{"id":4398,"date":"2026-01-23T06:11:22","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T11:11:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=4398"},"modified":"2026-01-23T06:11:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T11:11:22","slug":"friday-fun-food-facts-january-23-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=4398","title":{"rendered":"Friday Fun Food Facts &#8211; January 23, 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>Here he grows again! <strong>Giorgios Bakatsias&#8217; Giorgios Hospitality Group<\/strong> is opening <strong>G\u00e9os Tavern &amp; Oyster Bar<\/strong> this spring at 1118 Environ Way in the <strong>East 54<\/strong> center off Highway 54. Formerly the home of <strong>Tobacco Road Sports Cafe<\/strong>, <strong>Old East Tavern<\/strong> and <strong>NoDa Brewing Company Tapas<\/strong>, the gastropub will focus on a tavern menu with beer, cocktails and wine. <strong>Daniel Jackson<\/strong>, of <strong>Osteria Georgi<\/strong> fame, will be chef and partner at the new restaurant. The restaurant will include two private dining rooms, a covered outdoor patio with a garden and a lounge salon. This will be <strong>Bakatsias&#8217;<\/strong> 21st concept spanning from the Triangle to the coast. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/geostavern\/\" 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>. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.giorgiosgroup.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">See all their restaurants 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\"> <\/mark><\/strong>     <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>January 27th<\/strong> will bring the opening of the newest location of <strong>Raising Canes Chicken Fingers<\/strong> (weather permitting I guess) here in the Triangle. Directly across from the NC State campus on Hillsborough Street (2420 Hillsborough Street). They are kicking things off at 8 a.m. with giveaways, including free Cane&#8217;s for a year for 20 lucky customers, music and plenty of celebrations. Expect lines down the street for weeks. Of note, the exterior preserves the historic marquee as a nod to the <strong>Varsity Theatre<\/strong>, which originally opened in 1941. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/locations.raisingcanes.com\/nc\/raleigh\/2420-hillsborough-street\" 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><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>And just down the street, we learned this week that <strong>Roots Natural Kitchen<\/strong>, which also has a location on Chapel Hill&#8217;s Franklin Street, will open next month across from NC State&#8217;s campus at 2712 Hillsborough Street (think former <strong>Gumby&#8217;s<\/strong> spot). If you are not familiar with <strong>Roots<\/strong>, they were founded in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2015 serving up natural food in a fast-casual setting and now have just over 20 locations, mostly in the mid-Atlantic. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rootsnaturalkitchen.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>Over in downtown Cary, the <strong>Herald-Sun<\/strong> reported this week that a new, all-day cafe called <strong>The Refreshery<\/strong> is now open in the\u00a0<strong>Meridian East Chatham<\/strong>\u00a0development, a new luxury residential community along East Chatham Street.\u00a0Owners <strong>Stephen<\/strong> and <strong>Jessica McNulty<\/strong> noted that they are serving up cold-pressed juices, coffee and tea as well as light snack options. Later in the day, they transition to mocktails, or what they call \u201csocial tonics:\u201d beverages with adaptogenics, nootropics and drinks infused with CBD or hemp. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/therefreshery\" 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>Also in Cary, <strong>David McCreary<\/strong> shared with us that after a long time coming, <strong>Pastrami Tom&#8217;s Deli &amp; Grill <\/strong>is now welcoming customers at 312 West Chatham St., Suite 103 in downtown. Serving up everything from Cubans and Reubens to burgers and Philly cheese sandwiches, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/pastramitomscary\/\" 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 here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>. Congrats to <strong>Tom Scheidler<\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In Apex, the <strong>News &amp; Observer<\/strong> reported this week that Raleigh&#8217;s<strong> Groovy Duck Bakery<\/strong> is expanding to a second location. Known for its dozens of muffin flavors and custom cakes, they will open at 101 N. Salem St., formerly home to <strong>The Cranky Yankee<\/strong>. They are expected to open in April or May, depending on construction. In the meantime, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/groovyduckbakery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">join them in Raleigh 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>James Beard Foundation<\/strong> announced the semifinalists for the prestigious <strong>James Beard Awards<\/strong>, recognizing the top food talent in the US, and three Triangle chefs and restaurants were named. Much deserved kudos to: <strong>Peregrine<\/strong>, Best New Restaurant; <strong>Steven Devereaux Greene<\/strong>, <strong>Herons<\/strong>, Best Chef: Southeast; and <strong>Cheetie Kumar<\/strong>,<strong> Ajja<\/strong>, Best Chef: Southeast. <\/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>Got word that <strong>Hops &amp; Flower<\/strong>, from the folks behind <strong>Luna Rotisserie &amp; Empanadas<\/strong>, opened in Durham this week. Think of them as a modern twist on the classic bodega, serving up sandwiches, beer and THC drinks at 2014 Hillsborough Road in the old <strong>Moes Barbeque<\/strong> space. They are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hopsandflower.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>Also in Durham, saw on the <strong>Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook<\/strong> page a post noting that <strong>Kahlovera Street Tacos<\/strong>, with a location in Chapel Hill&#8217;s <strong>Meadowmont<\/strong> development, has opened at<br>2812 Erwin Road near Duke&#8217;s campus and Duke Hospital. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/kahloverastreettacos.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><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>And over in Chapel Hill, we got word that a couple more concepts in <strong>Eastgate Crossing<\/strong> shopping center are very close to reopening following severe flooding from Tropical Storm Chantal in July 2025. Both <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/cleanjuicechapelhill\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Clean Juice<\/mark><\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/kiposgreektaverna\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Kipos<\/mark><\/a><\/strong> have recently shared updates that they are very close to reopening &#8211; both are hiring. And not too far behind will be <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/eatsnooze\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Snooze A.M. Eatery<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>, also planning to reopen soon. <\/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\u00a0<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 annual <strong>Triangle Restaurant Week<\/strong> event is set to run the week of <strong>January 26- February 1<\/strong>, 2026. During the event, participating restaurants within Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham and surrounding areas will offer a special 2 or 3-course prix fixe menu ($20, $25, $30,$35, $40, $45, $50) each day they are open. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/trirestaurantweek.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 full list of restaurants, hours, days and all the details 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>Vidrio<\/strong>, downtown Raleigh&#8217;s destination for Mediterranean cuisine and hospitality, is launching a new <strong>Chef&#8217;s Table Dinner Series<\/strong> on <strong>January 28th<\/strong>. The dinner series, which will be held every other month, will offer refined, chef-driven tasting menus exploring the cuisines of the Mediterranean region from France to Morocco. Each dinner will be rooted in executive chef <strong>Roberto Barth&#8217;s<\/strong> modern seasonal cooking and N.C. ingredients. Starting at 6 p.m., the Jan. 28th dinner will be a five-course tasting menu highlighting dishes from Southern France. The cost is $99 per person and includes wine pairings. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vidrioraleigh.com\/events\/vidrios-chefs-table-dinner-and-wine-series\" 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 menu and all the details 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>Rocky Top Catering<\/strong> announced this week the dates for the eighth annual <strong>Cooking for the Kids<\/strong>, a multi-night culinary competition uniting the Triangle\u2019s vibrant chef community in support of&nbsp; an impactful local nonprofit, <strong>Overflowing Hands<\/strong>. <strong>Overflowing Hands<\/strong> is a 100% volunteer-led 501c3 organization serving the most vulnerable children in our neighborhoods, across the United States and around the world. Hosted at the elegant <strong>Millbrook Manor<\/strong> (located at 1705 E. Millbrook Road in Raleigh), <strong>Cooking for the Kids<\/strong> offers guests an immersive dining experience where philanthropy and culinary creativity take center stage. The first round is scheduled for <strong>Monday, January 26<\/strong> with the finale on <strong>Tuesday, February 10<\/strong>. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.overflowinghands.org\/c4k-indexhome\" 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, including competing chefs as well as 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>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>The <strong>Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina<\/strong> is looking for caring friends to&nbsp;become <strong>Monthly Sustainers<\/strong> of the <strong>Food Bank&nbsp;<\/strong>to help respond to the ever-increasing demand for food assistance. When you partner with them monthly, you help ensure that healthy, nutritious food can reach people in need all year long. In fact, your monthly gift of: <strong>$25 can provide 75 meals per month<\/strong>; <strong>$35 can provide 105 meals per month<\/strong>; <strong>$50 can provide 150 meals per month<\/strong>; <strong>$100 can provide 300 meals per month<\/strong>. <strong>Plus, with your monthly commitment of $25 or more, they\u2019ll send a special tote bag your way.<\/strong>&nbsp;And when you carry it, you are reminded of all you make possible for your neighbors through your consistent generosity! <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/secure.foodbankcenc.org\/site\/R?i=XMTDzjwd75UjVviRGJ5j6G-FRiJn9oKCk552LiX5oqjmyiO5KxWcLg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Become a Monthly Sustainer here<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>. <\/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-4398","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4398","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=4398"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4398\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4410,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4398\/revisions\/4410"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4398"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4398"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4398"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}