Lillie's Victorian Establishment — Restaurant in New York

I’m really upset having to leave a review like this for a place that I’ve typically liked, but our experience was terrible.

I made a reservation on Resy for two people at 8pm on a Friday. On the Resy, I selected that it was for a birthday and even specified further in the notes, that it was for my daughter’s 15th birthday and if they could please bring out a candle when she ordered her dessert (pictures below). I’ve used Resy at a previous job and I know that it will show a little birthday cake icon if you’ve selected that option and the notes will also pop up on screen when you’re checking to seat guests. I also put down that I was gluten free.

We were seated all the way at the back of the restaurant in what I can only describe as the worse table in the place against the fireplace in the middle of three large groups (two people were even standing chatting by our seats when we were led there) even though there was a nice table along the wall. I thought maybe they needed to leave that for another reservation as it was a four top, and although I made a small comment about the location and size of our table, I didn’t ask if we could move so that’s on me. No one sat at that table for the entirety of our meal until we were ready to leave at 9:50 - they were a party of two.

It took awhile for someone to come to us to place our order - we both ordered an appetizer and an entree. Mine came out with bread on it and my daughter had some of it (I had ordered the burrata - it was very good) but I had said I was gluten free and no one asked if we had any dietary restrictions.

The rest of our food was good. I ordered the sea bass and she ordered the gnocchi - mine was delicious and hers was a bit too heavy on the truffle, but she still enjoyed. Our dessert came to the table without a candle or anything and I wanted to cry. I make sure my girls have a candle every single year to blow out on their birthday. It’s a tradition that I take them out on their birthday to a restaurant day of one on one and not once have we not had a candle except for yesterday. She said it was okay, but I told the server and she apologized saying the hostess never told her anything. She came out with a candle in a glass of ice and I wish it ended here.

When we asked to have the rest of our food to go (we were full), I assumed the kitchen would take care of it. The server came over with plastic containers and tried to put them on our table along with our dessert plate - I wish I had taken a photo. I jokingly laughed and said there was no room, but she seemed intent on fitting them so I had to pile everything on top of each other, in front of her with no offer of help, and moved things to the mantle above us so we could pack our food. Not a big deal, I just thought a halfway decent restaurant would do it for you and we literally had the smallest table and no room so we just laughed and made it work.

We had been given water for the table (there was no room I don’t know why she tried to give us the bottle, it was quite awkward) so I placed it on the fireplace above us and although we were using it, a bus boy or server came up to us when we had just been served dessert, and I quote, “I’m just gonna steal this” and proceeds to reach directly in front of my face and take our water. Didn't ask if we were done with it and our dessert was still in front of us.

When we finally get the check and walk out, I said thank you and take care to the hostess who kept her eyes toward the bar and didn’t say a thing.

It’s so upsetting because I’ve been to this place before for the bar because it’s always so pretty, especially during Christmas and never had an issue at all. I’ve also been to the one farther uptown without any problems, but had never sat for dinner. I specifically chose this place because of how beautifully decorated it is during the holidays hoping they’d still be up for my daughter’s birthday; Christmas is her favorite time of year and has always loved over the top decorations. Her day was...

We visited the Times Square Location last year around the holidays and when we realized we would be staying so close the Union Square Location this time, we were very excited to book a dinner here. It was a lovely evening.

It was a dark and rainy March evening when we started to make our way for our reservation. Our car got stuck in traffic numerous times and I was afraid we would be late! Lucky for us, we arrive exactly one minute past our reservation time.

We were greeted by a very stern looking young man asking for our IDs and quickly presented them - I was proven totally wrong when the young gentleman returned them with a sunny smile and welcomed us to Lillie's :D

We were quickly greeted and lead way into the back of the restaurant to be seated at the best table in the restaurant! We had a perfect view of all the decorations, the tin ceiling and the other tables. This restaurant (much like the Times Square location) is buzzy and bubbly and people come here to have fun and interesting cocktails and great food.

It is beautifully decorated and I'm not going to say anything more about that, as it should be experienced to understand how wonderful it is.

Our server was excellent - greeted us, got the low down on how we'd like to proceed (cocktails first, then apps and then wine and mains).

As usual, my husband had a vodka martini with olives as his cocktail and, although I don't drink rum often, I do have a love of the "Dark ad Stormy" cocktail, so was very intrigued to try the "Light and Snowy", which is a reimaging of the classic. I have to tell you, it was lovely and looked beautiful in my glass as well, I'm so happy I ordered it! It was gingery and limey and perfectly complimented my app :D

My husband ordered the Arancini to start, as it's one of his favourite things and he rarely gets to have it and I ordered the Salmon Tartar (one of my faves). We agreed in advance to sample each other's dish, as they both looked so good.

Yum! My salmon tartar was fresh and acidic and wonderfully balanced, I realize that it might have been an odd choice for a cold, wet evening, but it was so lovely that I forgot about the weather. My husband's arancini was perfect - rich and cheesy and the sauce it was served with was perfectly seasoned.

Lillie's has a very brief wine selection but it is well- curated.

Unfortunately, it was not our lucky night as the wine by the glass selection we made was sold out so we quickly pivoted to our back up choice. No shade, even though the selection is brief, it's solid and we were very happy with our back up.

For my husband, it was Steak Frites all the way for his main. Perfectly cooked, as to order and I know he loved every bite.

For me, it was the grilled salmon. I realize that I ordered salmon-salmon for my dinner, but I do love salmon and both were excellent.

Due to the portion size, I was unable to finish my main, but that is more about me than about the portion size. I'm happy my husband enjoyed tasted my salmon and mashed potato (he enjoyed it) but I was sad to see leftovers on my plate.

Our server was professional and attentive without being overbearing or making us feel like we were a nuisance. We had a couple of bumps - like our original wine selection not being available - that our server was able to address and resolve immediately. We appreciate the super fast resolution!

We will absolutely return to Lillie's Union Square to spend more time here. I love having Afternoon Tea, so I hope we can make that work on another visit. We'd also really like to return to dinner here too. Also...

Been many times, and come here with friends that live in NYC. Lillie's is great for Christmas decor, but nothing spectacular to say it's a must visit outside of holiday pop up bar, and apparently NOT known for service. Try Oscar Wilde etc. for the fun decor bar experience. I am so sad our evening was tainted by choosing to dine here, hopefully saves someone else. I'm sure they will have their excuse in response here, but there is absolutely no excuse of this type of dining experience or disrespectful wait staff. We didn't deserve this treatment, and I hope the GM takes this to help this place DO BETTER.

My reservation for 3 was at 6pm Sunday 2/16/25, Broadway show starting at 8pm. I do also believe this is a place where you only have 1.5 hours to have your table? Waiter came by 15-20 minutes after we were seated...Another 20 minutes went by, what I ordered or the waiter, or anyone has been by to check on us. It's 6:40pm now I saw the water waiter, I asked if can flag down a waiter to help us. Next up was the waitress, I asked if we can order with her we haven't seen our waiter, asked about my drinks and apps, and ordered 2 more drinks for my mom and sister. She said let me go check. Another 20 minutes goes by until we get what we ordered at this time we can't even risk ordering an entree, surrounding tables received service but our table was completely ignored. I looked up our initial waiter walking around hanging with other waiters, and sat down 2 tables in front of us to eat no care in the world, he deliberately left his table unattended, ignored us and left us hanging the entire night! THAT IS NOT OK and the waitress, she seemed annoyed having to take our table, she just wanted to get through it. I finally flagged her down almost 7:30pm now to get our check. This was not a busy night as leaving 40% of the restaurant and bar was empty (usually packed, again no excuse). Many other things I can note here but bottom line unfortunately REGRET even leaving any kind of tip, REGRET we didn't leave after 20 minutes, and completely REGRET this experience I was excited to give to my mom and sister first time visiting - it left such a bad taste in our mouth that it hindered the night based how bad we were treated. We could have chosen so many other establishments but I always make it a point to come every time I visit. I have not had this kind of disrespect before, but this time was enough to never want to come again and leave the review to warn others. I would think the goal for this establishment is to give visitors a good experience, as people come here from around the world to spend time and money at your place than every other option we have on each street of NYC.

My "highlight" of experience Ignored for 20 minutes after seating, NOT OK. Receiving the 1 appetizer and 1 drink 30-40 minutes after sitting down, while still trying to order for other 2 at the table is NOT OK. Getting 2 other drinks and the other appetizers almost an hour later, NOT OK. Not able to have time to order a meal and rushing through to get something before a show, NOT OK. _ Continue to look for a waiter to come help us, anyone we can try to get their attention, NOT OK. Waiter purposefully ignored our table, 20 minutes after taking my drink order never showing up again and when I saw him hanging out with his co workers he sat down to eat himself and completely left his table hanging? I HAVE NEVER seen this before, NOT OK.

DO BETTER Lillie's Victorian...