Celebrated chef to make comeback with new RTP restaurant :: WRAL.com

Triangle Food Guy Sean Lennard has the details on James Beard Award-nominated chef Preeti Waas’ new project.

Posted

10/24/2025, 3:02:04 PM

Updated

10/24/2025, 4:20:54 PM

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By Sean Lennard, WRAL contributor

Featured Restaurant News

Super exciting news coming out of RTP/Durham. James Beard Award-nominated chef Preeti Waas took to Instagram this week to share that she is reviving her Cheeni Indian Food Emporium with the soon to open location at Horseshoe at HUB RTP. The spot backs up to her recently opened Nanny Goat, a boutique bodega founded by Preeti and her daughter, Amy Waas. This opening will bring back the favorites everyone fell in love with at her former North Raleigh location. Look for her to open in November. Follow along with their progress on Instagram here.

Wake County Restaurant News

We first told you about this back in December, but Raleigh Magazine shared that we are one step closer to Bongiorno & Son’s owner, Michael Bongiorno, opening an Italian cuisine concept at The Exchange Raleigh in Raleigh’s Midtown (1000 Social Street). Renderings released this week also unveiled the name of the new concept – Pranzo. According to the magazine, we should expect Italian-style sandwiches (i.e. Bongiorno faves like the Italian, prosciutto, and hot soppressata sandos) and salads by day, then shift to an aperitivo-style menu of small plates —paired with wine, beer and spritzes — come 5 p.m. ⁠In addition to his Bongiorno & Son location in Lafayette Village, he recently opened a location at RDU. Keep up with his progress on Instagram here.

Up in north Raleigh, we have the return of a crowd favorite. Triangle Business Journal reported this week that after more than a five-year hiatus, Anita Khalek is making a restaurant comeback, this time in a much bigger location. Khalek plans to open Levant Bistro at 7400 Six Forks Road in Raleigh in late winter or early spring next year. One of the reasons she had such a large following was her dedication to a gluten-free and soy-free menu that serves breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner. Khalek closed Levant Bistro in Lafayette Village in 2020 because her lease was ending and she wanted to help her kids through the difficulties of online school during the pandemic. Plus, she needed a larger space for the restaurant and bakery. Which she now has! Follow along on Instagram here.

Over in Cary, the Herald-Sun shared that a fast-casual restaurant known for customizable bowls is opening its second Triangle location this Saturday, Oct. 25. Described as a restaurant with a “bright, tropical-inspired atmosphere,” the Florida-based Mahana Fresh is located at 1151 Parkside Main St. in the Parkside Town Commons shopping center. The space was once the spot of Mexican restaurant Zambrero. They have additional North Carolina locations in Fuquay-Varina (Bengal Towne Centre) and Charlotte. Get to know them here.

Speaking of openings, Super Rad Retro Lounge also opens tomorrow, Oct. 25 on Glenwood Avenue near The Cupcake Shoppe (they’ve been in soft-open mode all week). The new retro-inspired spot has 30 classic arcade games, nine pinball machines, and a fully stocked bar. Visit them on Instagram here.

We have an open date thanks to our friends over at Raleigh Downtown. Started in Auburn, Alabama in 1965 and claiming to be the pioneer of chicken fingers, Guthrie’s Chicken will make its North Carolina debut on Nov. 4 in Midtown Raleigh at 2907 Wake Forest Road (across from Wegman’s). Apparently they feature a “Gut Box” which is a popular combo meal that includes chicken fingers, fries, coleslaw, Texas toast, and sauce. Get to know them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

It’s official, Durham! Dame’s Chicken & Waffles is back. Their “Almost” World Famous Chicken & Waffle inspirations are now being served up (they opened yesterday, Oct. 23) at their new home at 455 S. Driver Street in Durham. They closed up their previous location on Foster Street just three short weeks ago. They have one other location in Greensboro. Check them out on Instagram here.

Closings

WRAL shared the news that Abbey Road Tavern in Fuquay-Varina is closing after seven years. The locations in Cary and Apex remain open (each are independently owned). Word on the street is that the newest location of Mi Cancun will open in that space.

Food Trucks

The final Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo of 2025 will be on Sunday, November 2. It will run from 12 noon until 4 p.m. featuring over 50+ food trucks with cuisine from all over the world making it the ultimate Sunday Funday in Durham Central Park (501 Foster Street)! Get all the details here.

Looking to find your favorite food truck (or stalking them and simply don’t want to have to admit it)? We understand. Find them on Street Food Finder here.

Events

The tenth-annual WRAL Voters’ Choice Awards are back! Nominate your local favorites in over 100 categories Oct. 16 – Nov 15. Then come back to vote on the top 5 finalists in each category Nov. 16 through Dec. 15. Winners will be announced in January 2026. Get your nominations in here.

On Oct. 29 at 5 p.m., St. Roch’s in Raleigh (223 S. Wilmington St.) will host a “take-over” Supper Celebration as their Wilmington sister restaurant, Olivero, just turned two (and was recently named by USA Today as “Restaurant of the Year” for 2025). To celebrate, chefs Sunny Gerhart and Lauren Ivey (James Beard Best Chef nominees) will reunite in the kitchen for an Italian-inspired family-style supper with optional wine pairings…think Southern coastal soul meets Italian heart. Reserve your seat now!

For the month of October, Little Rey’s latest taco collaboration is with Colleen Speaks from Hummingbird. Available just in October, stop by to try her blackened flounder taco with slaw, avocado crema, radish and cilantro on grilled corn tortillas. All proceeds benefit Southern Smoke Foundation. Visit Little Rey’s here.

Tickets are now on sale for 2025 Chefs for Change Gala & Live Auction, the annual fundraiser for Families Moving Forward, Durham’s primary emergency shelter for families with children. The event will take place on Nov. 6, 2025 at The Cookery in Durham. This unparalleled culinary event will feature a multi-course culinary experience prepared by some of North Carolina’s most acclaimed chefs, including Matt Kelly of Nanas Rockwood, Vin Rouge, Mateo, Mothers & Sons and Dino’s Pizza; Gray Brooks of Pizzeria Toro; Aaron Benjamin of Gocciolina; and Michael Lee of M Sushi, M Tempura, M Kokko, M Pocha and M Izakaya. Chef Chris McLaurin of Lutra Cafe and Bakery will be providing dessert. Secure your tickets now.

Food Bank Corner

Massive federal cuts to food and healthcare programs are fueling the worst hunger crisis in a generation — and our communities can’t afford to let these irresponsible decisions continue. It’s time for leaders in Washington to come together, restore vital funding for SNAP and Medicaid, and end the shutdown before more people lose their livelihoods. Support impacted families here.