How Bungalow Became One of the Hottest Restaurants in NYC | Jimmy Rizvi and Chef Vikas

02/12/2025 47 min

Listen "How Bungalow Became One of the Hottest Restaurants in NYC | Jimmy Rizvi and Chef Vikas"

Episode Synopsis

Jimmy Rizvi and Chef Vikas Khanna are the restaurateurs behind Bungalow, the New York City Indian restaurant that earned three stars from The New York Times. In this episode, they share the personal journey behind creating Bungalow, the whirlwind of its explosive popularity, and the unique dynamic between front-of-house and back-of-house operations.They open up about the pressures of living up to the hype, staying authentic to their cuisine and culture in the East Village, and the moving stories they’ve heard from guests. We also dive into the challenges and opportunities of running a restaurant in New York City, their mentorship and training philosophies, their expansion into consumer packaged goods, and their vision for the future of hospitality.https://www.thenycalliance.org/https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/poTFuHIZX9wTIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Welcome Jimmy Rizvi & Chef Vikas!0:58 - The Story Behind Bungalow4:47 - The Rise of Indian Cuisine in New York9:51 - Maintaining High Standards and Consistency12:11 - How The Menu Evolves17:31 - Culture & Promoting from Within21:37 - Advice for Aspiring Restaurateurs26:26 - Why The Chef’s Presence in the Dining Room Is Important28:34 - The Latest Tech Used In Restaurant Operations33:45 - Offering Consumer Packaged Goods37:03 - Challenges in the Restaurant Business38:13 - The State of Indian Restaurants in NYC45:04 - What Are Your Favorite Comfort Foods46:45 - Future Plans For Jimmy Rizvi & Chef Vikas47:00 - Thanks For Watching! Like & Subscribe#newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness

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