Vous Crepe and Monuts Donuts.

• Looking to make your Valentine's dining plans in Durham (and why not?), then look no further than a great guide put together by the folks over at Carpe Durham. 

• And speaking of Valentines, if you don't have plans yet for Valentine's Day, Taste Carolina has you covered. They will be holding two food tours that will include dinner, drinks, dessert and chocolate boxes! The tours will take place on February 14th from 5:15 until 8 p.m. in both Raleigh and Durham. Here are some of the restaurants that you'll be visiting on this tour - Raleigh: 18 Seaboard, Market, Escazu, Piebird, Tyler's Taproom, Calavera, Sitti, Chuck's, Beasley's, Jibarra, C Grace, Foundation, Draft, Natty Greene's, Raleigh Wine Shop. Durham: Revolution, L'Uva, Tyler's Taproom, Toast, Bull City Burger & Brewery, Piedmont, Dos Perros, Beyu. 

• Raleigh's Mandolin Restaurant is hosting their first wine dinner on February 22nd. The dinner will feature world renowned wine importer Peter Weygandt and the cost is $140 per person + tax & gratuity. Space is limited, so call 919.322.0368 or email them here or visit them on Facebook here. 

• Does the thought of regionally inspired foods paired with NC wines appeal to you? Then you'll want to mark your calendar for February 22nd at the Washington Duke Inn (the Fairview Dining Room) where Chef Jason Cunningham will do just that with Murphy Moore of Shelton Vineyards. The dinner will begin at 7 p.m. and costs $55 per person, plus tax and gratuity ($10 less for members). Seating is limited and reservations can be made by calling 919.493.6699.

• Congratulations are in order for the Carolina Inn and its Carolina Crossroads Restaurant for having been awarded AAA's prestigious 2012 Four Diamond ratings. It marks the 15th consecutive hotel honor and 10th straight restaurant recognition. Kudos to both the restaurant and the hotel.

• Now this is interesting. Thanks to John, aka Triangle Explorer, who saw this on Craig's List. If you've ever thought of owning your own wine bar, here is a pretty good opportunity. Apparently the Niche Wine Lounge in Holly Springs is for sale. Get more details here from the Craig's List ad and visit their website here.

• And we close again with another goody to add to your calendar. As part of National Pancake Day IHOP will host its seventh annual National Pancake Day free pancake giveaway on Tuesday, February 28th from 7 - 10 a.m. at restaurants nationwide. Each guest can enjoy a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes and make an optional contribution to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities. Get the details here.