Friday Fun Food Facts - October 26, 2012

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• What was first rumored by Dana McCall, then confirmed by The Daily Tar Heel, now has a name thanks to a blurb in Chapel Hill Magazine. Chapel Hill's newest restaurant addition will be Kipos Greek Tavern. It is the latest in the growing list of restaurants owned by Giorgio Bakatsias. Slated to open very soon, Kipos will occupy the former Pyewacket location in The Courtyard on West Franklin Street. Check out their website here.  

• Thanks to the sharp eyes of John Huisman, aka Triangle Explorer, we learned that Tortillas Mexican Grill opened this past week in Wakefield, next to Sergio's Pizza. The family-owned establishment offers salads, burritos, quesadillas, tacos and enchiladas all from fresh handmade tortillas. Check their Facebook page out here and their  regular website here.

• They are doing it again. Another huge, huge, huge food truck rodeo this Sunday (October 28th) from 12:30 to 4:30 at Durham's Central Park. It will feature 53 food trucks and...get this....beer, thanks to the good folks at Fullsteam Brewery. Get a full listing of trucks and even the dates for future FTRs here.

• According to a tweet we received earlier this week (and confirmed by Quizno's corporate), the Quizno's location in Brier Creek shopping center in Raleigh has closed.

• The area's largest and most popular foodie event is just over a week away! The Terra Vita Food & Wine Event is being held over 3 days and will feature 4 different events culminating with the "headline act" being the Grand Tasting on the Green on Saturday, November 3rd from 1-4:30 p.m. Folks, you don't want to miss these events (some have sold out and the rest are close to selling out). Here is a great write up by the N&O's Andrea Weigl.

• Tomorrow (October 27th) Rebus Works is hosting a food truck rodeo of sorts called Pop a Top as they help Aviator Brewing Company unveil their new canned beers. The event will be held from 12 -4 and will benefit The Saturday Market, a weekly, local food and craft event held every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1. Get all the details on their Facebook event page here.

• Tomorrow (Oct. 27th) will also feature Fuquay-Varina Downtown's 10th annual Downtown Chili Cook-off. Get all the details here.

• Next week you are encouraged to take your taste buds on a tour around the globe, but you only have to go as far as North Hills over in Raleigh. Called Taste of North Hills, 11 restaurants will offer 3 courses at prices ranging from $15 to $30 per person. Get all the details and a complete list of restaurants here.

• BBQ lovers won't want to miss the 2nd annual Pig Wars Barbecue Cook-off on Friday, November 2nd at 5 p.m. at City Market in downtown Raleigh. Whole-hog cookers will compete for the title of Grand Champion! BBQ sandwiches from the grill of your choice for $5, $10 for pints. All proceeds to Easter Seals UCP. Get more information on City Market here.

• The Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill is holding their annual A Tasteful Affair event featuring samples from over 30 area restaurants on Sunday, November 4th from 6-8 p.m. This year's event will be held in The Blue Zone in Kenan Stadium. Get tickets and all the details here.

• Another not-to-miss event is an event put on by the Lucy Daniels Center called Expressions. This event will be hosted by The Umstead Hotel and Spa on November 9, 2012 and will feature the Umstead's executive chef Scott Crawford, pastry chef Daniel Benjamin, and two guest chefs. Sponsorships and individual tickets for Expressions are available now. Visit here or call 919-677-1400 to learn more.

• Thanks to a tip from John Huisman, aka Triangle Explorer, Larry's Beans is offering a coffee cupping event on November 10th from 1-3 p.m. Get a real insight into quality coffee and also sample Larry's Beans new cold brew iced coffee. The event takes place at 1507 Gavin Street in Raleigh and will set you back only $5. Get more information and tickets here.

• Urban Ministries of Wake County is holding their annual Stone Soup event on Wednesday, November 14th at two different locations (a lunch location and a dinner location). There is no charge to attend (but donations are accepted) and you'll enjoy homemade soup, bread and desserts from celebrity chefs. Get all the details here.

• And finally, if you've been in any retail store lately, you know it is not too early to start getting in the "holiday" mood. An event that will certainly do that is the 10th annual Gingerbread Benefit that will be held on Thursday, November 29th at The Umstead Hotel in Cary. Get your tickets and all the details here.