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.