Foodie News: James Beard nominated chef announces new venture - WRAL News

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RALEIGH, N.C. — The big news this week is that Oscar Diaz, the two-time James Beard Award nominated chef behind Cortez Seafood + Cocktail (who also recently opened the cocktail bar Cuya just upstairs from Cortez), will be venturing into Durham with a new spot called Little Bull. The menu will include comfort staples as 'pocho cuisine,' like Diaz's take on dumplings (stuffed with birria), steak served with giardinera chimi churri and confit papas and a 'pinche ensaladota' with local greens. It will be located in the Old Five Points neighborhood in downtown Durham (formerly Jetplane Coffee) with plans to open in March. Diaz will co-own the restaurant along with Mezcalito Group. Best to follow along on Instagram here.

Wake County Restaurant News

The Downtown Raleigh Alliance shared the news this week that Amitie Macaron has opened their storefront in downtown Raleigh. They are located just across from Young Hearts Distilling and just behind Carroll's Kitchen on Wilmington Street. You may recognize them from their previous counter shop in Morgan Street Food Hall, but now they've expanded to offer pastries, sandwiches, drinks, and of course, delicious macarons. They are currently in their soft opening phase and will celebrate their grand opening Feb. 23. Visit them here.
If that is not enough "sweet news" for downtown Raleigh, RalToday shared that Raleigh Popsicle Co. is hosting a grand opening celebration (they are already open) for its new downtown location at 119 E. Hargett St. on Saturday, March 11. They will have lots of activities, raffles, giveaways and a ribbon cutting at 3 p.m. They also have locations in Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh, Streets at Southpoint in Durham and Morgan Street Food Hall in downtown Raleigh. Visit them here.
In north Raleigh, we learned this week that the Crafty Crab, with a location at the intersection of Gorman and Hillsborough streets, will open a second Raleigh locaiton on Wake Forest Road in the former TGI Friday's spot at 4209 Wake Forest Rd. No word on an open date. Visit the Hillsborough Street location here.
Also in Cary, RalToday shared the news that champagne bar RBF is opening with limited hours this Saturday, Feb. 4 and Sunday, Feb. 5. From 12 to 5 p.m., check out the new space in downtown Cary at 210 E. Chatham St. and enjoy menu items like champagne, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and Charcuterie boards. Get yourself familiar with them here.
Following up on the news last week that Pressed by Spanglish at 10630 Durant Rd in North Raleigh had been sold, and therefore closed. We also learned that they have plans to open a location in RTP, we just don't know exactly where yet (they haven't shared that info) or when. In the meantime, Spanglish still has a location in downtown Durham at 104 City Hall Plaza. Keep up with their news here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

Got word from the Durham location of the Wine Feed that head chef Taylor Halley has dropped her new menu..and it looks amazing! The full menu is available Wednesday thru Friday from 2 p.m until closing, and on Saturdays from noon until closing. The Durham store is located at 307 S. Roxboro Street. They also have a locaiton in Raleigh in the Glenwood South district. See the full menu here.

Closing / Cancelations

Over in Hillsborough, got an email that Panciuto has officially closed. That is the bad news. The good news is that Aaron Vandermark has shifted all his focus to his Hillsborough Bakeshop and Pasta Co. (at 110 S. Churton Street) where he is now serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and a larger menu. Visit Aaron there.

Michael DePersia of DePersia & Associates shared with me that Ginger Asian Cuisine (2048 Kildaire Farm Rd. Cary, NC 27518) has closed. It was sold to Gamer Rawat and Manish Kumar who plan on opening Saffron Indian Cuisine in March after a remodel.

Michael DePersia of DePersia & Associates also shared that Pure Juicery Cafe at 716 Slash Pine Drive in Cary has closed.

Also heard this week that The Shop Luxury Burgers & More in Bradford Plaza in Cary has closed.

Got word this week from multiple sources that Richmond's Soul Taco has closed after about a six month run. Additionally, their sister concept, JewFro (which had plans to open a location here), isn't going to open.

Food Trucks

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

You can now buy tickets to the Reviving the Supper Club Chef Series' virtual event on Feb. 7, 2023, featuring chef Saif Rahman of Vidrio in Raleigh. The fundraiser aims to address food insecurity in Wake County and eastern North Carolina. During the event, Rahman will show guests how to cook a Pan-Seared Chicken with Curried Sweetpotatoes, Carolina Gold Rice and Bengali Tomato Salad. Guests also will learn how to make — and enjoy — a special cocktail from Vidrio. There also will be a limited number of tickets to dine at Vidrio at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7, watch the cooking class and enjoy the same amazing meal. Tickets cost $100 per person. Get all the details here.
Lilly Den Farm and Postal Fish Co are pairing up to bring you their first annual Pigs & Pearls. What is that? Basically a huge oyster roast and pig pickin'! Sign me up! It will take place at The Plant on Sunday, February 26 and the menu will feature whole hog, smoked chicken, steamed Virgina oysters, cornbread, collards, baked beans and filled to order Banana Rellenitos by Carlolina Cravings. Also look for local beverages, music and fun. Get all the details and tickets here.
Rocky Top Catering will hold the 5th annual Cooking for the Kids (formally Cooking for a Classic) beginning on February 27th with the first round, and concluding with the finale on March 15th. This cooking competition brings together eight of the Triangle's premier chefs. All proceeds benefit Overflowing Hands, a volunteer-led organization serving the most vulnerable children in our neighborhoods, fighting food insecurity and providing clothing, shelter and healthcare. This year's participating chefs are: Preeti Waas from Cheeni; Josiah Halboh from Young Hearts Distilling; Saif Rahman from Vidrio; David Mitchell from Plates Kitchen; Jaime Adams from Catalan Tapas; Kyle Teears from Craften; Kyle Fletcher from Norse Brewing; and James R. Patterson III from McConnell Golf. Cooking for the Kids takes place at 1705 East located at 1705 E. Millbrook Road in Raleigh. See chef pairings as well as tickets and all the details here.
Hospitality mavens Sarah Shepherd of Height House Hotel and chef Liz Grandchamp of Grandchamp Hospitality recently introduced Raleigh's newest pop-up dining experience – Supper Club – hosted monthly at Heights House Hotel. They have three more on the schedule and tickets for those "open up" three weeks prior to each event. Mark your calendars for Supper Club March 13 (Piedmont), April 17 (Seafood) and May 22 (Italian American). After those, Supper Club at Heights House will then resume in the Fall. So get ready! Follow along here and get ready for the next one.
Everyone knows what April 15 is. Nope, that is April 18 this year. April 15 is the date for the 13th annual Cuegrass Festival which is returning to Fayetteville Street and will feature a large covered area with draft beer options, plenty of seating and extra beer stations throughout the event. Get all the details here.
Got word from Neha Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, that Farm to Fork is making its return in 2023 on June 4th from 4-7 p.m. at Fearrington Village. Held in the Triangle for more than 15 years, the Farm to Fork Picnic is a showcase of North Carolina chefs, artisans, and farmers paired together to create sips and nibbles of the region's best flavors and seasonal ingredients! You can get tickets and all the details here.
And looking to continue dining outside even as the temperatures start to drop? No problem. The Downtown Raleigh Alliance has compiled a list of restaurants in downtown Raleigh keeping you warm all-year long! Check out that list here.

Food Bank Corner

Looking for an easy way for you and/or your office to make a HUGE DIFFERENCE in people's lives this Holiday season? Host a VIRTUAL Food Drive! Forget the hassle of a trip to the grocery store for your next food drive… create a food drive without the heavy lifting using our Virtual Food Drive, and maximize your donation times five! For every $1 donated, the Food Bank can provide FIVE meals! You can make a difference in your community by hosting a Virtual Food Drive for your friends, family members, or coworkers. It is easy! Start here. #noonegoeshungry

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