Triangle Restaurant News
Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler.
Featured Restaurant News
- It is official. Mark your calendar for Monday, December 1st. That is the official opening day for Tupelo Honey Cafe in Raleigh! Many more details to follow. In the meantime, check them out here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday – one of my favorites. A time to be thankful for all that we have in this great country of ours. Unless you are the one stuck in the kitchen at 4 a.m. Ok, I’m just kidding, but don’t feel bad about not wanting to cook all day. You should enjoy it too! And Greg Cox from the News & Observer is your hero again this year with his compilation of restaurants open on Thanksgiving day. Check it out here.
- And if you still want to celebrate Thanksgiving in your home, but don’t want to cook the turkey (or the sides), you’ll be glad to know that the Q Shack is firing up their annual tradition of providing you with turkeys, sides and desserts for your Thanksgiving Day feast. Folks, I don’t endorse many things, but I can speak from personal experience that this is a fantastic (and delicious) way to feed your guests. Seriously, who (besides Tom and his team) want to be in the kitchen cooking up a turkey? Get your orders in before November 22nd and get all the details here.
- This is big news in the catering world – Catering By Design has merged with The Matthews House (and subsequently Basil & Thyme Catering Group and The Patisserie Bakery) in Cary according to the Triangle Business Journal. Both organizations will retain their identities for now. We’ll share more information as it becomes available.
- Also in Cary, the franchise Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers opened their second Triangle location this past Tuesday (the other is in Durham) at 1705 High House Road in the Searstone Retail Village. Check them out here.
- Got word this week from David McCreary (aka Lunchboy Says) that The Mill is opening next week in downtown Fuquay Varina at the corner of Main and Depot streets. The Mill is a wine bar (and beer) and coffee shop concept. Follow them on Facebook to receive the announcement as to the exact opening day.
Durham, Orange & Chatham County Restaurant News
- I got my first introduction this past summer to a true Argentine barbecue and I have fallen in love with the Argentine culture and cuisine. So I am happy to report that I was recently introduced to a new concept called Makus Empanadas that currently operates out of The Cookery and offers catering and delivery, but has plans on opening its first of many locations soon. And I’m proud to report that they will soon be available through Triangle Food Guy (give me about a week). Anyway, check out Makus Empanadas here.
- With growth comes change. And so is the case with downtown Durham’s Blue Coffee Cafe. WRAL reported that renovations to the building they are currently in and a high-rise being built across the street have Gwen Matthews looking to move into a space less than 2 blocks away at 107 N. Church Street. But she needs your help. Check out her Kickstarter campaign here. The move will take place by the end of the year.
Closings
- None to report. Keep eating local, folks!
Food Trucks
- And if the news above about true Argentine cuisine joining our lineup here in the Triangle, I just got word that there is a food truck called Che Empanadas trying to make a go of it with a kickstarter campaign that just launched. The effort is spearheaded by the husband and wife team of Mark and Anabel Rossbach. Check out and support their Kickstarter campaign here.
Events
- If you have seen me in the last week, or will see me this month, you’ll notice my feeble attempt at growing a little facial hair (trust me, the beautiful and talented Lori Lennard does not like it). It is part of the No Shave November, a month where men raise awareness of men’s health issues by growing a mustache (or beard in my case) during November. Anyway, Zinburger has brought food into the effort by creating a Pumpkin Stache Shake with a portion of sales going to ZERO, an organization dedicated to eliminating prostate cancer (and all cancer!). Check them out here.
- The Triangle Business Journal reminded us that the fifth annual Brew Durham Festival will be held this Saturday (November 8th) at the Scrap Exchange at 2050 Chapel Hill Road in Durham. The festival will feature more than 40 home brewed beers and small bites from local restaurants including Bull City Burger and Brewery and Mateo Tapas. There will be two tasting sessions, from 1 to 4 p.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the Scrap Exchange reuse arts center in Durham. Get all the details here.
- The Triangle Business Journal also reminded us that the “Much Ado about Cheese” festival returns again this year on November 9th from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cotton Room in Durham. The event is free and open to the public. Free cheese samples will be provided, and Raleigh food truck American Meltdown will be selling cheesy delights. Beer and wine are also available for purchase. Check them out on Facebook here.
- Plan on spending/eating your day in Orange County (Chapel Hill & Hillsborough) next Tuesday, November 12th for the 25th Annual RSVVP Day where participating restaurants contribute 10% of their proceeds (breakfast, lunch and dinner) to the IFC’s Food Pantry and Community Kitchen. Get a complete list of restaurants and details here.
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Also on Wednesday, November 12th the good folks over at The Cookery in Durham will host the Fall Harvest Veteran Farmer Dinner featuring Six Plates and Foode (out of Virginia). The event is from 6:30 until 9:30 and costs $40. Get all the details and purchase tickets here.
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So, long story short. The Raleigh Times recently won a national contest by Draft Magazine. The winner was deemed to have the best craft beer list, most knowledgeable staff, etc. (pretty cool, right?). How does that help you? Well, they “won” a 170-liter oak cask of unfiltered, unpreserved pilsner from Urquell in the Czech Rebublic (this is a big deal). And they are holding a huge party to celebrate on November 15th from noon to 9 p.m. (they are closing down the street). The event is free, but $10 buys you a 1/4 -liter pour from the cask and all proceeds benefit SAFEchild. Buy tickets and get all the details here.
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Our friends over at Acme Restaurant in Carrboro reminded us of the 2nd annual Salt & Smoke event on Sunday, November 16th from 3 to 6 p.m at Rock Quarry Farm. The event is a celebration of fall in the south and will feature oysters and pork barbecue, collards and cornbread, slaw, smoked mullet and sweet potatoes. It’s beer and wine. It’s bands and bonfires and, above all, it’s a damn good time. The cost is $40 for food, or $48 with a couple of drinks. Check it out on Facebook here and get your tickets here.
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Thanks to Kathleen Donnelly, I was reminded that the 12th annual Gingerbread Benefit for Triangle Family Services will take place on Sunday, December 7th at the Umstead Hotel & Spa in Cary. The day begins with a Gingerbread Sneak Preview (at 11:30) and culminates with the Evening Gingerbread Benefit at 6:30, and lots in between for children and the entire family. Get all the details here.
Food Bank Corner
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Did you know that almost 50% of students in our 34 county service area qualify for free or reduced-price lunch? It is 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 funds drive to help feed hungry children and their families in our community. Get all the details here.
