Find out about the favorite New York restaurants of the staff at the Asia Society and Museum, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to fostering understanding of Asia and the Pacific. Check back every month for a new staff pick, and let their food discoveries in New York inspire you to try a new restaurant! Look out for the purple symbol in the restaurant listings indicating it's an Asia Society Staff Pick!

Staff:
Shalini Mimani
Grant Writer and India Fund Manager

Recommendation:
The Kati Roll Company
99 MacDougal Street
(btw Bleecker St. & Minetta Lane)
(212) 420-6517

Type of Food: Indian Wraps

Favorite Menu Items:
Kati Roll is famous for its spicy Indian wraps with fillings like paneer (a sort of Indian cheese), aloo (spicy potato), and chicken tikka wrapped in parathas (a type of thick Indian bread). My favorite is the Achari Paneer roll. It's filled with paneer, peppers, onions and a pickle paste. I tend not to fix things that ain't broke, so I haven't ventured too much further into the menu, but I have tried the Chicken Tikka roll and the Aloo roll, both of which are very good as well.

What kind of occasion would you recommend this restaurant for?
It's a no-frills hole-in-the-wall, so it's strictly casual. I actually think it gets the majority of its business in the wee hours of Friday and Saturday night. The lines are huge at 4 a.m. after people have been out all night. It's also great for a quick snack or lunch.

How would you describe the atmosphere of this restaurant?
Kati Roll is tiny, casual, warm and cute. The walls are terracotta colored and are hung with framed prints of old Hindi movie posters. There are only about four tables in the entire restaurant, so you have to get pretty comfortable with your neighbors or just order take-out.

In general what else do you like about this restaurant?
In addition to the excellent quality of the food, which is served hot and fast, the staff is very efficient and courteous. I also like the warm vibe of the place.

How did you come across this restaurant?
Everyone knows about Kati Roll! Seriously though, I heard about it through the grapevine. I think it started getting really popular as a late-night spot about a year ago. I hitched a ride with some friends and checked it out- and was glad I did!