A cool, local Louisville restaurant with interesting & tasty food, great wine and outstanding service. Â I had the pork tenderloin dinner (Celebrate the Hog) with a nice Malbec wine to accompany it. Â Great flavor for both! Â The price is a little high and there was a foul, bathroom-like odor when you come in. Â But if you can handle that, you should have a nice time.
Review Source:Great service and atmosphere. We took our time and enjoyed cocktails and dinner. Had to send back our first order for super dry martini since it was awash in vermouth, but the next round redeemed themselves. We started with the Bibb salad and sweet potato soup. Salad was fresh with a really nice balsamic reduction and figs. The soup was amazing and surprisingly broth based, not cream based. We asked the server and she said that they make almost all their soup with broth instead of cream, which is a really nice reprieve from most of the overly creamy/heavy soups I come across in restaurants. My fiancé ordered veal with a  mushroom cream sauce served over pasta. I personally didn't care for it since the sauce almost tasted a little like mayonnaise to me(I hate mayonnaise). He felt it was above average but not stellar. I had the special which was a lightly dusted cod(cornmeal) over a fried green tomato and wild rice. The fish was really good and not too greasy of a frying, the grains were cooked perfectly. I'm not a fried green tomato fan, but it was prepared well with light breading. We did not have dessert, just some coffee. I didn't think their coffee was very good, a bit stale tasting. Overall, a nice relaxing evening with prompt and attentive service. The food was above average. I would go back for another special evening especially with a rotating/seasonal menu.
Review Source:Was exploring Bardstown Road and stumbled across this place as they were nearing close. We didn't want to eat, only a place to rest our feet while having a drink and even though they were wrapping up there was one couple at the bar and they along with the owner welcomed us in. Everyone was friendly and informative and the bartender was also an excellent host. We ended up staying well past close and learned about some of the history of the area while enjoying the Van Winkle Rye. They were closed our last day in town so we did not get to try the food but strictly based on the friendliness of the owner and the staff we will definitely dine here the next time we're in town.
Review Source:I was looking forward to this place, especially based on the reviews and checking out the menu. The food was just okay. Everything was cooked correctly in terms of temperatures, however due to the portion sizing of the meats (pork chop and lamb shank), the meats didn't jive well with the sauces and sides they were presented with. Crab cakes were a little bland and the chocolate lava cake had nothing special about it. All the food was good, but there was nothing spectacular about it, nothing that would lead you to say to good friends or family coming into town, "hey, we really need to go check this place out!" On an up note, the cocktails we ordered were really good (Hot Buttered Cider Rum and Clouded Flower).
Review Source:It's a similar concept to places like Harvest that seem to have a bit more hip appeal but Lilly's has apparently been doing it for a long while.
Atmosphere: Unlike many other places that have cropped up in recent years and are doing farm-to-table and are very contemporary feeling, Lilly's has a different vibe. The wild colored paintings and almost kitschy but still classy artwork on the walls amidst the fine dining table settings paired together makes me feel like they're trying to be fun and casual but they still want to serve refined food. Great. I totally support the accessible vibe they're going for while still maintaining a sense of being upscale, especially for dinner. But I just can't take a Saturday lunch that seriously. Service was just pretty stiff.
Food: Burgers are a great deal here for lunch, but that deal comes with a messy price to pay. My meal cost under $10 and for a local and grass fed burger on a pretzel roll with some wonderful toppings and stuff, you know melt in your mouth kind of stuff that you find on burgers at upscale places. It's divine, order it. I even recommend it despite the insane mess it will cause you. I pride myself in eating pretty neatly and let me tell you, this burger needs a fork and a knife. The bun is a little too small to hold everything in there and there is just soooo much juiciness to everything. It wasn't just the burger either, my boyfriend's pork sandwich was the same way. Mess and all, the food is top notch. I just wish the atmosphere and service was a little more relaxed to go along with that.
Why I'll be back...to try the seasonal winter warmer cocktail menu!
I have been wanting to go to this place for a while and it did not disappoint! Â I love the quiet, low light atmosphere and the food was very good. Â I would give Lilly's a 4.5 stars but I chose the 4 over 5 because I'm a bang for your buck kind of guy, and while the food is very good, there are many other places with very good food that are much cheaper! Â This place is definitely worth checking out though at least once!
Review Source:So, I'd heard many good things about this restaurant. Â Being on Bardstown Rd, with alot of nearby competition, I was excited to dine here. Â We went last night for my birthday dinner. Â
The food itself was fine - although you have SO many choices on that street that I didn't find the food to be esceptional. It was good, prices were reasonable for what we ordered. Â I will not be adding to my list of "go-to" places however, nor would I bring clients there to dine.
Our waiter was excellent - he was not obstrusive, was helpful about the menu choices, etc.
I would have to agree with Liz W's description - the place is totally outdated.....it smelled old. Â It totally reminded me of a place that was really great in the 90's and there's defintely a crowd there that hasnt let it go.....but in all seriousness, if they want to compete - and there is a lot of competition, they are going to have to do something (starting with the interior) to change things up a bit. Â While it was clean, its dark and drab.
What  disappointment. When we lived in Louisville 15 years ago, Lilly's was IT. Kathy Cary did locally-sourced farm-to-table food before such a thing was cool, and she did  it very well. When a friend suggested that we try Lilly's lunch during our visit this week, we jumped at the chance. The shabby awnings and outdated dining room were tip offs that if we were meeting Miss Havisham for lunch, this would be the right place. The octogenarian lunch set, using walkers and oxygen, were the next clue that Lilly's might have seen better days.
There were approximately four other tables when we entered, yet this was apparently too much for the two servers, one busboy, and one hostess to handle. Our waitress said she'd "be right with us" and then promptly disappeared for 20 minutes. Then another server told us again that she would "be right with us," which she most certainly was not. When she finally did attend to us, she was awkward and stiff.
We had by then had quite a long time to peruse the menu, so we were ready to order two bib salads, a pot pie, and the fried oysters and grits. After some time, the waitress reappeared to awkwardly tell us that the chef had "checked on the pot pie and decided they would be unable to serve it today." That sounded...bad. But we forged ahead and ordered the pulled pork sandwich instead. The bibb salads appeared, with leaves piled loosely on the plate. While this was fresh and serviceable, it was nothing special, and could have used a little more dressing. Quite a long time later, our entrees appeared. The fried oysters with their grits and sauce and crispy onion straws was quite a special dish. The pulled pork was not. Not bad, but not memorable in any way.
The entire experience was awkward and shabby. I felt like we had wandered into an upscale nursing home dining room, and that the entire staff and clientele were just waiting for us to leave. This was very disappointing, because my memories of Lilly's were so good. Louisville has so much to offer in the way of good food now, there is just no reason to waste a meal here.
Last night my wife and I dined here while on a short visit to Louisville. It was one of the most delightful dining experiences we have had. The chef  does an outstanding job of preparing creative dishes that bring together an array of flavors. The flatbread appetizer is a great start. They change the toppings nightly. Ours had bbq pork, pineapple, roasted peppers, blu cheese crumblings,and a red onion marmalade. We moved from that to a bibb salad with a pecan pie vinegar-ate that was unreal. Our entree was a grilled striped bass with a fried green tomato and corn pudding. All was fabulous. The service was outstanding. The team really took pride in ensuring we were pleased. To top it off they have an outstanding bourbon list and serve some flights which give you an opportunity to enjoy a variety. And to end the night they serve fresh French press coffee. We surveyed other dishes being served and all looked fabulous. I would highly recommend this establishment if you are in Louisville.
Review Source:We were only in Louisville for three days as a micro-vacation and wanted to eat well. I looked at a lot of restaurants before settling on Lilly's. We went for lunch as they seemed to have a rather inspired lunch menu, unlike a lot of nicer restaurants which tend to phone it in. The restaurant was fairly full, but we were seated right away. Our waiter had more southern charm than one could ever ask for. He was very nice, but not intrusive at all. I ordered the hamburger and a bowl of the chilled celery curry soup. The soup was interesting. There was a depth of flavor that I didn't expect with a chilled soup. It was certainly tasty and I ate it all; however, I think I realized that I don't love chilled soups. It was like 110 degrees outside, so it fit the bill. The hamburger was the best I've ever had. Cooked just the way I asked and again with a ton of flavor. The meat was from a local farm, which I wish I could remember the name of, so that probably had a lot to do with it. My wife ordered the blue fish and couscous, which she also really enjoyed. I don't eat fish, so I can't vouch for it. Maybe the best part of the whole lunch was the dessert. We ordered the macaroons with lemon curd. Holy cow. The macaroons were very almondy. When trying to split them in half the seemed to be a bit chewy, but that was far from the truth. They melted in my mouth (hehehe) when I ate them. The lemon curd was also fantastic. All in all, this was one of the best meals I've ever had and I like to think that we eat pretty well. I can't give this place high enough praise. If you are in town, it would be my first suggestion.
Review Source:I had food here a few years ago, can't tell you exactly what I had or what's in it. But years and years later and I still think back on the food with feeling of great fondness and satisfaction. Â I think they were one of the few restaurants that offered fresh local produce before it became cool. Nice place for a date, great atmosphere and staff. A bit on the pricy side but definitely worth it.
I do remember the strawberry ice cream, it was honestly the best I've ever had. Made with the freshest strawberries with just enough sweetness to make it memorable.
Oh, my, were we ever delighted by the vegetarian selections at Lilly's Bistro! Â It's definitely not a vegetarian restaurant as it offers plenty of meat dishes for those who want them....but, for those who don't, the Valdala onion and potato soup was an amazing start, followed by the arugula salad with goat cheese, then a course of the black bean wontons and finished with the Local Farm Plate of roasted veggies and Israeli couscous! Â Every bite of this meal was just a burst of amazing flavors and textures in the best portions for sharing several courses and trying a wide variety of items on the menu. We loved that so many seasonal and local items were included in the unique menu creation. Service was friendly and attentive without being snooty or overly attentive and bothersome. We appreciated the staff's willingness to let us share dishes and to not push us to order all our courses so that we could pace ourselves and not get too full. Â We didn't feel at all rushed and enjoyed having each course served in a leisurely manner for our ultimate enjoyment. Â Next time we are visiting Louisville, we will plan to stop by for another delicious meal at Lilly's!
Review Source:This is one of the great restaurants not only in Louisville, but in the entire Midwest.
We have had multiple meals here, at lunch and dinner, and they have never disappointed.
The meats and vegetables are fresh and local and the preparation and service are top notch.
If Lilly's were located in my town, I would definitely be a regular.
Holy belt loops, Batman; this food is good enough to eat!  After a disappointing lunch at our previously favorite greasy spoon, we drove by Lilly's on the way to our hotel.  With thoughts of nuked fried chicken still lingering from lunch, we were thrilled to discover  a L'ville gastronomical wonder. Holy cow, the veal was good enough to make a PETA protestor cringe. The Bibb Salad bleu us away with a flavor combination of aged cheese, sweet pecans, and citrus.  Service was the envy of Mr. French (look it up, mi amor),  Dazzling Derbies, this place is a winner!
Review Source:A good friend of ours who is a true and trusted foodie recently sent us a gift certificate to Lilly's for my birthday. My husband and I are new in town and we knew our friend would have done her research before purchasing such a thoughtful gift (she takes her dining seriously!). We just knew would be in for a real treat. And what a treat it was!
We went on a Tuesday night and the restaurant was a little quiet but that didn't take away from our awesome dining experience. The food, wine and service were fantastic! I loved how the menu is so seasonal and our friendly & knowledgeable waiter told us that Lilly's was practicing "farm to table" cuisine way before it was trendy. Well the proof was in the pudding! I had the beef tenderloin which was cooked perfectly and served aside, mashed turnips, brussel sprout hash and mushrooms marsala. Delish! My hubbie had the rack of lamb over cheesy grits and spinach. He loved his dish so much that I thought he was going to like the plate! We finished the night off by sharing a dessert. Crème brulee served in a puff pastry which was quite unique and tasty.
The ambience is unassuming which made us feel comfortable. We will definitely go back (soon I hope!)
I was in town on business, looking for a good place to eat that was not so pricey it wouldn't fit my business budget. I am so glad I found Lilly's on Yelp. After making reservations on Yelp, and using the directions to find the place on a rainy night, we walked into the welcoming ambience of Lilly's to find that Tuesday was our lucky night--Lilly's serves  tapas. This allowed me and my dining partner to sample several small dishes, all of which were delectable, without getting that "too full" feeling. And we stayed within budget. A perfect way to end our day!
Review Source:We were in Louisville for a conference and dropped by Lilly's for lunch on a Saturday on our way to the airport.
What a treat and great way to leave Louisville.
During our few days there, we tried everything from a "Hot Brown" forced on us at a hotel banquet to a wonderful, locally sourced meal at Harvest. Â Lilly's was right up there with the best.
The staff was very professional. Â The interior soothing. Â
Yes, I guess that they get some "Ladies who lunch", but it is still a really good meal.
DO NOT skip dessert. Â You will have missed a treat. Â We had bourbon ice cream with bacon crumbles and a bourbon bread pudding. Â Both were scrumptious.
What a treat this place was during my visit in Louisville! I agree with others, Kathy Cary is doing a fantastic job managing this great restaurant, from the moment you walk in, you feel right at home.
All the staff is very polite and knowledgeble; and the food, of course, is outstanding!!! The menu changes here so you may not be able to order some things, they use seasonal ingridients, which is great! Here is what we tried and loved:
- Bibb salad: sautéed pears, local Bibb, toasted pecans - was an absolute delight!
- Duck fat fries - the best fries I had.
- Buttermilk chicken - I was hoping to get a taste of local cuisine, but oh my, this chicken was not just that it was the best chicken I had eating out!!! It was moist, it was flavorful, light, a bit crispy, served on the plate with veggies and mushroom (wild) - I bet this item is not seasonal, I highly recommend you try it!
- We also had trout, this dish was on special, served on the bed of wild rice with spinach - fantastic!!!
- We also tried their home made ice cream - I could not stop eating it, even though I was full :)
They offer a comprehenstive bourbon menu :)
Lilly's will get a Michelin star one day, they deserve it.
Unique menu with good food quality and service. The most annoying thing is the hours so check to make sure they are open before you get you mind set on eating there. Also the prices are a bit high, if they dropped them a little it would be somewhere to go more often than once every few months.
Review Source:Wonderful atmosphere, though a little loud. Â Waitstaff knowledgeable and attentive, paced the meal very nicely by ordering our dishes only when we were ready.
Pate was rich and flavorful, accompanied by a mild mustard (mustard with a little zing might have been even better). Â Scallops cooked perfectly, presented on a bed of lentils n ham. Â Great dish, a little too salty, but a pleasure. Â Wife's veal was out of this world.
My husband and I have been eating at Lilly's for 10 years now--we live in the Cincinnati area, but drive to Lilly's for special dinners like our anniversary, birthday's, etc...so on average, 2-3 times a year. Â We spread this out so that we can take advantage of their seasonal, regional menu offerings. Â
Lilly's has never disappointed us. Â Never. Â The menu is concise, but there is something for everyone. Â I recommend choosing something from each course on the menu, even though you might not be able to walk out. Â We usually order 2 starters, a soup or salad, entrees and then dessert. Â My husband appreciates their bourbon and port menu and usually has that for dessert. Â
I appreciate that Kathy Cary has been doing the farm to table thing before it was "cool" or "green". Â It's just good food sense. Â And that's what Lilly's has mastered: Â An Artful, inspired menu, food that is gorgeous to look at and even better to eat.
Had a really lovely dinner here over the weekend!
The dining room was a good size, and covered with all sorts of local art (which changes regularly). Â We were seated at a great table in a back corner, which was cozy, and gave some privacy. Â The restaurant was full with people waiting by the time we left, so clearly popular.
We started off with two glasses of J Vineyards sparkling wine while we perused the menu and wine list. Â The menu wasn't cutting-edge or even super original, but had some unique spins on common proteins. Â I like how they have a section of "Kentucky Tapas" - a new phrase for me!
We went with the duck fat fries (how could we say no?) and zucchini fritters to start. Â The zucchini fritters were really excellent - crispy outside, tender inside, and served with a dill-yogurt sauce that nicely complemented them. Â The duck fat fries had great flavor, and were served with a dipping sauce that tasted to me like Henry Bain sauce. Â However, they were a little under-done, and so ended up leaving some behind. Â They could have used a few extra minutes of duck fat bath!
We splurged on a fabulous Spanish Priorat, but the wine list has lots of reasonably-priced bottles available (about $30 and up). Â They accommodated our request to have it decanted without hesitation.
Entrees of pork chop and strip steak were both cooked to absolute perfection. Â The side of mushrooms that came with the steak were a little strange and made the dish too earthy with truffled mashers. Â I would have preferred some green beans alongside, or something a little brighter than button mushrooms. Â The hash with potatoes and bacon for the pork chop was really tasty!
Dessert was a very delicious pear cake with buttermilk ice cream (and I might have splurged on a 5 Puttonyos Tokaj which was worth it!).
The service throughout the evening was perfect. Â Very friendly and not too formal, they still got every little thing right, and we left very happy. Â We will be back!
Very nice restaurant that has fantastic service. Â This is one of those little neighborhood classy places that makes you love eating in Louisville. Â We really enjoyed the service, the food and the atmosphere. Â We only had two very small shortcomings. Â My wife ordered her duck medium and it was rare (but edible) and my scallops weren't caramelized (although tasty). Â I'll be coming back for sure.
Review Source:This place is awesome!  Big city execution in a small city environment.  The menu is artistic and creative without forgetting to thank its KY roots.  The fried oyster appetizer with grits was a great southern inspired dish with a delicate sophistication.  The mains were also perfectly cooked with excellently crafted French inspired  sauces.
Review Source:Duck was the theme of dinner.
Thick-cut duck fat french fries.
Delicious duck breast. (My friend's strip steak was really good, too.)
Peach ice cream with biscotti. (I know there's no duck in that.)
Lilly's was definitely one of the best meals I had in Louisville. You definitely get that they care about local, homegrown food, even though the duck is sourced from North Carolina (at least it was that day). I thought that was a good choice though, considering I'm not fond of the texture of inland duck meat.
I was (not so) secretly pleased to have tried all but two of the bourbons on their bourbon list.
And then there was one.
This is one of those restaurants where chic women meet up with their friends for a leisurely lunch. The portions are small and dainty, the artwork tasteful and interesting, and the servers polite.
The menu is not that different from the menu of other environmentally conscious restaurants in any other moderate-sized city, and compared to those myriad restaurants, this one is average. Local produce is part of the appeal (almost every option includes locally grown tomatoes), but patrons who don't care about such things will probably not value this restaurant.
Patrons with large appetites will find themselves unfulfilled, as will people who are on a tight schedule. Patrons who are familiar with this type of bistro may find the menu unimaginative and limited. Patrons who aren't probably find it delightful, given that they meet the criteria of female, chic, and environmentally conscious.
I do highly recommend the flavored teas; the mint iced tea is outstanding.
Lilly's is one of my favorite restaurants in Louisville. As a recent transplant from San Jose, I was used to many restaurants that focused on fresh, organic, and local foods. Lilly's was a FIND! Everything I have had there has been fantastic. Let me preface that, however, by saying that I am a vegetarian. However, my husband is a carnivore, and LOVES the burger. So, that said, there are wonderful choices for everyone.
Review Source:Lilly's was suggested to us by a friend of mine and it was a fantastic treat. Â We were taken to a booth in the middle of a very nice dining room and treated to Southern Hospitality as if we were royalty. Â The menu is creative and Kathy Cary and her staff execute and present it flawlessly. Â She is an annual James Beard Award Nominee and for good reason, this meal was excellent. Â There were many menu items that took advantage of seasonal and local offerings. Â We started with the Bistro Salad Greg's Greens, Roasted Beets, Pickled Onion, Goat
Cheese Fritters, Broadbent Smoked Bacon, Pine Nuts, and Sherry
Vinaigrette. Â We also had a great artisan cheese plate of cheddar, tomme and a fantastic fresh goat cheese. Â
For our entrees, my wife had the Seared Sea Scallops with
Corn & Jalepeno Couscous and Bourbon Smoked Paprika Oil. Â I had the Kentucky Bison Ribeye with grit cake, which was great. Â I love Bison and this was the best steak that I have had in a long time. Â It was also perfectly cooked and juicy. Â We finished with the apple cake desert which was a tasty ending. Â
This was a great meal and we can't wait to return.
I drive across the country twice a year, and finding a restaurant this good is one of the few charms of the trip.
Lilly's would hold its own in any city. Â Nothing too adventurous in the food but expertly prepared, with a few Kentucky wrinkles. Â Fresh local produce and meats. Â Very nice seafood. Â Well-made drinks.
What else do you want?
Lilly's is a gem. The restaurant logo hasn't been fresh since about 1994, but the food is. It's seasonal, mainly local, prepared thoughtfully, presented beautifully.
On our latest visit, we ate an appetizer of fried oysters, green tomatoes, and chipotle aioli. The flavor of the oysters might have been a little lost in the breading, but they were crunchy and delicious and the oysters tasted fresh. All the "Kentucky tapas" we've tried have been quite good, from the chicken empanada to the fries.
Lamb, pork, beef, veal and duck dishes appear regularly on the menu, the preparations shifting with the seasons. I had sea scallops on our recent visit, and they were perfectly complemented by the corn broth and dill butter sauce. Lamb ravioli is another regular favorite, accompanied by grits, a vegetable "linguini" and eggplant. The eggplant was the only thing that didn't work in the dish; it was undercooked, simultaneously crunchy and bland.
As far as dessert, we get stuck every time on either the carrot cake or the caramel cake. The accompanying caramel ice cream is very good. Both are decadent bombs, but there's always a to-go box nearby, and you can feel free to let that enable you to order these excellent desserts.
Louisville doesn't seem to be an adventurous wine city, so any complaint about the wine list requires that perspective. (There's a lot of Fetzer, Mondavi, Ravenswood and Blackstone on restaurant menus around here.) But Lilly's wine list is better than most of the restaurants we've been to in Louisville and we always find something good.
Service has been excellent on all our visits; always attentive, gracious, professional.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Louisville. Â They have a great bourbon selection and quaint little bar. Â The restaurant atmosphere borders on romantic. Â Great place to impress a date. Â The menu has interesting southern gourmet food. Â The free range chicken dish is excellent.
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