Chef Rasika Venkatesa Will Open Mythily in Williamsburg
The Top Chef alum plans to debut her new 40-seat restaurant at 129 Havemeyer Street on September 30, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Food and Drink
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Top Chef alum Rasika Venkatesa is set to open her new restaurant, Mythily, in Williamsburg on September 30, 2026. The 40-seat establishment is named after the chef's grandmother.
Why it matters
The opening marks a permanent milestone for Venkatesa following a successful 2024 pop-up residency in Greenpoint. The chef, recognized as a 2025 Time Out New York Best Young Chef, brings experience from high-profile kitchens including Mourad and The French Laundry.
The 1,000-square-foot space accommodates 40 guests in the dining room and includes a separate 9-seat bar. Main course prices at the venue range from $30 to $50.
The players
Rasika Venkatesa
She is a Top Chef alum and former kitchen staff member at The French Laundry and Mourad.
Varun Kandadi
He is a business partner and collaborator on the development of the Mythily restaurant space.
Nicolas Chavotier
He serves as a business partner for the launch of the new restaurant in Williamsburg.
The details
Venkatesa teamed up with business partners Varun Kandadi and Nicolas Chavotier to develop the space with Studio Purisic. The interior design utilizes a mix of wood, limewash, brass, Moroccan clay, and quartzite to create a distinct atmosphere.
Timeline
Venkatesa launched her pop-up residency in 2024.
Venkatesa was named a 2025 Time Out New York Best Young Chef.
Mythily is scheduled to open on September 30, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The project follows a pattern of career advancement and professional recognition established by inclusion on the Time Out New York Best Young Chefs list. This expansion reflects the broader trend of rising culinary stars leveraging pop-up success to secure permanent brick-and-mortar storefronts in competitive urban markets.
Guests can expect a 40-seat dining room experience with an additional 9-seat bar area when the doors open in September. Reservations and specific booking platforms for the $30 to $50 price point range have yet to be finalized for the public.
The takeaway
The opening reflects the transition from temporary pop-up concepts to permanent dining establishments in the local Williamsburg scene. Readers interested in the culinary project should monitor local hospitality updates for forthcoming reservation system details.
Further reading
For more on the local culinary scene, visit New York City Food and Drink.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Eater NY.
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