Friday Fun Food Facts – February 21, 2014

•  Folks, if you don’t believe me when I say we live in one of the hottest dining markets in the country, just take a moment to check out the list of the 2014 semifinalists released this week by the coveted James Beard Foundation (i.e. the Academy Awards of the dining world). Of the 12 nominees in North Carolina, 9 were here in the Triangle. And as Dana McCall pointed out, there were none for Charlotte, the Triad or Willmington. GoGoRaleigh did a pretty good job of highlighting our local talent here. Congrats to all the nominees!

Wake County Restaurant News 

• According to the News & Observer, after 63 years in operation Raleigh’s landmark Players Retreat is spreading it’s wings and has opened a second location. Called PR @ The Poole, it is located on the other side of campus in N.C. State University’s Lonnie Poole Golf Course clubhouse on Centennial Campus.Gus Gusler describes it as “everything that makes the PR the PR, but with a little cherry on top of the sundae.” Check them out here.

• We told you about this back at the end of January, but today the News & Observer confirmed that Said Bouleqcha, owner of Serendipity Gourmet Deli in downtown Cary, has opened Atlas Mediterranean Cuisine on Kildaire Farm Road, in the old Pizza Hut building most recently vacated by Unaabi Grill. 

• Noodles & Company opened this week at Park West Village in Morrisville. This marks the Triangle’s sixth location. Get more details here.

• The News & Observer updated us today that the next location of Another Broken Egg Café will open in North Hills on March 3rd at 160 Park at North Hills Street (i.e. the Harris Teeter side). Check them out here.

• We got word this week that our friends over at Salt & Lime Cabo Grill in North Raleigh (which opened just a few weeks ago) is now open for lunch. The initial word is that this place is fantastic, so get it on your radar now. Get all the details here.

• Got word on a Yelp message board, that Soo Café, a Korean fried chicken and BBQ grill, has opened in a new location at 2815 Brentwood Road in Raleigh. Their menu has expanded and the new space gives them ample parking. Can’t find a website for them, but you can check them out on Yelp here.

• Congratulations to our friends over at Donovan’s Dish who just won the “Catering Professional of the Year” award given out by the local chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events. Well deserved! Want them to cater your next event? Check them out here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham County Restaurant News 

• Got word from friend (and queen of the Hillsborough dining scene) Morgan Moylan, that LaPlace Louisiana Cookery has opened its doors in Hillsborough in the former Gulf Rim space. According to Moylan, it is a collaboration of the former Gulf Rim owner Joe Tullos and Wooden Nickel owner Matt Fox and the food is Louisiana inspired. Check them out on Facebook here.

• And if that is not enough Hillsborough news for you, Queen Moylan also informed me of a new great little family Mexican spot that just opened called El Restaurante Ixtapa. It is located just down from the main entrance of Weaver Street Market, on the south bank of the Eno River at the end of the “old bridge” on Exchange Park Lane. If you are looking for authentic, this is your spot. Check them out here. Thanks Morgan!

• Over in Durham, Northgate Mall announced this week that Jade Buffet has opened in the recently renovated 7,800 square foot space in The Shops at Northgate directly across from Sears. In addition to a broad selection of Asian cuisines, including Chinese and Japanese-style hibachi and sushi, there is a fully stocked American-style salad bar. Get all the details here.

• Also in Durham, the 17th Triangle location of Moe’s Southwest Grill opened this week in the Diamond View III building in downtown Durham. This location is unique in that they are serving weekday breakfast, and offering bicycle delivery for lunch (within a mile) to the downtown area. Congrats to Dave Wilson! Get more details here.

• We saw on their Facebook page that Straw Valley Food & Drink, located off 15-501 at the Durham/Orange County line, just got their permits, which means juices will return this weekend and lunch menu in the café next week. Check them out here.

• And across 15-501 in the Gateway Terrace development, the Herald Sun provided an update on a couple of openings. The Chipotle Mexican Grill and PDQ, a fast casual establishment focusing on chicken tenders, sandwiches, salads and shakes, are both slated to open in mid-March. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and Jimmy Johns will also open there, but not until this summer.

• A shout out to Acme in downtown Carrboro (a favorite restaurant of my wife, the lovely and talented Lori Bowers-Lennard). Acme celebrated their 16th year this week (and speaking of anniversaries, my wife and I celebrate 11 years this weekend!). Congrats (to both of us)! Check them out here.

Closings 

• The Herald-Sun reported this week that the Dairy Queen and Orange Julius location by the carousel at Northgate Mall has closed.

Food Trucks 

• On March 1st, two great Glenwood South institutions – Napper Tandy’s and Hibernian Pub – will join forces in the battle to end childhood cancer. The Glenwood South St. Baldrick’s Event will take place on Saturday, March 1st from 1 – 7 p.m. Consider joining the effort. 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.

• If you are in the market for a new cookbook with a local twist, you’ll definitely want to check out Andrea Weigl’s new cookbook – Pickles & Preserves, a Savor The South cookbook. She has some book signings coming up, with the first on March 12th at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh. Get all the details on her cookbook and signings here.

• Got a note on my blog about an event coming up on March 15th called the Raleigh Tamale Festival, a Latino heritage festival, with tamale competition, soccer, music, dancing & more. It will be held in Raleigh at Peach Road Park from 1-4 p.m.

• Here is an event you are definitely going to want to get on your calendar for this year. 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.

• It was announced this week that the 2nd Annual East Meets West food and performance festival celebrating Morrisville’s diverse community will be on Saturday, May 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission to the festival is free, tickets will be available for purchase to buy food, beer and wine. Get all the details here.

Food Bank Corner   

• 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.