Featured Restaurant News
- Triangle Business Journal shared that Northside Bistro & Cocktails owners chef John Scarangella and his wife Carol have “officially” opened their second restaurant in Raleigh, this one with an Italian theme. Encore Ristorante is located in the Shoppes at Wakefield Park in Northeast Raleigh near Wake Forest in the former Bruno Seafood & Steaks (11211 Galleria Ave.). The menu features a variety of homemade pastas, Italian desserts, steaks and Scarangella’s take on lasagna bolognese he learned how to make in Bologna. Get familiar with them here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- And speaking of great dining options in North Raleigh…breakfast lovers will delight with the news that Sunday AM Eatery is now open in the former Pickled Pub spot (14460 Falls of Neuse Road) in the Wakefield Commons shopping center (think Pickled Onion and Milton’s). It is brought to us by the same folks behind their extremely popular Pickled Onion concept (three locations..with more on the way). Enjoy breakfast and brunch every day of the week from 6:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Get all the details on their Instagram page here and Facebook page here.
- The News & Observer reported this week that French bakery La Farm will open a new restaurant at 202 S. Salem Street in Apex. The building is a former SunTrust bank branch. Now the bakery has its main location at Preston Corners in Cary, plus four satellite stores around Wake County. La Farm is nearing completion on its latest bakery and cafe in North Raleigh’s Creekside Crossings Shopping Center. Visit LaFarm here.
- Raleigh Magazine shared the news that Stella’s, Raleigh’s newest “trailer-park chic” dive bar, is officially opening on Saturday, October 26th in the former Devereux location on North West Street (911 N. West Street to be exact). Congratulations to owner Lena Ali and the team around her! Keep up with them on Instagram here.
- RALtoday shared that Sweetgreen, the mission-driven restaurant brand serving healthy food at scale, will open next Tuesday, October 29th in Raleigh’s North Hills in the Commons in North Hills at 4158 Main at North Hills Street. While the concept has over 200 locations across the United States, this will be their second location in North Carolina (they have a location in Charlotte). Founded in 2007, they believe real food should be convenient and accessible to everyone – meals from fresh ingredients and produce that prioritizes organic, regenerative, and local sourcing. Get to know them here.
- The News & Observer reported that Rosati’s Authentic Chicago Pizza has opened their newest location in Raleigh at Falls Village Shopping Center (6615 Falls of Neuse Rd.) across from North Ridge Country Club. Another location is set to open in Apex in November (76 Hunter St.). Visit Roast’s here.
- A quick correction from last week….Despite showing that they are “open” on their website (with hours posted and all) you will have to wait a little longer for the newest location of Chipotle in Cary. But soon you will find the newest location at 3402 Kildaire Farm Road, in the old First Citizens Bank in the Millpond Village shopping center (think Publix). Visit Chipotle here.
- This is the last weekend to attend arguably one of the biggest food events of the year – the NC State Fair at the NC State Fairgrounds located at 4285 Trinity Road in Raleigh. The fair runs until this Sunday, Oct. 27. And most importantly, here is a listing of all the new foods at this year’s fair! (Warning: simply reading this list will add inches to your waistline!)
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- In Durham, got word this week that James Beard Award-nominated chef Oscar Diaz’s new all-day cafe Aaktun Coffee + Bar is now open at 704 Ramseur Street. It is brought to us by Diaz and the folks behind Mezcalito Group. Aaktun will join Little Bull and the soon-to-open Tataco on the Durham drink/food scene. The eatery offers a diverse menu, blending Mexican-American cuisine with global influences. The concept will feature a late-night menu and extended hours until 2 a.m. starting in November. Get to know them here.
- Natalie Dolgireff shared on the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook page that Pizza Cornicione in Hillsborough has officially opened its dine-in part of the restaurant, full bar service as well as its outdoor patio (230 South Nash Street). She noted that they make wonderful pizzas, salads and more as well as a fabulous chocolate budino for dessert. They are open 4-9 p.m., Wednesday – Sunday. Get familiar with them here.
Closings
- None to report. Keep eating local, folks!
Food Trucks
- Just across the Chatham County line just outside of Chapel Hill is a new “food truck hangout” for three very popular food trucks. Located at 60 Andrews Store Rd. (intersection with 15-501) at America’s Best Storage you’ll now find Lucas Tacos & Burgers, Tacos Zona and Three Waters Café.
- The final Durham Food Truck Rodeo of the season will be Sunday, November 3rd from noon until 4 p.m. at Durham Central Park. Get all the details 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
- Chapel Hill’s Market and Moss will hold their final event to celebrate their anniversary this Sunday, October 27: Benefit Brunch for Compass Center – 20% of all brunch sales will be donated to Compass Center, which helps people navigate their journey to stability, safety, and health with services that include domestic violence crisis and prevention programs, education, assistance with legal resources, and youth health programs. Get details and reservations/tickets on all their events here.
- USA Today Food & Wine Experience is this Saturday October 26th at the Big Field at Dix Park in Downtown Raleigh. Chef Jared Bobkin coordinates this event visiting approximately 12 U.S. cities annually. Get all the details here.
- The Pay-What-You-Can Community Feast will take place at The Plant (220 Lorax Lane) in Pittsboro on Sunday, October 27th at 5 p.m. dinner will benefit Feed-Well Fridges and its mission to transform food waste into vital meals for our community. It is being organized by incredible community partners, including: Café Root Cellar, Postal Fish Company, The Local Church, Kingston 99 Kitchen, JDub’s PoBoys, The Plant, Buttermilk Boutique, BMC Brewing, Heart Song Farm, The Sycamore, 39 West Catering, In Good Heart Farm, Lilly Den Farm, Drip Culture Farm, Carolina Cravings…and many more still to come! The meal will be served family-style and include kid-friendly options. Registration is requested (for food count). Get all the details here.
- Here is a great option for the adults that still love to get dressed up for Halloween! The Deep Creeps Halloween Party at Kingfisher + Queeny’s is on Thursday, October 31 from 8 pm – midnight at 321 E. Chapel Hill Street. Attendees will party from 8 pm ‘til midnight with spooky beverage specials and music by DJ Zac Lor (Kingfisher) and DJ Lolo (Queeny’s). There will be a $400 cash prize for the best costume – entrants must arrive at either spot by 10 pm, and the costume must be original and handmade! Entry is $10 at the door and free for service industry friends. Entry fee gets you into both parties. Best to get details on their Instagram here.
- Carolina Brewery announced their Seventh Annual Oyster Roast on Saturday, Nov. 2nd from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at their Pittsboro Brewery Restaurant. This highly anticipated event will benefit the North Carolina Coastal Federation and Outer Banks Forever. Admission is free and freshly steamed or raw oysters will be available for purchase by the half-dozen or dozen. The oysters, sourced from North Carolina’s own Ghost Fleet Oyster Co., will be served by the oyster farmers themselves, offering a true farm-to-table experience. Get all the details here.
- Chef David Ellis of Raleigh’s Figulina is launching an exclusive series of wine dinners, beginning with a Sicilian-inspired five-course feast on Nov 4. Each course will be thoughtfully paired with a selection of Sicilian wines curated by Figulina’s wine director, Jeff Bramwell. A seasoned expert in Italian wines, he has nearly two decades of experience in the Triangle’s wine industry, and has spent extensive time traveling across Italy, learning directly from local winemakers, farmers and chefs about each region’s wine and foodways. The evening will begin with a mini aperitivo hour at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy community-style seating for an immersive, family-style Sicilian experience. The $240 ticket includes all food, wine and gratuity (excluding tax). Get tickets and all the details here.
- Seabird’s (Wilmington) Chef/Owner Dean Neff will team up with Preeti Waas from Cheeni in Durham for a dinner on Wednesday, November 20th specifically earmarked to benefit industry peers in Western North Carolina, in the wake of Hurricane Helene. (They are also doing a dinner in Wilmington on October 15th). Tickets are $150. Tickets for the Durham event can be purchased here.
Food Bank Corner
- Kids are back in school. And with that, the effects of hunger reach well beyond the classroom — influencing health, well-being and earning potential well into adulthood. The Food Bank operates programs like Weekend Power Pack, Youth Pantries and Kids Cafés. With the support you provide, the Food Bank is able to connect more kids and teens with the resources they need to succeed and thrive. Help kids get the nutritious support they need to be successful by donating today!
