Friday Fun Food Facts – March 21, 2025

Featured Restaurant News

• We first told you about this back in August, but got word this week that we are just a few weeks away from the opening of Boatman Spirits Company. Look for a May opening. Located at Seaboard Station in downtown Raleigh, it is a combined craft distillery, taproom, bar and restaurant on the ground floor of The Miles apartment building. 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 elevated Mediterranean-inspired street food. Keep up with their progress on Instagram here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• We’ve been waiting to learn what the new concept would be replacing Glenwood South’s Cortez, and now we know thanks to Raleigh Magazine. It is being revamped into Cuya Cocina Latina by owner Charlie Ibarra and former Oro chef Kevin Ruiz (the upstairs bar will remain unchanged). The interior/exterior space is currently undergoing renovations, while the new food menu will boast a range of Caribbean and Latin American-influenced dishes—from ceviche and mofongo to empanadas and gambas. Don’t worry, some Cortez classics will remain as well. They are anticipating an April opening. Probably best to follow along on Instagram.

• The wait is almost over for Raleigh’s next wine bar hotspot! Just in time for patio season, Napa Bistro & Wine Bar is bringing cool, crisp vibes from California’s Napa Valley to Glenwood Place (think Ladyfingers, just inside the belt line off Glenwood). Hailing from Charlotte, this concept from Conway Restaurant Group will be Napa’s fourth restaurant in North Carolina and its first in the Triangle. Guests can expect an elevated atmosphere with wine country cuisine, cocktails, and of course, a carefully-selected wine list – perfect for brunches, happy hours, and date nights all spring and summer long. Start planning your time there now.

• Big news over in Clayton as executive chef Oscar Diaz and business partners Mezcalito Group Inc., are thrilled to announce the opening of a second outpost of Aaktun. Modeled after the flagship location in Durham, the day-to-night eatery will open their doors at 401 E. Main Street next week. This location will boast the same Tulum-inspired atmosphere, culturally remixed cuisine, Tiki-inspired beverage program, and energy found at the Durham flagship. Check them out here.

• David McCreary shared that the owners of Cilantro Indian Cafe in Cary are set to open Ammi’s, a “sweet boutique” featuring desserts, drinks, and Indian street food, at 111 Seaboard Avenue, Suite 118 in Raleigh. The grand opening is this Sunday, March 23. Check in with them here.

• Out in Brier Creek, Triangle Business Journal reported that Epic Chophouse, which has three other locations in the Carolinas (Mooresville, Greensboro and Fort Mill), will open on April 2 in the former Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse in Brier Creek. But don’t expect anything familiar nor for it to look like your grandfathers’ steakhouse, they poured nearly $6.5 million into the space – which basically gutted the former location. Their online menu features a charbroiled tomahawk pork chop for $31, while a USDA prime bone-in ribeye costs $69 and a 28-ounce porterhouse costs $65. Get to know them here.

• Triangle Business Journal revealed this week that brothers Paul and Jack Matar are not slowing down. Their Paul & Jack Bakery & Cafe up in Wake Forest recently took over the former Layered Croissanterie in Raleigh. And now they have shared plans to open their third location this summer at 1881 Lake Pine Drive in Cary in MacGregor Square near the Apex Costco and a Harris Teeter off Highway 64 (the same shopping center that will soon house Cape Fear Seafood Company, opening in May). Expect the Cary menu to feature many of the same items and prices as the Raleigh and Wake Forest locations. After the Cary shop opens, Matar said he plans to hit pause for a bit on the business growth. However, according to TBJ, he has plans to open a gelato store in the future. Follow along on Instagram here.

• Also in Cary, Matthew Glassman shared the news this week that the chain The Halal Guys is coming to 2000 Boulderstone Way over in Cary (intersection of High House and Davis) in the Stone Creek Village shopping center. A quick Google search indicates they are shooting for an April 30 opening. This is a global chain with only one other location in North Carolina in Charlotte. Start to get familiar with them here.

• Over in Apex, reader Andy Siouville noticed that Basil’n Spice has opened at 8753 Holly Springs Road in the Food Lion shopping center (corner of Holly Springs Road and Ten Ten). Expect to find a fusion of flavors from India, Thailand and China. Visit them here.

• Also in Apex, the latest edition of Chick-fil-A opened this week at 1001 South Hughes Street. It is owned and operated by Apex-native Tony Holmes, who grew up just six miles from his new restaurant (that’s pretty cool). If you are not familiar with Chick-fil-A…just kidding!

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Reader Morgan Mueller just shared with me that she just discovered Fizzwerks located in the Gateway Building Company at 618 Ramseur Street (Suite 103). She noted a beautiful space and a rooftop where they are craft brewing hard seltzers on site. In addition to seltzers and cocktails, they will also have food options where they will keep it light and vegetable driven with a menu that uses seasonal and local ingredients.  Expect dips, toasts, bowls, and sandwiches. But don’t worry, there will always be fries and chickie tendies available too. Look for them to open in a week or two. Take a peek here.

• Chapel Hill just got a little sweeter. Debuting at University Place at 201 S Estes Drive, ice cream lovers are invited to celebrate the grand opening celebration of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams on Thursday, March 26th. From 7:00 pm -midnight, Jeni’s fans can enjoy FREE scoops all night long (yes, you read that right). Plus, the first 50 people in line will get extra Jeni’s goodies. More details about the grand opening event can be found here.

Closings

• The Facebook duo on Choose Local and Small Ya’ll shared that the original location of Moonrunners Saloon (1506 US Highway 70 W) in Garner is closing. They are having one last hooray this Saturday night! But don’t fret too much as they still have two other locations (Dunn and 40/42).

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.

• From noon until 4 p.m. THIS Sunday, March 23, The Bend Bar and State of Beer at The Bend will celebrate their 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.

• The Pimento Cheese Festival returns to downtown Cary on Saturday, April 12. The event features over 40 food and beverage vendors, including food trucks offering cheesy delights. The event also includes musical performances and a pimento cheese sculpting contest. Get all the cheesey details 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)

• Also on Saturday, June 7th is the 5th Annual Bubbles & Brisket featuring BBQ pit-master/chefs and an array of sparkling beverages ranging from Champagne, cava, cremant, prosecco, beer, sodas to non-alcoholic and boozy cocktails. With the purchase of a ticket, guests will enjoy various styles of brisket and side dishes prepared by the best talent across the country, along with enjoying multiple styles of sparkling wine from around the world. Tickets are $75 (early bird is $65). Discounted six-pack group tickets available. The VIP Experience ($135) tickets include: Early entrance, VIP Trig Modern lounge, specialty Champagne & brisket tastings concierge full-service of all chef offerings. Purchase tickets and get all the details here.

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.