Lilly's French Cafe & Bar

10/13/09

Beware Mondays--maybe every day

by Rubempre

I brought our group of eight here for a celebratory business dinner--a well-traveled, upscale group--and ended up embarassed by the listless greeting, the indifferent waitress (an 18 percent tip was added automatically, perhaps explaining her lack of engagement) and food that ranged from near-inedible (lobster bisque that seemingly was made from near-spoiled ingredients, flavorless and possibly defrosted duck, cold tuna dish) to adequate (filet mignon, pesto-crusted whitefish). Decent wine selection at a predictable 2x the store shelf price. Our bottled water was unceremoniously dumped on the table for us to pour, each course arrived via confused barking from brusque staff. A bad experience from a place we once loved. Wish Joe's had been open. Our advice--seek alternatives.

• Pros: exellent desserts
• Cons: abysmal service, several dubious dishes

12/24/08

Poor service makes good food difficult to enjoy.

by canadam

In a great neighbourhood we were expecting the typical excellent service you experience on most of Abbott Kinney. Sadly, this was NOT the case at Lilly's. There was no reccomendation for wine; and it seemed a strange request to the servers. The food was slow coming from the kitchen, the bread basket went un-refilled, and any change to the menu seemed especially challenging. Then there was dessert ....20 minutes for creme brule and ice cream. All of this could be accepted if they were overflowing with patrons but that was not the case. Our meals were good but not excellent and we won't be running back anytime soon.

• Pros: Ambience, temperature
• Cons: Service

12/01/08

Put A Bigger Smile On My Face!

by NicoleMyden

For some, it's all about the food. For me, it's always about the atmosphere...

This place made me smile so big as soon as I walked in - the energy is great, it's quaint, no fuss, no lines, just good old fashioned neighborhood charm, in other words, perfect!

• Pros: Patio Seating
• Cons: I can't walk there!

09/16/08

They Serve Foie Gras: And They Should Stop

by jthompson01

I'm a local Venice resident and I like Lily's. However, I'm very very disturbed that they serve Foie Gras. For those of you that don't know this is a food product which is created by a disturbing torturous method that needs to be banned just to preserve some basic humanity in our farms. It requires the force feeding of geese with a medal feeding tube that causes regurgitation, painful lacerations, organ failure, lung failure, and sometimes the explosion of internal organs. These birds are kept heavily confined, force feed, and die long painful deaths. As a local resident who knows that many Venetians would never support such an awful practice, Lilly's should follow in the footsteps of Wolfgang Puck and refuse to serve it. I am so very disappointed in Lilly's for supporting Foie Gras production. Such a shame, I cannot urge anyone to go their until they stop.

• Pros: Nice Atmosphere, Local Place
• Cons: They Serve Foie Gras: Don't Go

07/27/08

Ridiculous.

by carencritique

We sat under a piece of art work twenty feet long made of neon bright melted plastic and squashed solo cups. The entire night was unbelievably distracting because, and I am not joking- as the staff would stampede past us in their flurry to and from the kitchen to the outside patio, their feet stomped and the floors bounced. It was like sitting amongst a herd of elephants.

Then, because I had read on this site many reviews that said the food was just ok and the waiters were terrible (yes Joe's and Axe were booked and we had to stay on Abbot Kinney)- I was persistent to even get our order in. I must say the best part of the night were the polite and attentive bus boys- but unfortunately the maitre-de and our waitress were as expected: the maitre-de claimed we had no reservation (try getting in any where on Abbot Kinney before 9:30p without one) until finally I found my name on his log... I had asked our waitress for a glass of HOUSE white wine- she described some blah blah blah french wine and I asked again- is this the HOUSE wine? I was assured yes- got two VERY small glasses of wine (1/2 the size of the water glasses) then got the bill for $15 each glass. I made sure to take the over priced "house" wine out of her tip. Side note- my friend who had ordered a cup of coffee with her dinner was not offered ONE refill all night- I suppose that was because they didn't charge $15 a cup. When I finally asked for a fresh cup, our classy waitress brought the entire huge thermos to our table to splash in a 3 hour old re-fill.

Unfortunately the reviews were right: atmosphere has no soul, the FLOORS shook all night and the wait staff pounded past the tables, the waitress was a shyster, and the food was forgettable. Next time Joe's and Axe are booked and you have $95 to spend on a bowl of pasta, dinner salad, a piece of fish, two glasses of wine and a cup of coffee... go to Main Street.

02/01/08

Disasterous Service!!! So-so food. Skip it!

by Fooditude

In a nut shell: The watier forgot us, then forgot to submitt our order, then forgot our order, then forgot to submitt our order, then forgot to submitt our order a third time!! When we were ready to leave the waiter offered to comp us a dessert. When we passed (we had already been sitting for 3 hours) he brought us our check. Nothing was comped - not even our coffee!!! Skip it & go to Joe's or head down to main street. Maybe it was an off day, but even so, the food was only so-so.

• Pros: Nice location & great space
• Cons: No service, food not great

12/04/07

Not Worth it

by georgesue

Well on the whole Lilly's was not worth it. First the staff was cold and disorganized, the food was fair to poor. The appetizers where weak, escargot lacked flavor, the lobster bisque had no lobster and was more like tomato soup and not good tomato soup. Entrees were a mix; I got the Fillet and it was passable. My wife got the ducks with orange sauce and it was gross and had no flavor. Dessert was especially disappointing as the profitereles were hard as rocks and had a piece of plastic/glass that I almost broke my tooth on. When I showed this to the waiter he didn't even react. They also over charged on the wine, but corrected that when I pointed it out. I my opinion you should save your cash and go to Joe's just next door a little more expensive but vastly better.

• Pros: Back Porch
• Cons: Everything else

06/30/07

Best Location, Best Service

by realesmith

I went to Lilly's for the first time for lunch. Our server was very nice, pretty and very helpful with the menu (the fact that she spoke French was very helpful). She recommended the artichoke, the Flamiche, the Tuna and the Ribs. Everything was delicious. The service was great and very friendly. My wife and I went back for dinner the same week and had the chance to get the same waitress again. The food was different and even better. Our waitress recommended the wine which was great! Don't miss it!

06/04/07

Great French Food!

by foodkickinfood

I loved Lilly's, the waiters were really cool to us and the food was excellent. You really can't go wrong with the ribeye and bernaise sauce! Decadent, moist and delicious! I enjoyed the wine the waiter suggested.

I think for a date spot, this place is great, it's not too pricy, middle of the road but the value of the food is expensive.

The atmosphere is relaxed and romantic, if you come in right before closing, they will still serve you graciously. Everyone hangs out for a long time after closing and there is no rush, typical French attitude towards food, it's an experience. Almost everyone on staff is French. It's the real deal.

Chocolate souffle was amazing.

I am very picky and it takes alot for me to go online and write a review about a restaurant. I don't normally do it, but I loved this place and I can't wait to return.

02/20/07

Poor service...and poor food

by jakelawler

I will nto be returning to this place. I spoke to the owner before leaving to let him know what a bad experience I had. Truly not worth driving too or wasting an evening at. Wine list- no good, food was salty and or too cold. Wait staff...what wait staff?

• Pros: Trendy locale in Abbott Kinney
• Cons: poor value for your money