Foodie News: Popular Durham restaurant opens new concept
Chef Zweli Williams opened the evolved concept of the new enhanced Zweli’s Kitchen in Durham’s Brightleaf Square this week. With the return of Zweli’s Kitchen, almost a year after closing the original location, they join the other two concepts under the Zweli’s umbrella - Zweli’s Ekhaya (at American Tobacco Campus) and Zweli’s Cafe (at Duke Divinity). Make it a priority to get over to enjoy the rich flavors of Zimbabwean cuisine. They are open daily at 11 a.m. and no reservations are required. Visit them on Instagram here.
Wake County Restaurant News
Raleigh Magazine shared the anticipated news this week that Sir Walter Coffee will open a second downtown Raleigh location on Fayetteville Street in the former B.Good spot in Charter Square. In the morning and throughout the day, look for them to serve up the coffee and food menu you have come to love in their current location. In the evening, they will transition with the city into evening mode switching to Sir Walter Cocktail – and your favorite adult beverages. Look for them to open this summer. Visit them here.
Raleigh Magazine also shared the news this week that there is no slowing down Giorgios Bakatsias. His latest concept – Giorgios Epicurean Market – will open mid-to late-April in East End Market adjacent to another of his concepts – East End Bistro. The market will feature a Euro-style market and all-day (morning to night) cafe with an emphasis on Greek, European and Asian flavors – think classic and nouveau European breakfast items, Mediterranean salads, lingue di pizza and Asian stir-fries – according to the magazine. Visit all of his restaurants here.
Our friends over at one of Raleigh’s newest dining options, Gussie’s, are tapping into everyone’s inner Irish now through March 17. O’Gussie’s springs up inside Gussie’s where you can expect some delicious versions of your favorite dishes – Bangers & Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, Corned Beef & Cabbage, with some fun twists (house made corned beef sausages and Irish nachos anyone?). For when you’re thirsty, come for the Irish Coffee (with Left Hook Coffee, Irish Whiskey and Fresh Whipped Cream), cocktails fit for the season, Guinness, and a selection of Irish whiskies to enjoy on their own or in one of our housemade sodas. Follow along on Instagram.
WRAL shared the news that Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard has opened in Cary at 921 North Harrison Ave. The shop features more than 75 flavors of Italian ice made on-site daily as well as frozen custard, gelati, concretes and milkshakes. Visit Rita’s here.
Thanks to a post on the Today in the Quay Facebook page we learned that SupaBowlz Cafe has opened at 411 Broad St. in Fuquay-Varina. The cafe features acai bowls, wraps, smoothies, poke bowls and salads. They also have a location in Holly Springs. Visit them here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
Excited to share the news that the latest eating and drinking concept for the booming town of Pittsboro in Chatham County is now open. Hops & Berry has been in ‘soft open’ mode this week and begins regular hours this weekend. It is a self-serve, pay by the ounce taproom and restaurant with what looks like a pretty yummy upscale bar menu. They are located at 120 Mosaic Blvd. in the Mosaic section of Chatham Park. This is their first location in North Carolina (they have two other locations). Check them out on Facebook here.
Closings
The News & Observer shared the news yesterday that the Happy + Hale location on Fayetteville Street in One City Plaza in downtown Raleigh closed. That is the bad news. The good news is they still have four other locations and they are actively looking for a larger space in downtown Raleigh.
Food trucks
Saw on RALToday that there is a monthly food truck rodeo – Raleigh Foodie Fare – happening the first Saturday of the month (so beginning THIS Saturday, March 2) for the balance of the year. It takes place at Raleigh Iron Works (2221 Iron Works Drive Raleigh, NC) from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and features 30+ local vendors, a mini food truck rodeo (6-8 trucks), drinks, and more! Get all the details and all the dates on their site here.
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 here.
Events
Rocky Top Catering’s sixth annual Cooking for the Kids kicked off last week! And here’s a plus – anyone using the code TriFoodBlog will enjoy a $25 discount on their ticket price for Round 2. This cooking competition brings together eight of the Triangle’s premier chefs. All proceeds benefit Overflowing Hands and A Place at the Table. Participating chefs include: Alejandro Uribe of University Club; Jaime Adams of The Ugly Mug Bean and Brew; Blake Gotliffe of Under the Oak; Bobby McFarland of Wye Hill; Preeti Waas of Cheeni; Harry Monds of Lula and Sadie’s; David Mitchell of Plates Kitchen; and Kevin Ruiz of Oro. The second round begins March 6 and 7, and the Finale on Thursday, March 14. Get tickets and all the details here. Use code TriFoodBlog for $25 off round two!
CORA’s 12th Empty Bowls charitable fundraiser will be held on Saturday, March 2, at its new venue, Pittsboro United Methodist Church, from 5 to 8 p.m. The evening will feature amazing soups from favorite local restaurants, live music from the Popcorn Blue Band, local pottery and homemade bread and desserts. 100% of the proceeds go to helping neighbors facing food insecurity in Chatham County! Get all the details here.
The West End (23 Rectory Street) will be hosting an afternoon tea on the last Monday of each month from 2:30-5:00pm. Grab a friend and take a break from your day while enjoying a good cup of tea, yummy treats and some good conversation. Space is limited so reserve your seats today. The first one is March 25. Get tickets and all the details here. Thanks to Neha Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, for passing this info along.
The annual Tacos ‘n Taps will take place this year on Saturday, April 6th at Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre. The event takes place from 1-5 p.m. (VIPs get in at noon). This an “all you care to taste” Beer and Tequila Festival and offers up some of the Triangle’s best tacos and Mexican food, the best dancing music from Triangle area bands, margaritas, contests and some other surprises. This is NACHO average taco festival. Get tickets and all the details here.
My buddy Neha M. Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, shared that the annual Farm to Fork Picnic, celebrating local food and local farms, will take place Sunday, June 2, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., again at Fearrington Village. Get details and tickets here.
Tickets are on sale now for the 9th Annual Dinner in the Meadow which will take place on Sept. 15, 2024 on a grassy knoll at Meadow Lane Farm, in bucolic Franklin County, offering beautiful pastoral views and clear, starry skies. Some of the region’s most sought-after chefs will be preparing delicious dishes using ingredients from local farms and food artisans. It is an annual fundraiser for the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2014 to support and cultivate small farms in our region of North Carolina. Get tickets and all the details here.
Food Bank Corner
No doubt we live in a wonderful corner of the world. But here are some things to remember and not forget. Right now, one in five people in central and eastern North Carolina don’t have enough to eat. The Food Bank provided over 88 million meals to families and individuals last year. The Food Bank’s partner agency network has reported up to a 60% increase in neighbors visiting for food assistance. The need is real and right here in our backyard. Consider helping in 2024. See how here.
