Cheeni Indian Food Emporium, the newest restaurant opened by two-time James Beard award semifinalist Preeti Waas, will launch a six-course dinner service inspired by an abundant family table beginning Wednesday, April 1, at its new location in Research Triangle Park (RTP).
Located within Horseshoe at Hub RTP, Cheeni Indian Food Emporium will expand beyond its lunch-only service to offer dinner from 5-9 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, with vegetarian, pescatarian and omnivore menus. Cocktail service also will start that evening.
Waas and her daughter, Amy, are renowned for their refined approach to homestyle Indian cooking, creative cocktails and warm hospitality. Together they operate two Cheeni restaurants and two Nanny Goat Markets in downtown Durham and RTP. They also run Bar Beej, the adjacent sister concept to Cheeni’s downtown Durham location, serving classic and inventive cocktails and mocktails with Indian flair as well as beer and wine.
Preeti Waas has twice been a semifinalist for Best Chef Southeast by the James Beard Foundation, and Bar Beej was recognized as a semifinalist for Best New Bar.
“The idea is to build a tablescape with a variety of dishes that feels abundant, communal, warm and full,” Amy Waas said. “It’s a sort of maximalist approach to dining, which makes you feel like you really are at a family table from the food to the presentation to the dining experience.”
The second Cheeni location, known as Cheeni Indian Food Emporium, opened in December at Horseshoe, the new Class A office-over-retail development that serves as the central gathering point within Hub RTP, the Park’s 100-acre downtown destination. Overlooking the Horseshoe courtyard, the restaurant offers expansive outdoor views and convenient access to Hub RTP’s splash pad, Burdens Creek boardwalk, live music stage and recreational amenities, such as regional trail connectivity and greenspace. Hub RTP offers extensive community programming and recently launched two new outdoor music series featuring talented North Carolina artists and national musicians.
In addition to Cheeni, Nanny Goat Market and DRIFT Coffee and Kitchen are also open at Horseshoe, with a JETSET Pilates studio opening this spring. They will be joined later this year by Di Fara Pizza Tavern, Prime STQ and High Horse restaurants. Horseshoe’s first office tenant, Genesys, a global cloud leader in AI-powered experience orchestration, recently moved into its fifth-floor space, and global law firm K&L Gates will relocate its regional office to Horseshoe later this year.
Preeti Waas, a self-taught home cook who opened the first Cheeni location in North Raleigh in 2022, added: “When we first opened in RTP, many of our former Raleigh customers asked if we would add dinner service. It’s a little closer for our Wake County diners and there’s plenty of complimentary parking. We’re excited for them to discover Horseshoe at Hub RTP.”
The cost for the pescatarian and omnivore menus will be $55 per person and $50 per person for the vegetarian menu.
Sample omnivore menu:
First course: Chutneys and Achaars, assorted Indian crackers served with house-made condiments and pickles. Examples include boondi raita, beetroot achaar, sweet potato pulusu, green chili pickles, tamarind and mint chutneys.
Second course: Aloo Pakoras, besan-battered fried potatoes
Appetizer: Chicken Lollipops with ghee, garlic and cracked black pepper
Grill course: Wrapped Lamb, ground lamb wrapped in local greens
Side dishes: Dal Tadka, slow-cooked lentils with gentle spices and ghee; Sarson ka Saag, braised mustard greens with aromatics; Aloo Sabzi, potatoes cooked with warming spices and seeds; and Kala Chana Pulao, basmati rice studded with black chickpeas
Entree: Yakhni Chicken, yogurt-based Kashmiri chicken curry
All meals will be gluten-free, with optional bread service available for an additional charge.
Guests with additional dietary restrictions are encouraged to call the restaurant directly at (919) 377-2200 before making a reservation or walking in.
Cheeni Indian Food Emporium is located at 3151 Elion Dr., Suite 101, Durham, N.C. Beginning April 1, operating hours will be 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.
For cooking classes, special events and updates, visit https://www.cheenidurham.com/ or follow @cheenidurham and @cheenirtp on Instagram. Reservations are available via Resy.
