Featured
Restaurant News
Big news out
of north Raleigh this week thanks to our friends at Raleigh Magazine.
They shared that downtown Raleigh’s Longleaf Swine will open a second
location in the former Sawmill Tap Room spot next to Sola Coffee
in the Greystone Village shopping center (corner of Lead Mine and
Sawmill). The building will receive significant renovations, which means we
likely won’t see it open before next fall. Might want to follow along on their
Instagram here for updates and progress. In the meantime, they
said they will be announcing weekly pick ups from Greystone soon, or you
can swing by their downtown location.
Wake
County Restaurant News
Raleigh
Magazine shared the news that downtown Raleigh’s newest social and sip
spot, Bitter Social, will open in the former Gallo Pelón space
above Centro (104 S Wilmington St.) next week on Oct. 2. The
concept by Kim Hammer and Lewis Norton, of Bittersweet and
Johnson Street Yacht Club fame, will host a bevy of regular monthly
events — with drinks to pair, naturally. Their website
is here.
One of our
readers shared with us that signage is up for Anchor Bar which was
founded in Buffalo, New York in 1964 and known as home of the original “Buffalo
Wing.” They will be located at 6615 Falls of the Neuse Road in the Falls
Village shopping center in North Raleigh. This will mark their first
location in North Carolina. No word yet on an open date. You can start getting familiar with
them here.
Downtown
Raleigh favorite Whiskey Kitchen has brought back a familiar face. Chef Kyle
Teears has rejoined the team as executive chef, bringing his signature
style, Appalachian culinary roots, and deep love for Southern cuisine back to
the heart of downtown Raleigh. Guests can expect to see new seasonal dishes
roll out under Chef Kyle’s direction this fall, alongside Whiskey
Kitchen favorites. Best to keep
up with Whiskey on their Instagram.
Saw on
Instagram that Midtown Raleigh’s The Exchange has announced a new option
coming this fall. Toastique is bringing their fresh pressed juices, açaí
bowls, gourmet toasts and more to 1000 Social Street, Suite 130. With a
location already in Charlotte, this will be the chain’s second location in
North Carolina. Get to know
them here.
We first
told you about this in April, 2024, but learned this week that Johnny’s
Pizza will open their newest location next week in the former Papa’s
Pizza spot in Greystone Village in between Gonzas and Bottle
Rev. Visit Johnny’s
on Instagram here.
Over in Olde
Raleigh, we learned this week that the newest location of Chipotle will
open on Tuesday, September 30th at 3101 Edwards Mill Road. Visit Chipotle
here.
Over in
Apex, reader Megan Hershey shared with us that Groovy Duck Bakery
has signs up at the old The Cranky Yankee Bakery/A Taste of Brooklyn
spot on Salem Street (101 N. Salem Street) in Downtown Apex. Their original
location is at 3434 Edwards Mill Rd. in Raleigh. Follow along
on Instagram here.
Up in
Rolesville, got word from reader Hans Kerekes that at Jersey Mike’s
is opening in the Wallbrook shopping center on Main Street In the same
spot as Publix and Five Guys. Visit Jersey
Mike’s here.
Down in
Knightdale, the News & Observer tipped us off to the fact that
Unhinged Coffee Co. is opening a brick and mortar location after “rolling
through life in our mobile cart.” They will be located at the corner of First
& Main (315 N. First St.) in Knightdale. They will have their grand opening
on October 2nd. Keep up with
them on Instagram here.
Durham,
Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
Preeti Waas is at it
again. The News & Observer shared the news this week that she is
opening a second location of her “boutique bodega” concept – Nanny Goat
– this one in downtown Durham in the Geerhouse development near the Durham
Food Hall. Looking to open next month, the Durham shop will have
convenience foods prepared by local chefs along with all the goods and brands
you usually see at the original Nanny Goat in RTP, featuring produce,
snacks, household items and more. Visit Nanny
Goat here.
In the
category of the “long and winding road” — a concept that we first reported on
in April, 2021, is finally nearing an opening, but in a different location and
with a newly structured ownership team. Tipsy Bull, a sports bar and
grill, will now open this month at 800 Taylor St. in the Golden Belt
campus according to the Triangle Business Journal. The venue promises
food, craft beer, big screens and a high-energy atmosphere. Look for them to
open this month. Check them out
here.
Timber Pizza
Co., the D.C. based pizza concept which opened its first
Triangle-area location in Raleigh about a year ago, announced this week that
they will open their second location in the state in Durham. Look for them to
open before year’s end in the preserved historic City Garage at The Shops at
Wye Junction (701 Washington St.). The space will feature 45 seats
including bar seating, a Durham-inspired mural from a local artist, bench
tables, reclaimed wood finishes, and both indoor and outdoor seating. Visit Timber
here.
Blogger Raleating
shared on Instagram that Durham is getting its first Qamaria Yemeni Coffee
Co. next month off NC-55. Get ready to enjoy their Yemeni coffee, lattes
and signature Tres Leches and Honeycomb Bread. No word yet on an exact opening
date. Keep up with them and the announcement of their opening date on Instagram
here.
And more
great news coming out of Chapel Hill as it was shared this week that both The
Catering Company of Chapel Hill and Mariakakis Fine Foods & Wine,
located in Mariakakis Plaza near Eastgate shopping center, have
reopened after being closed for about 70 days following the flooding. (Side
note: The Shoe Repair has also reopened in the same plaza).
Closings
None to
report. Keep eating local, folks!
Food
Trucks
The final Durham
Central Park Food Truck Rodeo of 2025 will be on Sunday, Nov. 2.
It will run from noon until 4 p.m. featuring over 50+ food trucks
with cuisine from all over the world making it the ultimate Sunday Funday in Durham
Central Park (501 Foster Street)! Get all the
details here.
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
For the
month of September, Little Rey’s latest taco collaboration is with Dave
Ellis from Figulina. Available just in September, stop by to try a
braised chuck taco with onion sugo, ramp salsa verde and crispy shallots. All
proceeds benefit Now Serving NC. Visit Little
Rey’s here.
East End
Bistrot begins their brunch service this Sunday, Sept. 28.
Expect to see all your French favorites alongside some surprises in William’s
signature California-Asian style — like freshly baked croissants and
Hazelnut-Brûléed Pain Perdu with his fluffy Hawaiian bread to omelets, quiche,
and a Tonkatsu Benedict. Sounds delicious! Take a peek at the menu
and make your reservation
here.
Kitty Kinnin reminded me
that we all need to join 4,000 of our best friends to support The Foundation
of Hope on Oct. 12 at the annual Walk for Hope at The
Angus Barn. This year both lanes of Glenwood will be closed for this
special event as attendees stroll down the highway through Umstead. Kitty
also reminded us to try some of her tasty @Bad Kitty blend coffee from Larry’s
Coffee. A portion of the proceeds go to Foundation of Hope to fight
mental illness. Details and
register here.
The
inaugural Salt & Smoke & Sound Festival will be held Saturday,
Oct. 18 at Blackwood Farm Park between Chapel Hill and
Hillsborough. The exciting new community event merges together two beloved
festivals – Acme’s Salt & Smoke and Sonark Media’s Harvest Festival – into
a celebration of food, culture, and music in a welcoming, family-friendly
atmosphere. Food will be provided by Acme’s Kevin Callaghan and a team
of local chefs and food trucks offering a wide variety of dishes and dining
options. The festival will feature craft beers, curated beverages, and other
interesting spirit-free options. All food and drink will be available for
purchase and is not included in the price of festival entry. Tickets are on
sale now.
Tickets are
now on sale for 2025 Chefs for Change Gala & Live Auction, the
annual fundraiser for Families Moving Forward, Durham’s primary
emergency shelter for families with children. The event will take place on Nov.
6, 2025 at The Cookery in Durham. This unparallelled culinary event
will feature a multi-course culinary experience prepared by some of North
Carolina’s most acclaimed chefs, including Matt Kelly of Nanas
Rockwood, Vin Rouge, Mateo, Mothers & Sons and Dino’s
Pizza; Gray Brooks of Pizzeria Toro; Aaron Benjamin of
Gocciolina; and Michael Lee of M Sushi, M Tempura, M
Kokko, M Pocha and M Izakaya. Chef Chris McLaurin of Lutra
Cafe and Bakery will be providing dessert. Secure your
tickets now.
Food
Bank Corner
It’s a
critical moment for many families, veterans and seniors in central and eastern
North Carolina. Many people don’t realize that hunger is at a 15-year high
in our state, even higher than during the pandemic. Inflation, rising
housing costs, and other challenges are making it harder and harder to put
meals on the table. Now, federal budget cuts are making it more difficult
for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina to purchase the food
so many of our neighbors have been turning to. For example, a program
helping food banks and school districts purchase food from local growers and
producers has been cut. This means a loss of nearly $30 million in revenue for
small farms in North Carolina and millions of meals for kids and families. Every $10 is
enough for 50 meals, so your gift quickly adds up to a big impact!