the Chatti NYC - 4.6 rating - Kerala Toddy Shop Cuisine in Midtown West

🔹 Restaurant Overview

Name of Restaurant: the Chatti

Location + Full Address (with landmark):
252 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018
Landmark: Near Penn Station · Close to Hudson Yards · Steps from 8th Ave

City + Area Tag: Midtown West · Manhattan

Opening Year / Newly Opened: First U.S. outpost by a celebrated Indian chef

Cuisine Type: Kerala Cuisine · South Indian Coastal · Toddy Shop–Inspired

Dining Style: Casual Dining · Modern Regional Indian · Shareable Plates · Cocktail-Driven

Price Range: Approx. Cost for Two: $50–$90

Special Offers / Deals: Lunch reservations available · Walk-ins welcomed at select hours

🔹 Ambience & Interiors

Interior Theme: Kerala toddy shop nostalgia meets modern NYC — warm woods, earthy tones, coastal accents

Seating Capacity & Layout: Compact dining room · Great for groups · Community-style dining encouraged

Lighting & Music Style: Warm mood lighting · Contemporary regional soundtrack

Outdoor Seating / Private Dining: Not available · Indoor only

Unique Design & Decor Highlights: Subtle Kerala-inspired motifs · Earthenware (“chatti”) elements · Tropical infusions

🔹 Food & Drinks

⭐ Most Recommended Dishes (Top 5–10):

• Kerala-style Fried Chicken

• Meen Pollichathu (banana leaf–wrapped fish)

• Prawn Roast

• Beef Ularthiyathu (slow-cooked Kerala beef fry)

• Chatti Choru (signature rice meal set)

• Appam with Stews

• Pepper Crab

• Kerala Parotta (flaky, buttery perfection)

⭐ Beverage Highlights:

• Toddy-inspired cocktails

• Coconut- and spice-forward signature drinks

• Regional beers & tropical mixers

⭐ Signature Experience:

Bold flavors authentically rooted in Kerala’s toddy shop culture — spicy, smoky, aromatic, and meant for sharing.

⭐ Dietary Options:

Plenty of seafood options · Vegetarian friendly · Can accommodate dairy-free requests

🔹 Service & Experience

Service Type: Warm · Attentive · Knowledgeable about Kerala cuisine

Staff Behavior: Guided recommendations for first-time diners · Familiarity with regional spice levels

Waiting Time Experience: Reservations recommended · Lunch is calmer · Dinner rush can get packed

Ideal For: Foodies · Indian regional cuisine lovers · After-work dinners · Groups & celebrations

🔹 Menu & Pricing Snapshot

Best Sellers: Seafood roasts, slow-cooked meats, appams, Kerala-style curries

Chef Specials: Toddy shop classics reimagined by Chef Regi Mathew

Formats: A la carte · Lunch & dinner service · Cocktail program

🔹 What Makes This Place Special?

Brand Story / Concept:

The first U.S. restaurant from India’s famed Chef Regi Mathew — a master of Kerala cuisine — bringing toddy shop culture to the heart of Manhattan.

Known For:

• Seafood-rich Kerala menu

• Appams & parottas made fresh

• Strong cocktail program

• Bold flavors rarely seen in NYC

Instagrammable Highlights:

Fish wrapped in banana leaf, chili-laced prawn dishes, Kerala-style thalis, appam close-ups, bar shots

🔹 Ratings – Reviews.Restaurant NYC Scale

🔹 Operational Info

Reservation Policy: Available for lunch & dinner · Walk-ins accepted on limited basis

Contact: +1 212-994-9599
Parking: Street parking & nearby garages
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

🔹 Map Embed

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iiD6JrJjEetjwbeU8