Lilia

Lilia was top on the list of new restaurants to get to this spring.  Located on an old car body shop that they completely redone on a large open street corner.  The space is fantastic.  Full of light with soaring ceilings lined with wooden beams.  It feels like the new Italian.  The place hums and there are multiple bars and rooms but for as large as it is the rooms feels intimate.

The food has the same vibe as the space.  Simple, clean and layered.  We began with proscuitto, balsamic mustard and a parmigiano butter.

Shared a few antipastis.  Roasted cauliflower with a spicy sopresata, Sicilian pesto and marjoram.  Delicious.  The cauliflower melts in your mouth and the spices give it a real kick.

Layers of grilled fennel with marinated capers, basil and a touch of citrus.  I am a huge fan of fennel so I would have been happy to slather this on a piece of bread with some ricotta.

Very seasonal dish of ramps.  Grilled ramps topped with slices of ricotta salata and olive oil dripped over the top.  Tastes like spring.  We gobbled this one up.

There was little fish and big fish.  We went for a few little fish plates.  Grilled clams stuffed with pieces of Calabrian chilies and breadcrumbs, roasted and served.  I am not a huge clam fan but this a great dish.

Grilled scallops with walnuts, yogurt, marjoram and anchovies.  We shared this but get one for yourself.  The scallops are perfectly cooked and this yogurt mixture just enhances the flavor.

Pasta is the call here.  Rigatoni mixed with their version of tomato sauce.

Mafaldini pasta with pink peppercorns and parmigiano cheese.

Pappardelle with veal and porcini bolognese.

Spaghetti with pancetta, spring onions and black pepper.

I love that one of the desserts is soft serve ice cream.  One of my all time faves.  Clever toppings too.  The lemon infused walnuts on top of the vanilla is extremely good.

I wish Lilia was in my neighborhood.  You would find me at the bar several times a week.  I will be back to try some of the big fish and other main dishes.