Mythily is chef Rasika Venkatesa's first restaurant of her own, a 45-seat room on Havemeyer Street cooking the Tamil food of her childhood with the polish of kitchens like The French Laundry and Mourad. Early dishes include slow-roasted Indian eggplant with adaippu stuffing, corn and sweet pepper, and tilefish with romanesco and a Nagapattinam-style mango curry. If you followed her pop-ups or have been waiting for a serious South Indian table in Brooklyn, get in during the first weeks.
What to expect
A small, warm dining room for booked dinners, with bar and window counter seats held for walk-ins. The kitchen plates South Indian flavors in a tasting-minded, seasonal way rather than as a curry-house menu, and the restaurant lists a dedicated beverage and wine program alongside the food.
Good to know
- Reservations run through SevenRooms, linked from the restaurant's website; bar and counter seats are kept for walk-ins.
- It is a dinner-only restaurant, so plan an evening visit.
- The J/M/Z at Marcy Avenue and the L/G at Lorimer Street-Metropolitan Avenue are each about a ten-minute walk.
- With only 45 seats, it fills fast in its first weeks; smaller parties have the best chance at a walk-in.
- Private dining and gift cards are offered through the website.
- The opening was funded in part by a Kickstarter that hit its goal in under two days, so expect a devoted early crowd.
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Common questions
Who is the chef at Mythily?
Rasika Venkatesa, who cooked at The French Laundry, led the kitchen at Mourad, and appeared on Top Chef before running NYC pop-ups.
What kind of food does Mythily serve?
Progressive South Indian cooking rooted in Tamil home food, with dishes like stuffed eggplant curry and tilefish in mango curry.
Does Mythily take walk-ins?
Yes. The restaurant keeps bar and window counter seating for walk-ins, while tables are booked through SevenRooms.