Foodie News: New Taqueria opens in Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. — 'Tis the season! The News & Observer has compiled a list of restaurants that are open on Christmas Day (and a few on Christmas Eve). And don't forget to check out Postal Fish Company bringing an Italian tradition to the Triangle as they host the Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner on Christmas Eve, December 24th. Check out the full list of restaurants here.

Learned last week of Tenedor, which opened at the end of November. It is a neighborhood taqueria that focuses on fast, fresh Latin fare consisting of family recipes mated with secret sauces and seasonings. They are located in Raleigh just outside of 440 on New Bern Avenue/Hwy. 64. Owner Lee Cordova was born in Veracruz, Mexico and moved to the United States early in life. Check them out here.

This is worth a trip over to Trophy Brewing Company on Monday nights (as if you need another reason). But apparently after a research trip to Detroit and much testing in their kitchen, they are making 20 "Detroit Style" pizzas every Monday night (who knew there was Detroit style pizza?). Dine in only. When they are gone, they are gone. Check out Trophy here.

And lots of changes on Raleigh's Hillsborough Street according to @catonatrain on Twitter. First up, Marco's Pizza was replaced by a new place called Hot Tomato. Check out Hot Tomato here. Waba closed and was replaced by a Peruvian/Colombian/Venezuelan place called Pisco Mar, although interestingly enough, they still have a few Korean items on the menu. Visit them on Facebook here. And finally, Mama Jee is gone and in its place is a sushi bar called Mon Sushi. Can't find an online presence, but they are already getting really good reviews on Yelp. I think I have found my Hillsborough Street beat reporter!

Reader Jeanette Hauser noticed signage for Poke Bros. at 780 Alexander Place, Suite 110 in Brier Creek. They offer fast, fresh, fit. high-quality, sushi-grade fish and farm-fresh veggies in an authentic Hawaiian poké bowl. No word yet on an open date. Get familiar with them here.

In Morrisville, Offline Raleigh reported this week that Fount Coffee + Kitchen opened in the Marketplace at Perimeter Park (corner Chapel Hill Road and Carrington Mill Blvd.). They will offer coffee and teas, smoothie bowls, salads, stacks and small plates. Check them out here.

Down in Holly Springs, reader Keith Weitz pointed out that signage is up for a concept called Harvest Moon in the former SiP Bistro location at 128 Bass Lake Road. Unfortunately an online search didn't turn up anything, so stay tuned. Thanks, Keith!

And in downtown Fuquay-Varina, David McCreary shared the news that Vicious Fishes Brewery, Taproom & Kitchen opened this week at 132 S. Fuquay Avenue in the former Rock Harbor Grill space. The new spot will combine a craft brewery already known for its location in Angier with a gastropub featuring wood-fired cuisine. Visit them on Facebook here.

Over in Durham, Triangle Explorer John Huisman just reported that Sofia Pizza has opened at 2201 Angier Avenue. Sofia's is a casual neighborhood spot where neighbors new and old can hang out and enjoy tasty pizza, pasta, soft serve, and local beers. Get to know them here.

Offline Durham noted that Sweet Charlie's (hand rolled ice cream) is having their Grand Opening this Saturday in the Hope Valley Commons shopping center in South Durham near the WhichWich, Makus Empanadas and Mattie B's. This appears to be their first North Carolina locations. Check them out here.

One final note from Chapel Hill — the SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill will operate a Dewey's Bakery holiday shop at the SECU House (NOT in University Place as originally planned) at 123 Old Mason Farm Rd in Chapel Hill Friday, Nov. 16 through Dec. 23. Thirty-five percent of proceeds from each sale will go directly to SECU Family House — a safe, nurturing and affordable home for patients and their loved ones who travel great distances to UNC Hospitals for lifesaving procedures due to serious illnesses. Dewey's baked goods have been a treasured holiday tradition since the bakery opened in downtown Winston-Salem in 1930. Get familiar with Dewey's here.

Got word last week that Ruckus Pizza & Pasta in Cary at the Arboretum is closing. Owner Robert Royster confirmed that the last day will be Jan. 3. Stay tuned on the new owner and that concept. The good news is Ruckus has four other locations in the Triangle!

Dec. 15 is the date of the Holiday Pop-up Wine Dinner at Vino Wine Shop at 89 Hillsboro Street in downtown Pittsboro. This first dinner in a series will feature chef Regan Stachler, former owner-chef of Little Hen farm to table restaurant in Holly Springs. The cost is $69 per person and features four courses paired with five fabulous wines. Space is limited to 26 people so hurry and buy your ticket before they are gone.

Also on Dec. 15, Eastcut Sandwich Bar and Ponysaurus Brewing are coming together for a Oysters + Oyster Saison Garden Party. Fresh oysters, pints of oyster saison, live music and more in their heated garden from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The folks over at The Rickhouse will host the first Durham Village Holiday Market featuring North Carolina made eats, drinks and gifts on Dec.16-18. Sample independent food, beverage, and craft producers while you complete your shopping list. Each night will have a bar and a different food truck for you to enjoy.

Postal Fish Company brings an Italian tradition to the Triangle as they host the Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner on Christmas Eve, December 24. Christmas Eve is a vigil, or fasting day, and the abundance of seafood reflects the observance of abstinence from meat until the feast of Christmas Day itself. Today, the meal typically consists of seven different seafood dishes. The tradition comes from Southern Italy, where it is known simply as The Vigil (La Vigilia). This celebration commemorates the wait, the Vigilia di Natale, for the midnight birth of the baby Jesus. The long tradition of eating seafood on Christmas Eve dates from the Roman Catholic tradition of abstaining from eating meat on the eve of a feast day. This "feast" features 7 courses paired with 5 wines. Dinner starts at 4:45 promptly, doors open at 4:30 p.m.

And looking ahead to next year, an annual favorite — Cooking for a Classic 2019 — is just around the corner. The prize for 2019 is restored 1982 JEEP Scrambler. The First Round is Monday-Thursday, Feb. 25-28; Second Round is March 4 and 5; and the Finale is March 11. Tickets start at $75 for the First Round, $100 for the Second Round and $125 for the Finale.Venue is 1705 East in Raleigh. You can get all the details here and tickets here. Each evening features six plated courses. Round One features Teddy Diggs from Coronado vs. Ryan Grimm from Watersview; Matt Hannon from Ashton's vs. Bo Peterson from Primal Food & Spirits; Jake Wood from 18 Seaboard vs. Jonathan Blackley form Prestonwood Country Club; and Andrew Smith from buku vs. Orlando Jinzo from The Leadmine. All proceeds benefit the Lucy Daniels Center's mental-health programs for children in the Triangle.

There is Hope for the Holidays at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina where your gift today (and through the holidays) is doubled! We know the feeling of warmth, security, and belonging that comes from being around a meal with family. This year, we're asking you to help us provide hope for the holidays. Your gift today will be doubled when you give to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina! That's twice as many nutritious meals for working families, individuals, children, and seniors in our 34-county service area. Every $10 you donate doubles to $20, providing up to 100 meals! Make your gift today!

More than 60 percent of students in our 34-county service area qualify for free/reduced-price lunch. It's difficult for any student to excel academically when they come to school hungry. So we invite all students, staff, parents, and teachers to join our Students Against Hunger food and fund drive to help feed hungry children and their families in our community. Since 1996, students in our area have donated enough to provide nearly 6 million meals. Join the cause! Participants in the Students Against Hunger campaign collect food and funds from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30. Competing schools must deliver their donations to any of our branches by 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 30. Find out if your child's school is participating (and if not, get them to!)

Sean Lennard covers the Triangle food scene on his site Triangle Food Blog.