{"id":1664,"date":"2021-12-24T07:33:01","date_gmt":"2021-12-24T12:33:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=1664"},"modified":"2021-12-24T07:53:44","modified_gmt":"2021-12-24T12:53:44","slug":"friday-fun-food-facts-december-24-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=1664","title":{"rendered":"Friday Fun Food Facts &#8211; December 24, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Featured Restaurant News<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Thanks to a tip from my Twitter buddy <strong>Burgeoning Baker<\/strong> we learned that the <strong>Cinelli<\/strong> family has opened <strong>Vici Ristobar<\/strong> in the <strong>Hope Valley Commons<\/strong> shopping center in Durham at 1125 W. NC 54 in the former <strong>Tre Forni<\/strong> spot. This is the same family that owns <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/vieniristobar.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Vieni Ristobar<\/span><\/a><\/strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\"> <\/span>in Holly Springs and <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/vivoraleigh.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Vivo<\/span><\/a><\/strong> in Raleigh (and former owners of <strong>Osteria G<\/strong> and <strong>Trattoria Salve<\/strong>). <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/viciristobar.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Get familiar with their new concept here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Wake County Restaurant News<\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>In case you missed it, last Friday <strong>Crave Hot Dogs and Barbecue<\/strong> opened at <strong>The Shoppes at Oberlin Court<\/strong> in Raleigh at 1028 Oberlin Rd. (former <strong>Zo\u00ebs Kitchen<\/strong> spot). They are serving up all beef hot dogs, hot and mild sausages, and brats along with the pulled pork, pulled chicken and smoked brisket and more. Oh, did I mention they have a self-serve beer wall with 24 taps!?!? Now that they are open, they have $2 hot dogs with two free toppings on Tuesdays, Kids Eat Free on Wednesdays, and in the new year they will also be introducing bingo night (day to be determined) and Trivia Night Thursdays. It is a great spot for families, friends, college kids&#8230;truly something for everyone! Congrats to <strong>Eric and Jesse Reyes<\/strong>! You can follow them <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CraveTheShoppesAtOberlinCourt\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">on Facebook here<\/span><\/a><\/strong> or<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/cravetheshoppesatoberlincourt\/\"> <span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Instagram here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Caryite <strong>Paul Fletcher<\/strong> shared the news this week that there appears to be a <strong>Panera<\/strong> <strong>Bread<\/strong> being outfitted in the old <strong>TGIFriday&#8217;s<\/strong>\/<strong>Cary Towne Kitchen &amp; Bar<\/strong> building in <strong>Crescent Commons<\/strong> on the corner of Tryon Rd. and Kildaire Farm Rd. No word yet on an open date. Thanks <strong>Paul<\/strong>! Keep us posted. <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.panerabread.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Visit Panera here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Down in Garner, it was shared this week on the <strong>Garner, NC: A Great Place to Be!<\/strong> Facebook page that <strong>Eggs Up Grill <\/strong>will be the third tenant in the old Kroger location along with both Lidl and Harbor Freight. They expect to be open this spring. <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/eggsupgrill.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Get familiar with them here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Triangle Business Journal<\/strong> reported this week that Knightdale is getting a new cocktail bar with a retro twist. <strong>Rewind Retrobar<\/strong> is coming to 319 N. First Ave. in <strong>Old Town Knightdale<\/strong> in the first quarter of 2022. The space is currently gutted, but will soon hold arcade games, video game consoles and a bar spanning 29 feet. Knightdale residents <strong>Jessica Caswell<\/strong> and <strong>Cara Lancaster<\/strong> and their spouses teamed up in early June to bring the retro-themed bar to the town. You can follow their progress <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/rewindretrobar\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">on Facebook here<\/span><\/a><\/strong> or <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/rewindretrobar\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Instagram here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>This is fun to look over. <strong>Visit Raleigh<\/strong> put out their <strong>&#8220;Best Openings in 2021&#8221;<\/strong> &#8211; take a trip down memory lane and see if you agree with their list of spots that opened (in Raleigh&#8230;.and Wake County) in 2021. <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitraleigh.com\/plan-a-trip\/visitraleigh-insider-blog\/post\/the-best-restaurants-that-opened-in-2021-in-raleigh-nc\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">See their list here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Durham, Orange &amp; Chatham Restaurant News<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The good folks over at <strong>Bites of Bull City<\/strong> brought it to our attention that Durham is home to a new wine bar that was originally slated for Charlotte. Instead, the owners fell in love with Durham and opened <strong>Killer Queen<\/strong> wine bar at 117 E. Main Street. Owners <strong>Silvia Gallo<\/strong> and <strong>Lindsay Webb<\/strong> brought on chef <strong>Aaron Coffey<\/strong> to create fresh, seasonal, shareable plates that compliment their wines. <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.killerqueendurham.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Pay them a visit here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Closings \/ Cancellations<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>None to report. Keep eating local, folks!<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>There is no doubt we saw more closings in 2021 than anyone wanted. We wanted to take a moment to let our restaurants that pivoted, shifted and re-invented themselves that this past week North Carolina launched a <strong>$500 million program<\/strong> to help restaurants and other small businesses recover from pandemic-related losses. The <strong>North Carolina Business Recovery Grant Program<\/strong> allows business owners who have seen at least a 20 percent decline in revenue to apply for grants equal to 10 percent of their losses, up to $500,000. Because the hospitality industry was hit so hard by closures and other restrictions, $300 million of the fund is earmarked for restaurants, hotels, bars and other entertainment businesses. <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncdor.gov\/news\/press-releases\/2021\/12\/16\/nc-department-revenue-launches-application-process-business-recovery-grants\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Get all the details and apply here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Food Trucks<\/span>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Looking to find your favorite food truck (or stalking them and simply don\u2019t want to have to admit it)? We understand. Find them on <strong>Street Food Finder<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/streetfoodfinder.com\/c\/nc\/durham\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Events<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Looking for restaurants open on Christmas Day? Well, <strong>WRAL<\/strong> is compiling such a list. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wral.com\/list-of-restaurants-and-stores-open-on-christmas-day\/19441410\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Check it out here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>. If your restaurant is open and not on that list, please follow that link and reach out to <strong>WRAL<\/strong> as they are constantly updating that list.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Also of note, please brace yourself. All <strong>Chick-fil-A<\/strong> locations will be closed Saturday (Christmas Day) and the following Sunday (duh) \u2013 so an entire weekend without <strong>Chick-fil-A<\/strong>! You have been warned. If you have children, plan accordingly.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>And speaking of warnings, please note that the <strong>Super Bowl<\/strong> AND <strong>Valentine\u2019s<\/strong> fall on the same weekend in 2022. The <strong>Super Bowl <\/strong>is on <strong>Sunday, February 13th<\/strong>, the day before Valentine\u2019s. And we know everyone typically books their Valentine\u2019s date nights on that weekend. You have been warned. Guys, don\u2019t screw this one up.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The <strong>Downtown Raleigh Alliance<\/strong> has officially launched their <strong>Sip and Savor the Season<\/strong> guides, which gives you all the intel you need to pick a drink or dinner spot while shopping in downtown Raleigh. You\u2019ll find festive and seasonal cocktails, coffees, ciders, beers, and more. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/downtownraleigh.org\/holiday-hub\/sip-the-season\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Check it out here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies<\/strong> is doing a holiday charity collaboration again this year with <strong>Christmas House<\/strong>. Donations will go towards the purchase of grocery gift cards that will be distributed to local families in need (as identified by Orange\/Chapel Hill\/ Carrboro School system social workers). Additionally, during the month of December, they have partnered with <strong>Tandem<\/strong> restaurant in Carrboro to sell <strong>Carrie Brogren\u2019s<\/strong> \u201cPartridge in a Pear Tree\u201d holiday cocktail with a portion of the sales from each cocktail added to the <strong>Christmas House<\/strong> donations. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=PMTE6NUH9GP48\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Make your donations here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tandemcarrboro.com\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Visit Tandem here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Food Bank Corner<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Double your impact with your holiday donation to the <strong>Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina<\/strong>! Because of the ongoing economic effects of the pandemic, and the rising cost of food, many of our neighbors are struggling this year. They are having trouble making ends meet and the holidays will only add to the pinch as heating bills soar and kids miss school meals during holiday break. Fortunately, there\u2019s a chance now to make <strong><em>twice<\/em><\/strong> the difference for families facing hunger this year. Compassionate friends are matching all donations up to $600,000 to help our neighbors have a happy and bountiful holiday season. Donations must be made before December 31 to secure the match. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/secure.foodbankcenc.org\/site\/Donation2\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Your gift today can provide two times as much food to families in our community<\/span><\/a>.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Featured Restaurant News Thanks to a tip from my Twitter buddy Burgeoning Baker we learned that the Cinelli family has opened Vici Ristobar in the Hope Valley Commons shopping center in Durham at 1125 W. NC 54 in the former &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=1664\">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-1664","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1664","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=1664"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1664\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1676,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1664\/revisions\/1676"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1664"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1664"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1664"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}