Foodie News: Jose and Sons reopens in new location
I saw this over in Durham and am modifying (i.e. stealing) it for the entire Triangle. Please take the Triangle Takeout Pledge! Restaurants need your support more than ever. With temperatures dropping, college students going home, and the number of Covid cases steadily increasing, sales have dropped off significantly for everyone. I am asking for you to pledge to order takeout food from any independent restaurant 1-2 TIMES per week. Or better yet, bundle up, snuggle up and dine in-person, whether inside or out (lots of restaurants have added heated space) – and don’t forget to TIP GENEROUSLY. Additionally, consider giving gift cards to local, independent restaurants as holiday gifts this year. If each of us takes this pledge, really takes this pledge, our favorite restaurants will be here on the other side of this mess. Take the pledge! #TriangleTakeoutPledge
Wake County Restaurant News
We told you about this back in November, but we learned this week from Raleigh Convergence that after a little remodeling, Jose & Sons is now open in their new location in Raleigh’s Pleasant Valley. You’ll recall they have “moved into” their father’s third location of El Rodeo (4112 Pleasant Valley Rd.). The menu is a bridge from old school Tex-Mex nostalgia to the current day Sur-Mex flavors. Check out the menu here.
Speaking of oldies returning (with a twist), the Triangle Business Journal shared this week that a downtown Raleigh taco shop that shutdown earlier this year has reopened with a fresh vibe and bulked up menu. Virgil’s Tacos on South Salisbury Street is now Virgil’s Cocktails & Cocina. Look for hand crafted cocktails, music vibes and authentic Mexican cuisine. Owner Jon Seelbinder said they’ve completely revamped the concept and elevated the menu that is now focused around the dinner and night crowd. Additionally, above Virgil’s, Seelbinder is preparing to reopen his speakeasy, The Merchant (formerly Level Up). Check them out here.
The folks over at North Hills shared this week the exciting news that the newly opened Advance Auto Parts Tower is getting a new addition, Cucciolo Terrazza, a locally owned restaurant offering modern Italian cuisine with a twist. Look for them to open in the fall of 2021. Jimmy Kim, chef and owner, opened Cucciolo Osteria Durham in 2018 with the blessing of his cousin, Julian Kim, who started the original Cucciolo Osteria in Seoul, South Korea in 2015. In the meantime, visit Cucciolo Osteria in Durham here.
Got word this week from Michael DePersia of DePersia & Associates that Woody’s Sports Tavern & Grill will open their 3rd location in Morrisville’s Grace Park where Trali’s Irish Pub was. Woody’s other locations are in Cary and Raleigh’s City Market. Visit Woody’s here.
We told you first about this back in July, but Catalan Tapas Bar is now open in the space next to Bruegger’s on Cary Parkway (4214 NW Cary Parkway) – a few doors down from LaFarm. They are serving up small plate tapas-style food, as well as an incredible offering of wines, cocktails and N.C. craft beer on tap. Catch up with them on Facebook here.
Blogger EatRaleigh shared that the food truck Birrieria El Patron will be opening a brick and mortar location in downtown Raleigh that will include 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays. The location hasn’t been disclosed yet. While they are known for their Tijuana-style red tacos, they also shared that the brick and mortar location will allow them to offer more protein options like asada, pollo rojo, chorizo and al pastor. Keep up with them on Instagram here.
The folks over at RalToday tipped us off to the fact that Mr. A’s Beignets, known for their food truck, now has a brick-and-mortar location at 312 S. Mason Street in Apex. They are open there Tuesday through Friday mornings 7-1, and Saturday mornings from 8-1. Visit them on Facebook here.
Richard DeMartino with sister concepts Cafe Tiramisu and North Ridge Pub, both located a couple of doors down from each other in North Ridge shopping center, have the perfect holiday gift idea for you. They have begun their annual tradition of selling gift cards for their restaurants at 20% off! At Cafe Tiramisu you can get a $100 gift card for $80, and at North Ridge Pub you can get a $50 gift card for $40. All purchases must be made at each location. Visit Cafe Tiramisu here and North Ridge Pub here.
And if you are looking for a quick take-out lunch, checkout Catering Works‘ new “Ghost Kitchen” called Midtown Eats that offers comfort food from your favorite comfort recipes – sandwiches, soups, salads, hand pies and desserts. Place your order online (15% off your first order), and then swing by and pick it up. Simple. Check it out here.
Looking for all the outdoor dining options in downtown Raleigh? The Downtown Raleigh Alliance has put together a great list of those options, and they even divided it up by district. Check out that list here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
Who doesn’t like the sound of a place that does a combination of Chinese and low country boils? Thanks to my Twitter pal Burgeoningbaker, I learned that Crab Sea Cajun Seafood Restaurant is open at 4831 NC Highway 55 in Durham. Check them out here.
Got word from Shelley Colbert that Provence in Carrboro had decided to close for the winter and will look to re-open in the Spring.
And here are a couple of wonderful resources for those looking to dine in downtown Durham or downtown Chapel Hill.
Closings and cancellations
Carrie Brogren shared the news that Downtown Durham’s Bar Brunello will close their doors at the end of the month. So, you still have a little time to get by! Visit them here.
WRAL shared the news that Griffin's Restaurant in Youngsville has permanently closed.
Food Trucks
Triangle on the Cheap shared the news that Food Truck Flix just announced their schedule for the upcoming weekends (Friday and Saturday nights). The events will be taking place at Frontier RTP, 800 Park Offices, Durham, and at Focus Church, 7000 Destiny Drive, Raleigh. You can purchase tickets in advance for any of the drive-in movies. The price is $25 per car. Of course, you’ll also want to bring money for the food trucks. Get the movie schedule, purchase your pass and get all the details here.
Here are a couple of sites to find and stalk your favorite food trucks here and here.
Events
This isn’t an event, but a great way to find local gifts for the foodie in your life. WRAL has put together a list of North Carolina made foodie gifts – check it out here.
Speaking of the holidays and take-home meals, we have a few to share with you. First up, Fig’s Market (brought to us from the fine folks over at Catering Works) has everything you need to bring delicious holiday meals and moments to the table without all the hassle. Get made-from-scratch, ready to heat-and-eat dishes from their award-winning chefs. From glazed ham to brined, fried, or whole roasted turkey, straight through to pumpkin macaroons, holiday pies and wine. Customize your holiday the way you like it! Taking orders until sold out or Dec. 18 at noon. Get all the details here.
From the folks over at Rocky Top Catering, following a very successful offering of Thanksgiving meals, they announced they are offering an expanded menu of chef-prepared take-and-bake meals for Christmas. For every meal purchased, Rocky Top will also donate a meal to a local family in need. Check out the menus here.
Over in Carrboro, ACME is serving up their Holiday Prime Rib Extravaganza that serves two for $85. It features: Creekstone Farm standing rib roast with three different sauces; classic clementine, endive, & toasted almond salad; mashed potatoes; creamed winter greens; warm & buttery dinner rolls; Acme’s butterscotch pudding (chocolate ganache and cinnamon shortbread). Choose any date between Dec. 17-20 as your ordering date. Order here.
The Angus Barn Holiday Feast for Six! Your dinner includes: Bone-in certified Angus Prime Rib (pre-seasoned – approx 9lb. uncooked); Au jus and AB horseradish sauce; Classic Angus Barn stuffed potatoes; Glazed carrots with honey butter & rosemary; Fresh baked rolls; AB Cheddar cheese spread refill; AB Blue cheese spread refill; Homemade Angus Barn crackers; Whole Chocolate Chess pie. Dinner for 6 for $259.00. Pick-up at the Angus Barn Pavilion: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday – Dec. 21, 22 & 23. Get all the details here. Call 919-781-2444 to place your order (tell them Triangle Food Guy sent you!)
Chapel Hill Magazine encouraged it’s readers to head over to the Maple View Farm porch area with your letters to Santa, and his friends from the North Pole will place them in his mailbox. A percentage of ice cream sales will be donated to Sam’s Wish Fund Holiday Cheer to provide gifts to children facing life-threatening illnesses. Takes place on these remaining Mondays in December – 14th and 21st from 2:00 – 5:30 p.m. Visit their Facebook page here for details.
Food Bank corner
More people than ever before are turning the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina for assistance, and they need your reliable support to meet the growing need. Your monthly pledge in November and December can be doubled, so just $10 a month would help provide 100 meals.
Don’t wait, donate now here! #noonegoeshungry
Sean Lennard owns Triangle Food Guy, the only locally owned and operated corporate catering website, TriangleFoodGuy.com. As a native of Raleigh, Sean has been around the Triangle food scene for...well, a long time, but professionally since 2002 with the the Triangle Food Blog, formerly known as Friday Fun Food Facts, in 2008. You can find his blog here. And you don't have to wait until Friday for updates as you can follow Sean throughout the week on Facebook and Twitter.
