News-Upcoming Archives ~ NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

March 17, 2020 by Ron Wen 4 Comments

News: Restaurant and Dining Options as We Combat Coronavirus and Covid-19

As we work through this current pandemic and the shutdown of dine-in options in North Carolina, we are in a rapid state of change. Restaurants are doing their best to stay open and available with take-out and delivery options. I’ve curated a list below with the most recent news and options. Please check their social feeds and/or call to confirm any specific menus, hours, discounts and delivery options. Details are changing on an hourly basis and this information is provided as accurately as possible!

Note: The City of Raleigh has also designated temporary curbside pick-up zones to help you in areas with metered parking, details here. If you’d like to add or update the provided information, please submit updated information here or email me: [email protected]

I’m also keeping track of restaurant closings during this pandemic, details below.

Restaurant and Bars Closing (Permanently)

Elmo’s, Carrboro

Tyler’s Taproom, Carrboro

Daybreak, Cary

Postmaster, Cary

Lula’s, Chapel Hill

Ms. Mong, Chapel Hill

Tobacco Road Sports Cafe, Chapel Hill

Cheerz Deli, Durham-RTP

East Durham Bake Shop, Durham

Gonza Tacos y Tequila, Durham

KoKyu Na’mean, Durham

Porchetta Food Truck, Durham

True Flavors Lakewood, Durham

Anvil’s Cheesesteaks, Raleigh

Cameron Bar and Grill, Raleigh

Chuck’s Burgers, Raleigh

High Horse, Raleigh

K&W Cafeteria at Cameron Village, Raleigh

Linus & Peppers, Raleigh

Oakwood Cafe, Raleigh

Papa Shogun, Raleigh

Remedy Diner, Raleigh

Trophy Tap & Table, Raleigh

Virgil’s Original Taqueria, Raleigh

February 27, 2017 by Ron Wen

Media: Cooking for a Classic Heats Up at 1705 Prime in Raleigh!

Cooking for a Classic at 1705 Prime in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Cooking for a Classic at 1705 Prime in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

As a previous fan of the old Competition Dining series I was happy to hear that Rocky Top Hospitality and the Lucy Daniels Center were resurrecting that culinary concept for 2017! Now coined Cooking for a Classic, 16 chefs would compete in a six-plate, elimination series of dinners where diners would get to vote on their favorite dishes with the winner moving on to the next stage. Chefs would be given a fixed budget to feed the crowd and all plates would have to be prepared day of event. As a twist, the plates for Cooking for a Classic would all be accompanied by a beverage pairing which is just a bonus for the lucky diners. And all the net proceeds go to the Lucy Daniels Center thanks to the generosity of donations from sponsors!

Chef brackets for Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Chef brackets for Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

As the chefs progress through the four rounds of Cooking for a Classic, the budget for the meals are increased at each stage. The 16 initial chefs will get whittled down to the final winner, who gets to drive away in a beautiful 1969, yellow Corvette Stingray, woohoo! Luckily I was asked to join one of the first Cooking for a Classic dinners as a guest judge. Chef Nick Fay from Vidrio would be pitted against Chef Donaldo Guzman from Sitti, mano a mano. And I can tell you for sure that it was a fun and delicious evening that you should consider as a Triangle food lover!

Judges table at Sitti vs Vidrio Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Judges table at Sitti vs Vidrio Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Entering 1705 Prime on a warm Tuesday evening, the action was already in full swing with a buzz murmuring through the crowd. At the judges table I was joined by Colleen Minton from Terra Vita and Chef Scott Schabot from Cameron Bar and Grill. After pulled up the voting website online, we toasted to a great evening with our starter cocktails and now it was time to let the eating begin!

Appetizer A, salt-baked celery root at Sitti vs Vidrio Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Appetizer A, salt-baked celery root at Sitti vs Vidrio Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Appetizer B, Vegan spring roll with cilantro soy sauce at Sitti vs Vidrio Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Appetizer B, Vegan spring roll with cilantro soy sauce at Sitti vs Vidrio Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

First up was the vegan-vegetarian appetizers course! A salt-baked celery root paired with a celery spritzer vs. a spring roll with a side of cilantro soy sauce paired with a spicy POM cocktail. While the baked celery root showed some good creativity and textures, the flavors just didn’t work for me so I ended up enjoying the more basic and tasty spring roll out of this pair. Plus the Pom cocktail pairing was excellent and brought some fruit to the savory rolls.

Entree A, Chicken roulade with celery puree at Sitti vs Vidrio Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Entree A, Chicken roulade with celery puree at Sitti vs Vidrio Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Entree B, Duck breast with white truffle polenta at Sitti vs Vidrio Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Entree B, Duck breast with white truffle polenta at Sitti vs Vidrio Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Moving on to the entrees, we were dazzled with a tender chicken roulade with celery root puree and a 12 Linojes verdejo against a Za’atar duck breast with brussels sprouts and pomegrante gastrique. Paired with a Valdamillo red and the white truffle polenta put this duck dish over the top for me even though the chicken entree was REALLY well done. The verdejo wine pairing was unfortunately, watery and weak making for an uphill climb with Entree A.

Dessert A, Sweet potato cake with semi-freddo and sorghum drizzle at Sitti vs Vidrio Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Dessert A, Sweet potato cake with semi-freddo and sorghum drizzle at Sitti vs Vidrio Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Dessert B, Triple layer mousse cake and chantilly cream at Sitti vs Vidrio Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Dessert B, Triple layer mousse cake and chantilly cream at Sitti vs Vidrio Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

And finally, dessert! Often enough in this culinary competitions, dessert can be a turning point since the taste-buds are dying for some sweets and being a good chef doesn’t always translate into being a great dessert or pastry person. Dessert A offered up a lovely sweet potato cake with semi freddo, black pepper crumble and sorghum drizzle. A really well balanced dessert that wasn’t too sweet but just right paired with an Oskar Blue TenFidy. Going against it was a more conventional triple-layer chocolate mousse cake paired with a Scotch ale. And while the mousse cake was really nicely prepared, I’d have to give the edge to the sweet potato cake given its more playful choice of flavors and a delicious beer to go with it. Winner, Dessert A!

Chef Nick from Vidrio at Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Chef Nick from Vidrio at Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

While the food was all delicious, I found that the beverage pairings really impacted my voting since you were enjoying a mini-meal for each course. And as the votes were tabulated, Team Vidrio (Chef Nick) and Team Sitti (Chef Donaldo) were introduced to the appreciative and full crowd at 1705 Prime. A happy round of applause for both these hard-working teams for putting up such a great effort.

Chef Donaldo from Sitti at Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Chef Donaldo from Sitti at Cooking for a Classic in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

But when everything was said and done and votes counted, Team Sitti walked away with the win and into the quarter-final for Cooking for a Classic. And the lucky diners at 1705 Prime all headed into the night, dreaming of the great meal they just experienced. I know I sure did! And if your mouth is watering over these pictures, there are still some competitions left and tickets available for your enjoyment. Come out and support the Lucy Daniels Center with a great meal at Cooking for a Classic. You can thank me later!

The Lucy Daniels Center Cooking for a Classic competition!

Feb. 28 – Clark Barlowe/Heirloom, Charlotte vs. James Patterson/Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro ($50)
March 1 – Jonathan Ballard/Sassool, Raleigh vs. Tom Havrish/Lugano Ristorante, Cary ($50)
March 6 – Adam Pettigrew/Pup’s Steakhouse, Wilson vs. Teddy Klopf/Provenance, Raleigh ($50)
March 7 – Troy Stauffer/City Club Raleigh vs. RJ St. John/Bull McCabes, Durham ($50)
Mar 8, March 13-15 – Round 2, Quarterfinal ($75)
Mar 20-21 – Round 3, Semi-final ($100)
Mar 27 – Round 4, Final ($125)

PURCHASE TICKETS

February 10, 2019 by Ron Wen

News: Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill Opens Next Week!

Kitties at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — Kitties at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to our furry friends, we love ’em all whether you’re talking about dogs or cats! But cat-lovers in the Triangle are going to get a cool, new option to hang out with felines, the Cat Tales Cat Cafe opening soon in Chapel Hill. I had seen the announcement for this interesting concept last summer and kept watch on their space on Franklin Street as construction continued. After a donation of some cat goodies to the Cat Tales Cat Cafe, I was invited for a preview of the space. And I can tell you for sure, it’s going to be an interesting new option in Chapel Hill! Note: As of March 2020, Cat Tales Cat Cafe has found homes for 109 cats.

Cafe area at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — Cafe area at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

Employees at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — Employees at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

The Cat Tales Cat Cafe sits in short, 2-story, brick building at 431 W. Franklin Street in what used to be a clothing store. Enter through the side and you’ll be in the cafe area on the 1st floor. Co-owner Katy Poitras (wearing cat ears) is busily working on the opening day preparations and she greets my friend and I. Cat Tales Cat Cafe will be offering coffee, beer, wine and other drinks along with baked goods from Phoenix Bakery in Pittsboro once things get ramped up. Today they’re putting together the display case and some of the other furniture for their space. Right at the entrance there’s also a bulletin board of the current, kitty employees at the Cat Tales Cat Cafe! All kitty employees are from the Goathouse Refuge out in Pittsboro and available for adoption unless they have already been spoken for. We hear some plaintive mewing outside a second glass door and in the stairwell area, it’s time to meet our furry friends!

1st floor foyer at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — 1st floor foyer at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

We walk through the second glass door and into the stairwell foyer area. One noisy cat has already set up shop here in a fleece sleeper, enjoying the sunlight pouring through the window panes. Up at the top of the stairs is Cat Tales Cat Cafe’s main lounge area decorated with a mint green floral mural and with plenty of lounging space. There are several couches, throw pillows in pink and white and young cats skittering about across the polished, wood floor! The residents of the Cat Tales Cat Cafe are mostly 9 months to 2 years old (teenagers) and are young enough to have a lot of energy but old enough to show off their personalities. They range across a variety of colors, from black to white to grey, calico, long-hair, short-hair and more. I hope they get a couple of gingers sometime soon!

2nd floor lounge at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — 2nd floor lounge at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

Residents at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com — Residents at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

There are plenty of toys, exploration tubes and teasers scattered about and the cats seem really well-adjusted. They are coming out to sniff, play and explore while others sit contentedly napping in their chosen spots. Upstairs I meet the second co-owner, Ilene Speizer who is contentedly keeping her furry charges entertained. Cat Tales Cat Cafe is limited to 12 furry employees and they will obviously be rotating in the guests as they get adopted. The $12/hour per person visitation price along with the sale of beverages and snacks will help keep the Cat Tales Cat Cafe up and running. All the adoption fees will go directly to the Goathouse Refuge to support their efforts.

We hang out a bit, my friend Steve plays with one cat while I’ve got Coco Chanel cat following me around for a taste of my Corona beer, she must be a bit of a party girl! They are active and curious kitties making for a fun visit. Katy apparently got the idea for a cat cafe right before she moved from Charleston to the Triangle and she estimates that there are about 80 to 100 cat cafes in the country. And now the Triangle has one, too! The Cat Tales Cat Cafe is working hard towards an opening next week in mid-February but keep an eye out on their Facebook page for more details. Cat-lovers rejoice, you’ve got a new hang-out spot to enjoy the soothing play and preening of some adorable felines out in Chapel Hill…

Cat Tales Cat Cafe

431 W. Franklin Street, Suite 210

Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Location on Google maps

December 29, 2019 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

News: Old North State Food Hall in Eastern NC

Over the past two years, the NC Triangle has added a bunch of food halls, ranging from Morgan Street Food Hall, Transfer Co. Food Hall along with Blue Dogwood Public Market. And while people are still eagerly awaiting the Durham Food Hall, another entrant hit my radar screen: Old North State Food Hall! While it’s not officially in the Triangle, it will sit right outside of our area off of I-95, Exit 97 in Selma. Developed in 12,000 square feet at the old JR Cigar location, food vendor announcements are slowly coming out. The food hall will be anchored by the North Carolina Beer Hall which is founded by Double Barley out in Smithfield, a great choice!

They are targeting an opening during late spring or early summer, 2020 but we shall see! And I’ll be updating this post as news leaks out, the Old North State Food Hall might make for a fun stop as you head to the NC coastline!

Food and Drink Vendors at Old North State Food Hall

Boulevard East (Coffee, Snacks)

Barley and Burger (American)

Luna Pizza Cafe (Italian)

North Carolina Craft House (Beer)

Exit 97 off of I-95 in Selma, NC 27576

Location on Google maps

August 22, 2019 by Ron Wen

News: Coronato Pizza is Now Open in Carrboro and Serving Great Italian Pizzas and Cuisine

Front of Coronato Pizza in Carrboro - nctriangledining.com — Front of Coronato Pizza in Carrboro – nctriangledining.com

If you’re a pizzaholic like I am, you probably search out good pizza. Whenever I travel I try to hit the best local spots for some amazing za. So I was curious when I heard Chef Teddy Diggs was leaving Il Palio to open up his own gourmet pizzeria. While the ambiance may be casual, the food is a step above in terms of Italian cuisine. Just be aware that Coronato Pizza is located in a new plaza called South Green on a traffic circle. I’ll be back for more before I review Coronato Pizza but it’s off to a great start!