Triangle Restaurant News: Smashburger sets opening date in Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. — Smashburger plans to open its north Raleigh on Dec. 17. This fast-casual burger chain already has a location on Erwin Road in Durham. The Raleigh location will be located in the Falls Village Shopping Center on Falls of Neuse Road. Ten percent of total proceeds from opening day through Friday, Dec. 19, will be donated to the nonprofit Communities in Schools of Wake County. 

In Chapel Hill, breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant The Egg & I is opening its doors on Monday (Dec. 8) bright and early at 6 a.m. The place is known for its pancakes, waffles and omelettes. It is located in the old home of Piola at 1101 Environ Way.

Tupelo Honey Cafe opened its Raleigh location this week. For the first two weeks, this Southern eatery will only be open for dinner.

In Chapel Hill, Fig & Honey has opened in the Harris Teeter shopping center off of Chatham Downs Drive.The restaurant offers food, classes and catering, according to its website. The owners Heba Salama and Ed Brantley, starred on season six of "The Biggest Loser" season six.

JuJu, an Asian fusion tapas restaurant, is planning to open in the Shops at Erwin Mill development off of Ninth Street in Durham by mid-December, the News and Observer reports. The restaurant will feature menus printed on placemats, and a cocktail cart so some drinks will be made tableside.  

Jasmin Bistro is planning to open a location this spring at 100 W. Franklin St. in Chapel Hill, Triangle Food Guy reports. The Mediterranean restaurant already has four locations in the Triangle.

Maximillian's Pizza Kitchen on Chapel Hill Road in Cary has closed, Triangle Food Guy reports. Maximillian's Grill and Bar remains open next door.

Little Caesars opens its Knightdale location Friday (Dec. 5) at 11 a.m. It is located next to the Krispy Kreme off of U.S. 64.

Crude Bitters will be holding a soft opening for its cocktail supply and tasting room, ABV, on Friday. The show is located at 517 W. Cabarrus St. in Raleigh.

In beer news, the folks behind Trophy Brewing Co. plan to open their craft bottle shop, State of Beer, the week before Christmas, Triangle Business Journal reports. The shop, which is named after the beer radio show run by the brewery's founders, will be located in the 400 block of Hillsborough Street in Raleigh. 

And since we are talking about beer: Ponysaurus Brewing announced plans this week to open a brewery and taproom on Hood Street in Durham. The nano brewery currently operates above the The Cookery. The expansion will take their capacity from 180 barrels and year to about 2,000. The 6,000 square-foot warehouse is expected to be open by next summer.  

In Cary, Highcraft Beer Market is now open at 2716 North Carolina Highway 55. The store will hold its grand opening celebration on Saturday with a full lineup of beer from North Carolina and beyond. There will also be free food.