Friday Fun Food Facts - November 18, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Dean Ogan and Rocky Top Hospitality are at it again. It was announced this week that Rocky Top would open their 6th Triangle-area restaurant concept in January of next year in the former Stonewood Grill location over in Cary near the intersection of Cary Parkway and Highway 54. Rockwell's American Grill will mesh the modern day American grill with the comfort of old school diners and delis. We'll let you know a firm open date once we have it. In the meantime, visit them on Facebook here.  

• It is nice to have great friends with great memories. Such is the case with my 'old' buddy Gordon Brown who reminded me of Mandolin's "any day now" opening at the corner of Fairview Road and Oberlin. As we reported back in September, their website still lists this month for their opening, and this week's Independent Weekly suggests it will be sometime around Thanksgiving. Good luck to Sean Fowler, also a Raleigh native like Gordon and myself, who will bring his experience at the Fearrington House to deliver contemporary Southern food to Raleigh. You can keep an eye on their opening announcement at their website here.       

• And for those playing at home, here is an updated list of occupants of the space that will soon be Mandolin -  Johnson's Drug Store, The Bulldog, The Raven, Maccini's, Riptide's, EVOO, Mangia Bistro and Eat Kitchen & Bar, Bellini...and now, Mandolin. 

• Today is the day! The World of Beer will open in North Hills (directly across from Harris Teeter on the ground level of the CapTrust building) at noon (well, it is 5 o'clock somewhere). And if you are wondering if they will have your beer...did I mention 50 drafts and 500 bottled beers!?! Check their site out here or their Facebook page. And I think it is just coincidence, but happy birthday to Mindy!     

• JD's Tavern is opening this weekend in the old Xios Greek restaurant space in Apex at 800 W. Williams Street. They will hold a VIP event on Saturday, November 19th (must have reservations) and will open to the public on Monday, November 21st. Get more information on their website here or their Facebook page here.   

• This Saturday is the last Saturday Market at Rebus Works for the season - and this is one not to miss (Facebook Page). It opens as usual at 9, but will remain open until 4:30. All the "regular" local vendors will be on hand, but check out the food truck lineup - Old North State BBQ, Sausage Wagon, Chirba Chirba, Chicken-N-Que, Klausie's, Slippin Sliders and Triangle Raw Foodists as well as Fullsteam and Aviator Brewery. Spend your whole day on Saturday in downtown Raleigh with the Christmas Parade, the Saturday Market and the re-opening of Pullen Park.

• Speaking of Pullen Park, when it re-opens this Saturday, it will feature a very cool café - Pullen Place Café which will open at 10 a.m. Pullen Place sits in the same place as the park's former concession stand, but that is the only similarity. Holly Taylor and her partners, Steve Mangano and Zely & Ritz chef/owner Sarig Agasi plan to offer fresh, seasonal, local foods at affordable prices. Check out their website here or here on their Facebook page.     

• And a shout out to Andy Siouville who is lobbying hard to become Triangle Food Guy's Western Wake County reporter...Andy shared with me this week that 1750 Original, which was at the corner of Tryon Road and Cary Parkway (behind Chilli's and next to Office Suites Plus), has closed. And from what Andy is hearing, look for an Irish Pub to give that spot a try next. 

• The Raleigh Wine Shop, located at 126 Glenwood Avenue, is about to host their first in-store food & wine event on Tuesday, December 6th at 7:15 p.m. The $30 event will pair wines of central Italy and Tuscany with food prepared by Chef Robin Bodwin. Space is limited, so visit their site now for more details and to make your reservation. 

• If you are looking for yet another reason to stop by Firehouse Subs, here it is. The Raleigh (in Brier Creek) and Garner (next to Lowe's Hardware) locations now feature the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines. The "Freestyles" are the ultimate beverage experience that give you over 100 beverage choices in one sleek touchscreen.

• Jibarra Modern Mexican in downtown Raleigh this week announced that new executive chef Oscar Diaz has developed and released his fall-winter menu after spending the last few months tweaking and refining it. Meet the new chef and browse their new menu on their website or visit them on Facebook here. Jibarra is in the renovated Depot Building in downtown Raleigh (327 W. Davie Street)

• The Heart of Carolina Food Drive for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina kicks off today and runs through December. It is a community-wide food and funds drive to help stock the Food Bank shelves for the coming winter months. ABC 11 Eyewitness News is the lead sponsor.  Get more information here.

• Acme Restaurant in Carrboro will hold a Bordeaux Dinner this Sunday, November 20th at 6:30. A once in a lifetime chance to taste jaw-dropping red Bordeaux from the illustrious 2001 and 2005 vintages. We're talking fancy. And delicious. Reservations are required by phone. It will sell out. Price is $85 per person. Call 919-929-2263.

• Still scrambling around for some last minute Thanksgiving recipes? What if you could get your grubby little hands on recipes from Andrea Reusing (Lantern), Bill Smith (Crook's Corner) and Colin Bedford (The Fearrington House Restaurant)? Well you can, thanks to the folks over at Chapel Hill Magazine. Check out those recipes here. 

• Don't feel like cooking on Turkey Day? No worries. The News &Observer has put together a great list of restaurants that will be open to handle the cooking (and cleaning) for you.  Check it out here.   

• But if you feel like cooking, but run out of energy and great ideas for dessert, don't fret. The Twisted Fork Restaurant & Bakery will provide customers free pumpkin pies with each whole dessert purchased from the bakery for the Thanksgiving holiday season. All dessert orders must be placed by Monday. Nov. 21 at 5 p.m. And did I mention, Twisted Fork was rated the best dessert in Raleigh by CitySearch voters!?! Check them out here.  

• And speaking of desserts and baked goods, I provide you this link just to see if I can get your mouth watering. It is a link to Durham's Guglhupf Bakery and their holiday offerings. Guglhupf is now offering a tempting array of breads, cakes, tortes and desserts - all available for pre-order from now until Monday, November 21 at 4pm. Please, when clicking this link, do not have your mouth directly over your keyboard. You have been warned. 

• The N&O also reminded us of a great holiday activity when you have a house full of people - that you want out of your house for a few hours (and so you don't have to feed them!). Sign everyone up for one of the walking tours of great local restaurants through Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours. They have tours locally in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill/Carrboro and Hillsborough. Take a peek now and make your holidays a little bit more enjoyable.

• Want to do something a little bit different this Thanksgiving meal? And keep it local? Then be sure to take some time off from work on Tuesday, November 22 when each of the five local farmers' markets (Carrboro Farmers' Market, Chapel Hill Farmers' Market, Durham Farmers' Market, Eno River Farmers' Market in Hillsborough and the Western Wake Farmers' Market in Cary) will host a special pre-Thanksgiving market featuring locally grown produce, artisan foods, cheeses, meats, eggs and seasonal flowers for your holiday celebrations. Visit the website for Triangle Farmers Market to get ideas and recipes for special dishes you can prepare as well as each market's hours for this event.

• Speaking of Thanksgiving and keeping it local, why not turn to Raleigh's Q Shack to help you with your turkey and/or meal this year. The Q Shack is offering locally raised, all-natural fresh turkeys that feed up to 20 people for just $44.95! You can also order your entire Thanksgiving meal - it simply doesn't get any easier, or better, than that. Check out more details here. 

• And finally, I close with something I think is pretty cool. Raleigh City Farm is a group that is in the process of bringing rural farming to the city core of Raleigh by turning empty lots into produce-producing plots. If you think this is as cool as I do, check out their efforts here. And to make it even cooler, there are holding a Food Truck fundraiser on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 26th. The event will be in the 200 block of E. Franklin Street in downtown Raleigh from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Only Burger, Chirba Chirba and Klausie's are the trucks confirmed at this point.
  
  
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  I truly have so much to be thankful for. We all do. Thanks for all your support this year as I launched the Triangle's only locally-owned web-based catering service - http://www.trianglefoodguy.com (shameless plug!). And next Friday morning, I'll be hanging out with family thinking about all those things I have to be thankful - primarily an amazing wife and two of the coolest kids you'll ever meet. So, all that to say, I am very thankful...and, oh yeah, no Friday Fun Food Facts next week!!!

Friday Fun Food Facts - November 11, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Neomonde will open its third Mediterranean/Lebanese eatery in the Triangle in December at the Harvest Plaza shopping center (corner of Strickland and Six Forks roads) in North Raleigh. Known for its fresh breads and foods, Neomonde currently has two Triangle locations - one at 3817 Beryl Road in Raleigh and the other at 10235 Chapel Hill Road in Morrisville. Next year, the company will celebrate its 35th year in business. Visit their website here. 

• DaisyCakes, which up until now had been operating out of a really cool retrofitted Airstream mobile cupcakery and bakery (called "Sugar"), will open a brick and mortar location today (11/11) at 10 a.m. on Foster Street in downtown Durham (401A Foster Street to be exact, just steps away from the Durham Farmers' Market). Check them out here. 

• I don't know how John (aka Triangle Explorer) came across this, but in a recent tweet he noted that according to job postings on Craig's List, it is looking like the newest Tyler's Taproom, which will be in downtown Raleigh in Seaboard Station, is shooting for an opening at the end of this month. That's exciting! We'll keep an eye on it (or I'll just ask John to keep me posted!)

• And speaking of another place people are anxiously awaiting, according to posts on their Facebook page it looks like Weinberg's Delicatessen is aiming to open next week, possibly as early as Monday. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for the latest updates.

• This follows on the news yesterday that another "New York style" deli has closed their doors after less than a year in business. On their Facebook page, Streets Deli noted the economy as a driving factor. That marks the second "food" establishment (Stam's was the other) in Chapel Hill's East 54 development to close their doors.

• But the news is not all bad coming out of Chapel Hill. A Chapel Hill institution since the early 70's, Linda's Bar & Grill, has a new owner. Chris Corini took over ownership of Linda's back in August. While much will remain the same, we should see an "upgrade" in the food served at Linda's as Corini has had stints at both Southern Rail in Carrboro and Ruth's Chris Steak House. And don't worry fans, there are no plans to change the name!

• Love coffee? How about ice cream? You're going to love this then. The N&O reported this morning that the great minds behind Joe Van Gogh Coffee (Robbie Roberts) and Locopops (Summer Bicknell) will join forces when they open Joe Van Loco in the Towne North shopping center on Creedmoor Road in North Raleigh. They are shooting to be open by year's end.

• Gonza Tacos y Tequila, which will open in the former Restaurant Savoy space in North Raleigh, will have a soft opening on November 21st and 22nd. Get more information on their Facebook page here.  

• I know I focus just on food, but this is too cool to not mention. Mark your calendar for next Friday, November 18th when World of Beer will open in North Hills (directly across from Harris Teeter on the ground level of the CapTrust building). And if you are wondering if they will have your beer...did I mention 50 drafts and 500 bottled beers!?! The grand opening next Friday will begin at noon and will last until 2 a.m. Check their site out here  or their Facebook page.  

• Who else misses Bonne Soiree and chef Chip Smith? Well, he is returning to the Triangle once a month to cook a Sunday supper at The Inn at Celebrity Dairy in Siler City. The next one is this Sunday, November 13th at 1:30 pm. The meal includes passed hors d'oeurves, an appetizer, entree and dessert. The meal costs $75 with wine pairings and $50 without wine. The final one of the year is scheduled for Dec. 11. To make a reservation, call 919-742-5176. For more information, go to their site. 

• The N&O also reminded us of a great holiday activity when you have a house full of people - that you want out of your house for a few hours (and so you don't have to feed them!). Sign everyone up for one of the walking tours of great local restaurants through Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours. They have tours locally in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill/Carrboro and Hillsborough. Take a peek now and make your holidays a little bit more enjoyable.   

• Want to do something a little bit different this Thanksgiving meal? And keep it local? Then be sure to take some time off from work on Tuesday, November 22 when each of the five local farmers' markets (Carrboro Farmers' Market, Chapel Hill Farmers' Market, Durham Farmers' Market, Eno River Farmers' Market in Hillsborough and the Western Wake Farmers' Market in Cary) will host a special pre-Thanksgiving market featuring locally grown produce, artisan foods, cheeses, meats, eggs and seasonal flowers for your holiday celebrations. Visit the website for Triangle Farmers Market to get ideas and recipes for special dishes you can prepare as well as each market's hours for this event.

• Speaking of Thanksgiving and keeping it local, why not turn to Raleigh's Q Shack to help you with your turkey and/or meal this year. The Q Shack is offering locally raised, all-natural fresh turkeys that feed up to 20 people for just $44.95! You can also order your entire Thanksgiving meal - it simply doesn't get any easier, or better, than that. Check out more details here.   

• McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants will host its 13th annual Veterans Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 13. The M&S location at Crabtree Valley Mall will be participating. On this day, U.S. military veterans will be treated to a complimentary entrée from a special McCormick & Schmick's menu. Get more details here.

• Want to sample local beer and support a deserving charity? (You had me at beer...) Come to the inaugural Homebrew for Hunger Festival this Saturday (Nov. 12), at the new West End public event space at462 W. Franklin St. in downtown Chapel Hill. From noon-5 pm, you can learn about and taste beer from more than 30 local home brewers and craft breweries. The event benefits the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Get all the details here.  

• There is something truly special about both great music and great food. What if the two were combined? Does it get any better? Check this out - members of the NC Symphony will put on an eclectic and intimate performance in some of the area's hottest restaurants in 2012. So, mark your calendars now and get your tickets soon for these dates/locations (they will sell out): February 12 - Humble Pie; April 16 - Bu*ku; and May 20 - Humble Pie. Tickets are $65 per person and includes a multi-course meal and musical performance. Dinner is at 6, followed by music at 8. Get tickets and more information here. 

• And finally, if you're thinking about opening a food establishment (whether it be a brick and mortar location or a food truck), you might want to grab a copy of The Food Entrepreneur's Business Planning Workbook: Costing, Pricing and Marketing your Culinary Creations. The workbook is the creation of Durham's The Cookery, an incubator kitchen space which you can rent by the hour. You can get more information and even order the workbook ($26.99) on their website here. 

Friday Fun Food Facts - November 4, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Word emerged this week that there will be a second restaurant on the ground floor of the RBC Plaza in downtown Raleigh, and this will also be from a restaurateur familiar with the downtown market. Cara and Chris Hylton will open a Spanish-style tapas restaurant called Oro at the corner of Wilmington and Martin Streets. The Hyltons are the couple behind The Mint restaurant.  

• Downtown Raleigh is getting ready to get another Indian option - Blue Mango (which follows the recent opening of Mantra a few blocks away). While it is not open yet, word on the street is that it is very close to opening (the website notes a "Fall 2011" opening). Blue Mango will be located 222 Glenwood South in downtown Raleigh. Not much on their website, but feel free to check it out here.

• And speaking of 222 Glenwood South, earlier this week a sign on the door at the Triangle's second location of Tutti Frutti indicated that it would open this week - but I haven't been able to get by to confirm. Tutti Frutti's only other Triangle location is on Shanon Road in Durham.

• And if that is not enough yogurt news for you, Durham got another yogurt shop last month with the opening of Moonberries Frozen Yogurt which is located in the expansive Streets at Southpoint complex in the strip center right in front of Target. And according to their website, this won't be the only Triangle location. The site indicates they will be opening locations in Raleigh, Cary, Durham (a 2nd) and Chapel Hill.

• The long anticipated opening of the Triangle's third Which Wich Superior Sandwiches occurred this past weekend. The store is located in the "food court" area of North Hills "sandwiched" between Five Guys and The Q Shack. Which Wich's other two Triangle locations are on Lake Boone Trail (just down from Rex) and in Brier Creek.

• And speaking of waiting forever, the wait is over for Sir Pizza fans. The latest North Carolina location will open in Morrisville on Tuesday, November 8th. If you are not familiar with Sir Pizza, you'll want to check out their "Endless Lunch Buffet" which runs 11-2 Monday through Saturday, and all day on Sunday. The Morrisville location is located at the intersection of Davis Drive and McCrimmon Parkway. Check out their Facebook page here.  

• We told you about this several weeks ago, but the doors have swung open again at the former location of Amedeo's North on Falls of the Neuse Road in Raleigh (behind Tribeca Tavern). LaCarreta Mexican Restaurant is now open.

• Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, located in Crabtree Valley Mall, has launched a new small plates menu with seven new dishes (narrowed from 100!) that blend Asian influences with European flavors. Get more information here. 

• Things are heating up at Geer Street Garden over in Durham. Well, if you count their new heated patio space! So don't let the cooler weather keep you from heading on over. Geer Street Garden is located in the former Fletcher's Gulf Station on the corner of Foster and Geer Streets in downtown Durham. Visit their site here.  

• Today is the day most of you have probably been waiting all year for. It is Colossal Collard Day at the NC Farmers' Market in Raleigh! Festivities begin at 11 am, just in time for lunch. Fresh N.C. collards, hushpuppies and chow-chows are all part of the event and can be found at the State Farmers Market Restaurant. You'll be able to enjoy free collard samples as well as a variety of chow-chows and pickled relishes from market vendors. Locally produced collards also will be available for purchase from area farmers. Mmmmmm!

• Elaine's On Franklin in downtown Chapel Hill will celebrate its 12th anniversary this Sunday (November 6) with a dinner that pairs food by chef/owner Bret Jennings with wines chosen by importer Danny Haas. There will be a variety of pairings to choose from. It's $100 per person and starts at 6 pm. Reservations can be made by calling 919-960-2770. Get more details here. 

• The Saturday Market will be hopping this weekend with "foodie" related activity. The highlight this weekend will be Durham's Cookery, which will be talking about their community kitchen as well as selling Monuts Donuts. In addition, Aviator Brewing Company will be there (11 - 2), Slippin' Sliders Food Truck and 10 other "food related" vendors ranging from Muddy Dog Roasting Company to Locals Seafood - just to name a few. Get more details on the weekly gathering that takes place at Rebus Works every Saturday from 9-2 in downtown Raleigh. 

• Outback Steakhouse will be honoring our veterans and active military with a free Bloomin' Onion and Coke all next week (Nov. 7-11). Get all the details here.  

• McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants will host its 13th annual Veterans Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 13. The M&S location at Crabtree Valley Mall will be participating. On this day, U.S. military veterans will be treated to a complimentary entrée from a special McCormick & Schmick's menu. Get more details here.

• Mark your calendars for the extremely popular Kiwanis All You Can Eat Pancake and Sausage Jamboree which will take place next Monday, November 7th (4-8 p.m.) and Tuesday, November 8th (6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.) in The Durham Armory at 220 Foster Street in downtown Durham. Tickets are $6 in advance, $7 at the door. Kids eat free with adult.  

• This year, Tuesday, Nov. 8 is not only Election Day, but also the 23rd annual RSVVP (Restaurants Sharing V/5 & V/5 Percent). Eat out or take out all day - breakfast, lunch and/or dinner - at any participating restaurant, and 10% of your tab will be donated to the Inter-Faith Council's hunger-relief programs, the Community Kitchen and the Emergency Food Pantry. To see a full list of participating restaurants, visit their website here.
   
• Free coffee day is coming to Bruegger's on Wednesday, November 9th. Guests will be treated to a cup of coffee from opening until 2 pm. Donations to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals will be encouraged. More details and to find a location convenient to you, check out their website. 

• Want to sample local beer and support a deserving charity? (You had me at beer...) Come to the inaugural Homebrew for Hunger Festival on Saturday, Nov. 12, at the new West End public event space at462 W. Franklin St. in downtown Chapel Hill. From noon-5 pm, you can learn about and taste beer from more than 30 local home brewers and craft breweries. The event kicks off with "Homebrew U," a series of demonstrations on home brewing basics and tips for novice and experienced brewers alike from a panel of craft brewers including Erik Lars Myers of Mystery Brewing Company, Sean Lilly Wilson and Chris Davis of Fullsteam Brewery and Luke Studer of Bull City Burger & Brewery. The event benefits the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Get all the details here. 

• The annual Triangle Signature Chefs Auction featuring food from more than a dozen restaurants and caterers will be held on the evening of November 13th at the Carolina Club in Chapel Hill. Among the Triangle restaurants serving up tasting-sized portions of their signature dishes will be Winston's Grille, Gravy, The Mint, Solas, Coquette, Il Palio and Revolution. Tickets cost $150.  Proceeds benefit the North Carolina March of Dimes. To buy tickets or for more information about the event and the auction items, go here.

• Chick-fil-A has a couple of things you might be interested in. First, their annual "Cow Calendars" are now out and available while supplies last. They are $6, but note that there are great coupons for each month of the year. And probably more importantly, the "limited time only" Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake has returned.  Get more details here.  

• With Thanksgiving right around the corner, and you find yourself with even less time on your hands, why not turn to Raleigh's Q Shack to help you with your turkey and/or meal this year. The Q Shack is offering locally raised, all-natural fresh turkeys that feed up to 20 people for just $44.95! You can also order your entire Thanksgiving meal - it simply doesn't get any easier, or better, than that. Check out more details here. 

• There is something truly special about both great music and great food. What if the two were combined? Does it get any better? Check this out - members of the NC Symphony will put on an eclectic and intimate performance in some of the area's hottest restaurants in 2012. So, mark your calendars now and get your tickets soon for these dates/locations (they will sell out): February 12 - Humble Pie; April 16 - Bu*ku; and May 20 - Humble Pie. Tickets are $65 per person and includes a multi-course meal and musical performance. Dinner is at 6, followed by music at 8. Get tickets and more information here. 

Friday Fun Food Facts - October 28, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

•  OK, this one is pretty easy. Largest food truck rodeo...ever. This weekend - Sunday, October 30 from 4-8 p.m. at Durham's Central Park. 27 food trucks. Yes, 27 food trucks! I would list all the participating trucks, but it would simply take way too much time. Instead, visit here to see the latest and greatest including additional vendors, activities and directions.  

• This one flew under our radar screen, but we have confirmed that Tracy's New York Deli & Coffee Shop has opened in Chapel Hill. Tracy's is located over on Elliott Road across from Monterrey Mexican.

•  Durham got a new restaurant this week. Bella's Cuisine opened in the dome-shaped restaurant space at 3128 Guess Road in Durham which formerly housed the 2nd location of Backyard BBQ Pit. Visit their website here.  

• Speaking of Durham, the worst kept secret in the Triangle is starting to come to light. The long anticipated opening of the Triangle's second location of The Pit is starting to pick up momentum. It now appears as if The Pit will open in the ground floor of the building at 309 E. Chapel Hill Street in downtown Durham in the old Bargain Furniture space. We'll keep an eye on this and give you updates as we receive them.

• Apparently Ashley Christensen's half-pound burgers at Chuck's were a little too much and a little too pricey for some. No problem. Chuck's now offers a "Little Chuck" that is a 5 oz. burger for $6.75. Check it out here.  

• According to Duke's student newspaper, The Chronicle, The Food Factory at Devil's Bistro is struggling a little bit with some of the restrictions of its new space. But if anybody can make that space work - it is Jimmy and Lisa Schmid. They have cut out their weekday lunch service, but have added on a new delivery service and remain open for dinner, as well as lunch on weekends. If you are a big fan of The Food Factory, and you are over in Durham, make plans to stop by and show your support! Here is a link to their site.  

• Also, apparently Streets Deli in Chapel Hill is struggling to stay afloat. Their facebook page and webite have posted pleas this week entitled, "Save the Deli Week" (October 24-November 6th) and asked for their fans to step up and show some love to the New York-style deli by helping to spread the word. If you haven't been yet, it is well worth the visit. Get more information here. 

• Bruegger's began selling their 2012 Bottomless Mug this week. Guests who purchase the mug receive free fill ups of coffee (hot or iced, in season), tea or soft drinks for the remainder of the year after purchase and throughout 2012 - a total of 14 months for first time purchasers! The cost is $170, but that could be huge savings if you are a big coffee drinker. A percentage of sales also goes to the Children's Miracle Network. Stop by a local Bruegger's for details or visit them here.  

• This is kind of cool - Downtown Chapel Hill now has an app! That's right, you can download the Downtown Chapel Hill App and easily locate your favorite dining and shopping establishments as well as easily find public parking. That's pretty cool. Check it out here.

• Don't forget that today is National Breadstix Day today at Hot Box Pizza. From 2-5 p.m. stop by for your free breadstix (and maybe grab a pie and some cold beer while you are there). Hot Box Pizza is located at 2304 Hillsborough Street. Get more details here.  

• The Raleigh CROP Hunger Walk raises money to help fight hunger both locally and globally and supports several local hunger fighting agencies. The 3.1 mile walk is THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30th at 3pm! (Registration and activities start at 2pm).  The walk loops around downtown Raleigh, starting and ending at Marbles Kids Museum.  The walk is very kid friendly and a ton of fun, and this year we are featuring a Halloween costume contest where the most creative costumes will win gift certificates to Marbles!  People can sign up a team, donate or get more information here.

• The Carolina Ale House in Cary is hosting its 4th annual Carolina Brewfest featuring local and regional beers from 4-8 p.m. this Saturday, October 29th. Up to a dozen North Carolina breweries will be on hand providing samples, including Aviator Brewing Company, Red Oak Brewery and Foothills Brewing. Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 at the door and include beer samples, free food and live music. You can purchase tickets online here. Ten percent of all door sales will be donated to the North Carolina Brewers Guild. The Carolina Ale House in Cary is located at 2440 Walnut Street.

• The Lantern restaurant in Chapel Hill will host a special dinner and conversation with author Michael Ruhlman at 6:30 pm Wednesday, November 2nd, featuring charcuterie and other food that's cured, brined, pickled, fermented and salted. The 10-course family-style meal will include 18-month old whey-fed ham, North Carolina sashimi, crispy rillettes with salted "ume" cherries and moulard duck cured with sake kasu. Cost is $120 per person; that includes wine but not tax and tip. To reserve your place at the table: 919-969-8846. Get more information here.  

• McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants will host its 13th annual Veterans Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 13. The M&S location at Crabtree Valley Mall will be participating. On this day, U.S. military veterans will be treated to a complimentary entrée from a special McCormick & Schmick's menu. Get more details here. 

• The annual Triangle Signature Chefs Auction featuring food from more than a dozen restaurants and caterers will be held on the evening of November 13th at the Carolina Club in Chapel Hill. Among the Triangle restaurants serving up tasting-sized portions of their signature dishes will be Winston's Grille, Gravy, The Mint, Solas, Coquette, Il Palio and Revolution. Tickets cost $150.  Proceeds benefit the North Carolina March of Dimes. To buy tickets or for more information about the event and the auction items, go here. 

• Raleigh's Gateway Restaurant is offering a German dinner on Nov. 5. The four-course meal with German beer and wine pairings will cost $50 a person. Appetizers are served at 6:30 p.m. and dinner starts at 7 p.m. The menu includes a cucumber salad, a beef broth and dumpling soup, rouladen, a thin beef roll-up, served with spaetzle and red cabbage and an apple puff pastry with ice cream for dessert. Seating is limited, so make a reservation by calling Tom or Martina at 832-3020. For more information about the restaurant, go to their web site .

• Mark your calendars for the extremely popular Kiwanis All You Can Eat Pancake and Sausage Jamboree which will take place this year on Monday, November 7th (4-8 p.m.) and Tuesday, November 8th (6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.) in The Durham Armory at 220 Foster Street in downtown Durham. Tickets are $6 in advance, $7 at the door. Kids eat free with adult.

• This year, Tuesday, Nov. 8 is not only Election Day, but also the 23rd annual RSVVP (Restaurants Sharing V/5 & V/5 Percent). Eat out or take out all day - breakfast, lunch and/or dinner - at any participating restaurant, and 10% of your tab will be donated to the Inter-Faith Council's hunger-relief programs, the Community Kitchen and the Emergency Food Pantry. To see a full list of participating restaurants, visit their website here.

Friday Fun Food Facts - October 21, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Mia Francesca's Trattoria, the new restaurant at the entrance to the Renaissance Raleigh Hotel in North Hills, opens for dinner tonight with a ribbon cutting at 5 p.m. It occupies a space created by a $1-million renovation of the hotel. Francesca's is a Chicago-based concept and this marks their first East coast venture. But keep your eyes open for possibly two additional Triangle area locations. Check them out here.  

• After months of speculating, we have now confirmed that Charlotte's Cowfish is coming to Cameron Village, and more specifically the former Foster's location. And the name is as interesting as it is accurate - the concept serves up sushi and burgers. Don't believe me? Check them out here.  

• We got word this week that Wake Forest is getting its very own brewery! That's right, White Street Brewing Co. is scheduled to open in the spring of 2012 in historic downtown Wake Forest at 218 S. White Street. The brewery will offer four different small batch ales and lagers as well as specialty seasonal options. Check them out.   

• Well this didn't take long. We told you last week that Raleigh's version of Time Out Chicken would soon return to a 24/7 operation and that apparently is the case. Rick DeAngelis is not wasting any time! Time Out is located at 3001 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh.

• Eschelon Hospitality is getting closer to opening its newest concept, Zinda. It will be a two-story Asian restaurant located on the ground level of the RBC Plaza building in downtown Raleigh and will open just after the first of the year. Eschelon also operates Mura, Sono, The Oxford, Dapper Style House and Cameron Bar & Grill. Learn about all of their concepts here.  

• Durham's L'Uva Enoteca (located on the American Tobacco campus) has been wildly successful since its opening and just this week unveiled their new menu. Take a peek here. 

• Raleigh's Solas restaurant, located in the Glenwood South district, is now offering a permanent meat-free menu every Monday night for vegans and vegetarians. The new menu includes vegetable lasagna, sweet coconut curry vegetables, barbeque kabobs, zucchini noodles, Cuban black beans and stuffed poblano peppers. By request, the menu is available any day of the week. For more information, go to their site or call 755-0755 for a reservation.

• Moe's Southwest Grill at Triangle Town Center is brewing up a spooktacular treat this Saturday, October 22, from 3-5 p.m. with a children's pumpkin carving contest judged by the one and only Wool E. Bull. Moe's Triangle Town Center is located at 3721 Sumner Blvd. in Raleigh. For more information call 919-792-2960 or visit their site.

• If you're looking for a delicious and unique Sunday brunch option, look no further than the "South Indian Brunch" at Martin's Curry Rice. Martin serves it up every Sunday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Get more information on Martin's website. 

• Rockfish Seafood Grill in Durham is hosting a "Casks for a Cure" fundraiser from 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24 that may intrigue local beer lovers. The event will feature three brewers who have yet to open, a real treat for beer geeks! Participating will be Hillsborough's Mystery Brewing Company, Saxapahaw's Haw River Farmhouse Ales and Carrboro's Steel String Brewery. For a $10 donation, you will get a t-shirt, food samples and tastes of the three casks. Proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The restaurant is located at 8030 Renaissance Parkway in Durham (Streets at Southpoint). For more information about the event, go to the Facebook page or call 544-9220. 

• Raleigh's Gateway Restaurant is offering a German dinner on Nov. 5. The four-course meal with German beer and wine pairings will cost $50 a person. Appetizers are served at 6:30 p.m. and dinner starts at 7 p.m. The menu includes a cucumber salad, a beef broth and dumpling soup, rouladen, a thin beef roll-up, served with spaetzle and red cabbage and an apple puff pastry with ice cream for dessert. Seating is limited, so make a reservation by calling Tom or Martina at 832-3020. For more information about the restaurant, go to their web site .

• Mark your calendars for the extremely popular Kiwanis All You Can Eat Pancake and Sausage Jamboree which will take place this year on Monday, November 7th (4-8 p.m.) and Tuesday, November 8th (6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.) in The Durham Armory at 220 Foster Street in downtown Durham. Tickets are $6 in advance, $7 at the door. Kids eat free with adult.

• This year, Tuesday, Nov. 8 is not only Election Day, but also the 23rd annual RSVVP (Restaurants Sharing V/5 & V/5 Percent). Eat out or take out all day - breakfast, lunch and/or dinner - at any participating restaurant, and 10% of your tab will be donated to the Inter-Faith Council's hunger-relief programs, the Community Kitchen and the Emergency Food Pantry. To see a full list of participating restaurants, visit their website here.

• The March of Dimes is holding its annual Triangle Signature Chef's Auction on Sunday, November 13th.  Local chefs and caterers will present their signature dishes in tasting-size portions during a cocktail reception and silent auction. It will be held in Chapel Hill at the Carolina Club. For more information, visit their site here.

• Maybe there is hope yet for the meals served in our schools. Advocates for Health in Action (AHA) did its part by hosting a competition among local chefs. And the winner? Chef Ruby Arthur of PieBird Restaurant was awarded the Iron Carrot at Lunch In, an Iron Chef-style competition held at Hunter Elementary School, for her winning healthy lunch creation featuring carrots. 

• Looking for a fun, affordable and unique venue for a corporate gathering? Z Pizza is aggressively booking reservations/orders for holiday parties in both their downtown Raleigh and Cary locations. Contact them prior to November 1st and receive additional savings. Call Maria at 919-302-3883 if you are interested.

• And I would be remiss without sending out a huge congratulations to Andrea Weigl (the N&O's phenomenal foodie!) on the birth of her daughter! Enjoy your "leave" (not sure why they call it that, because it is anything but...). Congratulations Andrea!

Friday Fun Food Facts - October 14, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Raleigh is getting ready to get a whole lot sweeter. The extremely popular Sugarland Bakery in Chapel Hill has just announced that they will be opening a Raleigh location in Cameron Village. The space will be twice the size of their current location allowing them to explore a "brunch option" as well as hosting private classes, cookie parties and other events. Like Chapel Hill, the store will feature a full bar. Look for them to open this second location toward the end of the first quarter of next year. Start getting familiar with them by checking them out here. 

• We got word this week that the Triangle's fourth location of La Rancherita has opened in Morrisville (4075 Davis Drive). It takes over the space formerly occupied by Nikos Taverna. Get more information here.  

• The question of, "Which wich?", will get even more complicated on October 29th. That's the day that the Triangle's third location of the popular Which Wich sandwich shop will open in North Hills in Raleigh.

• The Moe's at the corner of Westin Parkway and Harrison Avenue is holding their grand reopening celebration TODAY (Oct. 14) following their recent expansion. The "new and improved" Moe's features the Coca-Cola Freestyle Machine (think 100+ brands of Coke!), seating now for 150, a larger salsa bar, and a private meeting room. Games and prizes will be available TODAY from 11-1 and TONIGHT from 5-7 pm. Wool E. Bull will also make an appearance today around noon. Check them out!

• I might be a little slow on this, but happened to notice that the Original NY Pizza has opened on Falls of the Neuse Road across from North Ridge Country Club in the location that used to house Stone Wolf Coffee. Check them out here.  
  
  
• La Carreta Restaurante Mexicano is set to open in the former Amedeo's North location on Falls of the Neuse Road (behind Tribeca Tavern). No word yet on an open date, just a "Coming Soon" banner out front. We'll keep an eye on it for you.
  
  
• Speaking of Rick DeAngelis (originally of Amedeo's, then Amedeo's North, and then Amedeo's again), the N&O's Andrea Weigl is reporting that Rick has left Amedeo's and is partnering up to expand the offerings of Time Out Chicken on Hillsborough Street, Raleigh's version of Chapel Hill's famous hang-out. Look for new offerings (adding turkey, more vegetable sides, daily specials and desserts from cinnamon buns to banana pudding) and expanded hours (i.e. 24/7) with Rick coming on board.
  
  
• And speaking of Chapel Hill, Bread and Butter, a new bakery and coffee shop, has opened over on Rosemary Street (503 W. Rosemary Street to be exact) in the former Oriental Garden location. The initial reviews are strong as they get settled into their new surroundings.

• The N&O's Andrea Weigl reported this week that Durham's popular bakery, Rue Cler, will expand their retail operations with even more bread and pastry offerings - more breads and pastries is always good news! Look for the expanded offerings by next week. Check them out here.  

• I've had several of your ask about an opening date for Sir Pizza in Morrisville at the corner of McCrimmon Pkwy. and Davis Dr. I stopped by yesterday and the interior appears to be ready for business, but they are waiting on the green light from the city of Morrisville, as well as the completion of the sidewalks and a few other odds-and-ends. But it appears as if it won't be long now.
  
  
• Gonza Tacos Y Tequila on Leadmine Road (think former location of Savoy, and before that, Fins) is very close to opening. A couple of more tweaks to satisfy the health inspector and they'll be ready to open their doors. Keep up with their pending announcement on their Facebook page here.  
  
  
• With the cool air moving in, it means leaves changing colors, hockey season kicking off, and a new menu from Chef Dave Alworth over at Guglhupf Café in Durham. Check out the new additions to their menu here.  

• If you are a food truck junkie, you'll want to mark your calendars for two upcoming food truck rodeos. The N&O has the scoop here.  

• This is a little cheesy, but worth the inclusion. The Durham Farmers' Market is celebrating the First Annual National Cheese Month throughout October.  This Saturday (Oct. 15), Chef Dave Alworth of Guglhupf Café will join Portia McKnight of Chapel Hill Creamery to talk about cheese making and to cook with cheese.  You might want to work this into your Saturday morning. 

• And finally, we close with something fun for those that love to dine in Durham. The Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau is conducting its annual survey to see which food spots get the most love. If you have an opinion (and we know you do), weigh in here. 

Friday Fun Food Facts - October 7, 2011

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• Listen up Moe's fans. Your wait is over! The newly expanded and larger Moe's at the corner of Westin Parkway and Harrison Avenue opened (soft) yesterday! The grand opening is planned for next Friday, October 14th. Congrats to David, Kermit and their team!

• There is a new food truck, I mean bike, in Durham! And to make it even better, it is a donut bike! Monuts (I'm guessing it is a meshing of "mobile" and "donuts") has just joined the growing mobile food scene in Durham. Check out their story and find out where they are. 

• The doors to the former location of The Food Factory in downtown Cary have reopened as Dory's Downtown Deli! They opened this week (soft) and are planning a grand opening celebration for next Monday. Look for some familiarity, as Ray Dory is a cousin of Lisa Schmid, one of the owners of The Food Factory. Welcome to Cary Ray! 

• There is a new dining option in Chapel Hill. Guru India will have its grand opening tomorrow (October 8) with half-off meals. Chef/owner Narinder Singh had two restaurants in Greensboro before taking over this location, which was the former India Palace. Guru is located at 508 W. Franklin Street. Get more information here.   

• Not too far over in Pittsboro, a new Greek restaurant has opened at 964 East Street called Greek Kouzina. They also own the Greek Fiesta restaurants in Raleigh and Cary.

• We told you last week that Shane Ingram had parted ways with ONE Restaurant in Chapel Hill and G2B in Durham. This week we learned that Sean McCarthy (Magnolia Grill & Giorgio in Cary) has taken over at ONE. And that Carrie Schleiffer (Table in NY) has taken over at G2B. Be sure to check out these young talents!

• Looks like things are starting to move forward with The Garland at 14 W. Martin Street in downtown Raleigh. While it is too early to talk about an opening date for Raleigh's next Indian cuisine, we can tell you that the initial phase will feature a walk-up window, with the final phase adding a dining room and outdoor seating. The Garland will be in the former location of Martin Street Pizza.

• My buddy Len informed me this week that over in Cary The Stonewood Grill & Tavern (1080 Darrington Drive) has closed their doors after a 10-year run. Cary was Stonewood's only location outside of Florida.  

• While news came out this week that the contract to reconstruct Pittsboro's infamous courthouse had been awarded, there was also news this week that Red Star Coffee, located just off the circle in downtown Pittsboro, had closed.

• And over in Chapel Hill, The Daily Tar Heel confirmed that Chill Bubble Tea has indeed closed their Franklin Street location there in the heart of downtown.  

• Speaking of Chapel Hill, who else misses Bonne Soiree and chef Chip Smith? Well, he is returning to the Triangle once a month to cook a Sunday supper at The Inn at Celebrity Dairy in Siler City. The first one is October 16th at 1:30 pm. The meal includes passed hors d'oeurves, an appetizer, entree and dessert. The meal costs $75 with wine pairings and $50 without wine. The next two are scheduled for Nov. 13 and Dec. 11. To make a reservation, call 919-742-5176. For more information, go to their site. 

• Looking for some free food? Look no further than Hot Box Pizza on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh on October 28th. On that day from 2-5 pm, stop by and celebrate the 6th Annual National Breadstix Day for a free sample of stix. Hot Box is located at 2304 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh. 

• Speaking of free food, how about a little free cider - especially with the nip in the air that has ushered in the fall season. Take a friend with you this Saturday to the Saturday Market At Rebus Works and you'll both enjoy a complimentary cup of cider. The Market also features tons of other food and drink options. For more details, check it out here.  

• If you are looking for cooking classes, food tours and more food events, the N&O's Andrea Weigl has put together an amazing list. Check it out here.

• The 18th Annual Taste of Chatham will be held on Oct. 16 from 4 to 6 pm at the Carolina Meadows Auditorium in Chatham County, just outside of Chapel Hill. Enjoy food from some of Chapel Hill's finest eateries. Tickets for the event are $50 per person and are limited to 150 seats, so purchase your ticket early by contacting Megan Coggins at 542-4512 or at megan.coggins@chathamcouncilonaging.org.

• The first ever RTP Food Truck Rodeo was a huge hit and will now become a monthly event. In fact, the next one is already scheduled for Thursday, October 20th from 11:30-1:30. This week's event featured three food trucks and attracted over 250 people! They are hoping to increase the number of trucks for October's event.

• And speaking of food trucks, it didn't take Raleigh long to plan a huge food truck rodeo - Food Truck King - also scheduled for October 20th (but in the evening from 5-9:30 pm). It will be held in City Plaza along with music, circus performers (not sure if that includes some of our Raleigh city councilors that fought the food trucks) and beer. The event is sponsored by The Raleigh Downtowner magazine. The event benefits Meals on Wheels and will conclude with the tapping of "Food Truck King" as voted upon by attendees. Food Truck King is free to attend, but tickets are available for sale to 250 attendees to sample tasty treats from all food trucks plus two free beers and a chance to win $200 worth of gift certificates to local restaurants. Get more information here.