Foodie news: Two Roosters reopens Raleigh location (May 27, 2022)
Following in the footsteps of the reopening of Mitch’s Tavern last week, another Raleigh institution opened this past Tuesday. Downtown Raleigh’s Mecca Restaurant, founded in 1930, is now open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends at 13 E. Martin St. All your old favorites, daily specials and even Sunday brunch! Congrats to chef Danon and her entire team! And thanks to Greg Hatem for keeping a Raleigh tradition and institution alive.
Wake County Restaurant News
Have you been out to Mellow Mushroom in Raleigh’s Brier Creek recently? If you have, you may have noticed their outdoor enhancements. If you haven’t, head out there on Saturday, June 4, as they “officially” unveil their outdoor space from noon until 3 p.m. with a backyard party. I just saw it and it is super cool! Just behind the restaurant, they revamped their patio and backyard, adding outside dining, all turf/grassy areas and cool sail canopies topped off with custom lighting. They also enclosed the side yard for a pet-friendly dining space completely fenced in and added four picnic tables, umbrellas and custom lighting.
The folks at RalToday shared that Two Roosters is hosting a grand reopening of its Lake Boone location this Sunday, May 29. The ice cream shop will hold events from 2 to 5 p.m. featuring an appearance from the Durham Bulls mascot Wool E. Bull, face painting and live bluegrass music.
Also in Raleigh, RalToday shared an update. Warm cookie delivery company Tiff’s Treats is set to open June 4 in the Village District. To celebrate its grand opening, the shop is giving away one dozen cookies to all new subscribers. Sign up for free cookies here.
A quick update to the grand opening of Red, Hot & Blue in Park West Village in Morrisville. As with most things in today’s “supply-chain-challenged” world, there is a delay in their opening. Don’t worry, it is coming, just going to take a little longer than anticipated. They are looking at a mid-June opening, but haven’t landed on a date just yet. We will let you know as soon as we know.
Up in Wake Forest, Triangle Explorer John Huisman informed me that Heritage Donuts in Wake Forest opened last Saturday. They are located in the Publix Shopping Center off Rogers Road.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
Our friends over at Bites of Bull City brought it to our attention that Durham is very close to getting their very own German-inspired bottle shop and bar Der Nachbar, which will be located in northwest Durham at 4916 Hillsborough Road (adjacent to the intersection of Hillsborough Road and 751) will feature a wall of taps (20 rotating taps) and patio space. Congrats to owners Gert and Erin Blüschke and Eric and Laura Cannon. They are targeting an early June open date.
Chapelboro shared the news this week that BaseCamp, a new Franklin Street restaurant and bar from the owner of MoMo’s Master, will conduct a soft opening through the end of July. They will hold a ribbon cutting today, Friday, May 27 at 4 p.m. held by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce as well as a free food sampler and soft drinks for invitees until 5 p.m. when they open to the general public. They have taken over the space formerly occupied by Jed’s Kitchen at 105 East Franklin St. Congrats to owner Ramesh Dahal.
Chapel Hill Magazine shared this week that Hillsborough is getting a new watering hole (quite literally) before year’s end with the anticipated opening of Eno River Brewery. Situated on the banks of the beautiful Eno River (at 329 Allison St.), the brewery will reflect the owners’ philosophy that, "What the world needs right now is more craft beer.” Now that is a theory I can get behind!
Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies founder Carrie Brogren brought to my attention the great news that the folks behind B3 Coffee have announced they will open their first kiosk this June at the Chapel Hill Public Library. B3 Coffee is a non profit that provides community integrated social and vocational opportunities for people with disabilities as well as allies. They are very close to reaching their goal of raising $16,000. If you are able, donate today to get them across the finish line towards a successful launch next month. Visit their GoFundMe page here.
And a quick congratulations as the Fearrington House Inn and Restaurant announced this week that Paul Gagne will become the new executive chef. An equal amount of praise and thanks goes to chef Colin Bedford as he ends his sixteen-year contribution to this award-winning restaurant.
Closings/Cancelations
We were incorrectly informed that the Subway in Chapel Hill’s Glenwood Square had closed. It has NOT. Please go by today and get you a sub! However, reader Chris Creighton did inform us that the Subway in the Circle K at Holly Springs Road and Ten Ten Road has closed.
Food Trucks
OK, pay attention. Some changes to the Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo 2022 schedule. The are just two dates for 2022 rodeos and they are as follows – June 12 and 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.
The remaining Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo 2022 schedule is as follows: June 5, 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
Taste of Soul NC takes place this Saturday, May 28, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Durham’s Central Park. Dubbed as “the ultimate cookout,” the event will feature a wide variety of options from some of the best food trucks in the area along with local merchants, kid games and music from a DJ along with live performances. Check out the list of vendors and all the details here.
Someone’s being reading my diary again. This Sunday, May 29, is the NC Sugar Rush, an all-dessert food truck rodeo, taking place from 1 to 5 p.m. in downtown Raleigh’s City Plaza. The event will feature a DJ, live performances, merchant vendors and, of course, 20+ dessert vendors.
Islands in the Alley returns to Alley Twenty Six in downtown Durham on June 1. The retro themed pop-up features tropical food and drinks harkening back to the era of Trader Vic and Don the Beachcomber. They are decking out the bar and alleyway with plenty of tropical kitsch. Guests can expect culinary favorites like coconut shrimp and the Big Kahuna burger to make an appearance. The cocktail menu, once again, will feature classics like the Saturn, Cobra’s Fang and Junglebird and as well as new creations. It starts at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, and ends July 31.
Beats & Eats Music Festival in Chapel Hill will be held on June 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. on the Southern Village Green. Attendees will be able to enjoy dancing, the music of Bantum Rooster and food from Paco’s Tacos during this fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill.
The second annual Bubbles and Brisket is scheduled for Saturday, June 4 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Smoky Hollow in downtown Raleigh. The event is a collaboration of chefs, pit-masters, wine producers, sommeliers and brewers pairing sparkling bubbles with a variety of cooking techniques and side dishes that feature everyone’s favorite: brisket. Early Bird Tickets on sale for the month of April are $65/person. On May 1st, tickets are $75/person. Get all the details and tickets here.
The annual Triangle Restaurant Week summer edition is set to run the week of June 6-12, 2022. During the event, participating restaurants within Raleigh, Cary,Chapel Hill, Durham and surrounding areas will offer a special 2 or 3-course prix fixe menu ($20, $25, $30, $40, $50) each day they are open. Visit their website for a list of participating restaurants and their offerings.
The NC Hops Fest will be held June 11-12 at the NC State Fairgrounds. Attendees will be able to sample from a selection of 100+ NC craft beers, ciders, and seltzers while enjoying live music, local makers, and food trucks. Get all the event details here.
After a 2-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.
Like beer? Excellent. Visit Raleigh has established a Raleigh Beer Trail that gives you a passport to get stamped at the 30+ breweries in the Raleigh area, from Wake Forest to Raleigh to Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina. Once you’ve filled up your passport with stamps, you send it in to receive prizes. Nothing like being rewarded for drinking! But as always, please drink responsibly.
Food Bank Corner
With your support over the last year, the Food Bank distributed food to approximately 200,000 youth facing hunger in the 34 counties we serve. Unfortunately, we continue to see a devastating impact from COVID-19 for young people, who are left vulnerable to family and school changes. No child should have to worry when he or she will eat again, and no parent should have to skip a meal, so they can put food on the table for their children. Through agency distributions, targeted nutrition programs, education, and public policy work, the Food Bank is reaching young people with healthy and fun food options. Learn more here. #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.
