TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

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

Featured Restaurant News

• Got word this week that 321 Coffee is gearing up to open its first Durham location at 300 Morris St. Join the coffee shop and roastery for its grand opening and ribbon cutting on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 9:30 a.m. 321 Coffee is a coffee shop and roaster built on inclusion. They currently employ over 40 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). If you are not already familiar with them, get to know them here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• If you haven’t noticed, there is a new place to get your coffee in North Raleigh. Biggby Coffee has been open for a little over a month on Six Forks Road (5424 Six Forks Road to be exact) near the intersection with E. Millbrook Road. And to make matters even better, reader Birkir Gunnarsson shared that he saw a sign for the next location of Biggby at 4208 Pleasant Valley Road. Their website confirms a “coming soon” for that address. Get to know Biggby here.

• Over in Cary, we told you back in June that Nice Bowls in Cary had closed. This week, Catering By Design chef James Murdock shared with me that Kongfu Dumplings has opened in that spot at 4224 NW Cary Pkwy). Get to know them here.

• Up in Wake Forest, reader Julie Barnes shared that Smith’s Smokehouse and Smoothies has opened in a more permanent location at 1318 South Main Street. Get to know them here.

• A quick update on the Mexican food scene in Apex thanks to reader David Amann. Mezcalito is not going to Beaver Creek (like we reported last week), but they are coming to Apex, next to Bottle Theory at 3675 Green Level W Rd #103. Also, Mamacita’s Modern Mexican + Cocktails is going in where Big Mike’s was. Couldn’t find a web presence, but the banner is up. Visit Mezcalito here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Learned from Douglas Everett in the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook group that there is a new shop in New Hope Commons near the intersection of 15-501 and Interstate 40. Salt N Cocoa has opened serving up ‘novelty’ coffee and ice cream. We were unable to locate an online presence, so you will just have to driver over!

Closing / Cancellations

• Triangle Business Journal shared the new this week that The Plaza Cafe, a family-owned NY-style deli specializing in Indian cuisine, closed its doors this week. The downtown spot on Fayetteville Street had served the community for 10 years.

Food Trucks

• On a recent visit to Pine State Coffee just outside of downtown Raleigh, I noticed that De Plantas, a Latin fusion food truck, has opened there at 1614 Automotive Way. Check out their vegan Birria style tacos and tortas or try their Al Pastor or Carne Asada! Get to know them 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

• Tickets are now on sale for Holiday Market at The Durham on Dec. 7, featuring 25 N.C. artisans and makers. A wide variety of gifts from succulents, jewelry, fashion, artisan foods, candles, dinnerware, books and more will be available for purchase from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7. Tickets for attendees cost $10 for either the 6-7:30 p.m. or 7:30-9 p.m. shopping event. The public will be able to shop for thoughtful gifts while enjoying sweet bites from the Durham’s pastry chef Kelsey LeGaux as well as eggnog and champagne, which will be served at the bar. Buy tickets here.

• And looking to do some good this holiday season? The Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Group on Facebook is holding a holiday charity partnership again with Chapel Hill Service League’s annual Christmas House event. They are looking to raise as much money as possible allowing them to buy/distribute grocery gift cards for local families in need. If you’d like to donate, please do so here.

• And looking to continue dining outside even as the temperatures start to drop? No problem. The Downtown Raleigh Alliance has compiled a list of restaurants in downtown Raleigh keeping you warm all-year long! Check out that list here.

Food Bank Corner

• Looking for an easy way for you and/or your office to make a HUGE DIFFERENCE in people’s lives this Holiday season? Host a VIRTUAL Food Drive! Forget the hassle of a trip to the grocery store for your next food drive… create a food drive without the heavy lifting using our Virtual Food Drive, and maximize your donation times five! For every $1 donated, the Food Bank can provide FIVE meals! You can make a difference in your community by hosting a Virtual Food Drive for your friends, family members, or coworkers.  It is easy! Start here. #noonegoeshungry

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

Featured Restaurant News

• Eater Carolinas shared the news that Raleigh is going big time. Eric Rivera, one of Seattle’s most unusual chefs, is bringing two concepts to Raleigh, housed in the same building. Sapo will be a private dining room with elaborate tasting menus. The seven to 10 course experience will be available only through purchasing a ticket ahead of time. The other concept, Coqui, will be modeled after an Izakaya (a Japanese-stye bar with small dishes and drinks) but with a Puerto Rican flair. The dining room will be filled with loud music and the food will feature “exploding flavors.” Rivera’s restaurant called Addo, earned him the title of Seattle’s 2018 Chef of the Year from food magazine Eater. Rivera will “introduce” his style at private dinners in Raleigh March 1 – April 30, 2023. Look for both concepts to open in 2023, with a location to be named soon. Follow along on Instagram.

Wake County Restaurant News

• RalToday shared the news that the folks behind Pelagic Beer & Wine (in the North Person Street business district) opened Riparian Beer + Wine this week at 1408 South Saunders Street (near Slice Pie Company and Earp’s Seafood). The larger space features open air seating as well as a tasting bar. Follow along for details and hours on their Instagram page here.

• On one of my recent visits to Raleigh’s Costco, I noticed that Raleigh newest Chick-fil-A opened yesterday right on Six Forks behind Applebee’s and First Watch. Perhaps due to space limitation, perhaps taking a page out of what was learned during the pandemic, this location is drive-thru only. Congrats to owner/operator Jade Costen. Visit this location here.

• Over in Apex, Mike DePersia of DePersia & Associates, shared that Mezcalito Grill & Tequila Bar will be moving into the spot formerly occupied by Big Mike’s BBQ. No word on an open date. They also have locations in Clayton and Durham here in the Triangle. Get familiar with them here.

• David McCreary shared with us that a new location of Crumbl Cookies opens TODAY (Friday, Nov. 18), at 145 Grand Hill Place in Holly Springs Towne Center (near Target next to Oragetheory Fitness). Visit them here.

• And the home (some say the birthplace) of the original Buffalo wings straight out of Buffalo, New York is coming to Raleigh sometime next year. Local media shared the news that Anchor Bar announced six new franchise locations, including Raleigh, to open in 2023. A location hasn’t been identified yet, but negotiations are underway. Start getting familiar with Anchor here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Nick Singh and Buddy Maynard, are excited to announce the creation of The Waiting Room, a crafted cocktail and small plates concept slated to open this December. The Waiting Room is an inclusive space inspired by Singh and Maynard’s deep understanding and love for community. This relaxing space will be a great place to unwind or visit while waiting for a table at an incredible local restaurant. It is located in downtown Durham’s American Tobacco Campus at 300 Blackwell Street. Keep up with them on Instagram here.

• On a recent drive threw Durham, noticed a sign near Brightleaf Square that a new coffee concept called New World Cafe is now open at at 701 W Main Street, corner of Duke and Main streets. They also have a location in Raleigh in the Pleasant Valley area. Get to know them here.

• Triangle Business Journal shared this week that DSSOLVR, a brewery based in Asheville, is bringing its funky brews and bizarre aesthetic to the retail portion of a new apartment complex in Durham. The tasting room will cover 2,500 square feet on the ground floor of the Atlas Durham apartment building, at West Corporation Street and Rigsbee Avenue by the Durham Food Hall. Get familiar with them here.

• Tonya Council will open Tonya’s Cookies & Gifts TODAY, Friday, November 18 in the Streets of Southpoint mall in Durham. She is offering a variety of gourmet gifts and seasonal baskets, as well as a selection of fresh cookies, baked on premises. Council is one of the South’s beloved bakers, and her famous Pecan Crisp cookies were named one of Oprah’s Favorite Things last holiday season. Take a peek here.
  

Closing / Cancellations

• None to report. Keep eating local, folks!

Food Trucks

• 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 eighth-annual WRAL Voters’ Choice Awards presented by M&F Bank is here! Vote for your favorite from the top five finalists in each category. You can vote now through November 20. Winners will be announced in January 2023 at an event in downtown Raleigh. Vote here.

• Tonight (Nov. 18) Raleigh Wine Shop and Locals Seafood will hold a Fall Oyster Roast from 5-8 p.m. at Raleigh Wine Shop located at 317 S. Bloodworth Street in downtown Raleigh. They’ll be serving up oysters and delicious small seafood plates right from the kitchen, all paired with great wines so you can eat, sip and have dinner right there at the shop. If you can’t make it tonight, they’ll hold one more this year on December 9th. Get all the details here.

• Tickets are now on sale for Holiday Market at The Durham on Dec. 7, featuring 25 N.C. artisans and makers. A wide variety of gifts from succulents, jewelry, fashion, artisan foods, candles, dinnerware, books and more will be available for purchase from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7. Tickets for attendees cost $10 for either the 6-7:30 p.m. or 7:30-9 p.m. shopping event. The public will be able to shop for thoughtful gifts while enjoying sweet bites from the Durham’s pastry chef Kelsey LeGaux as well as eggnog and champagne, which will be served at the bar. Buy tickets here.

• And looking to do some good this holiday season? The Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Group on Facebook is holding a holiday charity partnership again with Chapel Hill Service League’s annual Christmas House event. They are looking to raise as much money as possible allowing them to buy/distribute grocery gift cards for local families in need. If you’d like to donate, please do so here.

• And looking to continue dining outside even as the temperatures start to drop? No problem. The Downtown Raleigh Alliance has compiled a list of restaurants in downtown Raleigh keeping you warm all-year long! Check out that list here.

Food Bank Corner

• Looking for an easy way for you and/or your office to make a HUGE DIFFERENCE in people’s lives this Holiday season? Host a VIRTUAL Food Drive! Forget the hassle of a trip to the grocery store for your next food drive… create a food drive without the heavy lifting using our Virtual Food Drive, and maximize your donation times five! For every $1 donated, the Food Bank can provide FIVE meals! You can make a difference in your community by hosting a Virtual Food Drive for your friends, family members, or coworkers.  It is easy! Start here. #noonegoeshungry