ilili

I was eager to bring my family to try this restaurant and was VERY disappointed. Dining here ruined the night for my Aunt's birthday celebration. We tried various things on the menu: Branzino, Bass, Lamb Kebab, Prime Rib, Chicken and multiple items for starters. Our waitress was attentive but the host/hostess were not friendly or hospitable at all. I do not recommend this restaurant to anyone. The ambience may be nice, but there are plenty of places in NYC that provide beautiful atmospheres.

I understand having to wait if you don't have a reservation and it's busy. What I don't understand is being told to wait in a half empty restaurant. After 20 minutes, we left and headed elsewhere. That will be my last visit to Ililli.

I had been wanting to try this place for a long time, and we went here for our anniversary. I have to say - I was pretty disappointed. They mean well, but the main courses were fusion to the extent that they combined hot and cold food together. Like two different people were putting the food together. Overpriced. Stick with mezze - that as AMAZING. Other than that, spend your money on authentic middle eastern. It will be better and much better priced.

In a neighborhood where everything around has gone out of business, you notice that this overpriced turkish restaurant has opened a large room with no decoration whatsoever. Like a large high school cafeteria. While the food is OK, the prices are simply sky high and a rip off. The ingredients are inexpensive, leaving one to wonder why they didn't make a reservation at Turkish Kitchen, of equal quality, instead. When your credit card bill comes, you'll wonder if the expensive charge may have been from a good French restaurant, and will be shocked to see it was for that "OK" turkish food you ate a few weeks ago in that large empty room in a deserted neighborhood.

I have eaten in my fair share of restaurants in the city and can confidently say that not only is ilili the best Mediterranean restaurant in the city, but the best restaurant, period. From the incredible food to the impeccable service, ilili offers the best of everything.

Was very pleased with everything. We went there during restaurant week. That menu was awesome. I would definitely go back again any time of year but will definitely be back for restaurant week again. Their specialty drinks are awesome. All of the staff was super knowledgable and friendly.

This restaurant was amazing. I had the best beef tartare that I have ever eaten- the mint was a delicious touch. The baba ghannouj had a smokey flavor that also made it the best I've ever had. My dinner companion had calamari and octopus salad, which she said was probably the best she has ever eaten For the main course, I had lamb ribs while my friend had beef kabobs. Both were perfectly done and very tender. Our server was more than willing to recommend some foods for us to try. His recommendations were "right on". Quite honestly, we could have done without dessert as we were full from the rest of the meal but we just had to try them. For all the food, plus a glass of wine each, the bill, before the tip was $145. It was so good, the service so perfect, with a server who was not only willing to recommend good food but was a nice person too, that we left more than the recommended tip (shown on the bill). I plan on going back there with my niece. I highly recommend this restaurant.