Fall is here and with it comes a new menu from seasonal restaurant Lily’s Bistro. “The beginning of fall is one of our favorite times in the midwest,” Lily’s Bistro owner, Emily Mendenhall said. “It means introducing fall flavors like pear, pumpkin, plums, and butternut squash, as well as a new seasonal cocktail list.”
It is the first menu designed under the direction of new Chef de Cuisine Amy Finch and Sous Chef James Burton. Finch has been at Lily’s since they opened in 2013 and has been responsible for creating the popular Sunday family style fried chicken dinner menus. “My goal with this menu was to keep with our seasonal mission and also to add even more elevated comfort food options that fit with the Lily’s style,” said Finch.
Mendenhall says that with this menu change, “we’ve been honing our skills and training. In the front of house, this means a renewed focus on friendly service, and in the kitchen, this means we’ve been working on more daily specials and unique menu items,” she said. “We also plan to change a portion of the menu every month instead of every quarter, which will give us the ability to spotlight even more seasonal items.”
The October menu also offers a new design that encourages traditional entrees or tapas style meals. It also sees the return of previous fall favorites like the vegetarian butternut squash lasagna and pan seared duck breast with blue cheese bread pudding, as well as new stand outs like the potato pierogies with southern pear sauce, alligator eggrolls with peanut satay, and Lily’s butcher steak with mashed potatoes, lobster cream, and roasted fennel.
This fall also sees the return of the weekend prix fix menu. Starting at $25 per person, on Friday and Saturday guests can enjoy a 3-course meal including homemade desserts made by pastry chef Danielle Harlow.
With a number of inspired dining events, Lily’s Bistro also features weekly specials on Tuesday with discounts on select bottles of wine and $5 sangria, Punch Night on Wednesday with a new punch each week sold for $5 a glass or $20 a carafe, and Curious Cocktails on Thursday featuring interesting classic cocktails or inventive new ones. Wednesday and Thursday from 5-7:30 there is a happy hour menu with food and drink specials.
Lily’s Bistro is open Tuesday-Thursday, 5pm-10pm; Friday and Saturday: 5pm-11pm, with lunch service Tuesday-Friday,11:30am-3pm, with weekend brunch service both Saturday and Sunday, 11am-3pm, and with family style fried chicken dinner,Sunday 5pm-9pm.
