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Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Reviews Still lovin' Lilly's

Posted by Kat Robinson on Tue, Jul 5, 2011 at 9:46 AM

NOODLES FOR SHARING: Cold Sesame Noodles at Lillys Dim Sum Then Some

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NOODLES FOR SHARING: Cold Sesame Noodles at Lilly's Dim Sum Then Some

I haven’t talked much about Lilly’s Dim Sum Then Some in a while… and why’s that? Well, I really don’t know. Seems like I go to Lilly’s to cool my jets, and when I do I rarely think about talking about it.

Which is not right — because Lilly’s is comfort food for a widely educated palate. Fits me just right.

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My dining companion and I visited Lilly’s this week for a light dinner. It was hot. We didn’t want to melt — which is why for once I actually skipped hot tea. Lilly’s always has a great selection.

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We started by sharing an order of Cold Sesame Noodles ($4.99). I could quite honestly eat this by myself and be done, you know. Thin noodles in peanut and sesame dressing topped with white and black sesame seeds, peanut bits and scallions… and served cold. But delicious. I know, it doesn’t sound like all that much, but it is. It’s also vegan friendly, which I know some of you are all about.

These we shared on small plates, using chopsticks

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to divide the bowl. My companion, who hadn’t been to Lilly’s before, found them immensely satisfying.

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We had gone different directions with our entrées. He had chosen the Pad Thai ($12.49), which came stacked with both chicken and shrimp, peanuts and scallions, carrots and rice stick noodles tossed with peanut sauce and topped with bean sprouts. I’ve always considered Lilly’s Pad Thai the best I’ve had in the state; my companion agreed it was tasty but also pointed out the unusual texture. He equivocated that texture with that of etouffee — not unpleasant but a definite departure from the ordinary.

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Kat Robinson

I chose the Spicy Thai Curry with Fresh Basil ($10.99). You can ask for it really spicy, but as it is it’s at the edge of how hot I like things — still enjoyable but with a pretty strong kick. It’s sweet from the coconut milk, peppery and bold. The grilled chicken is nice but I could really just eat the tar out of the sauce and rice — they make the sauce right there, and I have yet to find anyone who can successfully duplicate it.

A side note — I ended up taking more than half my dish home (as did my companion). I had some the next morning for breakfast — cold. I know it may seem weird to you, but there’s something really eye-opening about a nice peppery curry over cold rice first thing in the morning. I think it stirs back to my childhood where sugared rice was an acceptable breakfast choice. Extraordinarily yummy.

I also like that if you have leftovers, the Lilly’s folks will pack it for you in little Chinese boxes to take home. It’s a nice touch.

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We decided to try a dessert. I’ve enjoyed the Coconut Crème Brulee before and was tempted by the special dessert of the day, a coconut sorbet. But my dining companion was very tempted by the Lilly’s Award Winning Wonton Sundae ($6.59). That might seem like a lot for a sundae — but you need to witness it. It’s ice cream between two fried wontons — but that doesn’t really cover it all. The wontons are cinnamon-dusted. There are three scoops of ice cream — vanilla, praline and chocolate — and it’s assembled vertically with a delicious chocolate drizzle. I have never seen anyone take one on by themselves.

It’s a giggle-worthy dessert. I mean, it’s just natural to try to attempt to eat it while it’s vertical. It’s going to fall over at some point, though. So much ice cream. Such nice complimentary flavors. It’s a nice, inspired dessert — and fun to photograph, too.

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Kat Robinson

The best part about Lilly’s, though… is how comfortable it is. It’s quiet and subdued inside, elegant but still somehow casual. It’s a wonderful place to meet someone for a quiet and refreshingly good meal. I always walk out feeling like I’ve experienced something extraordinary.

You’ll find Lilly’s Dim Sum Then Some in the Market Place Shopping Center on Rodney Parham. It’s open every day for lunch and dinner. (501) 716-2700 or check out the website.

Tags: Little Rock, Asian fusion, Lilly's Dim Sum Then Some

        
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Comments (7)

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I love Lily's, but their pad thai the best in the state??? That texture is just wrong...waaaaay too creamy. Although I suppose I was spoiled growing up in Ft. Smith with some small, hole-in-the-wall family Thai restaurants.

Thai Taste (the menu, not the buffet) gets my vote for best pad thai in the area. Now if only they'd open a LR location...

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Posted by Mordy on 07/05/2011 at 10:12 AM

I love Lily's, but I have to agree with Mordy. Their pad thai is more like pasta with a creamy peanut sauce. All of my experience with pad thai, in several other cities I've lived in, has been a brothy or light sauce - usually with more of a fish/catsup taste to it. I love the pad thai at Lily's, but I order it knowing I'm ordering peanut pasta. I can't seem to find ANY authentic pad thai in this town that is worth a damn.

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Posted by ChefsWife on 07/05/2011 at 1:34 PM

Try Saigon on Cantrell.... it is completely awesome with shrimp but truly breathtaking with the tofu. Yum!

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Posted by MaggieM on 07/05/2011 at 3:41 PM

Apparently I need to go back. The one time I visited, I remember the wife and I paying a lot of $ for a tiny bowl of food to split between us. We asked the waiter -"Really? That's it?" And he replied, "yes -enjoy your meal". And we never saw him again. We're not big eaters at all, but we left starving that day. It was a really bad experience, especially since Igibon is right across the street with great Asian food for much less $.

Yet, I always say try every place at least twice. I need to man up and head west to Lily's at least one more time.

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Posted by 50to49 on 07/05/2011 at 5:56 PM

I have to admit that I don't really get Lilly's either. I'm told it's wonderful by everyone, but I've never really liked them that much. Now B-side, I can get into some B-side.

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Posted by Amanda Galiano on 07/05/2011 at 9:50 PM

I love Lily's and make a habit of demolishing the wonton sundae every year on my birthday. I'd skip the pad thai in favor of the heavenly Hong Kong Chicken or else the Korean Bibimbop. Soups are also damn tasty out there.

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Posted by mehetabel on 07/07/2011 at 7:05 PM

IMHO, Thai Taste is really the only place to go for really good Thai in this area. And if you order off the menu, they'll make any dish as hot as you want (I like my Thai hot and they make it scorching :).

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Posted by abbie on 07/08/2011 at 12:30 AM

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