Raleigh cooks bringing ‘Big Cat’ resturant, bar and market to downtown :: WRAL.com

Triangle Food Guy Sean Lennard fills you in on a brand new Korean restaurant in Durham from the creator behind M-Sushi and a brand new restaurant, bar and market in downtown Raleigh.

Featured restaurant information

You would possibly acknowledge these names: Cheetie Kumar, Paul Siler, Angela Salamanca, Marshall Davis and Justin Pasfield. You’ll acknowledge them from Ajja, Garland, Neptunes, and Kings; Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recipient Mala Pata, Ex-Voto, Centro, Gallo Pelón and Patty Boy; in addition to Locals Seafood.

Well, they’ve all come collectively to create Big Cat, a multi-concept restaurant, full bar and market that includes day-to-night choices and necessities for Raleigh’s East Mordecai, Oakwood, and surrounding neighborhoods, nestled on the nook of Brookside Drive and Glascock Street.

They will start accepting reservations subsequent week on March 25. Pro Tip: This Saturday, March 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., they’ll host a few of North Carolina’s most interesting tradition producers in artwork, music, meals, beverage, movie, pictures, structure and design at Pop Cat at Big Cat. Locals Seafood and Mala Pata will likely be popping up with meals on the patio, whereas Big Cat serves drinks and gentle serve ice cream for all ages. Check them out on Instagram.

Wake County restaurant information

The News & Observer reported this week {that a} idea referred to as Biddy Thomas is about to open this spring subsequent to Union Special at 2409 Crabtree Blvd. in Gateway Plaza. Margaret Soler’s idea will mix a myriad of concepts beneath one roof. The retail part will function items similar to taking part in playing cards, stationery and desk calendars; the eating space will boast a café-style menu of sandwiches, salads, soups and do-it-yourself desserts, impressed by Southern delicacies and a nod to New Orleans; a sport space, for visitors to take pleasure in; and loads of drink choices that includes signature cocktails, beer and wine. The title is a nod to Soler’s grandmother. Follow along with their progress on Instagram.

Triangle Business Journal reported that Vino & Tap will likely be taking on the previous Cotton House location in downtown Cary. They will likely be serving curated wines, champagne cocktails and rotating craft drafts in a heat, welcoming house. They are capturing for a gap the primary week in April. Follow along on Facebook here.

This is a cool collaboration…Cha House Wake Forest introduced a brand new partnership with Knucklehead BBQ, bringing a daring, flavorful barbecue menu into its in-house eating expertise. This collaboration marks a significant step in enhancing Cha House’s meals program, mixing its signature drinks with genuine North Carolina barbecue. Visit them here. Pro Tip: A meals sampling of those new and thrilling choices will likely be occurring this Saturday, March 21, from 12-2 p.m. at Cha House Wake Forest. Pro Tip 2: If you haven’t been to Knucklehead BBQ in Mebane, get there now…you possibly can thank me later.

And should you stay in Cary and have a candy tooth, excellent news is on the way in which. Reader Zan Bunn seen an indication for Insomnia Cookies in MacGregor Village. No phrase on a timeline. Visit Insomnia here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham restaurant information

Carrboro will quickly have a brand new choice for having fun with your morning Joe. Bridge Coffee is opening quickly at 203 N. Greensboro St. in a renovated home subsequent to Fitch Lumber. Look for them to open in a couple of months. Follow together with the renovation progress and opening announcement on their Instagram.

Back in February, we advised you that chef Michael Lee can be opening his seventh idea within the former Plum house at 501 Washington St. in downtown Durham. We now have the title of the Korean restaurant – M Hansik. It was additionally disclosed that they’re focusing on a mid-May 2026 opening. Visit all of Lee’s concepts here.

Closings

Jaguar Bolera closed at Raleigh Iron Works after lower than two years.

In Cary, Cary Downtown posted that Paris Bahn Mi completely closed at 712 SE Maynard Road.

Food vans

The Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo continues in 2026 on these dates from midday to 4 p.m. on April 12, May 31 and September 27. At every occasion, you’ll discover food and drinks at over 30 meals vans in addition to inflatables and household enjoyable for all ages. The rodeos are hosted at Durham Central Park (500 Foster St., Durham). Go forward and mark your calendar for all three. Get all the details here.

Looking to search out your favourite meals truck (or stalking them and easily don’t need to should admit it)? We perceive. Find them on Street Food Finder here.

Events

This is fairly cool. Heading to an occasion in downtown Raleigh? If so, cease by and see my mates at Whiskey Kitchen (201 W. Martin St.) the place they’ve simply launched a “Pre-Game with Whiskey.” What is that? It’s fairly easy. If you present them a same-day Raleigh occasion ticket or go (for any occasion like live shows, sport or any downtown occasion) you get 10% off your meal. Told you it was cool. Check out Whiskey right here.

Raleigh’s Trophy Brewing Co. is celebrating its thirteenth anniversary by internet hosting an all-day get together on Sunday, March twenty second. The get together begins at 11 a.m. and consists of stay music, together with The Petty Thieves (1-3 p.m.), throwback pizzas and a particular anniversary brew from the Foeders. Trophy Brewing & Pizza is situated at 827 W. Morgan St. in downtown Raleigh. Visit Trophy right here.

The fourth annual Gettin’ Piggy With It returns to downtown Raleigh on May 17, bringing award-winning cooks and pitmasters from throughout the nation collectively for a day of barbecue, neighborhood and philanthropy benefiting the Frankie Lemmon School. Tickets go on sale at midday Friday, March 20. The family-friendly occasion will happen from midday to five p.m. at Maywood Hall and Gardens (622 Maywood Ave., Raleigh) and can function barbecue and different chef-driven bites, together with native beer and spirits, stay music, video games and extra. The occasion is hosted by the Frankie Lemmon Foundation in partnership with Jake Wood of Lawrence Barbecue and Chris Powers of Trophy Brewing Co. VIP tickets are $200 per grownup and consists of early entry at midday. General admission tickets are $150 per grownup with entry starting at 1 p.m. Children ages 11 and beneath can admitted free. Proceeds profit Raleigh’s Frankie Lemmon School and Developmental Center, which offers accessible training and therapies to kids with and with out disabilities, typically at little to no value to households. Get tickets and all the small print right here.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2026 Dinner within the Meadow occasion on September thirteenth in Louisburg. The biennial occasion will likely be held on the lovely and bucolic Meadow Lane Farm and is a fundraiser that helps the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, a non-profit group that helps small farms in North Carolina. Get tickets and all the small print right here.

Food Bank Corner

Did you already know that in North Carolina, 1 in 4 households led by single ladies stay under the poverty line? That’s almost twice as many because the households led by single males with kids. Hunger hits completely different for girls. Economic challenges — from pay disparity to the rising value of childcare — make it more durable to continue to grow children fed. Our coronary heart goes out to the mothers of North Carolina who’re questioning what to do as SNAP cuts loom. This International Women’s Month, let’s present them that they’ll rely on their neighborhood. Some good mates have stepped ahead with a $50,000 matching problem present, so any quantity you give to the Food Bank by March 31 has the ability to DOUBLE! It’s a terrific likelihood to stretch each greenback of your assist whereas serving to mother and father, seniors, and veterans stretch their budgets. In reality, should you’re ready, it is a good time to make an particularly beneficiant present, maybe to honor a mother, grandma, auntie, or one other girl who’s stood in a mom’s place in your life. It’s easy to do whenever you donate.