Foodie news: Former Carolina Inn chef opens new restaurant

RALEIGH, N.C. — There is something fishy going on over in Pittsboro and I can’t wait to check it out. Got word from fellow Pittsboro restaurateur Greg Lewis (Pittsboro Roadhouse & General Store) that Postal Fish Company opened this week at 75 W. Salisbury St. in the old post office building. Chefs James Clark and Bill Hartley, most recently with The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, are the ones behind the venture.

Got word that Sommelier’s Roast, a new gourmet coffee and amenities shop in the Regions Bank building at 3700 Glenwood Ave., has opened serving a light-fare for breakfast and lunch. It is a joint venture between certified sommelier Lance Odvody, formerly from the Angus Barn, James Voltz, co-owner of The Raleigh Wine Shop, and Grubb Ventures. They will hold their grand opening event on Thursday, October 26th from 4:30-7pm where you can enjoy complimentary wine, coffee and tea tastings with food pairings, a live jazz trio, enter to win prizes from The Angus Barn, North Carolina Symphony, Sommelier’s Roast, The Raleigh Wine Shop and more.

Just days after the closing of McAlister’s Deli in North Hills, it was announced that the spot would be filled by Viva Chicken, a Peruvian rotisserie joint specializing in Pollo a la Brasa. They are expected to open in the summer of 2018. With locations all over Charlotte, this will be the first Triangle location.

A quick update on Mami Nora’s newest location at 6711 Glenwood Ave. thanks to the folks over at ITB Insider. They had initially announced plans to open in early 2017, but just this past April, permits were issued for a new wall sign, and in the last two weeks a small interior alteration permit for “equipment change and related building work” was issued. So, the good news is it is still happening. Just taking a little longer than anticipated.

PokeGo, Poke & Noodles is now open according to reader Camille Lane who just ate there and gave it a thumbs up. It is located in the former Yogurt Mountain location on Creedmoor Road (8107 Creedmoor Road) in Raleigh.

Not sure how I missed this, but saw in the FoodCary blog that Penn Station East Coast Subs has opened a West Cary location at 5036 Arco St. (Whole Foods shopping center). Penn Station has four Triangle-area locations.

Saw in Ashton Mae Smith’s weekly email last week that food blogger EatRaleigh announced that a new pizza place would be opening in downtown Raleigh “behind the Raleigh Times” at 206 S Wilmington. Kind of vague at this point, but we’ll keep an eye on it.

Over in Durham, congratulations to Honeygirl Meadery as they celebrate their 3rd anniversary today, Oct. 20, with a part from 6-9 p.m. tonight. They will have mead tastings, new Fall meads, new test batch tastes and a surprise announcement. Oh, and Mr. Mongolian food truck will be on hand.

And it looks like we are down to the "any day" status for a new (and very pretty lit up at night) Taco Bell coming to Chatham County, just south of Chapel Hill on 15-501. Look for it to open any day now.

Food Truck Thursdays are back in Knightdale. Every Thursday from September through November, Knightdale hosts a new truck at Knightdale Station Park for lunch and dinner. Just look for it from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm near the amphitheater (rain or shine - shelters are covered). Thanks to Mark Ginsburg for the heads up.

Friend David McCreary notified me that downtown Fuquay-Varina is hosting a food truck rodeo on Sunday, Oct. 29 from 1-4. The rodeo will feature Chirba Chirba Dumplings, Dusty Donuts, JAM Ice Cream and Morfa Empanadas. And beer vendors Aviator Brewing Co., Fainting Goat Brewing and Mason Jar Lager.

Art Sheppard notified me that Chapel Hill is bringing back the Rodeo on Rosemary. It will be held on Nov. 5 from noon to 4 p.m. (also same day as the Durham Rodeo…decisions, decisions).

And the food truck rodeos in Raleigh are over for the year and just one remaining in Durham for the year on Nov. 5. Get all the details. Get all the details for Durham dates here.

The new WRAL.com Voters' Choice Awards starts this fall with expanded categories and subcategories. You can nominate your favorite businesses through Nov. 8. On Nov. 13, they will unveil the official voting ballot. To nominate a business, click here. And if you are a business interested in sponsoring this year's awards or getting promotional graphics to help encourage people to nominate your business, click here.

On Nov. 4, it is one of my favorite events of the year - the 5th annual Salt & Smoke Festival, where chef Kevin Callaghan and his team from Acme capture a perfect autumn day in the South with bluegrass, whole hog barbecue, oysters on the half shell and local drinks - so many rich traditions rolled into one singular and spectacular celebration at Rock Quarry Farm. This is a "don't miss" event.

Also on Nov. 4, join Bites of Bull City from 10 a.m. until noon for a Durham brunch tour. Why go to brunch at just one restaurant when you can try three! Your delicious tour will take you to Piedmont, Pie Pushers and Counting House. You will meet the chefs behind the dishes and get a taste of the unique flavor and styles at each stop. Cost is $45. Use coupon code SAVEFIVE to get $5 off through this Sunday.

Looking ahead to November, there are two events of note and both are on Nov. 5. First up is the 27th annual A Tasteful Affair at The Blue Zone at Kenan Stadium where 500 guests will enjoy delicious samples from more than two-dozen of the area's best restaurants, catering companies, beverage purveyors and food trucks - all to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill. Details and tickets here.

It’s time for the 2017 Triangle Chili Challenge. On Sunday, Nov. 12 in Downtown Cary, restaurateurs and food trucks compete alongside the Cary Police and Fire Departments for the “Best Chili in the Triangle”. The event also features live music, craft beer, art vendors, raffles and cash prizes. The winner will go home with $300 in cash, a trophy and serious bragging rights. Registration is now open.

Reap the spoils of competition while top Triangle chefs compete to be named Soup-erior Chef at Urban Ministries of Wake County's annual Stone Soup Supper on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at NCSU McKimmon Center. Funds raised from the event will be used to feed, shelter, and provide healthcare to low income individuals living within Wake County. Guests receive unlimited bowls of specially crafted soup from more than a dozen chefs. Guests also receive one piece of artisan pottery, hand-crafted by the Triangle Potters Guild.

Mattie Beason of Black Twig Cider House will host TxotxFest on Nov. 18 from noon to 4 p.m. TxotxFest returns for a second year, offering award-winning regional and national ciders with North Carolina cuisine, and features the txotx - a traditional Spanish cider barrel. Beason introduced TxotxFestin 2016 as the first event of its kind in the Southeast to celebrate cider, the fastest growing segment in the beverage industry. This year, Beason kicks off TxotxFest Nov. 17 with a $50 five-course cider-paired dinner at Black Twig Cider House featuring Asheville's chef Steven Goff of Brinehaus Meat & Provisions and ciders from Noble Cider, Urban Orchard, Appalachian Mountain, and James Creek.

Our friends at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina will be holding a Students Against Hunger food drive from October through December for schools in the area. Participants in the Students Against Hunger campaign collect food and funds from October 2 through December 2. Competing schools must deliver their donations to our warehouse by noon on Saturday, December 2. There are lots of creative ways for your child’s school to participate. Register your school and get all the details here.