Friday Fun Food Facts – March 13, 2015

Triangle Restaurant News

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

Durham’s newest restaurant, The Counting House, has opened in downtown Durham at 111 N. Corcoran Street on the ground floor of the former CCB/Sun Trust building (Hill Building). It is part of the 21c Museum Hotel, which will open in the next few weeks. The restaurant is under the direction of chef Josh Munchel. Check them out here.

Jason Smith recently announced that his18 Seaboard will join their sister restaurants, Cantina 18 and Harvest 18, by offering weekend brunch service. 18 Seaboard will start brunch services this Saturday and Sunday 11:30 a.m. through 2:30 p.m. Get all the details here.

According to the News & Observer, Hummus Cafe, a Middle Eastern eatery which opened just over a year ago on Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street, opened a second location in Morrisville this past Monday. Check them out here.

The Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Freshii, a “health-casual restaurant” chain, has opened its first Triangle area location on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh in the same building with Chipotle Mexican Grill and Jimmy John’s. Check them out here.

In Durham, the News & Observer reported that Urban Food Group, owners of Vivace, Coquette and Chow, has signed a lease for the former Pop’s location in Durham’s West Village. Vivace, also has a location in Charlotte and just announced another location (will be their 4th) in Denver, Colorado. Keep up with them here.

Something has changed at Merritt’s Store & Grill in Chapel Hill, but it is not exactly clear just yet. According to a Facebook post, the management at the store has changed and it appears as if Charles Britt is no longer managing things. We will keep an eye on it and hope they don’t mess with the BLT or burgers! Check them out on Facebook here.

Over in Carrboro, Krave, a new kava bar and lounge, has opened at 105 W. Main Street according to Rebecca Troyer over at the Triangle Business Journal. They feature exotic teas and root beverages like kava, a drink popular in the South Pacific. It is owned by Elizabeth Gardner a UNC grad and attorney. A grand opening party will be held on March 28. You can get a lot of information on her Facebook page here.

Got word from reader Sammi Hilliard that the TerraFin Station up on Falls of the Neuse Road has closed. Word on the street is that a barbecue joint will move into that space. We will keep an eye on it. Thanks Sammi!

And not really a closing, but the folks behind Firewurst have closed their original “test” kitchen (that was the plan from the beginning) and have focused their attention on their other two Triangle area locations and future growth. Check out their two locations and future plans here.

My friend Greg Lewis over at Pittsboro Roadhouse & General Store informed me that the first Pittsboro Food Truck Rodeo of the year will take place on Saturday, March 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. directly in front of his restaurant. Get more details here.

Here’s a little something to get us through the dreary cold winter months…the schedule for the 2015 Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo Series. Check it out here and mark your calendars.

And not to be outdone by the bigger cities, Cary is jumping on the food truck rodeo bandwagon with their very own Chatham Street Chowdowns (they win hands down on the name!) scheduled for 2015. The first one is scheduled for April 19th. Feeling left out Chapel Hill? Get all the details and the full schedule here.

Hibernian Pub is hosting their annual St. Patrick’s Celebration this Saturday (March 14) from 11 until 11. They are teaming up with Napper Tandy’s and Shop Local for a huge street festival on the 300 and 400 blocks of Glenwood Avenue. The cost is free until 4 p.m. at which time the charge becomes $5. Look for live music, local artisans and vendors and, of course, lots of great food and drinks. Get all the details here.

Just a quick follow up to Urban Ministries of Durham’s 9th annual Empty Bowls event – it raised over $86k to help end homelessness. And the “best soup” winners went to Saltbox Seafood Joint (Soup Dreams Chowda Saltbox Style – Judges Choice) and Toast (Calabrian Onion Soup – People’s Choice). Congrats to everyone!

Time to eat a little crow…or better yet, the BB1K BBQ Sandwich at The Q Shack in North Hills. As you’ll recall, Tom Meyer and I had a friendly wager over the last Duke vs. UNC basketball game. Well, my Heels didn’t show me much love. So I had to don a Duke Jersey and have my picture taken with a “I Like Mike” poster. I did. But now you can help the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina by stopping by The Q Shack in North Hills and ordering the BB1K sandwich (in honor of Coach K’s 1000+ wins) and 10% of all sales will go to the Food Bank. Congrats to Tom and his Blue Devils. Get all the details on the inaugural Battle of the Blues & BBQ right here.