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Lily Kai
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
93 reviews for Lily Kai
Review Highlights
"Best Chinese food in Sonoma County, hands down."
(in 5 reviews)
"Most amazing Mongolian beef Ive ever had."
(in 7 reviews)
"Anyway, the food, they had great veggie pot stickers."
(in 3 reviews)
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93 reviews in English
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Review from Brian S.
Santa Rosa, CA
11/5/2011
This place is awesome!
Their Wohr Won Ton soup is the best I've ever had.
And the Black Bean Chicken is my favorite...so yummy.
Excellent curry, too.
The lunch special is a real bargain.
I eat here often. -
Review from Larry W.
Petaluma, CA
10/17/2011
Pretty average fair. For a tiny place I have never seen less than five in the kitchen!
Nothing to write home about, but nothing wrong here, either.
I would go back and usdually because it is so close. -
Review from Krishna D.
San Francisco, CA
Ah, Lily Kai. Her dream kitchen, and she's there all the time, serving up grub. Good food is good food, if your one who doesn't believe in fusion, in all its myriad levels, will not like it. Also, those who order Americanized dishes expecting the "Chinese" version will be disappointed. This rankles me the most, "Authentic Chinese. WTF. It's like saying authentic North American x 10. Lily Kai is very accommodating, and does excellent versions of Hunan, Cantonese, Mongolian and a few other regional styles to all its dishes. The kitchen is spotless, the bathrooms as well, which is always something you like to see in any dining establishment. The food itself, the massive portions of three years ago are slightly diminished. The amount of broccoli on plates makes you sure the restaurant has a deal with a local farm. (and you KNOW its mobbed up with the Chicken plant across the street.) Cause really, you get a lot of good chicken on all the poultry dishes.
The quality, the freshness, the service, the sides, the ambiance, all I can say is I wished the did even more dim sum sum, cause then I would have Tong Kiang in my back yard.
Favorites: Beef Chow fun w/black bean sauce, wet. Any whole fish, all the dim sum, Potstickers are crazi good. Fresh, large, toothsome, well cooked. Not greasy in the slightest, just fantastic. As a San Francisco native who considers Jook comfort food, this place rules. Guilty secret: The chicken chow mein, sweet and sour pork, and other mainstream orders are very enjoyable.
Downers: No whole crabs, clay pots, or other more localized regional dishes. Lily Kai is conservative, and makes food the local masses like. Makes food that is very, very good. Very consistent too. I'm sure I get better service because I'm a regular who tips well, but as a service industry vet, I see the good service throughout the joint. I've seen them in the "weeds" only twice in over 50 visits over three years. Highly recommend - signed - they call me big Chris. :)1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/28/2009
Awesome, American-Chinese food. Cantonese influenced, with the usual Chow Mein and Orange Chicken,… Read more »
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Review from Ursula H.
Truckee, CA
12/28/2011
Spicy basil chicken! A perfumed dish with tender chicken,sweet snow peas,basil,chili sauce and brown rice. The kung pao prawn dish had 15 large prawns,tri colored peppers and whole lightly toasted peanuts in a spicy sauce. I literally could taste each vegetable in these dishes. This used to be a weekly affair when we were Bay Area residents. Lily is so charming and gracious. The service is impeccable. The decor is subtle so the food really stands out! I am a San Franciscan native so Asian cuisine is very important to me as is finding "real" Italian fare. Lily Kai is by far the MOST sumptuous Asian fare in California- the green scallion pancakes are perfect.
If you only have ONE spot to eat on a trip to the bay Lily's is worth it..the prices are very reasonable...amazingly so-I have tried almost every dish and each one is better than the last. Lily is a genius -
Review from Nooh N.
Petaluma, CA
1/2/2012
Great restaurant best Chinese food
the service is very fast in this place -
Review from Georgina S.
Napa, CA
1/7/2012 3 Check-ins Here
The place was clean, the service was great. Food was very fresh and they brought it out within 10 minutes of us ordering. And boy was it tasty! We will definitely be back!
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Review from Victor G E.
Torrance, CA
12/29/2011
Nothing special; I tasted every else's food & none was special and certainly not "WOW". On the other hand my adult son thought it was spectacular. There is no accounting for taste.
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Review from Pippi L.
Sacramento, CA
9/5/2011
Service is amazing. After a bout of bad service at a roadside oyster purveyor, this was a breath of fresh air.
Service, phenomenal.
Food, very fresh and good flavor, slightly sweet, but really tasty and plentiful. Meat is succulent because they use tenderizer, and the hot and sour soup has huge chunks of chicken breast instead of strips of fatty porky bits (and no black fungus, fyi, they used chunky fresh mushrooms.) It was good, but peppery, and I prefer a balanced sourness to my spice. Still, all very edible and even good cold as I'm finding out this morning.
My family is literally half Chinese. My Chinese husband, who will eat just about anything and has a stomach of steel and who prefers hole-in-the- walls, secret sauce, mysterious meats, and Chinese restaurants with a thin layer of grease on the wallpaper, really liked this place for the fresh food. We were all feeling a little sickly from lots of fried/sauced fish bits at lunch earlier on the coast, so all the broccoli and tea was actually medicinal and instrumental in getting things moving again.
Yes, it's a little sweet, but we got some sweet food: tofu and veggies, broccoli and beef, hot and sour soup, a few fried springrolls, all good, all a little sweet. They serve jasmine rice, also a winner in our book because it's so fragrant.
Which is freaking fine by me, because I think they make their own mustard, and it will rip your socks off it's so horseradishy and good.
Is it whitiefied?? It is.
But it's the best damn Whitebread Chinese food I've had in a long time.
Also, the owner gave my 6 y.o. a couple of sheets of stickers to play with, and that, to me, goes a long long way. -
Review from Erin m.
Petaluma, CA
12/9/2011
Best Chinese ever! I knew Chinese would be better on the West coast than in Dallas, TX where I lived before this. But I did not expect Lily Kai to be THIS GOOD! I ordered my all-time favorite: chow mein, sweet & sour chicken and white rice. Every single of these dishes was the best I'd ever had. The next time we came here, we each got the Vegetable Noodle Soup - WOW. Each bowl was loaded with tons of colorful fresh vegis and a yummy broth. My boyfriend has gotten their lunch deals several times, and I'm looking forward to trying their egg rolls the next time. If you like Chinese food, I mean, GOOD CHINESE FOOD, and you're in Petaluma, you absolutely must go here. Boom.
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Review from Claire S.
Santa Rosa, CA
12/11/2011
Lily is so welcoming. The food is delicious, thoughtfully prepared and a great value. The decor is lovely and the restaurant is kept very clean. Lily is very caring and creative in making delicious food for people with food sensitivities and allergies. Everything is fresh. Lily Kai is a culinary home away from home
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Review from Domenica G.
Petaluma, CA
11/19/2011
While I have been faithful to other Chinese restaurants in Petaluma, I finally tried Lily Kai and it really is the best! Everything from the green tea to the chicken in the Hot and Sour soup really made my day. So much flavor and definitely unique recipes. There are tons of options for different food preferences. Yum Yum!
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Review from Gary A.
Petaluma, CA
6/28/2011 ROTD 9/14/2011
I had recently relocated to Petaluma and was looking for a good Chinese restaurant. I tried Lily Kai based on the reviews here on Yelp and was not disappointed (thank you Yelpers!!!).
The food at Lily Kai's is very fresh; the sauces are well-balanced and not overly-sweet or "goopy". The restaurant itself is very clean, spacious, modern feeling; perhaps a little on the noisy side, but certainly nothing unusual - overall a very pleasant experience.
They finally just started home delivery, but the driver seems to leave around 7:30 or 8:00 pm, so they really need to expand that service. I'm hoping they will do so once the demand picks up as people learn about it.
Highly recommended! -
Review from J H.
Sonoma, CA
1/11/2012
Good Chinese food! We had the egg rolls, General Tso's Chicken and Mongolian Beef. The food was good and enough to have some to bring home, which, let's face it, is the best part of getting Chinese food.
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Review from Jaime S.
Santa Rosa, CA
1/13/2012
lily kai has earned a number of awards and has been in magazines. IT IS THE BEST CHINESE FOOD IN CALIFORNIA. lily is a sweet heart and all of the staff are beyond friendly
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Review from Mike C.
Petaluma, CA
5/2/2011
I have lived in Petaluma for a long time and rejoiced when this restaurant opened. It is clean, staff is friendly and food is pretty consistent.
Wah wonton soup, Mongolian beef, House special pan fried crispy noodles are some of my favorites. Great value for the price.
I think the success of this restaurant is that the owner (Lily Kai) works the back and front of the house, ensuring that quality and customer happiness is not left up the the servers.
Also, she remembers you and is very friendly and is also very amiable to honoring any special requests.
While I love the food and the service and the prices, I would love to see some more authentic Chinese/Taiwanese dishes on their menu. -
Review from RE J.
Napa, CA
10/12/2011
We stopped by a couple of weeks ago for lunch. Very nice atmosphere, friendly attentive service, and really good food. I had the lunch special which name escapes me now but it was an assortment of chicken pork and shrimp. I found myself wishing I had ordered the same as my wife, she had the General's Chicken which was excellent and a large portion so we both enjoyed it. Even though we live in Napa we will take the time to drive here just for this place. Good job Lily Kai.
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Review from Joyce C.
Petaluma, CA
9/28/2011
Great potstickers! Wonderful food!
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Review from Jamie H.
Petaluma, CA
9/8/2011
Love this place...they have great food and fast service. Take out is also fast and hot.
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Review from Robert B.
Petaluma, CA
12/2/2011
Carefully prepared high quality ingredients equals great Chinese food. In my opinion, best north of broadway, sf.
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Review from Kate J.
Novato, CA
1/9/2011
Indeed, I do not know if it's "authentic" or not, but I had a lovely lunch here this past Saturday! And for under twenty dollars (for two people)!
You received an appetizer, soup, and an entree, as well as rice (and fortune cookies, of course)!
I found it delicious and I was pleasantly surprised by the low bill. :)
Also, we had a five-month old and a five year-old. They were well-behaved, and the staff seemed to enjoy kids, which was nice. :) -
Review from Michele F.
Petaluma, CA
12/15/2010
When I am feeling less than 100%, I drag my butt in the car and head straight for Lily Kai's and order Wah Wonton soup. This is the best soup ever, hands down and in no time I feel happy healthy and back to my old self again.
The whole menu is great, but I love the Wah Wanton soup the best!Listed in: Restaurants
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Review from Grace Y.
7/14/2010
I'd say Lily Kai is the best Chinese restaurant in Petaluma, except I haven't eaten at all of the Chinese restaurants. So I'll revise my statement to say that I think that Lily Kai is the best Chinese restaurant that I've eaten at in Petaluma.
Now that we have that cleared up, let's get into the food. It's a far stretch from being "authentic" and is kind of like a nice Panda Express. Everything is either coated in a sweet sauce, or the meat is breaded and fried. They have a pretty good lunch menu with specials, but it's all generic Chinese food. It's pretty cheap and you get a nice bowl of hot and sour soup, your choice of steamed white rice, fried rice, or brown rice, and your dish comes with a vegetarian egg roll with sweet and sour sauce.
After your meal you get fortune cookies and a breath mint. The staff is polite and the restaurant is clean. The food is decent and they are pretty responsive to special requests.
I'll be back for...MOAR! -
Review from Marshall W.
Petaluma, CA
Updated - 8/13/2011
Ate there again, and ordered different dishes, like the chicken lettuce cup and the talapia. If this keeps up, I am gonna give it five stars next time just for the great food. Once again, the waitstaff was amazing and gave our group of five a great dinner in record time. It is a little out of the way, at McDowell and Lakeville but worth the drive away from downtown Petaluma.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/3/2010
I am always astonished when a restaurant, like Lily Kai, receives 60 plus reviews -- and one or two… Read more »
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Review from Martin B.
Petaluma, CA
1/1/2012
This place has the best Chinese food in town, however, they are suffering from their success, in that they do not have any respect for their customers and they will soon be out of business if it keeps up like this. We placed a takeout order st 6:16 P.M. We were told it would take thirty minutes. we arrived in thirty minutes, only to find several customers who had been waiting over an hour and a half for their orders when they were told to come in 15 minutes. We ended up waiting for one hour and thirty minutes. They just said " So sorry for wait". They offered no estimates of how long it would actually take, just replying, very soon. for thirty-five minutes. I will not go back. If they had offered to give us free food, or had offered one of the discount coupons for the next time, I would go back. However, as it is, they really need to lose enough customers to teach them that the customers time is as valuable to the customer as their business is to them. On top of this, the whole time we were waiting, the front desk clerk was answering the phone, telling people 30 minutes for their orders. If they had given us some idea of how backed up they were, we could have gone home or run errands, instead of waiting, standing up, until they decided to get around to our order. I fully understand that they were very busy. I would have no quarrel with them had they treated us as though our time was valuable, and if they had treated us as if we were customers, not sellers.
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Review from Jenn N.
Petaluma, CA
7/13/2011
Lily Kai is a genuine, down home, great Chinese eatery. The food is not overly salted. Tons of vegetarian, vegan dishes. BEST fresh pot stickers EVER! Huge portion sizes and fair prices. I wouldn't go anywhere else in town!
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Review from Alan C.
Petaluma, CA
5/15/2010
Some places seem to get good Yelp reviews despite being marginal and this is one of them. I've been here twice -- once for dinner, and once for lunch -- and found the food average at best both times.
Yesterday I had lunch here with my girlfriend. We both sent back the hot-n-sour soup since it was inedibly salty (they graciously brought us tiny salads instead). My lady got basil chicken, I the basil prawns. Both appeared quite fresh, plus they had brown rice (bonus points for that), although the flavor was pretty average.
My mother grew up in China and she raised us to appreciate good Asian cooking. She and my family agree that Hunan Village next to CVS on North McDowell is consistently the best Chinese we've had in Petaluma in recent years.
And BTW, I notice some people eat a restaurant's takeout and then write a Yelp review. I ask you, is having food from a cardboard box that's fifteen or twenty minutes old really the best way to judge food? I recommend taking the time to go have a sit-down meal. Takeout is never the same. -
Review from Melissa W.
Petaluma, CA
11/9/2011
Ordered takeout which showed up in a good amt of time and was hands down the best take out Chinese I've ever had. Nothing was soggy or cold and the prices were reasonable. Had the salt and pepper shrimp and loved it!
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Review from Scott A.
Palm Desert, CA
5/4/2011
First time in yesterday for lunch. Seated promptly and served water & tea immediately.
The tables and floors were clean and the waiters & other staff very friendly.
My vegetable entree with soup included only $5.95 - very reasonable.
Why two stars? The food.
Looking at all the 5 star reviews with comments such as "best food in Petaluma" - leads me to believe that many of my fellow reviewers don't get out very often! And if they do - it's only to Petaluma.
The food is a VERY western interpretation of Chinese food.
The complimentary soup was a dark egg noodle with fresh mushrooms floating on top. A very commercial base and therefore super salty. 0 stars.
My main course was Ma Po tofu. Chunks of firm tofu with sweet peas and carrots in a chili sauce. Very thick (tons of cornstarch) and salty sauce glopped over the tofu and vegetables. This is not Chinese food! I guess if we westerners want to eat this and call it Chinese food that's OK - but 5 stars? Please.
It was served with white rice, and a dried out spring roll with commercial red sweet sauce. Yuck with a bullet.
Sure it's cheap, and yes the service is very fast, and yes the portions are large - but best food in Petaluma? I think not! -
Review from Paul K.
Petaluma, CA
9/14/2010 17 Check-ins Here
I love Lily Kai! I have lunch there at least twice a week! Great food & Great Prices!!!
Probably the best Chinese food in Petaluma -
Review from Nick O.
Petaluma, CA
4/17/2010
After going on a smoke filled adventure we couldn't settle on food to make...after much debate Chinese food sounded delicous.
Searching we came across Lily Kai. Seeking a Chinese Chinese place, the overwhelmingly positve review had us choose Lily's and a great choice too!
The food was warm even while late.
Will return again.
Remember to search for coupon on google - get free egg rolls and wontons above $25 and free chow mein or fried rice for orders above $35. -
Review from Ricky G.
San Francisco, CA
6/5/2011
Lily Kai's food is delicious and the price is cheap! The restaurant is always super clean and the staff is so friendly. Lily is always in the restaurant and will attend to each customer personally. The restaurant is baby friendly, and everyone is more than happy to attend to any needs. I looove love coming to lily Kai when I am in Sonoma County.
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Review from Duane H.
Petaluma, CA
7/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
It really the best Chinese Food in Petaluma.
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Review from Jason R.
San Francisco, CA
10/23/2007
I want to give Lily Kai 4 stars, but compared to all the other Chinese joints in Petaluma this one is by far the best.
Everything was just right and all the previous reviews were right on: portions are enormous, everything is fresh and delicious, and the staff is nice.
The hot and sour soup and General's Chicken are HIGHLY recommended.
Chinatown, you're on notice.Listed in: Lunch in Petaluma?
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Review from Susan S.
Petaluma, CA
10/18/2007
It is so nice to go to an Asian restaurant that is decorated so beautifully. The decor matches the food. Excellent and HUGE servings. I can't believe the amount of food Lily Kai gives out. When I take food to go the package weighs a ton and I have food for a couple of days. What a deal and delicious.
Eating at the restaurant is the same. They will accomodate your dietary needs too. Low sodium, fat, more fish or vegetarian, no problem.
As I said before the restaurant is lovely and you really feel good in the restaurant especially at night. The lighting is so pleasing, the inscriptions on the wall have a meaning to them. They mean "happiness." I love all the folklore and the tradition that is emphasized in this restaurant. Good ambience and Good Food. By the way Lily, the owner, is so accommodating and lovely.
This restaurant is located in a strip mall with other stores like, Starbucks and it is on Lakeville and South McDowell. It is worth the short drive from any neighborhood. -
Review from Elizabeth D.
Petaluma, CA
5/4/2011
Hands down the best chinesse food in Petaluma. I always get the kung pao pork and it's excellent! Great staff, great enviornment. Highly recommended.
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Review from Angela H.
Berkeley, CA
12/1/2008
Asian speaking.
I am aware that I am in Petaluma so I understand, but a few things about this place screams WHITE WASHED CHINESE FOOD. It's not bad, but it's not Chinese.
How did I conclude that?
1) Place is too pretty. (not a complaint)
2) Utensil on table: a fork
3) HIPHOP music was playing in the background (WTF?)
4) The waitress was SUPER excited when she heard us speak Chinese (Remember we were at a CHINESE restaurant)
5) Orange Chicken was on the menu
Don't get me wrong, the food is decent, but all ya'll petaluma-ians need to come to East/South bay for some true Asian cuisine. -
Review from sandie o.
Vallejo, CA
7/2/2009
A wonderful hidden gem!
We had dinner tonight and had:
beef broccoli
pine nut chicken
crab and cream cheese fried wontons
sizzling rice soup
combo fried rice
brown rice
First of all the place is clean and well decorated...Not like your usual Chinese establishments with the stains on the carpets and all. I instantly thought, "Ooh I wonder if its going to be pricey?" To my delight, the prices were reasonable.
The soup was served with beautiful presentation...sizzling and all
The wontons came out freshly cooked and hot
The beef and chicken were both delish! Tender meats and super fresh veggies.....
Well worth the 45 min drive from home!
Thanks Yelpers, I wouldn't have tried it without you! -
Review from Mike W.
Petaluma, CA
10/15/2007 3 photos
Bullet points:
* Excellent and friendly
* Five stars for the best Chinese in Petaluma
The food is always fresh, hot, well-prepared, and nicely presented.
The service is efficient and friendly. The portions are on the large side, and the price a bit above average for Chinese in this area, but worth it.
The soups are great, and now they've added a dim-sum basket that has a nice assortment of dim-sum - a hearty lunch or dinner for one, or enough for two or more to share as an appetizer.
Lily is a long-time Petaluma resident, and she's had restaurants in Santa Rosa and Mill Valley. Her experience shows. She's created a modern, airy space with integrated Chinese touches, and some mighty fine food.Listed in: Great Restaurants
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Review from Tom S.
Placer County, CA
8/4/2007
There aren't a lot of Chinese restaurants in Petaluma. This one is the best of the 8 that I've tried here in "Butter n' eggs-ville". I had a large portion lunch special. There are 24 on the menu. I got prawns with deluxe vegetable mix in a mild clear glistening garlic sauce. Of course, egg drop soup, a fried imperial roll, and tea are included. Cantonese style. Tasty. Cost: $7.95
Staff is almost exclusively female. They work hard.
Dining room is clean & bright. Located in a strip shopping center. Plenty of parking. Worth the 4 minute drive off Hwy 101, exit Lakeville hwy (a.k.a.: Route 116). -
Review from d o.
San Francisco, CA
5/21/2009
I miss S.F. dim sum....this is the next best thing.
I had to wait 15min for them to steam my har gow and sui mai....it was worth the wait.
A little pricey if you ask me for dim sum.....5.25 for 6 pc....
Price is worth it if you need a dim sum fix.
