TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

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

Featured Restaurant News

• The Triangle Business Journal reported this week that a downtown Raleigh bar is reopening after being closed since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Fox Liquor Bar, a cocktail bar owned by chef Ashley Christensen, is set to open its doors May 19. The bar is located underground at 237 S. Wilmington Street, just around the corner from Beasley’s Chicken + Honey (entrance is on Martin Street). Hours of operation will be: Thursday, 4-10pm; Friday, 4-midnight; Saturday, noon to midnight; and Sunday, noon to 10pm. Refamiliarize yourself with it here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Reader Hugh Autry shared a recent discovery over in Cary. Autry noticed Chido Taco kookies neatly stacked inside the former Tijuana Flats next to the Trader Joe’s on Cary Parkway. The space is currently under renovation and no word on a timeline or opening date. Chido Taco has another location in Raleigh on Bale Street (near Mami Nora’s). We will ask Hugh to keep an eye on this for us! Check out Chido Taco here.

• Out by the airport, the Triangle Business Journal reported that the Triangle’s first Westin hotel brought in James Beard award-winning chef Bradford Thompson to help build out the restaurant, IL Falò. The Westin Raleigh-Durham Airport hotel is now officially open in Brier Creek. The upscale restaurant serves wood-fired Italian dishes and is located on the hotel’s first floor at 3931 Macaw St. by Brier Creek Commons. Visit the restaurant here.

• In Raleigh, Autry also noticed that La Terraza Mexican Restaurant has opened at Mission Valley shopping center in the former El Cerro (and many years before Rock-Ola Cafe) building. The address is 2217 Avent Ferry Road. Get to know them here.

• Over in Wake Forest, reader Mark McEachin shared several updates on concepts opening soon. Wayback Burgers is coming soon to the Wheatfield Plaza Shopping Center in Wake Forest.  They will be in the same building as Summer Moon Coffee and Jeremiah’s Italian Ice. Torchy’s Tacos and Cava are coming soon to the Grove Ninety-Eight development on Highway 98, across from the Wegmans in Wake Forest. Visit Wayback here, Torchy’s here and Cava here.

• Down in Holly Springs, my buddy David McCreary shared a couple of exciting updates from our friends at Sir Walter Coffee + Kitchen. First up, they are moving. Their last day of service in Holly Springs will be May 21st. That is the bad news. However, the good news is twofold. First, they are building out a new location in Raleigh for Sir Walter that they hope to open soon. And secondly, in their space in the Town Hall Commons in Holly Springs they will introduce a concept called Smashed! – a new restaurant and bar featuring mouth-watering smashed burgers and cocktails. Keep up with their progress here on Facebook.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Bangkok 54 in Chapel Hill (Farmington Road) announced via Facebook this week that they are in the process of opening a second location in Chapel Hill, this one will be in the Timberlyne shopping center in the former Queen of Pho spot (1129 Weaver Dairy Road). No word on an open date. Follow them on Facebook for updates.

Closings

• Stairway to Veggin’ food truck announced this week that they are pausing their operations effectively immediately. They did indicate that they hope to resume operations this fall.

Food Trucks

• A Place at the Table announces their second annual Pay-What-You-Can Food Truck Rodeo on Sunday, June 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This fun-filled community day will consist of delicious meals, refreshments, and desserts from a variety of food trucks including: Q-spresso, Interfaith Food Shuttle: The Spinning Plate, Bulkogi, Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes, Locopops, AMPM Burritos, Season It Up Vegan, Aries Dish Delivered, and Goodness GraceUs. All food trucks will have special menus prepared for the event. The rodeo will take place in the parking lot on the corner of West Hargett and South Harrington street across from A Place at the Table. Purchase tickets ahead of time 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

• Here is a great Mother’s Day idea for you — Mother’s Day Tea at the NC Museum of Art Café from May 12th through the 14th. This “Afternoon Tea” experience features a pre-fixe menu including savory canapes, finger sandwiches and inspired patisserie. Premium teas or coffee included. Plan on 1 – 1/2 hours based on party size. Note gluten free or vegan in special request. Recommended party size 2, 4 or 6. Make your reservations 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

• Tickets are on sale now for NC F&B Podcast’s 3rd Bubbles & Brisket at Smoky Hollow scheduled for Saturday, June 3rd from 2-6 p.m. The event features 10 BBQ pit-master chefs and an array of sparkling beverages. With the purchase of a ticket, guests will enjoy various styles of brisket and side dishes prepared by the best talent in the state, along with sampling multiple styles of sparkling wine from around the world. Get tickets here.

• Friend Kitty Kinnin reminded me that tickets are now available for the 5th Roots for Reece Chef’s Picnic being held on June 11th from 3-7 p.m. at Haven Farm in Knightdale. At the event you will be able to sample small plates and beverages from over 25 local food and beverage establishments. Check out this list: Longleaf Swine BBQ; Glass House Kitchen; Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing; The Umstead Hotel and Spa; Craften Neighborhood Food & Drink; Postal Fish Company; Under The Oak Catering; Locals Seafood; Mebane Crafted; Cucciolo Terrazza Raleigh; Viv’s Fridge; Jolie Restaurant; Elevated Catering Company; Layered Croissanterie; Native Fine Diner; ORO Restaurant & Lounge; Lawrence Barbecue; Leroys Taco Shop; William & Company; Revival 1869 – A Drinkery; Trophy Brewing Company; Umbrella Dry Bar; Deep River Brewing Company; and Double Barley Brewing. All proceeds go to the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, which saves lives through education and prevention of opiate overdose. Visit the site here to get your tickets.

Food Bank Corner

• We are ready to celebrate once again Stamp Out Hunger. On Saturday May 13th, the public is asked to place bags filled with nonperishable food items next to their mailbox. A Letter Carrier will then collect the donations and take them back to their postal branch where Food Bank volunteers and staff will be on-site to unload the postal trucks. If you would like to volunteer to help, do so here. #noonegoeshungry

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

Featured Restaurant News

• And then there were three…four. Well, depends on how you look at it. Three if you are counting how many Pickled Onions there are in the Triangle now. Four, if you include their sister establishment, The Pickled Pub. But what is certain is there is a great new dining option right about where Raleigh, Wake Forest and Rolesville intersect at 8440 Louisburg Road in the Forestville Crossing shopping center (think Lowe’s grocery store). It feels just like their other locations, but what will be unique about this location will be the addition of a huge outdoor courtyard area (isn’t open yet) that will feature an outside bar and kitchen and plenty of picnic tables situated under a canopy of beautiful trees. We will keep you updated as to when that part opens, but for now, check out the new Pickled Onion location. See it here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• We got word this week that the European inspired coffee house Press Coffee, Cocktails & Crepes will open its third location at the 400H mixed-use tower in downtown Raleigh (400 Hillsborough Street at the corner with West Street), serving high-quality coffee and cocktail beverages, along with a rotating menu of food offerings. After revitalizing downtown Graham with its opening in 2016, Press opened a second location in downtown Durham’s American Tobacco in 2021 with immediate success. Press was named Best New Restaurant in Indy Week, Durham Magazine, and Yelp and was chosen an ideal brunch location in Durham by Southern Living Magazine. Press is planned to open this coming winter. Check them out here.

• Reader Lauren LaPlante passed along information she saw on RalToday announcing that Jeni’s Scoop Shop in the Village District should be opening in two weeks. Jeni’s has over 60 branded ‘scoop shops’ nationally, and one other one here in the Triangle – at Durham’s Brightleaf Square. Get to know Jeni’s here.

• Over in Apex, we got word this week that Mezcalito Grill opened its fourth location in the area (sixth overall), this one in Green Level Market at 3675 Green Level West. Locally, they have other locations in Clayton, Henderson and Durham. Get familiar with this concept here.

• Over in Garner, Garner Biz shared on Facebook that Mia Bistro has opened at 1227 Timber Drive East in Garner. They are serving up all the delicate flavors of Thai cuisine. Sounds like a great addition to Garner. Get to know them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• The folks over at Bites of Bull City shared the news that a former arcade hall in downtown Durham has been transformed into a hip cocktail bar called Glori. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. until midnight. They are located in the bottom of the Kress building at 101 W. Main Street. Check them out on Instagram here.

• And down in Chatham County, Pittsboro to be exact, Pittsboro Eats shared on Facebook that Havoc Brewing Company opened this past weekend at 39 West St. (just off the circle). Their mission is simple: make great beer. Cheers! Get familiar with them here.

Closings

• Nothing 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

• The 37th Annual Ham & Yam Festival in downtown Smithfield is this Saturday, May 6th. It has grown into a celebration of the agricultural products that Smithfield and Johnston County are known for with live music, country ham biscuits, and sweetpotatoes galore! And for the record according to their website: By the way, just to be 100% correct the sweetpotato grown in Johnston County (and you will find at the festival) is not really a “YAM”.  But Yam rhymes with Ham…so it has been in the festival name for over 35 years. Get all the details here.

• Also this Saturday (May 6th) is the 42nd Annual Apex PeakFest in downtown Apex celebrating the “Peak of Good Living.” Salem Street in historic downtown Apex will come alive with music all day, artist of every kind (jewelry, pottery, watercolor and acrylic), entertainment for the kids, food that you would find at the fair, and so much more! Get all the details here.

• Over in downtown Wake Forest, they will hold their Meet in the Street this Saturday (May 6th) which is a community street festival hosted by the Wake Forest Area Chamber. The festival features more than 150 arts and crafts vendors, live music throughout the day, dozens of food trucks, and many activities for children. Get all the details here.

• Also on Saturday, May 6th, the town of Cary will hold their Fest in the West at the USA Baseball Training Complex/Thomas Brooks Park (200 Brooks Park Ln.). The event features two stages of entertainment, a 7 truck food truck rodeo, a beer garden and a FREE Kids Corral with activities for families, not to mention an adorable Petting Zoo. Get all the details here.

• And one more event for this weekend. We saw in Indy Week that after a 3-year pandemic hiatus, the Durham Greek Festival returns this Saturday and Sunday (May 6th and 7th) beginning at 11 a.m. at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church (8306 NC Highway 751, Durham)! Look to enjoy fabulous authentic Greek food and scrumptious desserts for dining under their large covered tent or for take-out. Admission is free! Get all the details here.

• Just a quick reminder that Black Restaurant Week will run through this Sunday, May 7. This is the third time the campaign has visited the Carolinas. The week will highlight Black-owned restaurants, food trucks, sweets, and more. Find participants in our area.

• Here is a great Mother’s Day idea for you — Mother’s Day Tea at the NC Museum of Art Café from May 12th through the 14th. This “Afternoon Tea” experience features a pre-fixe menu including savory canapes, finger sandwiches and inspired patisserie. Premium teas or coffee included. Plan on 1 – 1/2 hours based on party size. Note gluten free or vegan in special request. Recommended party size 2, 4 or 6. Make your reservations 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

• Tickets are on sale now for NC F&B Podcast’s 3rd Bubbles & Brisket at Smoky Hollow scheduled for Saturday, June 3rd from 2-6 p.m. The event features 10 BBQ pit-master chefs and an array of sparkling beverages. With the purchase of a ticket, guests will enjoy various styles of brisket and side dishes prepared by the best talent in the state, along with sampling multiple styles of sparkling wine from around the world. Get tickets here.

• Friend Kitty Kinnin reminded me that tickets are now available for the 5th Roots for Reece Chef’s Picnic being held on June 11th from 3-7 p.m. at Haven Farm in Knightdale. At the event you will be able to sample small plates and beverages from over 25 local food and beverage establishments. Check out this list: Longleaf Swine BBQ; Glass House Kitchen; Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing; The Umstead Hotel and Spa; Craften Neighborhood Food & Drink; Postal Fish Company; Under The Oak Catering; Locals Seafood; Mebane Crafted; Cucciolo Terrazza Raleigh; Viv’s Fridge; Jolie Restaurant; Elevated Catering Company; Layered Croissanterie; Native Fine Diner; ORO Restaurant & Lounge; Lawrence Barbecue; Leroys Taco Shop; William & Company; Revival 1869 – A Drinkery; Trophy Brewing Company; Umbrella Dry Bar; Deep River Brewing Company; and Double Barley Brewing. All proceeds go to the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, which saves lives through education and prevention of opiate overdose. Visit the site here to get your tickets.

Food Bank Corner

• We are ready to celebrate once again Stamp Out Hunger. On Saturday May 13th, the public is asked to place bags filled with nonperishable food items next to their mailbox. A Letter Carrier will then collect the donations and take them back to their postal branch where Food Bank volunteers and staff will be on-site to unload the postal trucks. If you would like to volunteer to help, do so here. #noonegoeshungry