Triangle Restaurant News
Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler.
Featured Restaurant News
- They’re back! Well, almost. Unless you were under a rock this week, nearly all the chatter was about acclaimed chef Cheetie Kumar and partner Paul Siler unveiling their latest concept Ajja, which will be in Raleigh’s Five Points neighborhood. Ajja is the Hindi/Urdu word for “come over.” Located adjacent to Anisette Sweet Shop (209 Bickett Blvd.), Kumar and chef Chris Gamble’s menu will feature “diverse foodways and cultures, vibrant spices and cooking techniques of the Mediterranean, the Middle East and beyond.” The 1,800 square-foot space will also feature a large, covered outdoor patio with a fire pit and views of the city’s skyline. Look for them to open later this spring (think May). Visit their site to sign-up for updates and announcements.
Wake County Restaurant News
- The latest offering from the Urban Food Group (think Coquette, Chow, and Vivace here locally) has opened in the former Edwards Mill Bar and Grill location in West Raleigh’s Olde Raleigh Village shopping center. The Mill is still fine tuning their menu, but currently features such treats as Wood Fired NY Strip, Rye Crusted Salmon and Shrimp & Grits, along with a pretty impressive cocktail/beverage menu (from popular local breweries on tap, a robust wine offering and creative craft cocktails). The inside is absolutely gorgeous and opens to an expansive outdoor dining patio. Check them out here.
- NC Triangle Dining shared the news that the M Restaurants Group is opening their newest concept, M Test Kitchen, in the Fenton development in Cary tonight (April 14). They will be offering upscale Asian fusion plates like lobster shumai, “beef and broccoli”, along with some fantastic desserts. Pro tip from NC Triangle Dining: Do not miss the crab fried rice! See the full menu and make reservations here.
- Eggs Up Grill, a rapidly growing breakfast, brunch and lunch concept, will open a new restaurant in Apex this spring. Located at 1421 Kelly Road in the Publix Pointe Shopping Center, the restaurant will be the first for franchise partners Chris and Krystal Nichols. This will be the fifth location in the Raleigh market. Visit them here.
- Over in Knightdale, WRAL shared the news that residents there have a new video game-themed bar available called Rewind Retro Bar which opened on April 2nd. The bar not only features a plethora of retro video games and pinball machines, but also a retro cocktail menu that is always changing and updating. The bar is open Wednesday through Sunday and will have nights with food trucks available. Take a step back in time here.
- Thanks to a tip from the folks over at RalToday, we learned that Trophy Brewing is celebrating 10 years on 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
- Lula and Sadie’s, self-described as a fine Southern eatery, is holding their soft-opening weekend in their new spot – the old Davis Bakery building at 2022 Chapel Hill Road in the Lakewood community in Durham. Starting Friday, April 14th at 5 p.m. they will be opening at limited capacity with a slightly modified menu for dinner. They will be walk-in only until further notice. Starting Saturday, April 15th, they will open for regular hours (Monday – CLOSED; Tuesday-Thursday – 11am – 9pm; Friday – 11am- 10pm; Saturday – 10am – 10pm; Sunday – 10am – 3pm). Saturday and Sunday they will be serving brunch in addition to the full menu until 3 p.m. Might be best to follow along on Instagram here.
- At Chapel Hill’s main intersection (Franklin & Columbia streets) expect a delay for the opening of the much-anticipated Raising Cane’s according to the Triangle Business Journal this week. They originally purchased the building in December 2021, but are now not anticipating an opening until September, 2023 citing construction delays. If you are not already familiar with them, you’ve got a little bit more time to do so here.
- And just down from there, Bul Box has opened their seventh Triangle area location at 200 W. Franklin St. according to the Triangle Business Journal. They are in the spot formerly occupied by Lime and Basil where they are serving up their wide variety of Asian flavors. Check them out here.
- And a huge congratulations to Chapel Hill’s iconic Sutton Drug Store which just celebrated 100 years in business! Yes, 100 years! Congratulations also to current owner Don Pinney for keeping the Franklin Street institution so vibrant. Visit them here.
Closings
- The News & Observer was the first to report that after 37 years, one of North Carolina’s most artful restaurants has closed. Durham’s Yamazushi in Woodcroft Shopping Center held its last service March 26. That is the bad news. The good news is that they are looking to open a tea room. Stay tuned.
Food Trucks
- This Friday through Sunday (April 14-16) the Raleigh Southern Ideal Home Show returns to NC State Fairgrounds. (Sean, this is a food blog, what gives?) Well, the weather is going to be absolutely perfect and they have added a Food Trucks & Fun Courtyard which will be set up between the Expo and Graham buildings on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. for local eats, outdoor dining under tents sponsored by King Canopy and yard games sponsored by Triangle Lawn Games. See the truck line-up and get tickets to the show 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
- This Saturday, April 15th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. 321 Coffee is holding a Greater Good Bloc Party to celebrate their partnership with NC State at their location on Hillsborough Street (615 Hillsborough Street). They’ll be doing yoga (register in advance), members of the NC State football team will be on hand, and they’ll hand out Howling Cow ice cream to the first 100 guests. And Sam will be behind the counter slinging his popular Wolfpack Special – iced vanilla latte with whipped cream and caramel! There will also be live music as well as and appearance from Mr. & Mrs. Wuf! Get all the details here.
- This Friday and Saturday is also the 10th Annual Bone Suckin’ Sauce Peak City Pig Fest in historic downtown Apex. The two-day event will be held Friday 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. During the event, 42 cook teams will compete for more than $12,000 in prize money cooking chicken, ribs, beef brisket and pork. The Bone Suckin’ Sauce Peak City Pig Fest is one of the top KCBS-sanctioned events in North Carolina, the nation’s leading BBQ sanctioning body. Get all the details here. Thanks to reader Eric Lamb for reminding us of this awesome event!
- The Chinese Food and Culture Festival will take place on Saturday, April 15th along Academy Street in downtown Cary. It is a celebration of the unique and vibrant traditions that make up the rich cultural heritage and is expected to attract over 20,000 people. And of course at the heart of the festival is the food. Admission is free. Get all the details here on their Facebook events page.
- Everyone knows what April 15th is. Nope, that is April 18th this year. April 15th is the date for the 13th Annual Cuegrass Festival which is returning to Fayetteville Street and will feature a large covered area with draft beer options, plenty of seating and extra beer stations throughout the event. Get all the details here.
- Also on April 15th, a national coffee event is coming to the Triangle. Caffeine Crawl is coming to Durham, Chapel Hill and Carrboro for the first time. The event will consist of four different routes to select from highlighting the area’s best in local coffee, tea, and chocolate, followed by an evening event at Carrboro Coffee Roasters. View the routes, participating venues and get tickets here.
- Brewgaloo is back on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22. For two full days, craft beer from 100+ breweries will be flowing on Fayetteville Street. The annual event attracts more than 50,000 people each year. Thanks to RalToday for the reminder to get this gem on our calendar! Get all the details here.
- 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 7pm with 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.
- 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.
- Mark your calendars. Bubbles & Brisket #3 is scheduled for Saturday, June 3rd from 1-6 p.m. at Smoky Hollow in downtown Raleigh (421 N. Harrington Street). Created on the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, it is a collaboration of chefs, pit-masters, wine producers, sommeliers and brewers, pairing sparkling bubbles with a variety of cooking techniques and side dishes that feature everyone’s favorite: brisket. This is a family friendly event with fun activities for everyone.
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
