Friday Fun Food Facts - May 18, 2012

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Downtown Raleigh is ushering in casual chic, global cuisine this Sunday night with the opening of Oro Restaurant and Lounge, a new tapas place in the PNC Plaza building. Oro is owned by Chris and Cara Zalcberg Hylton. Chris worked most recently at The Mint restaurant and is joined in the kitchen by Lauren Smaxwell, who most recently worked at The Pit. Check it out here.   

• But that's not the only downtown Raleigh restaurant news this week. Tonight begins a "soft launch" for a new restaurant called Krave, which takes over the former Red Room location at 510 Glenwood Avenue. According to Michael Rattenni, chairman of the management group behind this concept, the restaurant will feature the technology of iPads as menus. After the soft launch, look for a grand opening on June 2.  

• And according to the Triangle Business Journal, Rattenni is teaming up with Dave Lovenheim to open a brewpub across the street called Cornerstone. It will feature a huge outdoor patio and will serve beers from all around the globe. They are looking at a June/July opening. We'll keep an eye on it.  

•  It is official. Oakleaf, a new upscale restaurant housed in the historic Chatham Mill in Pittsboro, will open its doors on May 21. Oakleaf is a progressive American restaurant with a focus on locally-sourced and sustainably raised/harvested ingredients. Get all the details on their Facebook page here.

• According to the N&O, Sun D Ko and Unah Bae, a mother and daughter team, have opened Wings Cafe in Cary's South Hills Mall Plaza serving American and Korean dishes. They make their own sauce for all 11 wing flavors, and serve two traditional Korean dishes. Also, the restaurant will offer smoothies and a specialty dessert called "bingsoo" (shaved ice).  

• While they actually opened back in March (just in time for St. Patrick's Day), Doolin's Irish Pub and Café over in Durham will celebrate their grand opening this Saturday with festivities planned throughout the day. If you haven't stopped by already, this would be the time to do it with the entire family. Get all the details here.   

• Chapel Hillians now have another option for their java fix thanks to the recent addition of a Coffee & Tea Bar at A Southern Season in University Mall. It features over 25 different coffees and teas where you can experience everything from a perfectly poured latté to a handcrafted coffee made from locally roasted coffee beans. The bar opens at 8 am Monday through Saturday, and 10 am on Sunday. Get all the details here.   

• The biggest news this week in the catering world, was that Empire Eats (think Sitti, Gravy, The Pit, The Raleigh Times Bar, The Morning Times), owned by Greg Hatem, purchased the former Baxley's catering kitchen on Hillsborough Street across from Meredith College. The kitchen will serve as the hub for all Empire Eats' catering operations. 

• And while we are talking about Hatem, according to the N&O he is planning renovations to The Raleigh Times Bar that will add to their kitchen and expand their seating area by taking over the space formerly occupied by The Brass Grill. He also plans a rooftop bar atop the adjacent retail store Stitch. Kudos to Hatem for all he has done, and continues to do, for downtown Raleigh. 

• And speaking of renovations, we got word this week that the Mellow Mushroom at the corner of Peace & Glenwood in downtown Raleigh is currently undergoing some renovations. In typical "mellow" fashion, they are a little slow with the details, but there was a hint at a new bar as well as some other new features. Stop by for a slice, beer and a peek and what they are up to. Keep up with it here.  

• Back in early March, we told you about the first Triangle location of BurgerFi coming to Cary's Arboretum at Westin. But now we have learned that there is a second Triangle location "coming soon" which will be in Raleigh on Wake Forest Road near Trader Joe's. Neither location has opened yet, but we'll keep an eye on them. Check them out here.  

• Just after midnight this past Tuesday, Raleigh's Bahama Breeze on Wake Forest Road suffered a small fire (mostly contained on the roof). We are pleased to announce that the restaurant reopened this past Wednesday. Kudos to Bahama Breeze for turning things around so quickly.  

• And sadly, after a 44-year run, the Circus Restaurant on Chatham Street in Cary has announced that they are closing. There is a little discrepancy on the exact last day, but it is widely believed to be this weekend - whether it is today or tomorrow, we are not certain. 

• This is a great weekend for outdoor festivals featuring food! The first is the Got To Be NC Festival taking place this weekend over at the fairgrounds in Raleigh. The event, which begins today at noon, features music, entertainment, rides and of course...lots of North Carolina food and beverages. Well worth the visit. Get all the details here. 

• And if that is not enough outdoor entertainment, fun and food for you, head on over to Hillsborough this weekend for the 30th Annual Hillsborough Hog Day. The fun begins on Friday night (6-10 pm) and runs all day on Saturday (9 am - 6 pm) in the River Park behind the courthouse. Get all the skinny here. 

• And kudos to downtown Raleigh's The Wine Feed that will be celebrating its one year anniversary this Saturday with a block party in the parking lot adjacent to its location at 18 Glenwood Avenue. The event is scheduled for 3-9 pm and will feature wine tastings, music, food, chocolate and more. Get all the details here.

• Beginning next week, the Wake Forest Farmer's Market will begin offering a midweek market on Wednesdays. It will be open from 4-7 pm and will be in the same location as the Saturday market -150 N. White Street. Check them out here. 

• And speaking of Farmers' markets in the area, we now have over 30! And thanks to Andrea Weigl down at the N&O, we have a comprehensive list of the area's markets. Thanks N&O! Check it out here.  

• Triangle Food Tour announced their next "Dine with Chef" event coming up on May 29th at 6:30 with Chef Subash at Chapel Hill's Cholanad. The event is $35 and includes a 3 course dinner (wine is extra). Reservations are required and can be made here (please do so by May 22). 

• Another fun event is Triangle Restaurant Week which is just a few weeks away now. Scheduled for June 4-10, the week showcases restaurants that offer special menus all week and special prices. A great opportunity to get out and try some new eats. Get all the details here. 

• And finally, today is National Pizza Party Day (wait, isn't that every day!?!). Anyway, we're going to celebrate it all summer. To do so, every order placed between now and the end of July from Hot Box Pizza through Triangle Food Guy, will receive a $10 Target gift card for the person that placed the order. Order away here!