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 team behind Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing will be opening Glasshouse Kitchen in the middle of RTP later this summer (August). The name comes from the gorgeous building boasting three sides of floor-to-ceiling windows which will feel like an extension of the outside world in the dining room—without the annoyances of being outside. The menu, which is crafted as approachable-casual, is a joint effort by WH Hospitality company chef Bobby McFarland and executive chef Savannah Miller, who, before joining the Glasshouse team, worked at M Tempura for almost four years. Pizza will be a huge draw of the menu along with a sandwich-heavy menu at lunch and a small plates-forward menu at dinner. And don’t forget brunch as well as their craft cocktail program. A lot to look forward to. Congrats to co-owners Sara Abernethy and Chris Borreson. Get a peek at it here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- A quick update on a concept that has been “coming soon” for a while and with much anticipation. The Redneck BBQ Lab confirmed on their Facebook page this week that the franchise location at North Hills in Raleigh, The BBQ Lab, is on schedule now to open next month! Follow them on Facebook here to get updates and announcements.
- And this was big news this week. The original Char-Grill location (opened in 1959) on Raleigh’s Hillsborough Street will go away once construction begins on a new high-rise development on that block. That’s the bad news. The good news is they will incorporate Char-Grill into the new development. In the meantime, that location will remain open until construction begins. Not sure how long it will be before the new spot opens once construction begins. But don’t forget, Char-Grill has nine locations in the area, so you won’t go without. Visit Char-Grill here.
- This is kind of fun. Visit Raleigh put together a list of their “best new restaurants” in Wake County. It is certainly not a complete list, but a very fun list if you are looking for a new spot to check out. See their list here.
- This is great to see. According to the Triangle Business Journal, the dynamic duo behind Oak City Fish and Chips, Isaac Horton and Ijeoma Nwankwo, are taking their concept across the country. What began as a single food truck, quickly became two brick and mortar locations and three trucks. Now the duo has plans to open 50-75 franchise locations across the country, with the first two being their existing stores as they transition their focus on the growth. Love seeing their success! Check out Oak City here.
- Chris Creighton shared the update that the closure of the Zaxby’s at 4150 Fayetteville Road in Raleigh appears to be a temporary closure for renovation. Visit their site here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- Over in Durham, Glenn Gillen noticed that The Milk Lab has opened a location inside Streets at Southpoint mall underneath the escalators on the first level. They have two other locations (Cary and Durham) with a fourth coming online soon in the Smoky Hollow development in downtown Raleigh. Get to know them here.
- A quick update on Lula and Sadie’s in Durham. First, they are still in the process of moving into their new home in Lakewood, but they’ve run into some unexpected delays. Additionally, they have partnered with Pour Taproom (this is something that was always in the works) where you can get your fix right in the heart of downtown Durham. They’ve come up with a “bar driven” menu specifically for Pour Taproom. Probably best to get your updates on their Facebook page.
- Down in Chatham County, just south of Chapel Hill on 15-501, the extfemely popular Ta Contento food truck is opening their brick and mortar location today, July 8, in the space that was formerly occupied by Burger King. They will be open today from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Get familiar with them here.
- And fresh off winning his James Beard award (Best Chef Southeast), Saltbox Seafood chef/owner Ricky Moore is featured on Kitty Kinnin‘s podcast. Check it out here.
Closings / Cancellations
- Twitter buddy @BurgeoningBaker was the first to bring it to my attention that Utica Bakery will close at the end of this month. Apparently they will be closed this weekend due to a death in the family. They will be open the next three weekends and then on July 31 close their truck for good.
- Also got word from a discussion on the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook page that the Jimmy John’s on Franklin Street closed on June 28.
Food Trucks
- The final Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo of 2022 will be on Sunday, September 25th. The rodeo is set up on downtown Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street featuring a half mile of food trucks and restaurants spread out over 10 city blocks. Details here.
- The remaining Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo 2022 schedule is as follows: September 4 and October 30. Mark your calendars. Get all the details here.
- 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
- Pour Taproom Durham is celebrating their 5 year anniversary this Saturday, July 9th, from 4 to 10pm. They’ll have face painting and an icee vendor from 4-6pm, live jazz music from the Patrick McGrew Trio from 8-10pm and Lula and Sadie’s will also be cooking up some great food all day. Tickets aren’t required, but please follow this link for more information.
- From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, July 9, the Carolina Ale House in Wake Forest (11685 Northpark Dr.) will host an outdoor event with music and free life-size activities for children and adults, including Human Foosball and a 24-foot waterslide. Hot dogs will be grilled outside near the activities for guests to purchase. A portion of proceeds from the event will be donated to World Central Kitchen to support the nonprofit’s efforts to feed people displaced by the Russian war in Ukraine. Visit Carolina Ale House here.
- The Crushable Craft Beverage Festival returns to the Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP on Saturday, July 16th from 5:30 until 9:30 p.m. The event highlights 13 different craft beverage makers featuring hard cider, hard seltzer, sour beers and live music – all hosted in the outdoor beer garden at the Glass Jug’s RTP location on Hwy 55 in Durham. Get tickets and all the details here.
- September is shaping up to be the month of BBQ events. First up will be the The Pinehurst Barbecue Festival taking place September 2-4 in beautiful Pinehurst, North Carolina where they will celebrate “All Things Barbecue” in North Carolina – from Eastern North Carolina vinegar to Western North Carolina tomato. The three-day event features a variety of activities culminating with a impressive list of pitmasters showing off their talents on day three. Get tickets and all the details on their site here.
- The Bull City BBQ Bash will take place on Saturday, September 3rd from 12-5 p.m. bringing a high energy BBQ event to Durham to cap the summer holiday season. Attendees will interact with BBQ competitors, taste and vote on delicious food while supporting Helps Education Fund, enjoy live music, shop at a small business marketplace, enjoy local food and beverages and most of all – experience an amazing atmosphere! Get all the details on their website here.
- After a 2-year hiatus, Dinner in the Meadow will return as attendees will be gathering in the meadow again on Sunday, September 11th from 5:30-8:30 in the evening. The dinner sells out each year, so you are encouraged to get your tickets early. Get all the details here.
- The 15th Annual Pepperfest returns this year on Sunday, September 18th at The Plant in Pittsboro. The event is hosted outdoors with live music and pepper-themed food and drink made with locally-grown sweet, hot, and smoky NC peppers. Chefs and craft beverage makers will compete for awards. Guests can taste different dishes made from peppers grown in the Piedmont of North Carolina. Early bird prices are good through July 1st, when prices increase. Get your tickets and all the details here. Thanks to Neha Shah with the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau for alerting me about this great event.
- Like beer? Excellent. Visit Raleigh has established a Raleigh Beer Trail that gives you a passport to get stamped at the 30+ breweries in the Raleigh area, from Wake Forest to Raleigh to Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina. Once you’ve filled up your passport with stamps, you send it in to receive prizes. Nothing like being rewarded for drinking! But as always, please drink responsibly. Get the details here.
Food Bank Corner
- With your support over the last year, the Food Bank distributed food to approximately 200,000 youth facing hunger in the 34 counties we serve. Unfortunately, we continue to see a devastating impact from COVID-19 for young people, who are left vulnerable to family and school changes. No child should have to worry when he or she will eat again, and no parent should have to skip a meal, so they can put food on the table for their children. Through agency distributions, targeted nutrition programs, education, and public policy work, the Food Bank is reaching young people with healthy and fun food options. Learn more here. #NoOneGoesHungry
