Friday Fun Food Facts – December 16, 2022

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

Featured Restaurant News

  • Raleigh Magazine shared that Edit Beer Co. is days away from serving craft brews to northeast Raleigh. The new concept will be located at 1911 Sego Court off Atlantic Avenue and includes production space and a tasting room. They will feature 20 taps with rotating beer, cider and seltzer options along with a limited food menu in its taproom, with the dishes provided by its neighboring tenant Scooter’s Bar and Grill. They are eyeing the week of Dec. 19 for their opening, though the exact date is tentative. Congrats to husband and wife duo Brian and Angela Johnson and head brewer Jack DeHarpport. Keep up with them and any announcements on Instagram here.

Wake County Restaurant News

  • Over on Raleigh’s Lake Boone Trail there has been a change of ownership. Michael DePersia of DePersia & Associates shared the news that The Oak is under new ownership, having sold it to Marco Fregenal of Fathom Realty who is teaming up with Nick Giuggio of Apex Wings to keep the tradition of good bourbon and tasty bites going. Management is not changing, so expect the same quality and consistency. Visit The Oak here.
  • Folks in Cary will have a new Mexican dining option in 2023. We saw this week on Facebook that Fridas Patio is heading to the shopping center at 3470 Kildaire Farm Rd. tucked in the corner next to Dollar Tree and Publix. They tout themselves as a modern Mexican cuisine taking traditional Mexican dishes and infusing them with modern flavors. No word yet on an exact opening date. Keep up with them here.
  • On a recent visit to Guasaca in Morrisville I noticed new signage at the former Flyin’ Mayan spot (9928 Chapel Hill Rd) for a concept called Mamacitas Modern Mexican and Cocktails. Thanks to reader Sam Allison who did some digging, it looks to be a local concept from a couple of folks in Morrisville. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
  • Up in North Raleigh (almost Wake Forest) Triangle Explorer John Huisman shared that a new Raleigh Rolls is going in next to the Pickled Onion up in Wakefield. Looks like it is filling the old Sweet Spoons Froyo space. No word on an open date. Until then, you can enjoy them at Morgan Street Food Hall in downtown Raleigh. Follow along here.
  • Also in North Raleigh, reader Chuck Till shared that Fresko Greek Kitchen at Brennan Station at 8107 Creedmoor Rd has opened. This is the former Pokano and Pokego site. This is their second location in Raleigh (first is on Bale Street, just off Wake Forest Road). Get to know them here.
  • Down in Garner, friend Hugh Autry shared that Carajillo’s Mexican Kitchen is open at 4205 Fayetteville Road. The building is the former home to Ryan’s, Larry’s, Mayflower, Fred Chasons Grandson and most recently Muelle de San Blas Seafood. It is a self-described “sister restaurant” of Monterrey Mexican Grill of Durham, Carborro and Chapel Hill. Visit them here.
  • Also in Garner, Autry shared that Romeo’s Pizza is coming to 8109 Fayetteville Road, Harris Teeter shopping center at McCullers Crossing. They already have locations in Cary, Apex and Clayton. Get familiar with them here.
  • A quick update on our feature last week on The Mill. We were notified that the original opening date (before New Years) has been pushed back to the latter part of January due to (unfortunately) typical supply chain delays in equipment and construction. So, hang on a little longer for the January (hopefully) opening of the former Edwards Mill Bar & Grill in Olde Raleigh Village. Visit Urban Food Group here.
  • This is the month! We are anticipating the opening of the Glenwood South’s newest cocktail bar, Cuya, being brought to us (and upstairs from) the team at The Cortez Seafood + Cocktail. The name comes from Maracuya, which is Spanish for passion fruit. Best to follow them on Instagram here where they will announce the official opening date once they have it.
  • And a quick shout out! Eater Carolinas released its 2022 Eater Awards earlier this month and Cheeni Indian Food Emporium won North Carolina Restaurant of the Year. Get to know them here. Read the write-up on Eater here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

  • Things are shaking up a bit over in Chapel Hill with the announcement this week that Shake Shack will open their second Triangle-area location in Eastgate Crossing shopping center in the out-parcel formerly occupied by Boston Market. Extensive renovations are now complete and they will swing open their doors on December 22…just in time for Christmas! If you are not familiar with Shack Shack, do so here. Their next Triangle-are location will open in Raleigh’s Village District, a couple of doors down from Cape Fear Seafood and Flying Biscuit.
  • On a recent stroll through downtown Durham, Glenn Gillen noticed that La Mala was open (on Corcoran Street in the former B. Good spot – 110 N. Cocoran Street). They are a modern Mexican cocktail bar bringing you Mexican inspired cocktails and authentic street food, made fresh every day. It is brought to us by the team behind La Santa, a modern Mexican food concept and margarita bar at 222 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh. Visit them both here.
  • Erik gave us a quick update on a change at the Durham Food Hall. He shared that there is a sign up indicating that the MilkLab is coming to the space next to Little Barb’s Bakery and Liturgy Coffee. They currently have locations in Cary’s Wellington Park shopping center and Durham’s Homestead Market shopping center. Check them out here.

Closing / 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

  • The News & Observer has put together a list of restaurants open and serving Christmas meals this year. Check that list out here.
  • Locals Seafood and The Raleigh Wine Shop are proud to announce a Feast of the Seven Fishes on December 18th. Chefs Eric Montagne, Zack Gragg and Aaron Maytac will serve dishes inspired by Italian cooking and North Carolina’s bountiful coastline. Wines will be paired with each of the five courses, selected by the experts at Raleigh Wine Shop. Join them on Sunday,  December 18th at 7pm at The Raleigh Wine Shop to celebrate good food, good wine, and good company. Get tickets here.
  • Next Monday, December 19th, the Raleigh locaiton of Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ will celebrate their 1 year anniversary with 50% off your meal! If you haven’t had a chance to get by, this is a great opportunity. They were recently awarded “Best BBQ in Raleigh.” Check them out here.
  • Looking to do some good this holiday season? The Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Group on Facebook is holding a holiday charity partnership again with Chapel Hill Service League’s annual Christmas House event. They are looking to raise as much money as possible allowing them to buy/distribute grocery gift cards for local families in need. If you’d like to donate, please do so here.
  • And looking to continue dining outside even as the temperatures start to drop? No problem. The Downtown Raleigh Alliance has compiled a list of restaurants in downtown Raleigh keeping you warm all-year long! Check out that list here.

Food Bank Corner

  • Looking for an easy way for you and/or your office to make a HUGE DIFFERENCE in people’s lives this Holiday season? Host a VIRTUAL Food Drive! Forget the hassle of a trip to the grocery store for your next food drive… create a food drive without the heavy lifting using our Virtual Food Drive, and maximize your donation times five! For every $1 donated, the Food Bank can provide FIVE meals! You can make a difference in your community by hosting a Virtual Food Drive for your friends, family members, or coworkers.  It is easy! Start here. #noonegoeshungry

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Friday Fun Food Facts – December 9, 2022

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

Featured Restaurant News

  • This may be the best news to hit RTP since IBM arrived in 1955. Downtown Raleigh’s Manhattan Cafe shared the news this week that they are growing and will be moving into a second location off Miami Blvd. at 1004 Lower Shiloh Way in the old Singas Pizza location. Owned by the Vorbeck brothers (Casey, Mick and Nate), Manhattan Cafe has been the go-to spot for lunch and corporate catering in downtown Raleigh since 2014. Now the working folks in RTP will have the same opportunity. Expect the menu, look and feel to be very similar to their original location. And don’t expect this to be their last announcement! Keep up with the opening (likely end of the first quarter in 2023) on their Instagram, Facebook and website.

Wake County Restaurant News

  • Raleigh Magazine shared the news this week that the much anticipated revamping of the former Edwards Mill Bar & Grill in Olde Raleigh Village will reopen just after the first of the year as The Mill, under the umbrella of Stacey and Kevin Jennings’ Urban Food Group. The Mill isa nod to the former name. The menu will be similar to Porter’s City Tavern (which operated on Hillsborough Street until 2013) but modernized. According to the magazine, it will be a menu rooted in Americana steakhouse fare—think big shrimp po’boy sandwiches, double-thick pork chops, and hearty salads topped with sliced steak. The space also received extensive renovations. Visit Urban Food Group here.
  • Triangle Business Journal reported this week that cousins Salvador Alvarez and Joel Ibarra are opening a second location of their popular spot Chido Taco at 555 Fayetteville St. in the space space that was previously home to Living Kitchen. The original location of Chido is located off Wake Forest Road near midtown. Look for this location to also have an extensive cocktail bar. Alvarez is also a part owner in Totopos in Cary, Fonda Lupita in Sanford and La Buena Vida. Ibarra is also a part owner in Totopos along with several others connected to the family. The Ibarra family has long been bringing popular restaurants to the Triangle area with spots like Jose and Sons, La Rancherita, Cortez and El Rodeo. Visit Chido Taco here.
  • This is the month! We are anticipating the opening of the Glenwood South’s newest cocktail bar, Cuya, being brought to us (and upstairs from) the team at The Cortez Seafood + Cocktail. The name comes from Maracuya, which is Spanish for passion fruit. Best to follow them on Instagram here where they will announce the official opening date once they have it.
  • Also in downtown Raleigh, Michael DePersia of DePersia and Associates shared the news that Plaza Cafe (ground floor of Duke Energy building) will become Mustang House, Taste of Himalaya. Bishnu Rijal and Krishna Sapkota plan on doing a light remodel and hope to be open very soon. We were unable to find an online presence for them.
  • And we would be remiss if we didn’t help celebrate with a shout out to Ashley Christensen and her Poole’s Diner as they celebrate their 15th anniversary all month (the official anniversary is December 13)! As part of the celebration, they will share a different macaroni and cheese dish every week (made with different ingredients on the menu)! Get by and enjoy and celebrate their 15 years! Visit Poole’s here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

  • Big news out of Chapel Hill as first reported in the Triangle Business Journal. Al’s Burger Shack, with locations on West Franklin Street and in Southern Village, has been sold to Charlie Farris and Jason Kesler, a couple of UNC-Chapel Hill graduates who also own several local Jersey Mike franchises. Don’t expect too many changes during the first year, but look for it to grow after that as they tap into their Jersey Mike successes and connections. All our best to Al Bowers as he imparts on a career in residential real estate. Visit Al’s here.
  • And just down from the Al’s Burger Shack location in Southern Village, Paula de Pano’s new wine bar and store, Rocks + Acid, opened this week selling bottles and offering on-site tastings. The 1,150-square-foot space is located at 712 Market St. and will feature a few tables of indoor seating along with a large communal table where de Pano will host classes. Next spring, de Pano plans to add outdoor seating. Get to know them here.
  • And a big update over in Durham’s American Tobacco Campus from our friends over at Bites of Bull City. We originally shared with you back in November of last year the news that downtown Raleigh’s Five Star Restaurant (301 N. West Street in downtown) would be opening a location in Durham in the former Cuban Revolution spot. Amber Watson provided an update that we should expect that opening to happen mid-December! Get ready Durham! Congrats to Michelle Bender and her team. Visit Five Star here.

Closing / Cancellations

  • Got the news from my buddy Tim Moore that Old North Meats and Provisions in the Durham Food Hall closed last week. We were lucky to have them for three years – good eats!

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

  • The last Pop Up with Locals Seafood of the year takes place tonight (Friday, Dec. 9) from 5-8 p.m. at The Raleigh Wine Shop at 317 S. Bloodworth St. in downtown Raleigh. Locals Seafood will be serving up oysters and small seafood plates, all paired with wine. Get all the details here.
  • Chefs Amanda Orser and Matthew Butler have teamed up to host occasional Ellerbee + Joy pop-up dinners in Durham. Orser and Butler worked together at Durham’s Littler where she was chef de cuisine for five years after a decade at the closed Magnolia Grill. The next dinners are 5:30 and 8 p.m. Dec. 17. The five-course dinner costs $75 per person with optional wine pairings for an additional $30. Vegan menu available. Seatings are limited to 20 people. Location TBD but diners will be informed five days before the event. Purchase tickets and see the menu here.
  • And looking to do some good this holiday season? The Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Group on Facebook is holding a holiday charity partnership again with Chapel Hill Service League’s annual Christmas House event. They are looking to raise as much money as possible allowing them to buy/distribute grocery gift cards for local families in need. If you’d like to donate, please do so here.
  • And looking to continue dining outside even as the temperatures start to drop? No problem. The Downtown Raleigh Alliance has compiled a list of restaurants in downtown Raleigh keeping you warm all-year long! Check out that list here.

Food Bank Corner

  • Looking for an easy way for you and/or your office to make a HUGE DIFFERENCE in people’s lives this Holiday season? Host a VIRTUAL Food Drive! Forget the hassle of a trip to the grocery store for your next food drive… create a food drive without the heavy lifting using our Virtual Food Drive, and maximize your donation times five! For every $1 donated, the Food Bank can provide FIVE meals! You can make a difference in your community by hosting a Virtual Food Drive for your friends, family members, or coworkers.  It is easy! Start here. #noonegoeshungry

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized