Beat the NYC Heat with the Fiery Flavors of CHILI: Midtown Manhattan’s Spiciest Cool-Down Destination
When the city turns into a sidewalk sauna, where’s a New Yorker to go? CHILI in Midtown Manhattan has the answer: cool down by turning the heat up. This Sichuan hotspot flips the summer script with bold flavors, spicy dishes, and cocktails that chill — all rooted in the time-tested tradition of “fighting fire with fire.”
Featured Summer Dishes
CHILI’s menu encourages diners to embrace the centuries-old Sichuan philosophy of “fighting fire with fire” with signature dishes designed to awaken the senses and cool the body:
Spicy Cumin Lamb – Lamb stir-fried with cumin, chili peppers, onion, and cilantro
Red Style Chungking Braised Fish Stew – Sole fillets braised in chili oil with peppercorns and bean sprouts
Spicy Soft-Shell Crabs – Crispy soft-shell crabs with dried chili and peppercorn oil
Cool Off with Curated Cocktails
To balance the spice, CHILI offers a curated cocktail menu that refreshes and revives:
Misty Rain - Gin, Longjing green tea, and sweet pear syrup
Nature Walk - Vodka, gin, cucumber, osmanthus honey, and a cucumber ribbon
Cold Brew Martini - Featuring Meili Vodka and cold brew liqueur
Leading the kitchen is executive Chef Peter He, an award-winning culinary talent renowned for his mastery of traditional Sichuan cuisine. Drawing inspiration from his hometown of Chengdu, China, Chef He presents a carefully crafted menu that captures the bold essence of Sichuan flavors. His dishes reflect the region’s signature balance of spice, sweetness, sourness, and saltiness—each element harmonized with precision and depth. With a focus on iconic ingredients such as fragrant Sichuan peppercorns, rich chili oil, and time-honored staples. His culinary excellence has earned him a Michelin star for seven consecutive years.
CHILI invites locals and visitors alike to escape the summer heat and experience a bold, unforgettable taste of Sichuan right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
For more, follow along on Instagram @chilimeili.
Photography courtesy of CHILI.
Location: 13 E 37th St, New York, NY 10016
