Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
At Vermilion Brings Glamour, Girl Power to Midtown
By
John Del Signore
Published Nov 21, 2008
Modified Nov 21, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
View all 13
By
John Del Signore
Published Nov 21, 2008
Modified Nov 21, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
If there was ever a time to open a glamorous new bi-level restaurant in midtown, this ain't it. But you've got to admire restaurateur Rohini Dey for going through with this NYC outpost of her acclaimed Indian-Latin American restaurant, called Vermilion in Chicago and At Vermilion here. If you build "At," they will come—and hopefully they'll still have a line of credit available. Her ambitious new location features a double-height water curtain, a 22-foot metal mesh chandelier, and huge black and white photographs taken by Indian fashion photographer Farrokh Chothia. The lower level is a spacious bar/lounge with communal dining; the upstairs dining room can accommodate 200.
Dey, who holds a Ph.D. in economics and formerly managed foreign investment policy at the World Bank, is a self-described "staunch supporter of women in business," and has staffed At Vermilion with primarily female management, something of a rarity in the restaurant industry. (Executive chef Maneet Chauhan and chef de cuisine Ipshita Pall are also women.) Signature fusion entrees include Tandoori Skirt Steak with fried plantain chips, and Chili-Glazed Blackened Tamarind Ribs with tapioca papadum and corn ginger salsa. There is also more traditional Indian fare like Mangalorean Lamb Shank Gassi, and a vegetarian menu, posted after the jump.
At Vermilion, 480 Lexington Avenue; 212-871-6600. Open for lunch Monday-Friday (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.), and serving dinner daily (5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.).
At Vermilion
vegetarian options and adaptations
small plates
our vegetarian latin-indian tapas
blue corn crusted heart of palm on a kali mirch calabaza goat cheese puree $10
tamarind paneer with daikon moong bean “koshimbir” $10
juhu ki pani puri “chaat” flour shells with spiced potatoes + a tangy puree of chili mint $9
artichoke pakoras spain’s thistle in classic indian fritters + eggplant chili coconut sauce $9
chipotle corn vadas crisp corn-lentil adaptation of s. indian croquettas, tamarind chutney $9
aloo vindaloo arepas goan potato, brushed pomegranate molasses, curry leaf mango $9
roasted three pepper lentil soup complex, rich south indian tones $9
slaw trio: avocado mint ceviche, mango coriander pepper, lychee jalapeno, corn ginger salsa $9
At Vermilion seven course customized tasting menu $75
Signature Preperations: vegetarian entrees with an indian-latin confluence
chili-glazed blackened baby eggplants
indian-latin tamerendo/imli glaze, white rice crisps, corn ginger salsa $20
“gobi” portuguese
cauliflower stewed in a goan gravy + coconut rice blended tableside to your taste $20
paneer konkani in oaxacan crepas de huitlacoche
indian cheese favorite, Mexican “truffle” crepe, with inca red quinoa, papadum $24
The Truckstop, Dhaba fare, popular at trucking pit stops in India (dhabas)
“pindi” butter paneer
creamy-tomato hued finger-licking good gravy, tribute to delhi’s pindi dhaba + naan $18
methi-sarson-palak paneer
paneer indian cheese in a seasoned triad of greens - mustard greens, spinach, fenugreek + naan $17
vermilion thali
chef’s choice of two regional Indian entrees with daal makhani, naan, basmati rice, papad and mint raita $26
daal makhani slow cooked creamy black lentils $9
punjabi chole
spicy garbanzo beans, with “chaat” and ginger hues $9
sides ($6) coconut rice basmati rice naan pudina mint-parantha tandoori roti
today’s raita garlic spinach plantain chips habanero salsa masala papad chutney trio
Tagged
at vermilion
chicago
fusion
midtown
new
new york
nyc
photos
restaurant
rohini dey
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .