CHILI is a Sichuan restaurant that is located in Midtown Manhattan. It is co-owned by Miki Niu and Joe Tsou (Meili and Wonderland Bar), and it has a retro ’30s vibe to it.
This journalist had the opportunity to dine for dinner on Thursday, May 15th.
Cold appetizer
As a cold appetizer, one should try their healthy “Poached Okra,” which is accompanied with chili peppers and soy sauce.
Dim Sum
As a Dim Sum appetizer, one should try their “Pork Dumplings in Chili Oil” and “Spicy Wonton Soup,” both of which were indeed hot and spicy.
This journalist tried “Tea Smoked Duck with Sticky Rice” as the main course, and it was crispy (and the duck meat was deboned).
As a vegetable choice, their “Sautéed Cauliflower” was spicy yet impressive.
Desserts
CHILI has an intimate selection of desserts such as “Rice Wine Soup,” “Limoncello Flute,” “Mango Sorbet,” “Crispy Coconut Milk.” This journalist tried their “Chocolate Mousse,” which was quite scrumptious.
The Verdict
Overall, CHILI is a noteworthy Sichuan restaurant in New York City, which immerses its patrons in the spirit of 1930s Sichuan, and through its cuisine, it is able to pay a fitting homage to Sichuan’s rich culinary heritage, traditions, and history.
There is a rawness and authenticity to its Sichuan cuisine, which is cooked by the chefs who received the honor of a Michelin star.
The head chef, Peter He, is an expert in Sichuan food who was the head chef and oversaw the kitchen that was awarded a Michelin star from 2013 to 2019.
The eatery itself is a beautiful space with a retro, re-imagined 1930s vibe to it. The flavors and ingredients are rich and present, and it is recommended for those that enjoy spicy dishes (sometimes, they were a bit too spicy for this journalist’s taste buds).
It certainly lives up to its name. CHILI is worth checking out, and it garners four out of five stars. Well done.
To learn more about CHILI, check out its official homepage, and follow its Instagram page.
