Featured Restaurant News
- Things are heating up on Tobacco Road, but I’m not talking about basketball. N.C. State’s Hillsborough Street is getting ready to match up toe-to-toe with UNC Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street with Raleigh Magazine sharing this week that Raising Cane’s is opening its first Raleigh location at 2420 Hillsborough St. in the former Umami Asian Bistro space. The popular fast-casual brand plans to keep the outdoor marquee sign and gut the entire inside. Look for them to start slinging their chicken fingers, Texas toast, fries and cole slaw by year’s end. They won’t be the only chicken fingers concept in town as Alabama-based Guthrie’s will open soon near the intersection of Wake Forest and Six Forks roads. They are also known for their chicken fingers, Texas toast, fries and cole slaw. Time for Duke’s Ninth Street to get in the game. Visit Cane’s here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- But over in Cary, chicken tenders are out and sushi is in according to Triangle Business Journal’s reporting that Azami Ramen & Sushi will open in the former PDQ at 9025 Winston Hill Drive (intersection of High House Road and Davis Drive). We were unable to locate an online presence, nor an open date as they are still awaiting approval from the town. Stay tuned.
- WRAL reported this week that Raleigh has a new rooftop bar and lounge. Urban Oak opened on Tuesday on the 14th floor of the new Tempo By Hilton Raleigh in downtown at 200 W. Davie St. The lounge is being billed as the tallest in the Oak City and has two outdoor rooftop patios overlooking the city. Their menu includes a mix of small shareable plates and larger entrees as well as desserts including campfire s’mores. The bar menu features wine, beer and a variety of cocktails. Check them out here.
- And speaking of drinking in downtown Raleigh, Raleigh Magazine reported that The Hippo Wine Bar and Shop will reopen next Wednesday, February 12th (at the same location) at 123 E Martin St. after a revamp by the same team behind Gussie’s Bar, Bottle & Bites over on Morgan Street. The magazine noted that the space now features new colorful decor, cozy intimate seating, and a bar for sipping and snacking—in addition to an array of wine bottles to-go, organized in such a way that vino newbies and vets will be able to comb through for what they like. Check them out on Instagram here.
- And if that is not enough drinking in downtown Raleigh, Raleigh Magazine also shared that Voodoo Brewing, which boasts a popular location in Asheville, is opening a new location in-between the new Sir Walter Coffee and First National Bank near City Plaza on Fayetteville Street. No word on an open date. Might be best to start getting familiar with Voodoo on their Instagram site here.
- Got a chance this week to step inside the space that will soon be home to the second Raleigh location of Simply Crepes. They are moving into the former Zoës Kitchen, then Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ, space in the Shoppes at Oberlin Court at 1028 Oberlin Road. Look for them to complete the remodel and open in early May. This will be the concept’s fifth location, and second outside of New York. In the meantime you can visit the Simply Crepes location in North Raleigh’s Lafayette Village. Visit the current Raleigh location here.
- Raleigh Magzine reported this week that Layered Croissanterie on North West Street has closed…but the good news is that Wake Forest-based bakery Paul & Jack Bakery & Pastry Shop is slated to take over the space. No word on an open date. Follow Paul & Jack on Instagram.
- Last week we told you about the The Pickled Onion moving into the former Village Grill spot in North Raleigh’s Lafayette Village (Village Grill closed on December 20th after 14 years). More news this week out of Lafayette Village as we learned from Triangle Business Journal that Nunzio Scordo, Justin Bee, Keith LoGrande, Joe Farrell and Steven Hayes are opening a new restaurant called Franko’s Prime in the former Driftwood Cantina spot. Scordo was formerly involved in Driftwood Cantina. This will be a sister concept to Franko’s Italian Steakhouse in Franklinton. Look for them to open in three to four months.
- And speaking of Scordo, Bee and LoGrande, they are opening another restaurant called Trattoria Franko in Cobblestone Village in Rolesville. That restaurant, which will serve Italian cuisine, will open in eight to nine months. And don’t think this is the final work of this ownership team. Apparently they are tossing around the idea of a pizza concept (see what I did there?). Stay tuned on all of these. In the meantime, visit Franko’s Italian Steakhouse here.
- And a huge belated “Happy Anniversary” to Raleigh’s Irregardless, Raleigh’s first vegetarian restaurant, as it celebrated 50 years of serving the community on February 4th. From day one, they have served Raleigh with vibrant, innovative cuisine and a welcoming atmosphere. Since opening in 1975, Irregardless has evolved from a pioneering vegetarian eatery into a beloved dining destination featuring beef, poultry and seafood, while maintaining its commitment to farm-to-table ingredients and a diverse menu. To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Irregardless is hosting a series of special prix fixe dinners, each celebrating a different decade in the restaurant’s history. The first event will honor the 1970s with a nostalgic three-course meal at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, priced at $80 per person. Get tickets and all the details here. Additional dinners are as follows: 1985 Dinner: 6:30 p.m. May 21 (tickets and details here); 1995 Dinner: 6:30 p.m. July 9; 2005 Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10; and 2015 Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- Chapelboro provided us with a pretty solid update on Mediterranean Deli, which is undergoing a significant rebuild after a fire caused $3 million in damage the summer of 2023. But the end may finally be in sight for the business at 410 West Franklin Street. Owner Jamil Kadoura said on WCHL this week that contractors indicated he should get the keys by April and they will then aim to open in time for graduation, which is May 10th. Visit Med Deli here.
- We told you about this back in December, but Plumpeez Deli, which operated in Butner for nine years, has relocated to Durham. Currently they are operating out of a commissary while looking for a permanent brick and mortar location. You can order online and pick up your order Thursday through Saturday at Homegrown DURM Commissary Kitchen located at 2818 Chapel Hill Road in Durham. You can also do the same with their catering and charcuterie boards. Check them out here.
- Somebody has a new look. Kanki Japanese House of Steaks & Sushi is proud to announce the completion of an exciting renovation at its Durham location, bringing a fresh new look while preserving the restaurant’s signature charm. The extensive updates include new tables and chairs, along with upgraded interior and exterior paint, murals, upholstery, and lighting. Check out Kanki here.
Closings
- Got word from reader Natalie Schnell that Philly Steak Factory at New Hope Commons in Durham has closed. She also learned that the space is being converted to a concept called 93 Banh Mi. Stay tuned.
Food Trucks
- Great news as the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo returns to downtown Raleigh on Saturday, June 28th from noon until 6 p.m. all along Fayetteville Street. From savory flavors to sweet treats, there’s something to satisfy every craving and cuisine curiosity. Whether you’re a fan of gourmet burgers, delicious tacos, or decadent desserts, our food truck rodeo promises to have something for everyone! Visit their Facebook event 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
- Chapel Hill’s Med Deli and owner Jamil Kadoura are hosting a fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 15 to help victims of the wildfires in California. In partnership with Chapel Hill’s Acts of Kindness, the Share The Love event will send 100% of its ticket costs, beer and wine purchases, and donations to the Global Empowerment Mission. The Story Venue, owned by Jamil Kadoura, at 450 West Franklin Street is hosting the fundraiser with dinner, a live auction and dancing planned for ticket-buyers. Get all the details here.
- MilkShake wner Alex Chandler shared with me that they have opened the Cary location (he also owns the location in Durham) at 161 E Chatham Street. They are currently in soft opening mode and will have their Grand Opening event on February 15th from noon until 4 p.m. featuring live music, giveaways, lots of chocolate samples, and a FREE vanilla shake. Visit their Facebook event page for all the details.
- Rocky Top Catering is proud to sponsor and host the 7th Annual Cooking for the Kids benefiting Overflowing Hands and King’s Ridge which kicks off with Round One the week of February 17th. This fun competition matches eight premier Triangle chefs in a tournament-style culinary showdown to win cash prizes. The competition takes place at Millbrook Manor (formerly 1705 East) at 1705 East Millbrook Road in Raleigh. Round Two takes place February 26th and 27th and the Finale is scheduled for March 5. See the participating chefs as well as purchase tickets here. Thanks to Dean Ogan for reaching out to me about this great event!
- 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.
- Fest in the West returns to Cary after a one-year hiatus on Saturday, April 5th from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Mills Park (441 Mills Park Drive). The event is geared towards children and families with tons of entertainment and activities – and of course a plethora of food trucks for everyone’s enjoyment! Get all the details here.
- NC Sugar Rush will be held in downtown Raleigh’s City Plaza on Sunday, May 25th from noon until 6 p.m. If you are not familiar with this yumminess, it is a dessert food only event with something to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Sign me up! Get all the details on their Facebook event page here.
- The 10th Annual Raleigh International Food Festival will take place this year on Saturday, June 7th from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on downtown Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street. The event will feature over 120 food trucks/dessert trucks from around the globe with over 60 cultures represented. Free tickets and all the details here. (Tickets not required as this is a free event)
Food Bank Corner
- With over 560,000 community members facing food insecurity and hunger at its highest in over 15 years, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is working overtime to ensure no one goes hungry. Your generous support is making a positive impact for people who are fighting to stay afloat. Monthly giving is a great way to increase your impact for our neighbors. Just $10 a month could provide 50 meals to families experiencing hunger. A monthly pledge is a steadfast commitment to providing nourishment across our community. Join a caring group of donors by becoming a Sustainer today!
