{"id":4304,"date":"2025-12-05T06:46:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T11:46:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=4304"},"modified":"2025-12-05T06:57:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T11:57:09","slug":"friday-fun-food-facts-december-5-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=4304","title":{"rendered":"Friday Fun Food Facts &#8211; December 5, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\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>Got word this week that <strong>Theatre Raleigh<\/strong> is expanding its arts campus with <strong>The Green Room<\/strong>, a new coffee shop designed to serve patrons, students and the greater Raleigh community. The caf\u00e9, located within the <strong>Theatre Raleigh Arts Center <\/strong>on Old Wake Forest Road, will open to the public today (<strong>Dec. 5th<\/strong>). The shop at 3031 Barrow Dr. will feature coffee sourced and roasted by <strong>Grey Squirrel Coffee Co.<\/strong> of Carrboro as well as baked goods and grab-and-go drinks and lunch items from <strong>The Veggie Wagon<\/strong> of Carolina Beach, as well as soft-serve ice cream. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thegreenroomtr\/\" 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 follow along 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>Transfer Co. Food Hall&#8217;s<\/strong> newest tenant, <strong>Urban Olive<\/strong>, opened this week in the former <strong>Mama Crow&#8217;s<\/strong> space in the center of the hall. <strong>Urban Olive<\/strong> brings the warmth of family recipes into the rhythm of city life with their authentic Mediterranean fast-casual concept. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/urban-olive.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>And speaking of food halls, the <strong>Downtown Raleigh Alliance<\/strong> shared that a concept called <strong>Leaf &amp; Loaf<\/strong> has opened at <strong>Morgan Street Food Hall<\/strong> (411 West Morgan Street). They are serving up signature salads and warm, crusty baguette sandwiches where you can build your own creation exactly how you like it. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/leaf-loaf.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 a peek here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Staying in downtown Raleigh, we confirmed this week that Wilmington&#8217;s <strong>K38 Baja Grill <\/strong>will open on <strong>December 13th<\/strong> at downtown Raleigh&#8217;s <strong>Seaboard Station<\/strong>. This will mark <strong>K38&#8217;s <\/strong>sixth location and the first outside of Wilmington and Carolina Beach. This will soon be followed by their seventh location next summer in downtown Cary at&nbsp;139 E. Chatham Street. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/k38bajagrill.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Check out K38 here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Over on Western Boulevard, <strong>Axios Raleigh<\/strong> reported that <strong>Haraz Coffee House<\/strong>, a Yemeni-style chain cafe, is now open. They are open until 11 p.m., so get by and try their Arabic-inspired drinks. Looks to be their second location (first is in Apex) in the Triangle, with additional locations planned for Cary and downtown Durham. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/harazcoffeehouse.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 North Raleigh, we learned that <strong>BurgerFi<\/strong> will open their newest restaurant this winter at 10831 Wakefield Commons Drive, making it their second location in Raleigh and fourth in North Carolina. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.burgerfi.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 them 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>We pulled the trigger a little early a few weeks back, but we can now confirm that <strong>Sweetgreen<\/strong> will open their new Chapel Hill location on <strong>Tuesday, December 9<\/strong> at 122 East Franklin Street. They will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, serving up salads, warm bowls, protein plates, and sides. Ahead of their opening, folks <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/sgchapelhill.eventbrite.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">can RSVP here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong> for a sneak peek and a complimentary meal on Friday and Saturday (December 5 and 6). Plus, for every meal purchased on opening day, <strong>Sweetgreen <\/strong>will donate a meal to the <strong>Food Bank of Central &amp; Eastern North Carolina<\/strong>. This will be their second Triangle location, with the other being in Raleigh&#8217;s <strong>North Hills<\/strong>. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sweetgreen.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 Sweetgreen here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Down the hill at <strong>University Place<\/strong>, we are days away from the opening of <strong>H&amp;H Bagels&#8217;<\/strong> first North Carolina location. Earlier reports suggested that opening will happen next week, but definitely by the end of 2025. The new shop will offer authentic New York-style bagels that are kettle-boiled and baked to order.&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhbagels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">You&#8217;d be wise to start getting familiar with them now<\/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>An 88-year tradition suddenly came to an end at the beginning of this month with the announcement that all locations of <strong>K&amp;W Cafeteria<\/strong>, including the last one in Raleigh, are now closed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Triangle Business Journal<\/strong> reported this week that <strong>Vicious Fishes Brewery <\/strong>closed their Apex taproom just weeks after&nbsp;the closure of their Fuquay-Varina location. They&nbsp;still have locations in Cary and Angier.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Also got word this week that both locations of <strong>Fainting Goat Brewing Company<\/strong> will soon close. The Benson location will close on Saturday, December 27th, while the Fuquay-Varina taproom will remain open as long as they have beer to serve.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reader <strong>Tyler Glover <\/strong>informed us that <strong>Epic Wings <\/strong>in Raleigh&#8217;s <strong>Brennan Station<\/strong> on Creedmoor Road has closed.<\/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>The tenth-annual <strong>WRAL Voters&#8217; Choice Awards<\/strong> are back! Vote on the top 5 finalists in each category <strong>through Dec. 15<\/strong>. Winners will be announced in January, 2026. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wral.com\/news\/local\/wral-voters-choice-awards-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Get your nominations in here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>On <strong>December 14th<\/strong>, <strong>The Mecca Restaurant <\/strong>in downtown Raleigh, is commemorating their 95th Holiday season by joining the community together for a special three-course <strong>Holiday Supper<\/strong>.&nbsp;They will have two seatings at 6 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and include food, a winter beverage, tax and gratuity. In the spirit of giving and giving back to the community, 10% of the proceeds will benefit&nbsp;<strong>Urban Ministries of Wake County&nbsp;Food Pantry<\/strong>. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mecca-restaurant.com\/event\/mecca-holiday-supper\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Get all the details and tickets here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Looking for something fun to do on New Year&#8217;s Eve? Ring in 2026 with a memorable and delicious evening at<strong> Figulina<\/strong> where chef <strong>David Ellis<\/strong> has created a special 4-course menu showcasing seasonal and luxurious ingredients, a complimentary toast, plus some other surprises &#8211; while their wine director, <strong>Jeff Bramwell<\/strong>, has curated optional luxe wine pairings to complement each dish! $145 per person (pre tax and service fee). <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/resy.com\/cities\/raleigh-nc\/venues\/figulina\/events\/new-years-eve-at-figulina-2025-12-31?seats=2&amp;date=2025-12-05\" 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 spot now<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tickets have gone on sale for the 2026 version of the <strong>Triangle Food &amp; Wine Experience<\/strong> which will take place <strong>February 5-7, 2026<\/strong>. From its humble inception over 30 years ago, the <strong>Triangle Wine &amp; Food Experience<\/strong> has grown to become one of the leading charity wine auctions in the nation with all proceeds benefiting the <strong>Frankie Lemmon School &amp; Development Center<\/strong>. And let me tell you, the lineup of culinary talent (from all corners of the United States) is absolutely incredible &#8211; <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/frankielemmonfoundation.org\/twfe\/lineup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">see the list here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>. If you call yourself a foodie, these are the not-to-miss events of the year. A weekend of the most incredible food and wine. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/frankielemmonfoundation.org\/twfe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Get details on the weekend of events 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>On <strong>#GivingTuesday<\/strong>, our community proved that we have the will and the compassion to tackle the problem of hunger in central and eastern North Carolina. <strong>Our caring community came together to fill the cart so more families can gather around a special meal this holiday season.<\/strong> It\u2019s essential to continue meeting the immediate needs of our friends and neighbors this holiday season. With grocery prices, unemployment, and utility costs all high, too many people are facing daily worry about what they\u2019ll eat. If you missed <strong>#GivingTuesday<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/secure.foodbankcenc.org\/site\/R?i=dCUKgU3owCFJHzcUFM1v9gm9JD8PYi22v9h_q5F0Bx-MJi10x1kDPA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">you can still make a difference in our community with a gift today<\/mark><\/a>.<\/strong>&nbsp;You\u2019ll help stock our partner agencies with healthy, culturally familiar foods so kids, families, and seniors can get what they need.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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-4304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4304","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=4304"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4304\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4320,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4304\/revisions\/4320"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4304"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}