Foodie news: Glasshouse Kitchen is open, plus Cary is getting a cowboy bar

RALEIGH, N.C. — The team behind downtown Raleigh’s Wye Hill opened Glasshouse Kitchen this week out in RTP (5 Laboratory Drive). Raleigh Magazine was the first to break the news of the new concept. The name comes from the gorgeous building boasting three sides of floor-to-ceiling windows which will feel like an extension of the outside world in the dining room — without the annoyances of being outside. The menu, which is crafted as approachable-casual, is a joint effort by WH Hospitality company chef Bobby McFarland and executive chef Savannah Miller, who, before joining the Glasshouse team, worked at M Tempura for almost four years. Pizza will be a huge draw of the menu along with a sandwich-heavy menu at lunch and a small plates-forward menu at dinner. And don’t forget brunch as well as their craft cocktail program. Congrats to co-owners Sara Abernethy and Chris Borreson. Check them out here.

WRAL shared the news this week that Professional Bull Riders (PBR) is opening a cowboy bar in Cary’s Fenton in the first half of 2023. PBR Cowboy Bars are currently located in 10 cities around the country, but this will be the first in NC. Most notably perhaps, the bar will feature the area’s only professionally endorsed mechanical riding bull. Maybe Cary is shaking that “relocating Yankee” reputation! Get familiar with them here.

And speaking of Fenton, we are getting very close to the opening of the first restaurant at that development – Colletta (I just got invited to the pre-opening event). Date to be announced soon. Chef Oscar Gnapi’s seasonal menu will feature house-made focaccia and pasta, antipastis, made-to-order wood-fired pizzas, and piatti. The chef curated dinner and dessert menus, pair with the well balanced wine and beverage program. The restaurant will feature 60 indoor dining seats, 60 seats outdoors on the semi-covered patio, and a 12-seat bar. Get familiar with them here and sign up to receive the opening announcement.

Down in Selma in Johnston County the much-anticipated Old North State Food Hall will open its doors today, Friday, Aug. 26. The hall is located at 67 JR Road in Selma and will offer ten diverse cuisines all under one roof. Opening tenants include FUKU, Barley and Burger, Luna Pizza, Curry in a Hurry, Aroma de Cuba, The Mac House, My Cielo Taqueria, Cock a Doodle Moo, Bean and Bubble and Butter Cream. Longleaf Tavern, housed in what was once a humidor in the historic JR Cigars building, will serve as the “heart of the food hall,” offering full bar service. Get updates and announcements here.

Carrie Brogren, founder of the Chapel Hill Carrboro Facebook foodies group, shared the news that NoDa Brewing Company out of Charlotte will be opening NoDa Brewing Company Tapas in the current Old East spot in Chapel Hill’s East 54 on September 16th. Old East will continue to operate as a bar with a limited menu until then. The new concept will offer small plates and a full-service bar. This will be NoDa Brewing Company’s fourth location and the first outside the Charlotte area. Visit NoDa here.

Sad to share the news that Big Mike’s BBQ location in Apex was forced to close due to an inability to renegotiate their lease. Two good things: they still have their Cary location as well as their catering/food truck; and two, they hinted at announcing a new location soon. Stay tuned. Visit them here.

And multiple media outlets shared the news this week that jazz club and cocktail lounge C. Grace closed for good after over a decade in business on Glenwood Avenue.

And got word this week from Michael DePersia of DePersia & Associates that Burger 21 in Bradford Shops in Cary (corner of High House and Davis) has closed. However, if you have interest in taking over the franchise or opening your own restaurant there please contact DePersia & Associates.

The final Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo of 2022 is Sunday, Sept. 25. The rodeo is set up on downtown Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street featuring a half mile of food trucks and restaurants spread out over 10 city blocks. Details here.

The remaining Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo 2022 schedule is as follows: Sept. 4 and Oct. 30. Mark your calendars.

Looking to find your favorite food truck (or stalking them and simply don’t want to have to admit it)? We understand. Find them on Street Food Finder.

This weekend is the 46th Annual Lazy Daze street festival over in Cary. The event features two days of fun bringing together nearly 300 artists from 16 states across the U.S. Featuring a beer garden, numerous interactive art activities, a kid’s world area, demonstrations from professional craftsmen and food and drink vendors. Admission is free. The event is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 27 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 28. Get all the details here.

Indy Week reminded us that the Sixth Annual TVF Vegan Mac & Cheese Cook Off is taking place this Sunday, August 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Durham Armory. This event benefits Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge and Triangle Vegfest. Attendance will be capped at 300 people. Get all the details here.

The Pinehurst Barbecue Festival is taking place Sept. 2 to 4 in beautiful Pinehurst, N.C., where they will celebrate “All Things Barbecue” in North Carolina – from eastern N.C. vinegar to western N.C. tomato. The three-day event features a variety of activities culminating with a impressive list of pitmasters showing off their talents on day three. Get tickets and all the details on their site here.

The Bull City BBQ Bash will take place on Saturday, Sept. 3 from 12-5 p.m. bringing a high energy BBQ event to Durham to cap the summer holiday season. Attendees will interact with BBQ competitors, taste and vote on delicious food while supporting Helps Education Fund, enjoy live music, shop at a small business marketplace, enjoy local food and beverages and most of all - experience an amazing atmosphere! Get all the details on their website here.

After a two-year hiatus, Dinner in the Meadow will return as attendees will be gathering in the meadow again on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The dinner sells out each year, so you are encouraged to get your tickets early.

This year's Sola Hot Mini 5K will be a special one. Let's work together to make it the biggest one ever. As many of you know, John and Jeanne Luther are the founders/owners of Sola Coffee Café in north Raleigh. Jeanne was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, on Aug. 30, 2019. On April 12 of this year, at age 57, Jeanne went home to be with Jesus. Racegoers will gather on Sept. 17 at 8:30 a.m. at the shop for the 9th annual Sola Hot Mini 5K to raise money to find a cure. Please consider joining the Sola community for an incredible morning in the effort to end ALS. Register and get all the details here.

Also on Sept. 17, kick off autumn with a free Oktoberfest Celebration at Gizmo Brew Works from 12-10 p.m. where you will enjoy live music, food, and craft beer out of a commemorative half-liter boot glass ($20; first pour is free). Get all the details here.

The15th Annual Pepperfest returns this year on Sunday, Sept. 18 at The Plant in Pittsboro. The event is hosted outdoors with live music and pepper-themed food and drink made with locally-grown sweet, hot, and smoky NC peppers. Chefs and craft beverage makers will compete for awards. Guests can taste different dishes made from peppers grown in the Piedmont of North Carolina. Early bird prices are good through July 1, when prices increase. Get your tickets and all the details here. Thanks to Neha Shah with the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau for alerting me about this great event!

Also on Sept. 18 in Chatham County, 580 Craft Beer Marketplace will host the 2nd Annual Chatham County Beer Festival from 2 to 6 p.m. at 354 East Street in Pittsboro. Your $30 pass (until 9/1) gains you access to 15 breweries and over 50 different beers. Food trucks and music will be ongoing throughout the event. Get tickets and all the details here.

The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina has a goal to to raise 10 million meals this summer and come to the aid of our friends and neighbors stretched thin by the rapidly rising cost of living. Find out how you can help! #NoOneGoesHungry