Foodie news: Dessert food hall opens in Raleigh
Unfortunately, this week’s “big news” are a couple of big-time closings. But the hope is we will see each “soon” in some way, shape or fashion. First came the news out of Durham that Matt Kelly’s St. James Seafood Seafood would not have their lease renewed and their last day of operation will be in early October. Looks like there are plans for a new mixed-use development on that piece of real estate.
Within hours, came news out of downtown Raleigh that Cheetie Kumar and husband Paul Siler would be closing Garland. Their last day of operation is Aug. 27.
The good news is that both will have a reincarnation of sorts. Kumar and Siler and working on a project with the folks at Annisette Sweet Shop on Bickett Boulevard in Raleigh, which should be unveiled in the very near future. And it sounds like Kelly is eager to find a new home for St. James. Follow announcements on Instagram from Anisette here, Garland here and St. James here. Look for pop-ups from all three.
Wake County Restaurant News
The newest location of 321 Coffee (and first official storefront) is having their grand opening and ribbon cutting this Saturday (August 20) at 9:30 a.m. The new store is located at 615 Hillsborough St. in the Bloc[83] development. Get to know them and their story here. Make plans to stop by Saturday morning and celebrate this great addition to our community.
Got word from reader Ashley Mukoyama that The Pickled Onion is opening a third location in Forestville Shoping Center heading out 401/Louisburg Road on the way to Rolesville, where the old Buried Hachet was. Look for them to open that location by end of the year. In the meantime, visit one of their other two locations in Raleigh. Get familiar with them here.
The News & Observer shared this week that Little Blue Bakehouse, the Triangle’s first dessert food hall, opened last week next to the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. The sweet shop, located on New Bern Avenue, is a collection of micro-desserteries including Little Blue Macaron, Bites of Sam, Bold Batch Creamery, Boozie Bakes, and Medicine Mama’s Farmacy. Check them out here.
Holly Springs continues to flourish with new dining options. David McCreary pointed out the latest one to open, Lovegrass Kitchen. They are a gluten-free cafe featuring crepes, waffles, salads, smoothies, espresso drinks and more, located at 300 S. Main St., Suite 108. Discover more here.
Fuqua-Varina moms and dads rejoice. Got word this week that Chick-fil-A of Fuquay Varina has re-opened. They did so yesterday, Thursday.
Down in Selma in Johnston County, got the announcement this week that the much-anticipated Old North State Food Hall will open its doors on Friday, Aug. 26. The hall is located at 67 JR Road in Selma and will offer ten diverse cuisines all under one roof. Opening tenants include FUKU, Barley and Burger, Luna Pizza, Curry in a Hurry, Aroma de Cuba, The Mac House, My Cielo Taqueria, Cock a Doodle Moo, Bean and Bubble and Butter Cream. Longleaf Tavern, housed in what was once a humidor in the historic JR Cigars building, will serve as the “heart of the food hall,” offering full bar service. Get updates and announcements here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
Raleigh Magazine shared some huge news out of Boxyard RTP this week with the announcement that Lawrence Barbecue’s Jake Wood will be opening a new taco spot early next year! Leroy’s Tacos n Beer will specialize in the smoked brisket birria tacos that he served as a special at Lawrence (sold out in a couple of hours), along with rotating dishes. They are aiming for a January, 2023 opening, and will be situated just two doors down from Lawrence, and underneath his other Lawrence Food Co. Hospitality Group concept, Lagoon Bar. Keep up with announcements on Leroy’s Instagram page here.
Other news out of RTP, reader Jennifer Buchholz notified me that the latest location of Tony Roma’s opened this week at 151 Tatum Drive in Durham. For those not familiar, they are a full service, casual dining family restaurant featuring ribs and steaks. They have been around since 1972. Get details on this newest location here.
And in Pittsboro, reader Jay Beaton pointed out new signage at the former Michoacan / Bella Donna / Pizza Hut spot for a new restaurant called Los Charros Mexican Grill Restaurant. It is at 440 East Street near downtown Pittsboro. We believe it will open soon, and one online posting suggested August 20. But best to follow them on social media here.
Closings/Cancelations
The Hardee’s location in front of Wegman’s in Chapel Hill, closed their doors on August 8th. The new developments in that area really made access a challenge. And the soon-to-open locations of Cookout and Shake Shack probably didn’t help either.
Food Trucks
The final Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo of 2022 is Sunday, Sept. 25. The rodeo is set up on downtown Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street featuring a half mile of food trucks and restaurants spread out over 10 city blocks. Details here.
The remaining Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo 2022 schedule is as follows: Sept. 4 and Oct. 30. Mark your calendars.
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.
Events
Sounds like Durham was just looking for a reason to drink beer. And they came up with two reasons (as if one is not enough)! Tonight from 4-7 p.m. Durham’s Sister City program will hold their “Two Durhams Beer Festival” at Durham Central Park celebrating the beers of Durham, UK and Durham, NC. Durham NC breweries: Glass Jug, Ponysaurus, Fullsteam, and Bull City Burger and Brewery; and Durham UK Breweries: Caps Off, Hops and Dots, Steam Machine, and Durham Brewery. Visit their event page on Facebook here.
The Willard Wine Dinner: Italy’s Piemonte will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25. Chef James Cundiff will prepare a four-course menu that will be paired with six Italian wines, including Bianco, Barbera D’Alba, Barbaresco, Barolo and finishing with a Brachetto. Tickets are limited to 40 people. Wine will be available for purchase at a discounted rate. Cost is $90 per person (not including gratuity or tax). Get all the details here.
The Pinehurst Barbecue Festival is taking place Sept. 2 to 4 in beautiful Pinehurst, N.C., where they will celebrate “All Things Barbecue” in North Carolina – from eastern N.C. vinegar to western N.C. tomato. The three-day event features a variety of activities culminating with a impressive list of pitmasters showing off their talents on day three. Get tickets and all the details on their site here.
The Bull City BBQ Bash will take place on Saturday, Sept. 3 from 12-5 p.m. bringing a high energy BBQ event to Durham to cap the summer holiday season. Attendees will interact with BBQ competitors, taste and vote on delicious food while supporting Helps Education Fund, enjoy live music, shop at a small business marketplace, enjoy local food and beverages and most of all - experience an amazing atmosphere! Get all the details on their website here.
After a two-year hiatus, Dinner in the Meadow will return as attendees will be gathering in the meadow again on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The dinner sells out each year, so you are encouraged to get your tickets early.
This year's Sola Hot Mini 5K will be a special one. Let's work together to make it the biggest one ever. As many of you know, John and Jeanne Luther are the founders/owners of Sola Coffee Café in north Raleigh. Jeanne was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, on Aug. 30, 2019. On April 12 of this year, at age 57, Jeanne went home to be with Jesus. Racegoers will gather on Sept. 17 at 8:30 a.m. at the shop for the 9th annual Sola Hot Mini 5K to raise money to find a cure. Please consider joining the Sola community for an incredible morning in the effort to end ALS. Register and get all the details here.
The15th Annual Pepperfest returns this year on Sunday, Sept. 18 at The Plant in Pittsboro. The event is hosted outdoors with live music and pepper-themed food and drink made with locally-grown sweet, hot, and smoky NC peppers. Chefs and craft beverage makers will compete for awards. Guests can taste different dishes made from peppers grown in the Piedmont of North Carolina. Early bird prices are good through July 1, when prices increase. Get your tickets and all the details here. Thanks to Neha Shah with the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau for alerting me about this great event!
Also on Sept. 18 in Chatham County, 580 Craft Beer Marketplace will host the 2nd Annual Chatham County Beer Festival from 2 to 6 p.m. at 354 East Street in Pittsboro. Your $30 pass (until 9/1) gains you access to 15 breweries and over 50 different beers. Food trucks and music will be ongoing throughout the event. Get tickets and all the details here.
Food Bank Corner
The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina has a goal to to raise 10 million meals this summer and come to the aid of our friends and neighbors stretched thin by the rapidly rising cost of living. Find out how you can help! #NoOneGoesHungry
Sean Lennard, a Raleigh native, has been around the Triangle food scene for...well, a long time, but professionally since 2002 with the the Triangle Food Blog, formerly known as Friday Fun Food Facts, in 2008. You can find his blog here. And you don't have to wait until Friday for updates as you can follow Sean throughout the week on Facebook and Twitter.
