Tonbo Ramen, Food Diary of a City Girl and TOPO Distillery Collaborate to Host a “Paloma Battle” to Benefit A Place at the Table
Downtown Raleigh’s ramen shop, Tonbo Ramen, is hosting a month-long “Paloma Battle” to benefit A Place at the Table. The battle features Tonbo Ramen’s co-owner Tom Mukoyama, local food blogger Cecilia “Cece” Moreno of Food Diary of A City Girl and co-owner Esteban McMahan of TOPO Distillery. Mukoyama, Moreno, and McMahan have each created their own version of a paloma that will be sold at Tonbo Ramen for the entire month of October. For each cocktail sold, $1 will be donated to A Place at The Table, a pay-what-you-can cafe in downtown Raleigh who is providing meals to those in need. The “Paloma Battle” winner will be announced at the end of October on Tonbo’s social media platforms and will be based on which cocktail was sold the most.
The three palomas up for battle include:
“Tonboloma” by Tom Mukoyama of Tonbo Ramen
Photo by: Tonbo Ramen
TOPO Vodka, Yuzu Sake, ginger-infused simple syrup, house-made grenadine, hibiscus syrup, house-made sour, Mio Sparkling Sake, Crude Grapefruit/Rosemary/Peppercorn Bitters
“Paloma Viajera” by Cece Moreno of Food Diary of A City Girl
Photo by: Cece Moreno
TOPO Moonshine, Korean grapefruit tea/grapefruit marmalade, lime, Thai chile soaked Aperol, Fresca grapefruit soda
“Strawberry Dove” by Esteban McMahan of TOPO Distillery
Photo by: TOPO Distillery
TOPO Organic Piedmont Gin, grapefruit juice, agave syrup, lime, muddled strawberry, smoked poblano pepper, pickled ginger, TOPO Black Pepper Bitters, seltzer
The three competitors will be hosting Instagram LIVE Happy Hours where they will craft each of their cocktails and flaunt a little friendly competition. The schedule for the Happy Hours is as follows:
Monday, September 28th, 5PM:
TOPO Distillery goes LIVE with Tonbo Ramen
Tuesday, September 29th, 5PM:
Food Diary of a City Girl goes LIVE with Tonbo Ramen
Wednesday, September 30th, 5PM:
Tonbo Ramen goes LIVE with A Place at the Table
October 1st Launch Event
The battle will also kick off with a launch event at Tonbo Ramen on Thursday, October 1, from 4pm-9pm at 211 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Mukoyama, Moreno and McMahan will be guest bartenders at the launch event to debut their palomas. Executive Director Maggie Kane of A Place at the Table will also be in attendance. Reservations are encouraged for the evening and Tonbo Ramen will be practicing social distancing and taking all proper COVID-19 precautions. Can’t make it to the launch event? Stop by Tonbo Ramen for the entire month of October to give all three palomas a try.
About Tonbo Ramen
Entering Tonbo Ramen you will be enveloped with the aroma of their broth that is patiently prepared for more than 20 hours. Slide onto a stool at the ramen bar or at an intimate table and expect delicious, authentic ramen made from scratch. Choose from quintessential Japanese ramen dishes, such as Tonkotsu, Shio and Shoyu — prepared to suit your taste. Venture upstairs to the warm, inviting Izakaya bar — their own version of a Japanese speakeasy — where you can enjoy craft cocktails and small plates, offering the unique flavors of Japan, like steamed buns and yakitori.
Whether you’re enjoying drinks, appetizers or a satisfying ramen bowl, you’ll want to share the Tonbo experience. Developed by a team of local restaurateurs with more than 80 years of experience in the Triangle, Tonbo Ramen is a part of the exciting vibe in Raleigh’s Moore Square District. “Tonbo,” which is Japanese for Dragonfly, is a Samurai symbol of power, agility and victory. Follow along with Tonbo Ramen on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.