Friday Fun Food Facts – February 9, 2024

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

Featured Restaurant News

  • Over in Durham, Durham Downtown shared on a Facebook post that Fonda Lupita has opened in downtown Durham’s Brightleaf Square at 905 W Main Street. As you will recall, Fonda Lupita (original location in Sanford) was named one of Eater’s best new restaurants in the United States. Expect the exact same quality from the new location featuring homemade stews, gorditas, tacos, quesadillas, tortas, burritos and more alongside unique Mexican hot and cold beverages. Get familiar with them and order online here.a

Wake County Restaurant News

  • So today is the day. Raleigh Magazine shared that the much-anticipated Tamasha – Modern Indian Kitchen will officially open in North Hills today, Friday, February 9th. This highly anticipated upscale progressive and modern Indian concept is the brainchild of restaurateurs Mike Kathrani and Tina Vora and executed by renowned executive chef Bhavin Chhatwani, boasting Michelin Star experience. Learn more about them and get your reservations in here.

  • The Triangle Business Journal shared the news this week that a Charlotte restaurant group (Conway Restaurant Group) is bringing it latest concept to Raleigh. Napa at Glenwood will be an upscale wine bar and restaurant in Glenwood Place, located just inside the Beltline off Glenwood Avenue. They will join Sushi Mon, The Iron Oaks and Ladyfingers Market and Eatery and Quarter Note Coffee as Glenwood Place’s food and beverage tenants. Expect them to open in late 2024 with a Napa Valley-inspired food menu and a California-focused wine list according to TBJ. Start getting familiar with them here.

  • Up in North Raleigh, reader Tyler Glover shared that he saw a “coming soon” sign for Epic Wings at Brennan Station. The actual address is 8107 Creedmoor Rd., Suite 105 (beside Five Guys). Looks to be their first Triangle-area location, and the first in North Carolina. Epic Wings started in Southern California in 1982 and currently has 26 locations throughout Southern California and Arizona. Get to know them here.

  • Also in North Raleigh, saw on the Triangle Foodies Facebook page that Mon Macaron has opened their third Triangle-area location at 5249 Capital Blvd. Naturally gluten-free macarons made fresh every day, delicious espresso drinks and more. They also have locations in downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station and in Cary. Visit them here.

  • Further up in North Raleigh, got word this week that Zaxby’s opened a new restaurant off Louisburg Road (at 7400 Louisburg Rd.) a mile or so up from Interstate 540 (just across from the Wendy’s). And to celebrate their opening, they are offering a special “Buy One, Get One Free” offer on 10 Boneless Wings tossed in one of Zaxby’s eight signature sauces. It’s the chain’s fourth location in Raleigh. Visit Zaxby’s here.

  • Back in downtown Raleigh, RALtoday shared that downtown bar Kings, owned by Cheetie Kumar and Paul Siler, will be open every night of the week (starting February 26th), even when there are no shows. They’ll have a packed calendar of events (movie nights, game nights, open mics, community talks, markets, team-ups with local pals like Nice Price Books and much more. Keep up on Instagram here.

  • Out on New Bern Avenue, Triangle Business Journal shared that one of the last Ruby Tuesday locations (there is still on in Garner) has been demolished and will be replaced by the Triangle’s 40th location of Chick-fil-A. If you are not familiar with Chick-fil-A….just kidding. No word on a timeline.

  • And in Fuquay Varina, the folks over at Today in the Quay (a great way to keep up with everything going on in Fuqua Varina) shared that a steak house called The Library will be opening in the old (you guessed it) library at 133 South Fuquay Avenue. No word on a timeline. Keep up with them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

  • Durham Downtown also broke the news this week that newest Thai restaurant, Thaiangle, opened this week in the former Dos Perros spot at 200 N Mangum Street. They noted on their Facebook post that Jack U, chef and owner, followed his mother’s craft of cooking from a young age. From his homeland of Thailand, to Los Angeles, to Billings, Montana, and most recently Carrboro. Jack and his family are thrilled to settle in the heart of Durham. Get familiar with them here.

  • Szechuan Village, which opened in the former Moon Asian Bistro spot (111 Knox Way) just south of the Orange County line on 15-501, is holding their ribbon cutting and grand opening today, Friday, February 9th, at 11:30 a.m. followed by an open house. Visit them here.

  • Further down into Chatham County, reader Jay Beaton noticed that Ni Armors Hawaiian & Polynesian BBQ “Coming Soon” sign was down. After speaking with the manager, he learned that they had their soft opening Thursday and will be holding their grand opening this Saturday (February 10th). Keep up with everything on Facebook here.

  • Back over in Durham, we learned this week that Alley Twenty Six, the nationally recognized craft cocktail bar, is bringing back its late night menu starting February 16. Guests will soon be able to enjoy the Alley Burger, Caviar and Tots, Deviled Eggs and more until closing. Visit them here.

Closings

  • 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

  • We are in the last few days of Geer Street’s annual Chinese Week (February 5-11) when they dedicate their whole specials menu to Chinese cuisine. Don’t forget that they’ll be doing an all-dim sum brunch on Sunday, February 11. Get the menu and all the details on their Facebook page here.

  • Don’t have Valentine’s plans just yet? Well, good news. The folks over at Taste Carolina have special Valentine’s Tours lined up for you – both in Raleigh and Durham. Imagine strolling along historic city streets with your sweetie – or your friends or family – on a guided walking tour. Guests are treated like VIPs at several locally owned restaurants per tour while enjoying delicious food and drink. The Raleigh dinner tours will include a combination of the following locations: Beasley’s, Bittersweet, Longleaf Swine, Che Empanadas, and Raleigh Wine Shop. The Durham lunch tour will include visits to: Bull City Burger & Brewery, Pie Pushers, Toast, Boricua Soul, and The Parlour. Get tickets and all the details here.
  • CORA’s 12th Empty Bowls charitable fundraiser will be held on Saturday, March 2nd, at its new venue, Pittsboro United Methodist Church, from 5 to 8 pm. The evening will feature amazing soups from favorite local restaurants, live music from the Popcorn Blue Band, local pottery, and homemade bread and desserts. 100% of the proceeds go to helping neighbors facing food insecurity in Chatham County! Get all the details here.
  • Downtown Raleigh’s Whiskey Kitchen and Videri Chocolate Factory have teamed up to craft decadent chocolate and spirit pairings just in time for Valentine’s Day. Throughout February, Whiskey Kitchen will feature signature pairings of six of Videri’s chocolate bars alongside a selection of different spirits. Guests can look forward to sipping each spirit presented with mini bars of the corresponding chocolate. Special Valentine pairings will run February 12 through February 18. Follow along on Instagram here.
  • My buddy Neha Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, shared that the annual Farm to Fork Picnic, celebrating local food and local farms, will take place Sunday, June 2 from 4pm – 7pm, again at Fearrington Village. Get details and tickets here.
  • Tickets are on sale now for the 9th Annual Dinner in the Meadow which will take place on September 15, 2024 on a grassy knoll at Meadow Lane Farm, in bucolic Franklin County, offering beautiful pastoral views and clear, starry skies. Some of the region’s most sought-after chefs will be preparing delicious dishes using ingredients from local farms and food artisans. It is an annual fundraiser for the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2014 to support and cultivate small farms in our region of North Carolina. Get tickets and all the details here.

Food Bank Corner

  • No doubt we live in a wonderful corner of the world. But here are some things to remember and not forget. Right now, one in five people in central and eastern North Carolina don’t have enough to eat. The Food Bank provided over 88 million meals to families and individuals last year. The Food Bank’s partner agency network has reported up to a 60% increase in neighbors visiting for food assistance. The need is real and right here in our backyard. Consider helping in 2024. See how here.

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Friday Fun Food Facts – February 2, 2024

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

Featured Restaurant News

  • Raleigh Magazine shared the news this week that the much-anticipated Tamasha – Modern Indian Kitchen will officially open in North Hills on Friday, February 9th. That’s a week away, but…reservations online have already gone live! This highly anticipated upscale progressive and modern Indian concept is the brainchild of restaurateurs Mike Kathrani and Tina Vora and executed by renowned executive chef Bhavin Chhatwani, boasting Michelin Star experience. Best to move quickly to get your reservations in. Get a peek here.

Wake County Restaurant News

  • Downtown Raleigh Alliance shared the news that Wolfe and Porter, formerly known as Drink Drank Drunk, is a homey, neighborhood bar that recently underwent expansion renovations at 905 W. Morgan Street. In addition to the new name, the space downstairs is new and is now a speakeasy called Cellar Liquor Bar that just opened yesterday! As they pointed out on their Instagram page, no better way to celebrate the end of dry January! Visit them on Instagram here.

  • And this news broke last Friday, but we learned that downtown Raleigh’s Poole’s Diner will expand into the space next door which up until last month housed their sister restaurant, Poole’side Pies at 428 S. McDowell Street. In the same announcement, Ashley Christensen also shared the news that they are bringing back Poole’s Diner Weekend Brunch. No word on an exact date on either of those, just later in 2024. Stay tuned. Visit Poole’s here.

  • RALToday shared the news that Little Native Coffee, from the team behind Cloche Coffee in Durham, is in soft-open mode at 426 S Person St. near Moore Square. Their temporary hours through Saturday are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will begin normal hours next week. Might be best to follow along on Instagram.

  • Over in Apex, my buddy David McCreary shared that Fusion Cafe is now open at 1305 E. Williams Street. The eatery serves mostly South Asian inspired cuisine like biryani, samosa and panipuri, a popular Indian street food.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

  • In Carrboro, Carrie Brogren shared that Even Dough Bakery announced this week that they will be opening a retail location at 203 W Weaver Street (former home of Provence and Mosaic). Their new space will allow you to enjoy their freshly baked goodies in a serene garden setting, enjoy a cup of coffee in their cozy cafe, and even to join them for fun and educational workshops. No word yet on a timeline. Might be best to follow their progress on Instagram here.

  • Over in Pittsboro, last week we told you about the soft-opening of Big Mike’s BBQ at 440 East Street in the former Michoacán Mexican Grill and Los Charros Mexican Grill building. Sharing this week that they are now fully open! Might be best to follow along on Instagram or you can visit Big Mike’s here.

  • And more good news and yumminess coming out of Pittsboro this week. Neha Shah, director of Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, shared that a concept called Hoops Pizzeria will be opening at 697 Hillsboro Street in the same shopping center as Aromatic and Cackalacky. They are working towards an April opening and will be offering dine-in and takeout as well as wine and beer. Stay tuned!

  • And one more final note out of Chatham County, Szechuan Village, which opened in the former Moon Asian Bistro spot (111 Knox Way) just south of the Orange County line on 15-501, will hold their ribbon cutting and grand opening on Friday, February 9th at 11:30 a.m. followed by an open house. Visit them here.

  • Back over in Durham, we learned this week that Alley Twenty Six, the nationally recognized craft cocktail bar, is bringing back its late night menu starting February 16. Guests will soon be able to enjoy the Alley Burger, Caviar and Tots, Deviled Eggs and more until closing. Visit them here.

  • Also in Durham, Axios Raleigh reported that Missy Lane’s Assembly Room, a new jazz venue in downtown Durham, is now open at 310 E. Main Street and serving coffee by day (Brooklyn Barista Coffee) and at night becoming a preshow bar (Front Room Bar) with cocktails and live music. Get familiar with them here.

Closings

  • The Leesville Tap Room at the corner of Leesville and Strickland roads in Raleigh announced on Facebook that they are closed ‘until further notice.’

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

  • Get ready Durham…here it comes again! Geer Street’s annual Chinese Week (February 5-11) when they dedicate their whole specials menu to Chinese cuisine. They are predicting that this year is going to be the best, most expansive one yet, and they’ll be doing an all-dim sum brunch on Sunday, February 11. Get the menu and all the details on their Facebook page here.

  • CORA’s 12th Empty Bowls charitable fundraiser will be held on Saturday, March 2nd, at its new venue, Pittsboro United Methodist Church, from 5 to 8 pm. The evening will feature amazing soups from favorite local restaurants, live music from the Popcorn Blue Band, local pottery, and homemade bread and desserts. 100% of the proceeds go to helping neighbors facing food insecurity in Chatham County! Get all the details here.

  • Downtown Raleigh’s Whiskey Kitchen and Videri Chocolate Factory have teamed up to craft decadent chocolate and spirit pairings just in time for Valentine’s Day. Throughout February, Whiskey Kitchen will feature signature pairings of six of Videri’s chocolate bars alongside a selection of different spirits. Guests can look forward to sipping each spirit presented with mini bars of the corresponding chocolate. Special Valentine pairings will run February 12 through February 18. Follow along on Instagram here.

  • My buddy Neha Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, shared that the annual Farm to Fork Picnic, celebrating local food and local farms, will take place Sunday, June 2 from 4pm – 7pm, again at Fearrington Village. Get details and tickets here.

  • Tickets are on sale now for the 9th Annual Dinner in the Meadow which will take place on September 15, 2024 on a grassy knoll at Meadow Lane Farm, in bucolic Franklin County, offering beautiful pastoral views and clear, starry skies. Some of the region’s most sought-after chefs will be preparing delicious dishes using ingredients from local farms and food artisans. It is an annual fundraiser for the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2014 to support and cultivate small farms in our region of North Carolina. Get tickets and all the details here.

Food Bank Corner

  • No doubt we live in a wonderful corner of the world. But here are some things to remember and not forget. Right now, one in five people in central and eastern North Carolina don’t have enough to eat. The Food Bank provided over 88 million meals to families and individuals last year. The Food Bank’s partner agency network has reported up to a 60% increase in neighbors visiting for food assistance. The need is real and right here in our backyard. Consider helping in 2024. See how here.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized