A NoMad titan of modern Lebanese cuisine. The muhammara is non-negotiable; the lamb shawarma needs work.
ilili remains a titan of the New York Middle Eastern scene. The atmosphere is grand and the presentation consistently artful, but the kitchen's execution can fluctuate between high-level flavor and underwhelming misses. Here is what the plates told us.
This is the standout of the meal — or, as I'd put it, the Bombay. It is an exceptionally flavorful dip that achieves a perfect harmony between the earthiness of the walnuts and the sweetness of the peppers.
It carries a gentle heat that doesn't overwhelm the palate. If you're visiting for mezze, this is a non-negotiable order.
Visually, the dish is stunning. The octopus itself was perfectly tender and flavorful, and the addition of crunchy almonds provided a much-needed textural contrast.
However, the accompanying sauce felt standard, and the dish overall felt like it was missing a wow factor. It's a good plate, but in a city with elite octopus options, this one didn't quite climb to the top of the list.
Unfortunately, this was the letdown of the evening. While the meat was technically tender and carried a slight char, it lacked the robust seasoning one expects from a high-end shawarma.
The real issue, however, was the sauce — it completely missed the mark, leaving the dish feeling disjointed and ultimately disappointing. The kitchen knows how to cook the protein; it just hasn't decided what to put around it.
A four-pillar framework. One to five.
Order the Muhammara — non-negotiable. The mezze program is where ilili shines. Be selective with the heavier mains.
| Honestly Speaking | 2.75 / 5 |
| Yelp | 4.2 / 5 |
| 4.4 / 5 | |
| The Infatuation | 8.0 / 10 |