I'm a Vietnamese American from San Jose, and it is hard to bring myself to pay SF prices for Vietnamese food. SF Restaurant Week was therefore a good opportunity to try this place out! Their $35 per person lunch menu was worth it because you got a drink, appetizer, and entree. My husband especially liked that there were multiple vegetarian options. Service was friendly and attentive. The ambiance and decor is nice as well, but probably more suited for a nice dinner than a casual lunch. Both my husband and I enjoyed everything we had--it was not super authentic, but I'm not mad about it! Of course, I couldn't finish everything in one sitting, and so the leftovers made for an equally delicious dinner. read more

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10/10 service, environment, and plating of the food items. The servers were so attentive to the point where they will change your plates in between each dish and even wipe the table down if there's any food on the table. Our water cups were never empty and they even offer you a wet hand towel after you finish their dishes that requires yourself to wrap. As for the food: Drinks: Both drinks were very light and refreshing in flavor which was nice as it didn't steal the spotlight from the food items. Jackfruit pizza: 5/5 jackfruit and sauce on a banana chip. LOVE the texture and the flavor was such a unique combination of sweet, savory, and even a slight kick. Strongly recommend trying if you're a jackfruit or banana fan. Shaking filet beef salad: 2.5/5 the beef was cooked very nicely and was very tender and a good amount of flavorful. The salad was also a large portion so that you won't leave feeling hungry. However the salad portion of it was nothing special. It tasted like an average lettuce salad that wasn't amazing in flavor either. Would recommend skipping unless you're feeling salad for the night. Double pork rice plate: 4/5 Very large portion size and the pork was cooked very well. It came with a small plate of rice in pho broth and the pho broth was absolutely delicious. That's probably a good indication that their pho is delicious. Overall, the food itself is decent but not unique to the point where it's too much different than a standard Vietnamese restaurant. But if you want to eat Vietnamese food in a fancier setting with great service for dates or special nights out, then this would be the place to go and spend the extra money. read more

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Had an incredible experience here for a team dinner! They were super accommodating and I was able to make a reservation for 11 people online very easily, a couple weeks in advance. The interior is very cozy and was decorated festively for lunar new year. It feels clean and stylish and very modern. The service was also super friendly and professional -- refilled water without asking, switching out plates, wiping tables in between courses. We came for the early girl dinner (5-6pm) since it's 2 courses for $38 per person. I thought it was a really good deal since some of the entree options are $33+ on the normal menu by themselves! I opted for the fried soft tofu app (sauce wasn't my fav but I loved the tofu texture) and the garlic noodles with chicken. The garlic noodles were a huge portion so it was super worth the price. It was packed with veggies and suuuper flavorful. If you like garlic, don't skip this dish! Also tried my friend's pho dip sandwich which was incredible as well. The desserts (not included in the price) were also standout -- I loved the creme brûlée with the nutty topping and the banana bread pudding with taro, miso caramel, flambéed banana, and vanilla ice cream. Literally all my favorite things in one dessert. I was a huge fan. Would definitely recommend taking advantage of the early girl dinner seating here! read more

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lily is a small, tucked away place on clement. their vietnamese dishes were an interesting fusion that didn't disappoint. our waiter did not seem the most familiar with the menu, and was a bit flustered the whole time which was odd. it was also quite loud, which made it difficult to have a conversation without leaning in. on the other hand, the food was solid. we got the salt and pepper fried calamari (8.5/10), which had a perfect batter that wasn't too salty or too oily. it also had a slight kick to it and also had some pineapples and cucumber in it. the cucumber was a great palate cleanser given that the dish is heavier than others. the portion was also much larger than i expected. we also got the black truffle banh xeo (8.5/10), which to my surprise had no meat in it so my boyfriend wouldn't eat any lol. it had a very truffle-ey taste, which i loved. despite not having any meat, it still tasted like a typical banh xeo with truffle flavor. i'd get it again! my boyfriend loves the filet mignon and scallop bo ne (8.5/10). the filet mignon was perfectly cooked throughout and very tender. the scallops were a bit overcooked and chewy, but still had a nice flavor. the laughing cow cheese was an interesting addition but worked! the bread was phenomenal. we'd definitely get this again! read more

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Super cute restaurant, friendly staff and great food and drinks- what more could you ask for?? We started with the duck confit egg rolls, which were stuffed with duck and comes with a sauce with a kick (either wasabi or horseradish). We started the garlic noodles, which were full of garlic and veggies. The truffle mushroom crepe was interesting- it comes with a side of lettuce to cut through the salty mushroom/crepe combo. Finished with the bread pudding, which was actually less good than the main dishes, mostly because the bread pudding was quite dense and we prefer a softer airier bread pudding. Nonetheless, a great take on some great dishes- would definitely recommend! read more

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The moment you walk in, you can smell that it is going to be a good dinner tonight. Staff greeting you were nice and welcoming. Ambience is warm, inviting and cozy. We started with cocktails : strawberry daiquiri and a piña colada- they were the "bomb!" Really tasted good and strong!! Appetizer: Fried prawn and sweet potato- creative way to present fried prawns which was perfectly fried and not oily at all. Sweet potato added to counteract the fishy taste. Entree Braised oxtail- this is just perfect. The meat literally melts in your mouth. The sauce that came with it and the noodles were just right. Savory with no overwhelming spice. Our server was Huynh and he was the best! Very knowledgeable with the menu and made great read more

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TLDR; Truly one of the hidden gems of SF and one of my favorites on Clement St. Shaking beef salad is amazing, and beef carpaccio is something you can't miss. Skip the chicken on the chow fun. Fried catfish was tasty. Came here on a Saturday evening for dinner by reservation around 7:30 and was blown away by the food quality. They started out strong with the beef carpaccio and shaking beef salad. The salad was a delightful umami, with plenty of flavor and tender beef. It was refreshing and just such a great start. Strong recommendation. We then got the carpaccio, which was a sweet, but still strongly flavored beef. I loved the rice cracker presentation; it covered it like a present. I got the fried catfish next which, to my surprise, which actually so good! I loved the flavor profile, and the stone pot kept the fried fish warm and toasty. It comes with a sauce, that I just could not wrap myself around. It was like a spring roll with fried catfish instead. The veggie chowfun was just okay. The chicken was very dry to be frank, but the noodle and tofu and bok choy made up with all the flavors and wetness from those. The service was phenomenal and they don't require tip. Love that. Amazing. Ambiance is crowded, bustling, and you need a reservation. I will be coming back here, 1000%. Loved it! read more

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Staff: 5/5 Ambience: 5/5 Food: 4/5 We decided to go to Lily for brunch on a Sunday. We got there right when they opened, and the place was empty, but it slowly started to fill up. They offer a tasting menu (three courses) that we chose to go with. If you're seeking a brunch menu, they don't have one. However, they do have a few egg-based dishes, but they're not your typical brunch plates. The three-course meal came with some nonalcoholic beverage options. What surprised me was how balanced the drinks were and the fact that they weren't too sweet. Exactly the way I liked them. For appetizers, we chose to have the beef pho and duck egg rolls, and both were really good. I liked the soup more. For main dishes, we tried the chicken bánh mì and garlic noodle bowl. The portions were very generous, and we were satisfied by the end, leaving no room for desserts. The staff and ambiance were both really nice, and I absolutely loved the wallpaper. Overall, I'll give this place a big thumbs up. We'll definitely be coming back for dinner! read more

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Lily is absolutely amazing, a total gem of a restaurant for SF. Came with a large group and tried a lot of dishes and we were blown away by all of them. What stood out was how carefully the chef sources his ingredients from local farms and specialty producers of meat and seafood. You can taste the quality and freshness. Absolute stand out winners were the Duck Config Rolls, Garlic Noodles with Beef, the Special Fried Rice with Wagu, Jackfruit Pizza, and Banana dessert. Loved the cocktails, great service, and overall a fun friendly loud vibe. A must visit. read more

Why are the people at the host stand so rude?? Seriously why? The food here is great but the people unwelcoming you are horrible. Each time I've been here I've gotten the worst up and down glares on arrival. I'm polite and dressed nicely, I cannot comprehend the rudeness. read more

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If I could give more than 5 stars I would. We walked in for dinner and were immediately greeted by the proprietor, who was absolutely lovely. As soon as you step inside you feel like it's date night. The lighting is dim and romantic. The cocktails are inventive, fun and delicious. We tried the yuzu drink and pho old fashioned. We wanted to order everything off the menu and settled on the shrimp appetizer which was fun and delicious. The whole shrimp is fried so its shell is a chip and you can wrap and dip the shrimp in a spicy fish sauce that was so good it made my lips tingle. The whole evening was enjoyable and at the end of our meal we were lucky enough to interact with the proprietor again and he is so endearing, funny, and kind. We really felt like we were welcomed into his home in a way. Can't wait to go back! read more

In search of a lunch place. Walked by Lily many times but we never really stopped to look at their menu. They had a welcoming atmosphere and a lunch special that caught our attention - $32 lunch special that includes a drink, appetizer, and entree. So, we decided to give them a try - glad we did. First off, the owner was very friendly. He offered recommendations and checked on us often. We wanted to try a little bit of everything. For drinks, hubs went with the Vietnamese ice coffee - strong but good with that crema. Kiddo and I both went with the Sinh To - one mango and one strawberry. Thought it would be heavy, but it was light and refreshing. We ordered the spring rolls, the pho, and rice paper salad as the appetizers. They brought us an extra spring roll so we could each try one. They arrived hot and crispy - so tasty. Kiddo wouldn't share the pho and ate it all up. The salad was refreshing. For entrees, we had to try the different proteins. Kiddo ordered the fish banh mi, but they brought him the bun cha instead. He wasn't too disappointed as he loves his noodles. Again, he wouldn't share and kept the dish to himself. Hubs ordered the garlic noodles with chicken and I ordered the pork bun cha. The pork had that chargrilled flavor which I enjoyed. Hubs enjoyed his garlic noodles as well. Portions were generous with both the proteins and the noodles. They brought dessert menus which had items we wanted to try, but we were way too full. Just a reason to return for another visit. When asked if they have dinner specials, the owner noted they do have an early dinner special. read more

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Truly amazing ambiance, service and food. We had the duck confit eggrolls, ca cha la vong, vegetarian chow fun and ALL were amazing. I don't have photos because we ate it too fast!! Highly recommend everyone come here. I've been here twice and have been blown away by everything here. read more

Upscale Vietnamese vibes in a nice area of town. The restaurant is perfect for a date night. The staff were attentive and friendly. The food and cocktails were very interesting and creative. A step away from your traditional Vietnamese spot. read more

Lily - Jackfruit nachos - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

We had the Vegetarian Chow Fun with tofu and the Garlic Noodles with plant-based meat alternative. It did a great job of adding a modern twist on authentic Vietnamese flavours. The noodles had the perfect bite and were dishes were very balances. The ambience and service were top-tier as well! read more

Not exactly a hole in the wall, but it can be hard to miss if you walk by quickly. Located on Clement, parking can be a challenge and be careful of the new parking guidelines before putting your car in park. We came here on a weekend and was surprise they had a brunch menu, typically not seen for an Asian inspired dining experience. For $32, you get to choose a drink (ice coffee, and some non-alcoholic cocktails), an appetizer and a main course (that depending on your options require additional surcharge). Service was very good with the staff they had, and the food overall was exceptional, although a bit deceiving. For Appetizers, you can opt for a duck inspired egg roll, or a Pho (yes, a small portion of Pho). Many options for main course; the one I choose was the vegetarian Chow Fun and I added shrimp. The deceiving part is that the food does not look that plentiful but once you start to chow down it's a very satisfying. Their garlic noodle was in huge portions (meat are extra) that those who ordered needed take out box, and the same can be said for their Vietnamese style sandwich. To sum it up, the food here are delicious and tasty with creativity. The restaurant has a comfort feel to it was tables and bench on one side with ample bar seating. Base price of $32.00 for a brunch is actually not that bad considering the food and the service. Definitely worth it. read more

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Lily is a great restaurant, spacious in the sense that it's long. Chic intimate decor and lighting. Friendly, prompt staff. Checked in on me a number of times and refreshed my water several times as well. We did the lunch special which included a drink, appetizer, and entree. Chanh Muoi Salty Lime Spritzer Salty plum, brokaw farms kumquats, lime zest, seltzer Salt comes through on top of drink. Delightfully refreshing. Chicken Pho Noodles The pho is so good and the chicken is very tender. It's a small portion but worth a try. A solid addition to your lunch. Turmeric Fried Catfish Banh Mi Sandwich Delicious, huge sandwich! The pork rind was giant too and tasted well in the dips, one of which had a little spice. read more

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Came here for restaurant week! The dishes were good for a fusion Vietnamese restaurant and offers a modern twist on Vietnamese food. If you are looking for authentic Vietnamese food, I would recommend Irving/Taraval street. However, the pho broth here was amazing and hit the spot. read more

Lily - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Fantastic restaurant! I first ate here during SF Restaurant Week last year and was blown away by their tasting menu. It was super affordable and included a ton of variety (and a very delicious drink). I returned recently and was pleasantly surprised to find that they had a lunch special with the same deal! $32/person for a drink, appetizer, and entree. Everything was so delicious, and the chef also came over to chat with us about the dishes. Definitely a great experience. read more

I have been wanting to try this place for a while now! It is an elevated fusion-y vietnamese restaurant. Everything we ordered was delicious. The standout is the wide selection of non-alcoholic cocktails! The ambiance is elevated, great for a date or dinner with friends. The service is friendly and top notch. My only complaint about this place is that it is a bit on the expensive side. The menu is very similar to Bodega and I believe Bodega is more reasonably priced. Lily is similar in vibe as Gao Viet as well but the menu is not that similar since it doesn't have many noodle soups, unlike Gao Viet's epic viet noodle soups. read more

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I dined here with my family for lunch during restaurant week. The mango sinh to was average. I usually love chamoy but it didn't taste right with the mango. It also came with a small beef pho and it was tiny and definitely short cut pho sigh. By short cut it means they probably didn't cook the broth for hours etc and it was really bland too. The mango and rice paper salad was average too along with the duck liberty rolls. Portion sizes were tiny. The best dishes were the fried fish noodle bowl and the roast beef pho dip sandwich. The roast beef sandwich didn't really need to be dipped I could just eat it on it's own and I would only come back just for this too bad it's hella pricey. The lemongrass basil mussels were ok. I think overall I would prefer to eat non-bougie viet food. read more

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Just when I thought there couldn't possibly be yet another incredible Vietnamese spot in San Francisco, I stumbled into lily. Incredible decor. Gorgeous booth seating and more expansive seating. The menu seems seasonal and high quality, I got the bun cha! Also from the very beginning the person who helped greet me was kind and helpful in suggestions and speedy service. A must try! read more

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My family thoroughly enjoyed their dinner experience here, and the owner complimented our ordering skills for this family style dinner. This place always seems busy for dinner so would definitely recommend getting reservations no matter your party size. read more

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Amazing service although very busy on a weekend for dinner. We waited 30 minutes for a table for 5 but the waiter was kind to notice we had a baby with us and offered him strawberries how sweet! My favorites are the jackfruit pizza and the chow fun (although they changed their menu to be vegetarian version this recent time I went). The chow fun noodles are rolled up in these little balls but still are packed with flavor, but I would get the beef on top next time. The pizza was a unique twist- never seen or tasted anything like this before and it was very special! Had the garlic noodles which are solid, and also the Wagyu steak which ended up being okay. Not a huge fan of large chunks of meat but the portion sizes here are large enough to share. Great ambiance, upscale Asian fusion food, and good drink menu! read more

Lily - Jackfruit pizza - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Best meal I've had in a while. It's a good thing I don't live near here, so I'd go all the time. Service was friendly and just exactly the right amount of attentive. Ambiance was a little noisy sitting at the bar, but I enjoyed being able to see the kitchen. We were able to walk in on a Sunday without a reservation, but I doubt that's always going to be the case. We did the lunch special ($32). I had Mango lassi, duck confit egg rolls, and fried fish noodle bowl. Everything was perfectly done. Great deal for the price. Would go back in a heartbeat. read more

What I ordered: -Beef Noodle Soup (PHO BO) [3/5] -Hanoi BBQ Heritage Pork (BUN CHA HANOI) [4/5] _ I visited Lily for a birthday dinner on a Sunday night. While the restaurant was nearly full, it didn't feel overcrowded, and the ambiance was both cozy and charming. Our server was friendly, and we appreciated that the owner personally checked in on us. I ordered the 2nd Place Beef Noodle Soup (PHO BO) and my partner opted for the Hanoi BBQ Heritage Pork (BUN CHA HANOI). Both dishes were flavorful, but if I had to choose one to reorder, it would definitely be the Hanoi BBQ Heritage Pork--the unique flavors and perfect smokiness really stood out. While the pho was enjoyable, it felt a bit overpriced. Overall, it was a pleasant experience, but given the high price, I'm not sure I'd return. read more

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i opted for the lunch special: iced coffee, salad and chicken banh mi. food was as delicious as it looked. Portions were good sized. Decor was tasteful. Server was attentive and friendly. Very nice experience without breaking the bank. Lily is a find. read more

Vietnamese food is one of favorite cuisines and I often crave it as comfort food. The Vietnamese fare at Lily is not like any other Vietnamese food that I've had. It's an upscale place with a different and elevated take on the cuisine. The disappointment for me is that I really cherish the authentic Vietnamese food like Pho and Bun Thit Nuoung bowls and I didn't get that simplicity in the taste. I got the jackfruit pizza to start with, followed by the garlic noodles and a take on margarita that had condensed milk in it. The drink was too sweet for me but we liked the espresso martini. The jackfruit pizza was interesting and I have never had anything like that before. While I appreciate the take on the dish, I am not a fan of ripe jackfruit because of which I didn't like it as much as I'd have liked it if the jackfruit version was unripe. The garlic noodles were good and the pork dish was delicious. The service was good and the place was cozy. I left craving the simple and comforting Vietnamese food though. read more

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Upscale Vietnamese on Clement. We tried this for dinner out with out-of-town friends. I had high expectations based on the pictures online. Menu is very diverse and they have a lot of variety of food that is not the typical dishes seen at most every Vietnamese restaurant. I like the idea of trying some new things. We had the beef and scallops, the garlic noodles, the chicken pho, the pork noodle amongst a couple of other things. I felt like the food tasted good, but was quite expensive. There was a lot of fan associated with it like flowers and other garnishes, which made the dishes look pretty, but didn't really add anything. I thought the restaurants service was good and they had a nice selection of wines. The restaurant is beautiful and definitely not typical Vietnamese. I would say that I thought the overall quality was good, but I've had really excellent Vietnamese in San Jose and for much better price. I don't know that I would necessarily come back, but I think the place has nothing particularly wrong with it. read more

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Delicious Vietnamese place in inner sunset! Quickly seated for 2 on a weeknight. Lovely ambiance for a date! Ordered one app, three entrees for two. Definitely too much food but all yummy. Beef carpaccio was a HIT! Order it if you're into bone marrow and raw beef. So delicious Garlic noodles was a huge entree and tasted lowkey like chow mein. Fried fish was delicious and flakey. Cocktails probably wouldn't order again. Would recommend and visit again! On the pricier end $220/2 people, albeit we did over order and had a 1/2 meal of leftovers the next day! read more

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Creative and well appreciated spin on traditional Vietnamese food. Highly recommend the French dip pho no bahn mi, it's delicious and gigantic. The roast beef and pate is amazing and the dipping soup is delicious. The tumeric fried fish with rice noodles is really flaky and flavorful, also generous portions. The strawberry sihn to is fresh and not very sweet which I love. We still haven't tried their set menu even though I'm 100% sure it's good value, it's so much food tho! read more

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So tasty! After a hiking around the Presidio, we came here and sat at the bar (open kitchen!) at 5pm for their Early Girl menu ($36 for an app and entree). It's curated down from their main menu but still very tasty. For 2 people, we shared the beef pho (broth has a ton of flavor), duck egg rolls (good), the fried catfish (cooked w dill and onion, came with rice paper wrap, tons of herbs, sauce and shrimp cracker - so flavorful!) and the shaking beef salad (good but too healthy for me). read more

Lily - Catfish - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The food is delicious and THAT plant based steak chunk is AWESOME!! Fresh. Clean. Good. Food read more

Really busy and popular dinner spot in the Inner Richmond, my friend and I came here for SF Restaurant Week at the end of 2023. We were both unsure of what to expect after a hit or miss experience earlier that week at a few participating SF Restaurant Week businesses but were pleasantly surprised with our entire three-course pre-fixe meal there. Nothing disappointed, I don't even know where or what dish to begin with. First off, we were seated at the bar, which gave us a nice view of the prep work and cooking magic happening with the kitchen staff on that busy weekday night, and we were able to better decide on what to order for our three courses based on the raw ingredients and finishing touches placed on each of the dishes being prepared behind the counter. My friend and I really enjoyed the Bone Marrow starter, we were pleasantly surprised by what a generous helping of bone marrow and just how large the entire bone had been when it came out. It was extremely rich and oily, so we already felt quite full from splitting the appetizers. The entrees were both amazing, we split the Catfish and Braised Oxtail in Hue Style. By far, the Braised Oxtail was my favorite and paired well with the Bone Marrow appetizer. For dessert, we tried the Crème Brûlée and Baked Banana Pudding, both were also delightful. My personal preference is the Banana Pudding as it was nicely complimented by the miso caramel sauce and dollop of fresh vanilla ice cream on top. Although we didn't order drinks, the cocktails menu looked very unique and something worth trying the next time I go back. Would recommend this Vietnamese fusion business to anyone who wants a delicious and creative twist to traditional Vietnamese food! read more

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Excellent food! Loved the chicken wings and the garlic noodles (huge portion- even sharing with a friend, there was some left over). Highly recommend! read more

Lunch is a great value. Great lunch special. Regular menu selections fantastic, too. Top ingredients - great service. Priced higher than avg Vietnamese restaurant- because they are superior If you want quality do not miss coming here read more

Food was good, but definitely not worth the price. I found a spider in my lettuce. I let the staff know and the server did not acknowledge it. I wasn't expecting a discount or anything from it, but some acknowledgment would've been nice considering the price point Drinks were good read more

Had fish bahn mi, pea congee, broken rice. All really good. Everything was great surprised because I expected pea congee to be... like pea congee but it was great. read more

Lily - Pea congee and broken rice (already half eaten) - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Ambiance: super cute with the festive garlands and overall just love the classic asian watercolor art on the wall! Servers were super attentive and the owner is super sweet, informative, and passionate about his dishes Food: Disclaimer that we did the early girl menu with an additional appetizer add on + dessert and were absolutely food coma STUFFED. It's a lot of food, and maybe we have small appetites, but... it was a lot of good deliciousness Fried catfish [5/5]: so so soooo good - came out piping! The meat is super tender, juicy, and flakey. Loved the size of wraps and veggies it came with, especially the pickled carrots and radish to cut through the fried fish. The sauce was absolutely amazing though simple (I reckon it's some spicey fish sauce concoction?) HUGE portion size and i think definitely enough to share for 2 Pho [4.5/5]: beef is super delicate, great noodle texture, and I loved the light broth. My bf thought it was too light but I have pretty bland tastebuds for an asian lol Jackfruit pizza [4/5]: lots of interesting flavors going on - it's sweet, savory, kind of umami and spicy - a total flavor bomb. Also my first time having jackfruit and i have to say I am a fan of this meaty fruit goodness. Spicy mango rice paper salad [5/5]: a fantastic salad - the mangos were soooo sweet and creamy, loved the texture of the rice paper and pomegranates, and loved the overall sweet and sour tanginess. Great stomach opener :) Oxtail [5/5]: again - huge portion even though we got the early bird menu and know the dish is slightly reduced. Loved the tomato sauce that went with it. Super succulent, fall of the bone meat that just melts in your mouth Warm Coconut tapioca dessert (sorry - forgot the exact name) [5/5]: incredibly fragrant, not super sweet which is perffffeeect after a heavy meal. The young coconut meat is also super creamy as were the persimmons. Honestly I'd go back to Lily's just to eat this dessert. read more

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The best pho money can buy. Nice decor and great service. (very) elevated vietnamese food with large portions (at a matching price) BUT great quality and care. read more