TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

Triangle Restaurant News

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

Featured Restaurant News

•  It is here! Next week kicks off the 9th annual TerraVita Festival over in Chapel Hill. Go. Get to something! There are lots of events for you to choose from. But hurry! Most are nearly sold out. Things will kick off Wednesday, October 17, with the East Meets West dinner (first year at The Carolina Inn) and end on Saturday, October 20 with the Fall Fête on The Green in Southern Village – which features 40 chefs and food artisans from across the state of North Carolina – representing the coast, the mountains and everything in between – as well as about two dozen beverage producers. Check out this video that give you a great look at all the events that make up TerraVita. Or visit their website here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Hurricane Michael shorted us a day to get over to the NC State Fair to sample the goodness that arrives every year. I’m certain you’ve seen some of the creations that will be featured (I want to meet the people that come up with these creations), and WRAL has a “food map” for you to study prior to arriving. And don’t forget, you can enter Gates 1 or 9 on weekdays between 11:30 and 1:30 (bring $10 cash that you get back when you leave) just to come in and sample food! Check out WRAL’s food map here. Here’s a look at some of the new menu items. And visit the official fair website here.

• Got word from WRAL that O-Ku Sushi opens today, Friday, October 12 in The Dillon at 411 W Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh’s warehouse district. O-Ku is described as authentic Asian cuisine with a southern approach. They have additional locations in Charlotte, Charleston, Atlanta, Nashville and Washington, D.C. Get familiar with them here.

• Also at The Dillon, Offline Raleigh noted that Heirloom Brewshop (soft) opened where you can enjoy standard pour over or espresso coffee-but you can also try more unique drinks like vacuum pot coffee, unique carbonated bevs, teas imported from Japan and Taiwan, and unique sake cocktails! There will also be a menu of bites inspired by the founders’ Laotian and Taiwanese roots. Visit their Facebook page here.

• And just after publication last week, Lynnwood Brewing Concern, which operates a grill and taproom in North Raleigh and a brewery and bar at Dock 1053 on East Whitaker Mill Road, opened their newest restaurant called Wilson’s Eatery. They will feature locally sourced, scratch made sandwiches, flatbreads and salads and will feature “several house-made sodas & mixers” in their craft cocktails. Visit their website here.

• Up in Wake Forest, reader Brandon Clevenger notified me that yet another location of Chipotle has opened – this one at the corner of 98 and Retail Drive next to the recently opened Freddy’s. Check out Chipotle here.

• Over in Cary, we are getting closer to the opening of Pizza La Stella, which is going into the former Hurricane Grill and Wings spot at 1389 Kildare Farm Rd. in the Shoppes of Kildaire (i.e. Trader Joe’s). Earlier this week they held interviews for all positions at the restaurant. Stay tuned Cary! In addition to the original downtown Raleigh location, owner Rudy Theale has plans for a North Raleigh location. Check them out here.

• Also in Cary, caught wind that the Gypsy Shiny Diner is under new ownership and is now just known as the Shiny Diner. It is located at 1550 Buck Jones Road. A new site is on the way.

• Down in Holly Springs got word from reader Chris Creighton that a fast food seafood restaurant called Skrimp Shack (no, I didn’t spell that wrong) is coming into the former Hwy. 55 Burgers Shakes and Fries location at 7224 Alford Highway. They have locations up and down the east coast from Florida to Virginia. Look for them to open in about three months. Get familiar with them here.

• Over in Fuquay-Varina, David McCreary informed me that Lin Hibachi Buffet has opened in the former Golden Corral location at 1420 East Broad Street. Check them out here.

• And in Garner, we are getting word from several sources that Big Ed’s, with two locations in Raleigh, will be opening a location at 231 Timber Drive (near intersection with Hwy. 50) in the former Just Cookin’ location (Food Lion shopping center). Thanks to Hugh Autry for the heads up on this. No word on a timeline. If you live in Garner, get familiar with Big Ed’s now!

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• The big news out of Chapel Hill as reported in the News & Observer is that Bill Smith, chef at Crook’s Corner, and Gene Hamer, the owner, will soon retire (although Bill will still cook for special occasions). The iconic restaurant will be in the hands of chef Justin Burdett, who recently relocated from Asheville, where he was previously chef at The Admiral, and a new ownership team, which includes Gary Crunkleton of The Crunkleton and Shannon Healy of Alley Twenty Six. Looks like all is in good/great hands! Visit them here.

• Staying in Chapel Hill, and just down from Crook’s, the Triangle Explorer reported that the Tin Cup Joe Coffee trailer has reopened next to Al’s Burger Shack in Chapel Hill. Be sure to try his signature drink, the Dr. Pepper latte and all his drinks feature coffee from Carrboro Coffee Roasters and dairy from Maple View Farm and Homeland Creamery. Check them out here.

• And the big news out of Durham is that this past weekend the latest addition to the M Restaurant Group in Durham came to life with the opening of M Tempura. It is located in the former downtown Scratch Bakery location at 111 Orange Street. Chef Michael Lee’s restaurants other restaurant include nearby M Sushi and M Kokko. Get to know M Tempura here.

• Also in Durham, reader Dustin Jones notified us that a bakery and café concept called Saint & Co. is moving into the space formerly occupied by The Pie Hole at the intersection of 9th and Green streets. Their menu will includes fresh baked artisan pastries and breads, salads, sandwiches, and amazing brick hearth Neapolitan style pizza. Look for them to open on October 17th, but check their social media first. You can find them on Facebook here.

• Staying in Durham, a few weeks ago the wife and I joined Tom Meyer and his wife for drinks and appetizers at Guglhupf and noticed they had installed a new bar and expanded their dinner menu featuring lots of great “shared plates.” Thanks also to Amber Watson at Bites of Bull City for their feature on the new additions.

• And just south of Chapel Hill over into Chatham County, Clint Winslow and Charlie Farris have opened their 4th Jersey Mike’s location in the Chatham Crossing shopping center, which is anchored by Lowe’s grocery store. Clint and Charlie also have two Chapel Hill locations and a Durham location. Drove by the other day and it was packed! My best to Clint and Charlie. Get familiar with Jersey Mike’s here.

Closings

•  Via Twitter, Odis Newsome shared that the TLC Wings that had moved into the former Applebee’s location on Hillsborough Street back in May, has closed.

• David McCreary reported that Cary Towne Kitchen & Bar at 2002 Kildaire Farm Road in Cary has closed its doors.

• And Offline Raleigh reported that Raleigh Raw has shut down its location at Morgan Street Food Hall but their other location is still open and serving up juices and poke bowls.

Food Trucks

•  Trick or Eat Food Truck Rodeo is coming to downtown Garner on Sunday, Oct 21 from 12-5pm on Main Street. Bring your family and friends and take in 15 food trucks, 3 craft breweries, street music, and local artisans. Get all the details and a full list of trucks here.

• On Sunday, October 28, the RDU Mobile Food Association and Tabletop Media Group will host Pumpkin Palooza food truck rodeo at 214 Hunt Street in Durham. At least 8 trucks are confirmed at this point and you’ll have an opportunity to try their special pumpkin dishes and vote for your favorites! Additionally there will be crafts, art and music to enjoy as well. Visit their Facebook event page here.

• The final two dates for 2018 are coming up for the Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo and Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo. Raleigh’s final episode of the year is this Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. Check out Durham here and Raleigh here.

Events

•  This Saturday, October 13th from noon until 6 p.m. is the 3rd Annual North Carolina Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Festival at North Raleigh’s Lafayette Village. Taste local and regional chocolates and cheeses that will make your palate scream with delight! A variety of wines will be showcased from different regions of Italy, Spain, France and the US, including some NC favorites. Get tickets and all the details here.

• The 2nd annual Sip + Savor, featuring 30 restaurants, 30 wineries and live music, will take place at the DPAC this Sunday, October 14th from 4 – 7 p.m. The event is an exclusive opportunity to sample the Triangle’s top restaurants paired with famed wineries from across the world. There will also be live music, desert and bubbly on the DPAC stage. A percentage of the proceeds will benefit Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. Get tickets and all the details here.

• October 19th and 20th are the dates for the 5th Annual Triangle Oktoberfest held again this year at the beautiful Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. Presented by the Apex Sunrise and Cary MacGregor Rotary Clubs in collaboration with the Town of Cary, it is an authentic German festival focused on family fun, traditional Bavarian food and fare, and plenty of local and authentic German beers from Munich, all to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and other local and international charities. In addition to brats grilled up by volunteers, the event has confirmed the following food vendors so far: The Butcher’s Market, Annelore’s German Bakery, Capital Club 16, Uncle Dave’s Kettle Corn and The Nutty Bavarian. More to come. Get tickets and details here.

• And one of my daughter’s favorite events, the Mac and Cheese Throwdown, has been rescheduled for Sunday, October 21 from 5 until 8 p.m. at 214 Martin in downtown Raleigh. The current lineup is Relish, The Butcher’s Market, Oak and Dagger, Wandering Moose, Dram and Draught, US Foods, The Mac House, Southern Charred, NOFO and the chef from 214 Martin. My daughter and I will be judges again this year! All proceeds benefit The Hope Center at Pullen. Get all the details here.

• The 6th Annual Bull City Race Fest and Food Truck Rodeo is taking place on October 21 winding through Durham as it starts and ends at Diamond View Park in the American Tobacco Campus. Choose from a half marathon, five miler or a one miler. And the true reward is not just the joy of finishing the race, but a bevy of food trucks awaiting you at the finish line. Get all the details here.

• ACME’s 6th Annual Salt & Smoke Festival is coming up on Saturday, November 3rd at beautiful Rock Quarry Farm from 3-8 pm. This is one of the fall “can’t miss” events here in the Triangle. In just five short weeks, they’ll be smoking whole-hog BBQ, drinking beer, shucking thousands of just-out-of-the-water oysters, drinking wine, roasting clams over a fire, sipping whiskey, being wowed by a magician, tapping our feet and dancing the night away. You know, a par-tay. The kind you don’t want to miss. Get your tickets here.

• Come celebrate with us at the 2018 Brewer’s Ball: A Celebration of Triangle’s Finest on Friday, November 16, 2018, at Oak and Dagger Public House at Seaboard Station in Raleigh from 7 to 10 p.m. (VIP Honoree and Sponsors Reception at 6:30 p.m.). The Brewer’s Ball is an evening featuring the finest in brews, cocktails, food, music, and difference makers in the community. Guests are treated to a variety of hand-crafted brews and beverages from around town, creative and delicious food pairings from the city’s top restaurants, live music, expansive live and silent auctions, and a chance to mix and mingle with the best and brightest in the Triangle, all while being a part of a great cause: helping move us closer to a cure for CF. Get tickets and all the details here.

• And this is kind of fun. A new foodie program is launching on PBS nationally in October featuring the work of Cat Neville called tasteMAKERS. But what makes it even more special, is the initial episode will feature Left Bank Butchery in Saxapahaw. You can see the behind the scenes making of that episode here. More information on tasteMakers can be found here.

Food Bank Corner

•  October 18 is Food Lion Hunger Relief Day at the NC State Fair! One of the best days of the year! Everyone can bring 5 cans of Food Lion brand food to the N.C. State Fair on Thursday, October 18, and exchange them at any gate for 1 free admission ticket. Since 1993, more than 4.8 million pounds of food have been donated by fairgoers to feed neighbors in need. Help us cross the 5 million pound mark this year! You can RSVP to our Facebook event here and even invite friends!

Triangle Restaurant News

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

Featured Restaurant News

•  Just yesterday the Saleh family opened its newest Neomonde Mediterranean Deli location in downtown Durham in the Unscripted Hotel building at 202 Corcoran St. As most know, Neomonde has locations in Raleigh and Morrisville. Get familiar with them here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• We’ve got a little time to get ready for this one, but it was announced this week that chef Scott Crawford will add a third restaurant to his Crawford Hospitality group, Crawford Brothers, a modern American steakhouse to open in Cary in 2020. It will open in Fenton, the 92-acre mixed-use development in Cary. Crawford also has a French bistro, Jolie, in the works. Visit Crawford and Son here.

• The folks over at the ITB Insider informed us that Lynnwood Brewing Concern, which operates a grill and taproom in North Raleigh and a brewery and bar at Dock 1053 on East Whitaker Mill Road, will soon add a new restaurant to Dock 1053 called Wilson’s. They will focus on “flatbread pizzas and crafted sandwiches” and will feature “several house-made sodas & mixers” in their craft cocktails. No word yet on an exact open date. Keep up with their latest news on their Facebook page here.

• A new tavern-style bar and music venue is coming to Glenwood South replacing Devolve Moto and Vickers & Ruth Plumbing at 304 and 306 Glenwood Ave, the Triangle Business Journal reported. After opening as a bar/cafe/retail shop in 2015, Devolve Moto closed the retail portion of its business in October 2017, and closed the cafe/bar earlier this year. The space will be filled by a joint effort between Dan Lovenheim (the owner of Cornerstone Tavern, Alchemy, and Capital City Tavern) and Matt Kenner (the owner of Milk Bar, Southern Charred, and Dogwood Bar and Eatery). The space will feature a stage and patio area that will have couches inside. The name of the venue was not disclosed.

• The Simple Greek, a fast casual Mediterranean-style restaurant, is opening its first location in North Carolina on Saturday, October 6th at 2320 Bale Street, Suite 100 in Raleigh. To celebrate the grand opening, the first 100 guests will receive a free gyro, compliments of owner John Mason. Get to know them here.

• Over in Cary, reader Cheyenne Jones brought it to our attention that a restaurant called Sohot has moved into the old Smok’t BBQ spot at 1937 High House Rd. in Cary. Get familiar with them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Glenn Gillen tipped me off to the fact that Caballo Rojo Coffee will be moving into a permanent location on Durham’s Main Street. I don’t know the exact location or the timeline, but very excited for owner Gabriela Kavanaugh. She confirmed the news on their Facebook page. Get familiar with them here.

• Got word from Clint and Charlie that the newest Triangle area location of Jersey Mike’s is opening at some point next week. They are hosting a private “family and friends” event on Monday, so it won’t be long. It is located in the Chatham Crossing shopping center which is anchored by Lowe’s grocery store. My best to Clint and Charlie. Check out Jersey Mike’s here.

Closings

• Got word from reader Chris Creighton that Gigi’s Cupcakes in Cary’s Waverly Place has closed.

Food Trucks

• There is a new food truck here in the Triangle with a true international appeal. Baltic Bites came to life after the owner spent over 10 years in the United States not able to find any Lithuanian restaurants or food trucks in the area. With food truck experience, bringing the taste of Lithuania to the Triangle seemed like a great idea. Check them out here.

• Trick or Eat Food Truck Rodeo is coming to downtown Garner on Sunday, Oct 21 from 12-5pm on Main Street. Bring your family and friends and take in 15 food trucks, 3 craft breweries, street music, and local artisans. Get all the details and a full list of trucks here.

• On Sunday, October 28, the RDU Mobile Food Association and Tabletop Media Group will host Pumpkin Palooza food truck rodeo at 214 Hunt Street in Durham. At least 8 trucks are confirmed at this point and you’ll have an opportunity to try their special pumpkin dishes and vote for your favorites! Additionally there will be crafts, art and music to enjoy as well. Visit their Facebook event page here.

• Only two dates remain in 2018 for the Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo and Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo. Check out Durham here and Raleigh here.

Events

• The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering announced that they will host their annual Porkapalooza festival at their new Pittsboro restaurant on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. To celebrate their seventh year, the porktastic celebration will offer small plate creations, featuring locally raised pork from Hickory Nut Gap and Sharp Family Farms, served casually indoors and outdoors, rather than a traditional seated dinner. Their Pittsboro location is at 35 Suttles Road in Penguin Place in Pittsboro. Tickets for Porkapalooza are $50, which includes all food, entertainment and a souvenir pint cup. Get all the details here.

• Also this Saturday, October 6^th is the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Cary is holding their Lobster Fest. Online pre-ordering is closed, but you can still walk-up and take your chances. Extra lobsters will be ordered to serve walk-ups on a first-come, first-served basis! Get here early, though – they go fast! Live and Cooked Lobsters (for pick-up) available starting at a10 a.m. Lobsta Rolls, Lobster & Chicken Meals (eat-in or carry-out) available starting at 11 a.m. Get all the details here.

• The folks over at Melina’s Fresh Pasta reached out to let me know that a group of Italian Americans in the Triangle have gotten together to plan the Inaugural Festa Italiana on October 7 from 11 to 6 in the 600 block of Tucker Street in front of Lucky B’s. They will have a great list of food vendors and food trucks, an entertainment stage and more. Get all the details on their Facebook page here.

• Also on October 7, TROSA will hold their BBQ & Friends fundraiser co-presented by Sysco Raleigh. This fun, family-friendly event will feature music, games, crafts with The Scrap Exchange, and an amazing sampling of food from some of the Triangle’s best chefs and restaurants. The current list includes: Foster’s Market, Giorgios Group, Guglhupf, J. Betski’s, Mateo, The Mayton Inn, The Original Q Shack, Rise Biscuits & Donuts, Rue Cler, Sage & Swift Gourmet Catering, Saltbox Seafood Joint, Watt’s Grocery, Tom & Jenny’s, Ben & Jerry’s, and Counter Culture Coffee. Tickets are limited and on sale now for $25/Adult; $10/Children ages 5-12. Children 4 and under free. Get tickets and all the details here.

• October 7^th is also the date for the 28th annual A Tasteful Affair will take place at the Blue Zone at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill from 5-8pm. Guests will join 500 others to sample the best of the Triangle’s food and beverage establishments. The evening will entail food and beverage, live music by Rory John Zak, an exciting silent auction, and a raffle for a 7-night complimentary resort stay! All funds raised will support the mission of the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill. Tickets to the event, silent auction shopping, and raffle ticket purchases can be made here.

• And one more event on October 7^th, Mandolin’s Fall Farmer’s Dinner where they will celebrate the bounty of Fall Harvest at Mandolin Farm. Chef Sean Fowler and his team will prepare an autumn-themed, family style feast that will be served in this beautiful pastoral setting. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with cocktail hour and dinner begins promptly at 7:00. Tickets are $150 and include passed hors d’oeuvres, family style meal, wine, and gratuity. Proceeds will go to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC to help provide assistance to those who were affected by Hurricane Florence. Get more details and tickets here.
• On Thursday, October 11th, Cary’s Postmaster will host guest chef Austin Radosta, an NC native living in NYC, as he weaves traditional Carolina flavors through a seven-course-menu study in pasta. After working in the downtown Raleigh food scene with Postmaster’s Chris Lopez, Austin moved to New York City to join the team at z Michelin-Star-Rated restaurant. Join them as they team back up to bring some fresh takes on old shapes, like pulled pork soup dumplings, and acorn flour gnocchi. Tickets are $75/per person, with an additional $25/ per person wine pairing option from our guest sommelier available at the door. Check out Postmaster here.
• The 2nd annual Sip + Savor, featuring 30 restaurants, 30 wineries and live music, will take place at the DPAC on Sunday, October 14th from 4 – 7 p.m. The event is an exclusive opportunity to sample the Triangle’s top restaurants paired with famed wineries from across the world. There will also be live music, desert and bubbly on the DPAC stage. A percentage of the proceeds will benefit Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. Get tickets and all the details here.
• Ok, here it is again. And I tell you EVERY year, but I will repeat it again. DO. NOT. MISS. THIS. EVENT. You can just thank me later. The dates have been set for the 9th annual TerraVita Festival over in Chapel Hill. Those dates are October 17-20. Things will kick off Wednesday, October 17, with the East Meets West dinner (first year at The Carolina Inn) and end on October 20 with the Fall Fête on The Green in Southern Village. Check out this video that give you a great look at all the events that make up TerraVita. Or visit their website here.
• October 19th and 20th are the dates for the 5th Annual Triangle Oktoberfest held again this year at the beautiful Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. Presented by the Apex Sunrise and Cary MacGregor Rotary Clubs in collaboration with the Town of Cary, it is an authentic German festival focused on family fun, traditional Bavarian food and fare, and plenty of local and authentic German beers from Munich, all to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and other local and international charities. In addition to brats grilled up by volunteers, the event has confirmed the following food vendors so far: The Butcher’s Market, Annelore’s German Bakery, Capital Club 16, Uncle Dave’s Kettle Corn and The Nutty Bavarian. More to come. Get tickets and details here.
• And one of my daughter’s favorite events, the Mac and Cheese Throwdown, has been rescheduled for Sunday, October 21 from 5 until 8 p.m. at 214 Martin in downtown Raleigh. The current lineup is Relish, The Butcher’s Market, Oak and Dagger, Wandering Moose, Dram and Draught, US Foods, The Mac House, Southern Charred, NOFO and the chef from 214 Martin. My daughter and I will be judges again this year! All proceeds benefit The Hope Center at Pullen. Details here.
• The 6^th Annual Bull City Race Fest and Food Truck Rodeo is taking place on October 21 winding through Durham as it starts and ends at Diamond View Park in the American Tobacco Campus. Choose from a half marathon, five miler or a one miler. And the true reward is not just the joy of finishing the race, but a bevy of food trucks awaiting you at the finish line. Get all the details here.
• ACME’s 6^th Annual Salt & Smoke Festival is coming up on Saturday, November 3^rd at beautiful Rock Quarry Farm from 3-8 pm. This is one of the fall “can’t miss” events here in the Triangle. In just five short weeks, they’ll be smoking whole-hog BBQ, drinking beer, shucking thousands of just-out-of-the-water oysters, drinking wine, roasting clams over a fire, sipping whiskey, being wowed by a magician, tapping our feet and dancing the night away. You know, a par-tay. The kind you don’t want to miss. Get your tickets here.
• Come celebrate with us at the 2018 Brewer’s Ball – A Celebration of Triangle’s Finest on Friday, November 16, at Oak and Dagger Public House at Seaboard Station in Raleigh from 7 to 10 p.m. (VIP Honoree and Sponsors Reception at 6:30 p.m.). The Brewer’s Ball is an evening featuring the finest in brews, cocktails, food, music, and difference makers in the community. Guests are treated to a variety of hand-crafted brews and beverages from around town, creative and delicious food pairings from the city’s top restaurants, live music, expansive live and silent auctions, and a chance to mix and mingle with the best and brightest in the Triangle, all while being a part of a great cause: helping move us closer to a cure for CF. Get tickets and all the details here.

• And this is kind of fun. A new foodie program is launching on PBS nationally in October featuring the work of Cat Neville called tasteMAKERS. But what makes it even more special, is the initial episode will feature Left Bank Butchery in Saxapahaw. You can see the behind the scenes making of that episode here. More information on tasteMakers can be found here.

Food Bank Corner

• October 18 is Food Lion Hunger Relief Day at the NC State Fair! One of the best days of the year! Everyone can bring 5 cans of Food Lion brand food to the N.C. State Fair on Thursday, October 18, and exchange them at any gate for 1 free admission ticket. Since 1993, more than 4.8 million pounds of food have been donated by fairgoers to feed neighbors in need. Help us cross the 5 million pound mark this year! You can RSVP to our Facebook event here and even invite friends!