Restaurant India News: Chef Suresh Pillai’s Meen Opens at The Artiste Kochi, Kerala

Meen by Chef Suresh Pillai has opened at The Artiste Kochi, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Kerala, bringing Kerala’s coastal flavours into a serene, thoughtfully designed space. The restaurant blends tradition with modern detail through laterite stone walls, handcrafted tiles, warm textures, and a fisherman mural. It also features Kerala’s first mall-based open-air dining area, offering a relaxed alfresco experience.

The menu reflects Kerala’s home-style cooking, presented with clean flavours and respect for local ingredients. Highlights include Kakka Irachi Ularthiyathu (stir-fried clams), Kera Kudampuliyittu Vattichathu (tangy tuna curry), and classic Karimeen and Avoli Pollichathu. Ashtamudi Meen Curry pays tribute to Kollam’s fishermen, while Chemmeen Manga Curry brings together prawns, raw mango, and coconut milk. Chef Pillai’s signatures—Fish Nirvana, Valanpuli Chicken Wings, and Chemmeen Palperattu—round out the offering, accompanied by Kerala porotta, appam, puttu, and rice.

Desserts stay nostalgic with Ada Pradhaman and a Palada Crème Brûlée. Kerala-inspired drinks such as Thammanam Vat, Patta Mattanchery, Gin Jathika, Kerala Blasters, and Kummattikka add a creative local touch to the experience.

Chef Suresh Pillai says, “Meen is a piece of Kerala I want people to feel, not just taste. These dishes carry the stories we grew up with simple flavors, honest cooking, and the warmth of home.”

Ayan Halder, Director of Operations, adds, “An authentic Kerala culinary experience was the one missing piece in this neighbourhood. , We wanted to build a space that feels familiar to residents while giving the visitors from across India and the world a true sense of the region’s coastal flavors. Meen strikes that balance with a menu rooted in tradition, thoughtful pricing, and an elevated setting that makes the cuisine feel both accessible and special.”