Foodie News: Wahlburger's signage goes up

RALEIGH, N.C. — With our need to keep Mendy Iler entertained, we feel it is necessary to inform everyone that a sign has now been added to the outside of the soon-to-be Wahlburger’s on downtown Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street. Still no word on when the brothers and their burgers will actually arrive. Stay tuned. Thanks to Russ O’Melia for letting us know about the sign.

John Huisman, aka Triangle Explorer, brought some Durham news my way with the announcement that Boxcar Bar + Arcade is on track to open a third location in downtown Durham in late spring of 2018. With the addition of a wood fired pizza kitchen, this will be their first location to include food as part of their bar and arcade concept (which includes tons of vintage games and giant Jenga). In addition to the kitchen, the Durham location, at over 10,000 square feet, will be home to more than 80 arcade games, a full bar, an extensive craft American draft menu, a covered patio and some unique features, such as a possible outdoor fire pit. Located at 619 Foster Street, this location overlooks the historic Durham Athletic Park, directly across from Geer Street Pub and around the corner from Durham’s famous Motorco Music Hall. Boxcar already has locations in Raleigh and Greensboro.

Tonbo Ramen, brought to us by the owners of Kanki, recently opened in the Moore Square District at 211 S. Wilmington St. in downtown Raleigh. They are serving up quintessential Japanese ramen dishes, such as Tonkotsu, Shio and Shoyu. Also they have an upstairs Izakaya bar, their version of a Japanese speakeasy, where you can enjoy craft cocktails and small plates, offering the unique flavors of Japan. Thanks to Pirya Mataifor the tip.

And a quick update on a new Italian restaurant called Osteria G opening very soon at 5160 Sunset Lake Road in Apex in the former Little Hen spot. At the time of this posting, they are still not open (but that could change at any moment). Check their website, Facebook and Instagram before venturing out.

Over in Cary, friend Hugh Autry notified me that a new Firehouse Subs is going in near Panera Bread at the Centrum at Crossroads shopping center where it will replace the Qdoba. No word yet on an open date.

And the semi-finalists were announced this week for the annual James Beard Foundation awards. Congrats to all those that made it to the next round. I’ll keep saying it — we are truly blessed in this market with amazing culinary talent. Check out the impressive list here.

We are excited to announce that Fusion Fish, the global Asian fusion restaurant featuring sushi, spirits and cocktails in the former One spot in Chapel Hill’s Meadowmont, is now open in the evening for their soft opening. Their “official” opening will be on March 1. Be sure to call before heading over during this “soft opening” period.

On Monday (feb. 19) a new fast-casual restaurant called Sushioki (“Oki” means big in Japanese) will open at 4900 Highway 55 (near the intersection with Highway 54, next to Brigs restaurant). The concept features large, burrito-sized sushi rolls, both traditional (raw tuna, raw salmon, tempura shrimp) and non-traditional (double fried chicken, southern pork BBQ, Korean bulgogi, and veggie).

Congratulations to the folks over at Carrboro’s ACME Food & Beverage Company as they celebrate their 20-year anniversary. And they are holding a party (like it’s 1998 – sorry Prince) tomorrow, Saturday, February 17th from 8:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. They will have a heated tent behind the restaurant and will have dancing, snacks, drinks and (of course) a damn good time. Admission is a $20 donation to Be Loud! Sophie, which supports adolescent and young adult cancer patients at UNC Hospitals. Get all the details on their Facebook event page here.

In downtown Durham, the owners of the popular restaurant Old Havana are in the process of transitioning into a new concept, Copa (a farm to table tapas and cocktails of old Cuba), in the old Revolution. They are looking to open the new venture in March. However, to complete that dream, they are asking for community support to make renovations/furnishings possible.

WRAL reported that after more than six years in business,Calavera Empanadas and Tequilla will be closing in downtown Raleigh. Their last day will be February 24. That’s the bad news. The good news is they also own Oak City Meatball Shoppe and the soon-to-open Kaiju Bowl and Bao.

Got word from Britt DelPizzo that there is a new truck coming to the Triangle that will especially excite those transplants from western New York. Buffolina will serve up wings, chicken fingers, dogs, legendary beef on weck, pizza logs and of course, canned “pop” – among others.

And dates have been set (at least initial dates) for the Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo and Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeos.

Art Sheppard, the Wandering Sheppard, noted that the date has been set for the next edition of Rodeo on Rosemary over in Chapel Hill. This year it will take place on April 22 at 12 noon featuring 15 of the best trucks in the Triangle.

Two great sites to keep up with your favorite food trucks. Street Food Finder is one, and another, aptly named, is Roaming Hunger.

Tyler’s Restaurant & Taproom and Sam’s Quik Shop will host the 6th Annual Bull City Food and Beer Experience on Sunday, Feb. 25. The event features 30 restaurants paired with 30 breweries spread throughout all three DPAC floors featuring unlimited samplings and the Harris On Stage Experience showcasing local food trucks with the help of County Fare, a daily food truck rodeo opening soon.

March 17 is the date for the second annual Food Shuttle Garden Gallop 5K to benefit the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s Growing School Gardens program (better known as the Sean is Faster Than Gordon race). If I can do it, you can do it! Come on out and support a great cause.

Durham Magazine, Chapel Hill Magazine and Chatham Magazine return with their popular culinary event, Taste, to take place April 18-22 highlighting culinary talents. The event will feature over 30 of the area’s top chefs at four unique events throughout the week.

And looking ahead a bit, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina will host a culinary event called Thrive NC set to take place at downtown Raleigh’s City Market on May 10-11. The two-day event will highlight the fact that 1.5 million people in the state struggle to buy affordable and fresh foods. A highlight of the event will be a two-day food festival featuring top chefs from 50 North Carolina restaurants serving food and drink samples against a backdrop of live music each night. Tickets will go on sale in February.

And the 2018 version of Farm to Fork expanded to three events over several seasons and tickets to all three just went on sale. The fun begins with the first event on June 3, the perennial favorite Farm to Fork Picnic, where the area’s best farmers and chefs are paired. Then on Sept. 16 they’ll host a pop-up dinner featuring Jacob Boehm of Snap Pea Underground & Catering. And the series will conclude on Dec. 6 with John T. Edge and a celebration of Southern food on Chapel Hill’s Lavender Oak Farm. You can buy ticket to each individual event, or all three.

Go ahead and mark your calendars and get your tickets for the Food Bank’s Chef’s Feast at Fearrington Village coming up on March 22. Four renowned chefs will prepare and serve favorite recipes through four courses in an intimate environment. Guests will enjoy beverage pairings, an opportunity to bid on unique auction items, and learn more about what the Food Bank and its partner agencies are doing in the community for those facing food insecurity.