Friday Fun Food Facts – March 10, 2023

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 Cinnaholic at Alexander Place in Raleigh (7851 Alexander Place in Brier Creek) opens TODAY, Friday, March 10. The grand opening will begin with a special event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with every guest receiving one cinnamon roll of their choice for only $2. (Limit one per person). This is the second Raleigh-area Cinnaholic store to open. This location is owned by mother-of-two Poonam Grewal, a Raleigh resident and former nurse. Check this location out on Instagram here or Facebook here.

Wake County Restaurant News

  • In Cary, reader Ryan Kenward shared that Saffron Indian Cuisine has opened in the former Ginger location across from Waverly Place at 2048 Kildaire Farm Road. Owner/chef Gamer Rawat is at the helm. Get to know them here.
  • Over in Holly Springs, Michael DePersia of DePersia & Associates shared the news that Homegrown Pizza has been sold to Michael Seighman after being in business for 20 years. The good news? Michael plans on keeping everything the same! Check them out here.
  • In Garner, Garner Biz shared that newest Bul Box location opened this week in the White Oak Crossing shopping center at 160 Shenstone Blvd. Get to know them here.
  • And a little help if you can. As many of you know, the Triangle restaurant scene is a very tight-knit one where everyone knows everyone. And when one is in need, we all try and do our part. Such is the case with Eddie, the kitchen manager at The Pickled Onion location on Glenwood Avenue (he has been there 9 years!). Last month he suffered a stroke and is facing a long road to recovery and pretty sizeable medical bills. The Pickled Onion is holding a Patio Parking Lot Party on Saturday, March 25th from 1-8 p.m. at the Glenwood location (8511 Cantilever Way, Raleigh) featuring live music and raffles. In the meantime, if you can support the GoFundMe they have set up for him, it would mean a lot. Do so here, and thanks!

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

  • Reader Sara Ruotsala shared that Weldon Mills Distillery’s Durham location is now open at 300 East Main St, at the corner with Roxboro Street. They describe their Durham location as a place, a vibe to experience world-class cocktails, music and spirit production. They are open noon until 11 p.m. on weekdays, midnight on weekends. Check them out here.
  • And down in Chatham County, reader Ross Hannah got us in the loop that Beans Fire Grill opened this week in the former Brownie-Lu Restaurant spot at 919 N 2nd Ave. in Siler City. Check them out on Facebook here and Instagram here. Thanks Ross!

Closings

  • Well, this stinks. After 23 years Raleigh’s Saw Mill Taproom will be closing in May as their landlord decided not to renew their lease. But there is hope. There were multiple hints that they would consider a new location. Stay tuned.

Food Trucks

  • Get out your calendar and make note of the dates for the 2023 Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeos. Here is a cheat sheet for you: March 19 (next Sunday!) | June 11 | September 3 | October 29 – and all the rodeos are from 12-4 p.m. Just one week until the first one of the year! Giddyup! Here is the link.
  • And the Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo has not yet announced plans for 2023. They concluded 2022 announcing they would not return to Fayetteville Street after a nine-year run. They hinted that the rodeo might move to Dix Park. But, still no word yet.
  • 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’s 5th annual Cooking for the Kids (formally Cooking for a Classic) finale is on March 15th. This cooking competition brought together eight of the Triangle’s premier chefs. All proceeds benefit Overflowing Hands, a volunteer-led organization serving the most vulnerable children in our neighborhoods, fighting food insecurity and providing clothing, shelter and healthcare. This year’s participating chefs are: Preeti Waas from Cheeni; Josiah Halboh from Young Hearts Distilling; Saif Rahman from Vidrio; David Mitchell from Plates Kitchen; Jaime Adams from Catalan Tapas; Kyle Teears from Craften; Kyle Fletcher from Norse Brewing; and James R. Patterson III from McConnell Golf. Cooking for the Kids takes place at 1705 East located at 1705 E. Millbrook Road in Raleigh. See who is advancing, as well as secure tickets for the final round here.
  • RalToday shared the news that Raleigh Roasts, a fundraising coffee tasting event, will return to Moore Square on Saturday, March 18. Hosted by the Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum, there will be live music, food trucks, and caffeinated vendors like Larry’s Coffee and The Left Hook. Tickets are $5-$10. Get them here.
  • Hospitality mavens Sarah Shepherd of Height House Hotel and chef Liz Grandchamp of Grandchamp Hospitality recently introduced Raleigh’s newest pop-up dining experience – Supper Club – hosted monthly at Heights House Hotel. They have two more on the schedule and tickets for those “open up” three weeks prior to each event. Mark your calendars for Supper Club April 17 (Seafood) and May 22 (Italian American). After those, Supper Club at Heights House will then resume in the Fall. So get ready! Follow along here and get ready for the next one.
  • Everyone knows what April 15th is. Nope, that is April 18th this year. April 15th is the date for the 13th Annual Cuegrass Festival which is returning to Fayetteville Street and will feature a large covered area with draft beer options, plenty of seating and extra beer stations throughout the event. Get all the details here.
  • Join Catering Works and executive chef Rich Carter for a very special wine and food pairing event in celebration of Art in Bloom at the North Carolina Museum of Art. There will be two chef table seatings (one seating each night) on Friday, March 17 at 6 pm and Saturday, March 18 at 6 pm. There, executive chef Rich Carter will prepare artistic expressions in food through 6 small plate courses expertly paired with exclusive boutique style wines. Gluten free, vegan and non-alcohol options available. Get all the details and book your seat here.
  • Brewgaloo is back on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22. For two full days, craft beer from 100+ breweries will be flowing on Fayetteville Street. The annual event attracts more than 50,000 people each year. Thanks to RalToday for the reminder to get this gem on our calendar! Get all the details here.
  • Got word from Neha Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, that Farm to Fork is making its return in 2023 on June 4th from 4-7 p.m. at Fearrington Village. Held in the Triangle for more than 15 years, the Farm to Fork Picnic is a showcase of North Carolina chefs, artisans, and farmers paired together to create sips and nibbles of the region’s best flavors and seasonal ingredients! You can get tickets and all the details here.

Food Bank Corner

  • Between June 2021 and May 2022, inflation caused a 10.7% increase in food costs in the U.S. For people in our community, making some family’s budget untenable. Your gift today to The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina can support families whose budgets are being stretched because of the rising cost of food and living. There have also been significant increases in fuel, housing, and energy costs because of inflation. This means the average living costs for households in our country are up $460 per month! Your gift today can provide nutritious food for our neighbors in need. Donate here, and thank you! #noonegoeshungry

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