East Village Restaurant Named Among Hottest Lunch Spots In NYC

EAST VILLAGE, NY — It is hard to get singled out in the New York City restaurant scene, but an East Village eatery was just named among the hottest lunch spots in the five boroughs.

Eater NY published a list Wednesday of the 15 hottest lunch spots in New York City, and Rowdy Rooster at 149 First Ave. earned a spot.

"As late-night dining has kicked into high gear and more New Yorkers come back to the workplace, the city’s second favorite off-hours meal — lunch — is making a triumphant comeback of its own, whether enjoyed from an open office in Midtown or hidden inside a Queens mall," Eater NY wrote in the intro to the article.

Rowdy Rooster is the latest creation by the Unapologetic Foods team, which also owns and operates the wildly popular Dhamaka, along with Adda and Semma.

The kitchen is led by chef Chintan Pandya, who serves up "some of the boldest spices that fried chicken has met."

Pandya's rendition of fried chicken at Adda was ranked by New York Magazine as one of the 10 best in New York City.

Here's what Eater NY had to say about the restaurant.

"While the menu is certainly centered on portable, Indian-leaning fried chicken sandwiches (no white meat will be found in the establishment), there’s plenty for those who want a vegetarian option to love as well," Eater NY wrote. "Sutton (critic) recommends the chile cauliflower and the vada pav, an interpretation of the Indian street snack made up of a potato patty with pao bread."

The restaurant is open every day from noon to 3 p.m., and then again from 4 to 9 p.m.