{"id":557,"date":"2026-05-19T20:37:59","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T20:37:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/durhammovinghub.com\/?p=557"},"modified":"2026-05-19T20:37:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T20:37:59","slug":"a-raleigh-fine-dining-restaurant-abruptly-closed-heres-whatll-take-its-place","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/durhammovinghub.com\/?p=557","title":{"rendered":"A Raleigh fine dining restaurant abruptly closed. Here\u2019s what\u2019ll take its place"},"content":{"rendered":"

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One of the Triangle\u2019s busiest restaurant groups is taking over an iconic Raleigh fine dining space.<\/p>\n

Read more Former Wake Forest Farmers\u2019 Market manager charged with embezzlement<\/a><\/p>\n

Last year, the fine dining neighborhood restaurant Mandolin abruptly closed in Raleigh, ending a 14-year run for chef<\/a> and owner Sean Fowler.<\/p>\n

Now we know who is taking over the iconic Five Points space.<\/p>\n

The owner of some of the Triangle\u2019s most popular and lively Mexican restaurants will move in a new concept later this year.<\/p>\n

Salvador Alvarez, co-owner of Chido Tacos, La Buena Vida and Gringo A Go-Go, is opening a new location of La Victoria Cocina in the former Mandolin building off of Oberlin Road.<\/p>\n

La Victoria first opened in Cary in 2022 and is Alvarez\u2019s project with his aunt Maria Ibarra.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re there, you can feel that a woman is in charge,\u201d Alvarez said. \u201cThe salsas are my aunt\u2019s own recipes. If I\u2019m going to eat fajitas anywhere, it\u2019s at La Victoria.\u201d<\/p>\n

La Victoria Cocina will match the family friendly vibe of the Five Points neighborhood, Alvarez said, operating as a full service restaurant, with a blend of authentic Mexican dishes and Tex Mex classics.<\/p>\n

Read more NC Republicans file bill to reduce early voting period ahead of November midterms<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI really like the location and really like the neighborhood,\u201d Alvarez said. \u201cI went to Mandolin many times and always liked it. When the space became available we wanted to look at it. I think the neighborhood is for families, it\u2019s very family oriented.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new La Victoria Cocina looks to open later this year, with Alvarez hopeful of November.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe would like to be open by the holidays,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The new La Victoria will be just over 4,000 square feet, somewhat more intimate than the three La Buena Vida locations. Alvarez said the older, nearly free-standing building was appealing as they look to turn La Victoria into a neighborhood restaurant.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe building is a little older than many we work in, but older buildings have a little more character,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

In the last several years, Alvarez has been one of the Triangle\u2019s busiest restaurant owners, expanding brands like Chido Tacos and Fonda Lupita, which he co-owns with his wife Biridiana Frausto and her family. Their maximalist Mexican concept La Buena Vida<\/a> is traditional by day and party-like by night.<\/p>\n

Read more Raleigh\u2019s draft budget cuts spending but raises tax rate. How much you could pay.<\/a><\/p>\n

At the new La Victoria, the focus is a bit simpler, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will just focus on good food and good service,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

La Victoria Cocina, from Salvador Alvarez of Chido Tacos, will open in the former Mandolin space in Raleigh\u2019s Five Points, targeting a holiday opening with family vibes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":556,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-557","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-read-todays-edition"],"yoast_head":"\nA Raleigh fine dining restaurant abruptly closed. 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