Friday Fun Food Facts – March 7, 2025

Featured Restaurant News

• Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Escazu Chocolates will expand with a second location in Gateway Plaza in the former home of Craft Habit. The chocolatier’s original location is in Mordecai next to Stanbury (at 936 N. Blount Street). Founded in 2008, they roast and grind cacao it sources from Latin American co-ops and farms and also serve hot chocolate, espresso drinks, ice cream, chocolate confections, bars and other retail products. Congrats to owners Danielle Centeno and Tiana Young for their continued growth and success. Visit Escazu here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• We first told you about this in February, but the Downtown Raleigh Alliance announced that Durham’s ice cream shop Simons Says Dip This will open TODAY (March 7th) at 621 Hillsborough St. in the Bloc83 in Glenwood South. Audrey and Nathan Simons opened the original store in Durham in 2021. The menu features soft-serve vanilla ice cream, 24 dipping sauces and 30 toppings such as hand-spun cotton candy, pistachios and fruit. Get familiar with them here.

• Raleigh Downtown broke the news that Soul Flavorscape of India, a new North Indian cuisine restaurant, is opening up in Glenwood South this Saturday, March 8 next to Hibernian Irish Pub & Restaurant in the former location of Thaiphoon Bistro. Expect authentic flavors of North India with a menu full of creamy curries, fragrant biryanis, sizzling tandooris, and more. Check them out here.

• Raleigh Downtown also shared that Oma’s Café + Wine Bar, an all-day cafe, is now open on the ground floor of the Residence Inn Raleigh Downtown (616 S. Salisbury Street), directly across from the Raleigh Convention Center, Red Hat Amphitheater, and Martin Marietta Center. Join them for breakfast (coffee from Five Star Coffee Roasters in Holly Springs), lunch, or dinner and a drink. Visit them online here.

• Over in North Hills, Raleigh Magazine shared that Tifa Chocolate & Gelato, a dessert shop, is opening soon near the Yard House restaurant. The shop will serve handcrafted gelato, coffee, hot chocolate, artisan chocolates, and pastries. This will be their second North Carolina location (Charlotte). Get to know them here.

• Up in North Raleigh, my favorite Barnes’ family member, Julie Barnes, shared with me that Poke Loong has opened in the former Papa Murphy’s spot in the North Ridge Shopping Center (6106 Falls of the Neuse Road). They are open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Visit them here.

• Down in Cary, next Tuesday, March 11th, Farmside Kitchen is holding their grand opening at Waverly Place (316 Colonades Way, Suite 212) next to Petfolk and Shake Shack. Stop by and and enjoy a FREE Farmbowl (11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 5 – 7 p.m.). They will be collecting (and matching) donations for their friends at Carolina Farms to support their mission. This will be their third location, with others in Durham and Chantilly, Virgina. Get the latest on their Instagram page here.

• Also in Cary, Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Cary resident, Stephen McNulty, plans to open The Refreshery this summer in the Meridian East Chatham development, a new luxury residential community along East Chatham Street. TBJ shared that they will serve cold-pressed juices, coffee and tea as well as light snack options. Later in the day, they will transition to mocktails, or what McNulty calls “social tonics:” beverages with adaptogenics, nootropics and drinks infused with CBD or hemp. Check in on them here.

• And we close out this section with a kudos and a big congratulations! Rocky Top Catering announced chef Michael Blackwell of North Hills Club as the seventh annual Cooking for the Kids winner. After three rounds of extensive cooking and extraordinary dishes, Blackwell was voted to take home the grand prize of $10,000. He competed against and cooked alongside chef Ryan Grimm of Watersview Restaurant in the finale.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Triangle Business Journal reported this week that restaurant chain Sweetgreen, which has a location in Raleigh, will open at 122 E. Franklin St., in the former Benny’s Pizza spot. The fast-casual chain based in Los Angeles will soon serve up their protein plates, salads and bowls. Start getting familiar with them here.

• Burgeoning Baker shared with me that Kolapasi Indian Canteen is slated to be the next occupant at 200 W. Franklin Street, Suite 130 – the former spot of Bul Box and before that, Lime & Basil. This will be their second North Carolina location as they already have a location in Charlotte. Get familiar with them here.

• Just a week after telling you that Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams opened at the newly renovated University Place, Carrie Brogren, founder of Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies group on Facebook, shared that The Salty Donut is coming to University Place in Chapel Hill. When it opens, this will be the chain’s third location in North Carolina and the first in the Triangle (two locations in Charlotte). No word on an open date. Get to know them here.

• And over in Durham, we first told you about this in February, but reader Rachel Goer gave us a quick update that Del Taco is scheduled to open next month at 4716 Apex Highway (Hwy. 55) in Durham next to Popeyes. Visit them here.

Closings

• After a thirteen year run, we learned this week that The Architect Bar And Social House (108 1/2 E Hargett St) is closing. That’s the bad news. The good news is that Raleigh Downtown learned that The Merchant NC will move into that space. Stay tuned. The Green Light Bar remains open and unchanged. The current Merchant NC (126 Salisbury Street) will convert into an events and catering space.

• Over in Chapel Hill, Chapelboro broke the news that Blue’s on Franklin, owned and operated by Andrew Young, will have its final day of dine-in operations on Saturday, Mar. 15 before closing its space at 110 West Franklin Street. They will continue with their very popular catering services.

• Hugh Autry shared the news that On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina on Walnut Street in Cary has closed. Looks like the next nearest locations are in Fayetteville and Charlotte.

• Also in Cary, reader Rachel Goer shared that over in Amberly Place, the spaces that used to host MOD Pizza and Tropical Smoothie are both vacant.

Food Trucks

• The remaining schedule for the Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeos is as follows: April 13; June 1; and November 2.. All rodeos are from 12 noon until 4 p.m. and will feature over 50+ food trucks with cuisine from all over the world, and family fun – making it the ultimate Sunday Funday in Durham Central Park (501 Foster Street)! Get all the details here.

• 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

• Over in Raleigh’s Iron Works, Little Rey’s will feature a monthly taco from a rotating local chef with 100% of proceeds from all purchases going to a charity of the guest chef’s choice. The March collab will feature chef Scott Crawford from neighboring Brodeto and will benefit Ben’s Friends, a nonprofit that helps food and beverage workers struggling with addiction. Crawford has created an octopus taco with salsa macha that marries the Northern Mexican flavors of Little Rey with Brodeto’s Southern Italian/Croatian concept. The taco will be available on Little Rey’s menu from March 1-31 only. Visit Little Rey here.

• Get ready to nosh! The Jewish Food Festival returns on Sunday, March 9, from 2–5 PM at Jewish for Good at the Levin JCC (1937 W. Cornwallis Road), bringing together mouthwatering Jewish cuisine, local restaurant favorites, and a vibrant community celebration. The event showcases a diverse spread of Jewish delicacies, from brisket and bourekas to knishes and chopped liver, alongside signature offerings from local favorites including Brandwein’s Bagels, LocoPops, The Parlour, Isaac’s Bagels, Rockwood Pantry, Hummus Y’all, and more. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Jewish cuisine or looking to try something new, the festival offers something delicious for everyone. Get all the details here.

• The Beer Study in Carrboro, will have their Grand Re Re Opening Chili Cookoff on Saturday, March 15th from noon until 10 p.m. at their new location in the South Green development in Carrboro at 101 Two Hills Drive. Get all the details, including prizes for the top 3 vote getters, on their Facebook events page here.

• Join Catering Works and the Museum of Art for the Art of Tea in Bloom at the East Café from March 19th through 23rd. This Afternoon Tea experience features a prix-fixe menu including savory canapes, finger sandwiches and floral inspired patisserie. Premium teas or coffee included. Floral inspired cocktails are available for purchase separately. Select from standard, gluten free, vegetarian or vegan ticket. Get ticket and all the details here.

• From noon until 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, The Bend Bar and State of Beer at The Bend will celebrate its grand opening with live music from Kai Wilson, barbecue from Lawrence BBQ and more. The Bend Bar is located at 853 W. Morgan Street in downtown Raleigh. Follow along on Instagram here.

• To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Irregardless in downtown Raleigh 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.

• Downtown Raleigh’s Figulina continues its wine dinner series with a special Roman menu on March 31st. The one-night event will celebrate Rome’s iconic dishes. Unlike the other wine dinners in the ongoing series, the Roman event will not be a prix fixe meal. Ellis will offer a special menu highlighting classic Roman dishes, including the four iconic Roman pasta dishes. David Ellis’ downtown Raleigh restaurant was recently named a semifinalist for Best New Restaurant from the James Beard Foundation. Book your spot 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.

• The second annual A Taste of Chatham will be held April 6th from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Chatham County Agricultural Center. This event will offer tastes from numerous local restaurants and beverage vendors, music, and activities. Vendors include Starlight Meadery, BMC Brewery, Thirsty Skull, Lilly Den Farms, JDubs, Postal Fish, The Sycamore, Root Cellar Cafe, and 39 West Catering. This is a fundraiser to support the county Welcome Center, located across from the courthouse in downtown Pittsboro. Get all the details and tickets here.

• Here is another fun event from Catering Works and the Museum of Art on April 11th. Seeing Red, a presentation in the new Conservation Gallery, features the history, symbolism, and materiality of red dyes and pigments in art. It features an interactive display and works of art from the NCMA collection to illustrate the artistic use of red. At this event enjoy a short tour of Seeing Red with Director of Conservation Perry Hurt, creator of the installation. Then in the NCMA Café, embark on a deep dive into red wine, presented by wine educator and owner of Vitis House Doreen Colondres. A fascinating, unique, and cross-cultural combination of art and wine, with creative food pairings by Chef Rick Sloan of Catering Works and the NCMA Café. Get details and tickets here.

• Tickets are now on sale for 7th annual Roots for Reece Chef’s Picnic which will be held on Sunday, April 27th in Clayton. This highly anticipated annual event will feature an exciting day of food and drink samples from more than a dozen local chefs, breweries and bars, alongside live music, crafts, a silent auction, raffles and much more. Proceeds from the event will benefit the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to combating the opioid epidemic in North Carolina and providing support to individuals affected by substance use. General admission tickets are available for $100, and VIP tickets, which offer exclusive benefits, are available for $200. Early Bird Tickets cost $100 and include an event t-shirt but must be purchased by March 30th. Tickets and more information can be found at Roots for Reece Chef’s Picnic.

• 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

• The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina celebrates the strength, resilience, and incredible contributions of women and girls everywhere. We also recognize the disproportionate challenges they face, particularly when it comes to food insecurity. Women face social, systemic, and economic barriers that make it harder for them to support themselves. They are paid less, have more health-related costs, and are even charged more for products marketed directly to them.
  Every woman in our community deserves a fair opportunity to put food on the table for their family while also taking care of their own health and nutrition. This International Women’s Month, we’re coming together to break down barriers and narrow the gender hunger gap in central and eastern North Carolina. Every gift made until March 31 can be matched to make twice the impact for women facing food insecurity in our community.