TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

Triangle Restaurant News

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

Featured Restaurant News

•   This season, the Hurricanes will host an All Star Chef Series during six home games, pairing a four-course meal tasting from a curated collection of North Carolina’s premier chefs with tickets to a Carolina Hurricanes home game at PNC Arena. The first dinner kicks off Nov. 10. The dinners will be held in the Arena Club restaurant two hours before the game. Tickets to the dinner and hockey game are $135, with seats in the lower level of PNC arena. Hurricanes season ticket holders can get dinner tickets for $75. To get tickets and to see the schedule of chefs, go here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• For those heading to a football game at Carter Finley Stadium or a hockey game at PNC Arena, you will be happy to learn that Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits is planning a location within walking distance. According to the ITB Insider it looks like their location will be on the other side of Edwards Mills Road at the intersection of Trinity Road and Sunday Drive. No word yet on a timeline. Visit them here.

• Over in downtown Raleigh the ITB Insider is reporting that Calavera has begun work on their new location in the former home of Tasty 8’s at 121 Fayetteville Street. Calavera, owned by Raleigh restaurateur Ken Yowell (Oak City Meatball, Kaiju), closed its South Blount Street location in February. No word yet on a timeline. Perhaps the best place to keep up with their progress is on their Facebook page here.

• Up in Wake Forest a little bird told me that Driftwood Southern Kitchen in Lafayette Village is opening a new restaurant in Wake Forest. Chef/owner Nunzio Scordo will be opening Bodega in mid-November with Tapas style food service. Until we know more, check him out at Driftwood here.

• In south Raleigh near Garner, reader Hugh Autry brought it to our attention that Fred Chason’s Grandsons Buffet, with locations in Hope Mills, Smithfield, Fayetteville and Dunn, is moving into the former Larry’s Southern Kitchen spot at 4205 Fayetteville Road. Get familiar with them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Downtown Durham is looking up. Literally. One City Center, the tallest building in downtown Durham, is now open. The food/beverage side of the concept includes Raleigh-based juicer Juicekeys, with two locations in Raleigh; Oak House Durham, a craft coffee shop and wine bar that originated in Elon;  restaurant b.good, with two locations in Raleigh as well as a location in Morrisville and Chapel HIll; and the first North Carolina location of Pokeworks, which is now open and celebrates its grand opening on November 10th from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m with a special “buy-one-get-one-free offer that day. Check out Pokeworks here.

• Also in Durham, a quick update from Jennifer Buchholz on the Uncle Julio’s Mexican restaurant that is moving into the former Champps location at the Streets at Southpoint. Jennifer is telling me that they will have their grand opening on November 13th. She says it looks great and you won’t recognize the inside – a complete remodel. Check them out here.

• Also at the Streets at Southpoint, my wife and daughter brought it to my attention that there is a edible cookie dough establishment in the former Teavana location. Simply called Dough Life. And I love their tag line, “Go ahead: lick the spoon.” Check them out here.

• And near Duke’s campus, JB Duke Hotel recently appointed a new executive chef, Troy Stauffer. He is already having an impact having launched a completely separate, original menu and cantina experience in the hotel’s fashionable Lobby Lounge. The menu features everything from the Hot Chicken and Belgian Waffle sandwich to Crispy Duck Confit and specializes in handcrafted cocktails. Check out the dining at JB Duke here.

• Over in Chapel Hill, WRAL shared that CAVA, which will be in the Village Plaza shopping center on Elliott Road just down from Whole Foods, will swing open their doors on Friday, November 9th.  CAVA, a Greek/Mediterranean concept, allows you to customize your ideal grain bowl, salad, or pita. Start getting familiar with them here.

• Down in Chatham County, fellow Chathamite Shelley Colbert shared the news that Alberello has closed (closed on Oct. 25) and will reopen later this month as new restaurant, Sadie’s Southern. Leslie and Brendan Cox are also the owners of Oakleaf, formerly of Pittsboro, but now residing in downtown Carrboro. Until we know more, stop by Oakleaf here.

• Also in Chatham County, Apex residents, Tim and Cindy Larson have brought their latest location of Marco’s Pizza to Penguin Place in Chatham Park just behind The Root Cellar and House of Hops. Tim and Cindy also own locations in Durham, Chapel Hill and Morrisville. Check out Marco’s here.

Closings

•  If you are looking for a Chick-fil-A in downtown Raleigh you have until November 16th  before they close their doors after 22 years.

Food Trucks

• The final date for the Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo is THIS Sunday, November 4^th from noon until 4 p.m. And the weather looks PERFECT! Check out Durham here.

Events

• ACME’s 6th Annual Salt & Smoke Festival is coming up on Saturday, November 3rd at beautiful Rock Quarry Farm from 3-8 pm. This is one of the fall “can’t miss” events here in the Triangle. In just five short weeks, they’ll be smoking whole-hog BBQ, drinking beer, shucking thousands of just-out-of-the-water oysters, drinking wine, roasting clams over a fire, sipping whiskey, being wowed by a magician, tapping our feet and dancing the night away. You know, a par-tay. The kind you don’t want to miss. Get your tickets here.

• Have you ever met Angelo and Vinnie at Chapel Hill’s infamous IPIII restaurant? How about Al and wife Melody of Al’s Burger Shack fame? What if you could hang out with all of them for a night of fantastic food, fun and entertainment. Well, you can! The next edition of Caffe Marrone will take place on Wednesday, November 14^th at Mel’s Commissary in Carrboro where $75 will get you 6 courses of Italian favorites, wine and entertainment. Did I mention Angelo and Vinnie will be there? Folks, go! Here are the details.

• Come celebrate with us at the 2018 Brewer’s Ball: A Celebration of Triangle’s Finest on Friday, November 16, 2018, at American Institute of Architects at 14 E Peace St in Raleigh from 7 to 10 p.m. (VIP Honoree and Sponsors Reception at 6:30 p.m.). The Brewer’s Ball is an evening featuring the finest in brews, cocktails, food, music, and difference makers in the community. Guests are treated to a variety of hand-crafted brews and beverages from around town, creative and delicious food pairings from the city’s top restaurants, live music, expansive live and silent auctions, and a chance to mix and mingle with the best and brightest in the Triangle, all while being a part of a great cause: helping move us closer to a cure for CF. Get tickets and all the details here.

Food Bank Corner

•  Over 60% of students in our 34-county service area qualify for free/reduced-price lunch. It’s difficult for any student to excel academically when they come to school hungry. So we invite all students, staff, parents, and teachers to join our Students Against Hunger food and fund drive to help feed hungry children and their families in our community. Since 1996, students in our area have donated enough to provide nearly 6 million meals. Join the cause! Participants in the Students Against Hunger campaign collect food and funds from October 1 through November 30. Competing schools must deliver their donations to any of our branches by 11am on Friday, November 30th. Find out if your child’s school is participating (and if not, get them to!) here.

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 Raleigh will soon have a new steakhouse near Crabtree Valley Mall in the 145,000-square-foot Crabtree Terrace building. Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille is a Texas-based restaurant that will occupy more than 12,000 square feet, with space for 350 guests, in addition to a “towering” wine wall, an island bar and four private dining rooms, according to a press release. The steakhouse serves prime USDA-aged steaks and carves up the meat table-side. The steakhouse is scheduled to open in early 2020. Start getting familiar with them here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Got word from Mike DePersia of National Restaurant Properties that Johnny’s Pizza opened their third location in Wake County at 13654 Capital Blvd. in Wake Forest on Tuesday. They also have locations in Apex and Cary. Check them out here.

• Over in downtown Raleigh, the Morgan Street Food Hall will have their “official” grand opening party this Saturday, October 27th. The event will include door prizes, food and drink specials from all the vendors, and live music. Check out their Facebook Event page here for all the details.

• And a little bit more downtown Raleigh news – the folks over at Eat Raleigh shared this week that brown paper has gone up on the windows of the former Provenance space at 120 E. Martin Street. We will keep an eye on this development.

• Just outside of downtown Raleigh, the folks over at ITB Insider shared that a new fast-casual health food franchise will soon be muscling its way into a space at McNeill Pointe. Permits were issued last week for the fit-out of an 1,800 square-foot space for the Muscle Maker Grill at the corner of McNeill Street and Wake Forest Road. The chain focuses on healthy menu items and meal plans that help improve their customers’ physiques. They offer flatbread pizzas, Cajun chicken pasta, turkey burgers and more. There are about 50 locations of the chain nationwide. Get familiar with them here.

• In Cary, we got word that a new juice bar called Pure Juicery Bar has opened in west Cary at 716 Slash Pine Drive. They are a juice and health foods bar focusing on using high quality, healthy ingredients to make great tasting, ultra-premium juices, smoothies, and food. Check them out here.

• Boy do we have more great news to share. Krispy Kreme now delivers from Triangle locations in Raleigh, Durham, Wake Forest, Knightdale and Fuquay-Varina. That’s the good news. The “fine print” delivers some limitations like: only doughnuts by the dozen, boxes of coffee and bottled drinks are available. There’s a minimum order of $7.99 to qualify for delivery; a dozen doughnuts is $8.99. A delivery charge of $5 ($10 if you want it “fast”) is tacked on for the convenience, but it’s waived on orders over $25. Delivery is limited to roughly five miles from most stores. And most deliveries take at least 30 minutes. Check out the delivery options here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• A quick update from Jennifer Buchholz on the Uncle Julio’s Mexican restaurant that is moving into the former Champps location at the Streets at Southpoint. Jennifer is telling me that they will have their grand opening on November 13th. She says it looks great and you won’t recognize the inside – a complete remodel. Check them out here.

• Also in Durham, WRAL shared the news that the East Durham Bake Shop will be the next “pop-up” tenant at American Tobacco Campus next month. The bakery will be operating from Nov. 5-21 and they have already begun taking orders for Thanksgiving. Check them out here.

• And over in Chapel Hill, WRAL shared a quick update regarding CAVA which will be in the Village Plaza shopping center on Elliott Road just down from Whole Foods. Got word this week that they will swing open their doors next month, November, but we don’t have an exact date just yet. CAVA, a Greek/Mediterranean concept, allows you to customize your ideal grain bowl, salad, or pita. In the meantime, get familiar with them here.

• And next door in Carrboro, reader Ari Bowers and the folks over at Taste Carolina shared the news that that The Shoppe Bar and Meatball Kitchen at 370 E. Main Street has closed and is being replaced by Spike’s Hot Chicken and Dogs, featuring Nashville hot chicken and Connecticut style hot dogs.  It’s the same owners of One Fish Two Fish and Esperanza. Can’t find an online presence, but will keep you posted.

• Staying in Carrboro, chef Teddy Diggs revealed this week that his Coronato Pizza will find its home in the new South Green development that is currently under construction on S. Greensboro Street. He is hoping to open next May. Check out the entire South Green development here.

Closings

•  My buddy Gordon Brown shared the news that Noodles & Company in Cameron Village in Raleigh has closed. Gordon is taking the news pretty hard. If anyone knows where else he can get Pesto Cavatappi, please let me know.

• Just down from there on Hillsborough Street, Yelp is reporting that Bocci Trattoria & Pizzeria has closed that location. They still have locations in Durham and Cary.

• Also in Raleigh, it was announced this week that Oak & Dagger Public House, a downtown Raleigh Irish brewpub, is set to close at Seaboard Station at the end of the week. All operations will move to a new location, with more details coming in the next few weeks.

• Mystery Brewing Company in Hillsborough announced Thursday that it’s closing its doors at the end of the month. The brewery, at 437 Dimmocks Mill Road, is celebrating its nearly seven-year run over the next week.

• Back in August, Sugarland Bakery in Raleigh’s Cameron Village closed. Now the original location in Chapel Hill has closed as well.

• And in Carrobro, The Shoppe Bar and Meatball Kitchen at 370 E. Main Street has closed but is being replaced by Spike’s Hot Chicken and Dogs (same owners).

Food Trucks

•  This Sunday, October 28, the RDU Mobile Food Association and Tabletop Media Group will host Pumpkin Palooza food truck rodeo at 214 Hunt Street in Durham. At least 8 trucks are confirmed at this point and you’ll have an opportunity to try their special pumpkin dishes and vote for your favorites! Additionally there will be crafts, art and music to enjoy as well. Visit their Facebook event page here.

• The final date for the Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo is Sunday, November 4^th from noon until 4 p.m. Check out Durham here.

Events

• In the wake of Hurricane Florence, North Carolina’s culinary and hospitality community has raised hundreds of thousands of relief dollars through a series of meals and events. The latest aims to help North Carolina’s fishermen and shellfish growers impacted by the storm. This Saturday from 12-3 p.m., “Gone Fishing” will feature more than a dozen North Carolina chefs – including several James Beard nominees and winners – from Wilmington to Pittsboro at the new Junction West in Raleigh’s Warehouse District. The cost is $75. The event is organized by chefs Ashley Christensen of Poole’s, Jake Wood of 18 Seaboard and Locals Seafood, with proceeds going to the state’s fishermen and oyster and clam farmers affected by Hurricane Florence. Many of the participating chefs and restaurants focus on North Carolina seafood, including 18 Seaboard, Postmaster and The Cortez. Get tickets and all the details here.

• ACME’s 6th Annual Salt & Smoke Festival is coming up on Saturday, November 3rd at beautiful Rock Quarry Farm from 3-8 pm. This is one of the fall “can’t miss” events here in the Triangle. In just five short weeks, they’ll be smoking whole-hog BBQ, drinking beer, shucking thousands of just-out-of-the-water oysters, drinking wine, roasting clams over a fire, sipping whiskey, being wowed by a magician, tapping our feet and dancing the night away. You know, a par-tay. The kind you don’t want to miss. Get your tickets here.

• Have you ever met Angelo and Vinnie at Chapel Hill’s infamous IPIII restaurant? How about Al and wife Melody of Al’s Burger Shack fame? What if you could hang out with all of them for a night of fantastic food, fun and entertainment. Well, you can! The next edition of Caffe Marrone will take place on Wednesday, November 14^th at Mel’s Commissary in Carrboro where $75 will get you 6 courses of Italian favorites, wine and entertainment. Did I mention Angelo and Vinnie will be there? Folks, go! Here are the details.

• Come celebrate with us at the 2018 Brewer’s Ball: A Celebration of Triangle’s Finest on Friday, November 16, 2018, at Oak and Dagger Public House at Seaboard Station in Raleigh from 7 to 10 p.m. (VIP Honoree and Sponsors Reception at 6:30 p.m.). The Brewer’s Ball is an evening featuring the finest in brews, cocktails, food, music, and difference makers in the community. Guests are treated to a variety of hand-crafted brews and beverages from around town, creative and delicious food pairings from the city’s top restaurants, live music, expansive live and silent auctions, and a chance to mix and mingle with the best and brightest in the Triangle, all while being a part of a great cause: helping move us closer to a cure for CF. Get tickets and all the details here.

• And this is kind of fun. A new foodie program is launching on PBS nationally in October featuring the work of Cat Neville called tasteMAKERS. But what makes it even more special, is the initial episode will feature Left Bank Butchery in Saxapahaw. You can see the behind the scenes making of that episode here. More information on tasteMakers can be found here.

Food Bank Corner

•  James Taylor is pitching in on hurricane relief here in his former home state of North Carolina. The singer, who spent his formative years in Chapel Hill, announced the James Taylor Million Meals Challenge and wants to raise money to help people affected by Hurricanes Florence and Michael, particularly in New Bern and in Eastern North Carolina. He will match donations dollar for dollar through Oct. 31, seeking to raise enough money to provide 1 million meals – about $100,000 – through the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. For every $10, the food bank can provide 100 meals. The money from Taylor’s challenge is earmarked for the 22 North Carolina counties that were declared federal disaster areas from Hurricane Florence. All gifts are tax-deductible. For details, go here.