I've had Hillstone a bunch and it never disappoints. I was truly shocked to find out it is a small chain restaurant with locations all over the country. The food is always delicious, especially the Asian Steak Salad with a peanut sauce dressing. The service is top-notch and clearly very well trained. My only complaints are: 1) there is almost always a wait but the line moves relatively quick and you can normal find a spot at the bar for a cocktail 2) overall the menu is fairly well priced but a few things always strike me as extremely expensive especially in comparison to other things on the menu, ie the sushi.

Popped in on a lunchtime during the week with my wife just for a quick beer (it being a hot day and all that!!) and ended up staying for lunch. Sat at the bar (a wonderful large and long bar, perfect for people watching, meeting new friends and catching the full buzz of a restaurant in full swing!) and was greeted with a friendly yet efficient service that recommended drinks. Straight off the bat it was impossible to ignore the great atmosphere of this place, it was only 12:20 and the place was already almost full and by the time we left there was a queue waiting for seat! Having ogled the plates of food being handed out to other diners we decided to give it a go ourselves. I chose the French beef sandwich with gravy dip and my wife chose the sashimi - Simple food, exquisitely delivered.

Definitely coming back

Being taken out by my family for Mother's Day, a treat! My first choices, Yuga and Christy's in the Gables, both closed. Strange...None of the four of us had eaten at Hillstone so we decided to try it. A 20ish minute wait. Not bad. Sat at a very little bar-area table, ordered drinks and asked how we'll know when our table is ready.. and was told they note and remember where everyone is sitting and will come to you to lead you to your dinner table. It worked!

So nice to have truly lovely service from everyone, from the hostess to the several servers. Appetizers, dinners were excellent. We all shared an Asian steak salad resembling a small mountain, a couple fresh yummy and not the usual tempura fried coconut shrimp hosomaki rolls that came with an excellent remoulade dip as well as a spicy mayo dip. We nibbled on soft and cheesy bread slices, a very fresh tasting Cesar salad, an excellent well seasoned prime rib and a tremendous excellent veggie burger. Finished with one nice sized very creamy piece of Key Lime pie with four forks. A little pricy but lovely, good value, pleasant atmosphere Noisy when we walked in but after that we had no trouble talking to each other at our very comfortable booth.. Would like to go back and sample other noms.

I can't imagine anyone not finding something on the this menu to eat. In our party of 8, we got 3 filet mignons (which were very good), 1 pan fried Red Snapper which was good a Prime Rib sandwich (which was very good) and the Thai noodle salad with chicken (which was very good) I will definitely be going back. Not a cheap meal, but worth it.