TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

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

Featured Restaurant News

• Today is one of my favorite holidays of the year…hopefully you have the day off – National Doughnut Day….TODAY! June 2. You know what to do!

Wake County Restaurant News

• This weekend (June 3rd to be exact) will see the official opening of the second location of Salt & Lime Cabo Grill! The new location is at 4800 Grove Barton Road in Raleigh. They will celebrate and welcome you all day Saturday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and all day Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Weather looks perfect, so be sure to check out their patio! Check out their Facebook page here or their website here.

• In downtown Raleigh, we got word that Mustang House, a a new Nepalese and Indian restaurant, has opened (June 1) at 411 Fayetteville Street (Suite 109). Probably best to follow along on Facebook here.

• Over in the Village District, a neighbor will move into the former So•Ca spot as it was announced this week that Cafe Carolina and Bakery will make that short move just up the hill. They are looking to complete the move and open September 1. There will be a short time they will be closed to make the transition. In the meantime, get by their current location here.

• RalToday shared the news that Blackbird Books and Coffee, a new book shop that will serve specialty coffee and host community events and workshops, is opening soon in City Market. They are currently crowdfunding to get the shop up and running as soon as possible. Get all the details and support their effort here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Got word this week that on June 7 chef Oscar Diaz will open his first Durham restaurant, Little Bull, in Old Five Points at 810 N. Mangum Street. The small neighborhood restaurant will serve dinner, cocktails and a late-night weekend menu. The menu will include comfort staples as ‘pocho cuisine,’ like Diaz’s take on dumplings (stuffed with birria), Nom Tom Steak and Piri Piri Bam Bam, a whole chicken dish. The menu will change seasonally. Diaz joins Mezcalito Group Inc. as co-owner. Best to follow along on Instagram here.

• In Durham, WRAL shared the news that June 10th from noon until 11 p.m. is the grand opening of Lonerider Distillery and Taproom (located at 708 Ramseur Street). Look for them to have tons of drink specials, tastings/samplings and much more. Visit their Facebook events page for all the details.

• And this is a little bit of a stretch for our “triangle” – but reader Carolyn Barnes was so kind to pass along the recent opening of Incorrigible Cafe in Roxboro, North Carolina (just north of Durham and Hillsborough for those that don’t know). Anyway, this little cafe is family owned and just opened. If you are out driving around this weekend, pay them a visit and give them some love (they are located at 44 Gordon Street, Hall’s Way #60)! They also sell their Pimento Cheese, Chicken, Potato and Macaroni Salads by the pound, so you can take some home with you! Visit them on Instagram here.

• And a quick nod of congratulations to our very own Sera Cuni, co-owner of Cafe Root Cellar in Pittsboro and Root Cellar Cafe & Catering in Chapel Hill as she won Food Network’s Supermarket Stakeout this week! Visit Root Cellar and congratulate her in person!

Closings

• None to report. Keep eating local, folks!

Food Trucks

• A Place at the Table will hold their second annual Pay-What-You-Can Food Truck Rodeo this Sunday, June 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This fun-filled community day will consist of delicious meals, refreshments, and desserts from a variety of food trucks including: Q-spresso, Interfaith Food Shuttle: The Spinning Plate, Bulkogi, Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes, Locopops, AMPM Burritos, Season It Up Vegan, Aries Dish Delivered, and Goodness GraceUs. All food trucks will have special menus prepared for the event. The rodeo will take place in the parking lot on the corner of West Hargett and South Harrington street across from A Place at the Table. Purchase tickets ahead of time here.

• The next Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo is June 11 from 12-4 p.m. Get out your calendar and make note of the dates for the rest of the 2023 Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeos. September 3 | October 29 – and 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

• Head over to downtown Raleigh’s City Plaza this Saturday, June 3rd for Raleigh’s International Food Festival featuring food, dessert, beer and wine from over 60 countries – along with art, culture and traditions from around the world. There will be more than 50 food trucks and a large outdoor dance party. Admission is free! Get all the details here.

• Clouds Brewing is hosting its second annual Summertime Beer Fest this Saturday, June 3. Head to the taproom (1233 Front Street, Raleigh) from 3 to 7 p.m. to sample and celebrate 25+ NC beers on tap from breweries across the region. Tickets are $25-$65 and include entry, a commemorative glass and 10 beer tickets. Get tickets here.

• The 3rd Annual Bubbles & Brisket at Smoky Hollow is this Saturday, June 3rd from 2-6 p.m. The event features 10 BBQ pit-master chefs and an array of sparkling beverages. With the purchase of a ticket, guests will enjoy various styles of brisket and side dishes prepared by the best talent in the state, along with sampling multiple styles of sparkling wine from around the world. Get tickets here.

• Got word from Neha Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, that Farm to Fork is making its return in 2023 this Sunday, June 4th from 4-7 p.m. at Fearrington Village. Held in the Triangle for more than 15 years, the Farm to Fork Picnic is a showcase of North Carolina chefs, artisans, and farmers paired together to create sips and nibbles of the region’s best flavors and seasonal ingredients! You can get tickets and all the details here.

• RalToday shared the news that to celebrate the grand opening of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream in the Village District on Monday, June 5 they will be giving away free scoops of ice cream from 7 to 11 p.m. Check out Jeni’s here.

• The annual Triangle Restaurant Week event is set to run next week of June 5-11, 2023. During the event, participating restaurants within Raleigh, Cary,Chapel Hill, Durham and surrounding areas will offer a special 2 or 3-course prix fixe menu ($20, $25, $30, $40, $45, $50) each day they are open. Get all the details here.

• Like the beer in Durham? North Carolina that is. What about the beer in Durham, UK? Well, here is your chance to find out. Sister Cities of Durham will hold their Two Durhams Beer Festival on Friday, June 9th from 5-9 p.m. at Durham Central Park (Durham, NC). Essentially 5 breweries in Durham, NC are exchanging beer recipes with 5 breweries in Durham, UK. There will also be live music, food trucks, and souvenirs. I’ll drink to that! Get the details here (scroll down).

• Friend Kitty Kinnin reminded me that tickets are now available for the 5th Roots for Reece Chef’s Picnic being held on June 11th from 3-7 p.m. at Haven Farm in Knightdale. At the event you will be able to sample small plates and beverages from over 25 local food and beverage establishments. Check out this list: Longleaf Swine BBQ; Glass House Kitchen; Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing; The Umstead Hotel and Spa; Craften Neighborhood Food & Drink; Postal Fish Company; Under The Oak Catering; Locals Seafood; Mebane Crafted; Cucciolo Terrazza Raleigh; Viv’s Fridge; Jolie Restaurant; Elevated Catering Company; Layered Croissanterie; Native Fine Diner; ORO Restaurant & Lounge; Lawrence Barbecue; Leroys Taco Shop; William & Company; Revival 1869 – A Drinkery; Trophy Brewing Company; Umbrella Dry Bar; Deep River Brewing Company; and Double Barley Brewing. All proceeds go to the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, which saves lives through education and prevention of opiate overdose. Visit the site here to get your tickets.

• On June 14th at 6 p.m. our friends over at Prohibitive Cary (located at The Matthews House) will take us on a Mediterranean adventure around the coast of Italy pairing 5 wines with light bites. They are located at 317 W Chatham St. Tickets are $60 each. Get all the details and tickets here.

• Sunday, June 18th is the date for the Summertime Seafood Festival in downtown Pittsboro hosted by The Sycamore and Postal Fish Company. From 2 to 6 p.m. on the lawn and inside of Forest Hall at Chatham Mills, guests wil be able to enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks and live music. Advance tickets for entry are $10 or purchase at the door for $15 (if available). Food, drinks and desserts are available for purchase. Get all the details 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

• Get ready, Cape Fear Seafood Company will open their Wake Forest location next Monday, May 29th at 3612 Roger’s Branch Road. This will mark the sixth overall and third Wake County location for the celebrated Wilmington seafood brand (the other two in the Triangle are in the Village District and on Spring Forest Road). Congratulations to Matt and Eddie and their entire team. Visit Cape Fear here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Got word this week that late this fall Chicken Salad Chick will be opening in the Lake Boone shopping center at 2442 Wycliff Rd in Raleigh. This will mark their second Triangle-area location. The other is in Cary at 302 Colonades Way. Keep up with their progress on their Facebook page here.

• And with that news, my buddy Dana McCall shared that next to Chicken Salad Chick will see the opening of the Triangle’s sixth location of The Butcher’s Market. Both will be part of the new construction in the middle of the parking lot at Lake Boone shopping center. Visit The Butcher’s Market here.

• Downtown Raleigh’s newest wine bar and shop,The Hippo, opened this week in the former Short Walk Wines spot at 123 E. Martin Street (across from Larry’s Coffee). They specialize in natural, low-intervention and estate wines. They will be open 2-10 p.m. every day. Get to know them.

• Up in Wake Forest, Triangle Business Journal shared the news that Torchy’s Tacos, a craft fast casual chain out of Austin, Texas, is opening their second Triangle-area location in Grove Ninety-Eight development, anchored by Wegmans. Look for them to open toward the end of this year or first of next year. Visit Torchy’s here.

• Also up towards Wake Forest, Raleigh Rolls announced their grand opening for their new location at Wakefield Commons on Saturday, June 3rd from 5 p.m. until close. Pro tip: they are already in soft open mode, so stop by to get an early peek! But on June 3rd, enjoy an evening of Thai rolled ice cream, giveaways, tumblers, ice cream scented slime and more. Their original location is in the Morgan Street Food Hall. The new shop is located at 10750 Wakefield Commons Drive in Raleigh. Visit them here.

• Over in Cary, Triangle Business Journal shared that The Albatross, a new bar featuring golf simulators, cocktails, and gourmet hot dogs, is opening this August in downtown Cary (140 E. Chatham Street). The simulators at the “golf pub” will offer high-tech analytics and data to help golfers improve their game. Like John Daly, I’ve always thought my golf game just needed a couple more drinks and a hot dog! Start getting familiar with them here.

• And we would be remiss if we didn’t note the passing of a legend in the Triangle food scene this week. We had to sadly say goodbye to Walter Royal who has been the executive chef at Raleigh’s Angus Barn for over 25 years. Perhaps the Angus Barn said it best in their announcement: “His spirit, kindness, and desire to mentor others was legendary. He set the example for a life well lived, even in the face of adversity. His legacy will live forever, and he will be greatly missed by so very many.” Prior to the Angus Barn, Royal had stints at The Fearrington House in Pittsboro and Magnolia Grill in Durham. Rest in Peace.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• The Triangle Business Journal noted this week that Giorgios Bakatsias will open Aria Events and Catering next month (June) in Durham. The event venue is located just north of downtown at 2609 N. Duke Street and will host corporate events, social gatherings, galas and fundraisers, theatrical productions and weddings. Check it out here.

• Also in Durham, WRAL shared the news that June 10th from noon until 11 p.m. is the grand opening of Lonerider Distillery and Taproom (located at 708 Ramseur Street). Look for them to have tons of drink specials, tastings/samplings and much more. Visit their Facebook events page for all the details.

• Over in Pittsboro, reader Ross Hannah tipped me off to the fact that Aye Toro Tacos and Tequila opened their newest location at 65 Old Rock Spring Cemetery Road. It is off 15-501 just past the Hwy. 64 interchange (behind O’Reilly Auto Parts). Locally, they have locations in Holly Springs and Sanford (as well as one in Wilmington). Get to know them here.

• Also in Pittsboro, a discussion on the Pittsboro Eats Facebook page revealed that John’s Pizza (122 Sanford Road) is now under new ownership and will become Marcel’s Pizza. Get familiar with the new concept here.

• In Chapel Hill, Sarah Boak shared that Blue Dogwood Public Market (306 W Franklin St.) has a new pop-up concept called 50 Kitchen, a fast casual restaurant inspired by Southern American and Asian-American cuisine. Chef Anthony Caldwell recently moved here from Boston. Expect 50 Kitchen to be open Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. for the foreseeable future. Check them out and Anthony’s story here.

Closings

• Unfortunately, today (Friday) is the last day of service for Sawmill Taproom at the corner of Leadmine and Sawmill in Raleigh. We are still holding out hopes that the owners can find another location. Stay tuned.

• And Maria Briscoe Benton shared with the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook Group that Sage Cafe will close its doors at the end of May. They hope to reopen in a few months at a new location, but that location hasn’t been identified yet. Stay tuned.

Food Trucks

• A Place at the Table will hold their second annual Pay-What-You-Can Food Truck Rodeo on Sunday, June 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This fun-filled community day will consist of delicious meals, refreshments, and desserts from a variety of food trucks including: Q-spresso, Interfaith Food Shuttle: The Spinning Plate, Bulkogi, Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes, Locopops, AMPM Burritos, Season It Up Vegan, Aries Dish Delivered, and Goodness GraceUs. All food trucks will have special menus prepared for the event. The rodeo will take place in the parking lot on the corner of West Hargett and South Harrington street across from A Place at the Table. Purchase tickets ahead of time here.

• The next Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo is June 11 from 12-4 p.m. Get out your calendar and make note of the dates for the rest of the 2023 Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeos. September 3 | October 29 – and 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

• Got word from Neha Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, that Farm to Fork is making its return in 2023 on June 4th from 4-7 p.m. at Fearrington Village. Held in the Triangle for more than 15 years, the Farm to Fork Picnic is a showcase of North Carolina chefs, artisans, and farmers paired together to create sips and nibbles of the region’s best flavors and seasonal ingredients! You can get tickets and all the details here.

• Clouds Brewing is hosting its second annual Summertime Beer Fest on Saturday, June 3. Head to the taproom (1233 Front Street, Raleigh) from 3 to 7 p.m. to sample and celebrate 25+ NC beers on tap from breweries across the region. Tickets are $25-$65 and include entry, a commemorative glass and 10 beer tickets. Get tickets here.

• Tickets are on sale now for NC F&B Podcast’s 3rd Bubbles & Brisket at Smoky Hollow scheduled for Saturday, June 3rd from 2-6 p.m. The event features 10 BBQ pit-master chefs and an array of sparkling beverages. With the purchase of a ticket, guests will enjoy various styles of brisket and side dishes prepared by the best talent in the state, along with sampling multiple styles of sparkling wine from around the world. Get tickets here.

• Like the beer in Durham? North Carolina that is. What about the beer in Durham, UK? Well, here is your chance to find out. Sister Cities of Durham will hold their Two Durhams Beer Festival on Friday, June 9th from 5-9 p.m. at Durham Central Park (Durham, NC). Essentially 5 breweries in Durham, NC are exchanging beer recipes with 5 breweries in Durham, UK. There will also be live music, food trucks, and souvenirs. I’ll drink to that! Get the details here (scroll down).

• Friend Kitty Kinnin reminded me that tickets are now available for the 5th Roots for Reece Chef’s Picnic being held on June 11th from 3-7 p.m. at Haven Farm in Knightdale. At the event you will be able to sample small plates and beverages from over 25 local food and beverage establishments. Check out this list: Longleaf Swine BBQ; Glass House Kitchen; Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing; The Umstead Hotel and Spa; Craften Neighborhood Food & Drink; Postal Fish Company; Under The Oak Catering; Locals Seafood; Mebane Crafted; Cucciolo Terrazza Raleigh; Viv’s Fridge; Jolie Restaurant; Elevated Catering Company; Layered Croissanterie; Native Fine Diner; ORO Restaurant & Lounge; Lawrence Barbecue; Leroys Taco Shop; William & Company; Revival 1869 – A Drinkery; Trophy Brewing Company; Umbrella Dry Bar; Deep River Brewing Company; and Double Barley Brewing. All proceeds go to the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, which saves lives through education and prevention of opiate overdose. Visit the site here to get your tickets.

• Sunday, June 18th is the date for the Summertime Seafood Festival in downtown Pittsboro hosted by The Sycamore and Postal Fish Company. From 2 to 6 p.m. on the lawn and inside of Forest Hall at Chatham Mills, guests wil be able to enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks and live music. Advance tickets for entry are $10 or purchase at the door for $15 (if available). Food, drinks and desserts are available for purchase. Get all the details 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