Foodie news: La Stella Wood Fired opens on Hillsborough Street

RALEIGH, N.C. — Saw on the H Street Facebook page that La Stella Wood Fired is officially open on Hillsborough Street in the space formerly occupied by H Street Kitchen (2420 Hillsborough St. to be exact).

So the whole Amazon thing held up the opening of the new Whole Foods in west Cary. But what matters most (i.e. to me...) is that it put a hold on the opening of a full-scale La Farm Bakery inside that Whole Foods! But the wait is over. Nov. 7 is the opening date when La Farm Bakery and Cafewill open.

Reader Jeanette Hauser pointed out that Pho Sure has opened in the Celebration at Six Forks shopping center in Raleigh. Founded in Saigon, they are focused on serving Vietnamese healthy choice foods.

Saw on a tweet from Leo Suarez that Saigon Vietnamese Grille and Bar is coming to the former Indiospace at 222 Glenwood Ave. No word yet on a timeline nor could we find an web presence just yet. Stay tuned.

Saw in NCSU's student newspaper The Technician that a new Mexican restaurant, Coco Bongo, has opened in the former La Rancherita spot at 2400 Hillsborough St.

Thanks to the keen eyes of reader Chris Creighton, he noticed that a Popeyes Louisiana Chicken sign has gone up in the former location of Greek Fiesta on Raleigh's Western Boulevard.

Leo Sauarez also came across a sign at 610 Glenwood Avenue for The Dogwood Bar & Eatery, from Bunch of Fives Hospitality Group, hanging in the spot where ViewBar formerly was. Expect shareable bites, cocktails and local drafts (of course), outdoor deck areas, and more.

Also in Cary, we got word via @DianeNC on Twitter that the new Outback Steakhouse on Walnut Street has opened.

And down in Holly Springs we have an opening after a series of back-to-back changes. A quick recap - Ricci's closed and became Springs Pizza & Wings, which closed to become Sunset Lake Bistro, which never opened. And now we can happily report that Cristo's Bistro & Pizza has now opened. Cristo's has a sister location in Raleigh's Quail Corners (Cristo's NY Style Pizza).

A chef change over in Durham with the announcement this week that Guglhupf hired Alex Ricci as its new executive chef. Originally from Florida, Ricci has cooked in kitchens in Asheville and Durham and was most recently at the Durham Hotel with chef Andrea Reusing. Ricci will add his own unique spin to Guglhupf's contemporary, German-inspired cuisine.

Over in Chatham County near Pittsboro, reader Debra DuBose pointed out that Compadres Tequila Lounge Mexican restaurant is now open behind Lowes Home improvement store near Carolina Brewery & Grill.

And on a recent drive down 15-501 in Chapel Hill, noticed that a new Firehouse Subs is going into one of the new outparcel buildings at Rams Plaza (just across from Eastgate). Folks in Chapel Hill can once again get their Hook & Ladder! No word on an open date.

Lifelong friend Kenan Barnes brought it to my attention that the North Hills location of McAlister's Deli will be closing Oct. 15. That leaves only a few days to get by and enjoy some of their sweet tea. They still have a location in Raleigh, Wake Forest and two in Durham.

Jeanette Hauser notified us that Sol Azteca at 120 Morrisville Square Way in Morrisville has closed.

Food Truck Friday returns today (Friday, Oct.13) from 4-8 p.m. at Prestonwood Country Club as part of the SAS Championship golf tournament (but free and open to the public). Participating food trucks include: Cousin’s Maine Lobster; Red Hot & Blue; Hanu Truck; Taco Grande’ Barone Meatball Company; and Ice Queen Ice Cream.

Art Sheppard informed me that on Sunday, Oct. 15, the RDU Mobile Food Assoc. is hosting the Food and Funk in the Town of Carrboro's Town Commons. In addition to food trucks and craft beer, the event will have live performances with Strange Lady and a bouncy house. The event takes place from noon to 4 p.m.

Food Truck Thursdays are back in Knightdale. Every Thursday from September through November, Knightdale hosts a new truck at Knightdale Station Park for lunch and dinner. Just look for it from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm near the amphitheater (rain or shine - shelters are covered). Thanks to Mark Ginsburg for the heads up.

Art Sheppard notified me that Chapel Hill is bringing back the Rodeo on Rosemary. It will be held on Nov. 5 from noon to 4 p.m. (also same day as the Durham Rodeo…decisions, decisions).

And the food truck rodeos in Raleigh are over for the year and just one remaining in Durham for the year on Nov. 5. Get all the details. Get all the details for Durham dates here.

Sip and Savor will take place on Oct. 15. At the event all three levels of the Durham Performing Arts Center will be filled with dishes by renowned chefs from across North Carolina, paired with world-famous wineries from across the globe. Sip and Savor is brought to you by the producers of Bull City Food & Beer Experience and TASTE events to benefit Keep Durham Beautiful.

Also on Oct. 15 from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., TABLE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding local hungry kids, will host their annual fundraising Empty Bowls dinner at Carrboro's Weaver Street Market, featuring live music along with a hearty meal of soup, bread and dessert. Guests who purchase a $30 ticket will also take home a locally made pottery bowl. Tickets: $15-$50.

On Thursday, Oct. 19, the Garner Rotary will host their 13th annual OysterFest. It will take place from 5-8:30 p.m. in the Agri-Supply parking lot on US 70 East. $30 for an all-you-can-eat ticket. The menu includes: steamed oysters, fried catfish, shrimp scampi with penne, bistro clam chowder, coleslaw, chicken fingers, BBQ pork, seafood bisque, salt potatoes, green beans, French fries, banana pudding, hush puppies and rolls. All proceeds go toward helping Garner-area seniors to help offset first year of college expenses.

Looking ahead to November, there are two events of note and both are on Nov. 5. First up is the 27th annual A Tasteful Affair at The Blue Zone at Kenan Stadium where 500 guests will enjoy delicious samples from more than two-dozen of the area's best restaurants, catering companies, beverage purveyors and food trucks - all to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill. Details and tickets here.

On Nov. 4, it is one of my favorite events of the year - the 5th annual Salt & Smoke Festival, where chef Kevin Callaghan and his team from Acme capture a perfect autumn day in the South with bluegrass, whole hog barbecue, oysters on the half shell and local drinks - so many rich traditions rolled into one singular and spectacular celebration at Rock Quarry Farm. This is a "don't miss" event.

Reap the spoils of competition while top Triangle chefs compete to be named Soup-erior Chef at Urban Ministries of Wake County's annual Stone Soup Supper on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at NCSU McKimmon Center. Funds raised from the event will be used to feed, shelter, and provide healthcare to low income individuals living within Wake County. Guests receive unlimited bowls of specially crafted soup from more than a dozen chefs. Guests also receive one piece of artisan pottery, hand-crafted by the Triangle Potters Guild.

Mattie Beason of Black Twig Cider House will host TxotxFest on Nov. 18 from noon to 4 p.m. TxotxFest returns for a second year, offering award-winning regional and national ciders with North Carolina cuisine, and features the txotx - a traditional Spanish cider barrel. Beason introduced TxotxFestin 2016 as the first event of its kind in the Southeast to celebrate cider, the fastest growing segment in the beverage industry. This year, Beason kicks off TxotxFest Nov. 17 with a $50 five-course cider-paired dinner at Black Twig Cider House featuring Asheville's chef Steven Goff of Brinehaus Meat & Provisions and ciders from Noble Cider, Urban Orchard, Appalachian Mountain, and James Creek.

Our friends at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina will be holding a Students Against Hunger food drive from October through December for schools in the area. Participants in the Students Against Hunger campaign collect food and funds from October 2 through December 2. Competing schools must deliver their donations to our warehouse by noon on Saturday, December 2. There are lots of creative ways for your child’s school to participate. Register your school and get all the details here.