TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

• Did you miss me? It is good to be back and already loving 2015! We’ve got a ton of news, so let’s get to it!

• The newest member of the Carolina Ale House family is scheduled to open their doors for lunch on January 12th. This is a beautiful location in the middle of Raleigh’s Glenwood South district (500 Glenwood Avenue to be exact). The restaurant is located on the third floor of the new building and features a rooftop patio. Check them out on Facebook here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• I begin the new year with a suggestion of a great article to read. If you are sensing that the food scene in Raleigh has experienced a bit of a resurgence over the last couple of years, you would be correct. And in this article, the News & Observer’s Andrea Weigl does a great job of capturing that momentum. Take a few minutes to read it – you’ll be glad you did (and hungry!).

• And if you want to read/see something else pretty cool – Triangle Business Journal tapped Ashley Christensen as their Businessperson of the Year for 2014! Check it out here.

• WRAL reported that The Medlin, a new neighborhood bar at 3037 Medlin Drive in Raleigh, opened its doors on Christmas Day. It is located in a small shopping area off of Dixie Trail, and is owned by the same folks who own The Goat bar. You can check them out on Facebook here.

• Saw on Yelp that a 4th Triangle location of Mami Nora’s, a Peruvian style chicken rotisserie restaurant, will open in early 2015 on Capital Boulevard in the MiniCity Market Place shopping center in the former Polla a la Brasa location. Should be opening any day now, but we’ll keep an eye on it. In the meantime, check out one of their other locations.

• According to their Facebook page, popular food truck/barn Big Mike’s BBQ is opening their brick and mortar location this weekend with a soft opening for dinner tonight (Friday) and Saturday. The new location is at 1222 NW Maynard Road in Cary. Check them out here.

• And speaking of food trucks transitioning into brick and mortar locations, I saw in the News & Observer that Chick-N-Que is slated to open in Rolesville today (January 9th). The restaurant is a brick-and-mortar location of a popular food truck that has been on the road since 2009. It is located at 420 S. Main St. in Rolesville. Check them out here.

• After 17 years, downtown Raleigh’s Mo’s Diner transitioned quickly just after the new year into Holly’s on Hargett. A new interior look and an added bar are some of the changes, while many of the menu favorites remain the same according to owner Holly Mohajer. Check her out on Facebook here.

• Downtown Raleigh’s La Volta is no more. The owners are transitioning the space into a new Caribbean concept called The Twisted Mango. It will remain under the ownership of Michael Longo. No word yet on an open date. Thank you to New Raleigh, Derrick Minor and Triangle Business Journal for filling in the details on this change. Keep up with them and their progress on their Facebook page here.

• Saw on Yelp that Drink Drank Drunk, a new beer, wine, and coffee shop has opened at 905 West Morgan Street in downtown Raleigh next to Atomic Salon & Irregardless Cafe. Check them out here.

• Saw on New Raleigh’s Twitter feed that a new fun spot called The Level Up, Kitchen and Barcadium will open very soon at the corner of Salisbury and Hargett in downtown Raleigh across from Wells Fargo. It will feature 25-30 restored classic arcade games and pinball machines, upscale pub food, craft/domestic beer and hand made craft cocktails. No word yet on an official open date.

• Hey Morrisville, do you remember Vino? Which then became Mare…which then become Cucina De Milano. Well now that space is taking a turn as Mi Cancun Mexican Restaurant. It opened earlier this month and is located in Morrisville’s Grace Park at the corner of Davis Drive and Morrisville Carpenter Road. Check out their Facebook page here.

• After the closing of its sister store in Chapel Hill, Top This! Café in Raleigh’s Atrium building has sold to new owners who will reopen the space on January 19th as The Atrium Grille. Best of luck to Stephen and Jeff.

• The newest location of Smashburger opened in Raleigh over the holidays in Falls Village (6679 Falls of Neuse Road). It joins the Durham location, which is in the Pavilion East near Duke Medical Campus. Check them out here.

• Saw on Yelp that Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint will be opening in Parkside Town Commons in Cary in mid-January. No official open date yet, but you can check them out here.

• Out in Holly Springs things are a bit chillier, and I’m not talking about the weather. A Dairy Queen Grill & Chill has just opened in the South Park Village Center off of GB Alford Highway according to the Triangle Business Journal. You can check out their Facebook page here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham County Restaurant News 

• Over in Durham Eschelon Experiences will open their newest concept, a new Japanese/sushi restaurant called Basan, on January 20th. It is located in the new Diamond View III building at American Tobacco Campus. Our best to G Patel on his latest venture. Check them out here.

• Also in Durham, we got word that Smallcakes, A Cupcakery, is now baking in southern Durham, opening at 4711 Hope Valley Road in the Woodcroft Shopping Center. They will hold a grand opening on Saturday, January 24th. Check them out on Facebook here.

• On a recent drive through Carrboro, I noticed that Monterrey Mexican restaurant is moving in with their newest location. It will be in Carrboro Plaza. They are currently upfitting the space, and no word yet on an open date. Check out one of their other locations here.

• Also in Carrboro, national chain Tom+Chee (which gained some national awareness after grabbing some “Shark Tank” cash) has announced a March opening. It will be located at 370 E. Main St. in Carrboro according to Triangle Business Journal. As you might guess, they specialize in tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Check them out here.

• And in Chapel Hill, the wife and I stopped by for lunch last week at JuJube only to learn that they are currently closed for renovations. Sign on the door says they will reopen in early 2015. No word yet on an exact date. Guess this is a good “excuse” (like I need an excuse!) to go try out their new sister restaurant in Durham – JuJu. Keep up with JuJuBe here and check out JuJu here.

Closings 

• In one of the biggest surprises I can remember, Glenwood South’s Cafe Helios coffee shop closed their doors after a 12 year run. Sorry to see them go. And in a very cool move, downtown’s Brew Coffee Bar, a coffee shop in Raleigh’s Seaboard Station, is offering two free drinks in exchange for any Cafe Helios gift cards you may be stuck holding.

• And my friend Dana McCall (aka GoGo Raleigh) reported that Mantra Indian Cuisine and Bar has closed.

Food Trucks 

Food Bank Corner   

• A huge kudos to The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and to all of you that contributed to their Holiday Meals Drive. Their goal was to raise $435,000 by midnight on December 31st in order to provide 2.17 million meals. And with less than an hour to go, they hit their goal! A huge thank you to everyone at the food bank for all they do and to all of you that continue to support them in so many ways. Learn more about the food bank here and get involved in 2015!

•   The Outer Bank’s much-anticipated Triangle edition of Duck Donuts opened yesterday in Cary at100 Wrenn Drive (next to Firehouse Subs and Chipotle). Follow them on their Facebook page here.

Wake County Restaurant News

•  It is out…the News & Observer’s listing of restaurants that are open on Christmas Day. As you might expect, reservations are highly recommended. Here is the list.

• And if you don’t feel like going out to eat, but don’t really want to spend all day in the kitchen, Raleigh’s Q-Shack is offering locally raised, all natural fresh turkeys, hams and brisket and meals packed for reheating. Pick-up is available in Raleigh and Durham. Get all the details here.

•  Hillsborough Street’s newest edition, State of Beer, opened for business this week at 401 Hillsborough Street. In addition to the beer, they offer a nice selection of salads and sandwiches. Check them out on Facebook here.

• The Triangle’s first 100% organic restaurant opens today in Poyner Village shopping center behind Triangle Town Center. Organic Festival will initially serve lunch and dinner, but plans on adding breakfast soon. Check them out here.

• Got word this week from reader Michelle Fleer that Sultan’s Deli, a Greek and Mediterranean deli, has opened at Beaver Creek Crossing in Apex (two doors down from the movie theater).

• The Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza is holding its grand opening today (December 19th) in Park West Village in Morrisville. This marks the franchises first North Carolina location. Get all the details here.

• And down in Garner, the Triangle Business Journal is reporting a handful of new restaurant offerings when the White Oak Crossing shopping center is completed. Carolina Ale House, Longhorn Steakhouse, City Barbecue and Five Guys will occupy a good chunk of the development which is anchored by Cabela’s. Look for them to open in the middle of next year.

Durham, Orange & Chatham County Restaurant News 

•  Got word this week from my friends over at Taste Carolina that Scott Howell’s newest venture, a French eatery and bar called Bar Virgile, is now open and features former G2B chef Carrie Schleiffer at the helm! It is located in a rear annex to the former Citizens National Bank building at 102 E. Main Street. Get all the details on their Facebook page here.

• Saw in the News & Observer yesterday that Charlie Deal, owner of Dos Perros in Durham and Jujube in Chapel Hill, has opened Juju in the old George’s Garage space on Ninth Street in Durham. They bill themselves as an Asian tapas establishment. Get all the details here.

• The Triangle Business Journal is reporting this week that The French Corner Bakery, a new bake shop featuring artisan breads, cookies, muffins as well as a lunch menu, is now open at 2005 North Pointe Drive, Suite B, in Durham.

• Durham keeps getting sweeter and sweeter. Got the word this week that the beloved downtown Durham ice cream shop The Parlour will expand into the former Playworks space next door to add an additional 1,000 square feet. The expansion will allow the shop to serve more people, expand the menu, and accommodate events. The Parlour, which currently seats around 24 guests, will grow to seat almost 60. Get all the details here.

• And I saw on Twitter that Town Hall Burger and Bar is expanding their bar. The site says it will open the expanded side on January 1, 2015, but we are hearing it might open as early as next week. Get by and check it out. They are located across from the Streets at Southpoint, behind Bonefish Grill and Aldi. Check them out here.

Closings 

•  Saw in the News & Observer that the downtown Raleigh institution Sam & Wally’s has closed. But hopefully it is only temporary. They are looking for a new location. We’ll keep an eye on it.

• Got word from local news source New Raleigh that Jade Garden on Hillsborough Street closed suddenly last week. No word on whether or not they will reopen in a new location.

• Got word from The Triangle Explorer that the Ninth Street location of Market Street Coffee has closed. The Triangle Business Journal is reporting that a new juice and coffee bar is expected to open in that space by January 15.

• Thanks to the keen eyes of reader Sarah Armstrong, she noted that Mantra India Cuisne and Bar, formerly at 116 N. West Street in downtown Raleigh, has closed.

Food Trucks 

Food Bank Corner   

• The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina is about 55% of the way to their goal for their Holiday Meals Drive and they need your help to reach their goal of raising $435,000 online before December 31, which would be enough to provide 2.17 million meals! Folks can donate, make a gift in honor of a friend or family member or host a holiday fundraiser. Perhaps your company can join in on this extremely worthy cause. Get all the details here.