Triangle Foodie News: City BBQ opens in Durham

RALEIGH, N.C. —

Featured Restaurant News

Saw a tweet from Alex Krawchick that Tazza Kitchen opened this past Tuesday in Cary's Stone Creek Village at the intersection of High House and Davis. This is the second location in the Triangle, with the other being in Raleigh’s Cameron Village. They are open for dinner.

The Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Living Kitchen (originally to be called Luna’s Living Kitchen) is targeting an opening date around the week of July 6. It will be located on the ground floor of the Charter Square building in downtown Raleigh on Fayetteville Street. Living Kitchen has plans to open a second Triangle-area establishment later this year in Chapel Hill’s new Village Plaza on Elliott Road adjacent to Whole Foods.

Friend Susan Tu reminded me that they have opened a second location of Spring Rolls, this one in the Wade Park development adjacent to the PNC Arena at 5433 Wade Park Blvd. Their original location is in North Hills.

In Apex, we told you in early April about a new establishment that just opened there called The Provincial. At the time, they didn’t have much of an online presence and we didn’t know much about the chef. Since then we’ve learned a little more and thought we’d share. The chef/owner is Wayne Alcaide who was the the executive chef at both Nobhill in Las Vegas as well as at WaterColor Inn & Resort in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

Got a tip from reader Ronnie Taborn that East Coast Wings & Grill is now open in Wake Forest at 12646 Capital Blvd. This looks to be their first Triangle area location.

Over in Cary, got a note from reader Diane PIsano that Mazaa Zabiha has opened in Cary's Harrison Pointe Shopping Center, where the Cary Cafe used to be. However, the name changed slightly just prior to opening and is actually Desi Mazaa.

A new bar has opened in The Creamery building on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh. Milk Bar held its grand opening Thursday night at 410 Glenwood Ave. The bar serves up craft beer, classic and craft cocktails and has skeeball.

Cassidy's Sports Bar and Grill is opening in the old home of Latitudes in Knightdale. The restaurant, located at 7425 Knightdale Blvd., is expected to open next week.

Some distillery news: Pinetop Distillery is planning to open later this month inside a warehouse at 1053 E. Whitaker Mill Road in Raleigh, the News and Observer reports.

The official grand opening of Durham’s City Barbecue is this Sunday, May 22. The doors will open at 11, but the “grand opening” festivities are planned from 2-3:30 p.m. They are located in Durham at Southpoint Crossing between McDonald’s and Ruby Tuesday. This is the third Triangle-area location. The Triangle Business Journal reports that a fourth location is planned in 2017 at the new Olive Park retail center in north Raleigh.

Also in Durham, got word from Dorian Bolden that Beyu Caffe will be in their new space and kicking off “Beyu 2.0” next Thursday, May 26. As with any renovation project, changes happen. So you are advised to keep up with the latest on their Facebook page here.

Over in Chapel Hill, we are getting closer and closer to the opening of Chronic Tacos in Meadowmont. Early June is what we are hearing, but we should have an exact date soon. Grand opening celebrations will follow a few weeks after opening and there are several big announcements surrounding their opening that we will fill you in on as we get closer. Believe me, you won’t want to miss their grand opening.

Reader Chris Creighton reminded me that Campbell’s Diner, a legend in Fuquay-Varina, will close their doors for the last time on Saturday, May 28. Our best to the Campbell family.

And this isn’t really a closing, but a cancelation. If you had plans to attend Lafayette Village’s Pork Out event this weekend, they have canceled the event due to the weather. But, please make a donation to the Raleigh Rescue Mission.

With the warm weather returning, it also means the return of the Food Truck Thursdays in Knightdale. Every Thursday through June, the town will host a new truck at Knightdale Station Park for lunch and dinner. Just look for it from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. near the amphitheater (rain or shine - shelters are covered).

We got word that Jason Donnelley has opened a Mister Softee food truck franchise here in Wake County.

For a listing of ALL food truck events, head over to Art’s page, The Wandering Sheppard, on all things food truck related here.

The 2016 WRAL Out and About Voters' Choice Awards are back! The nomination period is open now and continues through May 29.This year they are putting the focus on local businesses and encouraging people to avoid the larger chains! Here's a rundown of the categories, including some great new ones and the voting link.

Tickets to one of my favorite annual events, Farm to Fork, are on sale. The event this year will be held on the weekend of June 3 through June 5.

The Piedmont Dinner Series continues on May 25 as Piedmont's Greg Gettles and The Boot's John May will host a late spring bbq in partnership with Locals Seafood. The multi-course dinner is $65, plus $20 for wine pairings.

Vino!! Wine Shop and 458 West B&B are hosting Pittsboro’s first ever Wine Festival on May 21. The event will happen rain or shine from 1-4 p.m. at the bed and breakfast’s front lawn and porch. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Only 100 tickets will be sold for the event. Attendees will get to taste wine from seven vendors, savor appetizers and cheese from Goat Lady Dairy and enjoy door prizes and live music. Tickets can be purchased online here.

This year's edition of the Raleigh Food & Wine Festival, a four day event, is happening right now. The event runs through Sunday.

The 2016 Doughman event being held in Durham on May 28. What is it? It is a "foodie" event that combines the elements of a triathlon with competitive eating. 4-member teams basically down a delicious treat from a Durham establishment which is then followed by a bike, run or "water activity" challenge of varying distances.

Arguably the area's biggest "foodie" event, TerraVita, recently announced the dates for this year's festival - September 28 through Oct. 1. The Chapel Hill-based festival, now in its seventh year, offers exceptional dinners, tasting events, after parties, chef demos as well as the "Sustainable Classroom" - educational experiences featuring renowned chefs, authors & national media. TerraVita concludes with a Grand Tasting on the Green featuring over 65 chefs, artisans and beverage producers for tastings, live chef demonstrations and cookbook signings. TerraVita's ticket launch and full schedule will be released in mid-June.

Ãn Cuisine in Cary is hosting its first ever Rosé Wine Dinner tonight (Friday, May 20) at 7 p.m. It will feature a 5-course fare with rosé wine pairings. Weather permitting, this experience will be on their outdoor patio to match the jovial nature of cuisine and libations combined. The full experience is $85 per person and reservations must be made in advance.

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham will again host their Science of Eats event this year on June 2 from 6:30 'til 10 p.m. They are bringing sweet, sour, and science together for one grand night of eating and exploration. All of your favorite local food vendors will be on hand with samples while our friends from Duke, UNC and NC State share the latest in food science research. Chat with local chefs and explore demonstrations and experiments on everything from what happens to your brain on sugar to how your genes affect your perception of flavor. And if interested, there is a special reception from 5-6:30 p.m. with Vivian Howard. Get tickets and all the details here.

This Saturday, May 21, from 3-9 p.m. North Hills will host their 2nd annual Kickin’ It Country, a celebration of North Carolina and the South in Midtown Park and will feature live music along with a sanctioned BBQ cook-off.

The Chef’s Palette on Ten Ten Road in Cary will hold a huge celebration on Saturday, June 4, from 6 p.m. until closing to celebrate their 6th anniversary. Look for food, fun, live music and tasty beverages.

The Carolina Inn will host a Bar-B-Que Throwdown on Saturday, June 11 from 12 - 3 p.m. featuring local chefs preparing their twist on barbecue. Participating chefs include the Carolina Inn’s James Clark; Kim Hunter (Kimbap Cafe); James Johnson (Tribeca Tavern); Isae Allen (The Eddy Pub & Restaurant); Regan Stachler (Little Hen); Serge Falcoz-Vigne (Saint-Jacques); Bob Compton (Mebane Downtown Table); and Adam Rose (H Street Kitchen).