Featured Restaurant News
- Got word this week that Glenwood South’s Marian Cocktails & Kitchen, a plant-forward dining experience, has closed that location (301 Glenwood Avenue) and has relocated to Havenwing Vineyards in Benson, North Carolina. Look for them to open in February. As for their space on Glenwood South? The Dirty V, another plant-based restaurant, with locations also opening soon in Myrtle Beach and Miami, will take over that space by the end of January. Visit Marian here and Dirty V here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- The News & Observer updated us this week that North Raleigh, specifically Lafayette Village, is about to get a steakhouse with the anticipated opening of Franko’s Prime in the former Driftwood Cantina space. The concept is led by a group of industry veterans including Nunzio Scordo, Justin Bee, Keith LoGrande, Joe Farrell and Steven Hayes. Bee, Scordo and LoGrande are also partners on two Franklinton restaurants, Atlantic Prime Coastal Kitchen and Franko’s Italian Steakhouse. They will serve made-from-scratch dishes featuring USDA Prime beef steaks and fresh seafood alongside a vast array of wine. Expect them to be open by the end of January. Additionally, the group is also opening Trattoria Franko, expected to open in Rolesville in the spring. Visit Franko’s here.
- In downtown Raleigh, we received the news that Carroll’s Kitchen moved just a few steps away from their former location into the former Amitie Macaron space at 230 S Wilmington St. If you are not familiar with Carroll’s, it is a social enterprise restaurant creating healthy employment for women overcoming crisis. Pay them a visit today!
- RalToday reported this week that fido-friendly restaurant Barking Dog is now open in the Park District of North Hills near Chuy’s (201 Park at North Hills St., Suite 100). Expect brunch, lunch, and dinner with ample patio seating in the sun — and all well-trained dogs are welcome. Get yourself, and your dog, familiar with them here.
- Down in Fuquay-Varina, David McCreary shared with me that Deli on Main Street opened for business yesterday at 604 N. Main Street. The New York-style fast-casual eatery is serving up hot and cold deli classics, chopped salads, soups, desserts and more. Discover more on their Facebook page. Pro tip: Apparently their first day was so overwhelming in support, they are closed today (Friday) to “reload” for the weekend. So get by this weekend!
- Got word from Chris Creighton that the new Alpaca Peruvian Chicken opened in Holly Springs at 109 Collins Crossing Road. This is the 19th opening for the locally-owned concept. Check them out here.
- And in Zebulon, the Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Taco Roos, the taco spinoff of North Carolina fast-food chain Cook Out, is looking to open a location in Zebulon at 1206 N. Arendell Ave. That is the former location of hot dog restaurant Hillbillies. No word on an opening date. Visit them here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- Learned this week on a social media post that the good folks at La Vita Dolce, a community cafe offering espresso, made-in-house gelato, wine, craft beer, panini and small plates in Chapel Hill’s Southern Village, are making plans to move into the former Market & Moss space (which they also owned) a few doors down. The space is much larger allowing them to host even more community events and will also allow them to offer an expanded bar program. Exciting news! Keep up with them here.
- Up on Franklin Street, Mike DePersia with DePersia & Associates, notified me this week that Hibachi & Co. (153 E Franklin St.) was sold to the folks from Kabab and Curry, with locations at N.C. State and Duke. This will be more of a quick-serve Indian restaurant and it may include a name change. Expect them to open in a few months after a light remodel. Due to their success and popularity, Hibachi & Co. has moved a few doors down to a larger space. Visit Kabab and Curry here.
- In Chapel Hill’s University Place, H&H Bagels’ first North Carolina location will open on January 15th. They have been a New York City institution since 1972 where their dough remains kettle-boiled in New York City water, then baked locally on-site all day, every day. You’d be wise to start getting familiar with them now.
Closings
- Open since 2011, downtown Raleigh’s Beasley’s Chicken + Honey announced that they will close their doors on South Wilmington Street on Sunday, Jan. 25. There is still time to get by.
- Got word this week that after a nearly 5-year run, Grata in Carrboro’s Carr Mill Mall has closed. Any chance Elmo’s will return to that space? 🙂
- Learned from reader Yong-Mi Kim that the Hillsborough Bakeshop at 110 S. Churton Street in Hillsborough has permanently closed.
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
- Rocky Top Catering announced this week the dates for the eighth annual Cooking for the Kids, a multi-night culinary competition uniting the Triangle’s vibrant chef community in support of an impactful local nonprofit, Overflowing Hands. Overflowing Hands is a 100% volunteer-led 501c3 organization serving the most vulnerable children in our neighborhoods, across the United States and around the world. Hosted at the elegant Millbrook Manor (located at 1705 E. Millbrook Road in Raleigh), Cooking for the Kids offers guests an immersive dining experience where philanthropy and culinary creativity take center stage. The first round is scheduled for Monday, January 26 with the finale on Tuesday, February 10. Get all the details, including competing chefs as well as tickets, here.
- Tickets have gone on sale for the 2026 version of the Triangle Food & Wine Experience which will take place February 5-7, 2026. From its humble inception over 30 years ago, the Triangle Wine & Food Experience has grown to become one of the leading charity wine auctions in the nation with all proceeds benefiting the Frankie Lemmon School & Development Center. And let me tell you, the lineup of culinary talent (from all corners of the United States) is absolutely incredible – see the list here. If you call yourself a foodie, these are the not-to-miss events of the year. A weekend of the most incredible food and wine. Get details on the weekend of events here.
Food Bank Corner
- The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina is looking for caring friends to become Monthly Sustainers of the Food Bank to help respond to the ever-increasing demand for food assistance. When you partner with them monthly, you help ensure that healthy, nutritious food can reach people in need all year long. In fact, your monthly gift of: $25 can provide 75 meals per month; $35 can provide 105 meals per month; $50 can provide 150 meals per month; $100 can provide 300 meals per month. Plus, with your monthly commitment of $25 or more, they’ll send a special tote bag your way. And when you carry it, you are reminded of all you make possible for your neighbors through your consistent generosity! Become a Monthly Sustainer here.
