Featured Restaurant News
- The owners of Raleigh’s popular Oakwood Pizza Box, Anthony and Brett Guerra, have opened St. Pierre Wine Shop and Bar at Raleigh Iron Works. St. Pierre is a classy yet comfortable wine shop and bar with ample seating, laid-back music and space for afternoon wine sipping that transitions seamlessly into relaxed evening gatherings. The Guerras are also using the opening to help a younger hospitality professional become a business owner. Joining the team as a partner is Scott Hardiman, who previously worked at The Umstead Hotel and Spa as a sommelier and was the opening general manager at East End Bistrot. This year has been a big year for the Guerras who opened Tutti Pizza in Charleston and recently opened a carry-out only location called Capital Pizza Box less than a half mile from St. Pierre. And don’t forget, soon the food served at St. Pierre will be the work of Kinston, N.C. chef Vivian Howard. Follow along on Instagram here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- Raleigh Magazine reported this week that popular Durham wood-fired pizza spot Pizzeria Toro will open a location in downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station in a shared space with the soon-to-open The Common Market. Look for them to open by next summer. Visit Pizzeria Toro here.
- Patrick Shanahan, best known for Watts & Ward cocktail bar and the recently opened Peregrine, announced his newest venture this week – Capulet Cocktail Club. The Italian-inspired cocktail destination will open in The Exchange at Midtown near Peregrine (1000 Social Street, Suite 110). Look for them to open this fall. Might be best to follow their progress on Instagram here.
- And speaking of Peregrine, they announced this week that they are launching Sunday Brunch service beginning September 21st. Make plans to join chef Saif Rahman and Patrick Shanahan from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are now available on OpenTable. Visit Peregrine here.
- It’s all in the name. At least now. We learned this week that Foxcroft Wine Co. in North Hills has made a slight tweak in its name to become Foxcroft Food & Wine, better reflecting their full-service restaurant experience as well as wine. Visit them here.
- And speaking of wine, Raleigh Downtown shared this week that Raleigh’s first romance bookstore and wine bar, founded by Susannah Baird, is opening in downtown this fall. Bright Side Books & Wine will debut on the ground floor of the Platform Apartments (600 W Cabarrus Street). Guests can look forward to themed book clubs, trivia nights, author events, and other community gatherings — all paired with curated wine selections and snack boxes. Check them out here.
- Staying in downtown Raleigh, Raleigh Magazine dropped some exciting coffee news on us this week. Left Hook Coffee will be leaving its space at Gussie’s at the end of October to focus on opening their brick-and-mortar in East Raleigh. The culminating great news is we will soon have a new coffee spot AND Gussie’s will then be taking over the coffee counter after a brief pause. According to the magazine, co-owner Katie O’Kane says guests can expect the same “new version of an old idea” the neighborhood bar is known for, plus their favorite breakfast items coming out of Gussie’s kitchen…and some new items as well. Keep up with Gussie’s here and Left Hook here.
- The News & Observer reported this week that Cabo Mexican Cuisine is coming to Brier Creek Commons soon. I was unable to find an online presence outside of the Brier Creek Instagram post.
- And down in Holly Springs, Thanks a Latte – Coffee & Gift Boutique is moving. Their last day at their current address was this past Tuesday. Look for them to open in their new location at 161 Oakview Commons, Suite 104, where they will have their re-opening celebration on Monday, September 15th. And a reminder, the Angier location is business as usual. Visit them on Facebook here.
- My buddy Bates Battaglia shared with me the news that his bar, Lucky B’s, is celebrating 20 years as Glenwood South’s favorite Dive Bar! Looks like they will have an anniversary party on THIS Saturday, September 13th. Stay tuned for details. Visit B’s here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- Over in Durham, one of our readers updated us that KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in the New Hope Commons Shopping Center (5454 New Hope Commons Dr.) has opened. They are known for providing a unique, hands-on, all-you-can-eat experience that merges traditional Asian hot pot with Korean BBQ flavors. They also have a location on Capital Blvd. in Raleigh. Check them out here.
- We also learned this week that Krill Restaurant at 506 Ramseur St. in Durham has closed…but making way for a new concept called Nerra Dining featuring local fresh seafood, a bar and provisions. Look for them to open later this month. Stay in touch with them here.
- Carrie Brogren, founder of Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies group on Facebook, shared that Kinya, a ramen and sushi restaurant, is coming to Durham’s Southpoint area at 202 WNC 54 Hwy. Suite 506. Looks like this will be their first North Carolina location. Follow them on Instagram here.
Closings
- Triangle Business Journal shared this week that after five and a half years, Moe’s Original BBQ, a barbecue chain in west Durham next to Vin Rouge, is closing. Today, Friday, Sept. 12th, is their last day of operation.
Food Trucks
- The final Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo of 2025 will be on Sunday, November 2. It will run from 12 noon until 4 p.m. featuring over 50+ food trucks with cuisine from all over the world making it the ultimate Sunday Funday in Durham Central Park (501 Foster Street)! 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
- For the month of September, Little Rey’s latest taco collaboration is with Dave Ellis from Figulina. Available just in September, stop by to try a braised chuck taco with onion sugo, ramp salsa verde and crispy shallots. All proceeds benefit Now Serving NC. Visit Little Rey’s here.
- On Saturday, September 20th from 1 – 5 p.m., Lafayette Village in North Raleigh will hold their Oktoberfest, a German-inspired festival filled with fall brews, delicious German cuisine, live music, shopping, and plenty of fun throughout the Village. And perhaps best of all, the day will feature their annual Wiener Dog races. Get all the details here.
- The inaugural Salt & Smoke & Sound Festival will be held Saturday, October 18th at Blackwood Farm Park between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. The exciting new community event merges together two beloved festivals–Acme’s Salt & Smoke and Sonark Media’s Harvest Festival–into a celebration of food, culture, and music in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. Food will be provided by Acme’s Kevin Callaghan and a team of local chefs and food trucks offering a wide variety of dishes and dining options. The festival will feature craft beers, curated beverages, and other interesting spirit-free options. All food and drink will be available for purchase and is not included in the price of festival entry. Tickets are on sale now.
- Tickets are now on sale for 2025 Chefs for Change Gala & Live Auction, the annual fundraiser for Families Moving Forward, Durham’s primary emergency shelter for families with children. The event will take place on Nov. 6, 2025 at The Cookery in Durham. This unparallelled culinary event will feature a multi-course culinary experience prepared by some of North Carolina’s most acclaimed chefs, including Matt Kelly of Nanas Rockwood, Vin Rouge, Mateo, Mothers & Sons and Dino’s Pizza; Gray Brooks of Pizzeria Toro; Aaron Benjamin of Gocciolina; and Michael Lee of M Sushi, M Tempura, M Kokko, M Pocha and M Izakaya. Chef Chris McLaurin of Lutra Cafe and Bakery will be providing dessert. Secure your tickets now.
Food Bank Corner
- It’s no exaggeration to say that North Carolina is in the grip of a hunger crisis. More than 1.6 million of our neighbors — 1 out of every 5 children — don’t know where their next meal might come from. That’s what makes the news of federal funding cuts such a blow, and why it’s more important than ever for our community to pull together. Existing federal funding changes: The elimination of LFPA, a program that let food banks like us buy fresh produce from local small farms; Reductions to TEFAP, a program to provide emergency food for families; Funding loss equivalent to 11.8 million meals that children, families, and seniors in our community need. Upcoming federal funding changes to SNAP: 375,000 North Carolinians could lose food assistance, including 46,000 veterans; “Cost-sharing” shift of $280 million from federal government to North Carolina state and local governments; Increased paperwork requirements to qualify. But a gift to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina at Raleigh Branch is a simple, effective way for you to help meet the immediate need. Every $10 is enough for 50 meals, so your gift quickly adds up to a big impact!
