New market and cafe opens soon in Raleigh. When you can get breakfast, lunch & dinner
A new all-day market and cafe from a pair of restaurant veterans is finally opening in Raleigh.
Giorgios Epicurean Market, a new concept from restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias and chef William D’Auvray, will open Thursday, Sept. 26 at 2020 Progress Court in Raleigh.
But meal service will be available gradually.
From opening day until Saturday, Sept. 28, “GEM” will welcome guests 8-11 a.m., serving breakfast.
Visitors, who will also be able to browse the retail section of the business, may find coffee from Portland, Maine-based Speckled Ax, tea from San Francisco’s Samovar Tea, croissants, quiche, egg sandwiches and pan concha, among other items.
Additional meal service will be offered in October, with lunch available beginning Wednesday, Oct. 2, dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 9 and brunch on Sunday, Oct. 13.
Once GEM begins serving lunch, dinner and brunch, it will stay open until 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and will open on Sundays 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
D’Auvray, who is executive chef at East End Bistrot, said in a news release that opening in phases will allow GEM to “deliver on the high expectations we’ve set for ourselves and get real-time feedback” from the community.
He and Bakatsias have previously worked together on more than a dozen restaurants. Bakatsias, who is behind concepts including Rosewater Kitchen & Bar, Giorgio Pizza Bar, Las Ramblas, Parizade, Nikos, Vin Rouge and Kipos Greek Taverna, among others, found inspiration for GEM from his upbringing in Greece. He would visit bakeries and butchers who provided curated service to customers.
“I wanted to have, almost like a village of unique destination for individuals to come and enjoy a lifestyle, well-being, nourishing food and celebration of life,” Bakatsias previously told The News & Observer.
What’s inside Giorgio’s Epicurean Market
D’Auvray and Bakatsias will have a variety of cuisines available at GEM, which has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, along with a private dining room shared with East End Bistrot next door.
Here are some of the food items and products customers may find at GEM:
- Coffee and tea
- Signature cocktails
- Wine
- Butcher offering prime grade beef, veal, lamb and pork
- Gelato
- Asian stir fry
- Take-home meal kits
- Bakery
- Counter service cafe offering breakfast, lunch and dinner options
- Books and other gift items
This story was originally published September 24, 2024 at 3:38 PM with the headline "New market and cafe opens soon in Raleigh. When you can get breakfast, lunch & dinner."
