RALEIGH, N.C. — Get ready, Cape Fear Seafood Company will open their Wake Forest location next Monday, May 29, at 3612 Roger’s Branch Road. This will mark the sixth overall and third Wake County location for the celebrated Wilmington seafood brand (the other two in the Triangle are in the Village District and on Spring Forest Road). Congratulations to Matt and Eddie and their entire team. Visit Cape Fear here.
Wake County Restaurant News
And with that news, my buddy Dana McCall shared that next to Chicken Salad Chick will see the opening of the Triangle’s sixth location of The Butcher’s Market. Both will be part of the new construction in the middle of the parking lot at Lake Boone shopping center. Visit The Butcher’s Market here.
Downtown Raleigh’s newest wine bar and shop, The Hippo, opened this week in the former Short Walk Wines spot at 123 E. Martin Street (across from Larry’s Coffee). They specialize in natural, low-intervention and estate wines. They will be open 2-10 p.m. every day. Get to know them.
Up in Wake Forest, Triangle Business Journal shared the news that Torchy’s Tacos, a craft fast casual chain out of Austin, Texas, is opening their second Triangle-area location in Grove Ninety-Eight development, anchored by Wegmans. Look for them to open toward the end of this year or first of next year. Visit Torchy’s here.
Also up towards Wake Forest, Raleigh Rolls announced their grand opening for their new location at Wakefield Commons on Saturday, June 3 from 5 p.m. until close. Pro tip: they are already in soft open mode, so stop by to get an early peek! But on June 3, enjoy an evening of Thai rolled ice cream, giveaways, tumblers, ice cream scented slime and more. Their original location is in the Morgan Street Food Hall. The new shop is located at 10750 Wakefield Commons Drive in Raleigh. Visit them here.
Over in Cary, Triangle Business Journal shared that The Albatross, a new bar featuring golf simulators, cocktails, and gourmet hot dogs, is opening this August in downtown Cary (140 E. Chatham Street). The simulators at the “golf pub” will offer high-tech analytics and data to help golfers improve their game. Like John Daly, I’ve always thought my golf game just needed a couple more drinks and a hot dog! Start getting familiar with them here.
And we would be remiss if we didn’t note the passing of a legend in the Triangle food scene this week. We had to sadly say goodbye to Walter Royal who has been the executive chef at Raleigh’s Angus Barn for over 25 years. Perhaps the Angus Barn said it best in their announcement: “His spirit, kindness, and desire to mentor others was legendary. He set the example for a life well lived, even in the face of adversity. His legacy will live forever, and he will be greatly missed by so very many.” Prior to the Angus Barn, Royal had stints at The Fearrington House in Pittsboro and Magnolia Grill in Durham. Rest in Peace.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
The Triangle Business Journal noted this week that Giorgios Bakatsias will open Aria Events and Catering next month (June) in Durham. The event venue is located just north of downtown at 2609 N. Duke St. and will host corporate events, social gatherings, galas and fundraisers, theatrical productions and weddings. Check it out here.
Over in Pittsboro, reader Ross Hannah tipped me off to the fact that Aye Toro Tacos and Tequila opened their newest location at 65 Old Rock Spring Cemetery Road. It is off 15-501 just past the Hwy. 64 interchange (behind O’Reilly Auto Parts). Locally, they have locations in Holly Springs and Sanford (as well as one in Wilmington). Get to know them here.
Also in Pittsboro, a discussion on the Pittsboro Eats Facebook page revealed that John’s Pizza (122 Sanford Road) is now under new ownership and will become Marcel’s Pizza. Get familiar with the new concept here.
In Chapel Hill, Sarah Boak shared that Blue Dogwood Public Market (306 W Franklin St.) has a new pop-up concept called 50 Kitchen, a fast casual restaurant inspired by Southern American and Asian-American cuisine. Chef Anthony Caldwell recently moved here from Boston. Expect 50 Kitchen to be open Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. for the foreseeable future. Check them out and Anthony’s story here.
Closings
Unfortunately, today (Friday) is the last day of service for Sawmill Taproom at the corner of Leadmine and Sawmill in Raleigh. We are still holding out hopes that the owners can find another location. Stay tuned.
And Maria Briscoe Benton shared with the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook Group that Sage Cafe will close its doors at the end of May. They hope to reopen in a few months at a new location, but that location hasn’t been identified yet. Stay tuned.
Food Trucks
A Place at the Table announces their second annual Pay-What-You-Can Food Truck Rodeo on Sunday, June 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This fun-filled community day will consist of delicious meals, refreshments, and desserts from a variety of food trucks including: Q-spresso, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle: The Spinning Plate, Bulkogi, Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes, Locopops, AMPM Burritos, Season It Up Vegan, Aries Dish Delivered, and Goodness GraceUs. All food trucks will have special menus prepared for the event. The rodeo will take place in the parking lot on the corner of West Hargett and South Harrington street across from A Place at the Table. Purchase tickets ahead of time here.
The next Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo is June 11 from noon to 4 p.m. Get out your calendar and make note of the dates for the rest of the 2023 Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeos: Sept. 3 and Oct. 29. All rodeos are from noon to 4 p.m. Giddyup! Here is the link.
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
Got word from Neha Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, that Farm to Fork is making its return in 2023 on June 4 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Fearrington Village. Held in the Triangle for more than 15 years, the Farm to Fork Picnic is a showcase of North Carolina chefs, artisans, and farmers paired together to create sips and nibbles of the region’s best flavors and seasonal ingredients! You can get tickets and all the details here.
Clouds Brewing is hosting its second annual Summertime Beer Fest on Saturday, June 3. Head to the taproom (1233 Front Street, Raleigh) from 3 to 7 p.m. to sample and celebrate 25+ NC beers on tap from breweries across the region. Tickets are $25-$65 and include entry, a commemorative glass and 10 beer tickets. Get tickets here.
Tickets are on sale now for NC F&B Podcast’s 3rd Bubbles & Brisket at Smoky Hollow scheduled for Saturday, June 3, from 2 to 6 p.m. The event features 10 BBQ pit-master chefs and an array of sparkling beverages. With the purchase of a ticket, guests will enjoy various styles of brisket and side dishes prepared by the best talent in the state, along with sampling multiple styles of sparkling wine from around the world. Get tickets here.
Like the beer in Durham? North Carolina that is. What about the beer in Durham, UK? Well, here is your chance to find out. Sister Cities of Durham will hold their Two Durhams Beer Festival on Friday, June 9, from 5-9 p.m. at Durham Central Park (Durham, NC). Essentially 5 breweries in Durham, NC are exchanging beer recipes with 5 breweries in Durham, UK. There will also be live music, food trucks, and souvenirs. I’ll drink to that! Get the details here.
Friend Kitty Kinnin reminded me that tickets are now available for the 5th Roots for Reece Chef’s Picnic being held on June 11 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Haven Farm in Knightdale. At the event you will be able to sample small plates and beverages from over 25 local food and beverage establishments. Check out this list: Longleaf Swine BBQ; Glass House Kitchen; Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing; The Umstead Hotel and Spa; Craften Neighborhood Food & Drink; Postal Fish Company; Under The Oak Catering; Locals Seafood; Mebane Crafted; Cucciolo Terrazza Raleigh; Viv’s Fridge; Jolie Restaurant; Elevated Catering Company; Layered Croissanterie; Native Fine Diner; ORO Restaurant & Lounge; Lawrence Barbecue; Leroys Taco Shop; William & Company; Revival 1869 – A Drinkery; Trophy Brewing Company; Umbrella Dry Bar; Deep River Brewing Company; and Double Barley Brewing. All proceeds go to the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, which saves lives through education and prevention of opiate overdose. Visit the site here to get your tickets.
Sunday, June 18 is the date for the Summertime Seafood Festival in downtown Pittsboro hosted by The Sycamore and Postal Fish Company. From 2 to 6 p.m. on the lawn and inside of Forest Hall at Chatham Mills, guests will be able to enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks and live music. Advance tickets for entry are $10 or purchase at the door for $15 (if available). Food, drinks and desserts are available for purchase. Get all the details here.
The folks over at Acme are bringing back Salt & Smoke on Saturday, Oct. 28. This year’s event will be held at The Barn at Sonark Media (located just off of Old 86 in Hillsborough). If you are not familiar with the event, it is a full afternoon and evening of live music, whole hog barbecue, raw oysters, roasted clams and plenty of the right beverages to wash it all down – local beer, wine and cocktails. And if you get your tickets now, through the end of this month there is a $25 discount for all tickets purchased (just use the code FINALLY when checking out). Get all the details and tickets here.
Food Bank Corner
Right now, one in five people in central and eastern North Carolina doesn’t have enough to eat. Your tax-deductible gift helps provide food and hope to families, children, and seniors right here in our community. Together, we can help people in our community during their greatest time of need. Give here. Every $10 you donate provides 50 meals! #noonegoeshungry
