There's quite a bit happening with local restaurants and eateries, including the reopening of an old friend and the grand opening of what hopes will be a new one downtown.
At long last, Toast Paninoteca is scheduled to open in Five Points downtown, bringing its soup-and-sandwich combination to a streetscape that's seen renewed interest in the past year after over a decade of dormancy. The "Italian-themed" Toast is the brainchild of Kelly and Billy Cotter, a Magnolia Grill server and a former kitchen manager at Chapel Hill's Lantern, respectively.
The lunch and early dinner menu includes hot and cold sandwiches on bread from Rue Cler and Guglhupf's, along with soups, salads, and merende snacks. Breakfast items will also be available starting at 7am on weekdays.
The word is out -- thanks to regular BCR reader Mike in the comments here, and the always on-point Eat at Joe's blog -- that Toast is scheduled to open tomorrow, Friday Feb. 8, at 11 am. Expect a crowd to turn out to see how the Cotters do with their new business.
In other good news, Taverna Nikos has reopened in Brightleaf Square, under new management (but the same co-owner) after illness shut the downtown Durham favorite for the better part of a year. Durham and foodie blogger Lenore has a good review of the post-reopening Nikos, which is in trial runs for dinner this week and reopens for lunch as well beginning next week.
Finally -- in news I share more from a real estate/development perspective, since Lord knows Durham's foodies could likely care less about this one -- word has it that the On The Border Mexi-chain on US 15-501 closed its doors for good at 3 p.m. yesterday.
At one point in time, the loglo from chain restaurants around the old South Square could be seen from miles away. But the mall's closure and the high office vacancy in the Herald-Sun/University Tower district ("Yesterday's Durham's Downtown of Tomorrow!"), coupled with the retail sprawl of Indigo Corners and Patterson Place further to the south, have doomed the chains that sprouted in this area. Which is, of course, one of the rubs about growing outward instead of growing denser -- the shockwaves of blighted old inner-belt strip malls and shopping centers that growth leaves in its wake.
In any case, fans of Mexican food have an embarrassment of options in the Bull City, from Tonali on the gourmet/bistro end to North Durham's tacquerias to local chains Torero's and El Rodeo's.
An embarrassment of riches? I ain't embarrassed about nothing!
It's getting to the point in Durham/ChapelHill that we can actually say we have an abundance of Latin American restaurants. Of course there are tons of Mexican restaurants (some now sortable by region: Oaxacan or Veracruzan). But there's also at least one Salvadoran restaurant (El Cuscatleco), one Nicaraguan restaurant (Xiloa), one "South American" restaurant (Blue Corn Cafe), one Cuban restaurant (the one in Chapel Hill just before Franklin St. starts its climb), and who knows what else. Yeah, baby!
Posted by: Phil | February 07, 2008 at 10:30 PM
dammit if i ever get my place off the ground we'll also have some good cheap home cookin that caters to all food needs...
what's up with Toast opening at 11am on Saturdays!!! we needs the breakfast on the weekends!!! Durham needs a decent breakfast joint! Elmo's just does not cut it!!
Posted by: TSQ75 | February 08, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Elmo's is always crowded, you have to wait for a seat and the food is just OK. I don't get it.
Have you tried Parker & Otis for breakfast on the weekends? The food is good and they open at 7:30am on Saturdays.
Posted by: weege | February 08, 2008 at 11:28 AM
I have tried P&O--Terribly overpriced for what you get, if you ask me.
we generally end up either having fabulous Mexican breakfast at La Fondita next to Compare and Big Lots...
or occasionally at the Golden Spoon next to Wal-Mart on Roxboro...an endless selection of breakfast items that are great and well priced...
but unfortunately feels like a rest home, and has a slightly annoying smoking section divided from the non by a long planter.
Posted by: TSQ75 | February 08, 2008 at 12:24 PM
First (quick) review up at CED: http://www.cookingeatingdurham.com/?p=209
Posted by: durhamfood | February 08, 2008 at 01:13 PM
I think the "On the Border" Chain is suffering right now. You cannot blame its closure on Indigo Corners and Patterson Place in this case.
There is still investment in the South Square area. El Rodeo has two locations. There was a shake out in the Ale House wars and Carolina Ale House won. Varsity/Junior's is in a terrible location for a stand-alone restaurant. The Ale House, where El Rodeo is now, would fit better at Southpoint than the South Square area.
The death of the Boulevard Corridor has been exaggerated...It will continue to evolve over the next 5 years.
Posted by: KH | February 08, 2008 at 02:06 PM
I will echo the refrain that Durham neds more than Elmos for a sit down weekend breakfast. Someone could make a real go of it if they opened a joint to fill that demand.
Hope Toast does well , can't wait to give it a try.
Posted by: Fritz | February 08, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Watts Grocery is open for brunch on Sundays and I've heard it's delicious although I haven't tried it yet myself - dinner was excellent though. The brunch menu looks very good.
Posted by: SKF | February 09, 2008 at 03:57 PM
The brunch menu at Watts is very good.
Posted by: durhamfood | February 09, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Watt's brunch is great - and very popular so be warned that you'll want a reservation if you have a larger group. If you're just 1 or 2, the bar is a great option.
Second the comment about P&O being too $$$. I would eat there weekly over once a month if they dropped their prices.
In other news, has anyone noted that Verde switched-up? Name, menu and decor change. Seems to be working, looks busier.
Posted by: durhamwalkingdog | February 11, 2008 at 04:23 PM