TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

Featured Restaurant News

• Saw on their Facebook page that yesterday was the opening day for Esteamed Coffee in Cary, a 501(c)(3) non-profit coffee shop and cafe that employs people with disabilities. Their mission is to “esteem” the customers and employees, giving them the opportunity to grow their life skills. They are located at 114 S. Academy Street and are open 7:30 am – 3 pm. Monday through Saturday (closed on Sunday). Stop in for a cup of mocha today! Check them out here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• North Raleigh’s Lafayette Village will soon be home to a true New York-style Italian market and deli called Bongiorno & Son. Michael Bongiorno, who many know from Zanyu Asian Noodles (which he recently sold to a great new owner), will open his newest concept/venture in the Fresh Levant Bistro space, which announced their permanent closure on December 6th. You’ll soon be able to enjoy an old school Italian market delicatessen specialty shop filled with fresh cheeses, Italian cold cuts, bread, sandwiches, Italian salads, prepared meals along with real Prosciutto and Parmigiano Reggiano sliced and grated to perfection. Their goal is to create a neighborhood eatery and specialty store that reminds you of our Sunday home-cooked Italian meals around the dinner table. Stay tuned for an announcement regarding their opening date, but in the meantime, visit them here.

• Sarah O’Grady posted on the Raleigh Liberal Foodies Facebook page this week that Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, with more than 100 locations in 18 states (founded in “Little Italy” in Wilmington, Delaware), has officially opened their first North Carolina location in Wavery Place in Cary. Apparently they are known for the “Bobbie®” which is purportedly the most amazing turkey, stuffing, cranberry hoagie you’ll ever have. Get by and see! Get to know them here.

• Also in Cary, Cary Magazine shared the news that Skipper’s Seafood in Apex (1001 E. Williams Street) is now Skipper’s Seafood & Smokehouse. What does that mean? Apparently now you can get your usual favorites and new delicious options like brisket and St. Louis-style pork ribs. Get a peek at their new offerings here.

• Down in Fuqua Varina, Michael DePersia with DePersia & Associates shared with me the news that Johnny’s Pizza opened its newest location in Fuquay Varina on Dec 14th. They are located at 730 N Judd Pkwy NE. This marks their 4th Triangle location (other locations in Apex, Cary and Wake Forest). Visit them here.

• Looking for all the outdoor dining options in Downtown Raleigh? The Downtown Raleigh Alliance has put together a great list of those options, and they even divided it up by district. Check out that list here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• WRAL shard the news this week that after 13 years in the same location, Parker & Otis has a new home at American Tobacco Campus. The restaurant, wine shop and retail store opened this past Wednesday at 324 Blackwell St. in the former Tyler’s Taproom space in Bay 4. Check out their new digs here.

• Sister Liu’s Kitchen continues to crush is amidst the pandemic. We told you recently about their second location in Morrisville — which “officially” opens on December 19th (they have been in soft-open mode) — but now they have unveiled a food truck that is up and running around the Triangle! Congrats to them and all their success! Keep up with all they have going on on their Facebook page here.

• On a recent drive down Franklin Street, Eagle-eye Marshall Lennard (aka son of TFG) noticed signage up for a spot called Jed’s Kitchen, which looks to be a Moroccan and Mediterranean grill, going into the former Peno spot next to Sup Dogs (105 E. Franklin Street). It appears as if they might already be open – but check first. Visit their website here.

• We learned this week that Esmeralda’s Cafe, located at 1515 North Pointe Dr. (across from Costco), is now open. They serve up delicious homemade pastries and doughnuts and offer a warm and welcoming place for breakfast and lunch. Honduran specialties too! Check in with them on Facebook here.

• And here are a couple of wonderful resources for those looking to dine in downtown Durham or downtown Chapel Hill – Downtown Durham Inc. has an up-to-date listing of the status of each restaurant in downtown Durham. Check out the list here. And the Downtown Chapel Hill Partnership has put together a similar list for Chapel Hill here.

Closings / Cancellations

• Just found out from WRAL that Family Greens in the Streets at Southpoint Mall has closed.

• Michael DePersia of DePersia & Associates shared the news that Fresca Cafe & Gelato in Cary has closed due to Covid.

Food Trucks 

• Here are a  couple of sites to find and stalk your favorite food trucks here and here.

Events

• The folks over at RalToday shared the news that Chris McLaurin will be returning (former sous chef) as executive chef at Picnic, as well as for its sister establishment Wyatt’s Barbecue (opening in Spring 2021). To celebrate, Durham pitmaster Wyatt Dickson is hosting a socially-distanced pig pickin’ this Saturday, Dec. 19, 1–4 p.m. Orders must be placed online for pick-up at the door and can be enjoyed at home or one of several outdoor picnic tables. RalToday also noted that chef Chris will be serving up a sneak peek at his new donuts, which will be added to Picnic’s forthcoming brunch menu in January 2021. Visit their site here.

• Looking for last minute gift ideas for the holidays? Got a “foodie” on your list that you can’t find the “‘right thing” for? Well, head over to the Angus Barn Shopping Spree at the Lakeside Pavilion this Friday and Saturday, December 18-19, from 12 noon – 6 p.m. and shop in their 10,000 sq. ft. lakeside pavilion located on the Angus Barn property. Stock up on your Angus Barn Country Store favorites including gift certificates, their famous cheddar and blue cheese spreads, homemade crackers and pies, wines, steaks, burgers, and many more gift options! Get all the details here.

• Speaking of the holidays and take-home meals, we have a few to share with you. First up, Fig’s Market (brought to us from the fine folks over at Catering Works) has everything you need to bring delicious holiday meals and moments to the table without all the hassle. Get made-from-scratch, ready to heat-and-eat dishes from their award-winning chefs. From glazed ham to brined, fried, or whole roasted turkey, straight through to pumpkin macaroons, holiday pies and wine. Customize your holiday the way you like it! Taking orders until sold out or December 18th at 12pm. Get all the details here.

• From the folks over at Rocky Top Catering, following a very successful offering of Thanksgiving meals, they announced they are offering an expanded menu of chef-prepared take-and-bake meals for Christmas. For every meal purchased, Rocky Top will also donate a meal to a local family in need. Check out the menus here.

• Over in Carrboro, ACME is serving up their Holiday Prime Rib Extravaganza that serves two for $85. It features: Creekstone Farm standing rib roast with three different sauces; classic clementine, endive, & toasted almond salad; mashed potatoes; creamed winter greens; warm & buttery dinner rolls; Acme’s butterscotch pudding (chocolate ganache and cinnamon shortbread). Choose any date between December 17th-20th as your ordering date. Order here.

• The Angus Barn Holiday Feast for Six! Your dinner includes: Bone-in certified Angus Prime Rib (pre-seasoned – approx 9lb. uncooked); Au jus and AB horseradish sauce; Classic Angus Barn stuffed potatoes; Glazed carrots with honey butter & rosemary; Fresh baked rolls; AB Cheddar cheese spread refill; AB Blue cheese spread refill; Homemade Angus Barn crackers; Whole Chocolate Chess pie. Dinner for 6 for $259.00. Pick-up at the Angus Barn Pavilion: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday – Dec. 21, 22 & 23. Get all the details here. Call 919-781-2444 to place your order (tell them Triangle Food Guy sent you!)

• Chapel Hill Magazine encouraged it’s readers to head over to the Maple View Farm porch area with your letters to Santa, and his friends from the North Pole will place them in his mailbox. A percentage of ice cream sales will be donated to Sam’s Wish Fund Holiday Cheer to provide gifts to children facing life-threatening illnesses. Last chance is on Monday December 21st from 2:00 – 5:30 p.m. Visit their Facebook page here for details.

Food Bank Corner

• More people than ever before are turning the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina for assistance, and they need your reliable support to meet the growing need. This holiday season, your gift can be doubled to help twice as many neighbors facing hunger. That means every $10 you give through December 31 can help provide enough food for 100 meals for children, families, and seniors right here in our community. The gift you give provides hope in times of uncertainty. Don’t wait, donate now here! #noonegoeshungry

Featured Restaurant News

• I saw this over in Durham and am modifying (i.e. stealing) it for the entire Triangle. Please take the Triangle Takeout Pledge! Restaurants need your support more than ever. With temperatures dropping, college students going home, and the number of Covid cases steadily increasing, sales have dropped off significantly for everyone. I am asking for you to pledge to order takeout food from any independent restaurant 1-2 TIMES per week. Or better yet, bundle up, snuggle up and dine in-person, whether inside or out (lots of restaurants have added heated space) – and don’t forget to TIP GENEROUSLY. Additionally, consider giving gift cards to local independent restaurants as holiday gifts this year. If each of us takes this pledge, really takes this pledge, our favorite restaurants will be here on the other side of this mess. Take the pledge! #TriangleTakeoutPledge

Wake County Restaurant News

• We told you about this back in November, but we learned this week from Raleigh Convergence that after a little remodeling, Jose & Sons is now open in their new location in Raleigh’s Pleasant Valley. You’ll recall they have “moved into” their father’s third location of El Rodeo (4112 Pleasant Valley Rd.). The menu is a bridge from old school Tex-Mex nostalgia to the current day Sur-Mex flavors. Check out the menu here.

• Speaking of oldies returning (with a twist), the Triangle Business Journal shared this week that a downtown Raleigh taco shop that shutdown earlier this year has reopened with a fresh vibe and bulked up menu. Virgil’s Tacos on South Salisbury Street is now Virgil’s Cocktails & Cocina. Look for hand crafted cocktails, music vibes and authentic Mexican cuisine. Owner Jon Seelbinder said they’ve completely revamped the concept and elevated the menu that is now focused around the dinner and night crowd. Additionally, above Virgil’s, Seelbinder is preparing to reopen his speakeasy, The Merchant (formerly Level Up). Check them out here.

• The folks over at North Hills shared this week the exciting news that the newly opened Advance Auto Parts Tower is getting a new addition, Cucciolo Terrazza, a locally owned restaurant offering modern Italian cuisine with a twist. Look for them to open in the fall of 2021. Jimmy Kim, chef and owner, opened Cucciolo Osteria Durham in 2018 with the blessing of his cousin, Julian Kim, who started the original Cucciolo Osteria in Seoul, South Korea in 2015. In the meantime, visit Cucciolo Osteria in Durham here.

• Got word this week from Michael DePersia of DePersia & Associates that Woody’s Sports Tavern & Grill will open their 3rd location in Morrisville’s Grace Park where Trali’s Irish Pub was. Woody’s other locations are in Cary and Raleigh’s City Market. Visit Woody’s here.

• We told you first about this back in July, but Catalan Tapas Bar is now open in the space next to Bruegger’s on Cary Parkway (4214 NW Cary Parkway) – a few doors down from LaFarm. They are serving up small plate tapas-style food, as well as an incredible offering of wines, cocktails and N.C. craft beer on tap. Catch up with them on Facebook here.

• Blogger EatRaleigh shared that the food truck Birrieria El Patron wil be opening a brick and mortar location in downtown Raleigh that will include 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays. The location hasn’t been disclosed yet. While they are known for their Tijuana-style red tacos, they also shared that the brick and mortar location will allow them to offer more protein options like asada, pollo rojo, chorizo and al pastor. Keep up with them on Instagram here.

• The folks over at RalToday tipped us off to the fact that Mr. A’s Beignets, known for their food truck, now has a brick-and-mortar location at 312 S. Mason Street in Apex. They are open there Tuesday through Friday mornings 7-1, and Saturday mornings from 8-1. Visit them on Facebook here.

• Richard DeMartino with sister concepts Cafe Tiramisu and North Ridge Pub, both located a couple of doors down from each other in North Ridge shopping center, have the perfect holiday gift idea for you. They have begun their annual tradition of selling gift cards for their restaurants at 20% off! At Cafe Tiramisu you can get a $100 gift card for $80, and at North Ridge Pub you can get a $50 gift card for $40. All purchases must be made at each location. Visit Cafe Tiramisu here and North Ridge Pub here.

• And if you are looking for a quick take-out lunch, checkout Catering Works‘ new “Ghost Kitchen” called Midtown Eats that offers comfort food from your favorite comfort recipes – sandwiches, soups, salads, hand pies and desserts. Place your order online (15% off your first order), and then swing by and pick it up. Simple. Check it out here.

• Looking for all the outdoor dining options in Downtown Raleigh? The Downtown Raleigh Alliance has put together a great list of those options, and they even divided it up by district. Check out that list here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Who doesn’t like the sound of a place that does a combination of Chinese and low country boils? Thanks to my Twitter pal Burgeoningbaker, I learned that Crab Sea Cajun Seafood Restaurant is open at 4831 NC Highway 55 in Durham. Check them out here.

• Got word from Shelley Colbert that Provence in Carrboro had decided to close for the winter and will look to re-open in the Spring.

• And here are a couple of wonderful resources for those looking to dine in downtown Durham or downtown Chapel Hill – Downtown Durham Inc. has an up-to-date listing of the status of each restaurant in downtown Durham. Check out the list here. And the Downtown Chapel Hill Partnership has put together a similar list for Chapel Hill here.

Closings / Cancellations

• Carrie Brogren shared the news that Downtown Durham’s Bar Brunello will close their doors at the end of the month. So, you still have a little time to get by! Visit them here.

• WRAL shared the news that Griffin”s Restaurant in Youngsville has permanently closed.

Food Trucks 

• Triangle on the Cheap shared the news that Food Truck Flix is a recurring event that combines drive-in movies with food trucks, for a safer entertainment experience just announced their schedule for the upcoming weekends (Friday and Saturday nights). The events will be taking place at Frontier RTP, 800 Park Offices, Durham, and at Focus Church, 7000 Destiny Drive, Raleigh. You can purchase tickets in advance for any of the drive-in movies. The price is $25 per car. Of course, you’ll also want to bring money for the food trucks. Get the movie schedule, purchase your pass and get all the details here.

• Here are a  couple of sites to find and stalk your favorite food trucks here and here.

Events

• This isn’t an event, but a great way to find local gifts for the foodie in your life. WRAL has put together a list of North Carolina made foodie gifts – check it out here for holiday gift ideas.

• Speaking of the holidays and take-home meals, we have a few to share with you. First up, Fig’s Market (brought to us from the fine folks over at Catering Works) has everything you need to bring delicious holiday meals and moments to the table without all the hassle. Get made-from-scratch, ready to heat-and-eat dishes from their award-winning chefs. From glazed ham to brined, fried, or whole roasted turkey, straight through to pumpkin macaroons, holiday pies and wine. Customize your holiday the way you like it! Taking orders until sold out or December 18th at 12pm. Get all the details here.

• From the folks over at Rocky Top Catering, following a very successful offering of Thanksgiving meals, they announced they are offering an expanded menu of chef-prepared take-and-bake meals for Christmas. For every meal purchased, Rocky Top will also donate a meal to a local family in need. Check out the menus here.

• Over in Carrboro, ACME is serving up their Holiday Prime Rib Extravaganza that serves two for $85. It features: Creekstone Farm standing rib roast with three different sauces; classic clementine, endive, & toasted almond salad; mashed potatoes; creamed winter greens; warm & buttery dinner rolls; Acme’s butterscotch pudding (chocolate ganache and cinnamon shortbread). Choose any date between December 17th-20th as your ordering date. Order here.

• The Angus Barn Holiday Feast for Six! Your dinner includes: Bone-in certified Angus Prime Rib (pre-seasoned – approx 9lb. uncooked); Au jus and AB horseradish sauce; Classic Angus Barn stuffed potatoes; Glazed carrots with honey butter & rosemary; Fresh baked rolls; AB Cheddar cheese spread refill; AB Blue cheese spread refill; Homemade Angus Barn crackers; Whole Chocolate Chess pie. Dinner for 6 for $259.00. Pick-up at the Angus Barn Pavilion: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday – Dec. 21, 22 & 23. Get all the details here. Call 919-781-2444 to place your order (tell them Triangle Food Guy sent you!)

• Chapel Hill Magazine encouraged it’s readers to head over to the Maple View Farm porch area with your letters to Santa, and his friends from the North Pole will place them in his mailbox. A percentage of ice cream sales will be donated to Sam’s Wish Fund Holiday Cheer to provide gifts to children facing life-threatening illnesses. Takes place on these remaining Mondays in December – 14th and 21st from 2:00 – 5:30 p.m. Visit their Facebook page here for details.

Food Bank Corner

• More people than ever before are turning the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina for assistance, and they need your reliable support to meet the growing need. This holiday season, your gift can be doubled to help twice as many neighbors facing hunger. That means every $10 you give through December 31 can help provide enough food for 100 meals for children, families, and seniors right here in our community. The gift you give provides hope in times of uncertainty. Don’t wait, donate now here! #noonegoeshungry