Triangle Restaurant News
Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler.
Featured Restaurant News
- The anticipation is over. Ed Mitchell returned to the Triangle area dining scene this past Wednesday with the opening of his self-named Ed Mithcell’s Que restaurant located in the Diamond View III building in downtown Durham. Plan a visit soon, but get your mouth watering by checking out his site here.
Wake County Restaurant News
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Thanks to a tip from reader Michelle Hillison, we learned that father and son team Craig and Derek Wilkins announced recently that they are no longer affiliated with the franchise The Meat House. Instead, their Cary and Raleigh stores are now operating independently as The Butchers Market. Check them out here.
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We learned this week from the folks over at Triangle Business Journal that Neomonde Bakery & Deli is opening a food kiosk, Neomonde Express, at Rex Healthcare in Raleigh that is expected to open in June. Get all the details on their Facebook page here.
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The Triangle Business Journal reported this week that a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant has signed a deal to open soon at the Triangle Plaza shopping center on Capital Boulevard in north Raleigh near the new Gander Mountain outdoor center (in the space previously occupied by Majestic Nail Spa). They are expected to open by late summer.
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Thanks to a tweet from Joseph Wells, we learned that Quail Corners Creamery opened this past Friday in the Quail Corners Shopping Center at the intersection of Millbrook and Falls of the Neuse Road in Raleigh. Check out all their details here.
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Saw a tweet from reader Odis Newsome that the old Kentucky Fried Chicken spot on Duraleigh Road in Raleigh now boasts a “Steak n Shake – Opening Soon” sign. No word yet on an open date. Thanks to Odis!
Durham, Orange & Chatham County Restaurant News
- The News and Observer reported this week that Sup Dogs will be opening in the former Pepper’s Pizza (rest in peace) on June 9. Wildly popular in their original location near ECU, owner Bret Oliverio says to expect the same here in his newest location adjacent to UNC. Look for every imaginable variation on a hot dog. Check them out here.
- Thanks to a tip from reader Jacqueline Atlas, she noticed on a recent walk down Franklin Street in Chapel Hill that what was once Trilussa, and then Mozzarella’s (for a short time) is now Mina’s. Owner John Hanna says the menu includes an eclectic assortment of sandwiches, salads, burgers, wings and pasta dishes.
- Also in Chapel Hill, the folks over at University Mall made a vague reference to a new restaurant coming into part of the space that is currently occupied by Roses. The brief “hint” suggested that a concept called Tacos & Tequila would be coming to the mall. The contemporary Mexican restaurant is expected to open later this year. We will keep an eye on it.
- Over in Carrboro, the Herald Sun is reporting that the owners of Elmo’s Diner are looking to partner to open a new restaurant in Carr Mill Mall called Café Symmetry. If the financing deal closes (which it is expected to do in the next 30 days), they will open the new restaurant in the former Panzanella location and would be looking to open by the end of the year after extensive renovations to that space. We will keep an eye on it.
- We told you last week that Momoyama Sushi over in Durham near the Streets at Southpoint will close tomorrow after a 5 year run. The Herald Sun reported this week that a new Penn Station East Coast Subs restaurant is targeted to open this fall in that space. We will keep an eye on it for an open date.
- A quick update, thanks to a posting on a Yelp message board, on Oval Park Grille. Word is they are looking at a June opening for the new neighborhood restaurant, which is going into the old Broad Street Café space. The restaurant and bar are the vision of Greg de Marchi, the former bar manager at the Durham French bistro Vin Rouge, and of Todd Whitney, the former chef de cuisine at Vin Rouge. Check them out here.
Closings
- Saw on a Yelp message board, and confirmed on the company’s website, that the Mimi’s on Capital Blvd. in Raleigh (6320 Plantation Center Drive) has closed. The one in Cary on Walnut Street remains open.
Food Trucks
- Thanks to a tip from John Huisman (aka Triangle Explorer), we learned that there is a new truck rolling around the streets of the Triangle. Called Sol Tacos, they serve up southern inspired gourmet tacos. Check them out here and get their full schedule on where you can find them.
- There is a food truck rodeo this Sunday over in Carrboro to benefit Fix-A-Home.
The rodeo is from 3-7 p.m. on Sunday, June 1 at the Carrboro Town Commons. The rodeo will include: Parlez-Vous Crepe, Chirba Chirba Dumplings, Pie Pushers, Steel String Brewery, Captain Poncho’s Taco Truck, MaMa Duke’s, and Tar Heel Creamery. Get more details here.
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The Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo series returns in a week with part two of their 2014 series. The next event will be on June 8th from 1-6 p.m. Be sure to get this on your calendar to check out a ½ mile of food trucks and great restaurants spread out over 11 city blocks in downtown Raleigh. Get all the details here.
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If you are looking for something to do for your father on Father’s Day, take him to Durham’s Central Park for the next Food Truck Rodeo. For those that haven’t marked this on their calendar, Father’s Day is June 15th. Get all the details here.
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Want to mix great theater with great food trucks? Well the food trucks will be present at the Raleigh Little Theatre Amphitheatre later this month, as Bare Theatre, Cirque du Vol and Raleigh Little Theatre present their outdoor production of “Two Noble Kinsmen: Fire & Shadows”. Click here for a complete listing of which trucks will be present on which nights.
Events
- Elevation Burger in Brier Creek Commons is excited to announce its first ever “Burgers & Beer for a Cause” event, in partnership with Triangle Land Conservancy and Raleigh Brewing Company, this Saturday, May 31 from noon to 5 p.m. A percentage of proceeds from the event will be donated back to Triangle Land Conservancy. Get all the details here.
- This is pretty cool. My buddy Greg Lewis and his wife, owners of the Pittsboro Road House, are starting this Sunday (June 1) and every Sunday after, to provide meals for 70 people through Meals on Wheels and The Council on Aging. The effort will begin at 10 a.m. and will last a couple of hours and then the meals will be delivered. If you are interested in helping, reach out to Greg here.
- It’s time for Triangle Restaurant Week, a week-long opportunity to sample the culinary fares of restaurants in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas. During the week of June 2-8, participating restaurants will be offering three-course menu options and fixed pricing.The cost is $15 for a three-course lunch and $20 or $30 for a three-course dinner, per person and not including beverages, tax or gratuity. Check out a complete list of participating restaurants here.
- There are three things you need to know about the upcoming (June 23-August 4) Fire in the Triangle chef competition to be held in Raleigh. One, the first round pairings were announced yesterday. Second, the lineup of chefs is crazy good. And three, all the events WILL sell out (the final round has already sold out – told you!). Guaranteed. Mark my words. Trust me. Get all the details and tickets here.
- Kick off the summer right with a clambake, cold craft beer, live music, local art, and a Caribbean-style seafood feast. NC Fresh Catch Raleigh returns to Moore Square Saturday, June 7th from 1-7pm, packing the park with day-long entertainment and authentic island flair. Get all the details here.
- And finally, tickets are on sale now for the 2014 Farm to Fork Picnic, which will be held on Sunday, June 8th from 4-7 p.m. The event celebrates local food and local farms and promises food, beverages, live music and fun. Get all the details here.
Food Bank Corner
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Help the Food Bank kick off their Stop Summer Hunger Campaign by joining them at The Streets at Southpoint Kickoff Event on May 31. There will be activities for the whole family! Check out a can structure made by Cisco and learn how to make your own with the “Bailey’s Kids Can Build” activity. And remember to bring your cans! They’ll be hosting a Drive Drop & Go Food Drive on Main Street next to Champps from 10 am – 2 pm. This is a great opportunity for you and your family to have fun and support a great cause! See you there! Get more details on this and all Food Bank events here.
