Phenomenal restaurant! The chef is innovative and keeps their guests wanting more! The whole dining experience is worth the price tag. Everything, I mean everything, is elevated - which is why securing a reservation is highly prized! The atmosphere, drinks, food, staff and service are 5 star in my book! Highly recommend the Fig Sour libation! read more

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We visited Lilac during our first time in Tampa, knowing absolutely nothing about the food scene and as guests staying at the Edition Hotel. It was our children's first Michelin rated dining experience and I'm so pleased with how everything turned out. I felt like my husband had to do some initial cajoling when he made the reservation over the phone to have them agree to let us order a la carte for our kids, ages 11 and 6. He was informed over the phone that they didn't have duck for my daughter who has a lot of food allergies so they were going to try to get chicken from somewhere else in the hotel. When we got there, our server informed us they do indeed have duck and it wouldn't be an issue accommodating my daughter's food allergies. We were seated in one of the banquettes as a party of four. I'm kicking myself for not catching our main server's name. He was great and attentive. Service isn't pretentious at all. We were the only party with children but we didn't feel like we were treated less. In fact, our server went above and beyond every time in doing things like giving my daughter another Sprite without asking and bringing out extra hash browns cooked in duck fat when we realized she could eat them. Both of our kids loved the hash browns. Our server explained we could do a la carte or the prefix menu for our 6 year old and that it was up to us. Our son isn't the most adventurous eater so we did a la carte for him. There's a bar situated next to the dining area of Lilac. I'm not sure if it's part of Lilac or just the Edition's lobby bar. The bar itself was fully packed when we were seated and the patrons were lively. We could definitely hear noise from the bar but it was more so background noise and didn't affect our ability to have a conversation amongst ourselves or with the server. If anything, it made it easier being our kids' first Michelin dining experience because it wasn't in a stuffy, overly quiet atmosphere. We were also the most underdressed but weren't treated differently. Both my husband and I were in sandals. All other female patrons were in heels. Our kids were wearing crocs. I had a nice but simple short dress on and my kid was wearing her swim team jacket. In our defense, our checked luggage successfully went home to NY and we didn't in the wake of Hurricane Debby cancelling flights. On to the food! We got the optional caviar service (an additional $175 charge). We've had caviar service before but Lilac's version absolutely blew us away. The combination of the osetra, sun dried tomato dip, and hash browns cooked in duck fat was complete perfection. My husband doesn't even like caviar and he enjoyed it immensely. We even broke off pieces of the bread and spread the dip on it to savor the dip more after the caviar and hash browns were gone. The menu is broken down into four parts. The hors d'ouvres, appetizers, entrees, and dessert. You get all four hors d'ouvres and then choose one from the remaining parts for your meal. The caviar service came out before the hors d'ouvres. We were asked if we wanted the kids' a la carte food to come at the beginning of the meal or when we got our entrees. We opted for them to receive their entrees when we got ours. Hors d'ouvres: * Pain Lyonnais It was suggested we enjoy this last. Great, savory milk bread. It was described as their play on French onion soup. We used it to enjoy the rest of the dip that came with the caviar service. * Heirloom Tomato Tartelette It was suggested we enjoy this as the third serving and palette cleanser. The middle of the tartelette was soggy. I was slightly surprised by that. I thought it would've been crispy throughout. A little difficult to pick up because of the soggy middle. * Maine Lobster Feuillantine Suggested that we eat this first or second since it's one of the more intensely flavored hors d'ouvres. Has a nice, satisfying crunch to it. * Poultry Liver Mousse Their play on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Suggested we eat this first or second. My personal favorite but I love liver. Appetizers: * Spice Braised Rabbit We chose it because how often do you get to eat rabbit? Nice, warm flavors. * Black Truffle Tajarin (Supplement 35) Delicious but when is creamy pasta topped with shaved black truffles not? Entrees: * Duck au Poivre Perfect duck breast. Neither my daughter nor I are big on heavily peppered food so I was a little wary. This had just the right balance of pepper. I enjoyed the bits of crispy duck confit. I normally hate carrots but they were delicious. * Colorado Lamb Cotelette My husband said it was one of the best lamb he's ever eaten. It was tender and well cooked. He was asked what temperature he wanted it cooked to. * Australian Wagyu Filet Mignon My son's dish. They graciously made him the filet and French fries. I'm limited on how much I can write so this is the end of my review. Amazing food, great service. I'd wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to anyone. read more

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Once I heard that Lilac got a Michelin Star, I had to come check it out for myself! I had been to Edition several times before, but I had no idea what to expect. I was really shocked to find it was in the lobby of the hotel. Kind of a bizarre ambiance, but I looked past it. Our reservations were at 8:15, but we were not seated until 8:45. Very frustrating considering dinner takes at least 2 hours with all the courses. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. I got the lobster appetizer, salmon entrée, and white chocolate honeycomb dessert. It was good, but my stomach hurt the next day! This was probably a once in a blue moon visit. I don't see myself coming here often due to the large price for small portions. read more

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I've patiently waited to visit this place. The restaurant is beautifully decorated. Our service was excellent. No details missed during our dining experience. Our food was good, but not exceptional for 5 stars. I did not enjoy the hors d'oeuvres. The shrimp cocktail was much better than the tuna tartare was my least favorite of the evening. I ordered the Dover sole and it was prepared perfectly, but the pasta pairing wasn't the best. The short rib was cooked exceptionally well. The soufflé was exceptional. read more

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Beautiful, up-scale, restaurant nestled on the ground floor of the Tampa Edition Hotel. Warmly greeted upon arriving and introduced to the very attentive staff who would be taking care of us this evening. We began with the Edition Lager and a chilled Pinot Grigio. Both drinks were perfect for the meal ahead. We began with a tour of hors d'oeuvres that included Pain Lyonnasi that is a sweet bred soaked in Dijon onion soup. It was sooo good. We also enjoyed a main lobster Fellillantine. It had a little spice but not too much and it was so delicious. For next course we enjoyed diver scallops and Heritage pork belly and octopus. We both agreed that we would order them again. For the main course, we chose the snapper for two it was prepared tableside and was served over spinach grits. The snapper was fresh and cooked perfectly. For dessert there was a choice of four different options. I chose the scotch hot toddy because I don't really like sweet or rich dessert. It was perfect and met my expectations. Can't recommend Lilac more highly. The staff is so attentive and to quote one of our servers, "they want the experience to be magical. Remember when you look at the bill at the end that you just dined at one of Tampa Michelin star restaurants, the food took hours to prepare and a team of 4-5 people just waited on you for 90 minutes. Enjoy! read more

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This place is amazing! The ambiance is modern and vibey in a hotel lobby with a lot of plants around. Service is incredible, Josway was kind and very knowledgeable. We did the tasting menu and it did not disappoint! They were very accommodating of our food allergies/restrictions as well which was very kind. We were stuffed by the end of it all and it was an incredible experience, highly recommend! read more

Service was fabulous. Food good, but only a couple of wow factors. Maybe spoiled by the Michelin star restaurants in San Sebastián at half the cost. The ambiance is a chic emerald green botanical. Open kitchen view. Prix Fixe menu, we did the wine pairing which had some interesting wines. Would need a bit more of a wow factor to go back for the $500+ tab. read more

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I will give Lilac 5 stars for the food. We have been to a few Michelin star restaurants and this is one of the best. Food was delicious and all flavors were well balanced. Also nothing too crazy that you can't eat (have had that at other places). I would give them 4 stars for the cocktails- had two and both were average. The dessert cocktail Baklava Alexander was a bit below average actually. I would give them 3 for the ambiance - the restaurant is in the lobby of the hotel and there is not even a wall to separate it from the rest of the space. Also no table cloths... and the lighting is a bit bright. The service was great, but that is expected at a place like this. Overall we had a great night so that is why I gave them a 5 but a 4 would be fair as well. read more

We came here to celebrate my birthday. Why not celebrate at a Michelin starred restaurant? We had a 9:45PM reservation. As there was a 7PM Lightning game, I received an email and phone call from the restaurant alerting me of the chaos in downtown/Channelside on game nights. The lady on the phone offered to seat us early if we arrived earlier than the reservation time. So... we arrived at 9:20PM, and we were told that our table wasn't ready. We were directed to the very crowded bar. We did find seats, but it was a while before someone showed up with menus, and we were seated pretty much right at 9:45PM, before the drinks showed up. So much for being seated early! The restaurant is very aesthetically lovely. I love the kelly green upholstery and all the gold tones. I was worried about the high ceilings and lack of a wall between the lobby and bar, but I didn't think the restaurant was too loud. Service was fine. There aren't a lot of tables at Lilac, so I think the same 4 waiters served us all. We were adequately cared for, everyone was polite and pleasant, and they did those "high end" things like removing crumbs from the table between courses that one would expect. But it was disconcerting having a different person talk with us every few minutes. Continuity with the same server is a good thing, in my opinion. The cocktails were good. My husband had a mojito, and he said it was excellent. I had the fig sour, and I thought it was very good. We then opted for a bottle of wine rather than the wine pairing. We had a bottle of 1978 Rioja, and it was lovely. The wine list was quite good, and some of the prices were pretty reasonable. The food was... good, but I think my food imagination exceeded what was actually delivered. The shared appetizers were mixed. The carrot tabbouli was complete filler. It did taste of very fresh carrots, but it wasn't especially creative or tasty, and it didn't really match the other appetizers. The smoked grouper was good to me, but my husband didn't care for grouper served cold. I really enjoyed the poultry pate. My husband loved the bread. For our chosen appetizers, my husband had the pork belly and octopus, and he really enjoyed the dish (I didn't get even the offer of a bite!). I had the diver scallops, and they were fine, but the lemon on top made the seared crust soggy. For our mains, my husband enjoyed his shortribs. I had the duck, and I think the crust of the duck could have been seared to more of a crisp, but I enjoyed the flavors in general. The desserts were a highlight. My husband had the chocolate walnut creameaux, and I had the bomboloni. We ended up trading desserts, as he found the chocolate too rich (although he loved the espresso gelato). But I found them both to be a delight. This was an expensive meal. I expected that. I just feel that the food wasn't quite as good as I'd hoped. I've been to many Michelin starred restaurants in Europe and in California. I feel like this restaurant is beautiful, but the service was only so so, and the food wasn't quite as good as I had hoped. I heard that the main chef was off that night, so maybe the execution was not up to regular standards? I'm not sure if I'd return. There are other high end restaurants to try in Tampa. read more

Went here for my daughter's 21st birthday. Everything was perfect. It's right off the lobby but once you are seated it's like being in a private garden. Servers were top notch and the food was delicious. We shall return. read more

We were excited to try this restaurant as they recently got a Michelin star. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with a lot of greenery inside a nice downtown Tampa hotel. We got a reservation fairly easily and were seated at a table. When asked if we could switch to the banquette, it took them forever to get back to us and say it was not possible. They said they had another reservation and we had to be out by 7:30 and they did not want to rush the experience (note: our reservation was at 5:15 and we were our by 7:20). When another couple asked to change tables, they got their request. The food was good and well executed but nothing spectacular. We were expecting more as a Michelin star restaurant. The menu is a fixed 4-course for $150 with optional wine pairing for $80. The best dish was the short rib. Very tender and tasty. Service was good and staff were attentive. Everything was as expected, but nothing wowed us. We didn't get any table side service for cocktails. Staff took our valet ticket at the end to call the car while we were paying. When we got outside, we were told the car was not called yet. Overall underwhelming for a Michelin star restaurant. I wouldn't recommend and wouldn't go back. read more

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I've been there with friends twice within the last year and both times have been exceptional. Located in a lively, bustling, and full hotel lobby wasn't a place I'd imagine eating my first Michelin meal at, but I didn't mind the noise, and I personally love the warm ambiance it lends the dining area. The 4 course meal is $150, and you are definitely getting a lot of bang for your buck. Service is attentive, professional, and friendly. The food was phenomenal. The table side champagne cocktails are amazing, my favorite is the pineapple rum cane sugar one. The wine pairing of 4 glasses was good, not the best pairing I've had, but certainly not bad. read more

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Being among the first set of restaurants in Tampa to earn a coveted Michelin star, I had to come try Lilac. Definitely had a wonderful experience here! Located in the beautiful Tampa EDITION, the place definitely has the ambiance and service of a Michelin star. Loved the view of the open kitchen to see the action of the kitchen staff as each course is plated and brought out to you. Service is excellent, with a lot of care paid to the fine details and the needs of the guest. The food was delicious and well executed. I definitely enjoyed the pace of each dish coming out and felt like the techniques used on preparing and plating the food was really good. However, I do wish the menu pushed the boundaries just a bit more. While an excellent and delicious meal, I hope they can just take that extra step to really push guests to think outside of the box when they experience the meal. But nevertheless, I look forward to coming back again next time :) read more

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Been to many nice restaurants in all the big cities. This food was mediocre at best. Can't remember eating at a worse restaurant honestly. They bring out a bunch of appetizers and the only thing edible is the bread. The appetizer was gross. The snapper entree was not edible and they brought a sauce out for it like ten minutes after served. The dessert was uncooked chocolate cake soufflé dough. Spent a ton of money. Served our own wine. The Sommelier was busy I guess? Also late letting us in restaurant. Pretty much worst experience ever. read more

Lilac - Cold shrimp with no taste - Mediterranean Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Place was great. TBH i went to ebbe a week after lilac and think lilac has way better value, and we had a much better time. Rabbit here was best I've had. Soufflé was on point. Went mid week and yes it's set inside of a hotel but not a real turnoff, service was good and at this level some things aren't as you expect them. Wine paring brought it up to a 5 for me. read more

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Went here for a going away dinner. Everything was fantastic, and the service was super. Our guests don't speak great English, and the staff were extremely patient in explaining the menu to us. The food was amazing, even though the portions were small I feel like there was a great amount of food and I was able to try so many different small plates. We actually didn't end up having much room for dessert. We got a seat right next to the kitchen so it was amazing seeing everything get put together. It's located right in the Edition and the interior is so gorgeous and matched the vibes of dinner perfectly. read more

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The place was beautiful and elegant. The wait staff was very knowledgeable and professional. We didnt get turned off by the bar next to it but we understand how others felt that it could have been situated better especially if you are paying for elegant dining ambiance. We were staying at the hotel so it was just right to try the restaurant. The hors d'oeuvres was not impressive. One piece for each guest and they were mediocre. Nothing exciting really and the bread shouldn't have been part of the hors d'oeuvres... it was just bread with oil and caramelized onion. We had the scallops and pork belly for appetizers and they were delicious. Our entree were the lamb which was cooked to perfection and the short ribs was very tasty. Dessert for us was the chocolate soufflé and it was just okay. We had better ones. It was very firm and was like cake. It was a prix fixe menu for $150... we tried it as it was a Michelin rated but it was just okay or I guess the main entrees were good but the hors d'oeuvres and desserts were a disappointment. They need to improve on these areas. We had the crab beignets at Boulon the next day and Lilac could have served that and would have been better. The staff was great and accommodating, great service ... It was a good experience though in Tampa but not quite what you would expect for a Michelin rated restaurant (food wise and menu selection). read more

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This was my first time here, and I was lucky to experience them receiving their Michelin star when we were there. They offered us free champagne to celebrate. This restaurant is beautiful, but quite small as it's located in the lobby of the edition hotel. The tables are pretty small, unless you're seated in a booth. Everything on the table is pretty crammed especially with the tall lighted candle. We had to end up asking them to take it so we could have more space. This restaurant is a four course pre fixe dinner experience for $125 per person. You get 4 different hors d'oeuvres (appetizers): - Pain Lyonnais: This milk bread with sweet onions and thyme was delicious. I could've ate a whole plate of this bread - Ravioli Monte Carlo - Smoked Grouper Feuillantine - Poultry Liver Mousse For the entrees we chose: - Ora king salmon: The salmon needed flavor and was cooked more on the medium side although I asked for it to be medium well. The blue lump crab was good and gave the fondant potatoes flavor. I would've liked more of this. - petite filet of beef: I was not a fan of the beef tongue salad. This filet needed more flavor as well but the texture was good. Dessert: - chocolate walnut crémeux: amazing all around and the espresso gelato makes it even better - Bomboloni: fluffy donuts perfectly baked with a delicious apple, rosemary caramel sauce and calvados crème Drinks: - TURKISH TEA MANHATTAN: Bourbon, Averna, black tea-infused vermouth - LILAC VESPER: Gin, vodka, blueberry-basil shrub They comped our drinks, since my entrée wasn't to my liking. I'll have to come back and try different entrées next time. read more

Lilac - Turkish tea Manhattan and lilac vesper - Mediterranean Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Michelin star worthy. The testing menu is well balanced and has options for everyone. The evening is not rushed so sit back, enjoy a cocktail and let your taste buds be celebrated. read more

Lilac - Lobster and strawberries - Mediterranean Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Lilac is nestled within the Tampa Edition hotel. The entrance to Lilac felt slightly odd, located next to a bar and pool table- not what I was expecting from a Michelin starred restaurant. Regardless, the restaurant itself is relatively small in terms of tables, one might call it intimate even. I enjoyed all the plants and the lighting, you could actually see and read the menu! The open kitchen added an exciting and interesting dimension to our evening as we watched skilled chefs craft our dishes. The staff was top notch, friendly, and informative. We opted for the prix fixe menu which got us all the hors d'oeuvres, and one appetizer, entree, and dessert each. Of the hors d'oeuvres, the Poultry Liver Mousse was memorable, as it had a nice meaty umami richness that lingered on the palate. The Ravioli Monte Carlo and Pain Lynnais also proved to be culinary highlights. Protip: save the loaf of bread for last, as it arrives HOT. I struggled to find the flavor in the Smoked Grouper Feuillantine. My wife's Marinated Half Main Lobster, though beautifully presented, did not quite harmonize or pair well with the strawberries and rhubarb. However, I did enjoy Heritage Pork Belly and Spanish Octopus. Of the entrées, the Duck au Poivre, was a standout. Its peppery crust/bark with a slightly sweet undertone complimented the duck breast. The crust is extremely pepper forward so avoid it if you don't like the taste of black pepper. On the flip side, my wife's Lamb Chop was just okay with sauces that failed to add anything to the dish. I ordered the Chocolate Walnut Cremeux. The espresso gelato was an delicious even if the edible gold leaf didn't add anything to it. I supposed it looked cool. Although I'm not usually a fan of chocolate desserts, the dark chocolate sponge cake was a delightful surprise, perfectly balanced by the milk chocolate ganache. In the end, Lilac is a place worth experiencing once, perhaps as a special treat or for a memorable occasion. read more

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Food is great. Service leaves a lot to be desired. 8:30 PM reservations. Didn't get seated until 9:10 with drinks finally coming by 9:30 after asking for our drinks. The food is tasty and impressive for Tampa but the service will never get this place stars. Disappointed all around with our $1000 meal for 4. Do yourselves a favor, skip this place and book a reservation for Rocca instead. read more

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This restaurant is one of the 3 in Tampa that received a Michelin star. It was surprising to find it on the first floor right off the bar area. But when you reached the space the decor and plants created an oasis that makes you feel in a private intimate setting. The menu is prix fix but you can add namely the dishes that are for 2. The only dish that wasn't perfect was the spanish octopus. The tail was overcooked so we left 1/2 on the plate. All other dishes were delicious. The waitress was an elevated version of your typical restaurant. She was knowledgeable about the food, and did an amazing job with the champagne cart, she passed by frequently and discreetly kept an eye on our table without hovering. It's worth a visit for a special occasion or if you're a foodie. read more

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Elegant atmosphere. Service was impeccable Food was delicious and presentation was excellent! read more

Service was very good . Food was okay , I expected a lot more for Price point. I won't be back. Ps. The 150 dollar four course - has extra up charge for fish or steak to the tune of 20-30 dollars more!! read more

The food was very different and ambiance is unmatched. It really is a beautiful hotel/restaurant. If you don't have a more mature pallet you will probably not enjoy the food as much. I loved the prix fixe menu. The food was overall very good but it did seem a little over priced for what it was, usually what you can expect at a 5 star hotel. We really enjoyed our experience but was not blown away. read more

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Lilac restaurant is set in the lobby of the Tampa Edition hotel. The hotel itself is filled with plants, jungle-like trees, which act as visual barriers between the bar and restaurant. The tiny 50-ish seat restaurant is set behind the bar, and is laced with gold and green velvet. The wait staff looks like they're going on safari, clad in white and khaki. It feels like you've stepped inside a hidden world, albeit next to some very loud pool tables hidden behind some palms. The food will bring Tampa cuisine to a new level. The menu is a 4-course pri fix that includes several appetizers. Our favorite was the lobster roll appetizer, a cold dish served on crispy wafers. Next, we tried the scallops and pork belly. The scallops were too much lemon for my taste, but the pork belly was delicious and just a bit spicy. We loved the lamb and beef for main courses. Both of these were thoughtfully put together, and not too tiny. Our desserts were the cheesecake, which felt akin to many Chicago and New York level desserts. The drinks are strong. The price is steep for Tampa, but the question is- how much are we willing to pay for what will probably become our Michelin starred restaurant? read more

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The service and attention to detail was outstanding; from a handwritten note for my birthday to presenting my fish before the chef prepared it. However, the food was a bit underwhelming. All 6 of us tried different things and everything was good. But just GOOD. We all agreed that is not a place we would return considering that there was not one dish that we felt was unforgettable. read more

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The food was exceptional, the service impeccable, and the ambiance was unique with large potted plants creating lush rooms. It definitely jived with the other Michelin star bearing restaurants we've visited over the years. read more

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It honestly took me so long to try Lilac because of the bad reviews and talk about it not being so great. I don't know what they're talking about. Our experience was great. First off, complaining about the cost of valet or the hotel lobby being loud does not equate to the restaurant. I've eaten at a Michelin star food stall in Singapore. You're not rating the place or surroundings. It's the food. It's a four course meal with great options for $150 a person. Additional for wine pairing. The hors d'oeuvres had 4 different types which you received each one. The lobster bite was delicious and the liver mousse was great. I don't even like liver, but enjoyed the taste. For appetizer, I had the rabbit and my partner had the scallops. I didn't taste his as mine was very hardy and strong taste. I've had rabbit before and really enjoyed this course. It was comparable to rabbit pasta similar to Italy. For our main course, I have the Dover sole which was an up charge. An upcharge for certain items are typical at Michelin restaurants or even prefix menus. It was presented nicely and the sole melted in your mouth. My partner had the duck which sliced like butter. The skin was well seasoned and crispy. For dessert, we did the soufflé for two. It was not too sweet which was perfect as we were already full. I did not care for the orange on the vanilla gelato, but my partner loved it. We definitely will return again and try the wine pairing. read more

First of all, the service was impeccable. I love that they clean our tables in between each course since I can be a messy eater. They were also able to substitute an ingredient for me (goat cheese) with cashew cheese which I am so glad for! My pastry tasted amazing! All the foods that were brought out were so good and the flavors complemented each other so well. My boyfriend brought me here for our 1 year dating anniversary and it did not disappoint! Best anniversary ever! read more

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I live in Austin Texas but I'm from Tampa FL. I happened to get an email from open table announcing Michelin star restaurants and saw Lilac and booked it because I had a trip back home. I read the reviews because I was surprised at some of the opinions but we all have our perception of what we want an experience like this to be and let me be clear it is an experience. Let's chat. You can valet your car directly front of The Tampa Edition Hotel or you can park in any of the many parking garages in the vicinity like I did. I paid $12 when it was time to leave and I got a quick walk in to help digest the food. I want to preface and say I'm not rich, I don't frequent places like this often but I do drop $150+ once a month on an exceptional restaurant every month or two. I am a foodie snob, love amazing service and find joy in intentional preparation of food. I just want to say, when I walk into the Edition and see the white walls, yellow ambient lighting and greenery EVERYWHERE like you walked into a majestic forest. It's gorgeous gorgeous. Gorgeous people are coming out of there, it's great people watching. But if you pass the bar on your left there is the entrance to Lilac. To me, having a restaurant off to the side of the lobby was fine. You can't even see it, it's very private. Despite the bar being loud I still felt secluded in the dining are. Have you ever been to Arlo Grey at the Line hotel.... Similar in that it's off the lobby and the ambiance was amazing but the food was mediocre and around the same cost but Lilac is different. It's a vibe and the food was delicious. Did I mention the tall beautiful black women who welcomed us and made her way in and out of the dining area. Most of the staff were not people of color so she so beautifully shined. She had blond and black braids, tall curvy and the only one I could remember dresses in all black because the staff was wearing white. I love to see the glimpse of diversity. I hope she knows she was shining! Anywho... to the staff and food. Yes it was intimate dining. Some folks had booths my friend and I had a table for two but it was great. Staff was very attentive and kept us on schedule. Everyone introduced themselves, sommelier, waitress, cooks, I mean everyone was an expert and just wanted us to have a good time and not lift a finger, unless you were eating. The food was delicious. I never had shaved truffles but now I know I like them, I never had pate but it was super yum. I tasted my friends food so I could expand on what I tried. I was getting a Mediterranean vibe from the menu. It was clean enough where all the ingredients really shines and well salted and seasoned but not overly so. I caught up with my bestow and we had plenty of time to catch up. I thought it was lovely. For people who drop $200 on dinner often, I don't know how this stacks up but for me I'd go back. It was my first time but I wouldn't limit this to special occasions. Go, have fun, be open to being taken care of and enjoy what Lilac has to offer. It's a great place. I felt transported. read more

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This place earned a Michelin star so naturally we wanted to try it out. Look, I was thinking " the edition, class, luxury, style" because I had been to arts club and the punch room. I was so wrong and disappointed. I dressed so nice and went thinking this place was going to be the been knee since the rooftop restaurant is so classy, let me tell you it is in the corner of the hotel lobby. Things to note: - the menu is a set price and it is currently $150 per person BUT if you choose curtain menu items, it will cost you more - the wine is very VERY overprices, a $26 bottle of wine will be upcharged at 20% more. You are better off ordering by the glass or just cocktails - it is a four course meal, the hors d'eurvs are bite sized and pre selected a total of four bite sized items. All delicious. You pick the appetizer, entre, and dessert. - our favorites were: Appetizer: porkbellu and octopus, SO DELICIOUS entre: swordfish, uff its good Dessert: if you dont get the soufle you are missing out on the best dish out of the whole menu - yo, prepare to spend $500 dollars on a meal that may or may not meet your expectations and really is just in yhe corner of the hotel lobby - i would have rather spent that amount of money at koya (one of the three michelin star restaurants at tampa) and had the omakase experience SO if you want a classy night out on the town and you are in it for the aesthetic, just hit the lilac bar or even the rooftop bar which offera better views. If you get hungry, go to Noble rice. Better food, lower cost.​ read more

Food was fair, not Michelin quality. This is one of those stars that is paid for.... The monte blanc tuna should be renamed most bland tuna, a little bit of mediocre tuna covered in avocado and sauces. The shrimp cocktail was 6 small shrimp that were underwhelming. The salmon was ok and the sole was very under seasoned. The soufflé was burnt and overdone. The only good dish we had was the black truffle pasta. read more

Absolutely gorgeous spot! The interior is lush and elegant, perfect for a special occasion. Love the wide variety of menu options, with something to suit everyone's preferences. The milk bread is a particular favorite, as well as the delicious rabbit pasta with a potato-parmesan foam. All the staff is welcoming and helpful, and I love the open kitchen concept, where you can see the chefs at work. Can't wait to return! read more

The food was really good. I wasn't a super big fan of the drinks but I enjoyed the meal and the staff was great, knowledgeable and friendly. I really appreciated that they were able to provide an alternative dish for the horsdoeuvres due to allergies. read more

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Food, nothing special.... Ambiance, horrible, literally in a hotel lobby, divided off by topiary plants, loud and raucous when events downtown disperse. Parking and even Uber impossible during events happening at Amalie. Took 45 minutes to get drinks and they were incorrect. And truly, price and food was just not worth it. read more

Lilac is a relatively new restaurant, which was awarded one Michelin star shortly after its inception. It's within Edition, an upscale hotel with other establishments worth checking out, including a coffee shop and an upstairs bar. Parking was relatively easy with a garage nearby, as well as a valet service at the front of addition. The hostess checks you in and took my umbrella to return after dinner. My fiancé and I split which courses we were ordering in order to experience the breadth of the menu. Everything was fantastic but I especially liked the lamb. We opted in for the caviar as an hors d'oeuvre, which was served with potato cakes as a cracker to spread the caviar on. We did not opt for the Smalley experience and instead ordered cocktails. My fiancé was not a fan of the first one she ordered so they switched it. There's no additional cost. The servers were dressed uniformly, and professionally, they attended to her every need, and wished my fiancé, a happy birthday. would recommend lilac to anyone wanting to celebrate a special occasion read more

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The restaurant is beautiful and the waitstaff are solid. However, the food does not match up to the hype. The tuna appetizer had oven dried tomato which does not pair well with tuna. My lamb was not seasoned well ( salt does matter). The dish was accompanied with a very dry lamb sausage. My son had the duck which was over cooked to medium. The fusilli pasta was unremarkable. For the price, I will not accept automatically that the food is good. It is mediocre for now. I hope they improve. The high-end clientele that they seek will expect this. My lunch is Azure earlier in the day was better. read more

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TLDR: Food is just okay, large portions, strange vibes, strong wine pairings, great service. The menu is preset and a reasonable price given the amount of food you receive. The hors d'oeuvres we're all lacking seasoning and weren't hot. The fried ravioli didn't have any truffle flavor. The poultry liver mousse was overwhelmed by the wine jam. The fish filo crisp just tasted like mayonnaise. The appetizer round was the highlight. We had the Diver Scallop and Octopus. The scallop was perfectly cooked and the Meyer lemon with it was fantastic. Both were very good, but the dinner went downhill from there. For the entree round we had the Lamb and the Duck. Both were nothing special and the paired sauces and vegetables didn't wow. Portions were generous. For dessert we had the Honey Bombe and the Olive Oil cake. The Honey dessert just tasted like white chocolate. The Olive Oil cake looked like a child decorated it and tasted like a dry muffin rather than what you'd expect from a flavorful olive oil cake. The restaurant is off to the side of the lobby, only separated by some plants. Very small number of tables with all the 2 person tables very close together and 1 person has to stare at the wall. Seats were also all dirty and stained, which is sad given the place hasn't been open very long. Would recommend Rocca or Rooster & the Till for something at this price point. read more

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Like others, we really wanted to love Lilac. Our expectations were high and ambience and food were disappointing. Service was lovely but too much "checking in." I hope they lose the Prix Fixe menu. It's Tampa guys, you won't have many regulars. If the goal is just one-off hotel guests and Tampanians who want to try out of curiosity, then that's all you'll get. For the price, we should have been semi wowed. We agreed that we've paid half as much for better food and ambience. It should have been one of our top three dining experiences of the year. We wish it had been. read more