Mythily, the new 45-seat South Indian restaurant from chef Rasika Venkatesa, has opened in Williamsburg, bringing a deeply personal take on the cuisine of her Chennai upbringing. Named after her grandmother, Mythily Ramachandran, whose cooking first introduced Rasika to the connection between food, family and tradition, the restaurant draws on family recipes and regional cooking alongside techniques developed during her time at The French Laundry and Mourad.
Designed by Rasika and co-founder Varun Kandadi, with assistance from Demir Purisic of Studio Purisic, the space takes inspiration from the familiarity of a South Indian village. Deep reds, greens and warm neutrals reference soil, forests and paddy fields, while Moroccan clay plaster, sapele wood and brass lighting add texture and warmth. A semi-open kitchen finished in red limewash and tile sits beneath a green-painted ceiling, while a nine-seat bar in green tones is topped with Moulin Rouge quartzite. Artwork throughout explores family and the relationship between grandmothers and grandchildren.
The menu brings familiar South Indian flavours into new forms, with dishes including Green Apple & Fennel with charred cucumber, boondi, stracciatella and rasam; sweet and dry-cured Scallop with puli inji, Concord grapes and panakam granita; and a Benne Dosa inspired by the style of Davangere, Karnataka. Larger plates include Green Circle Kozhi Ballotine, Tilefish with Nagapattinam manga curry, slow-roasted Caraflex Muttaikose and the signature Short Rib with plums, maitake mushrooms and bone marrow kozhumbu. Desserts include Ras Malai “Tres Leches” and Filter Coffee Soft Serve with Kadalai Urundai crumble.
Drinks focus on low-ABV cocktails and non-alcoholic serves, including the pineapple tepache-based Marina Beach, the jaggery and coconut cream Mai-Tai-Ly and Kho Kho with hibiscus-infused shochu. There is also a selection of Brooklyn beers and wines from producers in Europe.
Following a series of pop-ups and collaborative dinners in 2024, Mythily brings Rasika’s evolving culinary perspective to Williamsburg, rooted in the food and traditions that shaped her from the beginning.
@mythily.nyc
@chefrasikav
@demir.purisic
Mythily Williamsburg Photography, Natalie Black.
Dining and Cooking