Foodie News: Scott Crawford's new basement bar opens
Raleigh Magazine shared the news this week that Scott Crawford’s highly anticipated basement bar Sous Terre is opening TODAY, Friday, May 10, in the former Atlantic Lounge space (just below Crawford & Son and Jolie) at 620 N. Person Street. The newly crafted and revamped space (designed by Scott and his wife Jessica) is headed by Crawford Hospitality mixologist Jordan Joseph bringing a classic cocktail program. If you already held the keys to Atlantic Lounge, they still work. While more keys are available, diners at Jolie and Crawford and Son can drop in for a visit when escorted by a server. Check them out on Instagram here.
Wake County Restaurant News
We got word this week from the folks over at Axios shared that a second location of La Mala, which has a location in downtown Durham, will open soon in the former Clouds Brewing spot on West Street (126 N. West St.), near the intersection with Jones Street. Clouds closed here back in March. They are from the same folks behind La Santa on Raleigh’s Glenwood Avenue. They tout themselves as a modern Mexican cocktail bar. Visit them here.
Jaguar Bolera, the highly anticipated “eatertainment” spot, will open on Sunday, May 19 at Raleigh Iron Works (1101 E Whitaker Mill Road). The concept mixes Mexican flavor with the soul of Southern cuisine, bringing both worlds together in their woodfire oven. And they feature a massive playground with more games than you can shake a pin at (think Duckpin, pickleball, darts, corn hole, ping pong, foosball, karaoke and more) and a choice selection of libations on tap (with a self-serve wall). Sounds like a ton of fun! This will be their first location, with a second location underway in Atlanta. Start getting familiar with them here.
European inspired coffee house Press Coffee, Cocktails & Crepes will open this month in the 400H mixed-use tower in downtown Raleigh (400 Hillsborough St. at the corner with West Street). This is their third location serving high-quality coffee and cocktail beverages, along with a rotating menu of food offerings. After revitalizing downtown Graham with its opening in 2016, Press opened a second location in downtown Durham’s American Tobacco in 2021 with immediate success. Press was named Best New Restaurant in Indy Week, Durham Magazine, and Yelp and was chosen an ideal brunch location in Durham by Southern Living Magazine. Get to know them here.
RALtoday shared that La Farm Bakery is moving in to the former Revolver space on Glenwood South (120 block). The bakery said it plans to host a pop-up in late May ahead of the Glenwood South opening set for later this summer. Visit La Farm here.
Also in downtown Raleigh, the folks over at NC Triangle Dining shared that an Italian small plate concept called Flour & Barrel Kitchen & Bar at 400 North West St., in the former Little City Brewing & Provisions spot. And recently, Anthony Rapillo shared the big news that chef Katsuji Tanabe has come on as executive chef at Flour & Barrel. Stay tuned for an opening date soon. Follow along on Instagram here.
Up in North Raleigh, reader Wesley Mays shared that Cali Restaurant is coming to a new space on corner of Spring Forest Road and Atlantic Avenue next to the new Dunkin’. Looks to be the same concept that recently opened in Charlotte. Visit them here.
Over in Apex, my friend Mike Vick shared that a new Northern Indian concept called Naan House has opened at 5460 Apex Peakway. You can visit them here. They are open every day except Tuesday.
Just an FYI, the McDonald’s at Lake Boone shopping center has reopened after a complete tear down and rebuild.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
Downtown Chapel Hill’s Cosmic Cantina opened this week in their new spot, a storefront at 118 E. Franklin St. (formerly Curry Point Express), two buildings away from its former location. The move was in advance of UNC’s Porthole Alley Redevelopment Project. Visit Cosmic Cantina here.
More big news coming out of downtown Chapel Hill and to a spot that has sat vacant at the corner of Franklin and Columbia Streets (formerly Seafood Destiny, Lotsa Stone Fired Pizza, Jasmin Mediterranean Bistro, Qdoba). Chapelboro shared this week that Pulp Juice & Smoothie Bar will take up shop at 100 West Franklin St. With almost 60 locations in Ohio, the franchise is known for its smoothies, juices, blended bowls and healthy lifestyle food options. Look for them to open in time for the students to return in August. Get to know them here.
Durham is very close to opening a new food truck park. Called the Can Opener, it will be located at the intersection of South Gregson and West Pettigrew Streets, and will feature a semicircle of five food trucks — Bulkogi, Chick-N-Que, and Gussy’s (the founders of the concept), with spots for two others that will change up day by day — as well as a bar, harbored inside the old American Postal Workers Union building, with coffee, wine, and 30 beers on tap. Thanks to the Indy for providing details about this project. Follow along on Facebook here.
Alison LaGarry-Cahoon shared in the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies group on Facebook that El Tesoro Mexican Grill, in the Falconbridge Shopping Center (Farrington Road at I-40), is open and in soft-open mode. Check them out here.
Food trucks
A Place At The Table (downtown Raleigh’s pay-what-you-can cafe) will hold their third annual Pay-What-You-Can Food Truck Rodeo on Sunday June 9 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the parking lot across from A Place At The Table – 300 W. Hargett St. Follow along on Instagram.
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
The News & Observer reminded us that the Frankie Lemon School and Developmental Center will hold their 2nd Annual Gettin’ Piggy With It event on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, once again at Maywood Hall & Garden. The event is hosted by Lawrence Barbecue and Trophy Brewing. This festival celebrates 15 pitmasters from across the country. Tickets start at $100 and go on sale today, Friday, April 19. Get all the details here.
And if that is not enough pig for you, Saturday, May 18 is also the date for the 17th Annual Carolina Pig Jig as part of the Got To Be NC Festival at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds (11 a.m. until 2 p.m.). All-You-Can-Eat BBQ tastings, hush puppies, slaw, and more! This annual BBQ competition features 25 teams from across NC all vying for your vote for the coveted People’s Choice Award. The event benefits the Masonic Home for Children and the Central Children’s Home. Visit their Facebook events page for tickets and all the details.
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.
Join us on June 9th for this year’s Roots for Reece Chef’s Picnic hosted at Haven Farm in Knightdale. The event will feature sample small plates and beverages from over 25 local food and beverage establishments. 100% of proceeds are donated to the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition to aid in the fight against the growing opiate epidemic here in NC. Get tickets and all the details 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.
