It was just by chance that I stopped at Lilly's Bistro in Louisville for dinner. My intention was to eat at Palermo, but I didn't have a reservation and couldn't get a table. Instead, I decided to try Lilly's based on a reader's recommendation. It was the most expensive and longest meal of my life, but it was by far the best meal I've ever eaten.
The Experience
Lilly's doesn't look like a fine dining establishment from the outside. After my plans to eat at and review Palermo were thwarted by the fact that I hadn't made a reservation, I had to make a quick decision as to where I was going to eat dinner. We had passed Lilly's on the way down Bardstown Road to Palermo, and I remembered that a reader had recommended it in the forum as her favorite restaurant in Louisville.
The last thing I imagined when I looked upon the vinyl window awnings and neon restaurant name sign was that Lilly's would be a fine dining establishment. However, the second I walked through the door I knew my assumption had been wrong. Everything from the hostess who offered to hang our jackets to the detailed placement of the silverware and glasses on the table screamed that the owners of Lilly's know what they're doing.
The Food
Lilly's Bistro has a different menu every week. The chefs use locally-grown produce, so the dishes evolve with the changing seasons. Lilly's has four different menus: a lunch menu, a dinner menu, a dessert menu, and a wine menu. Both the lunch and dinner menus offer appetizers and entrees, including soup and salad choices. The average cost for an appetizer is $8.
The lunch entrees are lighter and less expensive than those on the dinner menu. Chicken, fish, and pork are popular lunch ingredients. The average cost for a lunch entrée is $11. The dinner entrees are heavier and more expensive, with options like duck, lamb, veal, and beef. The average cost for a dinner entrée is $28.
The Service
The service at Lilly's is fabulous. The restaurant is fully staffed at all times with hosts, servers, bartenders, and even a bread and water busser. Our server was so attentive that I could have sworn he was hiding around the corner waiting for the perfect moment to approach and wait on us. He was at my table within moments anytime I needed his assistance with anything. The hostess was also a pleasure to work with both on the phone and in the restaurant. She offered to hang our coats as well as made sure we were offered the table we most preferred.
Review
I was slightly taken aback when I realized that Lilly's was a fine dining establishment – my husband and I had decided to eat there on a whim on our way to the First Friday Trolley Hop. We were dressed for chilly, rainy weather and a lot of walking, so, needless to say, we didn't have the appearance of two people who were going out for a meal at an exceptionally nice restaurant. So, when we entered Lilly's and realized that we were likely horribly underdressed, I'll admit that we were both slightly embarrassed.
I ordered the Alaskan Halibut & Sautéed Shrimp Gremolata. My halibut was cooked to perfection – it fell apart to the touch of my fork and melted in my mouth like butter. The Black Olive Gnocchi was almost like a dessert in itself, and that's coming from someone who hates olives. My artichokes were the best I've ever tasted – they had none of the overpowering sourness or sogginess that you get when you order artichokes from most restaurants. In fact, they were crisp and somewhat sweet.
My husband had the Duck Two Ways. He was hesitant to order it because he'd tried duck several times before but never really cared for it, but I talked him into it so I could try it for myself. He was thrilled when he tasted a bite – that duck was better than the best steak I've ever had. In fact, we both agreed at the end of the night that it might have been the longest and most expensive meal we'd ever eaten, but it was by far the best food we'd ever had.
Recommendations
- Alaskan Halibut
- Duck Two Ways
- Dumante Dream
Pros
- Delectable food
- Outstanding service
- Fresh ingredients
- Parking lot
Cons
- Price – We paid $100 for two entrees, two glasses of wine, and two dessert drinks.
