We’re about two weeks into the year now and if you’ve fallen of the “lose weight” resolution train, eats in downtown Raleigh won’t judge. Last fall, we ran through a few new openings. For winter, work continues on some establishments but there are still a few new places for you to explore.

Tyler’s Taproom is probably the biggest recent opening with their Seaboard Station location finally serving brews and food. It was first mentioned on this blog back in June, 2008 so the opening is very much welcomed by Tyler’s fans. If you’ve been to the other locations around the Triangle, you know what to expect here. The large space and outdoor patio should be popular with families and larger parties.

Other downtown Raleigh restaurant happenings:

• The Indian restaurant in Glenwood South, Blue Mango, continues to take shape. My last “window peek” witnessed a finished, modern looking bar, a few scattered tables, and painted walls. A stone host stand was being built in front of the doors so with a little floor work it looks like they could throw a few tables out, stock the bar, and open for business within the next few months. They are also now hiring.
• The London Bridge Pub has now opened on Hargett Street.
• The first ever tenants of the RBC tower are still working behind the shades. Zinda continues it’s work on Fayetteville Street while construction work is clearly visible on the upcoming restaurant Oro along the windows of Martin Street. Oro’s website claims a Spring 2012 opening.
• The pavilion space in City Plaza formerly occupied by Krispy Kreme has a coming soon sign. Fire Wok will set up shop there and a posted menu shows sushi, hibachi, and Chinese eating options.

I really think that the new restaurant talk in the news and around town comes in waves. Maybe it’s a seasonal thing. Or I only think about it four, convenient times a year. Anyway, an update each season seems appropriate so let’s run through the new and upcoming in downtown Raleigh eats.

• Tyler’s Taproom is under construction in Seaboard Station. The photo above shows that they have removed the trash bins from the front and are building, what is most likely, an outdoor patio. The new drywall inside needs paint to match the large beer logos on the brick walls. The restaurant will be big, filling the front to back space of the Seaboard Station building along Seaboard Avenue.
• Calavera has now opened at the corner of Blount and Davie Streets.
• The Indian restaurant, Blue Mango, is still being worked on in the 222 building on Glenwood Avenue. As I walked by I saw plates being unboxed so perhaps they can open this fall as their website states.
• Right next door, Tutti Frutti will start serving frozen yogurt on November 2nd according to a sign posted on the door.
• And next to that, the Mediterranean food shop, Zaky, looks like it could open soon too.
• Volcano Cafe and Lounge is open at 108 East Hargett Street.
• Next door to that is a “Coming soon” sign for a new pub called London Bridge
• Zinda, the pan-asian restaurant from Eschelon Hospitality was mentioned in a great article over at the N&O; Eschelon bucks restaurant trend.

Steel is put in for the second floor of the upcoming restaurant Zinda. (via @zindaraleigh on Twitter)

• Mantra, an Indian restaurant on West Street, is now open.
• A spanish style tapas restaurant called Oro will open in one of the ground floor spaces at RBC Plaza on the corner of Wilmington and Martin Street.

Downtown Raleigh just keeps adding on to it’s long list of drinks and eats. This summer we have a few openings and more to look forward to as early as this Fall. The usual restaurant roundups are quick and easy so here’s the list.

• Beasley’s, on the corner of Wilmington and Martin Street, had their soft opening this past weekend and the brown paper over the windows should come down sometime very soon. This is the first of three new places brought to this corner by Ashley Christensen, owner of the already popular Poole’s Diner.
• The good fellas at Isaac Hunter’s Oak City Tavern have expanded over to Glenwood South. Joel Lane’s Public House is now open in the former space of the short lived restaurant The Artisan, located behind The Diner. I haven’t been but I better see some cherry bounce there.
• According to their website, Calavera, an empanadas and tequila bar, will be open this month. This is the space previously occupied by 101 lounge at the corner of Davie and Blount Streets.

• There are signs up in the corner space of the 222 Glenwood Building for an Indian place called Blue Mango. This brings the 222 Glenwood building one step closer to filling in all the retail space on the ground floor.
• As mentioned very early this year, a Pan-Asian restaurant is being put together on the ground floor of the RBC Plaza tower. We’ll have to keep an eye on this as the last update was it opening “later this year”.
• Battistella’s, on the corner of Martin and Blount Streets, is showing progress but still has not opened. The last update was a May opening and clearly that hasn’t happened. Unpredictable this restaurant business but their website claims a late August opening.

Click for larger

• And finally, from the owners of Mosaic, Babylon has opened in the old knitting factory on McDowell. I took the picture above when I walked over and this place has some very swanky outdoor space. A wide angle and a little less light could make for some great pictures. I’m looking forward to trying it and hanging near the pool on a cool night sometime soon.