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.