Triangle Restaurant News
Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler
Featured Restaurant News
- We are excited to share with you that Carroll’s Kitchen is holding their grand opening in downtown Raleigh next Wednesday, September 28th at 11 a.m. They had several “soft opening” days this past week, and are on a staff retreat today (Friday) and will resume normal hours next Monday. They are located at 19 East Martin Street. Learn more about Carroll’s Kitchen here.
- And we can’t help but remind you about the upcoming State Fair – October 13-23rd and their “Eat Lunch at the Fair” deal. Here’s how it works. Come to Gate 9 (only, Trinity Road) after 11:30 a.m. on weekdays (not weekends), pay $10 (cash only) for a lunch card to get in, get your “grub on” at any fair vendor, and exit out the same gate by 1:30 p.m. (surely you can do this in two hours), and you get your $10 cash back. Sign me up! Get all the details here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- The Raleigh Agenda gave us more details on the sushi restaurant coming to the Troy Mezze space in downtown Raleigh’s City Market. Working to open City Market Sushi in November, Korean brothers Jin Ho Chang and Shawn Chang are not new to the restaurant scene, having owned restaurants in Greensboro and Raleigh and a food truck. Read more about what they are doing here.
- Also in downtown Raleigh, the Raleigh Agenda reported this morning that Bare Bones, the latest concept out of Eschelon Experiences, will open this weekend. Bare Bones will be a new ribs, burger and beer restaurant on Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street in the former Zinda spot. Nothing much up on their website yet, so stay tuned and call first before venturing out.
- Additionally, New Raleigh reported this week that Scott Crawford’s new restaurant, Crawford and Son, is on schedule to open in late October at 618 N. Person Street. Nothing much on their website, but keep up with their progress on their Facebook page here.
- Lisa Jeffries tipped us off to the fact that Chihua Grill in south Raleigh has opened at 421 Chapanoke Road. Get all the details and view their menu here.
- The Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Metro Diner, a popular Florida restaurant chain that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, has signed a deal to open the first of multiple restaurants planned for North Carolina at the Sutton Square shopping center in North Raleigh (former Aladdin’s Eatery location). Learn about Metro Diner here.
- Continuing with some of the chef changes we mentioned last week, we learned (thanks to Jo Smith) that chef Marshall Smith has left Glasshalful in Carrboro and re-joined Dean Ogan at Dean’s Seafood Grill in Cary. Learn more about Dean’s here.
- Down in Holly Springs we got word that Freddy’s has opened their third Triangle-area location at 221 Grand Hill Place in the Holly Springs Towne Center. Learn more about Freddy’s here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- The News & Observer reported this week that CrossTies Barbecue, the latest restaurant from chef-owner Andrew Moore who owns Venable Rotisserie Bistro, will open at 5:30 p.m. tonight (Friday) in the former Southern Rail location in downtown Carrboro. Check them out here.
- Excited to announce that Alberello Cafe & Market, the new Italian restaurant owned by Brendan and Leslie Cox, owners of Oakleaf in Pittsboro, is having their soft opening tonight, Friday, September 23rd from 5-8 p.m. Regular hours (11 a.m. – 8 p.m.) begin Saturday. They are located right at the 15-501 entrance to Briar Chapel, just south of Chapel Hill. Check them out here.
- Also in Chatham County, Neha Shah with the Pittsboro-Siler City CVB pointed out the owners of Fig & Honey have listed it for sale on Instagram. Find out more about the restaurant here.
Closings
- Friend Glenn Gillen brought it to my attention that The Coffee Element on Highway 54 in Durham has closed.
- Got word that the San Lorenzo Italian Bistro & Bar at 411 Fayetteville St. in downtown Raleigh has closed.
Food Trucks
- For a listing of ALL food truck events, head over to Art’s page, The Wandering Sheppard on all things food truck related here.
Events
- The third annual Triangle Oktoberfest will take place this weekend at Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre on September 23rd and 24th. Enjoy family-friendly activities such as music from the Little German Band, dancing, traditional Bavarian food and fare, wiener dog races, “Rock-toberfest” concerts by Four Founders and West Street Band, children’s play area, and prizes for German attire. Children 16 and younger are free. Friday tickets: $15 in advance, or $20 at the door. Saturday tickets: $20 in advance, or $25 at the door. Purchase tickets here.
- Tickets to TerraVita are going quickly. So you better jump fast, as many of these events will sell out soon. Trust me. If you aren’t familiar with TerraVita, it is arguably the premier “foodie event” in the southeast and it will take place September 28th through October 1 right here in Chapel Hill. In a nutshell, it is a multi-day celebration that brings together top chefs, food artisans, sommeliers, baristas, brewers, educators, distillers, cookbook authors and industry luminaries from across the Southeast to celebrate culinary excellence and sustainability in food and drink. Get tickets (NOW!) here. And get additional details on TerraVita here.
- You don’t want to miss this event (because yours truly will be one of the judges). The event? It is Relish Cafe & Bar’s charity Mac and Cheese Throwdown and Bartender Showdown benefiting the Hope Center at Pullen on Saturday, October 1st from 6pm to 11pm. The website to get all the details and tickets here.
- Felicia Perry-Trujillo reminded me about the upcoming 9th Annual Pepperfest taking place Sunday, October 2nd from 2-7 p.m. at Briar Chapel in Chatham County. The event features super delicious pepper-themed dishes and beverages, live music and children’s activities. A great outdoor event for this time of the year. Get tickets and all the details here.
- The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering in Chapel Hill is holding its fifth annual Porkapalooza on Friday, October 14th at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature twelve small plate courses celebrating local pork, including roasted suckling pigs; beer cheese fondue with local sausages; fried green tomatoes topped with pimento cheese, beer-braised crispy pork belly and tomato jam; poutine with sweet potato fries, Seven Springs country gravy and Ashe County cheese; and bacon marshmallow s’mores. The dinner also includes Fullsteam beer pairings. Save $10 by ordering tickets by Aug. 31. Get all the information and tickets here.
- On October 16th in Carrboro, grab a locally made pottery bowl, enjoy a hearty meal of soup, sandwiches and dessert and help TABLE provide food aid to area children all while enjoying live music and a silent auction at Weaver Street Market in Carrboro. Tickets: $15-$50. Visit here for all the details.
- Also on October 16th in Chapel Hill, A Tasteful Affair will take place at the Blue Zone at Kenan Stadium, to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill and will have food and beverage purveyors like Chirba Chirba, Elements and others competing for awards with judges like UNC’s Sean May and Miss North Carolina McKenzie Faggart crowning their favorites. Tickets: $75-$125. Get all the details here.
- Jennifer Noble Kelly sent me information about PICNIC, North Carolina’s newest whole hog barbecue joint, and its’ farm partner, Green Button Farm, hosting their inaugural NC Barbecue Revival at the farm this fall, October 28th – 30th. The three-day weekend will be chock full of classes, discussions, feasts and pig pickins’. Get a listing of all the events, ticket information and every last detail on the their website here.
- On November 6th, the folks over at Acme will bring back the fourth edition of Salt & Smoke Festival to beautiful Rock Quarry Farm on Highway 54 just outside of Carrboro. This is becoming quite the event, as over 500 people attended last year. Get all the details and ticket information here.
- Also on November 6th, the folks over at Chickenwire announced their latest pop-up dinner which will be held, at an secret outdoor venue to be revealed later, and will feature 8 area chefs with offerings utilizing “fire, grill and smoke.” VIP tickets get you in an hour early. Get all the details, including a listing of participating chefs, and tickets here.
Food Bank Corner
- September is Hunger Action Month and as part of that, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina held their annual 24 Hour #FoodBank24 to raise money and awareness. Because of your generosity, they were able to raise enough funds to provide 99,293 meals for those dealing with food insecurity in our community! Unfortunately, the need in our community continues, and we need to keep the donations coming. Do so here.
