{"id":1291,"date":"2020-12-11T07:05:28","date_gmt":"2020-12-11T12:05:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=1291"},"modified":"2020-12-11T07:05:28","modified_gmt":"2020-12-11T12:05:28","slug":"friday-fun-food-facts-december-11-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=1291","title":{"rendered":"Friday Fun Food Facts &#8211; December 11, 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Featured Restaurant News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>I saw this over in Durham and am modifying (i.e. stealing) it for the entire Triangle. Please take the <strong>Triangle Takeout Pledge<\/strong>! Restaurants need your support more than ever. With temperatures dropping, college students going home, and the number of Covid cases steadily increasing, sales have dropped off significantly for everyone. I am asking for you to pledge to order takeout food from any <strong>independent<\/strong> <strong>restaurant<\/strong> <strong>1-2 TIMES<\/strong> per week. Or better yet, bundle up, snuggle up and dine in-person, whether inside or out (lots of restaurants have added heated space) &#8211; and don&#8217;t forget to <strong>TIP GENEROUSLY<\/strong>. Additionally, consider giving <strong>gift cards<\/strong> to local <strong>independent restaurants<\/strong> as holiday gifts this year. If each of us takes this pledge, really takes this pledge, our favorite restaurants will be here on the other side of this mess. Take the pledge! <strong>#TriangleTakeoutPledge<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wake County Restaurant News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>We told you about this back in November, but we learned this week from <strong>Raleigh Convergence<\/strong> that after a little remodeling, <strong>Jose &amp; Sons<\/strong> is now open in their new location in Raleigh&#8217;s <strong>Pleasant Valley<\/strong>. You&#8217;ll recall they have &#8220;moved into&#8221; their father\u2019s third location of <strong>El Rodeo<\/strong> (4112 Pleasant Valley Rd.). The menu is a bridge from old school Tex-Mex nostalgia to the current day Sur-Mex flavors. <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joseandsons.com\/menus\/\" target=\"_blank\">Check out the menu here<\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Speaking of oldies returning (with a twist), the <strong>Triangle Business Journal <\/strong>shared this week that a downtown Raleigh taco shop that shutdown earlier this year has reopened with a fresh vibe and bulked up menu. <strong>Virgil\u2019s Tacos<\/strong> on South Salisbury Street is now <strong>Virgil\u2019s Cocktails &amp; Cocina<\/strong>. Look for hand crafted cocktails, music vibes and authentic Mexican cuisine. Owner <strong>Jon Seelbinder<\/strong> said they\u2019ve completely revamped the concept and elevated the menu that is now focused around the dinner and night crowd. Additionally, above <strong>Virgil\u2019s<\/strong>, <strong>Seelbinder<\/strong> is preparing to reopen his speakeasy, <strong>The Merchant<\/strong> (formerly <strong>Level Up<\/strong>). <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/virgilstacos.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Check them out here<\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The folks over at <strong>North Hills <\/strong>shared this week the exciting news that the newly opened Advance Auto Parts Tower is getting a new addition, <strong>Cucciolo Terrazza<\/strong>, a locally owned restaurant offering modern Italian cuisine with a twist. Look for them to open in the fall of 2021. <strong>Jimmy Kim<\/strong>, chef and owner, opened <strong>Cucciolo Osteria<\/strong> Durham in 2018 with the blessing of his cousin, <strong>Julian Kim<\/strong>, who started the original <strong>Cucciolo Osteria<\/strong> in Seoul, South Korea in 2015. In the meantime, <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cucciolodurham.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">visit <strong>Cucciolo Osteria<\/strong> in Durham here<\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Got word this week from <strong>Michael DePersia<\/strong> of <strong>DePersia &amp; Associates<\/strong> that <strong>Woody&#8217;s Sports Tavern &amp; Grill <\/strong>will open their 3rd location in Morrisville&#8217;s <strong>Grace Park<\/strong> where <strong>Trali&#8217;s Irish Pub<\/strong> was. <strong>Woody&#8217;s<\/strong> other locations are in Cary and Raleigh&#8217;s City Market. <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.woodysportstavern.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Visit Woody&#8217;s here<\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>We told you first about this back in July, but <strong>Catalan Tapas Bar<\/strong> is now open in the space next to <strong>Bruegger\u2019s<\/strong> on Cary Parkway (4214 NW Cary Parkway) &#8211; a few doors down from <strong>LaFarm<\/strong>. They are serving up small plate tapas-style food, as well as an incredible offering of wines, cocktails and N.C. craft beer on tap. <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/catalantapasbar\/\" target=\"_blank\">Catch up with them on Facebook here<\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Blogger <strong>EatRaleigh<\/strong> shared that the food truck <strong>Birrieria El Patron<\/strong> wil be opening a brick and mortar location in downtown Raleigh that will include 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays. The location hasn&#8217;t been disclosed yet. While they are known for their Tijuana-style red tacos, they also shared that the brick and mortar location will allow them to offer more protein options like asada, pollo rojo, chorizo and al pastor. <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/birrieriaelpatron323\/\" target=\"_blank\">Keep up with them on Instagram here<\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The folks over at<strong> RalToday<\/strong> tipped us off to the fact that <strong>Mr. A\u2019s Beignets<\/strong>, known for their<strong> <\/strong>food truck, now has a brick-and-mortar location at 312 S. Mason Street in Apex. They are open there Tuesday through Friday mornings 7-1, and Saturday mornings from 8-1. <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SquareDoughnuts\/\" target=\"_blank\">Visit them on Facebook here<\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Richard DeMartino<\/strong> with sister concepts <strong>Cafe Tiramisu<\/strong> and <strong>North Ridge Pub<\/strong>, both located a couple of doors down from each other in <strong>North Ridge shopping center<\/strong>, have the perfect holiday gift idea for you. They have begun their annual tradition of selling gift cards for their restaurants at 20% off! At <strong>Cafe Tiramisu<\/strong> you can get a $100 gift card for $80, and at <strong>North Ridge Pub<\/strong> you can get a $50 gift card for $40. All purchases must be made at each location. Visit <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/cafetiramisu.net\/Authentic_Northern_Italian_Cuisine_in_Raleigh_North_Carolina\/\">Cafe Tiramisu here<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/northridgepub.com\/Raleigh_Upscale_pub_Restaurant\/\">North Ridge Pub here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>And if you are looking for a quick take-out lunch, checkout <strong>Catering Works<\/strong>&#8216; new <strong>&#8220;Ghost Kitchen&#8221;<\/strong> called <strong>Midtown Eats <\/strong>that offers comfort food from your favorite comfort recipes &#8211; sandwiches, soups, salads, hand pies and desserts. Place your order online (15% off your first order), and then swing by and pick it up. Simple. <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/midtown-eats.com\/menu\" target=\"_blank\">Check it out here<\/a><\/strong>.  <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Looking for all the outdoor dining options in Downtown Raleigh? The <strong>Downtown Raleigh Alliance<\/strong> has put together a great list of those options, and they even divided it up by district. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtownraleigh.org\/post\/where-to-drink-and-dine-outdoors-in-downtown-raleigh\"><strong>Check out that list here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Durham, Orange &amp; Chatham Restaurant News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Who doesn&#8217;t like the sound of a place that does a combination of Chinese and low country boils? Thanks to my Twitter pal <strong>Burgeoningbaker<\/strong>, I learned that <strong>Crab Sea Cajun Seafood Restaurant<\/strong> is open at 4831 NC Highway 55 in Durham.  <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crabsea.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Check them out here<\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Got word from <strong>Shelley Colbert<\/strong> that <strong>Provence<\/strong> in Carrboro had decided to close for the winter and will look to re-open in the Spring. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>And here are a couple of wonderful resources for those looking to dine in downtown Durham or downtown Chapel Hill \u2013 <strong>Downtown Durham Inc. <\/strong>has an up-to-date listing of the status of each restaurant in downtown Durham. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/downtowndurham.com\/curbside\/\">Check out the list here<\/a><\/strong>. And the <strong>Downtown Chapel Hill Partnership<\/strong> has put together <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/downtownchapelhill.com\/whats-open\/?active-tab=bars-restaurants\">a similar list for Chapel Hill here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Closings \/ Cancellations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Carrie Brogren<\/strong> shared the news that Downtown Durham&#8217;s <strong>Bar Brunello <\/strong>will close their doors at the end of the month. So, you still have a little time to get by! <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/barbrunello.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Visit them here<\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>WRAL<\/strong> shared the news that <strong>Griffin&#8221;s Restaurant<\/strong> in Youngsville has permanently closed. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Food Trucks&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Triangle on the Cheap<\/strong> shared the news that <strong>Food Truck Flix<\/strong> is a recurring event that combines drive-in movies with food trucks, for a safer entertainment experience just announced their schedule for the upcoming weekends (Friday and Saturday nights).\u00a0The events will be taking place at <strong>Frontier RTP<\/strong>, 800 Park Offices, Durham, and at Focus Church, 7000 Destiny Drive, Raleigh. You can purchase tickets in advance for any of the drive-in movies. The price is $25 per car. Of course, you\u2019ll also want to bring money for the food trucks. Get the movie schedule, purchase your pass and get <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodtruckflix.com\/\"><strong>all the details here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Here are a \u00a0couple of sites to find and stalk your favorite food trucks <a href=\"https:\/\/roaminghunger.com\/food-trucks\/nc\/raleigh-durham\/\"><strong>here<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/streetfoodfinder.com\/c\/NC\/Raleigh\"><strong>here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Events<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>This isn\u2019t an event, but a great way to find local gifts for the foodie in your life. <strong>WRAL<\/strong> has put together a list of North Carolina made foodie gifts \u2013 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wral.com\/out-and-about-s-favorite-foodie-gifts\/19391429\/\">check it out here for holiday gift ideas<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Speaking of the holidays and take-home meals, we have a few to share with you. First up, <strong>Fig&#8217;s Market<\/strong> (brought to us from the fine folks over at <strong>Catering Works<\/strong>) has everything you need to bring delicious holiday meals and moments to the table without all the hassle. Get made-from-scratch, ready to heat-and-eat dishes from their award-winning chefs. From glazed ham to brined, fried, or whole roasted turkey, straight through to pumpkin macaroons, holiday pies and wine. Customize your holiday the way you like it! Taking orders until sold out or December 18th at 12pm. <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.figsmarket.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Get all the details here<\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>From the folks over at <strong>Rocky Top Catering<\/strong>, following a very successful offering of Thanksgiving meals, they announced they are offering an expanded menu of chef-prepared take-and-bake meals for Christmas. For every meal purchased, <strong>Rocky Top<\/strong> will also donate a meal to a local family in need. <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/rockytopcatering.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Check out the menus here<\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Over in Carrboro, <strong>ACME<\/strong> is serving up their <strong>Holiday Prime Rib Extravaganza<\/strong> that serves two for $85. It features: Creekstone Farm standing rib roast with\u00a0three different sauces; classic clementine, endive, &amp; toasted almond salad; mashed potatoes; creamed winter greens; warm &amp; buttery dinner rolls; Acme\u2019s butterscotch pudding\u00a0(chocolate ganache and cinnamon shortbread). Choose any date between <strong>December 17th-20th<\/strong> as your ordering date.<strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.toasttab.com\/acme-food-beverage-company\/v3\" target=\"_blank\"> Order here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The <strong>Angus Barn Holiday Feast for Six!<\/strong> Your dinner includes: Bone-in certified Angus Prime Rib (pre-seasoned &#8211; approx 9lb. uncooked); Au jus and AB horseradish sauce; Classic Angus Barn stuffed potatoes; Glazed carrots with honey butter &amp; rosemary; Fresh baked rolls; AB Cheddar cheese spread refill; AB Blue cheese spread refill; Homemade Angus Barn crackers; Whole Chocolate Chess pie. Dinner for 6 for <strong>$259.00<\/strong>. Pick-up at the <strong>Angus Barn Pavilion<\/strong>: Monday, Tuesday &amp; Wednesday \u2013 Dec. 21, 22 &amp; 23. <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.angusbarn.com\/primerib.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get all the details here<\/a><\/strong>. Call 919-781-2444 to place your order (tell them <strong>Triangle Food Guy<\/strong> sent you!)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Chapel Hill Magazine<\/strong> encouraged it\u2019s readers to head over to the <strong>Maple View Farm<\/strong> porch area with your letters to Santa, and his friends from the North Pole will place them in his mailbox. A percentage of <strong>ice cream sales <\/strong>will be donated to <strong>Sam\u2019s Wish Fund Holiday Cheer<\/strong> to provide gifts to children facing life-threatening illnesses. Takes place on these remaining Mondays in December \u2013 14th and 21st from 2:00 \u2013 5:30 p.m. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MapleViewFarmIceCream\">Visit their Facebook page here for details<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Food Bank Corner<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>More people than ever before are turning the <strong>Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina<\/strong> for assistance, and they need your reliable support to meet the growing need. This holiday season, your gift can be doubled to help twice as many neighbors facing hunger. That means every <strong>$10 you give <\/strong>through December 31 can help provide enough food for <strong>100 meals for children, families, and seniors<\/strong> right here in our community. <strong>The gift you give provides hope in times of uncertainty.<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/secure.foodbankcenc.org\/site\/Donation2\">Don\u2019t wait, donate now here!<\/a><\/strong> <strong>#noonegoeshungry<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Featured Restaurant News I saw this over in Durham and am modifying (i.e. stealing) it for the entire Triangle. Please take the Triangle Takeout Pledge! Restaurants need your support more than ever. With temperatures dropping, college students going home, and &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=1291\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1291","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1291"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1291\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1292,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1291\/revisions\/1292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1291"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1291"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}