Friday Fun Food Facts – June 26, 2015

Triangle Restaurant News

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

Featured Restaurant News

  • It used to be that things slowed down in July as far as restaurant news goes. But that doesn’t seem to be the case as evidenced by this week’s issue of the latest restaurant news. Enjoy! However, I will not put out a Friday Fun Food Facts next week, but I will return the following week. And I am very excited to announce that we have formed an exciting partnership that will allow us to provide even more restaurant news for you. So stay tuned for that as we unveil that partnership with our July 10th edition! Thanks for reading! Happy 4th of July and God Bless America!

Wake County Restaurant News

  •  Ashley Christensen announced this week that she has no plans to slow down. The News & Observer reported that she will open a Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pizza joint called PooleSide Pie and it will be adjacent to her Poole’s Diner (see what she did there?) on South McDowell Street in downtown Raleigh. No open date was given. Keep up with all of Ashley’s restaurants here.
  • The Triangle Business Journal reported this week that City Barbeque, the Ohio-based chain that entered the Triangle market last year with a location in Cary, has opened a new restaurant in Garner next to the new Cabela’s along U.S. 70 at 110 Cabela Drive. They also announced that they have plans to open a location in southwest Durham this November in the Kroger shopping center at the corner of Fayetteville Road and Highway 54. Check them out here.
  • The Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Brixx Wood Fired Pizza opened its second Cary restaurant. The new restaurant is in the Bradford apartment and retail complex at Davis Drive and High House Road. In addition to the two Cary locations, Brixx has locations in Cameron Village and Brier Creek in Raleigh and Meadowmont Village in Chapel Hill. Visit Brixx here.
  • Also in Cary, the News & Observer’s Andrea Weigl reported this week that the long-anticipated Ruckus Pizza, Pasta & Spirits opened yesterday in the Arboretum at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Weston Parkway in the former Bella Mia space. This marks the 4th Ruckus location. Check them out here.
  •  Last week we reported that Diced Gourmet Salads & Wraps, a new locally owned, quick-service restaurant, was open at 1377 Kildaire Farm Road in Cary. That is not true and we apologize for any inconvenience and false expectations we created. But, we have learned from Diced directly that they are opening “sometime in July” – so stay tuned. Here is another sneak peek.
  •  Thanks to reader Ashley Mills we learned that Nazara Indian Bistro is coming to Cary in the old Lowe’s Food shopping center near the intersection of Davis Drive and High House. No word yet on an open date, and not much up on their Facebook page yet, but we’ll keep an eye on it. Thanks Ashley!

Durham, Orange & Chatham County Restaurant News 

  • This is some exciting news. Durham’s Pulcinella’s Italian Restaurant (in the Woodcroft Shopping Center) is opening up a second location next month over in Chapel Hill. Here’s the twist. It will be a bit smaller and won’t carry the same menu (due to space limitations) and it will be called Magone Italian Grill & Pizza. It will be in the Timberlyne Shopping Center in the space previously occupied by PizzaVito. Check them out on Facebook here.
  • And speaking of the Woodcroft Shopping Center, I noticed the other day that Guacamaya (formerly known and loved as Chubby’s Tacos) is moving into a larger space in the same shopping center (over next to West 94th St. Pub). No word yet on the move date. Check them out here.
  • Also in Durham, the Triangle Business Journal reported that Gregoria’s Cuban Steakhouse in Durham will close July 3, to be reopened two weeks later as a new restaurant featuring Latin American tapas, entrees, desserts and cocktails. Chef Douglas Rodriguez, in partnership with restaurateur Fares Hanna, will open Mesa Latin Kitchen at 2701 Hillsborough Road on July 17. Not much yet on their website. But you have until July 3rd to eat one more time at Gregoria’s!
  • On Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, the Burgeoning Baker sent me a photo via Twitter that there is a “Noodle House” coming soon in the former location of Mei Asian. No further information is available at this time, but we’ll keep an eye on it.
  • Over in Carrboro, I was given the heads up that we are just about 3 weeks away from the opening of Café Symmetry in Carrboro’s Carr Mill Mall. It is owned by the same folks at Elmo’s and will go into the space formerly occupied by Panzanella’s. Check out some of their updates on Facebook here.
  • The folks over at ChickenWireNC announced this week their next “pop-up” event on July 19 will be a Glazed & Confused Tasting Picnic in Pittsboro. The festival-like event will feature 20 chefs, over 20 artisans, 5 local brewers, 3 distillers, 3 wine distributors, a kids’ tent, silent auction, and live music by the Onyx Club Boys! Tickets will go fast (VIP tickets are already sold out). Get tickets and all the details here.

Closings 

  • WRAL broke the news this week that Natty Greene’s is closing its Jones Street restaurant location effective Aug. 1 and will be going out with a big party. A change in landlords and an increase in rent prompted the decision. No word on what will happen with the space, but rumors are swirling. Too early to comment at this point.
  • Got word this week, and confirmed on their Facebook page, that Triangle Brewing Company Pint & Plate on Main Street in downtown Durham has made the decision to close. Please note, this is just the Pint & Plate that is closing, the brewery continues!

Food Trucks 

  • Got word this week from Lexi Hayes and Kim Walker directly that they are debuting a new food truck here in the Triangle on Sunday, June 28th called Greedy’Z Cheesesteaks & Hoagies (these ladies are all Philly!) Their grand opening will be from 12 pm to 6 pm at 3530 S. Alston Ave. in Durham and they will have a raffle, games, temporary tattoos for the family and food galore. Stop by and welcome these two ladies from Philly and try out their sammiches! Check them out here.
  • I don’t cover 4th of July events, but when they combine with a large number of food trucks, it is worth a mention. Knightdale’s Second Annual July 4th Celebration at Knightdale Station Park will not only feature fireworks, family activities and music from The Embers, but over 30 local food trucks. The event begins at 5 and will conclude with fireworks at 9:15. Get all the details and a full listing of trucks here. Here’s a complete listing of 4th of July events on The Triangle Explorer’s blog.
  • Wake Forest will hold their next Food Truck Rodeo on Sunday, July 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Renaissance Place at 450 S. Brooks Street in historic downtown. In addition to all the trucks, look for a beer tent provided by Brooks Street Bowl, a Kid’s Zone and live music. Get all the details here.
  • For a listing of ALL food truck events, head over to Art’s page, The Wandering Sheppard on all things food truck related here.

Events

  • On Saturday, June 27th, the Carolina Ale House (downtown on Glenwood South – 500 Glenwood Avenue) will host a Beer, Bourbon and BBQ event called The Spirited Pig Summer Shindig to benefit Helping Hand Mission. The $30 all-inclusive ticket includes 4 local breweries, food and bourbon stations, live music and a souvenir tasting glass. Purchase tickets here. Get all the details on their Facebook page here.
  • Clear your schedule for June 25-28, 2015 for the inaugural Raleigh Food and Wine Festival – taking place Thursday through Sunday at multiple restaurants throughout downtown Raleigh. On Sunday, the four-day program wraps up with food and beverage tasting event at the historical Melrose Knitting Mill and Babylon restaurant in Downtown Raleigh from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Get all the details at the event’s website here.
  • I often find myself in a pickle, but I’ve never been to a “pickle” event. You? Now’s your chance as The Rickhouse on Foster Street in Durham will host PickleFest Durham on July 25th from noon until 3 p.m. The event is free and will bring together the areas pickle makers and enthusiasts along with restaurants, food trucks, food bloggers, farmers and canners and the N&O’s Andrea Weigl (author of Pickles & Preserves). Get all the details on their Facebook event page here.
  • The dates are set (October 8-10) for one of my favorite food events of the year – the TerraVita Food & Drink Festival held in Chapel Hill every year. It simply can’t be missed. Tickets are set to go on sale soon! Take a look at all the initial details here.

Food Bank Corner   

  • West 94th St. Pub in southwest Durham will host the 2nd Annual Grill Master Cook Off Competition to benefit the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. They are calling all local “Grill Masters” to show off their “grillin” skills on Saturday, July 11, 2015 from 9am- 4pm. The food will be donated by West 94th St Pub and the secret ingredient will be provided by TOPO. Each contestant will be required to cook onsite, 2-3 whole chickens with TOPO’s secret Ingredient. The registration deadline to cook is July 6th. For more information or to get involved contact Kerry Bryant at 919-403-0025 or email [email protected].

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Friday Fun Food Facts – June 19, 2015

Triangle Restaurant News

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

Featured Restaurant News 

  • The News & Observer reported this week that Raleigh’s historic Person Street Pharmacy reopened this past Monday with chef Chad McIntyre (formerly chef/proprietor of Market restaurant) at the helm of the cafe. The restaurant’s hours expand tomorrow to 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Check them out here. Or you can follow them on Facebook here.

Wake County Restaurant News

  •  The Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Diced Gourmet Salads & Wraps, a new locally owned, quick-service restaurant, is now open at 1377 Kildaire Farm Road in Cary. They are open for lunch and dinner. You can check them out here.
  • My friend John Huisman (aka Triangle Explorer) tipped me off to the fact that Sardi’s Den, a rib joint out of Clemson, South Carolina, opened this week in Brennan Station shopping center on Creedmoor Road (in the former location of Oliver Twist). Check them out here.
  • The News & Observer reported this week that Rocco Sammartino Jr. has reopened Tavern on the Green, a restaurant and bar at the clubhouse of the Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Garner (565 Competition Road to be exact). They are open breakfast, lunch and dinner. Check them out on Facebook here.
  • Got word this week that Level Up Kitchen and Barcadium is now serving lunch. They will be open Tuesday- Sunday starting at 11:30 am. They are located at 126 Salisbury Street, near the intersection with Hargett Street. Check them out here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham County Restaurant News 

  •  It was announced this week that The Durham Hotel at 315 East Chapel Hill Street will open their doors on July 10th. That is big news for downtown Durham, but I don’t typically report hotel openings. What is so spectacular about this hotel is that Andrea Reusing will have a restaurant, garden patio and rooftop bar here. However, we still don’t know the name. Can you feel the hype? Check out the hotel here.
  • Started seeing signs up around Chapel Hill this week announcing the opening of a new pizza joint in the East 54 complex called Brenz Pizza Company. With locations in Tennessee and Ohio, this is the first North Carolina location. Check them out here.
  • My friends over at Spanky’s Restaurant tipped me off to the fact that there is a Smoothie King is going in on Franklin St where Campus Calzones/Pita Pit used to be. As they pointed out, it is a chain, but at least it’s something different! Check out Smoothie King here.

Closings 

  • None to report this week! Keep eating local, folks!

Food Trucks 

  • The next Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo is the extremely popular (aren’t they all popular?) Father’s Day edition this Sunday, June 21 from 12-4 p.m. Get all the details here.
  • This is kind of fun. This Saturday (June 20), the North Carolina Museum of Art will show Chef as part of their outdoor movie series. The movie will begin at 9 p.m., but get their early for a mini-food truck rodeo featuring six (really, really good) trucks – American Meltdown, Chirba Chirba Dumpling, Only Burger, Cousins Maine Lobster, Citizen Pops and newcomer Two Roosters Ice Cream. Get ticketing information and all the details here.
  • If you live down in “The Quay” – Aviator Brewing Company is having another one of their food truck rodeo’s this Saturday (June 20) featuring four food trucks, music and some new beer releases. Things kick off at noon and last until 10 p.m. Check them out here.
  • For a listing of ALL food truck events, head over to Art’s page, The Wandering Sheppard on all things food truck related here.

Events

  • If you have time today and looking for a good lunch for a good cause, swing by the Kay Yow Cancer Fund office (in the parking lot) today from 11-1:30 for a grilled lunch from Firewurst. Called Flame-Grillin’ 4Kay, the cost is $6 per plate, or 2 for $10. They are located at 5121 Kingdom Way in Raleigh. Get more details here.
  • The 4th Annual Peak City Pig Fest is this Friday and Saturday (June 19 & 20) in downtown Apex. Cook teams from all over the country will come to compete against each other for prize money while cooking chicken, ribs, beef brisket and pork. 48 professional BBQ cook teams are expected to enter and compete for a total of more than $10,000 in prize money. Get all the details here. Please note, the Peak City Pig Fest is the only Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned event in the Triangle.
  • This Saturday (June 20th) is the 3rd annual Fresh Catch Festival and will be held in downtown Raleigh’s Moore Square from 1-9pm. Enjoy fresh cooked seafood, BBQ and more from local chefs and restaurants from 1-6 in the park and food trucks from 5-9 in the street. Tickets are $8 in advance, and $10 at the door (food and drinks are separate). Get all the details here.
  • Also on June 20th, Village Lanes, one of the oldest bowling alleys in Durham, is holding their Spring Fling featuring live music, cold beer, an art fair/craft market, and a diverse lineup of food trucks. The event runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Get all the details on Facebook here.
  • Got word from my friend Paul Amburn that the folks over at 214 Martin Street are holding an event called Dinner Al Fresco featuring a star-studded lineup of chefs – Matt Thompson, Dean Thompson and John Anderson. Tickets are $75. Get all the details and purchase tickets here (only 44 remain).
  • On Saturday, June 27th, the Carolina Ale House (downtown on Glenwood South – 500 Glenwood Avenue) will host a Beer, Bourbon and BBQ event called The Spirited Pig Summer Shindig to benefit Helping Hand Mission. The $30 all-inclusive ticket includes 4 local breweries, food and bourbon stations, live music and a souvenir tasting glass. Purchase tickets here. Get all the details on their Facebook page here.
  • Clear your schedule for June 25-28, 2015 for the inaugural Raleigh Food and Wine Festival – taking place Thursday through Sunday at multiple restaurants throughout downtown Raleigh. On Sunday, the four-day program wraps up with food and beverage tasting event at the historical Melrose Knitting Mill and Babylon restaurant in Downtown Raleigh from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Get all the details at the event’s website here.
  • The dates are set (October 8-10) for one of my favorite food events of the year – the TerraVita Food & Drink Festival held in Chapel Hill every year. It simply can’t be missed. Tickets are set to go on sale soon! Take a look at all the initial details here.

Food Bank Corner 

Part of a letter from Peter Werbicki, President & CEO of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina:

In just a few short weeks, school will be ending. Most kids will be headed to camp or going on family vacations. Unfortunately, over 300,000 children will not be focused on activities of fun and relaxation. These kids will be focused on one thing: an empty stomach.

When schools close for summer break, cafeterias close. Children who have relied on free and reduced-cost breakfast and lunch go without these meals during the summer. The loss of this vital resource puts an additional strain on family food budgets that are already tight.

But together, we can help.

The Food Bank’s Stop Summer Hunger Campaign aims to provide meals and groceries to children and their families over the summer months. Through July 31, we are committed to providing 3.2 million meals.

 

Click the link above to see how you can help!

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