Triangle Restaurant News
Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler.
Featured Restaurant News
- There is no bigger restaurant news this week than the passage of Senate Bill 155, aka the Brunch Bill, that will allow restaurants and establishments to serve alcohol on Sunday mornings. Kudos to Lynn Minges at the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association for her leadership. Now, come on Roy, FREE THE MIMOSAS!! It could happen as early as this Sunday! I’ll drink to that!
Wake County Restaurant News
- The News & Observer reported this week that Cary’s newest dining option, Pro’s Epicurean Market & Cafe, opened this past Monday and is having a soft opening this week. They are located in the former Dorry’s Downtown Deli (and before that, The Food Factory) on East Chatham Street in the renovated Mid-Town Square shopping center. The menu features French and Italian influences: crepes, sandwiches, salads as well as fish, pasta, meat and chicken entrees. Check them out here.
- WRAL is reporting that Growler USA is coming to Raleigh in the summer of 2017 to 314 South Blount Street in downtown. Growler started in Oregon and has become a craft beer pub with a pretty good menu to complement their beer. According to their website, they have a location in Charlotte with six total in North Carolina (including another in Durham) in the works. Check them out here.
- The newly opened Cortez Seafood + Cocktail will hold their grand opening party this Saturday, July 1 with dollar oysters all night, featured ceviches, and guest DJ’s going until late. They are located on Glenwood South in the former Helio’s spot. All the details can be found on their Facebook page here.
- Learned this week that Marco Pollo, a Peruvian rotisserie chicken restaurant, has opened in Cary at 1871 Lake Pine Drive, just off Highway 64. Check out their menu and other details on their website here.
- Last week we told you about the opening of Caribbean Spice, a Caribbean restaurant that combines traditional island dishes with newer dishes, in Raleigh at 2822 New Birch Drive. WRAL reported this week that they will hold their grand opening celebration on Saturday, July 8th. Get all the details here.
- The folks over at ITB Insider reported this week that Wayback Burger, a chain out of Delaware which now has six locations in North Carolina (including one in Durham), will open its newest location in Raleigh’s Plantation Square. No word yet on a timeline. Check them out here.
- Got a note from reader Hugh Autry that Garner now has a Substation II in Garner Station at 1440 Garner Station Blvd. Substation II has 40 locations over six states. Check them out here.
- Reader Evan Foster tipped us off to the fact that there is a Papa Murphy’s coming into the North Ridge Center in North Raleigh off Falls of the Neuse Road. No word yet on an open date. Check out Papa Murphy’s here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- Got word this week that Pour Taproom has opened in downtown Durham’s Unscripted Hotel at 202 N. Corcoran Street. Pour Taproom is a pay-by-the-ounce taproom where you can pour your own drink from a selection of 60+ taps of the finest of craft brews, ciders and wines from the Triangle, and other awesome beer hubs far and wide. Check them out here.
- Johanna Kramer announced this week that Alivia’s Durham Bistro will temporarily close after 10 years, allowing it to re-concept and reopen soon. Renovation will take place over the summer for a fall unveil. Probably the best place to keep up with the changes is on their Facebook page here.
- And another re-concept out of Durham. WRAL reported this week that after four years of operating as a butcher and sweet shop, Rose’s Meats and Sweets will be changing direction. Owners announced Thursday via social media that the shop, located at 121 N Gregson St., will become a restaurant and bakery. Keep up with their changes here.
- A quick shout-out and congratulations to the staff over at Kitchen in Chapel Hill on MLK Blvd. as they celebrate 7 years of service to the local community. It is a great little spot in Chapel Hill, tucked away in the same shopping center at Root Cellar Cafe and Lucha Tigre. Worth a visit. Congrats!
Closings
- Reader Mike McKinney brought it to our attention that Golden Palace Dim Sum on Capital Boulevard has closed. No word on what led to their closing.
- Got a note this week from reader Patrick Smith that the Bruegger’s location at North Hills has closed. While some are speculating it might become the 4th North Hills-area Starbucks, early rumors suggest it could become a Chipotle. Stay tuned.
Food Trucks
- The News & Observer reported this week that The Farmery is moving its Airstream trailer and indoor farm from Research Triangle Park to Durham’s 326 Geer St., in the parking lot of a vacant building. It’s down the street from Motorco Music Hall and around the corner from Fullsteam Brewery. Pending inspection approvals, it is scheduled to open July 7. Keep up with the move on their website here.
- The Wake Forest Food Truck Rodeo returns to town on Sunday, July 23rd, from 12-4 at The Renaissance Center in historic downtown Wake Forest. Nearly 20 trucks are already signed up. A beer tent will be provided by Brooks Street Bowl and the kids have can have fun in the Kid’s Zone that will include FREE face painting sponsored by The Learning Experience, a bouncy house, road chalk, hula hoops, ball toss and bubble fun. Get all the details here.
- And the food truck rodeos in Durham and Raleigh are back into full gear (Durham has one this Sunday!). Get all the details (including a list of participating trucks) for Durham here and for Raleigh here.
Events
- This summer, chef John May will partner with local purveyors to create exciting themed evenings at Piedmont. Each dinner will consist of four courses with optional beverage pairings, and chef May will welcome guest distillers, cheesemakers, and farmers to the restaurant to educate diners about their products. Upcoming dates and themes include: July 13: Sweet & Savory Cheese Dinner featuring Boxcarr Handmade Cheese; July 27: Grilled Veggies featuring Fullsteam Brewery; August 10: Lost Dishes of the Midatlantic and Punches. All menus will be $40 for four courses and an additional $15 for beverage pairings. Get all the details here.
- The Second Annual Big Biscuit Showdown will take place on Thursday, July 27 from 6-9pm at The Rickhouse in Downtown Durham. This unique food competition features twelve teams of Rise chefs partnered with a local brewery or beverage company. Each team will prepare a special biscuit and donut that will be paired with a local craft-made beverage. With biscuits, donuts and beer, you can be sure this will sell-out fast. Get your tickets here.
- The 6th annual Raleigh Gluten and Allergen Free Wellness Event will be held this year at NC State Fairgrounds in the Kerr Scott building on Saturday, August 12 from 10 am – 4 pm. Get all the details and ticket information here.
- The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association will hold the second annual NC Chef Showdown on August 21 in Raleigh’s historic downtown City Market. Participating chefs will present a dish to a distinguished panel of six judges and will prepare sample-sized offerings for approximately 200 attendees. Attendees will determine the recipients of the “People’s’ Choice” awards, while the judges will select the 2017 NCRLA Chef of the Year and the 2017 NCRLA Pastry Chef of the Year. Get all the details here.
- Pittsboro’s annual PepperFest will be held on Sunday, September 24th this year at the Great Meadow in Briar Chapel. PepperFest is a celebration of local food made by local chefs and food artisans featuring 40 different kinds of locally grown peppers prepared in hundreds of creative ways. Right now they are seeking chefs and food artisans to participate. June 20th is the deadline to submit your application. Do so here.
- Folks, listen up. I try to make it a habit not to tell people what to do (mainly because I don’t want them to tell me what to do, but I digress). Here is an exception. Go to this event! Trust me. And get your tickets EARLY! Speaking of which, tickets to the eighth annual TerraVita Food & Drink Festival (@TerraVitaFest), scheduled for Oct. 18-21 in and around Chapel Hill, are now on sale here. It will sell out. Trust me!
Food Bank Corner
- Nearly 300,000 children in the Food Bank’s 34 counties rely on the free and reduced-cost meals at school to get them through the day. For them, summertime doesn’t mean a fun-filled vacation. For them, no school means no meals. Stop Summer Hunger is the Food Bank’s annual initiative to provide additional food to feed these children and their families during this season of increased need. For example: A donation of $35 will feed a child for two months; A donation of $75 will feed a family of four for one month; and a donation of $150 will feed a family of four for two months. Help reach the goal of 3.4 million meals before July 31 and ensure that children will receive the daily, nutritious meals they need to grow healthy and strong! Click here to donate and find out more.
