TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

Featured Restaurant News

• BBQ lovers rejoice as we get ready to welcome Tom Meyer’s latest venture. For those that have been around a while, you’ll know Tom as one of the original founders of The Q Shack. And now his Southern Harvest Hospitality Group (think Sprout Cafe at NC Museum of Life & Science; Legal Grounds Cafe at Duke Law School and Southern Harvest Catering) is opening a new BBQ joint in Mebane called Knucklehead BBQ. Celebrating Knuckleheads and Meatheads everywhere, they will open at 401 East Center Street in Mebane in late November. And trust me, it’s stupid good and well worth the drive! It will feature a number of smoked BBQ meats (brisket, pork shoulder, turkey, chicken and brisket sausage) along with a range of delicious sides like hoppin’ john, succotash, collard greens and intensely delicious mac and cheese. They are committing 5% of their sales towards supporting local and state wide charities, with the first 120 days of charitable proceeds going to fund relief and rebuilding efforts in Western NC. Might be best to follow along with their progress and pending announcement on Instagram here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• You go Raleigh! Triangle Business Journal reported this week that RH Raleigh, The Gallery at North Hills, is opening this morning (November 1st at 11 a.m.). RH (formerly Restoration Hardware) boasts a 3-story, 60,000-square-foot store featuring the company’s contemporary design collections, with a third-story restaurant and bar. Ascending the grand staircase to the third level, the rooftop restaurant features a wine bar and outdoor terraces including live heritage olive trees, a glass roof and retractable doors. The European-style restaurant can seat 140 people for dining and will serve brunch, lunch and dinner in addition to an extensive wine list featuring wines from Europe and the Americas. Take a peek at their website here and you’ll definitely want to experience this and work it into your rotation!

• Raleigh Magazine shared the news this week that The Bomb Bar out of South Carolina is opening its first North Carolina location at Gateway Plaza (2409 Crabtree Blvd.) just outside of downtown Raleigh on November 16. Think of it as a superfood ball (superfood balls packed with nuts, seeds and nutrients) that transforms your regular smoothie into a satisfying and nutritious meal. They will also feature Jubala Coffee and healthy eats like acai bowls and avocado toast made with Boulted Bread. Start getting familiar with them here.

• Got word this week that Eggs Up Grill is opening next Monday (November 4th) in Raleigh at 6820 Davis Circle (near the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and Millbrook Road). To celebrate the opening, the first 20 people who dine at the restaurant on Monday will receive free breakfast for a year (one meal each month for the first year). Franchisees Pankaj Parmar and Tahir Kakar plan to open 10 locations in this market, with the second one on schedule to open in the Falls River area next year. Visit them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• The News & Observer reported that Honeygirl Meadery will hold their grand opening in their new Tasting Room at Durham’s American Tobacco campus on Saturday, November 16th. The new digs will feature a tasting room, two bars, and an outdoor patio. Enjoy samples and special dishes from James Beard Award-winning chef Ricky Moore from Saltbox. Get all the details on the tasting room here.

• My buddy (and quickly becoming my Chapel Hill/Durham correspondent) Glenn Gillen spotted a sign up for Giu-Kaku Japanese BBQ at the corner of Foster and Hunt Streets, right next to Durham Central Park (in the building with The Vega condos). It is not even listed on their website yet, but the signage is up on the building. This will be their third location in North Carolina, and the first in the Triangle. Get familiar with them here.

• Glenn Gillen also passed along that folks on the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook page are reporting that A Little Gelato is now open in Durham near La Racette Bakery (4823 Meadow Dr.). They are serving up artisan gelato, sorbetto, handcrafted chocolates and fresh baked breads. Check them out here.

• And we are moving to the next chapter in the life of Fullsteam Brewery. A pioneer in Durham’s craft beer scene, Fullsteam has closed their Rigsbee Avenue location (last day was Oct. 31) as part of the move to the new taproom at the American Tobacco Campus, which will occupy approximately 9,000 square feet on the first floor of the historic Boiler Room (located between ATC’s iconic water tower and smokestack). The spot will boast a welcoming entrance, with a restaurant on one side and a casual bar on the other, creating both indoor and outdoor spaces. They will also introduce a new food concept, with more details to be announced soon. The new taproom is expected to take about a year to build out. They will continue brewing beer and serving customers at their Boxyard RTP location and production will shift to Fortnight Brewing Company in Cary, enabling Fullsteam to scale its operations and meet growing demand. Follow along here.

Closings

• None to report. Keep eating local, folks!

Food Trucks

• The final Durham Food Truck Rodeo of the season will be THIS Sunday, November 3rd from noon until 4 p.m. at Durham Central Park. Get all the details here.

• 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

• Carolina Brewery’s Seventh Annual Oyster Roast is TOMORROW – Saturday, November 2nd from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at their Pittsboro Brewery Restaurant. This highly anticipated event will benefit the North Carolina Coastal Federation and Outer Banks Forever. Admission is free and freshly steamed or raw oysters will be available for purchase by the half-dozen or dozen. The oysters, sourced from North Carolina’s own Ghost Fleet Oyster Co., will be served by the oyster farmers themselves, offering a true farm-to-table experience. Get all the details here.

• Also on Saturday, November 2nd, the Chinese American Friendship Association – CAFA NC will host the 4th Annual Taste of China – Chinese Food and Culture Festival in downtown Cary at 410 S. Academy Street. Stop by to experience a day filled with the rich flavors and vibrant traditions of Chinese culture. The event lasts from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Visit their Facebook events page for all the details.

• Sassool’s 6th Annual Humus Mix Off is just around the corner so whip out your recipe box and submit your best dish the weekend of November 15th-17th. The top three winners will compete for the final vote at their holiday event at FigMint Farms on December 7th. Get all the details here.

• Seabird’s (Wilmington) Chef/Owner Dean Neff will team up with Preeti Waas from Cheeni in Durham for a dinner on Wednesday, November 20th specifically earmarked to benefit industry peers in Western North Carolina, in the wake of Hurricane Helene. (They are also doing a dinner in Wilmington on October 15th). Tickets are $150. Tickets for the Durham event can be purchased here.

Food Bank Corner

• The countdown to Thanksgiving is on! For community members facing food insecurity, sharing meals over the holidays can be especially challenging. We’re exactly a month away from Thanksgiving, yet unemployment numbers are on the rise and expensive grocery prices won’t budge. Right now, more than 560,000 people are facing food insecurity in our 34-county service area — nearly 111,000 more than last year! And as a result, 1 in 7 people across our region are unsure where their next meal will come from. Your support this holiday season can make a meaningful difference during the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina’s busiest time of year! Every $10 you give can provide 50 meals and help more children, families, and seniors in food-insecure households.

Featured Restaurant News

• Triangle Business Journal shared that Northside Bistro & Cocktails owners chef John Scarangella and his wife Carol have “officially” opened their second restaurant in Raleigh, this one with an Italian theme. Encore Ristorante is located in the Shoppes at Wakefield Park in Northeast Raleigh near Wake Forest in the former Bruno Seafood & Steaks (11211 Galleria Ave.). The menu features a variety of homemade pastas, Italian desserts, steaks and Scarangella’s take on lasagna bolognese he learned how to make in Bologna. Get familiar with them here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• And speaking of great dining options in North Raleigh…breakfast lovers will delight with the news that Sunday AM Eatery is now open in the former Pickled Pub spot (14460 Falls of Neuse Road) in the Wakefield Commons shopping center (think Pickled Onion and Milton’s). It is brought to us by the same folks behind their extremely popular Pickled Onion concept (three locations..with more on the way). Enjoy breakfast and brunch every day of the week from 6:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Get all the details on their Instagram page here and Facebook page here.

• The News & Observer reported this week that French bakery La Farm will open a new restaurant at 202 S. Salem Street in Apex. The building is a former SunTrust bank branch. Now the bakery has its main location at Preston Corners in Cary, plus four satellite stores around Wake County. La Farm is nearing completion on its latest bakery and cafe in North Raleigh’s Creekside Crossings Shopping Center. Visit LaFarm here.

• Raleigh Magazine shared the news that Stella’s, Raleigh’s newest “trailer-park chic” dive bar, is officially opening on Saturday, October 26th in the former Devereux location on North West Street (911 N. West Street to be exact). Congratulations to owner Lena Ali and the team around her! Keep up with them on Instagram here.

• RALtoday shared that Sweetgreen, the mission-driven restaurant brand serving healthy food at scale, will open next Tuesday, October 29th in Raleigh’s North Hills in the Commons in North Hills at 4158 Main at North Hills Street. While the concept has over 200 locations across the United States, this will be their second location in North Carolina (they have a location in Charlotte). Founded in 2007, they believe real food should be convenient and accessible to everyone – meals from fresh ingredients and produce that prioritizes organic, regenerative, and local sourcing. Get to know them here.

• The News & Observer reported that  Rosati’s Authentic Chicago Pizza has opened their newest location in Raleigh at Falls Village Shopping Center (6615 Falls of Neuse Rd.) across from North Ridge Country Club. Another location is set to open in Apex in November (76 Hunter St.). Visit Roast’s here.

• A quick correction from last week….Despite showing that they are “open” on their website (with hours posted and all) you will have to wait a little longer for the newest location of Chipotle in Cary. But soon you will find the newest location at 3402 Kildaire Farm Road, in the old First Citizens Bank in the Millpond Village shopping center (think Publix). Visit Chipotle here.

• This is the last weekend to attend arguably one of the biggest food events of the year – the NC State Fair at the NC State Fairgrounds located at 4285 Trinity Road in Raleigh. The fair runs until this Sunday, Oct. 27. And most importantly, here is a listing of all the new foods at this year’s fair! (Warning: simply reading this list will add inches to your waistline!)

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• In Durham, got word this week that James Beard Award-nominated chef Oscar Diaz’s new all-day cafe Aaktun Coffee + Bar is now open at 704 Ramseur Street. It is brought to us by Diaz and the folks behind Mezcalito Group. Aaktun will join Little Bull and the soon-to-open Tataco on the Durham drink/food scene. The eatery offers a diverse menu, blending Mexican-American cuisine with global influences. The concept will feature a late-night menu and extended hours until 2 a.m. starting in November. Get to know them here.

• Natalie Dolgireff shared on the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook page that Pizza Cornicione in Hillsborough has officially opened its dine-in part of the restaurant, full bar service as well as its outdoor patio (230 South Nash Street). She noted that they make wonderful pizzas, salads and more as well as a fabulous chocolate budino for dessert. They are open 4-9 p.m., Wednesday – Sunday. Get familiar with them here.

Closings

• None to report. Keep eating local, folks!

Food Trucks

• Just across the Chatham County line just outside of Chapel Hill is a new “food truck hangout” for three very popular food trucks. Located at 60 Andrews Store Rd. (intersection with 15-501) at America’s Best Storage you’ll now find Lucas Tacos & Burgers, Tacos Zona and Three Waters Café.

• The final Durham Food Truck Rodeo of the season will be Sunday, November 3rd from noon until 4 p.m. at Durham Central Park. Get all the details here.

• 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

• Chapel Hill’s Market and Moss will hold their final event to celebrate their anniversary this Sunday, October 27: Benefit Brunch for Compass Center – 20% of all brunch sales will be donated to Compass Center, which helps people navigate their journey to stability, safety, and health with services that include domestic violence crisis and prevention programs, education, assistance with legal resources, and youth health programs.  Get details and reservations/tickets on all their events here.

• USA Today Food & Wine Experience is this Saturday October 26th at the Big Field at Dix Park in Downtown Raleigh. Chef Jared Bobkin coordinates this event visiting approximately 12 U.S. cities annually. Get all the details here.

• The Pay-What-You-Can Community Feast will take place at The Plant (220 Lorax Lane) in Pittsboro on Sunday, October 27th at 5 p.m. dinner will benefit Feed-Well Fridges and its mission to transform food waste into vital meals for our community. It is being organized by incredible community partners, including: Café Root Cellar, Postal Fish Company, The Local Church, Kingston 99 Kitchen, JDub’s PoBoys, The Plant, Buttermilk Boutique, BMC Brewing, Heart Song Farm, The Sycamore, 39 West Catering, In Good Heart Farm, Lilly Den Farm, Drip Culture Farm, Carolina Cravings…and many more still to come! The meal will be served family-style and include kid-friendly options. Registration is requested (for food count). Get all the details here.

• Here is a great option for the adults that still love to get dressed up for Halloween! The Deep Creeps Halloween Party at Kingfisher + Queeny’s is on Thursday, October 31 from 8 pm – midnight at 321 E. Chapel Hill Street. Attendees will party from 8 pm ‘til midnight with spooky beverage specials and music by DJ Zac Lor (Kingfisher) and DJ Lolo (Queeny’s). There will be a $400 cash prize for the best costume – entrants must arrive at either spot by 10 pm, and the costume must be original and handmade! Entry is $10 at the door and free for service industry friends. Entry fee gets you into both parties. Best to get details on their Instagram here.

• Carolina Brewery announced their Seventh Annual Oyster Roast on Saturday, Nov. 2nd from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at their Pittsboro Brewery Restaurant. This highly anticipated event will benefit the North Carolina Coastal Federation and Outer Banks Forever. Admission is free and freshly steamed or raw oysters will be available for purchase by the half-dozen or dozen. The oysters, sourced from North Carolina’s own Ghost Fleet Oyster Co., will be served by the oyster farmers themselves, offering a true farm-to-table experience. Get all the details here.

• Chef David Ellis of Raleigh’s Figulina is launching an exclusive series of wine dinners, beginning with a Sicilian-inspired five-course feast on Nov 4. Each course will be thoughtfully paired with a selection of Sicilian wines curated by Figulina’s wine director, Jeff Bramwell. A seasoned expert in Italian wines, he has nearly two decades of experience in the Triangle’s wine industry, and has spent extensive time traveling across Italy, learning directly from local winemakers, farmers and chefs about each region’s wine and foodways. The evening will begin with a mini aperitivo hour at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy community-style seating for an immersive, family-style Sicilian experience. The $240 ticket includes all food, wine and gratuity (excluding tax). Get tickets and all the details here.

• Seabird’s (Wilmington) Chef/Owner Dean Neff will team up with Preeti Waas from Cheeni in Durham for a dinner on Wednesday, November 20th specifically earmarked to benefit industry peers in Western North Carolina, in the wake of Hurricane Helene. (They are also doing a dinner in Wilmington on October 15th). Tickets are $150. Tickets for the Durham event can be purchased here.

Food Bank Corner

• Kids are back in school. And with that, the effects of hunger reach well beyond the classroom — influencing health, well-being and earning potential well into adulthood. The Food Bank operates programs like Weekend Power Pack, Youth Pantries and Kids Cafés. With the support you provide, the Food Bank is able to connect more kids and teens with the resources they need to succeed and thrive. Help kids get the nutritious support they need to be successful by donating today!