Featured Restaurant News
- Bull City is coming to Cary! Well, Bull City Ciderworks is coming to Cary to open Cary Cider Cocktail Bar. That’s right, buddy Keri McCauley brought it to my attention that Bull City Cider will be opening a taproom in downtown Cary right across the street from Pizzeria Faulisi and Bond Brothers. The front half of the building is the renovated/relocated Williams House, and the back half is new design and modern. But here’s the real twist: they won’t just be selling cider like usual, they will also be selling cider cocktails. The location will feature tons of natural lighting and plenty of outdoor space. Look for them to open this summer. Follow their progress here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- And if that is not enough bubbly news for Cary, the folks over at RalToday brought it to our attention that Bond Brothers Brewery, which originally announced they were opening a second location in 2019, will be opening the new taproom’s doors just in time for my birthday on April 17. The new location, dubbed Eastside, will be located at 602 E. Chatham Street where visitors can expect a more intimate setting with live music and art. Follow their progress on Instagram here.
- Continuing with Cary, Twitter buddy BurgeoningBaker let me know that Masa, a sushi and ramen spot, has opened at 2757 NC Highway 55. You can visit them online here.
- Also in Cary, Twitter follower Matt Christ notified us that Sobol, a new acai bowl and smoothie spot, had their grand opening this week. They are located at the corner of Tryon and Walnut at 8204 Tryon Wood Drive. Visit them on Facebook here.
- And so it is official. As the folks from Fine Folk have been “figuring” things out over the last year, they just announced on Instagram that they have signed a lease for a “forever” home in the former Brew location just behind Union Special in Gateway Plaza. Look for them to open late this summer! In the meantime, enjoy them out of Union Special Wednesday thru Saturday nights. Follow them on Instagram for all their updates.
- Out in Brier Creek, RalToday noted that the Flying Biscuit Cafe will open a second Triangle-area location here in Raleigh (original location is in Village District). It will be located adjacent to the Mellow Mushroom. No word yet on an open date. Follow their progress on their Facebook page here.
- On Glenwood South in downtown Raleigh, Raleigh Convergence noted that Pine State Public House is now open (410 Glenwood Ave., Suite 300 to be exact). The space features a large patio, live music, craft beer and cocktails. You can visit them online here.
- Looking for all the outdoor dining options in Downtown Raleigh? The Downtown Raleigh Alliance has put together a great list of those options, and they even divided it up by district. Check out that list here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- The folks over at Bites of Bull City delivered the good news to us that Audrey and Nathan Simons. who started Simons Says Spread This, an artisanal nut spread company making European-style nut butters, will soon be opening an ice cream shop with lots of different chocolate-based dip flavors and a variety of toppings! Look for Simons Says Dip This to open later this spring. It will be located in the heart of downtown Durham in One City Center between Bulldega and Loaf Bakery, facing The Unscripted Hotel. Visit them here.
- Over in Chapel Hill, a quick update. Chapel Hill Magazine shared that Osteria Georgi, the collaboration between Giorgios Hospitality Group and chef/partner Daniel Jackson, is aiming to open by the end of next month! The restaurant will be located at 201 South Elliot Road in Chapel Hill, in the former Living Kitchen space. The concept will feature indoor and outdoor dining and an Italian-centric menu and wine list. The restaurant will start with dinner and later expand to include lunch and breakfast. Follow their progress on Facebook here.
- And here are a couple of wonderful resources for those looking to dine in downtown Durham or downtown Chapel Hill – Downtown Durham Inc. has an up-to-date listing of the status of each restaurant in downtown Durham. Check out the list here. And the Downtown Chapel Hill Partnership has put together a similar list for Chapel Hill here.
Closings / Cancellations
- None to report. Keep eating local, folks!
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
- As if you need another reason to get your Covid 19 vaccine, here’s a very sweet reason. Beginning this week at Krispy Kreme, anyone who shows their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card receives a free Original Glazed® doughnut. And you can do this every day for the duration of the promotion. One donut a day sound pretty good to me! Available in the shop or drive-thru. Here are all the details.
- And not really an event, but more of an “opening” of outdoor dining, downtown Apex restaurants and cafes will soon be moving tables and chairs outside again, so their customers can enjoy spring weather and a safer dining option. Beginning Monday, March 29, more than a dozen parallel parking spaces will once again be converted to outdoor seating areas. As with the 2020 Parking-to-Dining program, this is a temporary conversion of some parallel parking. Orange safety barriers will be placed along N. Salem Street to block off the 13 spaces. Start making plans to visit downtown Apex!
- On March 31, make plans to visit your nearest location of Jersey Mike’s as they celebrate their “Day of Giving” where 100% of sales will be donated to local charities. Not just the profit from each sale, they are donating 100% of the price you pay for any item on the menu. All Jersey Mike’s are participating. #JerseyMikesGives Find your closes Jersey Mike’s here.
- Our friends over at RalToday pointed out a few events you might want to go ahead and get on your calendar. So exciting to think of some of our favorite events actually happening in 2021! First up, Raleigh Veg Fest 2021 originally scheduled for April 4 has moved to October 31 in downtown Raleigh’s Moore Square. Details here. And Brewgaloo is scheduled for June 11 & 12 in downtown Raleigh. Details here.
Food Bank Corner
- Thanks to generous friends of the Food Bank, your gift to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina can be matched – dollar for dollar – up to $340,000. That’s right, through March 31 your donation can provide twice as many balanced meals to neighbors experiencing hunger right now. This 2X Matching Gift Challenge couldn’t have come at a more meaningful time. This month marks one year since the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted our daily lives and caused food insecurity in our service area to soar higher than the Great Recession. After a year of missing paychecks due to layoffs, furloughs, or reduced hours, we know families are wondering how they will continue to afford rent and utilities — and food. Double your gift today here! But because of you, there’s hope. #noonegoeshungry