Friday, June 21, 2013

Friday Fun Food Facts - June 21, 2013

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

Featured Restaurant News
  •  We have an open date for Pogo, the new dining option coming to downtown Raleigh’s Marbles Kids Museum. Mark your calendars for July 18th as Tom Meyer (owner of Farmer’s Table Restaurant Group) introduces his newest concept to the Triangle. FTRG also includes The Q Shack in Raleigh, as well as Greens in Chapel Hill and Sprout Café in Durham. Get more details here.  
Wake County Restaurant News 
  • Raleigh news outlet New Raleigh reported this week that the former Rosie's Plate building at 701 N. Person Street has finally sold to Niall Hanley (think Hibernian). As to what he will convert it to, the two leading rumors suggest either a brewpub or a French bistro (or perhaps a combo...). We’ll continue to keep an eye on it.  
  • Just a reminder that this is the week to check out a new pizza joint in downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station as Donatos Pizza Subs & Salads opens their doors on June 25th. Get more information on Donatos here. 
  • Sip Wine & Bistro Bar over in in Holly Springs has had to delay their opening due to permitting issues but has set an open date of July 1. Check them out on Facebook here.  
  • We’ve got a little more detail on the ice cream shop opening today on downtown Raleigh’s Wilmington Street thanks to our friends over at the News & Observer. Called Pop-Up Ice Cream Parlour, it will be located (at least temporarily, and thus it’s name) next to Gravy at 131 S. Wilmington Street. The lease is up at the end of August, and Laura Suther hopes the trial run is successful enough to open a permanent location by September or October.  
Durham, Orange & Chatham County Restaurant News 
  • Got the official word via the Herald-Sun that the whole-animal butchery and pastry shop, Rose’s Meat Market and Sweet Shop, is opening today (Friday) at121 N. Gregson St. around the corner from Alivia’s near Brightleaf Square. Get all the details on their website here.  
  • Up in Hillsborough, Radius Pizzeria & Pub will hold its official ribbon cutting next Wednesday at 4 p.m. The restaurant is located at 112 N. Churton Street and will offer a special dinner menu with wine, beer and cocktail pairings that evening. Get more information here.
  • But if you don’t want to head up to Hillsborough for a slice, head on over to Chapel Hill where it was just announced by the Herald-Sun that the Wisconsin-based franchise pizza-delivery chain Topper’s Pizza will open at 306 W. Franklin St., the spot Gumby’s had occupied since 1992. Check them out here.
  • Also on Franklin Street, The Daily Tar Heel reported this week that the Waffle House opened this past Thursday at 129 E. Franklin Street. Again, my loyalty remains with Ye Olde Waffle Shop.
  • Over in Durham, we got word this week that Hungry Leaf will open their doors on Wednesday, June 26th. They will be located at Pavilion East on Erwin Rd., and for now you can view their menu here. Looking forward to seeing what #GoodCravings is all about.
  • And over in Chapel Hill, Tracy’s New York Deli tweaked their menu to better reflect the community of Chapel Hill - adding 14 new vegetarian options to their menu today (which are all prepared on a separate grill). But don’t fear meat-lovers, they still have their Reuben’s, Philly Cheese Steaks and Italian Subs that you’ve grown to love. Check out their new offerings here.  
Closings (and re-openings)    
  • Shula’s 347 in Chapel Hill’s Sheraton hotel is no more. In an overnight move, they converted the space into One Blue Hill, a contemporary Southern concept, according to Greg Cox over at the News & Observer. There is no website yet, but you can follow them on Twitter @OneBlueHillNC.
Food Trucks 
  • We caught wind of a “mini food truck rodeo” taking place this Tuesday (June 25th) from noon to 2 p.m. as part of the Miller-Motte College open house for prospective students (psst, you can go just for the food!). Chick-N-Que and Baguettaboutit have confirmed, and they are expecting a couple more to join in on the fun. Miller-Motte College is located at 3901 Capital Blvd.
  • If you run so you can eat, here is the event for you. The Bull City Race Fest & Food Truck Rodeo. Set for October 20th, over 700 runners have already signed up. They’ll have a half-marathon, a five-mile run and a 1-miler. But the best part, they are all followed by a Food Truck Rodeo, Beer Garden, Kids Zone Experience and tons of fun. Register today. 
Events 
  • Kimbap, the new Korean restaurant in downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station, is holding their "First Annual Korean BBQ Party" this Saturday (June 22nd) from 11-3 in the restaurant and just outside under tents in the parking lot. Get all the details on their Facebook event page here. 
  • This Monday, Fire in the Triangle (an “Iron Chef” style cooking competition between local chefs) will announce the chef’s in this year’s showdown. Nearly all the events last year sold out, so get your tickets early. The events will take place between July 8 and August 19th. Get all the details here.
  • The Fire Pit BBQ & Smokehouse in Wake Forest is hosting a Farm-To-Table fundraising dinner on Monday, June 24th at 6:30 p.m. to benefit the Wake Forest Farmers’ Market. The cost for the 5-course dinner is $65 per person. Get all the details here.
  • Can you say free cheese? If so, mark your calendar for June 29th (1-4 pm) and head on over to The Cookery in Durham for the Artisan Cheese Fest hosted by The Cookery and American Meltdown. At the free event you’ll enjoy a sampling of cheeses, charcuterie, bread, wine and even cheesecakes. Get all the details here. 
  • You’ve got just under a month to get your costume together for Chick-fil-A’s ninth annual Cow Appreciation Day. On July 12th, if you (and your friends) dress up like a cow, you get a free meal. Come on, you've done dumber things. Get all the details here.
Final Thoughts  
  • Alright folks, time to put your money where your mouth is (or wants to be). As you know, I’m a huge supporter of local concepts and here are two you can make happen with a small contribution. Both Triangle Raw Foods Kitchen / Cafe and Pork in the Road food truck are seeking funding to make their dreams a reality. If you love local, please consider supporting these two ventures. Get more information on Triangle Raw Foods here and Pork in the Road here.
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Friday, June 14, 2013

Friday Fun Food Facts - June 14, 2013

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

Featured Restaurant News
  • Tickets for this year’s Fire in the Triangle (an “Iron Chef” style cooking competition between local chefs) went on sale this past Tuesday. That is the good news. The bad news is the Finale has already sold out. But there are lots of good pairings to attend leading up to the finale (July 8 through August 19). While the chefs haven’t been announced yet (they do that in two weeks), all these events are sure to sell out. Get all the details here. 
Wake County Restaurant News 
  •  We caught wind this week from New Raleigh that Oak City Meatball is coming to the Red Hat building in the space formerly occupied by Wild Ginger. This is another concept from Ken Yowell, who is also behind Moonlight Pizza, Calavera Empanadas and Tequila as well as 3 more restaurants that are on the way. Two of those will be in Carrboro - East Main Meatball Company and another empanadas concept. Stay tuned for more details.
  •  The spirit of Jim Valvano lives on. And this time it is in a new restaurant concept called Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar which will be opening this summer adjacent to the Sheraton Hotel Downtown Raleigh. The unique partnership with the V Foundation will result in a donation of 2.5% of all sales to the foundation. We’ll let you know when they set an open date. Get a sneak peak at their website here.   
  • We told you about it last week, but thanks to the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, we have confirmed the opening date of Donatos Pizza Subs & Salads in downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station. They will swing open their doors on June 25th. Get more information on Donatos here.
  • Thanks to our friends over at WRAL, we learned that the Sip Wine & Bistro Bar over in in Holly Springs has had to delay their opening due to permitting issues. They had originally been shooting for late May, early June. There is no word yet on the official opening, but check them out on Facebook here.  
  • We also got word this week from WRAL that Corbett’s Burger and Soda Bar over in Cary on Kilmayne Drive is getting very close to opening. And according to their Facebook page, it is looking like it will be one day next week. Keep up with them here.  
  • In the vague category, we got word this week from New Raleigh that a new ice cream place is coming to Wilmington Street in downtown Raleigh. How is that for vague? We’ll keep an eye on it. 
  • Thanks to a note from Coleen Baker, we got word that the Academy Street Bistro in Cary is now open for lunch and dinner. Check them out here. 
Durham, Orange & Chatham County Restaurant News 
  • I received a tip that Durham's own salad concept Hungry Leaf will be coming to life soon. The recent graduates of UNC promise "good cravings" which come in the form of quick, delicious, healthy food. Chef and health guru Todd Schiller is developing imaginative salads and a line of scratch-made dressings. No menu yet but follow their progress on Twitter here. 
  • We got word yesterday from a Yelp posting that the El Rodeo in Durham’s Brightleaf Square has re-opened after a kitchen fire closed it down back on March 15th of this year.
Closings   
  • The News & Observer reported earlier this week that Norberto Meccia, owner of the Argentinean restaurant Pampas in North Raleigh’s Lafayette Village, has closed the restaurant after just six months. Citing differences with the landlord, Meccia says he will explore options for a new location. The N&O also reported that Meccia will keep Oakwood Café in downtown Raleigh, contrary to a posting on Craig’s List that it was for sale.
  • Thanks to a tip from one of my followers, Suzanne, we learned that the Barley & Vine on Duraleigh Road in the Duraleigh Corners Shopping Center has closed up and a sign on the door indicates that Wine 101 is “coming soon.” We’ll continue to keep an eye on it. Thanks Suzanne!
Food Trucks 
  • Looks like Durham, which has long been the “birth place” of food trucks in the Triangle, isn’t going to let Raleigh beat it with the largest food truck event. This Sunday’s Father’s Day food truck rodeo will feature a record-breaking 62 trucks! The event is at Central Park on Sunday from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. All the details are here.
  • If you run so you can eat, here is the event for you. The Bull City Race Fest & Food Truck Rodeo. Set for October 20th, over 700 runners have already signed up. They’ll have a half-marathon, a five-mile run and a 1-miler. But the best part, they are all followed by a Food Truck Rodeo, Beer Garden, Kids Zone Experience and tons of fun. Register today. 
  • Here is a cool feature story WRAL did on a very special food truck. If you are interested in helping to put an end to hunger right here in the Triangle, this is a story you’ll enjoy and an organization that is making a difference in our community. Check out this special story here.
Events 
  • Chef Steven Devereaux Greene of Ãn in Cary is offering a five-course meal at the King's Daughters Inn, as part of its pop-up restaurant series. It will be held on June 20th at 6 p.m. and will set you back one hundred bucks (tax and gratuity included) - wine pairing is an additional $25. To reserve your seats, go here.
  • The Fire Pit BBQ & Smokehouse in Wake Forest is hosting a Farm-To-Table fundraising dinner on Monday, June 24th at 6:30 p.m. to benefit the Wake Forest Farmers’ Market. The cost for the 5-course dinner is $65 per person. Get all the details here.
  • Can you say free cheese? If so, mark your calendar for June 29th (1-4 pm) and head on over to The Cookery in Durham for the Artisan Cheese Fest hosted by The Cookery and American Meltdown. At the free event you’ll enjoy a sampling of cheeses, charcuterie, bread, wine and even cheesecakes. Get all the details here.
  • On Wednesday July 10th at 7pm, Hayley Teater be hosting national food start-up, Dishcrawl’s first ever event in downtown Durham. Attendees will visit four restaurants in one night, sampling each restaurant’s specialties and meeting the chefs or owners. Get all the details here.
Final Thoughts  
  • And kudos to the Triangle area Jersey Mike’s “Month of Giving” campaign that resulted in a total of $79,292 raised for The V Foundation for Cancer Research.
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Friday, June 7, 2013

Friday Fun Food Facts - June 7, 2013

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

Featured Restaurant News
  •  TerraVita WILL happen again this year, and that is great news. Dubbed as one of Andrea Weigl’s “must do” events, TerraVita got a huge assist from the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitor’s Bureau this year and they have now set the dates for October 10-12, 2013. Go ahead and mark your calendar now...trust me! Tickets go on sale online on July 12 here.
Wake County Restaurant News 
  •  After an unconventional “soft opening” we got word this week from the Triangle Business Journal that the Garland officially opened this past week. The restaurant will serve dinner only on Tuesday through Saturday nights and will introduce lunch and late-night options in the coming weeks. The dining room is still being renovated, so for now, service remains “through the window.” Check them out here.  
  • While not 100% confirmed, we feel secure in telling you that the former Hot Box Pizza location on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh will become the newest location for Tijuana Flats here in the Triangle. With locations already in Raleigh and Cary, and one on the way to 9th Street in Durham, this will be the 4th Triangle location. Check them out here.   
  • Here's another good rumor, New Raleigh hinted this week that Klausie’s Pizza would be opening a brick and mortar location in the former Draft location on Glenwood South (and before that, Hi-5). We’ll keep an eye on it and give you updates as we get them. In the meantime, track Klausies down here.  
  • And speaking of pizza, and downtown Raleigh, New Raleigh also turned us onto the news this week that Donato’s Pizza is moving into Seaboard Station. No word yet on their time frame, but we’ll keep an eye on it. Check them out here.
  • The News & Observer is reporting this morning that D’Andreas’ Deli, Grill & Bakery, a New York deli that boasts fresh salads, sandwiches and wraps made with Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, has opened a second location in Holly Springs. The deli is located at 114 Grand Hill Place, next to Target. They will have a grand opening event featuring food and giveaways this Saturday (June 8) from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Check them out here.  
  • Just got word this week that the three Triangle-area locations of Pei Wei Diners (Falls Center, Cary and Brier Creek) are unveiling a new look and new tastes with refreshed interiors, new fare and light portions of menu favorites. Get more information on Pei Wei here.  
Durham, Orange & Chatham County Restaurant News 
  • According to the Herald-Sun, plans have been filed for a proposed second Zaxby’s restaurant to be built in southern Durham on Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway near Walmart, McDonald’s and the Valley Creek Center. No word yet on an opening date.
  • The Herald-Sun is also reporting that another location of Moe’s Southwest Grill is planned to open downtown early next year in the Diamond View III building overlooking the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. It will be in the same building as Ed Mithcell’s Que barbecue restaurant. We’ll keep an eye on it.
  • If you are looking for some Salvadorian food, you are in luck. The Herald-Sun is reporting that there’s a new restaurant called El Portal Salvadoreno at 821 N. Miami Blvd. in Durham. It is near Miami Boulevard’s intersection with Holloway Street, across the street from Durham Fire Station No. 3.
  • Back on May 24th we told you the former Tedesco’s location on East Franklin Street was being renovated and would become a "mixed" casual Korean concept. This week the same Yelp message board is reporting that it will be called Mixed. Again, we’ll continue to keep an eye on it and look for an open date.
Closings   
  • Not exactly a closing, but apparently an opening that will likely not happen. According to WRAL, the folks behind Extravagant Fare Catering and who had planned to open Bull City Diner (at 3314 Guess Road over in Durham) have landed in a bit of hot water. Check out Monica Laliberte’s investigation here.
Food Trucks 
  • The second Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo is upon us and the truck count has climbed from 42 to somewhere in the mid 50s for this Sunday, June 9th from 12-5. Get there early on Sunday to avoid the lines. Remember, they start lining them up at the State Capital on Fayetteville Street (single file) and stretch out...forever! And, with electricity provided, no generators! Get all the details here.
  • And the Herald-Sun turned us onto the fact that Durham will host another huge Food Truck Rodeo at Durham’s Central Park on Sunday, June 16th from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. Go ahead and mark your calendar. More details here.
  • If you run so you can eat, here is the event for you. The Bull City Race Fest & Food Truck Rodeo. Set for October 20th, over 700 runners have already signed up. They'll have a half-marathon, a five-mile run and a 1-miler. But the best part, they are all followed by a Food Truck Rodeo, Beer Garden, Kids Zone Experience and tons of fun. Register today. 
Events 
  • Krispy Kreme is giving away one free doughnut today (June 7) of any type per customer in recognition of National Doughnut Day. No purchase is necessary, but you have to get ’em while supplies last. Krispy Kreme has 5 locations here in the Triangle. Find the one closest to you here.
  • On June 12th, Triangle Raw Foods is hosting a Indiegogo Party at Cocoa Cinnamon over in Durham to share samples and tell you a little more about the future TRF kitchen/café at Cocoa Cinnamon. Check out their Facebook event page here.
  • Also on June 12th, the folks over at Piedmont Restaurant in Durham have teamed up with Locals Seafood to offer their first ever Seafood Special Dinner. The evening will feature 4 amazing courses and the cost is just $45. Call for reservations at 919.683.1213. Get more information on Piedmont Restaurant here and on Locals Seafood here.
  • Foster’s in Chapel Hill is having their 2nd annual Porkapalooza Farm Dinner on June 13. This year’s event will feature Cane Creek Farm and Bluebird Meadows and will celebrate everything we love about the pig! This year the dinner is being served tapas style - giving you more tasting opportunities. The cost is $35 per person and reservations are required. Get more details here.
  • The Western Wake Farmers’ Market will host a Farm-to-Fork dinner on Thursday, June 13th at the Umstead Hotel & Spa. The evening will feature a multi-course dinner prepared by Chef Scott Crawford using all locally-grown ingredients from the farmers at Western Wake. Even the farmers themselves will be at the dinner. That’s cool! Tickets are $100 and include beer (Full Steam) and wine (Sip). Get your tickets today.
  • The Fire Pit BBQ & Smokehouse in Wake Forest is hosting a Farm-To-Table fundraising dinner on Monday, June 24th at 6:30 p.m. to benefit the Wake Forest Farmers’ Market. The cost for the 5-course dinner is $65 per person. Get all the details here.
  • Can you say free cheese? If so, mark your calendar for June 29th (1-4 pm) and head on over to The Cookery in Durham for the Artisan Cheese Fest hosted by The Cookery and American Meltdown. At the free event you'll enjoy a sampling of cheeses, charcuterie, bread, wine and even cheesecakes. Get all the details here.
Final Thoughts  
  • First, a huge shout-out to all of you that took the time to vote in the Indy Week Best of the Triangle contest. We were humbled to bring home not one, but two First Place Awards - Best Local Blog and Best Local Person to Follow on Twitter. You guys are amazing! Thank you so much. Check out all the winners here.  
  • A huge shout-out to the Stoke & Smoke BBQ truck that took home the Grand Champion award at the Kannapolis, NC Jiggy with the Piggy BBQ competition. They competed against 60 teams and have received an invitation to the American Royal in October. Keep up with them and sample their award winning fare here.   
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