Triangle restaurant news (Aug. 16, 2013)

RALEIGH, N.C. — Some openings to report this week. 

First up, Elevation Burger will open its first North Carolina location on Saturday in Brier Creek in Raleigh. The restaurant serves organic, grass-fed, free-range beef burgers. The grand opening celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will include corn hole, coloring, prizes, a photo booth and more! Also, they are collecting school supplies for area students. I got a chance to try out a few menu items yesterday and highly recommend the cheesecake and strawberry and mango milkshakes! Also, their burgers are made in house, fresh. I saw where the beef is actually ground. And the veggie and vegan burger options are awesome! Definitely impressed with the selection. 

Ashley Christensen's new coffee shop, Joule, is expected to open on Aug. 28. It will be located in the spot formerly occupied by the Wilmoore Cafe. 

The Florida-based Tex-Mex chain, Tijuana Flats, is opening its first Durham location on Monday. They will be located at 703 9th St. Opening week (Monday-Friday) expect $3 craft beer specials and some food specials. Next Friday (Aug. 23), there will be a Rock Out party featuring live music and giveaways! 

Sad news this week in the restaurant world. Zely and Ritz located in Glenwood South has decided to close its doors. In an email newsletter to customers on Monday, the owners said they were selling the place. The restaurant was open nine years. On their Facebook page, they said that their sister restaurant Piedmont would be honoring any outstanding Zely gift certificates. The News and Observer reported that the new owner, Steve Day, a former banquet chef at the Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, will turn the space into a new venture called Plates. The restaurant, which hopes to open by early October will serve "globally-inspired, locally produced food." 

One more closure this week. Our friend the Triangle Explorer tells us that Falls Tap Room off of Falls of Neuse in north Raleigh has closed. 

Pop-Up Ice Cream Parlour has launched a Kickstarter campaign for a permanent shop in downtown Raleigh. They are currently operating a temporary location next to Gravy until the end of the month and a smaller permanent one in the Oakwood area. They are trying to raise $22,000 by mid-September and plan to use the money for a walk-in freezer, refrigerator, furniture, a commercial ice cream maker and more waffle cone makers. They want to also start offering organic frozen yogurt with fresh fruit toppings and fruit parfaits with homemade granola. 

Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week is starting on Monday, so make sure to download the Out and About app so you can find the restaurants and the menus anytime!