{"id":2680,"date":"2023-12-15T06:57:12","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T11:57:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=2680"},"modified":"2023-12-15T07:02:56","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T12:02:56","slug":"friday-fun-food-facts-december-15-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=2680","title":{"rendered":"Friday Fun Food Facts &#8211; December 15, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Triangle Restaurant News<\/mark><\/strong><br>Triangle restaurant news\u2026that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Featured Restaurant News<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Axios<\/strong> reported this week that <strong>The Optimist<\/strong> now has<strong> <\/strong>a second brick and mortar location. The Oakwood-born coffee shop took over <strong>Fiction Coffee&#8217;s<\/strong> space near <strong>Crabtree Valley Mall<\/strong> (4509 Creedmoor Road &#8211; near <strong>Perry\u2019s Steak House<\/strong>). <strong>The Optimist <\/strong>opened its first location in May 2020 (1000 Brookside Drive) and has since opened a cart at PNC Arena and plans to open a third location in <strong>The Exchange<\/strong>, a mixed-use development coming to <strong>North Hills<\/strong>. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/theoptimistraleigh\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Check them out on Instagram here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Wake County Restaurant News<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>WRAL<\/strong> shared the news this week that <strong>Heavenly Buffaloes<\/strong> is opening a location in Raleigh on Glenwood Avenue. They are going into the former <strong>Hungry Howie&#8217;s<\/strong> spot, across from <strong>Chick-fil-A<\/strong> and <strong>Chipotle<\/strong> (6701 Glenwood Avenue). They tout themselves as, &#8220;The Wing Joint You&#8217;ve Been Looking For!&#8221; They have two locations in Durham and one in Chapel Hill. Don&#8217;t have an exact date, just sometime in 2024. Get ready Raleigh! <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/The Wing Joint You've Been Looking For!\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Follow along on Instagram here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Umbrella Dry Bar<\/strong>, a nonalcoholic cocktail bar that has been doing pop-ups around Raleigh for the past year, will open its first permanent space on New Year&#8217;s Eve. The bar will be taking over the former <strong>Garland<\/strong> spot on Martin Street in downtown Raleigh (14 W. Martin St.). Congrats to owner <strong>Meg Paradise<\/strong>! They will host a ticketed <strong>New Year&#8217;s Eve party<\/strong> for the bar&#8217;s opening and will open to the general public on <strong>January 5th<\/strong>. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/umbrelladrybar.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Pay them a visit here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>RalToday<\/strong> shared that <strong>Piada Italian Street Food<\/strong> opened this week at the spot of the former <strong>Gusto Farm to Street<\/strong> at 3088 Wake Forest Road (just behind Trader Joe\u2019s). This fast-casual eatery offers build-your-own salads, pastas, and Italian wraps called piadas with a variety of Italian-inspired fillings. This marks their second Triangle-area location with their first local location being in <strong>Park West<\/strong> in Morrisville. If you are not familiar with them, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/mypiada.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">do so here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Triangle Business Journal<\/strong> shared the news that Cary is getting a new watering hole this weekend. <strong>W.E.L.D. Wine &amp; Beer<\/strong>, a bar and bottle shop, is opening this weekend at 2425 Kildaire Farm Road near Lochmere Golf Club. <strong>W.E.L.D.<\/strong> will offer 13 rotating beers on tap, a variety of wines served by the glass and bottles and cans available for take-home purchases. The shop will host its grand opening on <strong>Saturday, December 16th at 2 p.m.<\/strong> Congrats to owners <strong>Darin<\/strong> and <strong>Laura Bernaert<\/strong> (and children <strong>Waylon<\/strong> and <strong>Esme<\/strong>&#8230;with the initials of all four resulting in <strong>W.E.L.D<\/strong>.). <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.weldwineandbeer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Get to know them here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Up in Wake Forest, reader <strong>Merrick McKeig<\/strong> shared that it looks like a place called <strong>CHA House<\/strong> (tea and snacks) is going in <strong>Wheatfield<\/strong> where <strong>Chick\u2019n Cone<\/strong> was originally slated to be. They have locations in Raleigh and Cary as well. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chahouseusa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Get familiar with them here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>And down in Southwestern Wake County, reader <strong>Paul Fletcher<\/strong> shared that <strong>Jet&#8217;s Pizza<\/strong> is now open in in the former Little <strong>Caesars Pizza<\/strong> spot in the <strong>Stonebridge Village Shopping Center<\/strong> in Cary (3430 Ten Ten Road) and cranking out the Detroit goodness. Thanks <strong>Paul<\/strong>! <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jetspizza.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Visit Jet&#8217;s here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Durham, Orange &amp; Chatham Restaurant News<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>News &amp; Observer<\/strong> shared that today (<strong>Friday,<\/strong> <strong>December 15th; 6-9 p.m.<\/strong>) Durham will welcome its first Black-owned brewery, <strong>Proximity Brewing Company<\/strong>. The brewery specializes in IPAs and will celebrate its grand opening with live music, <strong>Utensilz Optional<\/strong> food truck, and more fun (491 S Driver St.). <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/proximity_brewing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Check them out on Instagram here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>.  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Got word this week that this <strong>Sunday, December 17th<\/strong> is the grand opening of <strong>Lakewood Social<\/strong> which will be located in the former <strong>Honeysuckle at Lakewood<\/strong> spot (1920 Chapel Hill Road). It is being brought to us by Durham restaurateur <strong>Reed Frankel<\/strong> and his former crew at <strong>Old North Meats<\/strong> which was in the <strong>Durham Food Hall<\/strong>. They will be an indoor\/outdoor communal restaurant focused on small bites, sandwiches, and shareables featuring draft beers, wines, and crafted cocktails. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lakewood_social\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Best to keep up with them on Instagram<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sally Bond <\/strong>posted in the <strong>Pittsboro Eats! Facebook group <\/strong>that we are getting closer to the opening of <strong>JDub&#8217;s PoBoys<\/strong> which will operate out of <strong>The Plant<\/strong> at 193 Lorax Lane in Pittsboro. Until they officially open, look for them to continue doing &#8220;pop-ups&#8221; around town as they finalize their menu. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/jdubspoboys\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Keep up with their progress and pending announcement on Facebook here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Closings<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>None to report. Keep eating local, folks!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Food Trucks<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<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&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/streetfoodfinder.com\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Street Food Finder here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Events<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sera Cuni<\/strong>, owner of <strong>Cafe Root Cellar<\/strong> in Pittsboro and <strong>Root Cellar Cafe &amp; Catering<\/strong> in Chapel Hill, will host her first <strong>Chef\u2019s Table Event<\/strong> on <strong>Friday, December 29th<\/strong>, from 6 to 8 p.m, in honor of<strong> Cafe Root Cellar\u2019s Fifth Anniversary<\/strong>. This special dinner will center on food, family and fun and will offer participants the chance to dine with <strong>Chef Sera<\/strong>, who will share her creative process for her revolving weekly menus and more. This special dinner will include plated and family-style dishes, including vegetarian options. Beer and wine will be sold separately. Tickets are $125 each and will go quickly. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/orderstart.com\/rootcellarpbo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Reserve your seat here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hard to believe, but tickets have already gone on sales for the<strong> 9th Annual Dinner in the Meadow<\/strong> which will take place on <strong>September 15, 2024<\/strong> on a grassy knoll at<strong> Meadow Lane Farm<\/strong>, in bucolic Franklin County, offering beautiful pastoral views and clear, starry skies. Some of the region\u2019s most sought-after chefs will be preparing delicious dishes using ingredients from local farms and food artisans. It is an annual fundraiser for the <strong>Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund<\/strong>, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2014 to support and cultivate small farms in our region of North Carolina. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dinnerinthemeadow.org\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Get tickets and all the details here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Food Bank Corner<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This holiday season, families all over our community will be sitting down for delicious meals with their loved ones, enjoying good company, good food, and a good time. But for some, these meals may not be a given. Many of our friends and neighbors are having to decide between stocking their refrigerator and pantry or paying their bills. You can help bring comfort, joy, and hope by making a generous gift now to provide more holiday meals this year. <strong>Until December 31, compassionate friends are matching all gifts to the Food Bank of Central &amp; Eastern North Carolina up to $378,500.<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/secure.foodbankcenc.org\/site\/R?i=6drWdqVODv7pJo1K24dsGOLkX10MD8J9eW0Ex5GClgiEDVytwdaH4A\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Give $10 now and have double the impact, providing 100 meals.<\/mark><\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Triangle Restaurant NewsTriangle restaurant news\u2026that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler. Featured Restaurant News Wake County Restaurant News Durham, Orange &amp; Chatham Restaurant News Closings Food Trucks Events Food Bank Corner<\/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-2680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2680","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=2680"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2680\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2698,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2680\/revisions\/2698"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}