ilili NoMad

We had great brunch food and an attentive server. Very good prices, reasonable. Only one disappointing thing— our table was all with fatty stains and crumbs; we needed to ask to have it cleaned.

We went for Mother's Day brunch and tried the special menu. While everything was good, nothing really stood out. The dishes leaned towards French cuisine rather than traditional Lebanese.<br><br>The beef tartare was a highlight, and the hummus is definitely a must-have.

Everything was outstanding! The Brussels sprouts were the sleeper of the meal. Must have! Fattoush and mouhamara were great starters. Lamb schwarma and sausages were nice proteins for the main course. Goooo!!

We tried variety of dips on the menu and every single one was full of flavor and so well done. The pita was fresh, and the falafel burger really stood out—super satisfying, reservation ahead is recommended and definitely worth trying!

I’m posting this review one year a half later because I’ve been processing this experience and dealing with the paranoia it’s instilled in me. ilili got me feeling suspicious whenever a restaurant seats in the corner or an upstairs room.<br><br>This place clearly discriminates against Asians. I took my girlfriend here on Christmas Eve. A white host greeted us and took us all the way to the back upstairs to a room with all white walls, low ceilings, and no decorations, a place you won’t see in any of the pictures they post of their restaurant. On the first floor, we walked past multiple open tables, only to still be seated upstairs with guess what…one other Asian couple.<br><br>With much effort, because there are no servers or no bar or anything upstairs, I get hold of a waiter and facetiously ask him if we’re being quarantined from the others because it’s all white customers downstairs in the main area and only Asian couples upstairs. I also tell him that I specifically made a reservation here because of the decor and ambience in their main seating area. He assures me that the separation of Asians and Caucasians was pure coincidence, so I request to change our seats to a table downstairs. The manager comes and takes us downstairs but to side area instead, still isolated from the white customers in the primary area I requested. Guess the only other couple in this side area…yup, another Asian couple yet again lol.<br><br>Now I’m incensed. The manager tries to explain himself by stating that the main area tables have already been booked for the night, but I insist on getting a table there due to the fact that multiple tables were still available. I also took the time to get him to see how he would feel if he were in our shoes. Moments pass and the manager returns to tell us that a “booking has been cancelled” in the main area, so we can finally get a seat there.<br><br>The manager then realizes that no one checked in our coats. We were completely unaware they even had a coat check service since the host never offered. For the rest of the night, a female waiter gives us the side eye every time she walks by. And do the entire duration of our meal, no party ever sits down in any of the open tables in the main area. Talk about gaslighting. Then when we finally leave, they struggle to locate our coats because they failed to tag them, leaving us to sort through all the coats to find them on our own.<br><br>We all have our biases. Completely understandable. But once you mess up, it’s your responsibility to do right by the customer. This restaurant fails miserably at hospitality, and making up for their mistakes. Avoid this place at all costs if you’re looking for a place that will treat you with dignity.

Soooo excited to find Kibbeh Nayyeh here - I’ve been craving it for so long!<br><br>Mezze dishes were delicious and easy to share. French Toast was very creative and fun. Fattoush was fresh and flavorful. Would come back here, especially for the Kibbeh Nayyeh.

Great food and great service. We tried a lot of the food as part of their Journey Platters. The lead waiter was very precise about the food order and managed things perfectly.<br>Definitely a place worth checking out.

Overall 4/5<br>Food 3.75/5<br>Ambiance 5/5<br>Service 5/5<br>Value 2.5/5<br><br>Ilili, Lebanese sharing dishes in a fine dining lens<br><br>I was really excited to try Ilili since my husband has been raving about it. There were definitely some hits, but also quite a few misses for us and overall, portions were very small. We ordered 10 dishes for 6 people and still left hungry, so I’d describe this as more of a Lebanese fine-dining experience rather than family-style.<br><br>Here’s what we tried:<br>Rkaykat bil jibneh 4.5/5: The standout appetizer of the night. The cheese pastry roll was flaky, savory, and delicious<br><br>Moussaka 3/5: My first time having Lebanese moussaka, I didn’t realize it’s served cold, and personally, it just wasn’t to my taste preference<br><br>Beef fried kibbeh 3/5: A bit dry for my taste and didn’t quite hit the mark<br><br>Baba ghannou 2.75/5: Not a fan of this hummus, the smoky flavor was too strong for me<br><br>Mixed grill 4.5/5: The meats were tender and well-cooked, but again, portions were much smaller than expected<br><br>Hearth-baked loup de mer 4.75/5: Loved this, almost boneless and beautifully cooked with great flavor even without the sauce<br><br>Phoenician fries 5/5: Some of the best fries I’ve ever had! We loved them so much we ordered a second round<br><br>Kebab kerez 3.25/5: The sauce was too sweet and overpowering for my liking<br><br>Tuna tartare 3/5: Pretty underwhelming and not very flavorful.<br><br>Overall: beautiful restaurant, creative menu, but expect small portions

If you’re craving real Lebanese food, this is the right place. Also, Fabian is amazing ,very attentive and warm. If you want great food and great service, this is the place to go.Chef’s recommendation!!you won’t regret it!

It's hard to think of anything negative about this place. The food was phenomenal. The interior was pleasant. The only detraction was how loud it is. It made conversations difficult but I realize that's not something that can be controlled. I recommend the lamb chops.

Beautiful location, delicious food! Just the flavors you’d expect from mediterranean food. The mixed grill was cooked perfectly. The only thing that wasn’t perfect was service… unfortunately our server Yasmeen wasn’t really friendly. I’d return but ask for a different server.

I just wrapped up the most epic Holiday Luncheon Party from my healthcare staffing company ProMed Staffing Resources at ilili restaurant NOMAD and I'm still buzzing! Jessie Jodet, Private Event Manager extraordinaire, made the whole experience seamless and stress-free. Her professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail are unmatched. We were in good hands!<br><br>Stepping into ilili felt like a holiday miracle: festive vibes, twinkling lights, and a tree that sparkled like magic. The private room was perfection, accommodating our crew of 30 with ease.<br><br>But let's talk food… oh, the food! ilili took us on a delicious Lebanese culinary journey. Creamy hummus, mouthwatering fattoush, crunchy falafel... and don't even get me started on the mains (beef and chicken kebab, halibut on squash purée…YUM!). And those crafted cocktails? To. Die. For.<br><br>The service was top-notch, too. Carlos, our waiter, was attentive and friendly, and Jessica, the manager, stopped by to ensure we were all having a blast.<br><br>If you're looking to book your next company event, you know what to do. ilili NOMAD is the place to be. Jessie and the team will make sure you and your guests have an unforgettable time.

I had a fantastic experience at this Lebanese restaurant on 5th Avenue in New York. The food was absolutely delicious and full of authentic flavors and perfectly prepared. The cozy atmosphere made the whole meal even more enjoyable, creating a warm and inviting space to relax.<br><br>The service was outstanding as well. The staff were attentive, friendly, and made sure everything was perfect from start to finish.<br><br>Highly recommend this place if you’re looking for great Lebanese cuisine in the city!

One of the best Lebanese restaurants I’ve had! Beautiful presentation and amazing flavors. I’ve tried many Lebanese spots across the US, but this is the only place with a perfect tabbouleh! Fresh, balanced, and authentic. The grape leaves were delicious too, but strangely both dishes weren’t listed on the menu (thankfully we asked the waiter, who was super friendly and helpful). Great vibes, great food, highly recommend!

Came here for Restaurant Week and it’s a perfect choice! $60 dinner with pretty generous portions! The ambiance is gorgeous and mysterious, look at that stunning wall draping from floor to ceiling! Service was good, our server would check in just often enough so we could also thoroughly enjoy the meal and friendly company. The food was so delicious, and the chilled Lebanese wine was very refreshing and really hit the spot on such a humid and musty day. The sommelier who came to our table to describe the flavors/notes was very engaging, helpful, and personable.