Featured Restaurant News
- In downtown Raleigh, we are getting very, very close to the opening of an Italian small plate concept called Flour & Barrel Kitchen & Bar at 400 North West Street, in the former Little City Brewing & Provisions spot. The opening will officially mark the return of executive chef Katsuji Tanabe to downtown. You’ll remember Tanabe came to Raleigh and opened High Horse in late 2019 in Raleigh’s City Market, and subsequently closed in the middle of covid. F&B recently held a “sneak peak” so the opening is just around the corner. Dial into their Instagram for the pending announcement.
Wake County Restaurant News
- Got a note from Sam Dinner over at Taste Carolina that the owners of City Market Sushi will open a new spot in former Kaiju and The Darby location (170 E Davie St.) next to former Oak City Meatball Shoppe on Davie street in early July. It will be a different concept offering fast casual ramen and sushi. Stay tuned!
- Triangle Business Journal shared this week that Red Hot & Blue will return to Raleigh, possibly as early as this October. Looks like they will open in the Quail Corners shopping center. The last Raleigh location closed about two years ago. They also have a location in Morrisville. Visit Red Hot & Blue here.
- On a recent drive down Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, I noticed that the latest version of Alpaca Peruvian Charcoal Chicken has opened in the iconic A-Frame building that used to house an IHOP. So happy to see this building remain! This marks their 15th location, and they’ll soon have additional locations in Holly Springs, Mebane and Southport. Visit them here.
- Reader Jennifer Buchholz shared that Palm Berries (think acai bowls are packed with superfoods) will be opening a location at Seaboard Station in downtown Raleigh near Biscuit Belly and Yard Milkshake Bar. No word on a timeline. Visit Palm Berries here.
- Also in Raleigh, the News & Observer shared that family-owned Sodabox will soon open their sixth location in the Triangle at 106 E. Millbrook Road (at the intersection with Six Forks Road). If you are not familiar with them, they serve dirty sodas along with water-based and energy drink-based beverages. Get familiar with them here.
- Over in Cary, Triangle Business Journal shared that Tom Scheidler, owner of Top This! Catering, will soon open a deli in the downtown area (312 W. Chatham St.) called Pastrami Tom’s Deli & Grill featuring a variety of sandwiches and dishes that showcase “the best of the best of the East Coast” – pastrami sandwiches, Philly cheesesteaks, warm roast beef sandwiches, crab cake sandwiches, lobster rolls and Cuban sandwiches. Look for them to open early autumn.
- Michael DePersia of DePersia & Associates shared with me that Tapline Growler (1110 Kentworth Dr. in Holly Springs) has been sold to to Jim Walley. A few changes will take place. First up, they are changing their name to Walley’s Tavern. Additionally, you can expect to see a handful of domestics on draft in addition to their excellent craft selection very soon. Starting in July they will introduce liquor and food trucks will be serving out front five days a week 3 to 8 p.m. Might be best to follow along on Instagram.
- And in Fuquay Varina, we first reported back in early February that a steak house called The Library will be opening in the old (you guessed it) library at 133 South Fuquay Avenue. Thanks to a tip from the Triangle Business Journal, we saw on their Facebook page that they are looking toward a soft opening next Thursday (June 20) with full hours beginning the following week. As with all openings, this is often a moving target, so keep up with them on Facebook for any changes.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- The News & Observer’s Drew Jackson shared the news that Chapel Hill’s Bombolo restaurant has started a weekend pop-up sandwich concept called The Plump Rabbit. Their first sandwich pop-up was last weekend and continues this weekend with the Saturday pop-up from noon until 2 p.m. at Cheeni in Durham with Preeti Waas. Sundays will continue to be at Bombolo (764 MLK Jr. Blvd. in Chapel Hill). Head to their website here and click on The Plump Rabbit to pre-order your sandwiches. Pro tip: Don’t forget to order ice cream to finish it off!
- Also in Durham, reader Jennifer Buchholz shared with us that Nautical Bowls had their grand opening on Saturday, June 8th at their newest location at 620 Rigsbee Avenue. If you are not familiar with them, they are described as bowls made with nutritious and delicious ingredients to help fuel your active lifestyle. Visit the Durham location here.
- And out at RDU, RALtoday shared that Black & White Coffee Roasters is now open. They are located across from La Farm. On your next travels, get high-quality coffee, Union Special bread, and more treats. Check them out on Instagram here.
Closings
- Sad to share the news of the closure of the flagship Beyu Caffe in downtown Durham. Their last day will be Juneteenth, June 19th. They noted that they will focus on their other locations and ventures, and hope to find new ways to bring the joy of Beyu.
Food Trucks
- Raleigh is bringing back their downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo thanks to the folks at Shop Local Raleigh. The rodeo on Fayetteville Street will return on June 29th from 12 noon until 6 p.m. Visit their Facebook page 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
- Sister Cities of Durham is hosting the 3rd annual Two Durhams Beer Festival on June 14th at Durham Central Park from 5-9 pm. Four breweries – Bull City Burger and Brewery, Fullsteam Brewery, Glass Jug Brewery, and Ponysaurus Brewery – have partnered and exchanged recipes with four breweries in Durham, UK. The four participating breweries will be at the festival selling these British brews for folks to try. There will also be live music provided by String Break band and five food trucks offering a variety of delicious fare. Get all the details on Instagram here.
- Also, starting tonight (June 14), Plates Neighborhood Kitchen on Glenwood South in Raleigh is introducing Pasta Flight Night. Attendees can indulge in three of Chef David’s housemade pasta dishes for just $50. From raviolis to tortellini, pasta lovers will have access to a range of rotating options every Friday. Reservations are required via OpenTable. Optional wine pairings will also be available for an additional fee. Make your reservations here.
- Starting this Sunday (Father’s Day) Raleigh’s 10th & Terrace is launching a Boozy Rooftop Brunch on Sundays. The brunch will include passed hors d’oeuvres and a selection of brunch bites, such as baked French toast, brunch enchiladas, breakfast potatoes with toppings, yogurt parfaits, breakfast meats and more. The brunch will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and will cost $40 per person. The boozy part of this brunch experience includes $5 mimosas, $15 mimosa carafes in a variety of house flavors and a Bloody Mary bar with unlimited toppings. Make a reservation for brunch here.
- This is pretty cool. Catering Works and chef Rich Carter will hold an exclusive Chef’s Table dinner (two dates: June 21st and July 26th) where culinary artistry meets cultural heritage at the North Carolina Museum of Art. In celebration of the exhibition To Take Shape and Meaning: Form and Design in Contemporary American Indian Art, this dining experience features sustainable practices inspired by Indigenous traditions. Start with a cocktail hour and gallery tour with exhibition guest curator Nancy Strickland Fields (Lumbee), director/curator of the Museum of the Southeast American Indian at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Then in East Café, enjoy a thoughtfully crafted menu that includes elk chili, bison short ribs, and a fresh corn salad highlighting the Three Sisters—corn, beans, and squash. This is an opportunity to savor flavors deeply rooted in Native American history, all while supporting sustainable cuisine. Get details and tickets here.
- On June 26th from 6-10 p.m., Durham’s Kingfisher will host a Bar Takeover with author and 2024 James Beard Award winner Danny Childs. Childs is the author of Slow Drinks: A Field Guide to Foraging and Fermenting Seasonal Sodas, Botanical Cocktails, Homemade Wines, and More! He is a trained ethnobotanist whose approach to beverages utilizes ingredients foraged from the wild, picked from the garden, and sourced from local farms. In addition to Childs’ “backyard mixology,” a short Kingfisher cocktail menu will be available as well. Signed copies of Slow Drinks will be available to purchase on site. Get 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.
- USA Today Food & Wine Experience is coming back again to Raleigh on Saturday October 26th at the Big Field at Dix Park. Chef Jared Bobkin coordinates this event visiting approximately 12 U.S. cities annually. Get 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.
