New restaurants opening soon in Durham

[bbqme]

1) Saltbox, a seafood stand opening in downtown Durham. Fresh seafood from the coast simply grilled or fried. More details provided by the Herald Sun:
http://heraldsun.com/bookmark/20023999-New-seafood-stand-Saltbox-opening-

2) I noticed that the former Asian grocery next to Guglhupf was becoming a new eatery. Some investigating found that it is the new location of the Refectory Cafe that used to be located at Duke Divinity School. They will be opening on Saturday according to their website:
http://www.bonvivantcatering.com/

3) The former location of Cinelli's around the corner from Whole Foods is being replaced by Vine Thai and Sushi. I'm automatically skeptical of such cross ethnic restaurants but the owners used to run the same restaurant in NYC before relocating to Durham so that gives me hope. Not sure when they're opening.
http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_st...

The great food scene continues in Durham...

[boaviagem]

The Saltbox is open!!! 608 N. Mangum Street, just north of Hunt Street. They opened yesterday. I went today for a late lunch. I ordered a soft shell crab sandwich. I was hooked with my first tastes of the delicious cole slaw and chips (fries) - and then I got to the sandwich! Yummy soft shell - a little crispy on the outside and moist and juicy on the inside. Chef Ricky is very friendly, the service is excellent and he knows his FRESH fish!

[Tom from Raleigh]

Are soft shells still in season? It seems like they've been available since spring, when we were eating them weekly.

[LulusMom]

I thought the same thing when they were offered to me somewhere recently, and was told that they'd had an especially long season because of the weather. Seems iffy, but they did give that as the reason.

[burgeoningfoodie]

Chef Bill Smith at Crooks' had been getting them in and he seemed surprise they were still coming so late. I think they'll be out in a week.

[burgeoningfoodie]

Thanks for the report on this. Not a lot of places that have fresh fish.

[LulusMom]

Thanks for the info, and the links. I thought Glasshalful was at its best when Moore was cooking there, so I look forward to trying Saltbox. Wish it was a sit down place, but maybe once it gets going he can add those outside seats he talks about in the article.