Triangle Foodie News: Cafe Helios reopens

RALEIGH, N.C. —

Featured Restaurant News

Rocky Top Hospitality owner Dean Ogan announced that Twisted Fork restaurant and bakery will reopen with updated décor and an enhanced menu on Monday, Jan. 25 at 11 a.m. Twisted Fork, located at 3751 Sumner Boulevard, in the Triangle Town Center Commons, has been closed since August 2015 due to a fire. The restaurant was supposed to open Sunday but pushed the opening back due to the winter weather.

After a successful soft opening, Cafe Helios on Glenwood South in downtown Raleigh will (re)open to the public Monday, Jan. 25.

Crisp Bar & Restaurant opened this past Tuesday at 222 Glenwood Ave. in downtown Raleigh. Crisp features salads and wraps and soups, all featuring the very freshest ingredients. They also have a location in Crabtree Valley Mall.

We are getting closer to the opening of the second Raleigh location of b.good. The first opened in North Hills, and the second will open in the new Charter Square building on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh. Art Sheppard noticed they had posted a “now hiring” message on their Facebook page. They are projecting a February opening date.

This is going to be a fun one to look forward to. It will be the fall before we get to enjoy the goodness of a gluten free bakery and coffeehouse called Connected Bakery. On their Facebook page they list their address as 2305 Wake Forest Road (but I’m not convinced that will be their actual location).

Also, got word from Ashton Mae Smith that downtown Raleigh’s Five Star, located at 511 W. Hargett St., is discontinuing their lunch hours effective…last week. But starting next Monday (Jan. 25), they will begin opening at 3 p.m. Late lunch?

Thanks to a tip on Twitter from @stubbleriffic, we learned that another location of Bada Wings is going into the former Vincent’s location on 6300 Creedmoor Road in the Lynnwood Collection shopping center. Haven’t seen an open date, and couldn’t find any website or Facebook page. We’ll keep an eye on it.

The popular Austin, Texas-based Tex Mex restaurant chain Chuy’s has announced plans to open its second stand-alone restaurant – this one at the Parkside Town Commons retail center in west Cary. According to James Fisher, they are shooting to be open by March of this year.

Got word from my friends over at Bites of Bull City that a new coffee shop called George’s Java is expected to open very soon at 764 9th St. in Durham. It is owned by Terry and Debbie Metts.

Thanks to reader Diana Harker we learned that things are getting closer to the opening of Treforni (early February) in the Hope Valley Commons shopping center at the intersection of Hwy. 54 and 751 in Durham. Terforni touts that they are known for producing authentic pizza Napoletana and the finest beers.

M Sushi has opened in downtown Durham at 311 Holland St., across from the Durham Hotel. M Sushi is the latest from chef Michael Lee who also owns Sono sushi restaurant in downtown Raleigh.

What we do know is that Latitudes Fine Food & Spirits in Knightdale is currently closed. What is not 100 percent confirmed is whether it is permanent or temporary. We will keep an eye on it.

We are sad to announce that after an eight-year run The Oxford will be officially closing its doors on Sunday, Jan. 24. But they will go out in class “G” style, with a big bash. Join them from 5 p.m. until midnight for a “Last Day Party” featuring drink specials, and whatever food they have left!

And over in Durham, Six Plates on Erwin Road will close on March 11. Look for a new concept in that space by April 1.

The Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo has announced its dates for this year: May 1, June 12, Aug. 7 and Oct. 9. VIP early admission wristbands, which let you get in to buy food before the general public, are on sale now.

And over in Durham, the first Durham Central Park food truck rodeo, appropriately named Winter Rodeo, has been moved to Sunday, Jan. 31, from 12-4 at Durham Central Park and will feature more than 50 trucks.

Holly Springs is hosting a small Food Truck Rodeo on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Holly Springs Cultural Center (300 W. Ballentine Street) as part of the 4th Annual Community Arts Festival. The rodeo will feature Stuft, Big C Waffle, and Olio & Aceto.

The folks over at Plates Neighborhood Kitchen will host a five course beer dinner with Brueprint Brewery on Sunday, Jan. 24. Each of chef Stephen Day's courses will be paired with a selection from the Apex brewery. Dinner will include a presentation from the brewmasters themselves, shedding insight into the science, and magic, behind the brewing process. Get all the details here.

Things are gearing up for Triangle Restaurant Week. It will be here before we know it. The next rendition will take place Jan. 25 through 31. Start planning your week now.

Thanks to a tip from Felicia Perry-Trujillo, I was reminded that the Triangle Wine Experience, which benefits the Frankie Lemmon Foundation, is Feb 4-6.

Feb. 20 is the date for the 6th Annual Care to Share Gala to benefit the Guiding Lights Caregiver Support Center. It will be held at the Kerr Scott building in Raleigh. The event features a chef challenge in addition to the auction.

Felicia Perry-Trujillo also shared with me that over in Cary at The Umstead, you can learn a little with the one you love at this season’s Artisan Confections pastry event on Feb. 7 featuring the Durham Distillery. Join executive pastry chef Evan Sheridan as he bakes his way through gin and chocolate, and hear how this organic distillery combined art and science to create world-class gins and liqueurs. It begins at 3 pm and tickets are $65 inclusive of tax and gratuity and can be purchased by calling 919-447-4050.

The 4th Annual Bull City Food & Beer Experience will be held on April 10, but tickets are already on sale. Visit the DPAC ticket center to avoid service charges.

Durham Magazine and Chapel Hill Magazine will sponsor the third annual TASTE: A Celebration of Food & Drink, happening from April 21 to 23, 2016. The event will feature more than 30 top local chefs and establishments in Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Raleigh. A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to the Durham Branch of the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.

A huge thank you to all that helped support the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina’s Holidays Meal Drive. They reached their goal of providing 2.4 million holiday meals this season by raising over $485,000 in online donations prior to December 31! We are so very thankful and deeply humbled by the outpouring of support. Thank you for your partnership to help provide hunger relief in our region!

Unfortunately the need continues. If you are looking to fulfill a New Year’s resolution to get involved in your community, I encourage you to take a look at the Food Bank. Find out how you can volunteer here.