Triangle Restaurant News
Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler.
Featured Restaurant News
- Arguably the area’s biggest “foodie” event, TerraVita, announced this week the dates for this year’s festival – September 28th through October 1st. The Chapel Hill-based festival, now in its seventh year, offers exceptional dinners, tasting events, after parties, chef demos as well as the “Sustainable Classroom” – educational experiences featuring renowned chefs, authors & national media. TerraVita concludes with a Grand Tasting on the Green featuring over 65 chefs, artisans and beverage producers for tastings, live chef demonstrations and cookbook signings. TerraVita’s ticket launch and full schedule will be released in mid-June. More details here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- According to New Raleigh, Brewerks Cafe and Bakery is moving into the former Quality Grocery spot at 701 E. Lane Street in Oakwood in downtown Raleigh. Not much on their website yet (nothing really, but you can look if you want, or don’t believe me).
- A slight correction on the opening of Pieology on Raleigh’s Hillsborough Street. The “official” open date will be Monday, April 25h. But on April 23rd, free pizza will be offered to all those that donate to Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina from 11 a.m. until 1p.m and again from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Pieology is located in the Stanhope Center at 3001 Hillsborough Street. Check them out here.
- Also on Hillsborough Street, I saw on James Borden’s Development Beat blog – Raleigh Public Record – that Pho Vietnam will be opening a new location on the ground floor of the 2811 Hillsborough apartment building. I have to think this is related to the Pho Vietnam on Buck Jones Road, but not sure if this is a new location or a second location. Will keep an eye on it (or if you know, let me know). Check them out here.
- Got word from Mario Longo that Vic’s, with their original location in downtown Raleigh’s City Market, has opened their second location in the Market Place at Lake Boone shopping center (think Buffalo Brothers, WhichWich, Guasaca). Check out Vic’s here.
- Cary Magazine reported this week that the Cary version of Chuy’s is now open in the Parkside Town Commons. Chuy’s is a Texas-founded establishment that has been around since 1982. Get all the details on the Cary location here.
- Also over in Cary, Sassool will hold the grand opening celebration of its second location on Mother’s Day, May 8th from 1-4 p.m. Sassool’s second location, which opened in December, is located at 1347 Kildaire Farm Road in the Shoppes of Kildaire (Trader Joe’s). Get all the details on their website here.
- Out in Brier Creek, saw on a Yelp posting that Brier Creek Beer Garden is very close to opening, possibly next week. Their Facebook page notes that they will have 50+ beers on draft (mostly NC) and 100+ bottles. Check them out on Facebook here.
- Also in Brier Creek, according to their website Positalia Italian Eatery, a concept out of Wilmington, has opened in the same building as Rack Room Shoes. Apparently they opened this past Tuesday. Check them out here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- The News & Observer gave us an update this week on what Durham chef Matt Kelly, who owns Mateo Tapas and Vin Rouge, has been up to. They indicated that he will open his next two concepts next to Mateo Tapas in downtown Durham by the end of May. Mothers & Sons Trattoria, an Italian restaurant that Kelly is opening with chef Josh DeCarolis; and Lucky’s Deli with Drew Brown, former co-owner of Piedmont restaurant and staff chef at Firsthand Foods. Kelly’s trio of restaurants will all be on 100 block of West Chapel Hill Street. Check out Mothers & Sons here and Lucky’s Deli here.
- Also in downtown Durham, the News & Observer informed us that Durham cocktail bar Alley Twenty Six has ambitious plans to nearly double in size into the space next door, adding a full-size kitchen to expand their menu to include more small plates and pairings. Check them out here.
- Happy + Hale has successfully opened their second location, which is in Durham at 703 Ninth Street, and will hold their grand opening on April 30th. Get all the details on their Facebook page here.
- Beyu Caffe, located in the heart of downtown Durham, will be closing for one week next week to move to its larger quarters at 341 W. Main Street, just two doors down! Check them out here.
- Counter Culture Coffee has moved to downtown Durham, 812 Mallard Avenue to be exact, and they will be holding a grand opening event on Saturday, April 30th at 10 a.m. and everyone is invited! Take a tour, taste (both coffee and tasty treats provided by local chefs) and visit their pop-up store. Get all the details here.
- And speaking of Counter Culture Coffee, congrats to Lem Butler, head of wholesale customer support at the Durham coffee roaster, who was recognized as the top barista in the nation at the U.S. Barista Championship competition in Atlanta. Next stop, the World Barista Championships in Dublin, Ireland in June. Congrats Lem and good luck!
- Also moving to downtown Durham, the good folks at Big Bundts & More Bakery have moved into their new digs at 721 Broad Street, occupying the street-level space in the ADF building.To keep up with the latest, check them out on Facebook here.
- And finally, thankfully the damage was minimal at the legendary Bullock’s BBQ in Durham. A fire broke out this past Wednesday, but most of it was contained to the hood and ventilation system. Durham’s oldest restaurant should re-open shortly. Thanks to the Durham Fire Department for their quick response!
Closings
- None to report. Keep eating local, folks!
Food Trucks
- TABLE will hold its 4th Annual Food Truck Rodeo on April 30 from 3-7 p.m. at Chapel Hill’s Orange United Methodist Church on MLK Blvd. The event is to benefit one of TABLE’s program, called the Weekend Backpack Program, a year-round hunger relief program that provides food to hungry kids when school is not in session. Get all the details on the trucks, kids events, entertainment, etc. here.
- With the warm weather returning, it also means the return of the Food Truck Thursdays in Knightdale. Every Thursday from April through June, the town will host a new truck at Knightdale Station Park for lunch and dinner. Just look for it from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm near the amphitheater (rain or shine – shelters are covered). For all the details and the truck schedule, check them out here. Thanks to Mark Ginsberg for the heads up!
- The Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo has announced its dates for this year: May 1, June 12, Aug. 7 and Oct. 9. Today (April 22nd) is the last day to get the VIP early admission wristbands, which let you get in to buy food before the general public. Get all the details here.
- For a listing of ALL food truck events, head over to Art’s page, The Wandering Sheppard on all things food truck related here.
Events
- If you are into craft beer you don’t want to miss Brewgaloo this Friday and Saturday (April 22 & 23) in downtown Raleigh. In celebration of their 5th anniversary, they’ve added a Friday night block party in addition to the regular events on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be 85 breweries and more than 50 food trucks to enjoy. Avoid the line and order your drink tickets now!
- The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and Weaver Street Market will host the 21st Annual Piedmont Farm Tour this Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24, from 2-6 pm on both days. This year’s tour features 38 sustainable working farms in Orange, Chatham, Alamance, and Person counties. Get all the details here.
- The annual Hook + Vine Seafood and Wine Festival is scheduled for this Sunday, April 24th from 12 – 4 p.m. in downtown Raleigh at The Wine Feed, and co-hosted by Locals Seafood. The third annual festival will focus on pairing fresh seafood with high-quality wines found from around the world. Featured restaurants include Centro, Capital Club 16, Provenance, Plates Neighborhood Kitchen and Boiler Room Oyster Bar. Purchase tickets and get all the details here.
- Saw in the News & Observer that the fourth annual Turkish Food and Art Festival will be 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. this Sunday, April 24 in Cary at the Divan Center at 1903 N. Harrison Ave. Attendees are asked to RSVP by tomorrow. More details here.
- Chef John Childers over at Midtowne Grill is hosting a beer dinner with the folks over at Compass Rose Brewery on Thursday, April 28th. Tickets are $65 and it begins at 6:30 p.m. Get tickets and all the details here.
- The 2nd Annual Shuck ‘n Cluck will take place on Thursday, April 28th at the Lynnwood Brewing Concern at 1053 E. Whitaker Mill Road from 6-10 p.m. The event will feature fresh oysters, chicken, beer, wine and live music. All proceeds benefit Rebuilding Together of the Triangle. Get all the details and ticket information here.
- The Piedmont Dinner Series continues on May 25th as Piedmont’s Greg Gettles and The Boot’s John May will host a late spring bbq in partnership with Locals Seafood. The multi-course dinner is $65, plus $20 for wine pairings. Get all the details and the menu on the events page here.
- Ok, this is a bit of a stretch to include, but it’s too fun/funny not to include. It is the 2016 Doughman event being held in Durham on May 28. What is it? It is a “foodie” event that combines the elements of a triathlon with competitive eating. 4-member teams basically down a delicious treat from a Durham establishment which is then followed by a bike, run or “water activity” challenge of varying distances. Sign up and get all the details here.
- Andrea Weigl at the News & Observer noted on her Twitter account recently that tickets to one of my favorite annual events, Farm to Fork have gone on sale. The event this year will be held on the weekend of June 3rd through June 5th. Get all the details and tickets here.
Food Bank Corner
- Join the News & Observer and help “Feed the Need” in our communities! Donate at the register of your local Harris Teeter from April 1-23 or come on out for a special “Feed the Need Day” drive-through food drive on Saturday, April 23 at select stores. For more information and store locations, visit here. Or you can donate online here.
