TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

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

Featured Restaurant News

• The Triangle Business Journal shared this week that Collected Hospitality of Charleston, South Carolina, is planning a new restaurant at The Streets at Southpoint shopping mall in Durham. The location will be under the group’s CO brand, serving Southeast Asian cuisine. The Triangle is already home to a CO restaurant, located in Raleigh’s North Hills. CO will fill the former Zinburger space in the mall’s “Main Street” outdoor plaza. Get familiar with them here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• RalToday shared this week that Winston-Salem’s Incendiary Brewing is bringing its craft beer to Raleigh’s Bloc (83) later this year. The downtown taproom will offer specialty IPAs along with other craft brews and a private patio. Incendiary estimates a late summer or early fall opening. Get familiar with them here.

• Also saw on RalToday that Blackbird Books & Coffee is celebrating their grand opening today (July 21) from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown Raleigh’s City Market. Lots going on all day today – especially coffee! Check them out here.

• Heard from Mike DePersia at DePersia & Associates that Mike Montgomery, owner of Abbey Road Tavern & Grill in Cary and Apex, will be opening a new restaurant, the Dugout Tavern & Grill, in the former Glory Days Grill location in the Publix shopping center at 1413 Kelly Rd in Apex. He plans to open early August after re-branding and a light remodel.

• Also in Apex, Triangle Business Journal shared the news this week of more tenants that have signed on to the Sweetwater Town Center development at 2775 Core Banks Street. The new food and beverage tenants include Mamabirds Ice Cream, Mi Cancun Mexican Cantina and SoBol. An Indian restaurant will be filling a 5,000-square-foot space, but the name of the concept is not yet announced. They are joining the previously announced food and beverage lineup of Southern Peak Brewery, Fratellis Deli and Sushi Yaki. The retail portion of construction will be complete in the first quarter of 2024

• And if that is not enough Apex news for you, here is another one that is kind of fun. I don’t normally mix food and politics, but this seems like a good exception. Apparently Jacques K. Gilbert, Mayor of the Town of Apex, made a campaign promise that he would work to get a Cook Out to Apex. Well, he shared this week that it is in fact happening! He didn’t share all the details, but said it is “in motion.” See, there are some political positions we can all get behind. More Cook Outs!

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Flying Bull Beer Company will open a second taproom at 300 Morris St. in the Durham Innovation District downtown (321 Coffee recently opened in the same building). The original location, which opened in 2020, is at 752 Ninth St. Construction on the new space begins this month with a grand opening expected in December. Congrats to owners Joel Miles and Anna Bloch on their continued success! Get to know Flying Bull here.

• My Twitter buddy Burgeoning Baker shared that Bapu Teahouse, serving Bubble Tea, Smoothies and Fresh Fruit Smoothies, is moving into the space next to Harris Teeter in the Hope Valley Commons shopping center. No word on an open date.

• Reader Phil Jakes notified us that the former Pad Thai restaurant on Guess Road in Durham (just south of I-85) will soon become La Casita Restaurant, serving up Dominican and Latin cuisine. No word on a timeline nor could we find an online presence. Stay tuned! Thanks Phil!

Closings

• According to multiple sources, Cary’s Ko.an has closed permanently. It remains a possibility that a new concept from Sean Degnan will open there, but that remains to be seen. Ko.an opened in 2019.

• Also got word from Mike DePersia at DePersia & Associates that Sost-Raleigh (3800 Glenwood Ave.) has closed.

Food Trucks

• The next Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo is Sunday, September 3 from 12-4 p.m. The final rodeo of the season will be October 29. All the rodeos are from 12-4 p.m. Giddyup! Here is the link.

• 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

• They have been open for a few months now, but Lula & Sadie’s Grand Opening Celebration is today (Friday, July 21st), from 6 to 10 p.m. at their new location in Lakewood at 2022 Chapel Hill Rd. They are inviting guests to enjoy an evening featuring their beautifully crafted menu, stylish ambiance and exceptional southern hospitality. Secure your spot here.

• This Sunday, July 23rd, Craften Food Hall will host The Smoking Bull – a fundraiser for Randy Lewis, an Alamance County dairy farmer that was recently attacked by a bull in the pasture. Participating chefs will be: Ricky Moore of Salt Box Seafood Joint; Preeti Waas of Cheeni Indian Food Emporium; Tie Whittaker of Buttermilk Boutique; Steven Goff of Tastee Diner; David Mitchell of Plates; Jay Vetter of UNCW; and Gerald Hawkins of Strangebird Pastry Co. Tickets are $45. Get details and tickets here.

• On August 10th at 6:30 p.m., the folks over at Prohibitive will hold an “All About Pinots” wine pairing as they taste through varieties of Pinots paired with tapas. Prohibitive is located at the historic Matthews House in Cary (317 W. Chatham Street). Cost is $85 per person. Reserve your spot here.

• The 10th annual Sola Hot Mini 5K race is Saturday, September 16 at Sola Coffee in North Raleigh. Thus far, the race has raised over $450,000 in the fight to end ALS with a goal to raise $200,000 more this year. Get details and register here.

• The folks over at Acme are bringing back Salt & Smoke on Saturday, October 28th. This year’s event will be held at The Barn at Sonark Media (located just off of Old 86 in Hillsborough). If you are not familiar with the event, it is a full afternoon and evening of live music, whole hog barbecue, raw oysters, roasted clams and plenty of the right beverages to wash it all down – local beer, wine and cocktails. And if you get your tickets now, through the end of this month there is a $25 discount for all tickets purchased (just use the code FINALLY when checking out). Get all the details and tickets here.

Food Bank Corner

• Right now, one in five people in central and eastern North Carolina don’t have enough to eat. Your tax-deductible gift helps provide food and hope to families, children, and seniors right here in our community. Together, we can help people in our community during their greatest time of need. Give here. Every $10 you donate provides 50 meals! #noonegoeshungry

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

Featured Restaurant News

• We first told you about this back in June, but the Triangle Business Journal provided the latest update on Giorgios Bakatsias and his newest restaurant. Nikos, a reimagined version of the former Nikos Greek Taverna, is set to open July 19 at 905 W. Main St. The restaurant is part of Giorgios Hospitality Group and will be his 16th restaurant! Nikos is located in Brightleaf Square and will bring back the authentic Greek dishes that the former Nikos was known for, with the addition of Aegean and Middle Eastern-inspired plates. Get to know the new Nikos here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Over in Cary reader James Dobrowolski shared with us that he drove by the old Szechuan Taste spot inside the Lowes Food center in Cary (6430 Tryon Rd.) and noticed that there is a “coming soon” sign for a new Vietnamese spot called Pho Thien Phat a “Vietnamese noodle house.” We could not find an online presence for them so you will have to swing by!

• Out in Morrisville, got word this week that the latest location of Wayback Burgers is now open. They are located at 1550 Aviation Parkway out by the airport in the new RDU Galleria building/gas station/food court. Check them out here.

• Down in Wendell, apparently I have been remiss in keeping up with all that is happening/opening down that way. Thankfully reader Susan Neilson got me up to speed. I hereby tap Susan as my Wendell foodie news beat reporter! Let’s catch up quickly with some fairly recent openings. Don Beto’s Tacos & Tequilla, Pico De Gallo and Farmers and Merchants. Get by and check them all out! And it won’t be long before the second location of Parkside Diner (original is in downtown Raleigh) will open. Stay tuned! Susan, I’m counting on you to let me know! 🙂

• And not too far in Selma (Johnston County) we got word this week that the Old North State Food Hall has added three new vendors (located at 67 JR Road in Selma). The Ice Storm, with an original location in Goldsboro, boasts an extensive collection of unique and innovative ice cream and cone flavors. The Hot Dog Bar, where their menu showcases hot dogs with an assortment of toppings, including their delicious homemade chili. Wings and a variety of appetizers round out the menu offerings. And JoCo Coffee Co., serving fresh, locally roasted Full Bloom coffee drinks, bubble tea, baked goods, brunch items, and terrific salads. Visit the hall and their full line-up of offerings here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Thanks to our friends over at Bites of Bull City, we learned that a concept called CasteLion, serving up pizza, pasta and more, will be moving into the former Big C Waffles spot at 2110 Allendown Drive. No word on an open date and we were unable to locate an online presence just yet.

• Also in Durham, saw on Instagram this week that the Zinchouse, a winery, brewery and event space, will soon be adding a whiskey/bourbon cigar bar. No word on a timeline nor do they have a name for it just yet. That’s where you come in. Head on over to their Instagram page and offer your suggestion on what it should be called. Do so here.

Closings

• Founded in 2004, we got word this week that Saint Jacques French Cuisine in North Raleigh closed their doors this past Saturday.

Food Trucks

• WRAL reminded us to head on over to Durham Central Park this Sunday (July 16) from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. for the NC Foodtruck Fair. This food tuck rodeo will feature games, entertainment, bounce houses, a water slide and vendors. They will also be collecting donations for Durham County Meals on Wheels and for Durham Central Park. Get all the details here.

• And it is official, Jake and Shannon Wolf and their team over at Capital Club 16 have started rolling around town in their new food truck called The Wandering Wolf. Capital Club 16 is a traditional American restaurant with German influence. You will find their truck at local breweries and they are available for private and corporate events. Check it out here.

• The next Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo is Sunday, September 3 from 12-4 p.m. The final rodeo of the season will be October 29. All the rodeos are from 12-4 p.m. Giddyup! Here is the link.

• 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

• They have been open for a little over two months now, but Lula & Sadie’s announced their Grand Opening Celebration next Friday, July 21st, from 6 to 10 p.m. at their new location in Lakewood at 2022 Chapel Hill Rd. They are inviting guests to enjoy an evening featuring their beautifully crafted menu, stylish ambiance and exceptional southern hospitality. Secure your spot here.
• On August 10th at 6:30 p.m., the folks over at Prohibitive will hold an “All About Pinots” wine pairing as they taste through varieties of Pinots paired with tapas. Prohibitive is located at the historic Matthews House in Cary (317 W. Chatham Street). Cost is $85 per person. Reserve your spot here.

• The folks over at Acme are bringing back Salt & Smoke on Saturday, October 28th. This year’s event will be held at The Barn at Sonark Media (located just off of Old 86 in Hillsborough). If you are not familiar with the event, it is a full afternoon and evening of live music, whole hog barbecue, raw oysters, roasted clams and plenty of the right beverages to wash it all down – local beer, wine and cocktails. And if you get your tickets now, through the end of this month there is a $25 discount for all tickets purchased (just use the code FINALLY when checking out). Get all the details and tickets here.

Food Bank Corner

• Right now, one in five people in central and eastern North Carolina don’t have enough to eat. Your tax-deductible gift helps provide food and hope to families, children, and seniors right here in our community. Together, we can help people in our community during their greatest time of need. Give here. Every $10 you donate provides 50 meals! #noonegoeshungry