The much anticipated opening of PieBird restaurant by foodies in Raleigh and across the Triangle area is about to come to fruition. You can almost smell the wafting scents of pie now, as PieBird plans for an official opening Tuesday, March 29, 2011.

Located between Krispy Kreme and Person Street Pharmacy at 618 N. Person Street in downtown Raleigh, PieBird will be dishing sweet and savory pies for lunch and dinner from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. The menu of regular and featured pies will be complemented by local brews (Big Boss and Mother Earth, for starters), bottled beers, wine and a full liquor bar with seasonal cocktails, as well as a custom PieBird coffee blend created by Durham, N.C.-based Counter Culture.

The idea of PieBird was hatched by owners Sheilagh Duncan and Krishna Bahl just about a year ago. Duncan had been baking pies for friends in the nearby Oakwood neighborhood and looking for a partner in a venture to serve her popular pies in her own restaurant. She and husband George had already found the place -- the space that housed the former Conti’s Italian Market.

“I put a post on the PieBird Facebook page sort of seriously and jokingly asking if anyone wanted to become a partner,” Duncan says. “Krisha replied, but I was so sure she wasn’t serious, I deleted her comment!”

Not dissuaded, Bahl, also an Oakwood neighbor, called Duncan from her travels in New York City. “I always said our neighborhood could use a bakery, bar and a place for people from all over to gather. What Sheilagh had in mind for PieBird was that very thing -- it was a perfect fit.”

Chef Kristine Ashwood and two assistant chefs from the Wake Tech Community College Culinary Arts program join the team of PieBird Chicks in the kitchen and at the bar. Former owner of Hilltop Cafe in Pittsboro and Fearrington Village chef, Ashwood focuses on using local and seasonal ingredients in determining PieBird's menu. (These aren’t your grandma’s pies.) Early favorites are the Chocolate Pecan Bourbon Pie, French Onion Soup Pie and Chicken Curry Pot Pie, but they will have some steep competition from the first planned specials, Korean Short Rib Pie and Tamale Carnitas Pie topped with jicama. A variety of equally appealing vegetarian options also will be among regular menu and featured pies.

Fittingly unique along with the pie menu options is the restaurant’s decor in funky blues and greens. What some would call “modern-minimalist” and others “Portland comes to Raleigh,” the design features exposed brick, sliding barn doors, chic yet comfortable furniture, cozy nooks, and yes, a fireplace.