Several Triangle restaurants are among the finalists named in the annual Best Dish in North Carolina contest.

The contest, sponsored by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Our State magazine, recognizes the use of North Carolina products at casual and fine dining restaurants. Judges choose first, second and third place winners in two categories, fine dining and casual dining, in two regions across the state, east and west.

The restaurants serve a special dish or series of courses highlighting North Carolina ingredients for a month this summer. Anonymous judges travel the state tasting the dishes. Winners will be announced in November.

In the East region, which covers Chatham County to the coast, the finalists include:
In the casual dining contest, Rhett's Restaurant in Southern Pines, Market Restaurant in Raleigh, Sitti in Raleigh, Angelina's Kitchen in Pittsboro, Bull Street Gourmet & Market in Durham and Gravy in Raleigh.

In the fine dining contest, Catch in Wilmington, Bald Head Island Club in Bald Head Island and Tonali in Durham.

For more information about the contest, go to www.bestdishnc.com.

I'm still catching up on what has opened while I was out on maternity leave.

First, a reader alerted me to this new coffee shop in the Research Triangle Park area, Koinonia Coffeehouse, which opened in mid-December at 2945 S. Miami Blvd.

In Greek, Koinonia means "community," which is what owners Jim and Angel Clements are trying to create at what they hope will become a "coffee hangout" for the neighborhood. They serve Joe Van Gogh coffee and baked goods from Sweet Jane's Bakery and Cakes by Faith. The couple are both musicians and offer open mic nights on Wednesdays and live music on Friday evenings. For hours and more information, go to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/koinoniacoffee

Also in Durham, Bull Street Gourmet & Market opened in November. Owner Anne Niemann wanted to create a gathering place near her Hope Valley home. Her restaurant and retail store is located in Hope Valley Square, formerly Shannon Plaza, next to Pop's Backdoor South. Niemann feel in love with the restaurant concept where it originated in Charleston, S.C., where three of her daughters went to college.

The restaurant sells soups, including at least one vegan option, salads, sandwiches and pastries, including gluten-free baked goods. The market sells local milk, eggs, cheese, condiments and bread as well as wine and beer. 

For store hours, the menu and more information, go to  www.bullstreetdurham.com