News

Jun 03, 2024

Foodie News: Raleigh chocolate shop named among best in nation

Raleigh Magazine reported this week that business partners Alex Ricci, Jonny Ennis and Justin Tatnell are set to open two new concepts in the spaces of recently closed Pink Boot and Rainbow

Raleigh Magazine reported this week that business partners Alex Ricci, Jonny Ennis and Justin Tatnell are set to open two new concepts in the spaces of recently closed Pink Boot and Rainbow Luncheonette. In Rainbow Luncheonette’s place, Ricci and his partners will be opening Prospects, a diner-esque eatery serving food that Ricci has cultivated with, by and for Raleighites, according to the magazine. As for the bar concept, aka The Devereux, the trio will overhaul Pink Boot to give way to a more sleek and modern design. A post on Instagram suggested that the Pink Boot might be looking for a new downtown location. Stay tuned. Thanks to Raleigh Magazine for sharing this news.

Kudos to downtown Raleigh's Videri Chocolate Factory! They just landed at No. 9 on USA Today’s list of the best chocolate shops. If you've never been, make that happen and sample their "bean to bar" chocolate while sipping on Black & White Coffee or enjoying soft serve ice cream! Congrats on their continued success! Stop by today!

Over in Cary, buddy Ray Dory shared the news that after just over 4 years, Pizzeria Veritas owners Mike Martin and Steve Gill are "no longer affiliated with the Pizzeria Veritas name or product." They have sold the shop and will be opening a new shop in Washington, North Carolina later this year. Keep up with the new developments on their Facebook page here.

And in Fuquay-Varina, saw on the Today in the Quay Facebook page that they will soon be getting a new Mexican restaurant - Fiesta Time, Mexican Restaurant Bar & Grill will be opening next month at 1063 E. Broad Street. We were unable to locate an online presence. Stay tuned.

As most know, downtown Chapel Hill's Mediterranean Deli suffered a devastating fire this past Saturday. In the aftermath, an extremely successful GoFundMe effort was put in place to support the employees in the interim. Med Deli has also secured a kitchen space that will allow them to continue fulfilling their catering business beginning next Monday, July 31. For those with outstanding catering orders, please email them at [email protected] with contact information and the date of your event. Visit Med Deli here.

Well-known Pittsboro brewery, Carolina Brewery & Grill, will celebrate their 16th year in business with a traditional Carolina Low Country Crab and Shrimp Boil on August 5, 2023 from 12:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. This special event will feature Royal Red Shrimp and Snow Crab Legs, along with live music throughout the evening. Durham Ukulele Orchestra will perform outside on the patio stage from 2:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. and Big Fat Gap will take the stage from 5:30p.m. to 8:00p.m. Admission is free and special 16th anniversary glasses will be given to the first 300 customers. There will also be a featured Anniversary IPA on tap for the celebration. Visit Carolina Brewery here.

None to report. Keep eating local, folks!

The next Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo is Sunday, Sept. 3, from 12 to 4 p.m. The final rodeo of the season will be Oct. 29. All the rodeos are from 12 to 4 p.m. Giddyup! Here is the link.

Looking to find your favorite food truck (or stalking them and simply don’t want to have to admit it)? We understand. Find them on Street Food Finder here.

Hey Tim CoyneSmith, look what's back! The 16th Annual Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival returns to Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre August 4th and 5th. Get ready to enjoy all those pleasures that true Southerners live by – Beer, Bourbon, Barbeque, Boots, Bacon, Biscuits, Bluegrass and Smoked Beasts! It’s two great days of beer sippin’, bourbon tastin’, music listenin’, and barbeque eatin’. Your admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy an ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-TASTE sampling of beer and bourbon. Get tickets and all the details here.

Also on August 5th, head to downtown Raleigh's City Plaza on Saturday for Taste of Soul NC - a family-friendly event featuring a DJ, live performances, a bounce house, games and a variety of cuisines. Get all the details here.

On Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m., the folks over at Prohibitive will hold an All About Pinots wine pairing as they taste through varieties of Pinots paired with tapas. Prohibitive is located at the historic Matthews House in Cary (317 W. Chatham Street). Cost is $85 per person. Reserve your spot here.

A taste of old becoming new, cider and mead! The NC Museum of Art and Catering Works are partnering with NC Wine for a delicious and thoughtful pairing of beverages, tasty bites, and art. What’s the buzz about cider and mead? Come find out on Aug.17 and learn more about the NCMA’s “paired” works of art while sipping local NC cider and mead. This event will be held in the West Building from 6:30 pm through 8:30 pm. Tastings begin at 6:30 pm. Over 10 different makers and multiple tasting stations will be featured. Docent lead tours connect art to these historic libations, and are scheduled at 6:45 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 7:45 pm. Please arrive at 6:30 pm, in order to enjoy the whole event. Join them here.

And then on Aug. 24, The NC Museum of Art, Vitis House, and Catering Works present “The Art Inside the Bottle." Together with NCMA curator Maya Brooks, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art, and Vitis House owner and wine educator, Doreen Colondres, we will dive into Identity, Place, and Power as themes that contextualize works of art and wine in specific and inspiring ways. Join us from 7 to 9 p.m. for a very special evening to explore history, tradition, and process behind winemaking and artmaking at The Art Inside the Bottle. You will foster new insights in an immersive, sensory experience! Seven wines with custom-designed food pairings will be served as Maya speaks in person to share her expertise on seven important works of art from the Museum’s Collection. Details and sign up here.

The 10th annual Sola Hot Mini 5K race is Saturday, Sept. 16 at Sola Coffee in North Raleigh. Thus far, the race has raised over $450,000 in the fight to end ALS with a goal to raise $200,000 more this year. Get details and register here.

The USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience is coming to Raleigh on Saturday, Sept. 16, and will be held at Dorothea Dix Park (Flowers Field). Attendees will explore a Raleigh culinary adventure that celebrates the best local food and drink, enjoy endless food and drink samples, attend demonstrations and interact with exhibitors in a beautiful outdoor setting for a single admission price. Get tickets and all the details here.

The folks over at Acme are bringing back Salt & Smoke on Saturday, Oct. 28. This year’s event will be held at The Barn at Sonark Media (located just off of Old 86 in Hillsborough). If you are not familiar with the event, it is a full afternoon and evening of live music, whole hog barbecue, raw oysters, roasted clams and plenty of the right beverages to wash it all down – local beer, wine and cocktails. And if you get your tickets now, through the end of this month there is a $25 discount for all tickets purchased (just use the code FINALLY when checking out). Get all the details and tickets here.

Right now, one in five people in central and eastern North Carolina doesn't have enough to eat. Your tax-deductible gift helps provide food and hope to families, children, and seniors right here in our community. Together, we can help people in our community during their greatest time of need. Give here. Every $10 you donate provides 50 meals! #noonegoeshungry