April Parker of Durham sat outside the eatery in the sunlight Friday morning after eating one of Rise’s specials – the Seasoned Beef Tenderloin Biscuit.
Her assessment was that the meat was tender, and the biscuit had the right amount of sauce – so it wasn’t too messy.
“It was awesome; very, very good,” said Parker.
She also ordered a doughnut with orange glaze. Her opinion was that it had the “perfect amount of orange.” She had already tried some of owner Tom Ferguson’s doughnuts before, and said it was fluffy, and not too heavy.
Ferguson is the owner of Rise, as well as of Durham Catering Co. Inside the new eatery on opening day, customers were asked to take tickets, and then walk up to a counter to order. The menu was posted above the register area on the wall.
The menu included specials such as the Rabbit Stew Biscuit, as well as an option for a create-your-own biscuit with toppings such as one egg, ham, country sausage or whipped butter. The doughnut selection included the Maple Bacon Bar and Oreo Cookie.
Gary Crunkleton, owner of The Crunkleton, a private club in Chapel Hill that specializes in cocktails, was one of Rise’s customers Friday morning. He said he came on opening day to support Ferguson.
Crunkleton ordered two glazed doughnuts, a biscuit and a large milk. He said he also has tried Ferguson’s doughnuts before, and said it was the best one he’d ever had.
“Tom is very passionate about food,” he said.
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Free IHOP pancakes on Feb. 5: IHOP restaurants will be serving complimentary stacks of buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 5 for National Pancake Day.
Guests will be encouraged to make a voluntary contribution to the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital or other local charities, according to a news release.
National Pancake Day has raised more than $10 million dollars for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities.
Guests at participating IHOP restaurants will also have the option to buy “Miracle Balloons” for $1 and $5 in January. Proceeds will go to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
For more information or to make an online donation, go to the website www.ihoppancakeday.com.
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Taste Carolina holds holiday tours: Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours has announced holiday food tours for December.
The company offers walking food tours that stop at five or more restaurants, and that include food samples and tidbits of local history along the way.
Tours will be held on Saturday on Dec. 8, 15, 22, and 29 in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill/ Carrboro, Hillsborough, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem, according to a news release.
There will also be tours on Sundays in the month on Dec. 23 and 30 in Raleigh and Durham, as well as on Thursday, Dec. 27, in Chapel Hill/Carrboro.
The foodie-focused tour company was founded in March 2009 by Joe Philipose and Lesley Stracks-Mullem.
Weekend times vary based on location. Email info@tastecarolina.net or call 919-237-2254 for more information.
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Seasonal shops at Northgate: Three kiosks and one store have opened for the holidays at Northgate Mall, according to a news release.
E&E Fashion offers handmade and manufactured men’s and women’s knitwear including hats, scarves, sweaters and blankets located across from Northgate’s Food Gallery. It will be open through Dec. 31.
Forever Gifts is selling customized holiday ornaments and dog and cat picture frames. It will be open through Dec. 24.
Pretty in a Minute, based in Raleigh, is selling salon professional styling tools including hair straighteners, curling irons and flat irons and accessories. It will be open Dec. 14-24.
Smokin’ Gunz Airbrush, the lone storefront of the four new businesses at Northgate, offers customized airbrush painting on items including jeans, shoes, hats, helmets, T-shirts and skateboards. The store is located next to Kay Jewelers and will be open through Dec. 31.
In addition, the mall will have a rotating display of cars near Center Court through mid-January from CBS Quality Cars Automotive Displays.
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Have an item for The Buzz? Contact Laura Oleniacz at loleniacz@heraldsun.com, or at 919-419-6636.
