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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Health-Conscious Mediterranean Grill Opening in FiDi in April

FINANCIAL DISTRICT — A new Mediterranean restaurant is bringing its "fast-casual" brand of health-conscious eats to the Financial District.

The Chicago-based chain Roti Mediterranean Grill is opening its first New York outpost at 100 Maiden Lane on April 5, after some delays related to Hurricane Sandy, the company said.

Co-founded by Mats Lederhausen, the former chairman of Chipotle, Roti, which is short for "rotisserie," injects a pan-Mediterranean flavor into the growing build-your-own-healthy-meal trend.

Staples on the menu include pita, hummus, fire-roasted vegetables, couscous, feta cheese, rotisserie meats and falafel, along with olive oil and a host of spices and yogurt sauces.

Customers can combine the ingredients to make their own salad, plate or sandwich creations, or they can choose from Roti's "favorite" combinations, such as the “Sultan Sandwich," which includes Chicken Roti, hummus, tomato and cucumber salad in a house-baked pita with “S'hug," or a "very spicy" sauce. Dishes cost about $7 to $8 apiece.

"New Yorkers are some of the most sophisticated eaters on the planet, and they love Mediterranean food," Ed Berg, Roti's CEO, said in a statement. “They demand fresh, delicious food, and there is a premium on quick, efficient service. These are the hallmarks of Roti and we can't wait to open.”

The chain, which launched in Chicago in 2007, currently has 16 outposts, located in the Windy City and in Washington, D.C.

Roti will join similar Chipotle-style eateries that have recently opened in the Financial District, including Chickpea, Hot Clay Oven and GRK, which serve a fast-food version of Middle Eastern, Indian and Greek cuisine, respectively.

Roti plans to open another 10 spots in Manhattan over the next two to three years, the company said.