TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

Triangle Restaurant News
Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler.

Featured Restaurant News

• Raleigh Magazine shared the news this week that Scott Crawford’s highly anticipated basement bar Sous Terre is opening TODAY, Friday, May 10, in the former Atlantic Lounge space (just below Crawford & Son and Jolie) at 620 N. Person Street. The newly crafted and revamped space (designed by Scott and his wife Jessica) is headed by Crawford Hospitality mixologist Jordan Joseph bringing a classic cocktail program. If you already held the keys to Atlantic Lounge, they still work. While more keys are available, diners at Jolie and Crawford and Son can drop in for a visit when escorted by a server. Check them out on Instagram here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• We got word this week from the folks over at Axios shared that a second location of La Mala, which has a location in downtown Durham, will open soon in the former Clouds Brewing spot on West Street (126 N. West St.), near the intersection with Jones Street. Clouds closed here back in March. They are from the same folks behind La Santa on Raleigh’s Glenwood Avenue. They tout themselves as a modern Mexican cocktail bar. Visit them here.

• Jaguar Bolera, the highly anticipated “eatertainment” spot, will open on Sunday, May 19 at Raleigh Iron Works (1101 E Whitaker Mill Road). The concept mixes Mexican flavor with the soul of Southern cuisine, bringing both worlds together in their woodfire oven. And they feature a massive playground with more games than you can shake a pin at (think Duckpin, pickleball, darts, corn hole, ping pong, foosball, karaoke and more) and a choice selection of libations on tap (with a self-serve wall). Sounds like a ton of fun! This will be their first location, with a second location underway in Atlanta. Start getting familiar with them here.

• European inspired coffee house Press Coffee, Cocktails & Crepes will open this month in the 400H mixed-use tower in downtown Raleigh (400 Hillsborough Street at the corner with West Street). This is their third location serving high-quality coffee and cocktail beverages, along with a rotating menu of food offerings. After revitalizing downtown Graham with its opening in 2016, Press opened a second location in downtown Durham’s American Tobacco in 2021 with immediate success. Press was named Best New Restaurant in Indy Week, Durham Magazine, and Yelp and was chosen an ideal brunch location in Durham by Southern Living Magazine. Get to know them here.

• RALtoday shared that La Farm Bakery is moving in to the former Revolver space on Glenwood South (120 block). The bakery said it plans to host a pop-up in late May ahead of the Glenwood South opening set for later this summer. Visit La Farm here.

• Also in downtown Raleigh, the folks over at NC Triangle Dining shared that an Italian small plate concept called Flour & Barrel Kitchen & Bar at 400 North West Street, in the former Little City Brewing & Provisions spot. And recently, Anthony Rapillo shared the big news that chef Katsuji Tanabe has come on as executive chef at Flour & Barrel. Stay tuned for an opening date soon. Follow along on Instagram here.

• Up in North Raleigh, reader Wesley Mays shared that Cali Restaurant is coming to a new space on corner of Spring Forest Road and Atlantic Avenue next to the new Dunkin’. Looks to be the same concept that recently opened in Charlotte. Visit them here.

• Over in Apex, my friend Mike Vick shared that a new Northern Indian concept called Naan House has opened at 5460 Apex Peakway. You can visit them here. They are open every day except Tuesday.

• Just an FYI, the McDonald’s at Lake Boone shopping center has reopened after a complete tear down and rebuild.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Downtown Chapel Hill’s Cosmic Cantina opened this week in their new spot, a storefront at 118 E. Franklin St. (formerly Curry Point Express), two buildings away from its former location. The move was in advance of UNC’s Porthole Alley Redevelopment Project. Visit Cosmic Cantina here.

• More big news coming out of downtown Chapel Hill and to a spot that has sat vacant at the corner of Franklin and Columbia Streets (formerly Seafood Destiny, Lotsa Stone Fired Pizza, Jasmin Mediterranean Bistro, Qdoba). Chapelboro shared this week that Pulp Juice & Smoothie Bar will take up shop at 100 West Franklin Street. With almost 60 locations in Ohio, the franchise is known for its smoothies, juices, blended bowls and healthy lifestyle food options. Look for them to open in time for the students to return in August. Get to know them here.

• Durham is very close to opening a new food truck park. Called the Can Opener, it will be located at the intersection of South Gregson and West Pettigrew Streets, and will feature a semicircle of five food trucks—Bulkogi, Chick-N-Que, and Gussy’s (the founders of the concept), with spots for two others that will change up day by day—as well as a bar, harbored inside the old American Postal Workers Union building, with coffee, wine, and 30 beers on tap. Thanks to the Indy for providing details about this project. Follow along on Facebook here.

• Alison LaGarry-Cahoon shared in the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies group on Facebook that El Tesoro Mexican Grill, in the Falconbridge Shopping Center (Farrington Road at I-40), is open and in soft-open mode. Check them out here.

Closings

• None to report. Keep eating local, folks!

Food Trucks

• A Place At The Table (downtown Raleigh’s pay-what-you-can cafe) will hold their third annual Pay-What-You-Can Food Truck Rodeo on Sunday June 9th from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the parking lot across from A Place At The Table – 300 W. Hargett Street. Follow along on Instagram.

• Looking to find your favorite food truck (or stalking them and simply don’t want to have to admit it)? We understand. Find them on Street Food Finder here.

Events

• The News & Observer reminded us that the Frankie Lemon School and Developmental Center will hold their 2nd Annual Gettin’ Piggy With It event on Saturday, May 18th and Sunday, May 19th once again at Maywood Hall & Garden. The event is hosted by Lawrence Barbecue and Trophy Brewing. This festival celebrates 15 pitmasters from across the country. Tickets start at $100 and go on sale TODAY, Friday, April 19. Get all the details here.

• And if that is not enough pig for you, Saturday May 18th is also the date for the 17th Annual Carolina Pig Jig as part of the Got To Be NC Festival at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds (11 a.m. until 2 p.m.). All-You-Can-Eat BBQ tastings, hush puppies, slaw, and more! This annual BBQ competition features 25 teams from across NC all vying for your vote for the coveted People’s Choice Award. The event benefits the Masonic Home for Children and the Central Children’s Home. Visit their Facebook events page for tickets and all the details.

• My buddy Neha Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, shared that the annual Farm to Fork Picnic, celebrating local food and local farms, will take place Sunday, June 2 from 4pm – 7pm, again at Fearrington Village. Get details and tickets here. 

• Join us on June 9th for this year’s Roots for Reece Chef’s Picnic hosted at Haven Farm in Knightdale. The event will feature sample small plates and beverages from over 25 local food and beverage establishments. 100% of proceeds are donated to the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition to aid in the fight against the growing opiate epidemic here in NC. Get tickets and all the details here.

• Tickets are on sale now for the 9th Annual Dinner in the Meadow which will take place on September 15, 2024 on a grassy knoll atMeadow Lane Farm, in bucolic Franklin County, offering beautiful pastoral views and clear, starry skies. Some of the region’s most sought-after chefs will be preparing delicious dishes using ingredients from local farms and food artisans. It is an annual fundraiser for the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2014 to support and cultivate small farms in our region of North Carolina. Get tickets and all the details here.

Food Bank Corner

• For more than 30 years, food banks across the United States have partnered with the National Association of Letter Carriers for the spring drive to ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ in communities. What began as a simple food collection pilot in the early 1990s has now grown to become the largest single-day food and fund drive in the country. Set for THIS Saturday, May 11, 2024, letter carriers in our area will collect financial contributions and non-perishable food donations to the Food Bank, along with regular mail pick-up and drop-off. Combined, the effort will raise sufficient donations to fuel millions of meals — and support community-level organizing to end hunger at its roots. Donate online and find the most in-demand foods here.

Triangle Restaurant News
Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler. a

Featured Restaurant News

• La Terrazza, the newest addition to Umbria Hospitality Group, opened this week in The Dillon rooftop in the Warehouse District. Offering a delightful fusion of southern Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, it is complemented by an enchanting city skyline view. The dining space is adorned with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and also features two bars—one indoors and the other nestled in a patio enclosure. Umbria Hospitality Group also includes Italian restaurant Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar and event venue Melrose Knitting Mill. Umbria Hospitality Group was founded by Samah Hachby, who was raised in Morocco and attended schools in Italy before coming to the United States. Get to know them here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• I learned this week that Jaguar Bolera, the highly anticipated “eatertainment” spot, will open on Sunday, May 19 at Raleigh Iron Works (1101 E Whitaker Mill Road). The concept mixes Mexican flavor with the soul of Southern cuisine, bringing both worlds together in their woodfire oven. And they feature a massive playground with more games than you can shake a pin at (think Duckpin, pickleball, darts, corn hole, ping pong, foosball, karaoke and more) and a choice selection of libations on tap (with a self-serve wall). Sounds like a ton of fun! This will be their first location, with a second location underway in Atlanta. Start getting familiar with them here.

• Also in Raleigh, reader Jennifer Buchholz  shared that sandwich and sub shop Brooklyn Pickle is holding their grand opening on May 6th at The Marketplace at Lake Boone (4025 Lake Boone Trail) think Buffalo Brothers and Two Roosters (in the former Just Salad spot). This will be their second North Carolina location and the first in the Triangle. If you are not from Syracuse, then get to know them here.

• Several sources shared the exciting news this week that the classic Berkeley Cafe has completed their move and they have opened in the old Fiction Kitchen space in Raleigh on S. Dawson, a stone’s throw from their former location. They are currently doing lunch Monday through Friday. Visit Berkeley on Facebook here.

• Up in North Raleigh, saw on a Facebook post that the popular food truck The Wandering Moose has finally opened their brick-and-mortar location at 2315 Lynn Road (very close to the intersection with Creedmoor Road). They are open 11:30 a.m. until midnight, 7 days a week. Food is served from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. 7 days a week. They also have a very nice outdoor patio. Check them out here.

• Triangle Business Journal reported this week that the new Locals Seafood Market in east Raleigh has opened in a 10,000-square-foot space at 1408 Corporation Pkwy. It serves as the company’s headquarters and includes a whole fish butchery and seafood processing operation. The market’s regular hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. A grand opening is planned for May 18. You may also visit them at local farmers’ markets as well as their location at the Durham Food Hall. Check them out here.

• Triangle Business Journal also reported that a new Cook Out is coming to a shopping center in North Raleigh. Known for its hot dogs, burgers and shakes, it looks like their next location will be in the shuttered Boston Market spot near the Strickland Road and Six Forks Road (9500 Strickland Road). On a related note, TBJ indicated that the Boston Market on Strickland Road closed in November after almost 30 years in operation, leaving no locations in North Carolina. Visit Cook Out here.

• Up in Wake Forest, the Cha House will hold their grand opening this Saturday, May 4th at their newest location where they specialize in authentic boba tea and delectable food offerings. Join them from 11 am – 9 pm at 3604 Rogers Branch Rd., Suite 101 in Wake Forest. Attendees will enjoy Buy One Get One Drink 50% Off – and the first 30 people in line will receive a $10 gift card to use on their next visit as well as a Buy 1 Get 1 50% off drink card for their next visit. They already have locations in Raleigh and Cary. Visit them here.

• European inspired coffee house Press Coffee, Cocktails & Crepes will open this month in the 400H mixed-use tower in downtown Raleigh (400 Hillsborough Street at the corner with West Street). This is their third location serving high-quality coffee and cocktail beverages, along with a rotating menu of food offerings. After revitalizing downtown Graham with its opening in 2016, Press opened a second location in downtown Durham’s American Tobacco in 2021 with immediate success. Press was named Best New Restaurant in Indy Week, Durham Magazine, and Yelp and was chosen an ideal brunch location in Durham by Southern Living Magazine. Get to know them here.

• Out in Wendell, specifically Wendell Falls, the Triangle Business Journal shared the news this week that the newest location of Culver’s will soon join the lineup. No word on a timeline or open date. Visit Culver’s here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• We learned this week that Emmy Squared will have their Grand Opening next Wednesday, May 8th at Brightleaf Square (905 West Main Street). Emmy Squared Pizza, known for using artisanal and locally sourced ingredients, is bringing their signature Detroit-style pizza, famed Le Big Matt burger, shareable appetizers and more to their third location in North Carolina (they have two locations in Charlotte). Get familiar with them here.

• Also in Durham, reader Tom Viemont noticed signage up for an ice cream shop called La Monarca Michoacana moving into the former Zweli’s space at 4600 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. in the Oakcreek Village shopping center. No word on an open date. Visit their Facebook page here.

Closings

• We lost a good one this week. Ken Yowell shared with me that after 11 years in downtown, he decided to turn out the lights at his Oak City Meatball. This one hurts.

• Reader Lauren Bradley shared with us that the Just Salad at Marketplace at Lake Boone has closed making way for the soon-to-open Brooklyn Pickle (see above).

Food Trucks

• Looking to find your favorite food truck (or stalking them and simply don’t want to have to admit it)? We understand. Find them on Street Food Finder here.

Events

• Get ready to indulge in a delectable journey through Jewish cuisine as Jewish for Good proudly presents Jewish Food Week, a week-long celebration of culinary delights starting today, May 3rd through May 12th. This mouthwatering event promises to tantalize taste buds while supporting a meaningful cause, with all proceeds benefiting Jewish for Good’s Food Pantry. Get all the details of the week here. 

• Johnston County’s Ham & Yam Festival is this Saturday, May 4th in downtown Smithfield (200 S. Front Street) from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Expect ham sandwiches, pork barbecue sandwiches, sweetpotatoes foods, kids activities and lots of live entertainment! Visit their site here.

• Peck & Plume at The Mayton in Cary is hosting Ginspiration, an exclusive gin tasting from Sutler’s Spirit Co., from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 9. Guests will enjoy three beverages highlighting gin from this Winston-Salem, N.C. distillery alongside three bites from Peck & Plume’s executive chef Jason Daniels. Tickets cost $45 per person. Get tickets and all the details here.

• The News & Observer reminded us that the Frankie Lemon School and Developmental Center will hold their 2nd Annual Gettin’ Piggy With It event on Saturday, May 18th and Sunday, May 19th once again at Maywood Hall & Garden. The event is hosted by Lawrence Barbecue and Trophy Brewing. This festival celebrates 15 pitmasters from across the country. Tickets start at $100 and go on sale TODAY, Friday, April 19. Get all the details here.

• And if that is not enough pig for you, Saturday May 18th is also the date for the 17th Annual Carolina Pig Jig as part of the Got To Be NC Festival at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds (11 a.m. until 2 p.m.). All-You-Can-Eat BBQ tastings, hush puppies, slaw, and more! This annual BBQ competition features 25 teams from across NC all vying for your vote for the coveted People’s Choice Award. The event benefits the Masonic Home for Children and the Central Children’s Home. Visit their Facebook events page for tickets and all the details.

• My buddy Neha Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, shared that the annual Farm to Fork Picnic, celebrating local food and local farms, will take place Sunday, June 2 from 4pm – 7pm, again at Fearrington Village. Get details and tickets here. 

• Tickets are on sale now for the 9th Annual Dinner in the Meadow which will take place on September 15, 2024 on a grassy knoll atMeadow Lane Farm, in bucolic Franklin County, offering beautiful pastoral views and clear, starry skies. Some of the region’s most sought-after chefs will be preparing delicious dishes using ingredients from local farms and food artisans. It is an annual fundraiser for the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2014 to support and cultivate small farms in our region of North Carolina. Get tickets and all the details here.

Food Bank Corner

• No doubt we live in a wonderful corner of the world. But here are some things to remember and not forget. Right now, one in five people in central and eastern North Carolina don’t have enough to eat. The Food Bankprovided over 88 million meals to families and individuals last year. The Food Bank’s partner agency network has reported up to a 60% increase in neighbors visiting for food assistance. The need is real and right here in our backyard. Consider helping in 2024. See how here.