Hillstone

Unfortunately, the service was absolutely horrible. The bartender was completely incompetent, inattentive, and seemed incapable of handling even basic drink orders. I asked for a drink three separate times and was ignored every single time. Instead of doing their job, they left customers waiting while providing some of the worst service I've ever experienced.<br><br>To make matters worse, the manager was just as bad. Rather than addressing the bartender's failures or trying to resolve the situation, the manager came over and told us we could order more food but that we were being cut off from drinks.<br><br>The most frustrating part is that we had only had one drink the entire time, and I was with a client I do business with. Being told we were cut off after barely drinking and while still waiting on a drink we never received was ridiculous, unprofessional, and showed a complete lack of judgment from management.<br><br>If I could give a negative one-star rating for service, I would. Great food and atmosphere can't make up for terrible service, an incompetent bartender, and poor management.

Great experience at Hillstone, a true NYC classic. Consistently solid food, great atmosphere, and well-crafted drinks. The steak was perfectly cooked and full of flavor.<br>Definitely a legendary spot worth visiting, but make sure to book in advance, it fills up quickly.

Can I go back again really soon??!!! Wonderful atmosphere with cozy, elevated vibes. The service was spot on- our waitress had a friendly attitude, great menu suggestions and knows just when to check in. Cocktails- who doesn’t want their drink to stay cold? I do, and that happens here with cold glass replacements. The food was delicious. The menu has so many options. Our choices the night we visited were- the sushi (coconut roll and pressed). What a great start! Our entrees were the trout (so underrated) perfectly seasoned and the Hawaiian steak (med-rare) that was done perfectly and melted in your mouth. The sides we chose were the potatoes colcannon (mashed potatoes mixed with cabbage and kale) which were so creamy and broccoli nicely seasoned with butter and Parmesan. The slaw that came with the trout was delicious and not boring.<br>This restaurant is definitely a repeat for sure!

Difficult to get a reservation but Hillstone is a great restaurant. The vibe is classy, the food and drinks are delicious, and the staff is kind and very professional. The French dip and shoestring fries are a must.<br><br>If you have trouble getting a reservation, arrive at opening and you will likely get a table or seats at the bar.

Excellent atmosphere and food! Our server, Mary, went above and beyond. The staff works well under pressure even with difficult parties.. I was impressed. I am looking forward to my next occasion!

My bestie told me about this place when she found on TikTok and we made reservations on 11/22 for 12/22 at 4:30pm. There were reservations in between throughout the month but it was too early for our liking 11-2pm mostly. I didn't know there was a dress code but I'm glad they sent notice ahead of time. We both went in jeans with boots and bodysuits, comfy and cute yet presentable. This restaurant is def casual with an upscale vibe.<br><br>My bestie had a drink & i had a Coke. We both got salads mine was the grilled chicken Caesar salad and hers was a tuna tartar both excellent. The croutons & chicken were to die for. My bestie then had roast beef with fries and i had the s almon with broccoli. The star of the show was that salmon wow wow wow! Made to perfection and the light sauce on it was excellent! My bestie was even amazed and she's not a salmon person. I left no crumbs on the salad or salmon haha. For dessert we shared the brownie with a scoop of ice cream and it was delicious!! Def for anyone allergic to nuts but wow the nuts made the dessert so good.<br><br>Lastly, service was amazing ! The servers were so nice, professional and personable. Bathrooms were clean and the restaurant at nice location right next to the 6 train. I can't wait to come back with my husband ! He's going to love this spot!

Hillstone is a gem. The food is incredible, and the service stands out in the smallest but most meaningful ways. The fact that they serve your martini and then refresh it halfway through to keep it perfectly cold is exactly the kind of thoughtful detail that makes the experience feel elevated. It’s the ideal spot if you want a great drink, great food, and a reliably good ambience.<br><br>The only downside is the chaos around reservations and wait times. The hype has made it almost impossible to book, which takes away from the ease and authenticity the restaurant used to have. I just wish it were more accessible to the people who love it most, because when you finally get in, the experience truly delivers.<br><br>Overall, Hillstone is exceptional. They just need to find a better system for reservations so more guests can actually enjoy it.

I came on an early Monday afternoon. I got to the place at 12:55 but my reservation was for 01:30. The front desk told me that I would have to wait until exactly 01:30 for a booth, unless I wanted to sit at the bar. The place was packed, except for the bar. Quickly, the bar filled up as I continued to wait until 01:16, when they finally had a table ready for me. I ordered everything as soon as I sat down, but some of the questions that I had about the food had to be done by the actual waitress for that area because they do some type of server rotation. Let's get into the food: I ordered the coconut shrimp sushi, the artichoke and spinach dip and the french dip sandwich with fries. The artichoke/spinach dip was served first, quickly followed by the sushi. The sushi was amazing and they gave me a bottle of unmarked soy sauce, but since I didn't know what it was I didn't touch it. There was chipolte mayo sauce, dijon mustard and wasabi that I ate with it. The artichoke/spinach dip that I received tasted good and if you finish the chips they come by with more. I could tell they really wanted to fill me up before the main course. The main course was outstanding. I didn't know a sandwich could be that good. The rib eye really shines through with the butter toasted french roll. I also added cooked onions which added more flavor. The french fries that it comes with, they can keep that. It tasted like a warmed version of those potato stick chips that you buy at the deli. I did not get desert, although I was interested in their fall cheesecake. I was full and didn't feel like carrying food home. The waitress did say that I can come in and order to go. I believe they cannot do fries or ice-cream when ordering out. Maybe next time, I'll get the lamb sandwich. Inside the restaurant is very dark, there is a light that hangs directly above the table.

Very nice place with quite interior and dimmed lights. Pretty quiet, so you don’t need to do extra to talk. Service was there. Wouldn’t say the most friendliest but very professional and attentive. Food is just too. French dip to die for! Drinks are also well made.

Hillstone is one of my absolute favorite spots in NYC. The food is always incredible — the ribs, spinach artichoke dip, and French dip sandwich are all must-haves. The restaurant is beautiful, the vibes are always great, and the staff is so friendly and welcoming. I’ve been coming here for years, and it truly never disappoints. Always a perfect dining experience!

Deviled eggs was quite good actually. French dip wasn't particularly special. A bit bland and wasn't hot. You get the oily brioche and some flavor from the horseradish sauce and the 3 pieces of cilantro.<br><br>My main course was served before my appetizer odlly enough, so I set my main aside until my appetizer arrived and I had finished it.

*This review is written by someone who is not a big meat eater. *<br><br>I came here for lunch with my husband on Labor Day with gorgeous weather outside at around 1:30pm with no reservation. This restaurant is localized branding of the national Houston’s chain. It is believed that one of the reasons they changed the name locally to avoid calorie posted regulations in NY that impact restaurants with multiple locations.<br><br>It is almost impossible to get a reservation here during peak hours which I think is wild for a place that is a chain restaurant. They open reservations 30 days in advance of the date you wish to dine. When we walked in, we were told only seats at the bar were available on a first come basis. We opted for the bar and ended up waiting about 20 minutes.<br><br>Especially in New York City, I don’t eat meat (exception fish and seafood) very often for a variety of reasons. I NEVER eat poultry (knowingly). This menu is very meat forward. I was excited to try to the spinach and artichoke dip but even that contains chicken stock. The food that I did find to enjoy was good. All people eating other meat dishes seemed very happy. The decor and vibe of the restaurant feels like suburbs upscale. All of the servers were very nice and professional.<br><br>I likely would seek out another meal at this restaurant especially given the meat forward menu and high prices. If someone had a reservation and invited me to attend, I wouldn’t protest but wouldn’t look forward to it. I wouldn’t wait to be seated ever again.

I had the pleasure of dining at Hillstone NYC this past Thursday, and from the moment we walked in, everything about the evening was exceptional. The ambiance was warm and inviting — a perfect blend of upscale and cozy. Whether you're there for a casual dinner or a special night out, the atmosphere sets the tone beautifully.<br>The service was outstanding. Attentive without being overbearing, the staff made us feel genuinely welcome and ensured every detail was taken care of with a smile. You could tell they take pride in what they do, and it made the entire experience that much better.<br>Now, the food; absolutely phenomenal. We started with the spinach dip, which is a must try. Creamy, flavorful, and served with warm chips, it was the perfect starter to share. We also ordered sushi, which was surprisingly excellent for a non sushi focused restaurant. Fresh, well prepared, and artfully presented.<br>But the highlight of the meal was the French Dip. one of the best I’ve had in NYC. The beef was tender and juicy, the bread perfectly toasted, and the au jus rich and savory. Each bite was packed with flavor, and it’s clear why this dish is a fan favorite.<br>In short, Hillstone delivers on every front: incredible food, top-notch service, and a setting that makes you want to linger just a bit longer. It’s rare to find a restaurant that hits all the marks so consistently, but Hillstone absolutely does. Highly recommend!

So my advice is to be sure to make a reservation. It is nearly impossible to get a table without. Yes you can walk-in, but when they reach their capacity, they will turn you away.<br><br>Food- delicious. The pictures I posted is just a sneak peak. Be sure to order the ribs. They are tasty and cooked to perfection. The spicy tuna roll has the right texture balance (a little crunchy and a little kick). You also have to get the spinach and artichoke dip. Needless to say, everything is good. Come hungry and leave satisfied.

Was not expecting this to live up to the hype but I was happily wrong. The service here was amazing. Chelsea was a phenomenal waitress who answered all of our questions about allergies and sharing portions etc. There’s nothing better than having your chilled glass refreshed with a new chilled glass halfway through the meal. Food also was delicious. The veggie burger wasn’t my favorite but I wasn’t upset by it. Everything else I got I would order again. The best bite was by far the mango sushi roll. So refreshing and light 10/10 recommend. My one note atmosphere wise is that it felt like I was sitting in a desk chair and the lighting seemed to change throughout the meal which was a bit distracting.