Foodie news: Endings and beginnings

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Devastating news this week in the Triangle-area restaurant scene as news spread that Frank Ballard, owner of Hayes Barton Cafe and Dessertery in Raleigh, had died after complications from pneumonia. This comes just months after a life-changing spinal cord injury he suffered at his home. Ballard opened the restaurant in 1998 and defined what true hospitality is, going above and beyond for friends, customers and neighbors and making everyone feel incredibly special. He was a gift to our community and made us all better. A reception for family and close friends will be held at the cafe on Sunday, August 30 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. An open reception for friends and neighbors will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, consider offering your support to Transitions Hospice, The Veterans Life Center or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Rest in peace Frank.

Wake County Restaurant News

• The wait is over. The historic Flowers Cottage is now openhousing two concepts in one spot: Cottage Coffee and Park Bar in Dix Park. The renovated 100-year-old cottage boasts a cozy cafe inside as well as a covered outdoor bar. The upstairs cafe opens to an expansive deck featuring terraced seating that gives you a jaw-dropping view of the fields in Dix Park as well as Raleigh’s expansive skyline in the distance. Congrats to the team of Justin Pasfield, Jeff Clarke, Dillon Myrick and Sarah Sugg whose combined experience has ties to Raleigh favorites like Person Street Bar, Big Cat, Locals Seafood, Natural Science Bar and Boulted Bread. Plan your visit now. You can thank me later. Check them out on Instagram here.

• We first told you about this back in June, but Raleigh Magazine reported that Plain Jane’s is now open on Hillsborough Street in the former Green Monkey space. The magazine noted that this watering hole is like a time capsule of all your favorite old Raleigh bars, from Sadlack’s Heroes and Brooklyn Heights to Pink Boot saying it as if “Brooklyn Heights and Pink Boot had a baby.” They also noted that there’s a pool table, lounge areas and nostalgic signs galore. They are located at 1217 Hillsborough Street. Thanks to childhood friend James Satterwhite for bringing this to my attention.

• Axios reported this week that Patrick Shanahan’s takeover of The Exchange Raleigh development continues, as the artist-turned-entrepreneur prepares a new all-day cafe there. Following on the opening of restaurant Peregrine and the Capulet Cocktail Club he now has plans to open Cafe Royale there next month in the space formerly occupied by The Optimist coffee shop. It will share a courtyard with Capulet. It is designed to operate in the model of a Parisian cafe with customers lingering throughout the day enjoying espresso drinks, tea, champagne and dessert cocktails. In addition to drinks, the cafe will serve pastries and sandwiches as well as cheese boards and charcuterie. Follow along on Instagram for a menu release and the pending opening date announcement.

• Cora Kitchen + Bar, a new Spanish and Latin tapas spot, is set to soft open in the former Station space on Person Street. Any minute now. This all-day eatery is led by Chef Sarah Frey of the popular breakfast and coffee truck Mr.Burro — so yes, amazing breakfast burritos are on the menu! Cora will serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks, with a newly renovated, cozy outdoor patio. Cora is part of the team behind downtown favorites including Hibernian Pub, Watts & Ward, Raleigh Beer Garden, and Morgan Street Food Hall. Thanks to Raleigh Downtown for sharing additional details. Get your mouth watering here.

• In North Raleigh, saw on Facebook this week that the latest concept from the Longo family, Vic’s Pizza & Pasta Cafe, opened this week at 5434 Six Forks Road in a former KFC and Taco Bell spot. Customers who dine in at the Six Forks location will order at a counter and a staff member will bring their food to the table, and refill their drinks as they eat. Vic’s and the Longo family (Mario Sr. and Jr.) have locations in downtown Raleigh’s City Market and on Lake Boone Trail. Michael Longo operates Vic’s Pizzeria on Glenwood Avenue in downtown Raleigh and Mikey’s Pizza over off Old Wake Forest Road (2320 Bale Street). Visit them online here.

• Reader Frank Rhodes shared with us the news that K38 in downtown Cary is set to open next weekend on August 29th at 147 E. Chatham Street. This will be their seventh location and follows the most recent opening in downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station. What does the K38 represent? The “K” stands for kilometer, denoting the 38th-kilometer mark on the coastal highway in Baja. Founder Josh Vach was inspired by surf trips down the Baja Peninsula, roadside taco shacks, and the specific surf break at that location when opening the original restaurant in 1993. Now you know. Pay them a visit.

• Just a note that the North Hills location of Chick-fil-A is temporarily closed for a remodel. So don’t head over there on Sunday nor any day until the renovations are complete. Guess you can check in here for updates and their re-opening.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• The News & Observer reported this week that Saint Mars opens this week in the former Annexe space, built as a dark, contemplative listening lounge, where the music will come exclusively from vinyl records played in their entirety. It is brought to us by Daniel Sartain who also owns Bar Virgile upstairs. The concept will feature two things for sure – stiff cocktails and more than 1,000 records (you might have to explain to your kids what those are). Here is a fun/sweet fact: it is named after his daughter’s play kitchen. Seven years ago she called it Saint Mars, and he told her he’d make it real one day. Follow along on Instagram here.

• Speaking of fun, NC Triangle Dining stumbled upon some exciting upcoming news for the Durham food scene. Some time next year (likely Spring 2027) Restaurant Cornelia will open – just not exactly sure where at this point. It is being touted as Michelin-level southern seasonal cuisine from the husband-and-wife team of Alex Catotti and Erin Kobler from Chicago. In addition to the restaurant, there will be a cafe-pastry shop-wine bar named The Vintner and The Baker. You can read up on the husband-and-wife team on their website here. More details to come!

• Over in Chapel Hill, saw where Anne Goldstein shared on the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook page that a Five Guys is scheduled to come to Aura Booth Park at the corner of Estes Drive and MLK Drive near Chapel Hill North. No word on a timeline. Visit Five Guys here.

• Red Phone Booth, the Prohibition-era speakeasy concept known for its handcrafted cocktails, vintage atmosphere and elevated hospitality experience, has officially opened its doors in downtown Durham. Located at 125 W. Orange Street, the hidden-door destination blends 1920s-inspired design with a carefully curated menu featuring classic cocktails, rare and premium spirits, and a refined cigar program. Check them out here.

• Just over the county line from Chapel Hill in Chatham County, learned this week that MunchiLove at Governor’s Village has closed as they begin their transformation into Eluent Coffee. Same owner. Same team. They also shared that MunchiLove isn’t going anywhere as you’ll still be able to find them popping up around the Triangle. Look for Eluent to open in early September. Follow along on Instagram here.

Closings

• This one hurts. We just learned this morning that Al’s French Fries will no longer be a vendor at the North Carolina State Fair where they had been a vendor since 1957. That said, they will still be around at local events.

• The News & Observer shared that downtown Durham’s It’s a Southern Thing closed after opening in 2017 in the former Motto space. Their Ellis Crossing location on Yunus Road remains open.

• Got word this week that Flavor Hills has closed their brick-and-mortar restaurant locations (including Raleigh and Durham) allowing chef and co-owner Morgan Tieanne to shift focus entirely on chef-led private dining and catering. Visit them here.

Food Trucks

• The final Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on September 27. You’ll find food and drink at over 30 food trucks as well as inflatables and family fun for all ages. It will be hosted at Durham Central Park (500 Foster Street, Durham). Go ahead and mark your calendar. Get all the details here.

• 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.

Events

• Foodies! Head to your local Wake County Library….why you ask? This Saturday, August 22 at 2 p.m., Oberlin Regional Library will host an author talk with Brigid Washington, who will be discussing her culinary memoir Salt, Sweat, & Steam: The Fiery Education of an Accidental Chef. Folks can register here. In addition, several of the Wake County branches offer Cookbook Clubs, a fun twist on the traditional book club. Participants all check out a copy of the same cookbook, meet to discuss it, and often share something they enjoyed making from it. They’re always a great time and a wonderful way for food lovers to connect. Details here.

• The 50th annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival, a beloved Cary tradition celebrating creativity, community, and the “Lazy Daze” of summer, is this weekend, August 22-23, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days. Explore the work of more than 250 exceptional artists from across the country, enjoy live entertainment on four stages, and savor delicious bites and drinks from 25+ food and beverage vendors. Experience hands-on art activities, professional artisan demonstrations, and plenty of kid-friendly fun in Kid Daze, including the fan-favorite Kid Collectors Market, where young festival goers can purchase pint-sized pieces created by Lazy Daze artists. Don’t forget to relax in the beer garden or the new Lazy Lounge as they celebrate 50 years of art, music, food, and summer memories. Check out the food vendors here, and get all the event details here. 

• The Sola Hot Mini 5K will be held on Saturday, September 12th. Join the community and Sola’s fight to find a cure to end ALS. Any and everyone is encouraged to come out – runners, walkers, volunteers, donors, cheerleaders, kids, strollers, moms, dads, friends, family…just be there. And don’t forget, if you register before August 30th you get a race shirt included with registration. Get all the details here. 

• Tickets are on sale now for the 2026 Dinner in the Meadow event on September 13th for a fundraiser that supports the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, a non-profit organization that helps small farms in North Carolina. Get tickets and all the details here.

• On Sunday, September 27, from 12 to 6 p.m., the inaugural Carolina Culture Food Fest will transform Moore Square into an exciting celebration of food, culture, and community. With the tagline “Where Food, Family & Fun Come Together,” the free, family-friendly festival will bring together food trucks, chefs, dessert vendors, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders from across North and South Carolina. One of the festival’s most anticipated attractions will be a live food competition, where participating chefs and food vendors will put their signature dishes, creativity, and culinary skills to the test. Get all the details here.

Food Bank Corner

• Help kids today! If you looked at a classroom of 30 third graders, you probably couldn’t pick out the 5 who are secretly worrying about going to bed hungry. But that’s the sad reality in central and eastern North Carolina today, where 1 in 5 kids are receiving discounted or free school meals. It’s usually the best nutrition they get all day, as their parents try to balance paying all the bills with keeping everybody fed. This Back-to-School season, please consider supporting programs that let kids go to bed after a full and healthy meal each night. Every $30 we receive becomes 90 nutritious meals delivered through backpack programs, food pantries, and other local services.