Friday Fun Food Facts - October 19, 2012

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Got tips this week from Carpe Durham and the N&0 that Atlanta's taco institution Taqueria Del Sol is coming to Cary (and then eventually 9 other locations in North Carolina). Taqueria del Sol will open Nov. 12 in the Cary Crossroads shopping center. The brand describes its menu as “the boldness of southwestern (cuisine) and the comfort of southern cuisines.” Check them out here.

• The N&O is also reporting this morning that Bolt Bistro & Bar is now open in the downtown Raleigh space on Fayetteville Street that was formerly occupied by The Mint. It was also noted that the group has brought in celebrity chef Penny Davidi to help develop Bolt’s concept and the menu. Get more details here. 

• Several weeks ago the N&O’s Andrea Weigl gave us the inside scoop that Niall Hanley was doing something in the old Rosie's Plate space at 701 N. Person St. At the time it was believed to be another pub, but thanks to a source close to the development, we understand that it will actually be a bistro with French influences. Stay tuned as we watch this unfold. 

• We also got word this week from several sources that the guys behind Busy Bee Café and The Hive are starting a new craft brewery/restaurant called Trophy Brewing Company. They are shooting for a December/early 2013 opening at 827 W. Morgan Street. It will feature a full bar and growlers to go initially, but will become a full service restaurant with an outdoor patio later in 2013. Check out their Facebook page here.  

• Thanks to our friends over at Carpe Durham, we learned that The Saltbox over in Durham opened this week. Owned by chef Ricky Moore, Saltbox is a small seafood “joint” that resembles a “permanent” food truck stand, as there is no seating (outdoor seating is in the plans). It is located 608 N. Mangum Street in the former Big Daddy’s Grill location. Here is a great, quick write-up on it.

• The Daily Tar Heel is confirming this week a rumor we reported last week - that George Bakatsias’ restaurant group is in fact on board to open a new Mediterranean restaurant in the former Pyewacket space on W. Franklin Street in The Courtyard (which is now under new ownership). Thanks to Dana McCall for the initial lead on this. The developer noted they hope to have the restaurant open by the end of this month.

• And speaking of The Daily Tar Heel, they shed a little more light on the soon-to-be-open Tobacco Road Sports Café in Chapel Hill’s East 54 development. It will have four private dining rooms, a covered indoor-outdoor patio, a large covered seating area and (of course) televisions galore. The DTH also unveiled a new open date of late October - just in time for the football game against N.C. State.

• We got a note this week from Green Planet Catering’s owner Daniel Whitaker that he is teaming up with Chad McIntyre of Market Restaurant, to open a downtown restaurant, catering facility, grocery store, in-house butcher, and food truck. The new facility will be located in North downtown Raleigh, on the corner of Person and Franklin Street (in Person Street Plaza). The opening date is set for early spring. We will keep you posted as we hear things from Daniel.

• Thanks to a reminder from Eleni Vlachos and the folks over at Carpe Durham, this October marks the 2nd annual Bull City Vegan Chef Challenge. The brunch dishes have been created, so now you simply dine and vote! This year's participating restaurants include: Alivia’s Durham Bistro, Bull Street Gourmet & Market, Daisy Cakes, Rue Cler, The Refectory Cafe, and Scratch Bakery. You can see a great summary here on the Carpe Durham blog or visit the event website here.

• The area’s largest and most popular foodie event is just a couple of weeks 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. 

• Thanks to a reminder in The Chapel Hill Magazine, the Chapel Hill Country Club will host the second annual Rotary Seafood Festival on Friday, Oct. 26 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Chef Jimmy Reale will prepare nine different fish, shrimp and oyster dishes for the event, including “on the spot” cooking stations. Recipe cards will also be available for guests to take home. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased by emailing chapelhillrotary@gmail.com or by calling (919) 533-9415. Space is limited, so make your reservation early! Ticket sales will close Oct. 20 or when all tickets have been sold.

• Fuquay-Varina Downtown is hosting their 10th annual Downtown Chili Cook-off on Saturday, October 27th. If you are interested in the cooking challenge and showing the public what kind of Chili you are famous for creating, simply enter the event by downloading the rules and entry form here. The Chili Cook-Off entry deadline is October 19th at 5 pm.  

• During the week of October 29th through November 3rd, 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.

• 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.

• 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.