Friday Fun Food Facts – February 7, 2014

Triangle Restaurant News

Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler.

Valentine’s Day is next Friday. Have you made your plans yet? Well, there is still time, but you better jump on it. For your convenience, the News & Observer has put together a very good list of dining options. Make your reservations now. Check out their list here.

We are just weeks, check that, days away from the re-opening of the Hibernian Pub at 311 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh. The new structure is absolutely gorgeous and looks to restore its position as the anchor of the Glenwood South district. Congrats to Niall Hanley and his team. Keep up with them on Facebook here and look there for the official open date, which should be…any day now.

It is open! Salt & Lime Cabo Grill, in the former Amedeo’s North location on Falls of the Neuse Road behind Tribeca Tavern, swung open their doors this past week (just dinner for now). They describe themselves as a relaxed, full-service bar and grill influenced by the coastal cuisine of Baja California. This is one you are definitely going to want to work into your rotation. Check them out here. Did I mention their tequila?

Our friends at New Raleigh tweeted this week that Kabab and Curry is now open in the former Klara’s space (and before that Frazier’s space) on Hillsborough Street. Get all the details here.

Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Despina’s Café, which offers homemade baked pastries, sandwiches, soups, salads, and desserts with a European influence, opened this past Wednesday at 8369 Creedmoor Road in Raleigh. Check out their Facebook page here.

WRAL reported last week that Torero’s Mexican Restaurant is planning to open a second Raleigh location at 2930 Forestville Rd. That is just off of 401/Louisburg Road on the way to Rolesville. Check out all the Torero’s locations here.

The News & Observer noted this week that the Subway shop at 126 S. Salisbury St. closed in order to move across the street into the bottom of the Wells Fargo building – more than doubling their current size. The new location is expected to open next Wednesday.

Kudos to Lou and Joy Moshakos, owners of LM Restaurants (the parent company of Carolina Ale House and Taverna Agora here locally) who received the Restaurateurs of the Year award from the NCRLA for 2014. Congrats! Check out all the restaurants in the LM Restaurant Group here.

Happy 19th anniversary to Chapel Hill’s oldest brewery, Carolina Brewery, which is hosting three days of promotions including the unveiling of their new Anniversary Ale. Congratulations to Robert Poitras! Get all the details here.

This weekend marks the beginning of weekend brunch service at the recently reopened Gregoria’s Cuban Steakhouse. They will be serving brunch 10-2 on both weekend days starting tomorrow. Gregoria’s is located at 2701 Hillsborough Road in Durham. Get all the details here.

The News & Observer noted this week that Knightdale Seafood & BBQ, a 24-year-old eatery, has closed. The restaurant was at 706 Money Court in Knightdale.

I got nothing. Unless you count the food trucks that will be at the Museum of Life & Science event listed below!

The Frankie Lemmon School & Developmental Center in Raleigh is hosting their annual Triangle Wine Experience this weekend and it is not too late to register to attend the Gala event on Saturday night featuring some of the finest chefs in the area. Get all the details here.

February 20th is this year’s date for the annual “Science of Eats” event held every year at the Museum of Life & Science in Durham. The event, from 6:30 to 9:30, will feature over 25 vendors (including restaurants, food trucks, farmers, scientists and craft beer vendors). Tickets are $20 for members ($24 for others) and all the details are here. Did I mention that Pabst Blue Ribbon is one of the sponsors? Hey mayor, we should go!

The 3rd annual chef competition in Durham called the Bull City Vegan Challenge is back for the month of February. Six restaurants are competing to see who can dish up the most creative vegan entree and dessert for the entire month of February. Participating restaurants (one more to be announced) are Beyu Café, Dos Perros, Hummingbird Bakery, Parts & Labor (Motorco) and The Refectory Café. And you get to vote. Get all the details here.

Looking for a unique and special way to spend Valentine’s this year? We’ve got the perfect idea for you. Well, really the folks over at Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours do. They are offering special Valentine’s Day tours in Raleigh. There are many different options and times available. Participating restaurants include: Sitti, Gravy, Centro, Calavera, Green Light, Chuck’s, Busy Bee, C Grace, 18 Seaboard, Escazu, Piebird, Tyler’s Taproom, Raleigh Wine Shop, Roast Grill, and Cold off the Press. Get all the details here.

The Bull City Food & Beer Experience is back for its second year. This year’s event will be held at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) on March 9th at 4 p.m. The event pairs food from 30 Durham restaurants and unbelievable beer from 30 premier craft / import breweries. Tickets are $85.50. A limited number of exclusive VIP tickets are also available. Get all the details here.

Here is an event you are definitely going to want to get on your calendar for 2014. Two words: Beer. Bacon. That’s right, a Beer and Bacon Festival is coming to Cary’s Booth Amphitheater featuring at least 75 craft beers and 10 varieties of bacon (did you know there were 10 varieties?). The event will be held on March 29 from noon until 6 p.m. Get all the details and ticket information here.

Food, exercise and a good cause – that is a good thing, right? I guess. At any rate, registration is now open for the 10th Annual Krispy Kreme Challenge – run 2.5 miles, eat a dozen donuts, and run back. 8,000 people do it every year. Register here for the February 8th event (it is 80% full).

And finally, the N&O’s Andrea Weigl tweeted this week that tickets are now on sale for the 2014 World Beer Festival event that will be held in Raleigh on Saturday, April 5th (the Durham 2014 date hasn’t been announced yet). Get all the details here.

During the week of April 23-27, Durham Magazine and Chapel Hill Magazine will put on a festival of food and beverage events called TASTE, which will celebrate the vibrant Durham-Chapel Hill culinary scene. A portion of ticket sale proceeds from the signature event, the Grand TASTE Experience at DPAC on Thursday, April 24, will be donated to the Durham Branch of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. For more information, visit them here.