ilili Restaurants
Gareth Rees is a seasoned beverage professional currently serving as Beverage Manager at ilili Restaurants since December 2023, and as Managing Director & Lead Educator at Raising Spirits LLC since February 2022, where qualifications in WSET Spirits are delivered. Previous roles include Group Beverage Manager at Unapologetic Foods, Sommelier at Hawksmoor NYC, and Owner & Managing Director of The Fat Bear, which garnered awards for its American regional cuisine and extensive beverage collection. Gareth's early career includes positions in management consulting at PwC, operational consulting at onefinestay, and client delivery at GradFutures Ltd. Additionally, Gareth has a background as a professional poker player. Educational credentials include multiple qualifications from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and a degree from The London School of Economics and Political Science.
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ilili Restaurants
WELCOME TO ILILI. We’re honored to share the cuisine and culture of Lebanon in the heart of New York City and Washington DC. Since 2007, our home in the Flatiron District has introduced the passion and generosity of the Lebanese table to hundreds of thousands of curious diners while comforting native Lebanese guests with a celebration of their homeland and values. Owner and Executive Chef Philippe Massoud expertly crafts a sophisticated blend of modern and traditional Lebanese cuisine drawing influences from the span of the ancient Silk Road trade routes. Flavorful herbs and spices combine to delight the palate; earthy and delicate textures emerge from innovative combinations of savory and sweet; each bite reveals a deeper story behind the birth of the Eastern Mediterranean culinary culture. Our warm and generous hospitality drives our mission to make every guest and team member feel genuinely welcomed and fundamentally honored. We are here to share; to pass fresh pita bread and mezze amongst old friends and new; to celebrate life and its delicious bounty. We invite you to experience our old world hospitality, timeless generosity, and tireless dedication to uncovering and sharing the rich traditions of Lebanon and the Levant.