Friday Fun Food Facts – April 28, 2023

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

Featured Restaurant News

  • Alright folks, need you to do a couple of things. First, clear out a ton of space in your freezer. After that, head down to Boulted Bread between now and Sunday and load up on all your favorite baked goods. Why? Well, they are moving to a new, larger location on DuPont Circle, just a few blocks away from their current location..which means they will be closed for a week or two during the transition. Their last day at 614 W. South St. is this Sunday. They are open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. for the next three days, but get there early because once they are sold out, they are sold out. You have been warned! We will miss the spot on South Street, but look forward to their larger space, and continued success, just a few blocks away. Visit Boulted here and get updates on their progress/transition on Instagram here.

Wake County Restaurant News

  • A quick update in downtown Raleigh. Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar will reopen after being closed since Saturday, March 25, due to an electrical fire in the kitchen. Owner Samad Hachby took the unplanned downtime while repairs and inspections were being completed to refresh the downtown Raleigh eatery. Look for them to open next Tuesday, May 2nd. Get your reservations in now!
  • Speaking of returns…The original owners of Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ on Oberlin Road in Raleigh, Eric and Jesse Reyes, have returned after a two month hiatus. They will be celebrating with a grand reopening with $2 all-beef jumbo hot dogs on Monday, May 1st. They also have a secret menu that is visible only when you download the app. It’s great for the community to have Eric and Jesse back! Check out Crave here.
  • And it looks like Raleigh is going to land the first east coast location of Seattle’s CaliBurger. Reader Tyler Glover tipped us off to the fact that there is a “coming soon” sign at the old Arby’s on Hillsborough Street (3415 Hillsborough St). No word on a timeline. Get to know them here.
  • Over in Cary, a new development in downtown on E. Chatham Street is nearing completion and the Triangle Business Journal shared this week that one of the tenants in Rogers East and Rogers West buildings will be Sono Sushi. This will be their second location of the popular Japanese spot which also has a location in Downtown Raleigh. Visit Sono here.
  • David McCreary shared that downtown Apex is close to welcoming Neat & Sweet, a cocktail and dessert lounge situated right next to the popular Scratch Kitchen & Taproom (the same owners are branching out once again). Get ready for inventive handcrafted drinks alongside fondue, crepes and more. The owners hope to open the doors in May. Stay tuned for more details.
  • Over in Fuquay-Varina, the folks behind Today in the Quay shared that a new concept called SupaBowlz Cafe is coming soon. They are a a fast, casual, healthy option restaurant, specializing in acai bowls, coconut bowls, pitaya bowls, oatmeal bowls, poke bowls, wraps, salads and smoothies. They will be located at 411 Broad Street where Tsuru Sweets used to be. Follow their progress on Facebook here.
  • Today in the Quay also shared that their neighbor, Angier, is getting a steakhouse – Harvey Johns Steakhouse. It will be located at 1501 N. Raleigh Street. The restaurant is expected to open by the end of September at the latest, hopefully sooner according to owner Scott Harvey. Thanks to the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal for additional details. Keep up with their progress on Facebook here.
  • A bit of airport food news this week in the Triangle Business Journal. The new additions out at RDU include: Adios!, by local chef Oscar Diaz; Cary’s Bond Brothers Taproom & Kitchen; Raleigh’s Bongiorno and Son; Butcher’s Burger & Bar; Conniption Cocktail Bar, developed in partnership with Durham Distillery; Dunkin’, Half Moon Empanadas; and Guy’s Pizza Joint by Guy Fieri. Additionally, Durham’s Beyú Caffé will open in both terminals later this year, Black & White Coffee Roasters, which already has three locations in Wake County, and concepts from local chef Scott Crawford, are coming to Terminal 2 Marketplace and on the C Concourse.
  • And speaking of the airport, RalToday shared the news that we are getting a three-story gas station called RDU Galleria (1550 Aviation Pkwy). But that doesn’t really concern us here on this food blog. What we are excited about is that it will house a bar with 24 taps, a Gloria Jean’s Coffees cafe, a lounge, a food court with Which Wich, Pizza Hut, Wayback Burgers, an in-house restaurant and an outdoor patio. Look for them to open in the next two weeks. Nothing much on their website as of yet.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

  • Durham Magazine shared that Flying Bull Beer Company has announced they are opening a second location with craft beer, cocktails and a full dining menu in the Durham Innovation District near West Village in fall 2023. Visit them here.
  • Durham Magazine also shared that New Jersey-founded acai shop Playa Bowls will open on Ninth Street and offer superfruit bowls, smoothies, coffee and more. This will be the second North Carolina location, with the first located in Wilmington. No word on an open date. Get to know Playa here.
  • If you haven’t checked out one of Viv’s Fridges yet, either of the next two Saturdays might be a great opportunity to do so…as you will also get to meet Vivian Howard herself! She will be serving samples of her latest fare from 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Wine Authorities in Durham. If you can’t make that, she will be doing the exact same thing next Saturday, May 6th from noon-1:30 p.m. at Taylor’s Wine Shop in Raleigh. Visit Viv’s Fridge here.

Closings

  • Nothing to report. Keep eating local, folks!

Food Trucks

  • 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

  • The folks over at RalToday shared that Black Restaurant Week, founded in 2016 by Warren Luckett, Falayn Ferrell and Derek Robinson, will come to the Triangle Friday, April 28 through Sunday, May 7. This is the third time the campaign has visited the Carolinas. The week will highlight Black-owned restaurants, food trucks, sweets, and more. Find participants in our area.
  • The Wine Feed, with locations in Raleigh and Durham, has some food-focused events coming up. First up, Flights & Bites: A Wine and Food Pairing with Brewery Bhavana on April 30th from 12 – 5pm. This Flights & Bites combines delicious food from Brewery Bhavana with a perfectly paired flight of wine! Get tickets and see the menu here.
  • Hospitality mavens Sarah Shepherd of Height House Hotel and chef Liz Grandchamp of Grandchamp Hospitality recently introduced Raleigh’s newest pop-up dining experience – Supper Club – hosted monthly at Heights House Hotel. They have one more on the schedule and tickets for it “opens up” three weeks prior. Mark your calendars for Supper Club May 22 (Italian American). After this one, Supper Club at Heights House will then resume in the Fall. So get ready! Follow along here and get ready for the next one.
  • Join Vino!! Wine Shop for the Pittsboro Wine Fest on Sun, May 21, 2-4pm at Postal Fish Company. There will be eleven wine vendors pouring 40+ wines from around the globe. The entry fee gets you a taste of all these fabulous wines, a spread of delectable food catered by Postal Fish Company, live music from the local band “Radio”, and door prizes. The food and lineup will be announced closer to the date of the festival. Get all the details 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 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Food Bank Corner

  • Between June 2021 and May 2022, inflation caused a 10.7% increase in food costs in the U.S. For people in our community, making some family’s budget untenable. Your gift today to The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina can support families whose budgets are being stretched because of the rising cost of food and living. There have also been significant increases in fuel, housing, and energy costs because of inflation. This means the average living costs for households in our country are up $460 per month! Your gift today can provide nutritious food for our neighbors in need. Donate here, and thank you! #noonegoeshungry

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Friday Fun Food Facts – April 21, 2023

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

Featured Restaurant News

  • If you are a fan of diners (who isn’t!?!), we’ve got big news for you this week! Over in Apex we got word that James and Michelle Park, owners of The Shiny Diner (formerly Gypsy’s Shiny Diner) in Raleigh off of Buck Jones Rd., will be opening up a similar concept, Peak City Diner, off of Perry Road and Highway 55. They are aiming for a late May soft opening and a grand opening in mid-June. Looks like they are upgrading their website to incorporate the new location. Stay up with them here.

Wake County Restaurant News

  • The Triangle Business Journal shared the news that Rosecomb Beer Garden, serving a variety of local craft brews, has opened a new taproom next to Ashley Christensen’s newest restaurant concept, BB’s Crispy Chicken, in Parkside Town Commons. Rosecomb is managed by Raleigh-based MDO Holdings, the investment and management that partnered with Christensen to establish BB’s. The two are located in a newly built outparcel in the shopping center off Highway 55 just north of Highway 540. Visit them here.
  • WRAL shared the news that Raleigh Union Station, when it is completed, will have a small food hall. The food options at the hall will include coffee, sandwiches, crepes, pastries and other light items. The space will include one storefront and a shared kitchen for three vendors to share.
  • Up in North Raleigh, Triangle Business Journal shared that two new restaurants are slated to open in the Poyner Place shopping center near Triangle Town Center. Raleigh-based Bullard Restaurant Group has plans to open a Moe’s Southwest Grill and Brunches, a Wilmington-based restaurant described as a laid-back eatery offering breakfast classics, burritos, burgers and bowls, plus mimosas and cocktails. Get to know Brunches here and Moe’s here.
  • 321 Coffee announced this week that they are partnering with Relias to open their second in-office cafe, this one in Morrisville at 1010 Sync St. in Perimeter Park. The company will fully sponsor beverages and pastries from the 321 Cafe for its employees as an amenity. 321 already operates a location inside Pendo’s downtown Raleigh headquarters. Construction on the space is set to begin in May with an opening planned for the summer. If you are not familiar with 321, fix that here.
  • Reader Burke Williams let us know that Ton Noodle is going into the old Subway space at 8711 Six Forks Road. Their sign is up but they are not open yet.
  • Thanks to a tip from the folks over at RalToday, we learned that Trophy Brewing is celebrating 10 years this Sunday, April 23 from 12-5 p.m. Head to the brewery’s Morgan Street location for live music from Thick as Thieves, throwback specialty pizzas, and exclusive beer releases. Visit them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

  • Back in March we told you that Gov’s Burger & Tap (50050 Governors Dr.) had been sold to Jose Torralva Fernandez and Claudia P. Martin. Got word from friend Denny Marcin that they have converted the name to Gov’s Fusion Cantina, adding handmade empanadas, blackened fish tacos and shrimp tacos to the popular burger menu. They are open every day from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. (10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday). Visit them and their new menu here.
  • Over in Durham and RTP (and a truck rolling around the Triangle), the folks at Spanglish informed us this week that they have changed their name (for legal reasons having to do with someone several states away already having that name) to Koki. The creative Puerto Rican kitchen has locations at 104 City Hall Plaza in Durham and 10970 Chapel Hill Rd. in Morrisville (not open yet). Probably best to keep up with them on Instagram here.
  • Indy Week reported that Rofhiwa Book Café owners Bev Tumi Makhubele and Naledi Yaziyo are opening a second cafe, Congress Durham, just blocks from Rofhiwa at 419 South Driver in East Durham. This second concept will have morning cafe hours with grab-and-go breakfast options as well as evening hours as a bar. They don’t have an exact opening date but are hoping for late May, to mark the second-year anniversary of Rofhiwa being open. Follow their progress here.

Closings

  • Nothing to report. Keep eating local, folks!

Food Trucks

  • 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

  • Brewgaloo is back starting today through Saturday – Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22. For the next two days, craft beer from 100+ breweries will be flowing on Fayetteville Street. The annual event attracts more than 50,000 people each year. Get all the details here.
  • The folks over at RalToday shared that Black Restaurant Week, founded in 2016 by Warren Luckett, Falayn Ferrell and Derek Robinson, will come to the Triangle Friday, April 28 through Sunday, May 7. This is the third time the campaign has visited the Carolinas. The week will highlight Black-owned restaurants, food trucks, sweets, and more. Find participants in our area.
  • On Sunday, April 30th at 6:30 p.m., Plates Neighborhood Kitchen on Raleigh’s Glenwood Avenue is bringing back their extremely popular Hops vs. Grapes pairing dinner. What is it? A fun five course ‘Beer vs Wine’ dinner, each course paired with one beer and one wine, expertly chosen by their own certified cicerone Carter Perry (beer) and owner Justin Gallus (wine). The theme this time around will be North Carolina Libations. Pairings will be revealed on the night of the event. This event is RSVP-only, and space is limited. Visit them here.
  • Crawford & Son announced the long-awaited return of their guest chef dinner series, Oakwood and Friends! It will return on Sunday, April 30th at 7pmwith a 7-course dinner featuring guest chefs Josh Finger and Maggie McConnel. This tasting menu highlights contemporary American cuisine and includes a wine pairing for each guest. Cost is $225 per person plus tax and gratuity, and can be booked through tock here.
  • The Wine Feed, with locations in Raleigh and Durham, has some food-focused events coming up. First up, Flights & Bites: A Wine and Food Pairing with Brewery Bhavana on April 30th from 12 – 5pm. This Flights & Bites combines delicious food from Brewery Bhavana with a perfectly paired flight of wine! Get tickets and see the menu here.
  • Hospitality mavens Sarah Shepherd of Height House Hotel and chef Liz Grandchamp of Grandchamp Hospitality recently introduced Raleigh’s newest pop-up dining experience – Supper Club – hosted monthly at Heights House Hotel. They have one more on the schedule and tickets for it “opens up” three weeks prior. Mark your calendars for Supper Club May 22 (Italian American). After this one, Supper Club at Heights House will then resume in the Fall. So get ready! Follow along here and get ready for the next one.
  • Join Vino!! Wine Shop for the Pittsboro Wine Fest on Sun, May 21, 2-4pm at Postal Fish Company. There will be eleven wine vendors pouring 40+ wines from around the globe. The entry fee gets you a taste of all these fabulous wines, a spread of delectable food catered by Postal Fish Company, live music from the local band “Radio”, and door prizes. The food and lineup will be announced closer to the date of the festival. Get all the details 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 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.
  • 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.

Food Bank Corner

  • Between June 2021 and May 2022, inflation caused a 10.7% increase in food costs in the U.S. For people in our community, making some family’s budget untenable. Your gift today to The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina can support families whose budgets are being stretched because of the rising cost of food and living. There have also been significant increases in fuel, housing, and energy costs because of inflation. This means the average living costs for households in our country are up $460 per month! Your gift today can provide nutritious food for our neighbors in need. Donate here, and thank you! #noonegoeshungry

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