LILY’S MAXIM

Good Pan-Asia Food - which would deserves a way better service

For a family visit 3 of us decided to follow a local tip to Lily’s in Basel. Its easy to reach via foot, quite central in the pedestrian zone, next to a cinema. Is accessible for wheelchairs which is nice.

The restaurant design is quite open with minimalistic wood furniture and large tables and benches. This concept is sometimes interrupted with clear plastic screens based on the pandemic. There is an open kitchen in the corner where you can see the staff preparing the food.

When you enter the restaurant, a staff member will check your vaccination reports and IDs and after that will lead you to the assigned space. And there the problem starts - let’s talk about the rude elephant in the room: The working staff member was very annoyed and rude, in his behaviour, manners and way of speaking to guests. As we recognized from the people before us - it was nothing personally. Just overall bad JuJu. So we took it, also as it was clear that we wouldn’t be served by him. Our direct server was quick with us and super friendly. But also, as I assume, quite new, ‘cause some of the workflows took some times or were missed (at least when the food arrives, we would also need cutlery (which I organized then after minutes of waiting on my own ). The whole time while we were at Lily’s the whole server crew was the biggest let down in the restaurant. Other servers were rude in requesting space and way - sorry that a wheelchair doesn’t disappear spontaneously into thin air. They made visibly fun of other guests, one couple was even asked to move from their assigned space to make room for other clients, and were then forgotten and no longer served. The guests next to us were so harshly ignored that at the end 3 different parties tried to get some attention from the staff, and we all didn’t succeed. There were some serious guests vs. staff bonding energies happening. And overall the main entree handler, who was running through the crowd, hissing and frowning like a Slytherin, at all guests and obviously very unhappy about the situation. This service overall made the whole visit cringeworthy - and distracted everyone from the quite good food. From beginning to the end, as we waited over 20 minutes after finishing up, just to be able to pay and leave. And all of that in an not overcrowded venue.

The food and drinks are the complete opposite: The very creative menu offers amazing dishes for all different ways of tastes and way of nutrition (meat centered, vegetarian, vegan). From the fresh and self-made ice teas to the curries, dumplings and seasonal dishes - everything we consumed was great. Tasty, good seasoned and better as expected.

The cooking crew should really demand the service team to step up their game a lot - then a recommendation could be given. And till then: order for take out and enjoy the good food at a more friendly place.