RALEIGH, N.C. — Restauranteurs Vincent Barresi and Christopher Bender are opening Italian restaurant
BigBoom, in the former Red Room tapas space at 510 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh, this weekend. They will be open on Sunday (Mother's Day). Since the entire menu might not be offered, they will instead be doing a customized dinner from 4-9 p.m. For about $15 per person, just tell them what you like to eat and if you have any allergies. They will come up with something delicious in the kitchen. The concept is part of something Bender and Barresi hope will catch on with customers. Even when the full menu is offered, for a set price the chef will prepare a family style meal for your table.
Large parties are encouraged to make reservations for Sunday, but they are not required. Just call Bigboom at 919-307-4778.
Barresi already owns Italian restaurant Vincent's in north Raleigh. Bender used to own Five Star and the now-closed Martin Street Pizza in downtown Raleigh. Barresi said he wouldn't have moved forward with the new restaurant is Bender wasn't involved. The two have collaborated before and are really looking forward to working together again.
Bigboom specializes in traditional Italian cuisine with a twist. Some notable menu items include their Beef Braccoile, which is rolled, marinated and stuffed with juniper berries and pine nuts. It takes hours to make, but Barresi and Bender said they wouldn't have it any other way. It's all about the authenticity.
Barresi's pizza dough recipe is more than 80 years old. Five specialty pizzas will be offered each week, and customers can always choose to create their own.
Everything from the pasta served to the EVOO used is from Italy.
The decor is definitely something new. Bender, who will be returning to the kitchen for this venture, was inspired for the restaurant's industrial style and graffiti after a trip to New York.
Coming soon:
Gourmet grilled cheese and tomato soup restaurant
Tom + Chee will be opening May 15 at 370 E. Main St. in Carrboro.The restaurant specializes in more than 20 types of grilled cheese and three versions of tomato soup. Their menu also includes salad and vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Wendell is getting a coffee shop.
Grounds Cafe will open on Saturday, May 16, inside the new Wendell Falls development. The cafe will serve gourmet coffee, craft beer, sandwiches, salad and a build your own grilled cheese bar. It will also sell local products and fashion accessories.
Bond Brothers Beer Company is planning to open a brewery in downtown Cary, the News and Observer reports. The location, 202 E. Cedar St., is expected to open next spring.
Food trucks:
Cocoa Cinnamon, which started as a food truck, has launched a crowd-funding campaign for its second location. The company has set up an account on
Community Sourced Capital in an effort to raise $30,000 by May 19. The program sells squares, which are something between a donation and investment. The squares, which are sold $50 increments, are do not return interest to lenders, but they can still be repaid in full. Cocoa Cinnamon owners say they will use the money for new espresso machines, building an outdoor patio and designing the space.
Sol Tacos food truck will be at
Bombshell Beer Saturday form 5-8 p.m. to preview their Sol Tacos and Provisions menu, food truck blogger The Wandering Sheppard reports.
