Featured Restaurant News
- Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Cary’s Blue Moon Bakery & Cafe will move down the street from their current location (115 W. Chatham Street) into the former Ashworth Drugs space (105 E. Chatham Street) in the middle of downtown Cary. The additional 1,000 square feet of space will allow them to expand their current menu of desserts and coffee by adding breakfast and lunch: house-made soups, focaccia bread, biscuits baked every few hours and house-made jam flights, quiches, sandwiches, salads and more. Look for them to open in their new space by this summer. Get familiar with them here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- DowntownRaleigh shared on Instagram that Willow House Coffee, previously a mobile coffee shop, will have the grand opening of their brick-and-mortar space on January 8th from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 1004 S. Saunders Street (intersection of S. Saunders at Lake Wheeler Road). Look for them to be serving up delicious treats and top notch coffee. Follow along on Instagram here.
- Reader Chris Creighton shared that the recently closed Holly Springs location of Skrimp Shack at the Shoppes at Holly Springs (7224 GB Alford Hwy.) will become the 5th location for Corbett’s Burgers. They are anticipating an end of January opening. Best to keep up with their progress on their Instagram account here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- Big news over in Chapel Hill for Alfredo’s Pizza Villa that has been a staple at University Mall (ok, University Place) for as long as I can remember. Reader Joe Mustian shared the exciting news that Alfredo’s will soon move out of the “mall” and into three adjoining retail spaces on the Harris Teeter end of the 900 Willow apartment building. They will have all new pizza ovens and equipment and a big-screen TV for sports watching. They plan to start operating out of the new space by the end of February/first of March. Best to follow along on Instagram here.
- Cary’s Bharath Cafe is opening a second location – this one at 1704 E. Franklin Street (next to Staples) in Chapel Hill. They have been operating in soft-open mode and will have their grand opening on Friday, January 3rd. Their original location is at 716 Slash Pine Drive in Cary and they are known for authentic Biryani. Get to know them here.
- Kirk Bryson shared with the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies group that Sidetrack Bar & Lounge has opened in the former Allen & Son Barbecue spot at Millhouse Road and NC 86 near New Hope Market. Folks are already noting their cocktail and beer offerings. With warm weather they will expand with an outdoor patio space. Initially they will introduce food trucks, with plans to add a small kitchen space to offer bites. Best to follow along on Instagram.
- Over in Durham, got word this week that Reno’s Cheesesteaks opened back in November in the Woodcroft Shopping Center beside Chubby’s Tacos at 47111 Hope Valley Road. Self-described as offering perfectly grilled meat to mouth-watering toppings and fresh-baked rolls, every detail has been crafted to bring you the best cheesesteak outside of Philly. What say you Tim & Tina CoyneSmith? Get to know Reno’s here.
- And if there ever was a teaser, this is it. Down in Pittsboro, I got a short message from Greg Lewis, owner of The Sycamore at Chatham Mills, Forest Hall at Chatham Mills and 39 West Catering, that he will soon be opening an Italian restaurant. That’s it. So much to look forward to and await. He did suggest it will open by July…ish. We will stay in touch with Greg. In the meantime, visit The Sycamore here.
Closings
- Reader Kevin Crutchfield notified us that Blaze Pizza in Morrisville’s Park West Village (1024 Market Center Dr.) has closed permanently.
- And reader Chris Creighton shared the news that the Skrimp Shack in Holly Springs closed on December 29. They still have a location in Cary (990 High House Rd.).
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
- Tickets went on sale earlier this month for An Evening To Ignite, the annual fundraiser by the teams at The Merrimon-Wynne House, Band Together and La Fête Planning & Design. The nonprofit beneficiary of this year’s event will be Ripe for Revival, which operates a fleet of pay-what-you-can mobile markets in central and eastern North Carolina. They will use the proceeds to expand the mobile markets’ presence in Raleigh. This year’s An Evening To Ignite will be March 14, 2025 in downtown Raleigh. Get tickets here and get information on Ripe for Revival here.
- This is kind of cool…a traveling Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy cocktail event that will be in Pittsboro next January 23 and 24. It is a chilling cocktail experience that brings four of his stories off the page and onto the stage as told through the Poe historians while you sip on delicious themed cocktails that are paired with each story. Tickets are $45 and will take place at Forest Hall at Chatham Mills (new location). Get tickets and all the details here.
Food Bank Corner
- A MESSAGE OF THANKS:
On behalf of the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, I’d like to extend my deepest gratitude for the kindness and compassion you’ve shared with our friends and neighbors in 2024.
As economic hardship and rising prices pushed people’s basic needs further and further out of reach — you were there making sure everyone in our community had access to their most vital resources: good food and steady meals. With hunger still at an all-time high in over 15 years, we’re committed to taking actionable steps to create long-term solutions. If you’re interested in learning about other ways you can partner with us in 2025, consider hosting a Virtual Food Drive or ask your employer about employee matching to double your donation’s impact! We’d like to wish you and your loved ones a strong start to the new year with health and happiness in the months ahead. Thank you again for paving the way to a future free from hunger.
