Triangle Restaurant News
Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler.
Featured Restaurant News
- In this week’s big news, it was announced that Scott Crawford, the chef at Heron’s (in The Umstead) for the last 5 years, has left the restaurant and has joined with John Holmes of Hobby Properties to form the Nash Square Hospitality Group. They will open two concepts – Standard Foods (a grocery store/restaurant located in Person Street Plaza) and Nash Tavern. Standard will have an 80-seat restaurant featuring casual Southern cuisines and is slated to open in the fall. Nash Tavern will be a full-service restaurant on Nash Square, and is slated to open in 2015. It will feature modern American fare and will have private event space. Stay tuned.
Wake County Restaurant News
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Tim Coynesmith, aka the mayor of Awesomeville, brought to my attention this week that a concept called the Lucky Chicken Peruvian Restaurant over in Clayton is slated to open a second location in Cary this summer. It will be located on Harrison Avenue in the same shopping center as the new Bass Pro Shop. Check them out on Facebook here.
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The Triangle Business Journal reported this week that one of Toby Keith’s signature restaurants, I Love This Bar & Grill, is coming soon to Cary’s Parkside Town Commons. Apparently the menu features burgers, sandwiches and just about anything fried. Check them out here.
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The Triangle Business Journal also announced this week that the Umstead Hotel and Spa has hired pastry chef Evan Sheridan to succeed Daniel Benjamin. Sheridan comes from The Inn at Little Washington in Virginia. As reported in earlier editions, Benjamin left to start his own specialty bakery and deli in downtown Raleigh called Lucettegrace, expected to open later this summer. Check Lucettegrace out here.
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Over in MacGregor Shopping Center in Cary, Tribute Pizza Place announced on their Facebook page this week that they are just “a few weeks” away from opening. Check them out here.
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David McCreary (author of the blog Lunch Boy Says) tipped me off to the fact that Fuquay-Varina is getting a Firehouse Subs at 1303 North Main Street. It is set to open June 6. Learn more about Firehouse Subs here.
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My friend Art, over at The Wandering Shepard, threw out a tweet this week that Iced Cupcakes, LLC, a popular dessert “truck” has signed a lease for a shop, which we know now will be somewhere in Raleigh. We’ll keep an eye on it and let you know something as soon as it is announced. Check them out here. Thanks Art!
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And a quick shout out to Chef Mario, Darcy and the entire team over at Chef Mario’s Catering for again receiving the Talk of The Town 5 star rating for excellence in customer service. And speaking from a lot of experience, the service they deliver (and food!) is over the top amazing. Have them cater your next office luncheon or breakfast here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham County Restaurant News
- The Herald-Sun announced this week that Scott Howell, the founder and co-owner of the restaurant Nana’s and NanaTaco, is partnering to open a new bar and eatery downtown at the corner of Main and Mangum streets called Bar Virgille (named after his grandfather). The bar and restaurant will focus on upscale cocktails and French and country food.
- It was also announced this week in The Independent that less than two years after opening the initial location, Leon Grodski de Barrera and Areli Barrera de Grodskiis are opening a second Cocoa Cinnamon at the intersection of Hillsborough Road and Trent Drive in Old West Durham. It is scheduled to open in the spring of 2015. Check them out here.
- Anticipation continues to build as Ed Mitchell’s Que gets closer and closer to opening. Two weeks ago the full menu made its way onto the website and hints at announcing an opening date appeared. But no date has been officially announced yet. Stay tuned. Get your mouth watering by checking out his site here.
- Northgate Mall announced this week the re-opening of CinnaMonster in an expanded space (taking over the former Dairy Queen space) after extensive renovations. Check them out here.
Closings
- Was sad to learn this week that Momoyama Sushi over in Durham near the Streets at Southpoint will be closing at the end of this month after a 5 year run. You’ve got a few more days to try them one more time!
- And Ox and Rabbit Soda and Sundries on Durham’s Ninth Street has closed but will be having a thank you/farewell party on Saturday, May 24. Get more details on their Facebook page here.
Food Trucks
- The Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo series returns in a few weeks with part two of their 2014 series. The next event will be on June 8th from 1-6 p.m. Be sure to get this on your calendar to check out a ½ mile of food trucks and great restaurants spread out over 11 city blocks in downtown Raleigh. Get all the details here.
- If you are looking for something to do for your father on Father’s Day, take him to Durham’s Central Park for the next Food Truck Rodeo. For those that haven’t marked this on their calendar, Father’s Day is June 15th. Get all the details here.
- Want to mix great theater with great food trucks? Well the food trucks will be present at the Raleigh Little Theatre Amphitheatre later this month, as Bare Theatre, Cirque du Vol and Raleigh Little Theatre present their outdoor production of “Two Noble Kinsmen: Fire & Shadows”. Click here for a complete listing of which trucks will be present on which nights.
Events
- This weekend is the NC Hops and Roots Fest (May 24 and 25) at Shakori Hills over in Pittsboro. The weekend event celebrates local beer, wine, food and farms. Get all the details here.
- Beginning tonight and running for six weeks this summer will be the PNC Downtown Raleigh Movie Series in City Plaza. This year, the movie series will feature films made in North Carolina. Prior to each movie, the event will host a variety of local food trucks, downtown restaurant offerings, and regional microbrew beer options. Get all the details here.
- It’s almost time for Triangle Restaurant Week, a week-long opportunity to sample the culinary fares of restaurants in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas. During the week of June 2-8, participating restaurants will be offering three-course menu options and fixed pricing.The cost is $15 for a three-course lunch and $20 or $30 for a three-course dinner, per person and not including beverages, tax or gratuity. Check out a complete list of participating restaurants here.
- There are three things you need to know about the upcoming (June 23-August 4) Fire in the Triangle chef competition to be held in Raleigh. One, the first round pairings were announced yesterday. Second, the lineup of chefs is crazy good. And three, all the events WILL sell out (the final round has already sold out – told you!). Guaranteed. Mark my words. Trust me. Get all the details and tickets here.
- Kick off the summer right with a clambake, cold craft beer, live music, local art, and a Caribbean-style seafood feast. NC Fresh Catch Raleigh returns to Moore Square Saturday, June 7th from 1-7pm, packing the park with day-long entertainment and authentic island flair. Get all the details here.
- And finally, tickets are on sale now for the 2014 Farm to Fork Picnic, which will be held on Sunday, June 8th from 4-7 p.m. The event celebrates local food and local farms and promises food, beverages, live music and fun. Get all the details here.
Food Bank Corner
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Help the Food Bank kick off their Stop Summer Hunger Campaign by joining them at The Streets at Southpoint Kickoff Event on May 31. There will be activities for the whole family! Check out a can structure made by Cisco and learn how to make your own with the “Bailey’s Kids Can Build” activity. And remember to bring your cans! They’ll be hosting a Drive Drop & Go Food Drive on Main Street next to Champps from 10 am – 2 pm. This is a great opportunity for you and your family to have fun and support a great cause! See you there! Get more details on this and all Food Bank events here.
