Triangle restaurant news (April 18, 2014)

A first look at lucettegrace, a new bakery in downtown Raleigh, and the scoop about a gelato and crepe shop that is headed to Hillsborough.

Posted 2:30 p.m. Apr 18, 2014 — Updated 2:30 p.m. Apr 18, 2014

Kathy Hanrahan

RALEIGH, N.C. — I had a chance to sample some of the items that will be available at Daniel Benjamin's upcoming bakery, lucettegrace. During a fun Easter egg hunt-themed media event, I was able to find out more about the former Umstead pastry chef's plans for the space on South Salisbury Street in downtown Raleigh.

Benjamin will be serving up pastry items and other baked goods with a twist - like a barbecue pork and pimento cheese quiche (very good!). My personal favorite was the Raleigh Durham, a crisp pastry filled with hazelnut praline cream. The dessert was inspired by a classic French pastry, Paris-Brest. It is prepared in a pate a choux ring to represent a bicycle wheel, commemorating a famous bicycle race between the two cities.

Benjamin said he will be serving up some breakfast and lunch items, but don't expect the traditional "scrambled eggs, bacon and toast." Not wanting to give away too much, Benjamin said to just expect unique takes on old favorites.

Lucettegrace is planning to open in late Spring.

More tasty news to report: Asheville's Tupelo Honey Cafe is opening in the 401 Oberlin apartments across from Cameron Village. They are targeting a late fall opening.

Fast casual restaurant b.good plans to open its first location in the southeast in the North Hills shopping center in Raleigh. It will be located in the bottom level of the Midtown Green Apartments, which are being built near Chuy's.

Downtown Hillsborough is getting a new gelato and crepe shop. Triangle Business Journal reports that Yum will open May 1 at 118 N. Churton St. It is owned by the same folks who operate Radium Pizzeria.

Durham is going to be home to a new cider venture. Bull City Ciderworks will be located at 113 South Elizabeth Street in downtown Durham, Triangle Business Journal reports. It will brew craft hard ciders made from North Carolina apples. They are expected to begin brewing for sale to the public as early as May.

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