cobra lily

**Update ** It's official. My beloved Lily is closed. No mas. Evidently, they were going through a change of ownership, the deal hit a snag, fell through, and that was the end of that. To add insult to injury, some total shite looking deli/diner place seems to have moved in. No me gusta. (3/29/07)

Sister to Cobras & Matadors, this has always been one of my local favorites since I can walk here.. and then stagger home. You can enjoy most of Cobras' tapas (in addition to a great house special steak sandwich) without having to BYOB or travel to the east side location for a little sangria with your meal.

It's a dim, small, sexy, chandelier lit space with funky art on the walls. Right on the corner adjacent the Larry Flynt building, Cobra has a great little bar, friendly bartender, a couple of very pleasant and competent waitresses, and a few small tables, including two rounds, which can be thrown together for larger groups.

Some of my faves here include the fried lentils, the cheese plate and sangria. If you just want to stop in for a drink, they have a full bar and you can snack on delicious olives while you enjoy your libation.

This is a great, low-key, weeknight place to grab a light dinner and they've always got an impressive soundtrack ala kcrw buzzing in the background to help you unwind and set the vibe.

Note: The Lily has been closed the last two weeks for a little sprucing up, so I'm curious to see what changes, if any, have been made when they reopen their doors this week...

Tip: Be sure to check hours before you go since they're sometimes limited. If you want to actually sit down to eat and have more than one in tow, make a reservation.