Lillius

Very enjoyable evening. Service outstanding, Food exceptable. Dining experience. Great concept having the set menu. The oysters were fabulous

Lillius, upon entering, is very impressive and sleek yet elegant looking with polished concrete floors and matte walls with accents of gold and royal blue. The staff was exceptional, immensely hospitable, warming and engaging and a true asset to the restaurant.

The night I dined featured a three course menu featuring the best of NZ sourced produce and an impressive wine list. I started off with a glass of North Otago Pinot Noir which was silky and smooth.

As an introduction to the first course, I presented with a trio of starters including sweet corn smoked custard with popped rice, tuatua with hollandaise and smoked pork finger and cured pork with creamed egg in rice wafer. Each option was mouth watering and the perfect prelude to dinner. Following on before the first course was crusty warm sourdough bread with buffalo milk butter and that was extraordinary.

The first course arrived, pressed arrow squid with layered smoked trevally in buttermilk with radishes. This dish was served cold with the squid being the highlight.

For my main, I simply adored the Houhora pork featuring pork belly and pork loin with parsnip purée and an assortment of charred brassicas featuring charred Savoy cabbage, cauliflower stems and broccolini. The pork loin was heavenly and tender. It definitely was my favorite pork dish I’ve had in a very long time.

To break from the wine, I ordered a rose hip hibiscus gin cocktail with freeze dried berries and dried hibiscus. Simply delightful!

The closing course was a trio of NZ goat and sheep cheeses served with lavosh, sourdough and preserves, with which I ordered a chilled Yarra Valley Syrah.

My entire dining experience was exquisite and truly memorable and I will most definitely return again. What resounded most for me about the dishes were flavour combinations and textures which evoked simple childhood food memories however more elevated.

Dining at Lillius truly was a privilege. Highly recommended with distinction!

Exceptional food and interior!! Go ready to spend some money, but it is well worth it. The meals taste and presentation was better than I have ever had before.

The food was excellent with great attention to detail. I couldn't fault the restaurant at all, the only disappointment was a nearby table of increasingly rowdy businessmen. I would definitely go again.

Surprisingly good, we loved the light, clean nature of the cuisine, seems somewhat Japanese influenced perhaps? They seem unfazed by catering for allergies.