Carpe Durham » Rumors

Federal News

DID — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 20:52:46 +0000

So by now you’ve probably heard beloved chef Blue is leaving the Federal come January. A moment of silence. Now onto the good news, rumors are flying around town that he will be replaced by the Sous Chef/Chef de Cuisine at Nana’s, Scott Mckinney.

New kitchen equipment has been ordered and Scott is spending a lot of time in the kitchen with Blue learning the ropes of the Federal. No rumors on whether the menu will be changing but my guess is he’ll want to put his own stamp on things. We have been assured that the level of quality of the specials will not suffer.

Show some love for Bullock’s BBQ

JEN — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:39:16 +0000

Places like Bullock’s are what Carpe Durham is all about to me. If you can swing by today, or any other day, I’m sure they’d love to see you.

I received this email in my inbox this morning so sorry for the late notice.

“I just wanted to give you an update on what is happening with Bullock’s BBQ. Tommy’s business has suffered through this presumptive salmonella issue…to the tune of an 80% drop in customers and cancellation of almost all of his catering business. DCVB has met with Tommy 3 times this week to help with strategies for coping with this. At 5:30 Tuesday night there were 8 cars in the parking lot…and as you know, this place typically has a line outside that wraps around the building when it opens.

This is the oldest continuing operating restaurant in Durham. It’s a Durham landmark that draws visitors and they are in trouble. In 58 years of business Bullock’s has never received a health inspection rating of less than an A. So far, the health department has found NO violations, NO sick employees and only have a presumption of salmonella…on an order that was taken from the building…but even that is not definitive as of yet. Bullock’s has cooperated fully as the health department came out and tested all of their food and processes.

Here’s what you can do to help:

We have planned an event at the restaurant at noon this Friday (tomorrow, May 7th) where we’ve invited all the chefs in Durham to come and eat lunch (with their chef whites on). Even though it is the Friday afternoon of graduation, most of the chefs contacted have said they will be there to support Bullock’s.

This is a pay-for-your-own lunch event…so just come on down. (Bring Cash…Bullock’s does not take credit cards.) Your attendance will go a long way in convincing the public that it is safe.

Jim Wise and Kevin Davis have already blogged about this.

We have commitments from at least 3 television stations to do a story and be there Friday. In addition to the story about Tommy and Bullock’s we’ll provide the media with information that will help emphasize again what a great dining destination Durham is.

What Bullock’s needs more than anything are some some customers to help boost consumer confidence.

Thanks for being there tomorrow (or any day) if you can to support Tommy and this Durham landmark..

Shelly Green
President & CEO
Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau”

Dos Perros opens Monday

RPP — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 02:34:19 +0000

Bull City Rising has a great story about the impending debut of the long-awaited Dos Perros (200 N. Mangum St). This is a new Mexican place by the chef at Jujube (one of my favorite restaurants in the Triangle), so I have high expectations.

According to the Dos Perros website, they will be open for lunch (11:30-2:30) and dinner (5:00-10:00) this Monday.

Backyard BBQ Pit coming to North Durham?

RPP — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:43:49 +0000

There is a sign up at the building formerly housing Pizza Palace (3218 Guess Rd) indicating that “Backyard BBQ Pit” is coming soon. There is an existing Backyard BBQ Pit out on 55 (which we really should have been to, but haven’t), and we have no idea whether this is a relocation, second location, or something unrelated. Does anyone know more?

Best Burrito to become La Vaquita II

RPP — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:19:19 +0000

We have received multiple tips via comment and email that Best Burrito will become La Vaquita II on April 1.

Congrats to the really nice people at La Vaquita. I guess tacos do well during recessions!

I really hope they put a huge cow on top of that ugly strip mall.

Bean Trader's Kiosk?

YAR — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 00:41:48 +0000

This could be common knowledge or a totally unsubstantiated rumor, but I thought I’d throw it out there either way. I just heard that the owner of Bean Traders on Ninth St. is going to open a kiosk in the outdoor stand outside of Alivia’s (beware that link, it contains annoying noises and seems outdated) at Main St and Gregson St. Word is, the plan for now is to be open 6:30am til 11am (Alivia’s opens at 11am) and serve coffee to go. Not sure when this is set to happen (if it happens). When it gets warmer, I could definitely see myself enjoying a coffee in the morning on Alivia’s sweet patio.

On the other hand, Alivia’s has been looking pretty dead lately. If this rumor’s true, maybe it’s a sign the restaurant is not really in dire straits? We’ll see.

Revolution to open in 10 days?

RPP — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:11:01 +0000

Word on the street is that Revolution (107 West Main St) will be opening in about 10 days. Exciting!

Now, who can get us an invite to the soft opening?

The Pinhook: A new "roaring old place" coming to downtown!

YAR — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:32:12 +0000

We have a while to wait (I’ve heard November 1 as the optimistic opening date) but it will be completely worth it: a new bar is in the works for downtown Durham. It’s to be in the middle of the Downtown Loop, on Main St., a couple blocks east of Bull McCabe’s. Here are some of the most awesome things I know about it so far:

The name: “The Pinhook” was once an area of Old West Durham (read about it here and here and here) that has been described with some pretty great phrases: “roaring old place,” “den of iniquity,” “grog shops,” “places of ill-repute,” and “rather shady reputation,” are some of my favorites. Um, that makes this kind of the best name for a Durham bar ever, yeah?

Games: Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, and, seriously, a Roller Derby pinball machine.

Music: There’s a stage that’ll feature local bands. Apparently the space is approximately the size of Local 506 in Chapel Hill.

Drinks: Not sure about the specific beers but I’ve heard some good options bandied about, and one of the owners was the wine/beer buyer at Parker & Otis so we should be set in that department. Full bar (liquor too).

Are you now wondering, like I am, how you are going to make it the next 2 months without this place? It’ll be rough. In the meantime, check out their progress on The Pinhook’s Weblog.

Golden Krust coming to North Durham

RPP — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:52:08 +0000

Rumor has it that Golden Krust, a small chain Jamaican bakery, is moving into North Durham next to the Staples. Apparently they have some pretty decent patties.