{"id":1682,"date":"2022-01-07T05:54:49","date_gmt":"2022-01-07T10:54:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=1682"},"modified":"2022-01-07T05:58:13","modified_gmt":"2022-01-07T10:58:13","slug":"friday-fun-food-facts-january-7-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=1682","title":{"rendered":"Friday Fun Food Facts &#8211; January 7, 2022"},"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>On the catering front, big news happened over the holiday. <strong>Michael DePersia<\/strong> of <strong>DePersia &amp; Associates<\/strong> shared the news that <strong>David Leach<\/strong> of <strong>Spice Cubed Catering<\/strong> purchased <strong>Chef Mario\u2019s Catering Co.<\/strong> The blending of these two catering companies will result in the new name of <strong>Equinox Catering<\/strong> and will fall under the umbrella of the <strong>Spice Cubed Group<\/strong> which also includes an equipment rental business, a spice and tea line as well as the <strong>Wycliff Cafe<\/strong>. Get all the details <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spice3.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">on their site here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>. Congrats to <strong>David<\/strong> and all our best to <strong>Chef Mario <\/strong>and <strong>Holly<\/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>Out in Brier Creek, reader <strong>Katie Page<\/strong> brought it to our attention that <strong>V Pizza<\/strong> is open on Skyland Ridge Parkway (think <strong>Carolina Ale House<\/strong>). <strong>V <\/strong>originated in Florida where they have 7 locations, and they now have locations in Georgia as well as the other location here in the Triangle in Cary (High House Road). <strong>Katie<\/strong> also noted that they have a cocktail bar, <strong>Flask<\/strong>, that serves the full menu starting at 3 p.m. as well as a great patio for outdoor seating. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vpizza.com\/\"><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>And heading out of Raleigh down towards Garner, reader<strong> Chris Creighton<\/strong> shared the news of another opening. <strong>San Blas Seafood &amp; Bar<\/strong> has opened  in the former <strong>Grandson\u2019s Buffet<\/strong> spot at 4205 Fayetteville Road. Check them out <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mariscosmuelledesanblas\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">on Instagram here<\/span><\/a><\/strong> or <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Mariscosmuelledesanblas\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">on Facebook here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>And one more opening announcement from <strong>Chris Creighton<\/strong> as he shared that the new<strong> Panera<\/strong> in the old <strong>TGIFriday\u2019s<\/strong>\/<strong>Cary Towne Kitchen &amp; Bar<\/strong> building in <strong>Crescent Commons<\/strong> on the corner of Tryon and Kildaire Farm roads has opened. <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.panerabread.com\/en-us\/home.html\" 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>And over the holidays, the folks over at <strong>The Produce Box<\/strong> were busy creating new concepts for their clients. They created a new prepared foods brand, <strong>Carolina Flavors<\/strong>, headed by <strong>Beth Littlejohn<\/strong> (formerly of <strong>PR<\/strong> and <strong>Coquette<\/strong>), featuring prepared, ready to heat sides, soups and meals prepared in-house.\u00a0They also spent the holidays adding Triangle-area artisan vendors, including <strong>Locals Seafood<\/strong>, <strong>Ran-Lew Dairy<\/strong> (cream-top milk), <strong>OMG Lemonade<\/strong> and <strong>Bees and Boards Charcuterie<\/strong>. <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/theproducebox.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Check out all the new options at The Produce Box 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>\u201cBest Openings in 2021\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 take a trip down memory lane and see if you agree with their list of spots that opened (in Raleigh\u2026.and Wake County) in 2021. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitraleigh.com\/plan-a-trip\/visitraleigh-insider-blog\/post\/the-best-restaurants-that-opened-in-2021-in-raleigh-nc\/\"><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>In Chapel Hill, <strong>Coco Bistro &amp; Bar <\/strong>continued their &#8220;evolution&#8221; announcing that their full bar, and zero-proof bar, is now up and running. It features a variety of selected wines, beers on draft and bottled, and a number of craft cocktails, including some wonderful herbaceous cocktails created just for <strong>Coco Bistro &amp; Bar<\/strong>. Their new hours extend until 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. They are located at the new <strong>Gwendolyn Building<\/strong> in <strong>Glen Lennox<\/strong>. <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/cocochapelhill.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Visit them here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>And not to be outdone, the good folks over at <strong>Bites of Bull City <\/strong>have put together their list of the best openings and expansions of 2021. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bitesofbullcity.com\/2021-recap-durhams-new-restaurants-expansions\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Check out their list for Durham 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 href=\"https:\/\/www.ncdor.gov\/news\/press-releases\/2021\/12\/16\/nc-department-revenue-launches-application-process-business-recovery-grants\"><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>\u00a0<\/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>Mark your calendars for <strong>February 3 through February 5th<\/strong> for the <strong>Triangle Wine &amp; Food Experience<\/strong>. It is North Carolina\u2019s premier wine and food event with all proceeds benefiting the <strong>Frankie Lemmon School &amp; Developmental Center<\/strong>. The event features acclaimed\u00a0winemakers and celebrity chefs from all over the world, as well as thousands of donors and supporters, participating in this truly amazing event. This three-day affair includes winery dinners at the Triangle\u2019s top restaurants, wine tastings at area wine shops, and trade events. TWFE weekend culminates in the <strong>Grand Auction<\/strong>, which features a dazzling selection of wine and food, and an exciting auction that features rare and incredible lots. Tickets are on sale now. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/trianglewinefood.org\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Get all the details here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Guys, you have been warned. 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.<\/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>New year, new ways to give back to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina! You can come volunteer in a safe environment (MASKS ARE REQUIRED) or even host your own virtual food drive! <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/foodbankcenc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Find out how on their website here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>. <strong>#NoOneGoesHungry<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Featured Restaurant News On the catering front, big news happened over the holiday. Michael DePersia of DePersia &amp; Associates shared the news that David Leach of Spice Cubed Catering purchased Chef Mario\u2019s Catering Co. The blending of these two catering &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=1682\">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-1682","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1682","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=1682"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1682\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1685,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1682\/revisions\/1685"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1682"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1682"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1682"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}