There was a time when getting a table at Lilia in Brooklyn felt like trying to get tickets to a sold-out show. The diner behind the YouTube channel @Jamesnu described it this way: “Lilia is one of the most popular and highly revered Italian restaurants in New York City. When it opened it was probably the hardest reservation to obtain in Brooklyn.”
These days, the diner says, it is much easier to get a table. There is a catch for anyone dining alone, though. Lilia does not take reservations for single diners. But the restaurant is accommodating toward walk-ins, so the diner took a chance, walked in without a reservation, and sat down to see whether the place still deserved its reputation.
The answer came with a receipt, and the receipt is part of the fun.
The bill
At the end of the night, the diner said, “It was time for the bill, which totaled 131.74 dollars. But with my tip, I spent almost 157 bucks.” That is a lot for a solo dinner, and the diner was upfront about it. The good news is that the review is full of useful detail about where the money went, and whether it was worth it.
The pasta that made the trip
The highest praise went to the pasta. “That pasta dish alone made my visit worth it,” the diner said. “That was literally the best pasta course I had all year.” For a restaurant famous for Italian cooking, that is exactly the review you want to hear.
The chicken dish also earned a warm mention. “That chicken dish was great, Lilia does chicken very well.” It is a nice reminder that the best thing on the menu is not always the one you expect, and that a kitchen known for pasta can shine with other dishes too.
Dessert was the olive oil cake, which the diner called “a satisfying conclusion.” There was one small thing about it the diner did not love, but the overall note was positive.
The one regret
Every review has a little regret, and this one was the artichoke. The diner was careful to say it was not a bad dish: “I do regret getting that artichoke. Not because it was bad, it was very good, but it wasn’t the best bang for your buck.”
That is an honest and useful way to look at a menu. A dish can be delicious and still not be the best use of your money when the bill is heading toward $131. If you are ordering at a place like this, it is worth asking which plates are the standouts and which are nice extras.
In the end, the diner’s verdict was simple: “Lilia lived up to the hype.” The diner also plans to go back.
Why the small stuff matters on a big bill
There is a lesson tucked inside the artichoke regret. When you are spending this kind of money, the order you place matters as much as the restaurant you pick. A very good appetizer that does not stand out can crowd out the dish you will remember for the rest of the year. The diner learned that the hard way, and shared it so the rest of us do not have to.
It also shows how honest a good review can be. Instead of gushing over every plate, the diner named the best course, praised the chicken, shrugged a little at one appetizer and still gave the restaurant a thumbs up. That kind of balance is what makes a recommendation useful.
How to walk in to a popular restaurant
This story is a good example of how to approach a busy restaurant without a reservation, especially if you are on your own. Here are some practical ideas.
- Check the reservation policy first. Some restaurants, like Lilia, do not take reservations for one person, but welcome walk-ins. A quick look at the website or a phone call can save a wasted trip.
- Go with a flexible schedule. If you are willing to wait a little, or eat earlier or later than the usual dinner rush, your odds of getting a seat can improve.
- Be friendly and patient. Staff at busy places respond well to guests who are polite and understanding.
- Know the full cost. The check here was 131.74 dollars before tip. Remember that the tip adds more on top of the listed prices, and plan your budget around the total.
- Ask what the kitchen is best at. The diner’s favorite turned out to be a pasta course, and the chicken was a pleasant surprise. A server can point you toward the dishes that deserve your money.
- Pick your splurges. Not every plate has to be a showstopper. Choose one or two things you are excited about and keep the rest simple.
It is refreshing when a restaurant that was once probably the hardest reservation in Brooklyn still earns the praise. For one hungry diner and one very good pasta course, this was a case of the hype holding up, and the bill, while hefty, felt like part of the story rather than a complaint.
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