TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

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

Featured Restaurant News

• Indy Week shared this week that The Common Market, a Charlotte-based deli, bar, and bottle shop is slated to open its first Triangle location in a Green Street office space this June. The ground floor will be anchored by an all-day, vegetarian and vegan-friendly deli that serves bodega-style breakfast fare, like bacon, egg, and cheese bagels; classic lunch sandwiches, like clubs and grinders; and dinner items that have yet to be determined. Its basement will house a bar, a bottle shop with wine and craft beer, and a few arcade games. This will be The Common Market’s fifth location, which started as a convenience store in 2002. Start getting familiar with them here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Wilmington’s New Anthem Beer Project opened today at downtown Raleigh’s Smoky Hollow (500 N West St). Originally from Wilmington, this brewery and taproom creates and serves flavor-distinct beers. Check them out here.

• Got word this week that Cary’s Fenton development will welcome their newest addition, Axa Rooftop Bar, when it officially opens this Saturday, April 8th. The outdoor rooftop is the perfect environment for attendees to enjoy craft cocktails, wine and shareable, Mediterranean-inspired small plates. Check them out here.

• In Apex, David McCreary shared the news that the folks that brought us Mama Bird’s Ice Cream are bringing us Bee Sweet Creamery (76 Hunter St., across from town hall and next to Hunter Street Park) featuring creamy and delicious soft serve ice cream. Look for them to open this Spring. Follow along here.

• Over in Fuquay-Varina, McCreary also noted that Taco Tejano NC, a Tex-mex breakfast/brunch taco drive-thru eatery, has opened at 1013 E. Broad Street in the Walmart shopping center. Take a peek here.

• Chris Gus tweeted the news that Mi Perú Peruvian Cuisine will soon be opening a second location (the original location is in Durham at 4015 University Drive) in Garner. They didn’t share an address, but did share that they expect to open in May, 2023. Stay tuned. Get to know Mi Peru here.

• And down in Pittsboro in Chatham County, reader Shelley Colbert noted that Mosaic (commercial corner of Chatham Park) will soon be turning into a bit of a food court. In a flyer recently released by Chatham Park, they noted the following restaurants will be joining Jersey Mike’s and Greek Kouzina – People’s Coffee, Town Hall Burger & Beer, Town Hall Italian, O’Ya Cantina, Hops & Berry Brewery and Tasu Asian Bistro. Of course, they are also directly across from Root Cellar Cafe, Mi Cancun and Bojangles. A little bit of something for everyone! No word on the timeline on any of the new additions.

• It was noted this week in articles in the Triangle Business Journal that two popular Raleigh dining/drinking establishments potentially will have to make way for developer’s plans to build taller buildings. Both My Way Tavern on St. Mary’s Street and Berkeley Cafe on Martin Street were noted in two separate articles. There is no timeline on either project at this time, so don’t expect changes anytime soon. Get by both – My Way here and Berkeley here. (Note: My Way also has a location in Holly Springs).

• And 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

• It appears as if another Chapel Hill institution will come to an end. A legacy built on food, love and family. I don’t know what the timing is on this or what it means for the future of Mama Dip’s (still operating as per usual). The flyer does specifically note that the building and land is being sold, and that all the commercial equipment is negotiable (and is not included in the purchase price). See the flyer for Mama Dip’s Properties LLC here. Thanks to Sarah Boak for bringing this to my attention.

Closings

• None 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

• This is your last chance to get a ticket. Downtown Raleigh’s Gravy Italian American Kitchen will be hosting their Spring Wine Dinner (Cena di Primavera) this Wednesday, April 12th and will be the first in a series of seasonal dinners. They hold the dinners in their wine cellar, which is a really unique space if you’ve never seen it. The dinner will feature five delicious courses, thoughtfully prepared by Gravy’s executive chef Quintin Pocher, paired with Italian wines. Full menu and pairings will be released soon. Here is the Eventbrite link.

• 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.

• 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 two more on the schedule and tickets for those “open up” three weeks prior to each event. Mark your calendars for Supper Club April 17 (Seafood) and May 22 (Italian American). After those, Supper Club at Heights House will then resume in the Fall. So get ready! Follow along here and get ready for the next one.

• 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.

• 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

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

Featured Restaurant News

• The folks behind Seaboard Station shared the news this week of some of their first retail tenants that could come online as early as this summer. Included are: Biscuit Belly, opening this fall they are known for their large scratch-made, crave-worthy biscuit sandwiches and brunch cocktails (first NC location); The Yard Milkshake Bar, specializes in over-the-top milkshake creations, sundaes, scooped ice cream and edible cookie dough (first NC location); and High Rail, a rooftop bar featuring a curated and eclectic menu with shareable plates, craft cocktails and more. Visit them here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Downtown Raleigh is soon to get a new wine bar and shop called The Hippo, going into the former Short Walk Wines spot at 123 E. Martin Street (across from Larry’s Coffee). It was spotted by our friends over at Taste Carolina. Looks like they specialize in natural, low-intervention and estate wines. They will be open 2-10 p.m. every day, but haven’t announced an open date just yet. Follow along on Instagram here.

• At a recent fundraising event I attended at The Pickled Onion, I learned that the popular food truck The Wandering Moose is about a month away from opening up their brick and mortar location at 2315 Lynn Road (Hidden Valley Plaza, near the intersection of Lynn and Creedmoor roads). It will be called The Wandering Moose Tavern. Due to the attention the new space is requiring, the food truck is temporarily “off the road” as they focus on opening. Looks like they are providing updates on their Instagram page here.

• There is one more spot to get “Happy” in Raleigh. “Hale” yeah! (ok, I’ll stop) The folks over at RalToday shared that Happy + Hale is now open in the PNC Arena. Located outside of section 123 across from the Shake Shack, the healthy foods spot will serve dishes like protein bowls for nearly all arena events. Check them out here.

• Got word this week that Cary’s Fenton development will welcome their newest addition, Axa Rooftop Bar, when it officially opens on Saturday, April 7th. The outdoor rooftop is the perfect environment for attendees to enjoy craft cocktails, wine and shareable, Mediterranean-inspired small plates. Check them out here.

• We must be getting closer to the opening of the area’s first location of Taco Bamba Tacqueria, as I was recently invited to a “pop-up” dinner for the concept. We don’t have a date yet, but “tastes” like it will be soon. This will be the franchise’s first venture outside of the D.C. market where they have ten locations. They are described as Victor Albisu’s stand-up/counter-served take on Mexican street food and tacos in both traditional and chef-driven styles. They will be located in the Ridgewood shopping center on Wade Avenue in Raleigh where they will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can start getting familiar with them here.

• The Triangle Business Journal shared this week that a restaurant brand known for being at the forefront of the craze over Korean fried chicken just launched a Raleigh restaurant. Bonchon is now open at 6320 Capital Blvd. near Triangle Town Center mall. The chain started in South Korea in 2002 and has spread across the U.S. in recent years, amassing more than 120 franchise locations. They have one other Triangle-area location on Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street. Get to know them here.

• Down in Garner, we saw on a post on the GarnerBiz page that a SodaBox is opening at Benson Rd and Timber in the old cleaner space beside Little Caesars. What are they? Basically really fun and creative soda drinks (and treats) spot. They already have locations in Apex and Rolesville…and more on the way. No word yet on the open date for the Garner location. Take a peek here.

• And we’d like to congratulate the folks over at Relish Craft Kitchen & Bourbon Bar as they celebrate 12 years of serving up and taking care of the folks in Raleigh with fantastic food and a great atmosphere. Their anniversary celebration lasts all day tomorrow, April 1st (9 a.m. until 10 p.m.). Enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner with music on the patio and join in celebrating Relish’s TWELVE YEAR anniversary! Get all the details on their Facebook event page here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• You know what warm weather means, right? Yep! Alley Twenty Six is moving its Al Strong Presents: Jazz Brunch on Sundays into the adjacent, picturesque alleyway for the warm spring weather. If you’ve never been before, here is your reason. The picturesque 26 Alley (they number the alleyways in Durham) is a charming spot for brunch, dinner or a drink in downtown Durham. Brunch is served from 10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sundays; the music is from noon-2 p.m. Pro tip: make a reservation. See the brunch menu here.

Closings

• None to report. Keep eating local, folks!

Food Trucks

• Thanks to a post on the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies page, we caught wind that a new food truck will hit the streets beginning this Saturday (April 1). Evelyn’s Tex-Mex BBQ, featuring Tex-Mex style BBQ and breakfast with foreign and domestic influences, will be posted up at 2250 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd. (kinda across from Saltbox Seafood, next to the M&F Bank Corporate Center) from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. See their menu and more on their Facebook page 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.

• And the Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo has not yet announced plans for 2023. They concluded 2022 announcing they would not return to Fayetteville Street after a nine-year run. They hinted that the rodeo might move to Dix Park. But, still no word yet.

• 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 1, is the 5th Annual Tacos ‘N Taps Festival from 12-5 p.m. at Cary’s Koka Booth Ampitheatre (8003 Regency Pkwy.). There you’ll be able to taste more than 60 craft beers, mezcals, margaritas and tequilas as well as 30 different types of tacos. Costs vary from $39 to $75. Get all the details here.

• You’ll want to get this one on your calendar (you can thank me later). Downtown Raleigh’s Gravy Italian American Kitchen will be hosting their Spring Wine Dinner (Cena di Primavera) on Wednesday, April 12th and will be the first in a series of seasonal dinners. They hold the dinners in their wine cellar, which is a really unique space if you’ve never seen it. The dinner will feature five delicious courses, thoughtfully prepared by Gravy’s executive chef Quintin Pocher, paired with Italian wines. Full menu and pairings will be released soon. Here is the Eventbrite link.

• 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.

• 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 two more on the schedule and tickets for those “open up” three weeks prior to each event. Mark your calendars for Supper Club April 17 (Seafood) and May 22 (Italian American). After those, Supper Club at Heights House will then resume in the Fall. So get ready! Follow along here and get ready for the next one.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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