Local Indy's 2012 Best of the Triangle Winners

The Independent Weekly, an alternative Triangle weekly, is famous for many things, including outstanding music and entertainment reporting, groundbreaking investigative pieces and high quality and in-depth local news reporting.

But perhaps one of its most visible features is the "Best of the Triangle" series in which people vote for a broad range of best in everything - from a radio station to a strip club, with restaurants, bakeries, groceries, music stores, and anything-else-you-can-imagine thrown in between. And, as in most years, the Ninth Street and its adjacent area business did not disappoint.

In fact, it is striking how many of "best in the triangle" establishments of all sorts are located within a one-mile radius of Ninth Street. From a music venue to a pool bar, a jeweler to a fabric store, a dance studio, top-notch french food, fantastic breakfast, sea food, coffee shop, bookstore, B&B, cake-maker, and frozen desert, one cannot walk more than a few feet without bumping into an establishment of one sort or another that has been voted Best of the Triangle.

A full list, clocking at a staggering 23 different categories of best in the Triangle Ninth Street businesses is after the break.

Several Ninth Street Restaraunts Featured in the New York Post

A few days ago, the New York Post has published a fairly extensive article  detailing culinary delights of the Triangle, with Durham restaurants getting banner treatment. Two-- or three, if you count the recently closed Magnolia Grill -- of the neighborhood restaurants were featured: Vin Rouge and Watts Grocery. The write commented on both the inventiveness of the food, the high quality of the ingredients, and the atmosphere.


The entire article is reprinted after the break.

New Tenant for the space of Magnolia Grill?

This Thursday, May 31, Magnolia Grill will close its doors forever. People have been literally lining up outside the door to get their last taste of the amazing food served there for over 25 years by Ben and Karen Barker. But time does not stop for anyone and, following Barker's decision to retire, the News and Record reports that Tom Ferguson of Durham Catering Co. and Only Burger Fame may be eying the space to launch his new venture - Rise, a doughnut and biscuit restaurant.

According to the article, Tom's concept is similar to restaurants in Portland and New York that serve gourmet sweet and savory treats using organic, high quality ingredients.  In addition to Magnolia Grill space, Tom is reportedly looking at space on Foster Street, smack in the middle of Durham's hottest DYI district.

Here is hoping that he chooses Ninth Street! First, the location is hard to beat, convenient as it is to most of Ninth Street restaurants and bars. And, of course, the legendary reputation of Magnolia Grill is sure to give this new restaurant a patina of class and authenticity he would be hard-pressed to find in a converted garage. Plus, would Tom be stepping on Monuts Donuts turf?

The full N&O article is reprinted after the break.

Magnolia Grill to close by the end of May

In some very said news today, the WRAL reports that the owners of the Magnolia Grill, arguably the best and most well-known high-end Durham restaurant, have announced  that they will close their doors at the end of May. Magnolia Grill has been a true beacon of culinary excellence not just in this neighborhood or  the city of Durham, but nationally as well. It is not clear from the article what will happen to their current space, but I hope someone else will take the reins and reinvent this iconic location so that it continues to add vibrancy to our area.

This is a big loss for our neighborhood and  the City but, after 25 years, all things must end at some point, I suppose. The WRAL article, which provides additional context is reprinted after the break.

New sushi restaraunt in the neighborhood set to open in June

Vine, a new family owned Sushi & Thai restaurant is set to open in Bull City Market, taking the space previously occupied by Cillias. According to the Herald-Sun, the proprietors expect to charge between $8-13 per item and is patterned after a restaurant with the same name in New York City. They are planning to complete renovations by early June.

Interestingly enough, the space was originally rented to Raleigh-based Orchid Japanese Restaurant but the deal must have fallen through.

Francesca's Dessert Cafe is for sale

I enjoyed getting coffee in Francesca's for the past few years, although the place seems to be overrun with Duke students studying for exams and taking all the booths. Still,the location is hard to beat and the spacious and quirky interior, delicious deserts, and good coffee more than compensate for somewhat slow service. Thus, I was saddened to learn that the august Ninth Street establishment is now for sale. Although I am not sure whether the owners' reasons are personal or financial, here is to hoping that whoever buys the place will preserve its charm rather than dismantle it.

New Juice Bar and Cafe coming to Ninth Street

If you have recently dined in Blue Corn Cafe on Ninth Street, you may have noticed a new addition to their kitchen in the form of Full Lotus, an all organic raw and vegan juice bar serving locally made smoothies, juices, salads and various vegan treets. The menu changes frequenly so the best way to find out what they are serving is to visit.

Yes, you can have one of these too

The folks behind Lotus hope to eventually find their own space on Ninth Street but, in the meantime, you can find them in the front of Blue Corn Cafe most afternoons (from 11:00 until 5:00 p.m.). 

Check out their website, like them on facebook, and visit them in person! Their smoothies are to die for.  

Magnolia Grill Recognized as Triangle's Restaurant of the Year

This comes as surprise to exactly no one  as the neighborhood landmark and perennial New York Times favorite Magnolia Grill is once again showered with accolades. The News & Observer food critic Greg Cox named Magnolia Grill the Triangle's Restaurant of the Year. The full story is here.

New Bakery and More Coming to 725 Broad Street

Following up on my previous post about overhaul of 725 Broad Street by BLOK Architecture, Nha of Nataraja Healing Arts, its next-door neighbor, has recently told us of two important developments with the two properties. First, the proposed bakery on the first floor of 725 Broad Street is going to be called Hummingbird and will be run by Amy Tornquist, the owner and operator of the Watts Street Grocery. Furthermore, Nataraja is getting a deck and an out doorplatform that will be open to anyone to use for picnics, coffee/tea breaks, studying and, of course, yoga. The completion is scheduled for the spring.

The Tavern on Markham St. - reviewed by Carpe Durham

Until 2009, the building on 1900 West Markham Street was occupied by Music Loft, a local music store. Following its demise, a new sports bar called the Tavern opened, promising a good beer selection, pool tables, darts and other bar games in a stress and frills-free atmosphere. It sits at the intersection that is not particularly friendly to pedestrian traffic, surrounded as it is by a couple of car shops. Still, with the upcoming opening of the Bull City Carwash around the corner, this long-neglected stretch is getting some much needed investment.

Carpe Durham, one of Durham's most popular blogs, has a write-up (complete with pictures) about the Tavern. The review is very positive and notes that after a rough start, the Tavern came into its own and features "lots of decent beers on tap, friendly bartenders and a diverse crowd."

The full review is reprinted after the break. 

The Mad Hatter

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The Mad Hatter is a fixture of the Ninth Street scene and the building that houses it has a fascinating history, serving as a gas station, a diner, and a site for labor protests. It has recently been profiled by a one of the more popular durham blogs, the Stir Crazy Mom's Guide to Durham, which gave it a fairly positive review but noted that it often gets occupied by laptop wielding Duke students.  A great place for brunch or breakfast and a place of Durham history to boot.

Mitch's Bar and Grille on Ninth Street

Mitch's Bar and Grille, situated at the heart of Ninth Street Shopping District, has recently replaced a long-time tenant Dogstar Tattoo, which has moved to its new Golden Belt location,  and is already attracting a consistent following of Duke students, neighborhood residents, and visitors to the area. Its owner, Mitch, previously operated Moe's in Rougemont. The Herald Sun quotes Jeff Thompson, the bar's manager, describing its offerings as" food done right, a little bit of comfort, definitely American[.]"

Carpe Durham has a detailed review here, the still few Yelp ratings have been mixed but trend positive.