September 30, 2016 · 8:46 am
Triangle Restaurant News
Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler.
Featured Restaurant News
- The folks behind Crabtree’s Red Monkey Tavern and Brier Creek Beer Garden are bringing Crabtree Beer Garden to Crabtree Valley Mall according to the Raleigh Agenda. It will occupy the former Tomato Pie space which recently closed (and owned by the same folks). They also hinted at the fact that they are looking to open similar concepts in north Raleigh and Cary. The tentative open date for Crabtree is October 15. Keep up with them on Facebook here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- New Raleigh reported this week that Oak & Dagger Public House is now open at downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station. Their official tweet came out on September 25th. Check them out here.
- The News & Observer reported this week that Downtown Raleigh restaurateur and bar owner Jon Seelbinder has opened the first phase of Little City Brewing and Provisions Co. in Raleigh’s Glenwood South neighborhood. The project is the latest offering from Seelbinder’s Local Icon Hospitality, which also owns Architect Bar, Green Light, Virgil’s Original Taqueria Taco Bar, Level Up and Linus & Pepper’s. Keep up with Little City on their Facebook page.
- Metro Diner, a popular Florida restaurant chain that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, is having their “soft opening” this weekend with the official open date of next Tuesday, October 4 at the Sutton Square shopping center in North Raleigh (former Aladdin’s Eatery location). Learn about Metro Diner here.
- Also this week in Raleigh, the first Triangle-area location of Grabbagreen opened in North Hills. This is the first of two planned Triangle locations, with a second slated to open in Cary next year. Check them out here.
- Got word from readers Michael Pocinki and Kathy Olson that Rock Harbor Grill, formerly of Apex, has just reopened in Fuquay-Varina at 132 S. Fuquay Avenue. Check them out here.
- And down in Benson, the News & Observer reported that Jerry Stephenson Jr., the pitmaster for the Redneck Scientific team, announced that he is opening a new barbecue restaurant, The Redneck BBQ Lab. It will be located at the intersection of Highway 210 and Interstate 40. They hope to open the restaurant by late fall. Visit their website here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- Indy Week reported this week that the popular food truck Pie Pushers has finally opened their brick and mortar location above The Pinhook at 117 W. Main Street. The truck will obviously continue to roam the streets! Find out all about their new location on their website here.
- Rumors are “flying” over in Durham surrounding Heavenly Buffaloes. Most of those rumors are suggesting a second location over on Blackwell Street near the Durham Bulls Stadium. We can’t 100% confirm it, but Heavenly Buffaloes sent out a tweet this week confirming rumors about “#growth.” We will keep an eye on it. Thanks Gabe Macaluso for the heads up. Check out Heavenly Buffaloes here.
- Clouds Brewing, which just celebrated their 2nd anniversary of their location in Raleigh, announced that they plan to open their newest location in Durham’s Brightleaf Square next week, and will hold a grand opening celebration later in October. Keep up with the developments here.
- The opening last week of Alberello Cafe & Market in Chatham County’s Briar Chapel is being quickly followed by the next concept at the 15-501 entrance to Briar Chapel – Capp’s Pizzeria. The signage went up this week, with hopes of opening in the next few weeks. Keep up with them here.
Closings
- Other than Tomato Pie mentioned above, nothing else to report. Keep eating local, folks!
Food Trucks
- The Raleigh Durham Mobile Food Association (RDUMFA) will hold a food truck rodeo in Carrboro on October 16th from 11 – 4 p.m. at the Carrboro Town Hall grounds. Get more information on their website.
- For a listing of ALL food truck events, head over to Art’s page, The Wandering Sheppard on all things food truck related here.
Events
- You don’t want to miss this event (because yours truly will be one of the judges). The event? It is Relish Cafe & Bar’s charity Mac and Cheese Throwdown and Bartender Showdown benefiting the Hope Center at Pullen on Saturday October 1st from 6pm to 11pm. Visit the website to get all the details and tickets.
- Also on October 1st, NC Fresh Catch resurfaces for a homecoming “pop-up” seafood/music fest this Saturday from 5-10 pm at Durham Central Park. Get fresh cooked seafood, bbq, beer and great live music. Oh, and don’t miss my neighbor Matt Phillips and the Philharmonic as they take the stage as part of the entertainment. Get all the details here.
- The 9th Annual Pepperfest takes place this Sunday, October 2nd from 2-7 p.m. at Briar Chapel in Chatham County. The event features super delicious pepper-themed dishes and beverages, live music and children’s activities. A great outdoor event for this time of the year. Get tickets and all the details here.
- The folks over at TROSA are holding a BBQ & Friends fundraiser on October 9th from 1 to 4 p.m. at 1820 James Street in Durham. Participating restaurants include Nana’s, Nanataco, Saltbox Seafood Joint, Foster’s Market, Rise and The Original Q Shack. Tickets are $25 and $10 for kids. Get all the details here.
- And we can’t help but remind you about the upcoming State Fair – October 13-23rd and their “Eat Lunch at the Fair” deal. Here’s how it works. Come to Gate 9 (only) after 11:30 a.m. on weekdays, pay $10 cash for a lunch card to get in, get your grub on at any fair vendor, and exit out the same gate by 1:30 p.m., and you get your $10 cash back. Sign me up! Get all the details here.
- The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering in Chapel Hill is holding its fifth annual Porkapalooza on Friday, October 14th at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature twelve small plate courses celebrating local pork, including roasted suckling pigs; beer cheese fondue with local sausages; fried green tomatoes topped with pimento cheese, beer-braised crispy pork belly and tomato jam; poutine with sweet potato fries, Seven Springs country gravy and Ashe County cheese; and bacon marshmallow s’mores. The dinner also includes Fullsteam beer pairings. Save $10 by ordering tickets by Aug. 31. Get all the information and tickets here.
- Saturday, October 15th and Sunday, October 16th are the dates for 3rd Annual Triangle VegFest this year in Raleigh. Saturday’s events will be at Nash Square in downtown Raleigh from 1-5 p.m., and Sunday’s events will be held at the McKimmon Center from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Get all the details here. Thanks to Holly Kahl for the heads up!
- On October 16th in Carrboro, grab a locally made pottery bowl, enjoy a hearty meal of soup, sandwiches and dessert and help TABLE provide food aid to area children all while enjoying live music and a silent auction at Weaver Street Market in Carrboro. Tickets: $15-$50. Visit here for all the details.
- Also on October 16th in Chapel Hill, A Tasteful Affair will take place at the Blue Zone at Kenan Stadium, to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill will have food and beverage purveyors like Chirba Chirba, elements and others competing for awards with judges like UNC’s Sean May and Miss North Carolina McKenzie Faggart crowning their favorites. Tickets: $75-$125. Get all the details here.
- Jennifer Noble Kelly sent me information about PICNIC, North Carolina’s newest whole hog barbecue joint, and its’ farm partner, Green Button Farm, hosting their inaugural NC Barbecue Revival at the farm this fall, October 28th – 30th. The three-day weekend will be chock full of classes, discussions, feasts and pig pickins’. Get a listing of all the events, ticket information and every last detail on the their website here.
- On November 6th, the folks over at Acme will bring back the fourth edition of Salt & Smoke Festival to beautiful Rock Quarry Farm on Highway 54 just outside of Carrboro. This is becoming quite the event, as over 500 people attended last year. Get all the details and ticket information here.
- Also on November 6th, the folks over at Chickenwire announced their latest pop-up dinner which will be held, at an secret outdoor venue to be revealed later, and will feature 8 area chefs with offerings utilizing “fire, grill and smoke.” VIP tickets get you in an hour early. Get all the details, including a listing of participating chefs, and tickets here.
