TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

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

Featured Restaurant News

•  It has arrived. Shake Shack will open its first Triangle-area location on Wednesday, August 21st at 11 a.m. The Shack is located in Waverly Place at 310 Colonades Way. Shake Shack is a modern day “roadside” burger stand known for its 100% all-natural Angus beef burgers, chicken sandwiches and griddled flat-top dogs (no hormones or antibiotics – ever), fresh-made frozen custard, crispy crinkle cut fries and more. Since the original Shack opened in 2004 in NYC’s Madison Square Park, the company has expanded to more than 230 locations in 26 U.S. States and the District of Columbia, including more than 70 international locations across London, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Dubai, Philippines, Singapore, Mexico, Tokyo, Moscow, Seoul and more. The first 100 people in line when doors open at 11 a.m. will receive custom Shake Shack swag. Get all the details here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• The opening of Scott Crawford’s newest restaurant, Jolie, a French bistro located in historic Oakwood, will happen “any day now.” They have hosted some private events and they shared that they were just issued their certificate of occupancy. Check out their website here or keep up with their Instagram page for the pending announcement.

• Brew Coffee Shop provided some building updates on their Facebook page this week on their two new locations. They have plumbing going in both locations and hope to have some walls in the next few weeks! The location at McNeill Pointe is looking to open in early October; and the Gateway Plaza location is looking to open in early November. Best way to keep up with their progress is through their Facebook page here.

• Got word this week that Locals Oyster Bar at Transfer Company Food Hall recently launched their full service dinner menu. Beyond their existing food hall offerings, guests can enjoy an intimate dining experience with seafood-driven dishes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Guests can dine at the restaurant between 5-10pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Check it out here.

• Back in July we shared the news that Raleigh’s first Growler USA had closed. But we have now learned that they have reopened as Riddle Raleigh at 314 S. Blount Street, a trivia-focused bar and restaurant. A soft opening was held earlier this month, with plans for a grand opening on August 30. Get to know them here and get details on their grand opening.

• Over in Wake Forest, a loyal reader pointed out to us that we are getting close to the opening of Anthony Bowman’s Smoky Tony’s BBQ at 101 S. White Street. Anthony learned his craft in the art of Mexican Pit Barbacoa and his restaurant will feature baby back ribs, pork loin, pulled pork, smoked chicken, beef brisket, beef ribs, cornish game hens, fried chicken, banana pudding and cobblers. Yummmmm! After a six-week construction delay, they are pushing to be open late September or early October. Keep up with their progress here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• The Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership spread the glorious news that the legendary Ye Olde Waffle Shop has re-opened after being closed, due to a water leak discovered in the almost 100-year-old building during town construction work in Post Office Alley. Stop by and say hi to Melissa and Linda Chris, and support a Chapel Hill institution that has been a gathering place since 1972! Visit them here.

• Also on Franklin Street, noticed that Peno Mediterranean Grill has opened just in time for the students at 105 E. Franklin Street, right next door to Sup Dogs in the former Tama Cafe spot. The new Chapel Hill location will be the seventh for the franchise. Their menu includes gyrö sandwiches, wraps and bowls. Their site also indicates a location is coming to Raleigh. Get to know them here.

• Here is what we know. Chef Teddy Diggs’ Carrboro-based Coronato Pizza has shared that the new establishment will open in August. Folks, there are just two weeks left in August. We are getting close! It will feature the only Roman-style pizza in North Carolina; a crispy, thin, almost cracker-like crust pizza that Diggs embellishes with good quality extra virgin olive oil and a diverse range of ingredients inspired by both local farmers and Roman traditions. Pies are served with a selection of local craft beers and ciders, prosecco and spritz on tap, and noteworthy Italian wines. We ready! The website is here, but you might want to follow the social media sites for the pending announcement.

Closings

• Learned from reader Kristin Stewart that the Pei Wei in Apex closed at the end of July. Looks like there are still 3 locations here in the Triangle.

Food Trucks 

• The RDU Mobile Food Association (RDUMFA) is holding their third annual Tacopalooza food truck rodeo and competition this Sunday, August 18 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Knightdale Station located at 810 N First Ave. in Knightdale. The taco-filled day will feature 13 food trucks highlighting the best tacos in the Triangle. The following trucks will be in attendance: Poblanos Tacos; Sweet Escape by Plabanos; Succotash Durham; La Repùblica; Bruster’s Ice Cream Truck; Bandido’s ; Kono Raleigh; Tacos Las Gringas; Jam Ice Cream; El Jefecito; The 13th Taco; Qspresso; and Gonza Tacos y Tequila. Visit their Facebook event page here for all the details.

• Thanks to a note from Mark Ginsberg, I learned that the Knightdale Food Truck Thursdays is back up for the season. The event is held the third Thursday of the month from April through October at Knightdale Station Park for lunch AND dinner. Get all the details, truck schedule and more here.

• The remaining two dates for the 2019 Durham Food Truck rodeos are September 1 and November 3! Get all the details here.

• And the remaining two dates for the 2019 edition of the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo are: Sunday Oct 6th – 12-6pm; and the make-up date on November 10th. All are held along Fayetteville Street. Get all the details here.

Events

• The annual two-day Triangle Vegfest is this weekend, August 17 -18 in downtown Durham at the Durham Armory and at the Durham Arts Council PSI Theater. It is a fully vegan event embracing a plant-based lifestyle and features speakers, 70+ vendors, cooking demos, food trucks, live music, a kids zone and more. Admission is free. Get all the details on the two-day event on their website here.

• Underground Kitchen, the popular Richmond, Va.-based experiential dinner series, returns to Raleigh August 24 to debut its new food tour, “The New Americana.” Raleigh-based Lemar Farrington will be the featured chef for the evening. If you are not familiar with UGK, it is a one-night-only event, held at an undisclosed location (location is shared a few days before), featuring up-and-coming chefs and creative, multi-course dinners with wine pairings. The menu is kept secret until the night of. Oh, and it ALWAYS sells out, so act quickly. Get tickets here.

• Mandolin Restaurant will host their next Mandolin Wine Mixer on Saturday, September 7 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 2519 Fairview Rd. in Raleigh. There you will be able to taste over 60 fine wines, savor a variety of hors d’oeuvres, support the through raffled wine and gift certificates and purchase select wines at exclusive discounts. Tickets are $25. Get tickets and all the details here.

• Heard on NPR about the 6th Annual Dinner in the Meadow coming up on Sunday, September 8th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event benefits the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, which provides grants to encourage and support small farms. The Dinner setting sits atop a grassy knoll in the meadow of Meadow Lane Farm at 571 Leonard Farm Road in Louisburg. Get tickets and all the details on their website here.

• The third annual Savor the Triangle Food Festival produced by Mix 101.5 will again be held at the Kerr Scott building at the NC State Fairgrounds this year on Wednesday, September 18th from 6-9 p.m. Savor the Triangle Food Festival is a culinary event with the opportunity to sample many of the Triangle’s most delicious foods and drinks all in one place. Get all the details and early bird discounted tickets here.

• It was recently announced that one of Chatham County’s largest food festivals, the 12th Annual Pittsboro Pepperfest, is returning to main street in downtown Pittsboro. The date for this year’s event is Sunday, September 22 from 3 – 6 p.m. So go ahead and mark your calendar to spend your afternoon in historic, downtown Pittsboro. Get all the details here.

• This is it. Your last chance. I’ve been touting this amazing event that Colleen Minton dreamed up 10 years ago and now we are at the 10th and FINAL Terra Vita Food & Drink Festival in Chapel Hill October 16-19, 2019. Yep, you read that right. This is the grand finale. There will be no more. And heed my last (and final) warning – tickets will not last. If you’ve never been – GO! If you’ve been, don’t miss the last one. If you don’t know, it is a multi-day celebration that brings together top chefs, food artisans, sommeliers, baristas, brewers, educators, distillers, cookbook authors and industry luminaries from across the Southeast to celebrate culinary excellence and sustainability in food and drink. Get tickets and details here on all the events that week.

• On Sunday, November 3rd, more than 30 of the Triangle’s finest restaurants will be paired with world-class wines at the third annual Sip + Savor – A Wine, Food and Music Experience.  Sip + Savor will showcase 30+ culinary all-stars, sommeliers, on-stage experience with live music, VIP lounge, and more. Get all the details and tickets here.

Food Bank Corner

• Looking for a way your office can make a direct difference in people’s lives? But time is limited? We’ve got the perfect answer for you – coordinate an office-wide Virtual Food Drive! Forget the hassle of a trip to the grocery store for your next food drive… “Shop” with the Food Bank through our Virtual Food Drive and maximize your donation times ten! For every dollar donated, the Food Bank can provide $10.00 worth of food or five meals. Over half a million people in the 34 counties we serve struggle with food insecurity. You can make a difference in your community by hosting a Virtual Food Drive for your friends, family members or coworkers. It is simple! Get all the details here.

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

Featured Restaurant News

• Learned from NC Triangle Dining that a new Italian spot has opened in downtown Durham at 104 City Hall Plaza called Convivio Restaurant and Wine Bar. They are currently in soft-opening mode. Owned by executive chef Paolo Gavazza and sommelier Giuseppe Cagnoni, it is a traditional and authentic Italian restaurant featuring dry aged, locally sourced NC meats and fish and the very best wines found locally and worldwide. Gavazza is an alumnus of Alma, one of the most prestigious culinary schools in Italy and worked for a Michelin Star Restaurant in Rome. Cagnoni has 20 years of restaurant experience including owning restaurants in Miami and San Francisco. Get to know them here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• This is it. Who is ready for the opening of Andrew Ullom’s Union Special Bread retail location in the redeveloped Gateway Plaza off Crabtree Boulevard? This is opening weekend! How good will it be? Let’s put it this way, his closing time isn’t a set hour. His closing time is “sold out.” In other words, they will be open as long as the goodness is around. In further words, get there EARLY! On Saturday, check-in around noon to see what is available for the 2 p.m. blow out. And Sunday morning, the madness begins at 8 a.m. until…well, you know, everything is gone! Bread, pastry, cookies, Counter Culture Coffee on the drip and Slingshot Coffee on the keg. Their Facebook page is likely the best way to keep up.

• Got word this week that following the recent openings of O-Ku Sushi and Oak Steakhouse in downtown Raleigh, The Indigo Road Hospitality Group is excited to announce continued expansion in the Triangle with its Italian concept Colletta. It is expected to open in 2021 at Fenton in Cary and will be the second location with the original location north of Atlanta in Alpharetta, Georgia. Drawing influence largely from Northern Italy, Colletta Cary’s cuisine will put a twist on treasured classics while introducing modern culinary techniques with the changing seasons. Menu highlights will include housemade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, cheeses and other hand-crafted ingredients. It is the latest restaurant to call Fenton home, joining Ford Fry’s popular Tex-Mex concept Superica and Scott Crawford’s newest steakhouse Crawford Brothers. Get familiar with them here.

• The summer pop-up fun continues through the summer where you can get a sneak preview of kō*än at their sister restaurant so*ca in Cameron Village! Follow them on Instagram here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• In Chapel Hill, got word from the Burgeoningbaker (Twitter) that a concept called Hawkers, featuring Asian street fare, is coming to University Place. The owners were inspired by their travels to Asia and memories of growing up, craving the unapologetic flavors of true Asian food-dumplings with bounce, spicy curries, crisp pork belly, etc. When in Asia, they knew the best dishes were on the streets from hawker stalls, thus the name. This is the second North Carolina location and the first in the Triangle (other NC location is in Charlotte). Get familiar with the Orlando concept here.

• And one final note from Chapel Hill, if you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own burger joint, we learned from Neal DePersia at National Restaurant Properties that Buns Burger and Fries, which has enjoyed over nine years of success on Columbia Street near the intersection with Franklin Street, is up for sale. Check out their website for details.

• On a recent outing in Durham, noticed that a Tandoori Bites Indian Kitchen is moving into the Dickey’s BBQ spot in the New Hope Commons shopping center at 5311 New Hope Commons Drive. They also have a location in Wilmington. Sign is up and it looks like a lot is happening inside. I was told the are targeting the first week in September for an opening, so stay tuned. Check out their Facebook page here.

Closings

• Spike’s Hot Chicken in Carrboro (also formerly the Meatball Shoppe) has closed. The new owner is redecorating and said it’s going to be a Thai restaurant soon. Thanks for the tip Julie!

Food Trucks 

• Got word from reader Stephen Head that there is a new food truck that has been sighted mostly in and around Chapel Hill called Mike’s Vegan Hotdogs. Most of the time you can find them at 102 Merrill Mill Road near the intersection with W. Franklin Street. Check out their Facebook page here.

• Thanks to a note from Mark Ginsberg, I learned that the Knightdale Food Truck Thursdays is back up for the season. The event is held the third Thursday of the month from April through October at Knightdale Station Park for lunch AND dinner. Get all the details, truck schedule and more here.

• The remaining two dates for the 2019 Durham Food Truck rodeos are September 1 and November 3! Get all the details here.

• And the remaining two dates for the 2019 edition of the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo are: Sunday Oct 6th – 12-6pm; and the make-up date on November 10th. All are held along Fayetteville Street. Get all the details here.

Events

•  Here is an event we can get behind. On Saturday, August 10th the town of Morrisville will change its name to S’Morrisville as they honor and enjoy the delicious snacks made famous at campfires everywhere. This event takes place all over S’Morrisville with activities at four different sites. There will be music, games, t-shirts to win and, of course, lots of s’mores to enjoy. Get all the details on their Facebook event page here.

• The Downtown Raleigh Alliance shared this week that the dates have been set for the Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week which will be held August 12-18. Go ahead and mark your calendars. Here is their website which will be updated with additional details and participating restaurants as we get closer to the date.

• Underground Kitchen, the popular Richmond, Va.-based experiential dinner series, returns to Raleigh August 24 to debut its new food tour, “The New Americana.” Raleigh-based Lemar Farrington will be the featured chef for the evening. If you are not familiar with UGK, it is a one-night-only event, held at an undisclosed location (location is shared a few days before), featuring up-and-coming chefs and creative, multi-course dinners with wine pairings. The menu is kept secret until the night of. Oh, and it ALWAYS sells out, so act quickly. Get tickets here.

• The third annual Savor the Triangle Food Festival produced by Mix 101.5 will again be held at the Kerr Scott building at the NC State Fairgrounds this year on Wednesday, September 18th from 6-9 p.m. Savor the Triangle Food Festival is a culinary event with the opportunity to sample many of the Triangle’s most delicious foods and drinks all in one place. Get all the details and early bird discounted tickets here.

• It was recently announced that one of Chatham County’s largest food festivals, the 12th Annual Pittsboro Pepperfest, is returning to main street in downtown Pittsboro. The date for this year’s event is Sunday, September 22 from 3 – 6 p.m. So go ahead and mark your calendar to spend your afternoon in historic, downtown Pittsboro. Get all the details here.

• This is it. Your last chance. I’ve been touting this amazing event that Colleen Minton dreamed up 10 years ago and now we are at the 10th and FINAL Terra Vita Food & Drink Festival in Chapel Hill October 16-19, 2019. Yep, you read that right. This is the grand finale. There will be no more. And heed my last (and final) warning – tickets will not last. If you’ve never been – GO! If you’ve been, don’t miss the last one. If you don’t know, it is a multi-day celebration that brings together top chefs, food artisans, sommeliers, baristas, brewers, educators, distillers, cookbook authors and industry luminaries from across the Southeast to celebrate culinary excellence and sustainability in food and drink. Get tickets and details here on all the events that week.

• On Sunday, November 3rd, more than 30 of the Triangle’s finest restaurants will be paired with world-class wines at the third annual Sip + Savor – A Wine, Food and Music Experience.  Sip + Savor will showcase 30+ culinary all-stars, sommeliers, on-stage experience with live music, VIP lounge, and more. Get all the details and tickets here.

Food Bank Corner

•  Looking for a way your office can make a direct difference in people’s lives? But time is limited? We’ve got the perfect answer for you – coordinate an office-wide Virtual Food Drive! Forget the hassle of a trip to the grocery store for your next food drive… “Shop” with the Food Bank through our Virtual Food Drive and maximize your donation times ten! For every dollar donated, the Food Bank can provide $10.00 worth of food or five meals. Over half a million people in the 34 counties we serve struggle with food insecurity. You can make a difference in your community by hosting a Virtual Food Drive for your friends, family members or coworkers. It is simple! Get all the details here.