Friday Fun Food Facts – May 13, 2016

Triangle Restaurant News

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

Featured Restaurant News

  • David Sadeghi’s footprint in the Triangle (currently Bolt in downtown Raleigh; Town Hall Grill in Chapel Hill’s Southern Village; and Town Hall Burger and Beer in Durham near the Streets at Southpoint) is expanding over into Chatham County. Sadeghi just announced that they have plans to open the Brier Chapel location of Town Hall Burger and Beer this fall at the entrance to the Brier Chapel development, just a few miles south of Chapel Hill on 15-501. Check them out here.

Wake County Restaurant News

  • Ashton Mae Smith directed us to the New Raleigh post on Twitter that announced that in June Person Street Pharmacy Cafe will turn into an “ice cream cafe” in the evenings featuring ice cream, coffee, beer and wine. Stay tuned to see what else Daniel Parker has up his sleeve!
  • Also, Ashton Mae Smith noted that Leo Suarez indicated that China O has opened, replacing the short-lived International Breakfast and Burger on Glenwood South. China O will focus on serving Chinese and authentic Szechuan style cuisine and is owned by the same folks at Sushi O. Check them out here.
  • Thanks to a tip from Leo Suarez, it looks like TLC Wings and Grill is now open on Peace Street near Broughton High School. Nothing up on their website about the Raleigh location (another location in Pineville), but their Facebook page is up here.
  • Thanks to a tip from reader Andrew Hatchell, I learned that Peng’s Asian Cuisine opened last week next to Carmen’s in the outbuilding by the old Prime Outlets Mall off Airport Blvd. (the actual address is 108-A Factory Shops Rd, Morrisville, NC 27560). You can check them out here.
  • Over in Cary, got word this week that there are plans to open Another Broken Egg Cafe this fall at 1111 Parkside Main Street in the Parkside Town Commons shopping center. This marks the fourth location in the Triangle, in addition to current locations in Durham, Morrisville and Raleigh. Check them out on Facebook here.
  • Got a note from David McCreary that southern food outpost The Mason Jar Tavern has opened a sister location at 305 South Main Street in downtown Fuquay-Varina. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily. Check out their Facebook page here. The original location in Holly Springs is still going strong.
  • And if you live up in Wake Forest, I am hearing that Rudino’s is actively looking for space to open another location. We will keep an eye on this for you. Check them out here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

  • Got word from David Prestrud that Clouds Brewing Company is opening a second location (original location is on West Street in downtown Raleigh) in Durham at Brightleaf Square. No word on an exact open date, but you can keep up with their progress on their Facebook page here. Thanks David!
  • Saw in the News & Observer that The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham has opened its student-operated restaurant in Durham’s American Tobacco Campus. The restaurant, The District at 410, is open for lunch from noon-2 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. The District is located in the lobby of the Fowler Building at 410 Blackwell St. Check them out here.
  • If you thought you missed the grand opening of City Barbecue (originally scheduled for May 7th), you are in luck. They had to push back the opening to May 17th, with the grand opening celebration to take place on May 21st. They are located in Durham at Southpoint Crossing between McDonald’s and Ruby Tuesday. Check them out here.
  • Beyu Caffe is in the process of moving into their new, larger space at 341 W. Main Street in downtown Durham. We just got word that they will remain in their current space through today (May 13th) before beginning the move into their new space. Keep up with the latest on their Facebook page here.
  • And the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club has a “son” on the way – well sort of. The JB Duke Hotel in Durham is slated to open in early January 2017 and will feature 198 guest rooms, a full-service restaurant, two bars and state-of-the-art meeting accommodations. It will be located at 230 Science Drive, and you can check it out here.

Closings

  • None to report. Keep eating local, folks!

Food Trucks

  • With the warm weather returning, it also means the return of the Food Truck Thursdays in Knightdale. Every Thursday from April through June, the town will host a new truck at Knightdale Station Park for lunch and dinner. Just look for it from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm near the amphitheater (rain or shine – shelters are covered). For all the details and the truck schedule, check them out here. Thanks to Mark Ginsberg for the heads up!
  • 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 Boot’s chef John May has teamed up with the folks over at Starpoint Brewing for a four course prix fixe dinner paired with a craft brew at each turn on Tuesday, May 17th. It is $50 per ticket. Get all the details here.
  • Ãn Cuisine in Cary is hosting its first ever Rosé Wine Dinner next Friday, May 20 at 7pm. It will feature a 5-course fare with rosé wine pairings. Weather permitting, this experience will be on their outdoor patio to match the jovial nature of cuisine and libations combined. The full experience is $85 per person and reservations must be made in advance. For a sneak peek at the menu, click here.
  • The Piedmont Dinner Series continues on May 25th as Piedmont’s Greg Gettles and The Boot’s John May will host a late spring bbq in partnership with Locals Seafood. The multi-course dinner is $65, plus $20 for wine pairings. Get all the details and the menu on the events page here.
  • Ok, this is a bit of a stretch to include, but it’s too fun/funny not to include. It is the 2016 Doughman event being held in Durham on May 28. What is it? It is a “foodie” event that combines the elements of a triathlon with competitive eating. 4-member teams basically down a delicious treat from a Durham establishment which is then followed by a bike, run or “water activity” challenge of varying distances. Sign up and get all the details here.
  • The Museum of Life and Science in Durham will again host their ‘Science of Eats’ event this year on June 2nd from 6:30 ’til 10 p.m. They are bringing sweet, sour, and science together for one grand night of eating and exploration. All of your favorite local food vendors will be on hand with samples while our friends from Duke, UNC, and NC State share the latest in food science research. Chat with local chefs and explore demonstrations and experiments on everything from what happens to your brain on sugar to how your genes affect your perception of flavor. And if interested, there is a special reception from 5-6:30 p.m. with Vivian Howard. Get tickets and all the details here.
  • Andrea Weigl at the News & Observer noted on her Twitter account recently that tickets to one of my favorite annual events, Farm to Fork have gone on sale. The event this year will be held on the weekend of June 3rd through June 5th. Get all the details and tickets here.
  • Arguably the area’s biggest “foodie” event, TerraVita, recently announced the dates for this year’s festival – September 28th through October 1st. The Chapel Hill-based festival, now in its seventh year, offers exceptional dinners, tasting events, after parties, chef demos as well as the “Sustainable Classroom” – educational experiences featuring renowned chefs, authors & national media. TerraVita concludes with a Grand Tasting on the Green featuring over 65 chefs, artisans and beverage producers for tastings, live chef demonstrations and cookbook signings. TerraVita’s ticket launch and full schedule will be released in mid-June. More details here.

Food Bank Corner

  • The Letter Carriers Food Drive is back for its 24th year – and will be THIS Saturday, May 14th. It’s easy! Pack a bag of food and set it by your mailbox. Your letter carrier will do the rest! Check out the list of most needed items here!

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Friday Fun Food Facts – May 6, 2016

Triangle Restaurant News

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

Featured Restaurant News

  • This isn’t exactly “restaurant” news – but it is part of the journey of what will eventually become a larger concept that will include dining. Just yesterday Oak & Dagger’s Research Library (i.e. bottle shop) opened where Tyler’s bottle shop used to be in downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station. Progress continues toward the rest of the project – Oak & Dagger Public House. Stay tuned. In the meantime, check them out on Facebook here.

Wake County Restaurant News

  • Over at North Hills we got word this week that Sam’s Pizza and Salads had closed suddenly last weekend. That was quickly followed by the news in the Triangle Business Journal that Pieology Pizzeria, which just opened on Hillsborough Street, would open their second Raleigh location in that space. Renovation has begun, targeting a July opening. Check out Pieology here.
  • I get a lot of questions from readers. Probably one of the more frequent questions is regarding the restaurant space located directly behind Crabtree Valley Mall (former Crabtree Tavern, Tavola… among others). Back in December we told readers it would become the newest location of San Marcos Mexican Restaurant out of Danville, VA. Got word this week that they are about three weeks out from opening! If you haven’t been by recently, it looks amazing! Let’s hope the food is as good as the decor! Check them out on Facebook here.
  • Got word from reader Steven Moore that Ledo’s Pizza in Cary has opened. They are located at 982 High House Road in the Lowe’s Shopping Center. This looks like the first North Carolina location (unless you count Rock Hill, SC as part of NC). Check them out here.
  • Cary’s location of Sassool will hold its grand opening celebration on Mother’s Day, May 8th from 1-4 p.m. Sassool’s second location, which opened in December, is located at 1347 Kildaire Farm Road in the Shoppes of Kildaire (Trader Joe’s). Get all the details on their website here.
  • Also in Cary, got an update on a Yelp message board that the Noodle Boulevard has opened at 919 N. Harrison Avenue. They took the place of the short-lived Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees and Smoothies, and Java Jive before that. Check them out here.
  • Up in Wake Forest, got a note from a reader that there is some activity 1248 S. Main Street in the former Fig Wine Bar location for Italian Trattoria by Bruno, which we assume is associated with Bruno’s in Wakefield. Stay tuned.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

  • Saw in the Herald Sun that the latest edition of City Barbecue will open tomorrow, May 7th, at their location in Durham at Southpoint Crossing between McDonald’s and Ruby Tuesday. Check them out here.
  • May 24th is the date that Giorgios Bakatsias has pegged for the opening of his newest venture – Boheme according to the Triangle Business Journal. Boheme will open in the Straw Valley space near the intersection of Interstate 40 and 15-501 at the Durham / Chapel Hill border. It will be open for dinner and brunch on the weekend. Get all the details here.

Closings

  • As noted above, Sam’s Pizza & Salads in North Hills has closed.

Food Trucks

  • The RDU Mobile Food Association (RDUMFA) food truck members will be at The Salvation Army of Wake County’s Judy D. Zelnak Center of Hope location (1863 Capital Boulevard in Raleigh) on Monday, May 9th from 5 to 7 pm. The event will be a dinner food truck rodeo, where a percentage of sales and tips earned will be donated to Salvation Army program, Project CATCH (Community Action Targeting Children who are Homeless). Attendees are also encouraged to bring a canned good to donate. The food trucks that will be here are Baozi, Chick-N-Que, Cocoa Forte, Gussy’s, Philly’s, Sweet Traditions and Will & Pop’s.
  • With the warm weather returning, it also means the return of the Food Truck Thursdays in Knightdale. Every Thursday from April through June, the town will host a new truck at Knightdale Station Park for lunch and dinner. Just look for it from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm near the amphitheater (rain or shine – shelters are covered). For all the details and the truck schedule, check them out here. Thanks to Mark Ginsberg for the heads up!

Events

  • The Boot’s chef John May has teamed up with the folks over at Starpoint Brewing for a four course prix fixe dinner paired with a craft brew at each turn on Tuesday, May 17th. It is $50 per ticket. Get all the details here.
  • I saw in the News & Observer that Vino!! Wine Shop and 458 West B&B are hosting Pittsboro’s first ever Wine Festival on May 21. The event will happen rain or shine from 1-4 p.m. at the bed and breakfast’s front lawn and porch. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Only 100 tickets will be sold for the event. Attendees will get to taste wine from seven vendors, savor appetizers and cheese from Goat Lady Dairy and enjoy door prizes and live music. Tickets can be purchased online here.
  • The Piedmont Dinner Series continues on May 25th as Piedmont’s Greg Gettles and The Boot’s John May will host a late spring bbq in partnership with Locals Seafood. The multi-course dinner is $65, plus $20 for wine pairings. Get all the details and the menu on the events page here.
  • Ok, this is a bit of a stretch to include, but it’s too fun/funny not to include. It is the 2016 Doughman event being held in Durham on May 28. What is it? It is a “foodie” event that combines the elements of a triathlon with competitive eating. 4-member teams basically down a delicious treat from a Durham establishment which is then followed by a bike, run or “water activity” challenge of varying distances. Sign up and get all the details here.
  • Andrea Weigl at the News & Observer noted on her Twitter account recently that tickets to one of my favorite annual events, Farm to Fork have gone on sale. The event this year will be held on the weekend of June 3rd through June 5th. Get all the details and tickets here.
  • Arguably the area’s biggest “foodie” event, TerraVita, recently announced the dates for this year’s festival – September 28th through October 1st. The Chapel Hill-based festival, now in its seventh year, offers exceptional dinners, tasting events, after parties, chef demos as well as the “Sustainable Classroom” – educational experiences featuring renowned chefs, authors & national media. TerraVita concludes with a Grand Tasting on the Green featuring over 65 chefs, artisans and beverage producers for tastings, live chef demonstrations and cookbook signings. TerraVita’s ticket launch and full schedule will be released in mid-June. More details here.

Food Bank Corner

  • The Letter Carriers Food Drive is back for its 24th year – and will be on Saturday, May 14th. It’s easy! Pack a bag of food and set it by your mailbox. Your letter carrier will do the rest! Check out the list of most needed items here!

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized