Foodie News: Bubble waffles and croissant shops open in Raleigh

CARY, N.C. — Ashton Mae Smith’s weekly email announced that Layered Croissanterie, a croissant bakery meticulously crafting pastries with a modern twist, is set to open Sunday at 911 N. West St. in the old Rainbow Upholstery building in downtown Raleigh. It is brought to us by husband-and-wife team Mark and Kawsar Chavez. As with any opening, check out their social media for any changes. Follow them on Instagram here or visit their website here.

Last week we told you about Sean Degnan's plans to bring chef Drew Smith with him to Cary to open kō•än in the former ān space at 2800 Renaissance Park Place in August. This week we share the news that you can get a sneak preview of kō•än as they will host a summer-long pop-up series at their sister restaurant so•ca in Cameron Village starting June 28 with executive chef Drew Smith.

The folks over at Offline Raleigh shared the news that the popular Wake Forest roaster and cafe is coming downtown. It was announced this week that Black & White Coffee Roasters will be taking over the coffee counter at Videri Chocolate Factory. The coffee counter will be closing after this Sunday and reopening July 6 under the new ownership.

Offline Raleigh also shared the news that a brand-new spot called Bumble Teahas opened at 3221 Avent Ferry Road in Raleigh. Their menu includes tasty milk tea (boba), smoothies, coffee, and bumble waffles. Get to know them here.

Got word this week that Raleigh will be home to the next location of Just Salad and will be located at 4025 Lake Boone Trail in the Marketplace at Lake Boone (same complex at Buffalo Brothers, Guasaca and The Oak, Kitchen & Bourbon Bar). This will be the Triangle’s first location, and only second in North Carolina for the concept that started in midtown Manhattan. The menu has evolved to more than just salad, including wraps, grain bowls, market bowls, toast boxes, smoothies, and more. Look for them to open in July. Keep up with them here.

Over in Cary, Asali Desserts & Cafe in Cary's MacGregor Village will join with MacGregor Village to hold a Grand Opening Celebration this Saturday, June 29 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The celebration will be filled with giveaways to the first people at the cafe (you could win FREE coffee for a year!), a prize wheel, samples, live music, activities for the kids and more. Plus, meet the owners and husband-wife team Hanadi Asad and Jamaal Ali as they welcome you to celebrate the opening of their new cafe. All the details can be found on their Facebook event page here.

The Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Raleigh’s Triangle Town Center has landed some new dining options. Those hungry for Vietnamese Pho, shrimp rolls or lemongrass chicken, can now head over to Oriental Pho located at the mall's food court. Oriental Pho also serves Boba tea smoothies. Another new storefront is Times Coffee. It's located just outside of the food court, and across from Hollister. Patrons can grab coffee, espresso or tea - and also enjoy paninis and various treats. And finally, Sugar Grinders is located in the Macy’s wing on the upper level. It offers various items to satisfy the sweet tooth such as the "made-with-love" lemon pound cake and an assortment of cookies. You can visit all of the Triangle Town Center's dining options here.

The Triangle Business Journal also reported this week that a Marco’s Pizza might soon be taking over a portion of the FedEx Office Print & Ship Center space at 6820 Glenwood Avenue (near the intersection with Duraleigh Road). Apparently an administrative site review plan has been submitted. Marco’s Pizza has locations in Chapel Hill, Clayton, Durham, Holly Springs, Morrisville, Pittsboro, Raleigh and Wake Forest and has two more locations in Raleigh on the way, as well as a location in Apex. Get to know Marco's here.

Over in the RTP side of Durham, along Page Road and adjacent to Page Road Grill and Mez, reader Paul Prause sent me a note about a sign for a new restaurant coming our way. The new venture is called Lulu Bangbang Asian, but that is all we know at this point. We were unable to find an online presence, so stay tuned! Thanks Paul!

WRAL shared the news this week that Corner Boys BBQ, a Fuquay-Varina-based food truck and catering company, will be the next pop-up business at American Tobacco Campus. Corner Boys is known for its BBQ classics -- including pork, chicken, beef, turkey and brisket BBQ and "jerk" chicken.

Sides include slaw, green beans, boiled potatoes, roasted potatoes, mac-n-cheese, corn on the cob, cabbage, yams, baked beans and corn bread. Flavored lemonades and dessert -- like peach cobbler and banana pudding -- are also staples. The shop, located at 359 Blackwell St., opens July 3 and will serve customers through July 26. Hours are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get to know Corner Boys here and visit the ATC Pop-Up site here.

Clint Winslow and Charlie Farris are at it again - opening their sixth Jersey Mike’s location - this one in Durham at 1835 MLK Jr. Parkway in the University Commons shopping center near the intersection with University Drive (between Harris Teeter and Orange Theory). Winslow and Farris also own the two locations in Chapel Hill, one in Hillsborough, another one in Durham at Falconbridge and one just outside of Chapel Hill in Chatham County. Check out the newest Jersey Mike's location here.

Over in Hillsborough, reader Stephen Head shared some exciting news. Napoli Pizza is taking over the former Mystery Brewing space and renovations are underway - slated to open this fall. According to the News & Observer, Carrboro restaurants Napoli Pizza and Glasshalfull wine bar are partnering on the new restaurant.

Stephen Head also shared the news that Tacos Los Altos, a food truck on Churton Street in Hillsborough, has opened up a restaurant at 126 W. King St. Get familiar with the truck and the restaurant on their Facebook page here.

Good friend Karis Jackson shared the news that Babalu in Chapel Hill’s Eastgate Crossing shopping center has closed. They opened this location in Aug. 2017.

And in Carrboro, “Durhamois” (his Chowhound profile name) shared that One Fish Two Fish has permanently closed.

Just a reminder that Jason Smith's s 18 Seaboard will end a 14-year run on July 2 - good luck reserving a "farewell" lunch or dinner.

This Saturday, June 29 down in Holly Springs is the Park It in the Market Food Truck Rodeo at the Holly Springs Farmers Market at 300 W. Ballentine St. It runs from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

The Wake Forest Food Truck Rodeo will take place THIS Sunday, June 30 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 405 S. Brooks St. in downtown Wake Forest!

Thanks to a note from Mark Ginsberg, I learned that the Knightdale Food Truck Thursdays is back up for the season. The event is held the third Thursday of the month from April through October at Knightdale Station Park for lunch AND dinner.

The remaining two dates for the 2019 Durham Food Truck rodeos are September 1 and November 3!

And the remaining two dates for the 2019 edition of the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo are: Sunday, Aug. 4 from 3 to 9 p.m. (Evening Rodeo); and Sunday, Oct. 6 from 12 to 6 p.m. All are held along Fayetteville Street.

Taste celebrates the vibrant Durham-Chapel Hill culinary scene with a festival of food & beverage events, June 26-30, 2019. All told, the event features 5 premium culinary events. New for this year, they are offering back-to-back nights of their signature Grand Taste Experience at the Durham Armory – with each night featuring over 30 great local restaurants. The week also boasts a 1920s themed Speakeasy Nightclub at a secret location, a 6-Course Southern Feast Dinner at Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club and a Boozy Brunch at Clouds Brewing.

You can ask the lovely and talented Lori Bowers-Lennard, but I'm not much of a fruit fan. But one fruit I can get excited about is a good ol' North Carolina peach. That is why I'm excited to share that Dexter Hill reached out to me this week to be one of the judges at the NC Peach Day which will take place at the State Farmers Market on Thursday, July 11, beginning at 11 a.m. There will be free peach ice cream, fresh NC peaches, a peach recipe contest (of which I will be a judge!) and a special appearance by the N.C. Peach Queen (who knew?).

The folks over at The Root Cellar Cafe (Pittsboro location) and Vino Wine Shop are teaming up for a Summer Wine Dinner featuring four (4) plated courses with five (5) wine pairings. Tickets are $69, which includes all fees, sales tax, and gratuity.

It was recently announced that one of Chatham County's largest food festivals, the 12th Annual Pittsboro Pepperfest, is returning to main street in downtown Pittsboro. The date for this year's event is Sunday, Sept. 22 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. So go ahead and mark your calendar to spend your afternoon in historic, downtown Pittsboro.

One of my favorite annual events released details about their event dates and when tickets will go on sale. The 10th anniversary edition of Terra Vita Food & Drink Festival will take place in Chapel Hill October 16 - 19, 2019. Tickets go on sale July 11, so put that date on your calendar to snap up the quick sell-outs!