Go HERE to read the story.

The annual Triangle Signature Chefs Auction featuring food from more than a dozen restaurants and caterers will be 6 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Carolina Club in Chapel Hill.

Among the Triangle restaurants serving up tasting-sized portions of their signature dishes will be Winston's Grille, Gravy, The Mint, Solas, Coquette, Il Palio and Revolution.

Tickets cost $150.  Proceeds benefit the North Carolina March of Dimes.

To buy tickets or for more information about the event and the auction items, go HERE.
 

Raleigh's Solas restaurant is now offering a permanent meat-free menu every Monday night for vegans and vegetarians.

The new menu includes vegetable lasagna, sweet coconut curry vegetables, barbeque kabobs, zucchini noodles, Cuban black beans and stuffed poblano peppers. By request, the menu is available any day of the week at the Glenwood South restaurant.

For more information, go to http://solasraleigh.com/ or call 755-0755 for a reservation.

The Diner, Glenwood South's late-night eatery, has a new chef: Corey Palakovich, (pictured left) who many will know from his years at The Raleigh Times Bar.

Palakovich, a Johnson and Wales University graduate, has revamped the menu. Among the new dishes are  a macaroni and cheese with applewood-smoked bacon and brie, chicken and waffles with crispy fried chicken, country gravy and maple syrup and a "Little Piggy" burger with pulled pork, bacon, cilantro-lime slaw and barbecue sauce.

Owner Niall Hanley, who also owns the Hibernian and Solas, added a bar where the carryout area used to be and streamlined the decor.

For more information about The Diner, go to www.thedinerraleigh.com

Chef Cliff Vogelsberg has moved from Solas in Glenwood South to Winston's Grille in North Raleigh, according to a press release sent out today.

Vogelsberg was the opening chef at Solas, which opened in 2008, and has worked there ever since. He previously worked across the street at Sullivan's Steakhouse.

The press release from Winston's Grille had this to say about Vogelsberg: "We are all very excited about his extensive experience and ability. He has been a part of many of  Raleigh's most esteemed restaurants and is very well known in the area for his culinary achievements. We are confident that Chef Cliff will be a great addition."

No word on who the next executive chef is at Solas although I have left a message for the owner. I'll let you know as soon as I find out.

The opening of the Raleigh Downtown Farmers' Market will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday on City Plaza in the 400 block of Fayetteville Street.

As part of the festivities, there will be free mini-cupcakes offered by market vendor, Sweet T, while supplies last and live music courtesy of Tims Bluegrass Band. And for those who want to eat, Zely & Ritz restaurant and Coon Rock Farm will be serving up grilled bratwurst sandwiches for $6 a piece and Solas restaurant will be serving up barbecue turkey sliders.

For more information, go to raleigheatlocal.com

So many dining options, how can you choose?

I had an earlier post about the special menus at Marguax's, Savoy, Piedmont, Jujube and Zely & Ritz. Here are a few more:

• Chapel Hill's Cypress on the Hill  is offering a five-course meal for $65 with wine pairings for an additional $20. To see the menu, go HERE. Call 537-8817 for a reservation. Earlier time slots are filling up but if you want a later reservation, this may be a good option for your party.
• Chapel Hill's Lantern is serving a three-course menu for $75. To see the menu, go HERE. Call 969-8846 for a reservation.
• Raleigh's Solas is offering two seatings. One from 5-7 p.m. and another from 7-9 p.m. Click HERE for details. (I can't tell if it costs $40, $60 or $55. The facebook page isn't clear to me.) If you don't want to do dinner, it looks like you can pay a $20 cover for access to the bars, deejays and more. Call 755-0755 for a reservation.
• Cary's The Umstead Hotel is hosting a New Year's Eve gala for $125. It  includes beverages, hors d'oeuvres and live music. Call 447-4000 for tickets.
• ADDED: Blu Seafood and Bar in Durham is offering four courses for $60. Go HERE to see the menu.
   

If you heard Kitty Kinnin and I chatting this morning on The River 100.7 about the Triangle Signature Chefs Auction at Prestonwood Country Club this Sunday, Nov. 21, go HERE for details and to purchase tickets. The event benefits the March of Dimes.

A bunch of restaurants are making food for the event from 18 Seaboard to Solas.

REMINDER: Solas is hosting a fundraiser TONIGHT for the N.C. Surfrider Foundation in response to  the Gulf Coast oil spill.

The event goes from 7-10 p.m. It costs $10. There will be live music, N.C. seafood appetizers and a silent auction of ceramic pieces done by local artists.

For more information, go HERE.

Solas is located at 419 Glenwood Ave. in the Glenwood South area of downtown Raleigh.

Solas is hosting a fundraiser Friday night for the N.C. Surfrider Foundation in response to  the Gulf Coast oil spill.

The event goes from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27. It costs $10. There will be live music, N.C. seafood appetizers and a silent auction of ceramic pieces done by local artists.

For more information, go HERE.

Solas is located at 419 Glenwood Ave. in the Glenwood South area of downtown Raleigh.