Triangle Foodie News: Cocoa Cinnamon readies second location

RALEIGH, N.C. —

Featured Restaurant News

The News & Observer reported this week that Leon Grodski de Barrera and Areli Barrera de Grodski, owners of the Cocoa Cinnamon coffee shop, expect to open their second Durham location within the next couple weeks at 2627 Hillsborough Road in Durham, next door to Mesa Latin Kitchen. Their original location is on West Geer Street in downtown Durham.

Mash & Lauter has opened upstairs at Busy Bee Cafe in downtown Raleigh. The new concept, which replaces The Hive, features a new menu that includes local products meant the pair bottled and draft beer. Beer options include a variety of Belgian and Belgian-inspired American craft selections, vintage beers from the bar's extensive cellar and a menu of seasonal cocktails.

Indy Week reported this week that the former Tyler’s location at Seaboard Station in downtown Raleigh will have new life, as early as May of this year. Apparently before opting out of his lease, Tyler Huntington had recruited some brewers out of Wisconsin. Word is that those brewers will carry out Huntington’s vision for that space, a full-on brewery surrounding diners on all sides. While the individuals behind it, nor the name, have been revealed, they plan on opening a 10-barrel brewpub by May. Stay tuned!

We are waiting...and waiting. They say good things come to those that wait. And this is going to be good! Teddy Klopf’s Provenance restaurant on the first floor of the new Skyhouse luxury apartment building on East Martin Street in downtown Raleigh is opening...any day now. Klopf describes the restaurant as “refined new Southern cuisine in a contemporary, casual setting.” He previously worked at McCrady’s in Charleston, S.C., and The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary.

Got word straight from Brad Barbour that his much-anticipated Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar in Cary’s Preston Corners has officially opened! It is located in the old Caribou Coffee location.

The Triangle Business Journal reported yesterday that BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, a California-based concept, has acquired the former Golden Corral building in the Centrum at Crossroads shopping center. They plan to tear it down, and build from scratch. No word yet on their timeline, but they have plans for an additional four to five locations throughout the Triangle.

And also in Cary, saw on a Yelp message board that a new Nepali restaurant, called Himalayan Range Nepali Restaurant, is opening in the Reedy Creek Plaza at 910 NE Maynard Road.

The News & Observer reported that Six Plates co-owner Matthew Beason announced that he will be closing the popular Durham restaurant and wine bar on March 11. But the good news is that he hopes to reopen with a new concept by April 1. Stay tuned.

On Tuesday, Jan. 19, M Sushi will open in downtown Durham at 311 Holland St., across from the Durham Hotel. M Sushi is the latest from chef Michael Lee who also owns Sono sushi restaurant in downtown Raleigh. The folks over at Bites of Bull City did a really nice interview with Lee.

The Burgeoning Baker pointed out that Bruster’s ice cream is moving into the former Moonberrie’s location next to Rise near the Streets at Southpoint. No word yet on an open date.

Reader Richard Brown tipped us off to the fact that the latest location of Cook Out has opened near the intersection of Hwy. 54 & 55 in RTP at 2103 Allendown Drive.

We are sad to announce that after an eight-year run The Oxford will be officially closing its doors on Jan. 24. But they will go out in class “G” style, with a big bash. Join them from 5 p.m. until midnight for a “Last Day Party” featuring drink specials, and whatever food they have left!

We can now confirm that downtown Raleigh’s Twisted Mango has closed, but stay tuned. New Raleigh is reporting that it will reopen as a Mediterranean/Italian concept. Needless to say, we will keep an eye on it.

And over in Durham, Six Plates on Erwin Road will close on March 11. Look for a new concept in that space by April 1.

The Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo has announced its dates for this year: May 1, June 12, Aug. 7 and Oct. 9. VIP early admission wristbands, which let you get in to buy food before the general public, are on sale now.

And over in Durham, the first Durham Central Park food truck rodeo, appropriately named Winter Rodeo, takes place on Sunday, Jan. 24. from 12-4 at Durham Central Park and will feature more than 50 trucks.

Holly Springs is hosting a small Food Truck Rodeo on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Holly Springs Cultural Center (300 W. Ballentine Street) as part of the 4th Annual Community Arts Festival. The rodeo will feature Stuft, Big C Waffle, and Olio & Aceto.

The folks over at Plates Neighborhood Kitchen will host a five course beer dinner with Brueprint Brewery on Sunday, January 24th. Each of chef Stephen Day's courses will be paired with a selection from the Apex brewery. Dinner will include a presentation from the brewmasters themselves, shedding insight into the science, and magic, behind the brewing process. Get all the details here.

Things are gearing up for Triangle Restaurant Week. It will be here before we know it. The next rendition will take place Jan. 25 through 31. Start planning your week now.

Thanks to a tip from Felicia Perry-Trujillo, I was reminded that the Triangle Wine Experience, which benefits the Frankie Lemmon Foundation, is Feb 4-6.

February 20 is the date for the 6th Annual Care to Share Gala to benefit the Guiding Lights Caregiver Support Center. It will be held at the Kerr Scott building in Raleigh. The event features a chef challenge in addition to the auction.

The 4th Annual Bull City Food & Beer Experience will be held next year on April 10, but tickets are already on sale. Visit the DPAC ticket center to avoid service charges.

Durham Magazine and Chapel Hill Magazine will sponsor the third annual TASTE: A Celebration of Food & Drink, happening from April 21 to 23, 2016. The event will feature more than 30 top local chefs and establishments in Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Raleigh. A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to the Durham Branch of the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.

A huge thank you to all that helped support the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina’s Holidays Meal Drive. They reached their goal of providing 2.4 million holiday meals this season by raising over $485,000 in online donations prior to December 31! We are so very thankful and deeply humbled by the outpouring of support. Thank you for your partnership to help provide hunger relief in our region!

Unfortunately the need continues. If you are looking to fulfill a New Year’s resolution to get involved in your community, I encourage you to take a look at the Food Bank. Find out how you can volunteer here.