Openings: Bungalow on 1st Avenue

Interior photo by Stacie Joy

Bungalow debuted yesterday at 24 First Ave. between First Street and Second Street. (Previously mentioned here.) 

Several readers have noted the grand entryway to the Indian restaurant run by Vikas Khanna, host and judge of "MasterChef India," and restaurateur Jimmy Rizvi of Bombay House hospitality group. (Khanna opened Junoon on West 24th Street in 2009 and earned a Michelin star in 2011.)

In an Instagram post, Khanna said March 23 would have been his sister Radhika's 50th birthday. "We open Bungalow on the auspicious day as a tribute to her life and also to honor millions of kitchens, chefs, cook book writers, street vendors, home cooks across India — and most importantly to our MOTHERS who have nurtured our souls forever." 

Bungalow has received a lot of pre-opening press... You can read more about the place in the Times, WWD, or Vogue India, among other outlets. (Restaurant website here.)

As we've noted, two addresses — 24 First Ave. and its property mate 99-101 E. Second St. — were demolished several years ago to make room for the new residential building here called the 101 Condominium.

No. 24 's previous occupants included the cabaret Lucky Cheng's (1993-2012).

Signage alert: Bungalow from restaurateur Jimmy Rizvi on 1st Avenue

Signage arrived last week for Bungalow, a new Indian concept from restaurateur Jimmy Rizvi, whose portfolio includes GupShup in Gramercy Park. 

CB3 approved a liquor license for the space in May 2023. (Find the original questionnaire here.) 

Vikas Khanna is serving as chef and partner for Bungalow, which is expected to open on March 23. 

In an Instagram post, Khanna said March 23 would have been his sister Radhika's 50th birthday. "We open Bungalow on the auspicious day as a tribute to her life and also to honor millions of kitchens, chefs, cook book writers, street vendors, home cooks across India — and most importantly to our MOTHERS who have nurtured our souls forever." 

The signage's arrival coincided with a recent refresh of the First Avenue storefront just south of Second Street  ... in the retail portion of the 101 Condominium (the residential entrance is on Second Street).

Two addresses — 24 First Ave. and its property mate 99-101 E. Second St. — were demolished several years ago to make room for the new residential building.

No. 24 's previous occupants included the cabaret Lucky Cheng's (1993-2012) and Club Baths, the first openly gay-owned bathhouse (1971-1983)... and Cave Canem and La Nouvelle Justine in between.