Triangle Restaurant News
Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler.
Featured Restaurant News
- Right on the heels of opening his newest concept, the underground bar Sous Terre, the News & Observer shared this week that Scott Crawford will open Crawford’s Genuine out at Raleigh-Durham International Airport next month. It will open in the former 42nd Street Oyster Bar location in Terminal 2 (just beyond the security checkpoints). Raleigh Magazine added that the new concept is a collaboration between Miami-based Grove Hospitality and Scott Crawford’s Crawford Hospitality, and will deliver an elevated bar and grill featuring an all-day menu. Might be best to follow the man himself on Instagram here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- WRAL shared the news that Fare Game, the newest addition to downtown Clayton’s nightlife scene, is open and serving up pizza, cocktails, beer, wine and arcade games at 218 E. Main St. Owners Paul Auclair (Deep River Brewing) and CJ Batista opened the spot in March. It features more than 38 games, including retro games, new pinball machines, driving games, air hockey, basketball, Guitar Hero, Skee ball and more. There’s also a full-service bar with 12 beers on tap and a chef-curated wood fired pizza menu with creative toppings like barbacoa, pickles and meat like crawfish, venison and elk — a nod to the owners’ love of the outdoors and Fare Game’s name, according to WRAL. Get to know them here.
- Thanks to a tip from reader Paige Wiggs, we learned that a lot of changes have been afoot at the former Ancillary Fermentation, now known as Ancillary Lounge (1420 Hardimont Rd., Raleigh). They took away the “bank look” (they are located in a former bank), added tables, pool tables, dart boards, a liquor license as well as offering domestic beers for only $3. And they now have two permanent food trucks – so plenty to eat as well! Check out the changes here.
- RALtoday shared the news that the Morgan Street Food Hall in downtown Raleigh (411 W Morgan St.) will soon welcome The Panini Co. to their lineup of food offerings. They will be serving up panini sandwiches and charcuterie. No word yet on an open date, so stay tuned. Might be best to follow along on Instagram here.
- WRAL shared the news that the first Raleigh location of I Heart Mac & Cheese will hold its grand opening on June 3. The restaurant will be located at 5011 Fall of Neuse Road in the Quails Corner Shopping Center. The ribbon cutting is at 10:30 a.m. and the restaurant opens at 11 a.m. There will be raffles throughout the day, but the first 25 paying customers will get a free mac and cheese bowl every week for a year. Start getting familiar with them here.
- European inspired coffee house Press Coffee, Cocktails & Crepes will open SOON in the 400H mixed-use tower in downtown Raleigh (400 Hillsborough Street at the corner with West Street). As with all openings, this one is fluid, but I can share I have been invited to a preview right at the end of this month/first of next month…so very, very soon! This will be their third location serving high-quality coffee and cocktail beverages, along with a rotating menu of food offerings. After revitalizing downtown Graham with its opening in 2016, Press opened a second location in downtown Durham’s American Tobacco in 2021 with immediate success. Press was named Best New Restaurant in Indy Week, Durham Magazine, and Yelp and was chosen an ideal brunch location in Durham by Southern Living Magazine. Get to know them here.
- And down in Cary, got word from reader Chris Allen that Brueprint Taproom is closing their current location (no date, just soon). They are looking to open in a new location in the Fall, but that hasn’t been announced either. In the meantime enjoy $5 pints and merch/swag specials. Visit them here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- Over in Carrboro’s Carr Mill Mall, Carrie Brogren shared on the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook page that the owner of Pizza Factory is opening an ice cream shop right across the hall. It will be called Daisy’s and will have an emphasis on locally made products like Maple View Farm Ice Cream and locally made popcorn. Brogren says to look for them to open towards the beginning of this summer. I couldn’t find an online presence for them, but you can visit The Pizza Factory here.
Closings
- None to report. Keep eating local, folks!
Food Trucks
- A Place At The Table (downtown Raleigh’s pay-what-you-can cafe) will hold their third annual Pay-What-You-Can Food Truck Rodeo on Sunday June 9th from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the parking lot across from A Place At The Table – 300 W. Hargett Street. Follow along on Instagram.
- Carrie Brogren shared the news of a new food truck set to start rolling next month serving up…wait for it….waffle dogs! Meyer’s Fine Food & Good Times will hold their grand opening event on Saturday, June 22 at Saxapahaw Country Club (1113 Moore’s Chapel Cemetery Rd. in Graham). According to their Instagram page they will be serving up waffle dogs, banana waffles on sticks, loaded latkes and bologna burgers. Best to follow along on Instagram here.
- 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
- Taste of Soul NC is back for 2024 starting this Saturday, May 25th at Durham’s Central Park from 3 to 8 p.m. Come out for the ultimate cookout experience featuring some of the best food trucks in the Triangle, a DJ and live performances. Get a list of the participating trucks and all the details here.
- This Sunday, May 26th, is NC Sugar Rush, a dessert food rodeo in Raleigh’s City Plaza from noon until 7 p.m. That’s seven hours of sugar like you’ve never experienced before at this “dessert only” event – think Italian Ice, Pineapple Smoothies, Funnel Cakes, Ice Cream, Popsicles, Cookies, Cupcakes, Cookie Dough, Vegan Treats, Beignets, Mini Donuts, Belgian Waffles…and even treats for pets! Yes! Please! And Thank You! Get all the details for your sweet tooth here.
- My buddy Neha Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, shared that the annual Farm to Fork Picnic, celebrating local food and local farms, will take place Sunday, June 2 from 4pm – 7pm, again at Fearrington Village. Get details and tickets here.
- NC F&B Podcast hosts the 4th annual Bubbles & Brisket on Saturday, June 8 from 1 to 5 p.m at Smoky Hollow in downtown Raleigh. The event welcomes 10 “pitmaster” chefs, who span from North Carolina to New York who will showcase their spin on brisket along with unique side dishes. There will be an array of bubbles to imbibe on, from Champagne, cava, cremant, prosecco, beer, and sodas to non-alcoholic and boozy cocktails; there is something for everyone. Get tickets and all the details here.
- Join us on June 9th for this year’s Roots for Reece Chef’s Picnic hosted at Haven Farm in Knightdale. The event will feature sample small plates and beverages from over 25 local food and beverage establishments. 100% of proceeds are donated to the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition to aid in the fight against the growing opiate epidemic here in NC. Get tickets and all the details here.
- Tickets are on sale now for the 9th Annual Dinner in the Meadow which will take place on September 15, 2024 on a grassy knoll atMeadow Lane Farm, in bucolic Franklin County, offering beautiful pastoral views and clear, starry skies. Some of the region’s most sought-after chefs will be preparing delicious dishes using ingredients from local farms and food artisans. It is an annual fundraiser for the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2014 to support and cultivate small farms in our region of North Carolina. Get tickets and all the details here.
Food Bank Corner
- Picture this scenario: you have enough money to purchase food for the week, but not enough to cover your utility bills or transportation costs to work. Many of our neighbors in our own communities who face food insecurity struggle silently and have to make the difficult choice to go without meals to make ends meet. Every day at the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, they hear stories from grateful children, families, and seniors about the impacts of having access to nutritious food and especially fresh produce. Your generous gift, no matter the size, has the power to nourish countless lives, ignite hope, and pave the way for a brighter future. Give today if you can.
