An Indian version of Chipotle is breaking out of Midtown East.
Desi Shack, an Indian style of design-your-own-fast food is set to open up two new locations this year, Side Dish has learned.
The made-to-order fast-food operation is a mom-and-pop shop — although mom and pop have corporate business backgrounds. It is currently located at 39th Street and Lexington Avenue in Murray Hill and is just beyond the “Curry Hill” restaurant row.
The concept is based on giving the customer the choice of ingredients and condiments to design their meal on the spot, a la Chipotle’s take on Mexican food, says Desi Shack founder Yasmin Ibrahim.
Brian Tregerman and Joseph Isa, of Winick Realty Group are scouting for spots to open in the next 12 months. They are looking at 600-to-1,500-square-foot spaces in the Financial District, Midtown West, Flatiron, Union Square, the Upper East Side and the Upper West Side.
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New York-based steakhouse STK is expanding to the nation’s capital.
STK, an international steakhouse/lounge franchise run by The One Group, has signed a 9,000-square-foot lease at 1250 Connecticut Ave. in Washington, DC, just one block from Dupont Circle.
STK, a modern steakhouse with the slogan, “Not Your Daddy’s Steakhouse,” will be leasing from Brookfield Office Properties, which STK leases from in New York’s Grace Building.
“STK’s glamorous style, combined with its high-quality food, will provide a new and welcome amenity to DC’s downtown central business district,” said Ed Hogan, Brookfield’s national director of retail leasing.
New York celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten also has a steakhouse in DC — J&G Steakhouse at the W Hotel.
STK also has units in LA, Atlanta, Miami, Las Vegas and London.