Reviews & Ratings for ilili Restaurant

06/12/11

Ciao Bella Now Uses Fillers in their Ice Cream!

by wallystump

Diasppointed to see that many (all? - we had their chocolate and triple espresso) of their ice creams now use

- Guar Gum

- Locust Bean Gum

- Carrageenan

all at the same time. Yikes! We loved the ice cram they make, but now won't touch it. Had some lately and wondered why it tasted funny. Then we read the list of ingredients. Looks like the expansion of their business drove a once great brand to focus more on profits than on the quality that got them to the top.

02/27/11

good place

by ersinacar

I love mediterranean food and this place is very good at this. thanks...

12/28/10

Totally Biased but...

by LoRita

I love this restaurant! The food is contemporary Lebanese/Mediterranean and outstanding in every respect.

The Brussels Sprouts are highly recommended (Zagat) as well as the Duck Shawarma, Chewy Lebanese Ice Cream, and all the traditional mezza including falafel, hommus, tabbouleh and all the rest!

Check out the bar scene too - great cocktails (try the From Beirut with Passion) and eye candy ;)

10/21/09

Best Mediterranean food in NYC

by Huss

This is a refreshingly original take on Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine that doesn't compromise the authenticity of flavors and dishes. While all the mainstays and mezze like tabbouleh, falafel, shawarma etc. are available - they are at times deconstructed and at times transformed into supercharged little packets of amazing tastes.

The duck shawarma, Sidon black cod and black iron shrimp are all to die for. The desserts are heavenly and the original ice cream here is unique - reminiscent of Istanbul dondurma...

A must try!

• Pros: Great starters, mains and desserts plus rockin' cocktails
• Cons: Eat like this every day and chubbiness is assured

08/05/09

BEST Lebanese/Middle Eastern food EVER! A must try!

by Jeniflower

The food here is delicious and unique, and there is SO much to choose from! The prices have a great range, you can spend spend just a little or go all out. I am still dreaming of the food. The ambiance is hip, fresh, and it's well-decorated - it's a great spot for any type of group. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! Also, thank the chef, Eric, very cool guy.

• Pros: So damn good... in every way.
• Cons: Can get busy, so make a reservation!!

08/05/09

GREAT food, great atmosphere, a definite MUST-try!!

by Jeniflower

The food here is delicious and unique, and there is SO much to choose from! The prices have a great range, you can spend spend just a little or go all out. I am still dreaming of the food. The ambiance is hip, fresh, and it's well-decorated - it's a great spot for any type of group. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! Also, thank the chef, Eric, very cool guy.

• Pros: best Lebanese/Middle Easter food EVER!!!
• Cons: can get busy, so make a reservation!!

High-end Lebanese food in a massive Madison Park setting.

by Josh Ozersky

Ilili gives New York something it never had before, and possibly never longed for: A very large (290 seats), elegant and authentic Lebanese restaurant. For those whose experience with Lebanese food doesn't go beyond shawarma, it's eye-opening to sit in the gorgeously wooded, hangar-sized main dining room, eating lamb that’s been lovingly cooked with exotic spices like zatar and sumac, hot and puffy pitas and a bewildering but exciting number of vegetable mezes (appetizers). It's almost enough to make you wish there were more than one such restaurant in the city. The bar is a great place to introduce yourself to the menu without committing to a full dinner

05/06/09

The Perfect Place for a Mediteranian Feast

by mm550366

An old friend from culinary school just took me here last week and it was an amazing experience

if you're craving creamy hummus, herb filled falafel, and delicious cocktails you must come here, its simple delicious mediteranian food in a chic New York atmosphere

the cocktails are delightful and large, i had the sangria and it was a perfect balance of tanin filled red-wine and sweet citrus

and you can't leave without having dessert

i recommend the lemom verbena benquets which are crisp, light, and wonderfuly soothing after a long meal

• Pros: Amazing Hummus, Falafel, and Drinks

05/01/09

Great food, drink & atmosphere

by ljf67

Walked into this place with two friends last week out of the blue, we were seated right away and proceeded to have a wonderful experience with a fantastic waitress who knew her stuff! She made fantastic suggestions and the food was just amazing. I cannot wait to go back and eat here.

• Pros: Great service, great appetizers, really good sangria

02/16/09

Fabolous for Valentine's Day, and Every Day in between

by MKhotoveli

My husband and I have been to ilili many times, and we think every time we go there it is getting better, and better. Most recently we were there this past weekend for Valentine's Day. The Price Fixe menu was a very reasonable $45 per person, but the menu was by no means skimpy. We each ordered 2 appetizers, a main course, and a dessert inclusive. Forget the price, most importantly the food was great. We loved the Crab Meat Falafel, the lamb sausage, the veal sweetbreads, and the beef kebab was so perfectly flavored. They serve all this accompanied by warm pita straight from the oven. There tahina dipping sauces are fantastic as well. We enjoyed the Valentine's dinner so much that we decided to bring our families for restaurant week, and what a deal that was. You basically get the same selection for $35 per person. We have went to 4 restaurants for restaurant week (or month in 2009), and no restaurant provides the quality, and selection that ilili does. If you are looking to explore your taste buds in ways that they have never been explored go to ilili, and order something that sounds weird (you will be pleasantly surprised, and feel like you have traveled abroad). In addition their drinks are excellent, my favorite since I am pregnant is some kind of cucumber, mint infused drink (non-alcoholic), my husband loves the passion infused vodka. I almost forgot to mention dessert, their homemade ice-cream is great, and their chocolate candy bar is so decadent.

Can't help to mention the wonderful management (Eva & Michael), that really make sure that their customers are well taken care of. If their is one thing to pick on, and they have really improved in this area, it is the service. You might have to ask for them to refill your water glass a couple of times.

• Pros: Kebabs, Hot Pita, Ambience, Schwarma, Falafel
• Cons: NONE