6AM City In-house

Cheeni named NC Restaurant of the Year 🍽️

Cheeni named NC Restaurant of the Year
Food on a marble countertop.
Try this: ThumsUp Indian cola drink. | Courtesy of @cheeniraleigh
Eater Carolinas released its 2022 Eater Awards earlier this month and Cheeni Indian Food Emporium won NC Restaurant of the Year.

The annual awards are chosen by Eater editors to celebrate the best restaurants, bakeries, pop ups, and stand out food businesses across the country. The chosen eateries have driven conversations within their communities over the past 12 months — and that certainly rings true for Cheeni.

“Winning this award is validation that an untested, risky concept can be recognized and embraced,” owner Preeti Waas said.

The new Raleigh concept, originally called Cheeni Chai + Coffee + Tiffin, was born in the Poyner YMCA, but the business later shifted over to the Hillsborough Street Alexander Family YMCA. After the cafe closed in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Preeti set her sights on a new, larger venue.

In February 2022, Preeti expanded her original approach to a 2,700-sqft space in Falls River Town Center. The new location offers a playful American-adapted Indian food experience with its shopping bazaar and Indian snacks such as filter coffee, masala chai, street-style toast, puffs, and dinner menu. The emporium also features monthly cooking classes, pop-up dinners, and other events like jam tastings.

As for the future of Cheeni, Preeti believes that the concept can be successfully replicated... so stay tuned.

Two cocktails on a silver tray.

Cheeni recently released its first cocktail.

Courtesy of @cheeniraleigh


In the meantime, stop in to try the restaurant’s first cocktail, Jaam aur Jam, which was introduced last week. The drink is refreshing and festive, concocted with Crude “X” Bitters with cardamom and caramelized raisin, Indian tonic, and house-made cranberry chutney.

And don’t miss these six upcoming Cheeni events.
Flowers Plantation

Click here to have your event featured.

Monday, Dec. 12
  • Monday Night Trivia | Monday, Dec. 12 | 6 p.m. | West Street Dog, 400 W. North St. Unit 110, Raleigh | Free | Bring your pup, grab a drink from the bar, and test your trivia skills — park entry is half off.
Tuesday, Dec. 13
  • Networking Rockstar Connect | Tuesday, Dec. 13 | 6-8 p.m. | Raleigh Beer Garden, 614 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | Free | Mingle and make new connections in the City of Oaks.
Wednesday, Dec. 14
  • Memories to Share: A Class to Begin Your Memoirs | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Joel Lane Museum House, 160 Saint Mary’s St., Raleigh | $50-$60 | Capture personal memories and family stories in your own words and build confidence in your writing.
Thursday, Dec. 15
  • Raleigh Fashion Fest: Holiday Shop & Show | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 5-9 p.m. | Crabtree Valley Mall, 4325 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | $0-$75 | Benefiting the American Cancer Society, the show will feature one large-format collaborative fashion show directed by Models for Charity.
  • Carolina Hurricanes vs. Seattle Kraken | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 7 p.m. | PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh | $33-$350 | May the force be with the Canes as they take on the Kraken during Star Wars Night.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
North Hills

Weather
  • 50º | Mostly cloudy | 10% chance of rain ☁️
Closing
  • Short Walk Wines announced on Instagram that its last day in business will be Saturday, Dec. 17. The downtown shop will be selling wine, accessories, store fixtures, and more until its final day.
Raleighite
  • Ritika Shamdasani, an NC State student in the Wilson College of Textiles, made this year’s Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Sharing the honor with her sister Niki, the co-founders created Sani, a South Asian-inspired fashion brand. In 2020, Sani became the first South Asian line on Rent the Runway, selling out in 48 hours. (WRAL)
Sports
  • Lace up your cleats. North Carolina FC announced a two-day open tryout session ahead of the 2023 USL One season. Open to players 16+, tryouts will be held at WakeMed Soccer Park on Friday, Jan. 27 and Saturday, Jan. 28. The registration fee is $150. ⚽
  • Now’s the time to buy the sports lover in your life a holiday present, because Fanatics is offering sitewide sales. Easily find licensed sportswear and collectibles like jerseys, hoodies, and outerwear for the world’s most popular sports teams and win the holidays.*
Cause
  • This week, The Wake County Animal Center is offering special adoption discounts to help animals find homes for the holidays. Today through Sunday, Dec. 18, adoption fees for dogs six months and older will be $25 and cats are name-your-price. Find a furry friend. 🐾
Award
  • NC State football star Christopher Dunn was selected for the 2022 Groza Award as the nation’s best kicker. Christopher converted 24 of 25 field-goal attempts — 10 from 40 yards or longer this season. 🏈 (The News & Observer)
Seasonal
  • Head to Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, Dec. 18 to celebrate the festival of lights with a Menorah lighting ceremony. Watch the service led by Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin and Congressman Wiley Nickel and enjoy warm drinks, fresh latkes, and traditional donuts.
  • Even if you have your very own Cousin Eddie on your hands, Lowes Foods makes it easy to get everything you need to have a stress-free holiday gathering. Here’s how. 👀 *
Plan Ahead
  • Join the Heights House Hotel for its Winter Showcase Soirée on Monday, Jan. 23. Meet top local vendors, explore the venue, and sip on signature cocktails with your future partner. Reserve a spot. 🍾
  • Looking for a new way to ring in the new year? Celebrate NYE with a weekend trip to Columbia, SC for festive events like “Party Thru the Decades” at Chayz Lounge and Tin Roof + the Senate’s massive block party. Whatever your style, there’s something for everyone. Plan your NYE.*
Beauty
  • Looking to give your skin a hydration boost during the colder months? Enter: Synergy Face + Body’s at-home skincare products. From face masks to serums and more — find what you need to give your skin some TLC. Don’t know where to start? Book a facial appointment.*
Travel
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Shop our online store Six & Main to start showing off the best local gear. | Photo by Bonfire Visuals
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THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Cat.

Editor’s pick: Attention crafters: Did you know that Vita Vite has plenty of corks to spare? Reach out to either location to score some corks for a future (or holiday) project. 🍷

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Dive in to the 2023 predictions for Raleigh real estate.
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