Featured Restaurant News
- Raleigh Magazine shared this week that Boatman Spirits Company, a combined craft distillery, taproom, bar and restaurant, will be opening on the ground floor of The Miles apartment building at Seaboard Station next spring. Founded by a Raleigh-based group (owner/CEO George Ghneim and managing partners Geremy Prichard, Zack Thomas and Aaron Lambert), they’ll make their own whiskey, brandy, vodka and gin. Plus it’ll have a cocktail bar and restaurant serving Mediterranean-inspired street food. Keep up with their progress on Instagram here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- And speaking of Seaboard Station, they are also adding a bakery to their lineup. They shared this week that Tous les Jours, a Korean-Frensh bakery offering a wide range of bakery items – from freshly baked breads to decadent cakes and pastries – will join the lineup. They have locations in Cary (1961 High House Road) and Charlotte (three locations). Look for them to open next Spring. Get to know them here.
- A slight change in opening date. A brand new concept called Union Station Deli & Catering from Rocky Top Catering is now shooting to open on August 22 inside the iconic Raleigh Union Station at 510 W Martin Street in downtown Raleigh. Touted as a true New York-style deli, they will be serving up breakfast bagels, deli sandwiches, and hot pressed sammies – with toppings like house-smoked pastrami, corned beef and chicken cutlets — as well as black-and-white cookies. Look for weekday service (6 a.m. until 3 p.m.) initially, with weekend service to start in January. The concept will be managed by Sean Degnan, known for his outstanding restaurant portfolio including bu•ku, so•ca and kō•än. Follow along on Instagram here.
- Up in North Raleigh at Celebration Station on Six Forks, my buddy Julie Barnes let me know that Peri Brothers Pizza is expanding into the space next door and adding a new outdoor patio area. Looks like a few more weeks until the patio is done, and just a few more months on the expanded indoor space. In the meantime, they are still slinging pizzas and such for pick up and delivery. Keep up with their progress on Instagram here.
- Over in Apex, the Triangle Business Journal shared that the Sweetwater Town Center development (40 acres at U.S. Highway 64 and Richardson Road) has pulled together a pretty impressive list of dining options joining the development – they include Chapel Hill’ Al’s Burger Shack, Pittsboro’s Greek Kouzina, Karra Modern Indian Bistro, Mamabirds Ice Cream, Mi Cancun Mexican Cantina, SoBol, Burney’s Sweets and More, Peace, Love and Little Doughnuts, Opal Coffee and Cocktails, Aqua Vitea, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Boba Tea and Taco Bell.
- And a Happy Birthday/Anniversary to two of my favorite downtown establishments. Whiskey Kitchen is 8 years old and going stronger than ever! And my friends over at Boulted Bread are commemorating 10 years with their annual $3 day TODAY (Friday, August 9) where everything (bread, pastry, coffee) is just $3. Visit Whiskey here and Boulted Bread here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- My friends over at Bites of Bull City shared this week that Cary’s Anjappar, specializing in South Indian cuisine, will open later this summer inside the new admin building in downtown Durham (201 E. Main Street). They noted that they have the classics, but they specialize in South Indian cuisine, such as dosa (with over 20 varieties!) and Parotta (Tawa breads). The Cary location is in Stone Creek Village. Look for a late summer opening. Visit them here.
- Got word this week from Carrie Brogren (founder of the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook group) that Heel and Horn Craft Kitchen & Bar will take over the space formerly occupied by Piero’s Pasta & Wine. Look for them to offer handcrafted, made-from-scratch burgers, salads, sandwiches, handmade pastas, pizzas, calzones, and strombolis, along with steaks and ribs. They will also offer a wide selection of draft beers, handcrafted cocktails/mocktails, as well as weekly specials and deals! Look for them to open before the end of summer. I was unable to locate an online presence for them.
- Over in Durham, reader Phil Jakes shared with us that the former Vine restaurant has transitioned to Koi Sushi & Hibachi. It’s not clear if this is an ownership change or rebranding. They are located at 607 Broad Street, just down from Mad Hatter Cafe. Visit them online here.
- In Chapel Hill, due to inclement weather, Brandwein’s Bagels will now be celebrating their 4th Birthday on Saturday, August 10. Please join them for Taylor Ham, Kaiser Rolls, Lemonade samples and prize giveaways all day this Saturday. Visit Brandwein’s here.
- Down in Pittsboro, there is a new place to get pizza. Locally owned Hoops Pizzeria had their soft opening this week and has their grand opening today (Friday, August 9). They are located at 697 Hillsboro St. Suite 400 and feature artisanal pizza. Visit them here.
- Also in Pittsboro, we caught wind this week that Root Cellar will begin opening for lunch (starting with Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays) on August 21 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Look for power bowls, salads, pasta, sandwiches and more. Visit Root Cellar here.
- A reminder that on August 17th, Mama Dip’s, a 48-year tradition in Chapel Hill, will shift gears and move to a new chapter in their storied history, ending their traditional service model and shifting to selling family-style take-home meals. But, they will continue serving in the restaurant as normal for the next two weeks. Let’s just say the restaurant has been slammed since their announcement, so plan your visit accordingly. Visit Mama Dip’s here.
Closings
- Reader David Larson shared the sad news that Groucho’s on Horne St, just off Hillsborough Street, has closed after a ten year run.
- And over in Chapel Hill, we heard from multiple sources that Piero’s Pasta & Wine closed. News of what is coming into that space can be found above.
Food Trucks
- 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
- Wine enthusiasts, join Mandolin in Raleigh on Saturday August 31st from 1:30 to 4 p.m. for a wine tasting event that you will not soon forget. They have invited eight of their top wine purveyors to pour some of their favorite wines – offering over 24 different wine selections with light hors d’oeuvres, fruit, and cheese. The wines will be available for purchase at deep discounts. This is the perfect way for any wine lover to spend a Saturday afternoon! Tickets are $45 and can be purchased 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.
