Lilly's

Lilly's

Food

Service

Atmosphere

Lilly's looks like any other anonymous restaurant front, except for the hungry families and groups of friends hovering eagerly for tables. We waited 50 minutes for a table for two on a Friday night – if you’re in the mood for delightful food it's a good idea to call ahead. Its popularity will likely continue to grow – while waiting I overheard several variations of the phrase, “I hear great things about this place.” 
An "authentic Cuban mojito" – tangy and refreshing, garnished with a bamboo stalk – helped pass the time. The bar features a selection of 30+ South American and Spanish wines, all reasonably priced, an array of beers  and a handful of cocktails – mainly of the colorful sort served in martini glasses that cause so much consternation among the “authentic martini” set. 
The menu features a dozen starter options, and an extensive selection categorized under salads, sandwiches, chicken, pork, beef, vegetarian and seafood items make up the main course offerings. Additional tempting fare includes sides such as sweet potato fries, yucca, plantains and black beans and desserts like flan and Cuban bread pudding. 
We chose Ceviche del Dia as our tapas. The appropriately restrained use of cilantro delivered a nice bite to the citrus marinated shrimp. My main dish, Camarones al Ajillo, arrived in the form of a clay pot of sizzling shrimp flooded with garlic, lime juice and olive oil. It was flavorful and satisfying, as was the Amarillo. The sweet plantains were nicely caramelized, also. 
The service was reasonably quick and attentive, especially considering the brimming dining room. Though we were both too full to consider dessert (I saw many take-home boxes leaving with diners so we weren’t alone), I chose a luxuriously rich Cuban coffee which rounded out the meal nicely. 
I’d return to Lilly's for the friendly vibe, garlicky shrimp and, yes, that mojito