Friday Fun Food Facts - September 27, 2013

Triangle Restaurant News

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

Featured Restaurant News

•  Giorgio Bakatsias never stops working his magic and reinventing himself. And he will definitely be working his magic this weekend as the lights darken on downtown Durham’s Vita after tonight’s service. But you won’t have to wait long for the next venture from Bakatsias - that is if you don’t think Monday is too long! Look for a fully renovated gastropub called Local 22 to host a soft opening on Monday, with full service beginning on Tuesday. Chef Yianni Dontas (Vita) will be joined by Parizade’s Josh Coburn as they introduce a southern gastropub menu that will feature local farms but bring a global feel. It is located at 2200 W. Main Street in Durham. Get more information on it here.       

Wake County Restaurant News 

•  The News & Observer filled in the details this week on a new taqueria coming to downtown Raleigh that we first told you about back on August 6th. Ben Shelton, the chef who started Lilly’s Pizza in Raleigh, is opening a taqueria called Gringo A Go-Go in the former Ruben’s Downtown Diner spot at 100 N. Person Street. Look for it to open in the next few weeks.  

• This is not Wake County, but Smithfield is about to get a new brewery - Double Barley Brewery. They are holding their grand opening on October 12th with plenty of beer, giveaways, food and music. The VIP Hour ($50) is from 3-4 p.m. (only 50 tickets) with everyone else joining the fun at 4. Get more details here.

• The News & Observer also reported this week that Wake County is getting two more options when it comes to coffee. Saxbys Coffee, a Philadelphia-based gourmet coffee franchise, is opening two Raleigh shops: one near N.C. State University (in the new apartment/condo complex at 2604 Hillsborough Street) and the other at North Hills (near Harris Teeter). The Hillsborough Street location will open toward the end of next month with the North Hills location opening toward the middle of November. Get more information here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham County Restaurant News 

• Good news for barbecue lovers in Durham. The News & Observer confirmed this week that barbecue pitmaster Ed Mitchell’s new Durham restaurant ‘Que is on track to open in mid-October. It will be located on the American Tobacco Campus in the Diamond View III building.

• The Herald Sun confirmed this week the food tenants that will reside in the new Gateway Terrace development near the intersection of 15-501 and I40 in Durham. They include a new Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, a PDQ, a Chipotle and a Jimmy John’s. Chipotle will be the first to open (before year’s end) with the others to open in mid to late spring of 2014. 

Closings 

• Stephanie Beck over at WRAL notified us that Blinco's on Glenwood had closed. Sorry to see them go.

• And in what we truly hope is not a permanent closing, but the Bali Hai Chinese Mongolian restaurant over on Wake Forest Road in Raleigh suffered a pretty a significant structural fire this week. We’ll keep an eye on it and let you know if and when they plan on reopening. Our best to them. In the meantime, you can still visit their location in Durham. Get more information here.   

Food Trucks 

• Head on out tonight (September 27th) for a Food Truck Rodeo at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market from 4-8 p.m. to benefit Chapel Hill-Carrboro Meals on Wheels. Look for Baguettaboutit, Captain Poncho’s Tacos, Mama Dukes, Olde North State BBQ, Only Burger, Parlez-Vous Crepe, Pie Pushers, Sympathy for the Deli and Tar Heel Creamery. Steel String Brewery will also be selling their locally crafted beer. 10% of all sales will be donated. In addition to the trucks, they’ll have live music, kid activities, a raffle and a silent auction. Get more information here.  

• A mini food truck rodeo called “Trucks from the Market” will be held as a fundraiser for Durham Central Park on Sunday, Sept. 29 from 6-8 p.m. Fifteen trucks will be participating and only 125 tickets ($50 each - unlimited dining) are available. Fullsteam Brewery will be on hand offering two beers per ticket and a cash bar. It will be held at the Durham Central Park Pavilion at 501 Foster St.

• Who would have thought you’d have food trucks at a major golfing event. But that is exactly what we have (and open to the public) at the SAS Championship on Friday Oct. 11 at Prestonwood Country Club. Food trucks in attendance will include: American Meltdown, Pie Pushers, Chirba Chirba, Sweet Traditions and Chick-N-Que. The trucks will start serving food at 4 p.m. Parking for the SAS Championship and Food Truck Friday is free of charge and located at Bond Park. Complimentary shuttle busses will bring spectators and families to and from the parking area. Get information on parking 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 great “cause” to get behind. The good folks at KoKyu are about to launch a Kickstarter Campaign for a brick and mortar location! Sign up here through Halloween to be on their mailing list for their campaign.

Events 

• October may very well be the best month of the year for food events, and there is certainly no shortage of Oktoberfest events here in the Triangle. One in particular is tomorrow’s (Sept. 28th) Rocktoberfest at Guglhupf in Durham from 4-10 pm. The event will include live music as well as sales of German street food and specialty beer. Get all the details here. And WRAL has put together a pretty good listing of all the Oktoberfest events in the Triangle here.

• If you are looking for an announcement to make you start salivating, take a look at the list of participants for this year’s TerraVITA Food & Wine Event. Tickets are on sale now for TerraVITA Food & Wine Event scheduled for October 10-12, 2013 over in Chapel Hill. This is one of the Triangle’s “can’t miss” food events. Get your tickets today here.  And get more information on the event here.

• The Midtown Farmers’ Market Iron Chef Challenge takes place this Saturday (September 28th) as five chefs from restaurants in North Hills will be facing off in an Iron Chef-like challenge. The competitors are Coquette Brasserie's Beth LittleJohn, CowFish's Ryan Stewart, Flights at the Renaissance's Anthony Zinani, Mia Francesca's Zachary VanGaasbeek and The Q-Shack's Rodney Llyod. The challenge starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 11:30 a.m. in the commons area at North Hills. Chefs will find out their "secret ingredients" at 9 a.m. then have just 20 minutes to shop the market for additional supplies. Get all the details here. 

• If you are looking for something to do this weekend that is fun and only happens once a year, then head on over to Spartacus Restaurant in Durham this Sunday (Sept. 29th) for their annual My Big Fat Greek night. They will have a live band, belly dancers and a buffet beginning at 6 p.m. Check them out here.

• With the cool air rushing in, the Western Wake Farmers' Market knows just how to warm you up - with their 2nd Annual Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, September 28th. Enjoy homemade chili from vendors, customers and local chefs - using only fresh, local ingredients inspired by products found at WWFM. All are invited to sample and vote for their favorite chili recipe and watch returning cook-off champions defend their title! Get all the details here.

• Thanks to a tip from the News & Observer, we learned that the World Beer Festival returns to Durham on Oct. 5 in a new location: the old Durham Athletic Park. The event will feature two sessions: an afternoon tasting from noon to 4 p.m. and an evening tasting 6-10 p.m. General admission is $45 and VIP tickets -- with a food buffet, special beers and a private hospitality area -- are $75. Get all the details here.

• This event will be a little more than five loaves and two fish - it is the annual St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Lobster Fest taking place Saturday, October 5th. You can order ahead, pick-up or dine there, but it is best to order ahead. The church is located at 221 Union St. in Cary. Get all the details here.

• Here is a fun event to benefit the WakeMed Children’s Hospital on Saturday, October 5th. Called Dinner in the Village (Cameron Village that is) here is how it works. You purchase a table, you pick your theme, decorate your table and arrange your own meal (you or from one of the participating restaurants). And then enjoy an evening under the stars with great food and great drinks. Sounds like fun. Get all the details here.

• The Neomonde Café & Market location in North Raleigh will have a Day of Giving on Monday, Oct. 7 to help support the 25th annual Walk for Hope. 10% of sales on that day will be donated to the Foundation of Hope. Also,  Neomonde Café & Market will donate $1 for each new Facebook page like received by midnight on Oct. 7. Check out their Facebook page here. 

• Chatham County will again be home to the 6th Annual Amazing Abundance Pepper Fest on Sunday, October 6th from 3-7 p.m. in the Briar Chapel development. The event will feature an endless supply of pepper-themed dishes from some of the Piedmont’s best chefs, brewers and food artisans as well as live music, kids’ activities and interactive displays. Advance tickets are $30. Get all the details here.

• The annual Red & White Food and Beverage Festival is coming up on Tuesday, October 29th from 6-9 pm at The State Club in Raleigh. The event features NC State alumni who are chefs or are otherwise involved with restaurants, farms, breweries, alcoholic beverage companies and/or wineries. Ticket proceeds support Wine to Water. And as a perk, all Triangle Food Guy friends will get $5 off admission by entering “trifoodguy” at checkout. See, it pays to ready my stuff! Get all the details here.

• Here is another great foodie event to get on your calendar - the March of Dimes Triangle Signature Chefs Auction on November 17 at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club. Attendees will be able to sample signature dishes from top chefs from around the Triangle while bidding on great auction items/packages during our silent and live auctions.  Get all the details here. 

Food Bank Corner   

• The Chef’s Academy is hosting a Students Against Hunger dining event to raise money for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina on October 3rd from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The students will be serving up pizza, pastas and pot stickers, as well as 14 different desserts that you can indulge in for just a $5 donation or by bringing five nonperishable food items. The Chef’s Academy is in Morrisville and you can get more information here.

Friday Fun Food Facts - September 20, 2013

Triangle Restaurant News

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

Featured Restaurant News

•  Last week we told you that the Berkeley Café will close on Oct. 1 for three-months of renovations. The rest of that story is that it is a likely possibility, according to a source close to the negotiations, that when it reopens in January it will be the new home of Sadlack’s - which is having to leave its current Hillsborough Street location. But the devil is in the details and we’ll have to wait to see if things work out. But even if that doesn’t work out (and we hope it does) the same source assures us that Sadlack’s will definitely reopen and it will be in downtown Raleigh. Stay tuned to this one.       

Wake County Restaurant News 

• Last week we shared with you a “rumor” that appeared on a Yelp message board about World of Beer coming to the Arboretum Shopping Center in Cary (corner of Harrison Ave. & Westin Parkway). After that posting, a follower on Twitter, Matt Murphy, confirmed that rumor with a Lincoln Harris lease plan that shows the listing for World of Beer! No news yet on an open date.  

• Our friends over at New Raleigh noted that this week would be the last week of lunch at the Garland Raleigh window until the full restaurant opens. But that dinner will continue Thursday through Saturday until opening. No word yet on the opening day for the dining room. See what they are up to here.

• Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar will celebrate their grand opening with a reception from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 24th. The downtown Raleigh restaurant, at 420 Fayetteville St., in the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, is named for Jim Valvano, the late N.C. State University basketball coach. The restaurant will donate 2.5 percent of its revenue to fund cutting-edge research through The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Check them out here.

• This is exciting news for downtown Raleigh. The Wine Feed, a local online retailer, will expand its services by opening a location at 602 Glenwood Avenue in the recently opened Hampton Inn and Suites building. In its new location, they are planning wine pairing classes, partnerships with local food establishments and unique events that will allow wine lovers to discover more about their taste and palate. Get more details here. 

• If oysters are your thing, you’ll want to get an evening over at Dean’s Seafood on your calendar between now and October 5th. Starting tonight the restaurant will begin hosting Oystoberfest 2013 where you’ll have the chance to experience specialty craft beers paired with a selection of unique, hard-to-find oyster varieties that showcase the most distinctive oysters from North America. Get all the details here.

• It was announced this week that the 26,000-square-foot Cary Towne Center location of Dave & Busters will open on November 6th. This will mark the 65th North American venue for Dave & Buster’s. Check them out here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham County Restaurant News 

• We got word this week from our friends over at Carpe Durham that Motorco announced that they will begin serving food later this fall with the help of Durham native Chris Holloway. More information will be released soon. Get more info on Motorco here.

• As far as we know, Town Hall Burger & Beer, that is going in Westpoint at 751 (near Streets at Southpoint), is still scheduled to have their official opening on Monday, September 23. THBB is owned by David Sadeghi, who also owns Town Hall Grill in Chapel Hill and Bolt, in downtown Raleigh. Get more details here.

• The Herald Sun noted this week that Al’s Burger Shack has opened in Chapel Hill in the West Franklin Street space that previously housed The Chocolate Door, right next door to IP3. Check them out online here.

• My friends over at Farmer’s Table Restaurant Group (Q Shack at North Hills, Sprout, Pogo, Green’s and Southern Harvest Catering Company) are planning to open a
  coffee bar/wine bar at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham in early November. More details to follow. Check them out here. 

• Kudos to Orange County’s Maple View Farm as they recently turned 50! Maple View Farm is located on 400 acres of land near Hillsborough and is co-owned by Bob Nutter, a fifth-generation farmer, and Mike Strowd. If you’ve never had their milk, or been out to enjoy their freshly made ice cream on the front porch of their store, you need to work that into your schedule. And if you can, join them this Sunday for music and children’s activities to celebrate their milestone. Get all the details here.

Closings (None!) 

• Keep eating local folks!  

Food Trucks 

• Who would have thought you’d have food trucks at a major golfing event. But that is exactly what we have (and open to the public) at the SAS Championship on Friday Oct. 11 at Prestonwood Country Club. Food trucks in attendance will include: American Meltdown, Pie Pushers, Chirba Chirba, Sweet Traditions and Chick-N-Que. The trucks will start serving food at 4 p.m. Parking for the SAS Championship and Food Truck Friday is free of charge and located at Bond Park. Complimentary shuttle busses will bring spectators and families to and from the parking area. Get information on parking 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 

• If you are looking for an announcement to make you start salivating, take a look at the list of participants for this year's TerraVITA Food & Wine Event that was just announced this week. Tickets are on sale now for TerraVITA Food & Wine Event scheduled for October 10-12, 2013 over in Chapel Hill. This is one of the Triangle's "can't miss" food events. Get your tickets today here. And get more information on the event here.

• The 8th Annual Eastern Triangle Farm Tour is this weekend - September 21st - 22nd, 2013. Visit twenty-seven farms including six new farms! The farms are open 1-5 pm both days. Get all the details here.

• This weekend is the 32nd Annual Greek Festival in the Exposition Center at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. If you like Greek food, this is a way to get your fix of Greek food thanks to the folks at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Raleigh. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity of Wake County. The festival is 5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. General admission is $3, or $2 for seniors and children, ages 13-18. Younger children are free. Get more information here.

• The Carrboro Farmers’ Market will host a second annual Harvest Fundraiser Dinner at Town Commons on Thursday, September 26th from 6:15 - 9 pm. The event will bring together chefs, market farmers and artisans for a locally-sourced dinner at Town Commons. The dinner will feature potluck-style dishes from the Triangles finest chefs including Andrea Reusing of Lantern, Adam Rose of Il Palio, Sean Fowler of Mandolin, Kevin Callaghan of ACME, Marshall Smith of Glasshalfull, and more. Get all the details and purchase tickets here.

• With the cool air rushing in, the Western Wake Farmers Market knows just how to warm you up - with their 2nd Annual Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, September 28th. Enjoy homemade chili from vendors, customers and local chefs - using only fresh, local ingredients inspired by products found at WWFM. All are invited to sample and vote for their favorite chili recipe and watch returning cook-off champions defend their title! Get all the details here.

• On September 24 from 6-8p.m., Raleigh’s Fox & Hound Sports Tavern will be hosting a grand re-opening benefiting the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and celebrating the restaurant’s new look, feel, and flavor. For $15/ticket, guests receive two drink tickets and are invited to enjoy a buffet of new and signature F&H menu items. Take a peek here.

• Here is an event you probably want to get on your calendar - the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival September 27 & 28 at Raleigh's Red Hat Amphitheater. In addition to the amazing music line-up (with Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickel) there is a massive two-day street festival which will be highlighted by the North Carolina Whole Hog Barbecue State Championship. Get all the details here. 

• Thanks to a tip from the News & Observer, we learned that the World Beer Festival returns to Durham on Oct. 5 in a new location: the old Durham Athletic Park. The event will feature two sessions: an afternoon tasting from noon to 4 p.m. and an evening tasting 6-10 p.m. General admission is $45 and VIP tickets -- with a food buffet, special beers and a private hospitality area -- are $75. Get all the details here.

• This event will be a little more than five loaves and two fish - it is the annual St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Lobster Fest taking place Saturday, October 5th. You can order ahead, pick-up or dine there, but it is best to order ahead. The church is located at 221 Union St. in Cary. Get all the details here.

• Here is a fun event to benefit the WakeMed Children’s Hospital on Saturday, October 5th. Called Dinner in the Village (Cameron Village that is) here is how it works. You purchase a table, you pick your theme, decorate your table and arrange your own meal (you or from one of the participating restaurants). And then enjoy an evening under the stars with great food and great drinks. Sounds like fun. Get all the details here.

• Chatham County will again be home to the 6th Annual Amazing Abundance Pepper Fest on Sunday, October 6th from 3-7 p.m. in the Briar Chapel development. The event will feature an endless supply of pepper-themed dishes from some of the Piedmont’s best chefs, brewers and food artisans as well as live music, kids’ activities and interactive displays. Advance tickets are $30. Get all the details here.

• The News & Observer also reminded us that it is never too early to buy your tickets for J. Betski's annual Oktoberfest party that will be held on October 20th from 3-8 p.m. The event costs $65 per person and space is limited. To purchase tickets, go here.

• Here is another great foodie event to get on your calendar - the March of Dimes Triangle Signature Chefs Auction on November 17 at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club. Attendees will be able to sample signature dishes from top chefs from around the Triangle while bidding on great auction items/packages during our silent and live auctions. Get all the details here. 

Food Bank Corner   

• Congratulations to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina on their recent 24 Hour Telethon that successfully raised over $55k and 3,941 pounds of food during the one day effort. Kudos to Gregory Ng for all his efforts. See all the details here.

Friday Fun Food Facts - September 13, 2013

Triangle Restaurant News

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

Featured Restaurant News

•  We should change this section this week to the Niall Hanley Hour. First up, the News & Observer announced today that Hanley's newest venture, The Station, a restaurant and bar going into the old Rosie's Plate space near downtown Raleigh (Person Street), is set to open in about three weeks. If that is not enough, in the spring Hanley is turning his office at 614 Glenwood Ave. into the Raleigh Beer Garden, a bar and restaurant that aims to incorporate plants into an outdoor bar space. And last, but certainly by no means least, his Hibernian Irish Pub, which burned down in a December 2012 kitchen fire, is expected to reopen by the end of the year with a lot more space and a new look. I've seen renderings, and it is pretty cool and about twice the size of the original Hibernian. Check it all out here.    

Wake County Restaurant News 

•  Nunzio Scordo, former executive chef at Paparazzi, is returning to Lafayette Village to open his own restaurant called Driftwood Southern Kitchen according to the N&O. Located in the old Antono's Market space, look for a mid-November opening.

• And the N&O noted that Scordo is also helping out his neighbors at Vinos Finos y Picados (also at Lafayette Village) with a new and expanded kitchen and a new menu that will take advantage of the improvements. Check them out here.

• Serena, a Sicilian influenced gastropub in RTP, has opened a second location in North Raleigh at 7456 Creedmoor Road. Visit their website here.

• This week we were able to confirm a rumor that had been brought to our attention by reader and friend Jessica Lobaton. The former Wendy's location at the Lake Boone Shopping Center in Raleigh will become the latest Chick-fil-A location in the Triangle. The approval was just recently given, so don't look for an opening anytime soon (likely late 2014 or early 2015). Thanks to Jessica for bringing this to our attention.

• But here's a good one for the rumor bin this week. We saw a post on a Yelp message board that someone had noticed a sign at the Arboretum Shopping Center in Cary (corner of Harrison Ave. & Westin Parkway) for World of Beer. He noted that it didn't look like it was opening any time soon and we noted that it is not listed on the World of Beer site. We'll swing by and take a peek and keep you posted.

• The Point Restaurant and Bar over in Raleigh's Five Points area, which has been closed for extensive renovations since the end of August, has reopened. Check them out here.

• Your dining options are getting ready to expand at Raleigh's Cameron Village according to the News and Observer. Signing leases at the street-front retail shops housed in the Crescent apartment complex include Faire (a steak and seafood restaurant that's part of Eschelon), Brixx Wood Fired Pizza, and coffee shop Benelux Coffee. We will keep an eye on these.  

• Big Apple Bagels, which we told you about back in April, has opened in the Falls River Towne Center according to my friend John Huisman, aka Traingle Explorer. Get by see them soon. 

• Huisman also tipped us off to the fact that Main Street Grill Pizzeria & Restaurant in Wake Forest is now open. They will have a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Sept 18th at 2pm. These are the same folks that own Main Street Grille Bakery & Café. Visit them here.

• We got word from our friends over at WRAL (who actually noted it in the N&O) that The Berkeley Café will close on Oct. 1 for three-months of renovations. They are expected to reopen in January. TFG Note: There is more to this story that we can't share at this point, but we will make the announcement here as soon as it is finalized. Stay tuned (trust me, you are going to LOVE it).   

Durham, Orange & Chatham County Restaurant News 

• I got an update this week that Town Hall Burger & Beer, the new burger joint going in at Westpoint at 751 (near Streets at Southpoint), is looking to have a soft opening next Thursday, with an open date of Monday, September 23. THBB is owned by David Sadeghi, who also owns Town Hall Grill in Chapel Hill and Bolt, in downtown Raleigh.

• The N&O filled us in on what is going into the former Broad Street Café space next to Watts Grocery. Todd Whitney, who was the opening chef at J. Betski's in Raleigh and more recently at Vin Rouge, is teaming up with former Vin Rouge bar manager Greg Demarchie to open Oval Park Grille at 1116 Broad St. Look for a December opening. Next door to that, they're planning to open a bar and wine shop called Tonic.

• The Herald-Sun tipped us off to something we are pretty excited to learn. Provence, a Carrboro restaurant known for its French and Mediterranean cuisine, is now open for lunch. They have served dinner only for years. Lunch will be served 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Check them out here.

• Our friends over at Carpe Durham recently happened to notice that there is a newly opened Mexican restaurant at 3438 Hillsborough Street in Durham called The Patron. We were unable to locate a website for it.

• This is pretty big news in the catering world - our friends over at The Picnic Basket have moved into their new digs on East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill in the old Applebee's/Meat House location. Congratulations to Erik and his team.

• And thanks to a tip from the folks over at Chapel Hill Magazine, a huge kudos goes out to the folks over at The Fearington House Restaurant who received - for the first time - the coveted Five-Star Award from Forbes Travel Guide. Congratulations to the Fearrington team on this huge recognition!

Closings     

• We got sad news via New Raleigh that Oakwood Pop-Up Ice Cream Parlour has closed effective immediately. That is the bad news. The good news is that their location on Wilmington Street remains open at least through their lease which is set to end at the end of October. Visit them on Facebook here.  

Food Trucks 

• 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 

• If you are looking for an announcement to make you start salivating, take a look at the list of participants for this year's TerraVITA Food & Wine Event that was just announced this week. Tickets are on sale now for TerraVITA Food & Wine Event scheduled for October 10-12, 2013 over in Chapel Hill. This is one of the Triangle's "can't miss" food events. Get your tickets today here. And get more information on the event here.

• Kim Hunter over at Kimbap (in Raleigh's Seaboard Station) wrote to tell me about an event she is hosting this Saturday (September 14th - 11 am until 4 pm). It is a "Korean Thanksgiving" festival called Chuseok that traditionally celebrates the bounty of fall harvest. Many of Hunter's local farmers will be present and they'll have a Korean cooking demo and some K-pop dance entertainment along with menu specials. Get all the details on Facebook here.

• The Carrboro Farmers' Market will host a second annual Harvest Fundraiser Dinner at Town Commons on Thursday, September 26th from 6:15 - 9 pm. The event will bring together chefs, market farmers and artisans for a locally-sourced dinner at Town Commons. The dinner will feature potluck-style dishes from the Triangles finest chefs including Andrea Reusing of Lantern, Adam Rose of Il Palio, Sean Fowler of Mandolin, Kevin Callaghan of ACME, Marshall Smith of Glasshalfull, and more. Get all the details and purchase tickets here.

• WRAL tipped us off to a pop-up dinner over in Chapel Hill that is a joint effort between food truck American Meltdown and Market Street Coffee. Botta, an Italian pop-up experience, will take place on Thursday, September 19th with sittings at 6 and 8 p.m. The cost is $50 for the three-course meal. Get your tickets and details here.

• And if you like queso (who doesn't?) then you'll want to mark your calendar for next Thursday, September 19th and visit any of the 16-Triangle area locations of Moe's Southwest Grill for Free Queso Day - a free six-ounce cup of queso goodness. No purchase necessary (although I'd encourage you to grab a burrito while you are there). Get more details and/or find a location near you here.

• Here is an event you probably want to get on your calendar - the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival September 27 & 28 at Raleigh's Red Hat Amphitheater. In addition to the amazing music line-up (with Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickel) there is a massive two-day street festival which will be highlighted by the North Carolina Whole Hog Barbecue State Championship. Get all the details here.

• Thanks to a tip from the News & Observer, we learned that the World Beer Festival returns to Durham on Oct. 5 in a new location: the old Durham Athletic Park. The event will feature two sessions: an afternoon tasting from noon to 4 p.m. and an evening tasting 6-10 p.m. General admission is $45 and VIP tickets -- with a food buffet, special beers and a private hospitality area -- are $75. Get all the details here.

• The News & Observer also reminded us that it is never too early to buy your tickets for J. Betski's annual Oktoberfest party that will be held on October 20th from 3-8 p.m. The event costs $65 per person and space is limited. To purchase tickets, go here. 

• Here is another great foodie event to get on your calendar - the March of Dimes Triangle Signature Chefs Auction on November 17 at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club. Attendees will be able to sample signature dishes from top chefs from around the Triangle while bidding on great auction items/packages during our silent and live auctions. Get all the details here. 

Food Bank Corner   

• It is here. Starting TODAY at noon and continuing through Saturday at noon, it is the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC 24-Hour Telethon. Hosted by my buddy Gregory Ng, the 24 hours of "Awesome-Sauce!" will be streaming here from the Raleigh warehouse located at 3808 Tarheel Drive. The goal is to raise $50k. The events will kick-off at lunch today with a food truck rodeo (stop by!). Get the complete schedule here.

Friday Fun Food Facts - September 6, 2013

Triangle Restaurant News

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

Featured Restaurant News

•   It was announced this week on their Facebook page that the popular North Raleigh dining joint Gonza Tacos y Tequilla will be opening a second location in Wake Forest in Suite 100 at The Factory. Look for a mid-November opening of the new location. Get more information on Gonza here or visit their Facebook page here.     

Wake County Restaurant News 

•  As we alluded to last week, the Stanbury is now officially open at 938 N. Blount Street in downtown Raleigh. This is the latest venture of Drew Maykuth, founding co-chef of the acclaimed Admiral in Asheville, who teamed up with a group of folks here in Raleigh. It is located in the former Market restaurant space next to Escazu Chocolates. Check them out on Facebook here. 

• Just a reminder that Yellow Dog Bakery at 219 E. Franklin Street will hold their grand opening tonight (Sept. 6th) from 6-9 p.m. Expect to find baked goods, like French baguette, fig and walnut wheat bread and jalapeno cheddar rolls, as well as coffee beverages and fun activities during the special opening event. Get all the details on Facebook here. 

• The former Jibarra is now officially re-opened as Jose & Sons and is serving dinner Monday through Friday, all day Saturday and for Sunday Brunch. Their new website is also up here.

• This is a fun little nugget from John Huisman (aka Triangle Explorer). There is a new dessert and cocktail bar called Bittersweet coming to downtown Raleigh. Outside of their website (where you can donate to the cause), that is about all we know at this point. We do know Bittersweet represents a new and different outpost for selling the goods of already existing company, bittycakes. So look for delicious desserts, cocktails, coffee and snacks...and great banter! We’ll definitely keep an eye on this goodie. 

• We are getting closer to the opening of the Raleigh location of Chuy’s because I just received an invitation to a “Welcome Chuy the Redfish” event on September 19th. Looks like a pretty good teaser and a very limited menu, but I’m game for meeting a red fish. We’ll keep you posted as we get closer to the opening later this fall. In the meantime, check them out here. 

• It looks like we are days from the re-opening of the Point Restaurant and Bar over in Raleigh Five Points area. They closed at the end of August for extensive renovations (they successfully purchased the building they are in) and will show off their new digs sometime early next week. We’ll keep an eye on it and let you know. Check them out here to keep tabs yourself.

• We got word this week from Terry Spigelmyer that City BBQ, an operation out of Ohio with more than 20 locations across Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, is bringing their first venture in North Carolina to Cary. And it appears it will land on Kildaire Road. We’ll keep an eye on it and let you know more as we know it. Check them out here. Thanks Terry!

• Thanks to the observant eye of the folks over at WRAL, we learned that a new restaurant called Mr. Wonderful’s Chicken & Waffles has opened on New Bern Avenue in Raleigh. We don’t know much else other than it is affiliated with a similar concept in Ohio. Check out their website here and their Facebook page here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham County Restaurant News 

• The Herald-Sun broke the news this week that Fares Hanna, the owner of the Cuban restaurant Gregoria’s Kitchen, is planning to re-open the restaurant with an expanded menu in a renovated building at 2701 Hillsborough Road. Gregoria’s closed earlier this year after a fire heavily damaged the house that it was located in on Chapel Hill Road. Look for a larger space, more parking, a larger bar area and an expanded menu when it opens after renovations in 6-8 weeks.

• Thanks to Herald-Sun we now know that a new eatery called the Colorado Burrito Place is expected to open in The Shops at Daniel Boone Village in Hillsborough later this month, serving breakfast and lunch. It will be open initially from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Saturday with plans to extend the hours in the winter. Check them out on Facebook here.

• The Herald-Sun is also reporting that a new location of the frozen yogurt and smoothie chain Red Mango has opened in the Bryan Center at Duke University. This location is partly owned by NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte. Get more information on Red Mango here. 

• All good things must eventually ride off into the sunset, including the Sunset Grille over on Fayetteville Road in Durham. But apparently it is more of a makeover than anything - now operating as 58 Fifty Bistro & Martini Bar according to a posting on a Yelp message board. Apparently it is a little more upscale with all new décor and a revamped menu.

• Kudos to chef and owner Matt Kelly of Mateo Tapas in Durham for being recognized in the September issue of Southern Living magazine as one of the South’s five best new restaurants. Kelly is also a partner in Vin Rouge, also in Durham. Thanks to the N&O for this tip. Read more about it here and view a link to the article in Southern Living here. 

Closings (none!)    

• Keep eating local folks!

Food Trucks 

• 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 

• If you are looking for an announcement to make you start salivating, take a look at the list of participants for this year's TerraVITA Food & Wine Event that was just announced this week. Tickets are on sale now for TerraVITA Food & Wine Event scheduled for October 10-12, 2013 over in Chapel Hill. This is one of the Triangle's "can't miss" food events. Get your tickets today here. And get more information on the event here.

• Though Hot Tin Roof (on Margaret Lane in downtown Hillsborough) has been open since early July, they’re celebrating members with a special grand opening event tonight (Sept. 6th). From 6:30 to 8:30 pm enjoy free BBQ, draught samples and live music from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. Even if you can’t make the party this Friday, stop by most any Friday to find Barone Meatball food truck parked outside. Check out their website here.

• Well this is strange. Watts Grocery's Amy Tornquist, Walking Fish Cooperative and Community-Supported Fishery are hosting a dinner devoted to eating an array of sustainably harvested strange seafood from the North Carolina coast. The five-course meal will begin at 7 pm on September 9th at Watts Grocery. The cost is $70 per person ($100 with wine pairings) with proceeds benefiting Saltwater Connections, a project of the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center on Harkers Island. To make a reservation, call 919-416-5040.

• I was reminded by John Huisman (aka Triangle Explorer) that the Museum of Life & Science over in Durham is holding their annual Science of Beer event on Thursday, September 12 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Not only will you learn more about beer than you ever thought you would, you’ll get to sample from 15 different breweries and also enjoy a little grub from food trucks Pie Pushers, Parlour and Only Burger. Get more details here.

• WRAL tipped us off to a pop-up dinner over in Chapel Hill that is a joint effort between food truck American Meltdown and Market Street Coffee. Botta, an Italian pop-up experience, will take place on Thursday, September 19th with sittings at 6 and 8 p.m. The cost is $50 for the three-course meal. Get your tickets and details here. 

• Here is an event you probably want to get on your calendar - the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival September 27 & 28 at Raleigh's Red Hat Amphitheater. In addition to the amazing music line-up (with Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickel) there is a massive two-day street festival which will be highlighted by the North Carolina Whole Hog Barbecue State Championship. Get all the details here.

• Thanks to a tip from the News & Observer, we learned that the World Beer Festival returns to Durham on Oct. 5 in a new location: the old Durham Athletic Park. The event will feature two sessions: an afternoon tasting from noon to 4 p.m. and an evening tasting 6-10 p.m. General admission is $45 and VIP tickets -- with a food buffet, special beers and a private hospitality area -- are $75. Get all the details here.

• Here is another great foodie event to get on your calendar - the March of Dimes Triangle Signature Chefs Auction on November 17 at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club. Attendees will be able to sample signature dishes from top chefs from around the Triangle while bidding on great auction items/packages during our silent and live auctions. Get all the details here. 

Food Bank Corner   

• It is back for its second year, and it is definitely bigger and better - the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC 24-Hour Telethon. Join the Food Bank and host Gregory Ng for 24 hours of "Awesome-Sauce!"  The 24 Hour Telethon will be streaming here starting at noon on Friday, Sept 13 and going to noon on Saturday, Sept 14 from the Raleigh warehouse located at 3808 Tarheel Drive. The goal is to raise $50k. The event will kick-off with a food truck rodeo, but get the complete schedule here.