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

02/03/09

Great place for sharing, delicious food, friendly wait staff, great restaurant week options

by lizzyred8

Recently had dinner here during restaurant week...don't let the decor or attitude of the hostess fool you. The drinks are delicious (and much less expensive during happy hour) and the wait staff is extremely friendly and helpful; providing suggestions and explaining the dishes. We ordered off of the restaurant week menu and shared all of the plates. We were so full and hadn't even had dessert yet. The lamb is delicious (try the burger) as were the sausages, the fries, fish and other dishes. We will definitely be returning.

• Pros: Food, Wait Staff, Coctails
• Cons: Host/Hostess

11/24/08

GREAT MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE & A COOL SETTING

by jimandinla

Not your usual Mediterranean cuisine, the food here is as good if not better than the best neighborhood Lebanese restaurants, but far more adventurous. And unlike the usually eclectic decor of the latter, the elegance and spaciousness of ilili evidences a cohesive and very cool interior design. If you're in the mood for some turbo-supercharged Mediterranean cuisine in a classy setting, this is the place for you (and don't forget to try the distinctive "chewy" ice cream).

• Pros: Cuisine, ambiance

11/10/08

Good food but where's the rest of it?

by jdiehl14

Our first course was amazing! As we are waiting for the second course out came the dessert menus. We never received the second course we ordered. The manager and waitstaff were quite gracious and apologetic for the error. It worked out as we were SO full we wouoldn't have been able to eat the second round. Great Sangria!!

• Pros: Good Service
• Cons: Waitstaff seemed a little "weeded."