TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

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

Featured Restaurant News

• This is one to get VERY excited about. Raleigh Magazine shared that The Exchange Raleigh, a 40-acre mixed-use development in Midtown, is bringing together two local legends in the dining scene to create S&P Hospitality. 2021 NCRLA Chef of the Year Saif Rahman (formerly with Vidrio), and Watts & Ward and The Ark Royal co-owner and screenwriter Patrick Shanahan will truly elevate the dining scene in a space that will make you feel like you are no longer in Raleigh. The name of the high-dining concept hasn’t yet been revealed. As far as the menu, the magazine described it as follows – “the “American” venture is anticipated to bow this fall—and not at all what likely comes to mind when you think of American fare. So, less burgers and fries and more drawing inspo from cultures the world over that comprise American—and Southern—cuisine as we know it.” Read all about it here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• And we got a more definitive opening date for the European inspired coffee house Press Coffee, Cocktails & Crepes coming to the 400H mixed-use tower in downtown Raleigh (400 Hillsborough Street at the corner with West Street). They will open next month, with this being their third location serving high-quality coffee and cocktail beverages, along with a rotating menu of food offerings. After revitalizing downtown Graham with its opening in 2016, Press opened a second location in downtown Durham’s American Tobacco in 2021 with immediate success. Press was named Best New Restaurant in Indy Week, Durham Magazine, and Yelp and was chosen an ideal brunch location in Durham by Southern Living Magazine. Get to know them here.

• RALtoday shared this week that Glenwood Place, just inside the beltline on Glenwood Avenue, will soon be home to Village Juice & Kitchen. This will be their third North Carolina location, with locations already in Winston-Salem and Charlotte. Look for them to open later this year serving high-quality cold-pressed juices and scratch-made breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Get to know them here.

• Reader Micah Volborth shared with us that Chapel of Bones on Maywood (former site of Volume 11 and the Maywood, next to Trophy) is open during the day as a coffee shop (concert venue/bar by night) and is now serving baked goods from Groovy Duck. Their beans are a collaboration with Fortuna out of Greensboro. Check them out here.

• Julie Barnes shared with us that she saw signage for a new sushi/hotpot concept called Umiya coming soon to the old Tuesday Morning space at the corner of Six Forks and Wake Forest roads next to the Dollar Tree. Looks like they are shooting to open this summer and will have a sushi buffet. We couldn’t find an online presence, so stay tuned. Thanks Julie!

• Reader Tim Decker notified us that the long-anticipated opening of Brazilian steakhouse Estampa Gaucha, located in the Westin Hotel at Brier Creek, has opened. This is their third location, and the second in North Carolina (they have a location in Charlotte). Get to know them here.

• Also in Raleigh, reader Michael Burger shared with us that the Subway sandwich shop located in the Southgate Plaza at 1601 Cross Link Road in Raleigh has reopened for business. The shop closed in August and has since changed owners and been gutted and remodeled. He noted that everything is shiny and new and they started welcoming customers back on April 12th. Thanks Michael!

• Over in Fuquay-Varina, David McCreary shared with us that in partnership with BOLT Drinks and Coffee, Fat Cat Homemade Ice Cream opened this week at 400 Broad Street. They’re offering scoops and cones, sundaes, milkshakes and more with a rotating flavor menu. Check them out here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• We learned this week that Joel and Sarah Bohlin, the owners of The Village Diner, opened West Hillsborough Pizzeria, a new restaurant located next door to their award-winning diner. West Hillsborough Pizzeria is located at 600 West King Street, serving hand tossed pizzas, wings, burgers, sandwiches, and salads with a full bar featuring cocktails, draft beer, and wine from 3pm-9pm Tuesday through Saturday. Get more familiar with them here.

• It looks like the former Allen & Son spot between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough on Old Hwy. 86 is getting a major renovation and new life in the form of a concept called Sidetrack Lounge. They’ll soon be serving up beer, wine and cocktails with an outdoor area in the back for seating and live music. They noted that they are currently looking for a tenant to offer window style food service for the back half. No word on an open date, but eager to get open!

Closings

• Preeti Waas made the difficult decision this week to close Cheeni Indian Food Emporium in Raleigh at 1141 Falls River Avenue. However, fans of Preeti can still enjoy her amazing creations at Cheeni Durham. Visit Cheeni Durham here.

• WRAL shared this week that the Hillsborough Street location of Gonza Tacos Y Tequila is closing. Their last day of service will be this Saturday. That’s the bad news. The good news is their North Raleigh, Wake Forest and Cary locations continue to thrive.

• And Raleigh’s spirit-free cocktail bar concept, Umbrella Bar, will close after tonight’s service (April 26). They opened for New Year’s at the beginning of 2024.

• Got word this week from reader Katie Page that Bruno’s Seafood and Steaks in North Raleigh near Wake Forest has closed effective immediately.

Food Trucks

• Looking to find your favorite food truck (or stalking them and simply don’t want to have to admit it)? We understand. Find them on Street Food Finder here.

Events

• One of Raleigh’s favorite downtown events is happening this weekend and the weather could not be more perfect! Brewgaloo, North Carolina’s largest craft beer festival, takes place today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) featuring over 110 craft breweries from around NC and partnering with local food trucks, local vendors, and local bands. The fun begins Friday night with a sampler event from 6-10 p.m. featuring limited releases, barrel aged, and sour beers. Saturday’s street festival spans the length of Fayetteville Street and fills Downtown Raleigh from 12-8 p.m. with more than 110 NC craft breweries, local food trucks, and local vendors. With two stages featuring local bands all day, this lively festival is sure to be a good time. Visit Brewgaloo here.

• Cary’s annual Spring Daze Arts + Crafts Festival is this Saturday, April 27th at Bond Park from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The event gives a true nod to the artistry and creativity found in our great state of North Carolina, welcoming 170 artists all calling NC home! Guests can also expect to find toe-tapping entertainment on three stages, delicious food, activities for the kids, and so much more! Get all the details here.

• Guests are invited to experience a delicious multi-course dinner with James Beard Foundation winner chef Ricky Moore, who will take attendees on a culinary journey across North Carolina in support of KIPP NC schools. The “Cookoff for Education” will take place at Saltbox Seafood Joint at 2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. in Durham on April 29. KIPP NC is an eight-school region of the national Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP). Funds raised through sponsorships and ticket sales will be an investment in North Carolina’s current and future students, teachers and educational leaders. You can find more details here. 

• Get ready to indulge in a delectable journey through Jewish cuisine as Jewish for Good proudly presents Jewish Food Week, a week-long celebration of culinary delights from May 3rd to May 12th. This mouthwatering event promises to tantalize taste buds while supporting a meaningful cause, with all proceeds benefiting Jewish for Good’s Food Pantry. Get all the details of the week here. 

• Peck & Plume at The Mayton in Cary is hosting Ginspiration, an exclusive gin tasting from Sutler’s Spirit Co., from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 9. Guests will enjoy three beverages highlighting gin from this Winston-Salem, N.C. distillery alongside three bites from Peck & Plume’s executive chef Jason Daniels. Tickets cost $45 per person. Get tickets and all the details here.

• The News & Observer reminded us that the Frankie Lemon School and Developmental Center will hold their 2nd Annual Gettin’ Piggy With It event on Saturday, May 18th and Sunday, May 19th once again at Maywood Hall & Garden. The event is hosted by Lawrence Barbecue and Trophy Brewing. This festival celebrates 15 pitmasters from across the country. Tickets start at $100 and go on sale TODAY, Friday, April 19. Get all the details here.

• And if that is not enough pig for you, Saturday May 18th is also the date for the 17th Annual Carolina Pig Jig as part of the Got To Be NC Festival at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds (11 a.m. until 2 p.m.). All-You-Can-Eat BBQ tastings, hush puppies, slaw, and more! This annual BBQ competition features 25 teams from across NC all vying for your vote for the coveted People’s Choice Award. The event benefits the Masonic Home for Children and the Central Children’s Home. Visit their Facebook events page for tickets and all the details.

• My buddy Neha Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, shared that the annual Farm to Fork Picnic, celebrating local food and local farms, will take place Sunday, June 2 from 4pm – 7pm, again at Fearrington Village. Get details and tickets here. 

• Tickets are on sale now for the 9th Annual Dinner in the Meadow which will take place on September 15, 2024 on a grassy knoll atMeadow Lane Farm, in bucolic Franklin County, offering beautiful pastoral views and clear, starry skies. Some of the region’s most sought-after chefs will be preparing delicious dishes using ingredients from local farms and food artisans. It is an annual fundraiser for the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2014 to support and cultivate small farms in our region of North Carolina. Get tickets and all the details here.

Food Bank Corner

• No doubt we live in a wonderful corner of the world. But here are some things to remember and not forget. Right now, one in five people in central and eastern North Carolina don’t have enough to eat. The Food Bankprovided over 88 million meals to families and individuals last year. The Food Bank’s partner agency network has reported up to a 60% increase in neighbors visiting for food assistance. The need is real and right here in our backyard. Consider helping in 2024. See how here.

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

Featured Restaurant News

• Over in Carrboro, Bru Public House is set to open their second Triangle-area location. Following several soft-open nights this week, they will officially open this Saturday, April 20th in the former Hickory Tavern spot on the ground floor of the Hampton Inn & Suites at 370-110 E. Main Street. The space has been completely renovated. Expect the same menu as Bru’s Raleigh location—think shareable plates, sandwiches, pizza, and salads, alongside a full bar featuring cocktails, wine, and the concept’s impressive craft beer and bourbon selections. The Raleigh location opened near the PNC Arena in 2021. Get to know them here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Down in Garner, some exciting news for fans of Chubby’s Tacos. They are now open inside the Garner/Clayton WalMart on Hwy. 42 (the exact address is 5141 NC-42, Garner, N.C. if you want to plug it into your GPS). And don’t expect this to be their only WalMart location…so stay tuned! Looks like their next locations will be in Morrisville and Wilmington, as well as a couple in Texas! Chubby’s also has locations in Raleigh and Durham. Congrats to Rudy Theale and his team! Get by today. Visit Chubby’s here.

• In Raleigh, RALtoday shared that Biscuit Belly, a chef-driven, fast-casual breakfast spot concept revolving around large biscuit sandwiches, will open at Seaboard Station on Tuesday, April 30. Based out of Kentucky, this is their first North Carolina location, with a second planned this summer in Charlotte. They are hosting a Grand Opening Party with giveaways on Friday, May 3. Visit them here.

• Up in Rolesville, WRAL shared that Sweetheart Treats, Raleigh’s Best Cupcake Gold Winner for 2022 and 2023, is having its grand opening this Saturday, April 20th from noon until 3 p.m. (or until sold out, so get there early!). They will be celebrating their new location with a community block party in Rolesville Plaza with $2 cupcakes, face painting, Kona Icee, a DJ, and shopping at Local Charm Boutique. Get familiar with their yumminess here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Out at Maple View Farm in Orange County changes are happening that we learned about thanks to an update from Chapelboro. They shared great detail on what majority owner Greg Bohlen envisions for the farm that is now Union Grove Farm. There is extensive detail in the article, but we’ll hit the “food” highlights here. First, the ice cream is not going anywhere! Second, they will open a coffee trailer (Blue Heeler Coffee) just across from the ice cream store. And the farm has become the first certified regenerative table grape farm in the United States. It features an 1800s style cabin constructed with modern amenities available to rent, there is a wedding venue a mile from the main farm house, and up next, the business is looking to establish a distillery on site. Read the full article here.

Closings

• Sad to share the news that the Raleigh location of Armadillo Grill has closed. That’s the bad news. The good news is that their original location in Carrboro remains open and thriving. Also of note, they will honor all their current catering obligations (running those out of the Carrboro store). Visit them here.

• Up in Hillsborough, Chapelboro shared that the Hot Tin Roof indicated on Facebook that they are planning to permanently close on Tuesday, April 30.

• And Chapelboro also shared that the Great Harvest Bread Company location at 229 South Elliott Road in Chapel Hill will formally close its normal operations today, Friday, April 19th.

Food Trucks

• Looking to find your favorite food truck (or stalking them and simply don’t want to have to admit it)? We understand. Find them on Street Food Finder here.

Events

• A couple of really fun annual events coming up in downtown Raleigh. First up, the 14th Annual ‘Cuegrass Festival (which raises money for SAFEchild) will be held on Fayetteville Street THIS Saturday, April 20th from 12-6 p.m. And if you are not ready to be done at 6 p.m., join them for the “after party” at The Raleigh Times on Hargett Street from 6 until 10 p.m. And another favorite the following weekend – Brewgaloo, a craft beer festival, will be on the weekend of April 26 and 27, also on Fayetteville Street. Visit Cuegrass here and Brewgaloo here. 

• Also this Saturday and Sunday (April 20 & 21) the Triangle Lebanese-American Center will host the 24th Annual Lebanese Festival, featuring food, music, dance, beer and wine. It runs 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 until 6 p.m. on Sunday at 241 Horizon Drive. Best to visit them on Instagram here.

• And if that is not enough fun for one weekend, WRAL reminded us that the Holly Springs Chamber is hosting SpringsFest this Saturday, April 20th from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in downtown Holly Springs. It is a free outdoor festival featuring over 100 vendors, downtown businesses, food trucks, live music, local breweries, kid’s activities and entertainment, and a car show. Get all the details here. Get all the details here.

• Preeti Waas has started to add classes and events to her space in North Raleigh, Cheeni Indian Food Emporium. While the Raleigh location no longer operates as a cafe (they do have food to grab and go…or enjoy in the space), it will be a space for events and classes. To see the classes and events they have already scheduled, visit their events page here. While you are there, sign-up to receive their emails so you won’t miss any upcoming events. 

• Guests are invited to experience a delicious multi-course dinner with James Beard Foundation winner chef Ricky Moore, who will take attendees on a culinary journey across North Carolina in support of KIPP NC schools. The “Cookoff for Education” will take place at Saltbox Seafood Joint at 2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. in Durham on April 29. KIPP NC is an eight-school region of the national Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP). Funds raised through sponsorships and ticket sales will be an investment in North Carolina’s current and future students, teachers and educational leaders. You can find more details here. 

• Get ready to indulge in a delectable journey through Jewish cuisine as Jewish for Good proudly presents Jewish Food Week, a week-long celebration of culinary delights from May 3rd to May 12th. This mouthwatering event promises to tantalize taste buds while supporting a meaningful cause, with all proceeds benefiting Jewish for Good’s Food Pantry. Get all the details of the week here. 

• The News & Observer reminded us that the Frankie Lemon School and Developmental Center will hold their 2nd Annual Gettin’ Piggy With It event on Saturday, May 18th and Sunday, May 19th once again at Maywood Hall & Garden. The event is hosted by Lawrence Barbecue and Trophy Brewing. This festival celebrates 15 pitmasters from across the country. Tickets start at $100 and go on sale TODAY, Friday, April 19. Get all the details here.

• And if that is not enough pig for you, Saturday May 18th is also the date for the 17th Annual Carolina Pig Jig as part of the Got To Be NC Festival at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds (11 a.m. until 2 p.m.). All-You-Can-Eat BBQ tastings, hush puppies, slaw, and more! This annual BBQ competition features 25 teams from across NC all vying for your vote for the coveted People’s Choice Award. The event benefits the Masonic Home for Children and the Central Children’s Home. Visit their Facebook events page for tickets and all the details.

• My buddy Neha Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, shared that the annual Farm to Fork Picnic, celebrating local food and local farms, will take place Sunday, June 2 from 4pm – 7pm, again at Fearrington Village. Get details and tickets here. 

• Tickets are on sale now for the 9th Annual Dinner in the Meadow which will take place on September 15, 2024 on a grassy knoll atMeadow Lane Farm, in bucolic Franklin County, offering beautiful pastoral views and clear, starry skies. Some of the region’s most sought-after chefs will be preparing delicious dishes using ingredients from local farms and food artisans. It is an annual fundraiser for the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2014 to support and cultivate small farms in our region of North Carolina. Get tickets and all the details here.

Food Bank Corner

• No doubt we live in a wonderful corner of the world. But here are some things to remember and not forget. Right now, one in five people in central and eastern North Carolina don’t have enough to eat. The Food Bankprovided over 88 million meals to families and individuals last year. The Food Bank’s partner agency network has reported up to a 60% increase in neighbors visiting for food assistance. The need is real and right here in our backyard. Consider helping in 2024. See how here.