Until We Dish Again - Triangle Restaurant Openings (& Closings)

This week is the Thanksgiving homestretch.  The pie and mighty are scrambling to secure their last minute ingredients for the "feast of bird'n".  Others are in countdown mode to Black Friday (or "Brown Thursday").   Either way, once we all recover from our food coma, it will be time to dish again ... & the next question will be ... Where's a new place to try?   Listed below are some restaurant openings that are sure to lure you back for seconds (& thirds).  Until then, wine all you want. 

Chuy's, the Austin, Texas-based Tex-Mex restaurant chain, is opening Tuesday, November 26    at North Hills' east side near the Hyatt House hotel (under construction). The 8,000 square foot restaurant (pronounced CHEW-eez) will anchor one side of the planned Midtown Park and amphitheater area. Chuy's serves a distinct "Big as Yo' Face" Menu of authentic, made from scratch Tex-Mex inspired dishes. Chuy's highly flavorful and freshly prepared fare is served in a fun, eclectic atmosphere. Each location offers a unique look and feel, as expressed by their concept's motto "If you've seen one Chuy's, you've seen one Chuy's!".  Bean Me Up!  Location: 4020 Market at North Hills Street, Raleigh; Open Daily for lunch, dinner, and late night.    

The Station (Restaurant & Bar) is now open in a refurbished Amoco on the edge of the historic  Oakwood neighborhood. It offers pizza, sandwiches, brunch, desserts and daily specials. Rotating local craft beers round out the bar menu. The Station's roughly 3,400-square-foot space will include an outdoor, covered bar on a patio with fire pits that they hope will give off a cozy vibe in the cooler months (like now). Owners Niall Hanley (Hibernian) and Cliff Bleszinsky (Gears of War designer) have hired chef Scott Jankovictz (formerly of The Market) to create a Menu that's a decided notch above the pub norm. There's even a kids menu (& root beer floats and deep fried candy bars for kids of all ages).  Location: 701 North Person Street, Raleigh; Open Daily from 11am to 2am; Website 

The Pit (famous Authentic BBQ) restaurant is opening its second location in downtown Durham's D.I.Y. District on November 26 just in time for Thanksgiving.  Hang up your apron as The Pit has your Thanksgiving meal covered, whether you want to eat with them or take it home (serving from 11am to 4pm). Their inaugural family-style feast has all the traditional Thanksgiving favorites and some of The Pit's best-known dishes such as chopped whole-hog barbecue and collard greens. Can't make Thanksgiving? Come by the day after or anytime you're craving a whole-hog Pit stop.  Location: 321 West Greer Street, Durham; Open Daily for lunch and dinner.  Website 

Cameron Village's Caf� Caturra has closed its doors.  The Cary location in Stone Creek Village is still  open according to their facebook page .  We are sorry to see it go but will keep you posted on a replacement (Rumor is that Tazza Kitchen, another Richmond VA based restaurant serving oven fired pizzas & Baja / Mediterranean fare, will open in the space in early 2014).   The pizza image is from Tazza's Website.

To Bee or Not to Bee

Pie and Mighty!

Not to set your hair on fire, but in turkey-minus-48 hours you must brine the bird, bourbon the sweet potatoes, upscale the cauliflower, and whip up a sweet finale that doesn't scream store-bought. (Cue frantic yoga breath.)

Take a time-out and regroup. At your side, we have some famous pastry chef's sharing recipes and "how-to's" that give you a winning game plan for gold medal pumpkin, pecan, and apple desserts.

Fearrington House Bourbon Pecan Pie - In case you forgot, making classic Southern desserts are a piece of cake, er... pie. We consulted with the Fearrington House Restaurant's pastry chef for its recipe that will qualify you for many parties to come.  This bourbon pecan pie was introduced in the late '70's at Fearrington's original restaurant.  

Scrumptious Apple Pie - Jan Moon, the former test kitchen expert for Southern Living magazine and owner of Dreamcakes Bakery in Birmingham, AL, talks about her lifelong love of pie in her cookbook, "The Southern Pie Book."  

Jan explains, "Southerners are known for their hospitality and a desire to please. Pie fits all those criteria. Pie is definitely made to be shared, whether it is family or friends, and just a sweet way to say you love or care for someone. In the South, it is a common thing for someone to show up at your door with a pie." 

How do you like them apples? When this apple pie is topped with a little vanilla ice cream you won't be able to answer, because your mouth will be full of fall deliciousness. Click Here for Jan's recipe.  

Easier than Pie - Top off the big meal with Pumpkin Bread Pudding. Monica Glass wants to lend a hand. The new pastry chef at Boston's Clio has stirred up a warm pumpkin bread pudding that lends an uncomplicated, comforting, and nostalgic feel to your table.

We'll eat (and eat) to that. Click Here for Monica's recipe.  

Make Your Own Pie Crust... Secret Tips - For most home chefs, a flaky, flavorful crust is the biggest challenge. The secret? Here are three tips that will keep yours in the 'upper crust'! 

1. Keep everything cold and work quickly, so you don't melt your fat. You want the flour and butter to be well incorporated with some large chunks of butter remaining. Add just enough liquid to bring your dough together (if you bend the disk back and forth in your hands, you don't want it to be crumbly or powdery).

2. Dough should chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before rolling out. Then, after rolling out your crust and fitting it into your pie plate, let it chill an additional 30 minutes (to allow the gluten to relax).

3. If you're using a pre-baked shell, just remember to adjust the baking time depending on the type of pie you're making. For example, pumpkin pie shells need to be baked longer because the filling cooks very quickly. Pecan pie, on the other hand, takes longer to set up, so you can bake the pre-baked shell less. In any case, use pie weights to ensure that your shell maintains a nice shape.

Cameron Clothing Co. - Store Wide Sale Everything in Entire Store Now 20% Off! From Sportswears, Dresses, Accessories, Gifts & Jewelry all on sale. Come take advantage of this and shop for items that have never gone on sale before. Sale is now till Nov. 30th.   

Also see the Amy Kahn Russell jewelry Trunk Show now till Christmas. Amy Kahn Russell was the first important designer in the naturalistic trend in jewelry design. Her distinctive pieces incorporate fossils, natural minerals, pearls, and semi-precious stones with sterling silver. Amy painstakingly designs every piece herself, often using rare and unusual materials which make duplication impossible.

Cameron Clothing Co.  4351-111 The Circle at North Hills, Raleigh, 27609, Phone: (919) 420-0411, Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10am - 6pm. Website. 

Three Homes For Sale In Olde Raleigh

3800 City of Oaks Wynd: $599,900

4308 Johnston Busbee Wynd: $1.195 or Executive Rental @

$5000/mo.

7,214 SF, Transitional w/ All Hardwoods, Gracious Formals, Keeping Room, Master Wing w/Gentleman's Office, 6 bdrs/5.5 baths, Children's Study, Fin. 3rd Floor, 3-garage, .57 Acre. (photo right)

4101 John S. Raboteau Wynd: $699,000

4,012 SF, Large Living Areas, Sunroom,4 bdrs/3.5 baths, Bonus,.52 Acre. (photo left)

Olde Raleigh features three beautiful lakes with centerpiece fountains, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, clubhouse, veranda and two tennis courts. 

Contact: Jill Rekuc, Owner-Olde Raleigh Real Estate

Website: www.olderaleighrealestate.com

Email: Jill@olderaleighrealestate.com

The Knitty Gritty at Certain Things - Fall Sweaters galore! Come see the variety of sweaters in all weights, colors and sizes. But hurry before they're gone!

Certain Things of Cameron Village - 404 Daniels St. Raleigh, NC 27605, (919) 828-5055Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 1-5pm.  Website.

CT Weekends - Looking for a great fitting jean? Look no further. Jag and Liverpool jeans are available in denim and colors only at CT Weekends in Cameron Village, 437 Daniels Street, Raleigh, 27605,

Phone (919) 787-9073, Hours Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Website. 

Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. -  The Annual Fine Jewelry Winter Catalogue Auction is December 5, 6 & 7, 2013.  Just in time for the holidays. Mark your calendars!

Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd.: 620 Cornerstone Court, Hillsborough, NC, 27278

Phone: (919) 644-1243, Website.

Core Results - Personal Training is teaching people from all over the Raleigh, Cary and Triangle area how to meet their fitness goals. From kettlebells to TRX, everything is top of the line and brand new at the private Core Results studio. Call and make your first appointment for a Complimentary Session!

Core Results: 1330 St. Mary's Street, Suite A00, Raleigh, 27605, Phone: (919) 946-1737, Email:info@coreresults.net, Website.   

Kenna Custom Painting is available to tackle your residential painting needs.  With their great crews that perform very professional jobs on residential homes, you won't believe how quiet and unobtrusive they are.  So if you have that "itch" to freshen up your home, interior or exterior before springtime, contact them now.  Call 919-855-0082 or Email: kennapaint@bellsouth.net.  Website.

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