I loved dining at Houston's restaurant in Kansas City, until it closed a few years ago. So. when I'm in city like Orlando which has a Hillstone restaurant (parent firm of Houston's), I must stop by for a meal. These restaurants share similar characteristics: superb service, incredible food quality and beautiful décors. The Orlando location is adjacent to Lake Killarney, a great spot to hang out with a glass of wine before or after your meal. After a Belvedere martini with blue cheese olives, it was time to order. One of my all-time favs at Houston's was their Grilled Artichokes. Lucky for us, they are still available on the menu. Three of us split one and it was a great starter. The menu also includes the Spinach and Artichoke Dip, another favorite at Houston's. As someone who loves Ahi Tuna, I was so happy to learn there was a Ahi special on the menu tonight. Six yummy, perfectly prepared slices of Ahi heaven. Since I have a larger appetite than this serving, I also ordered a side of broccoli and fries. This meal allowed me to relive again the wonderful memories we had at Houston's. Can't wait to return. read more

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Food and service are amazing! I've been coming to this location for decades and have never been disappointed. The ambiance is beautiful as well! read more

Beautiful location with solid foods, wines, cocktails, and service. It was relaxing to sit outside and enjoy the lake and relax. read more

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We just had an excellent meal here. It was our first time. The view is amazing and all the food was great. For the things that could be improved: They brought us a refill of our tea just before we were leaving so we asked to put it in a to-go cup. They said they don't have any. We ordered a virgin mojito. It was great, but they tried charging us for a regular one at $16. When I complained, the knocked it down to $12. Also, keep the dress code in mind. I'm not sure if dinner is different, but for lunch, shorts and T-shirts are ok, but no sleeveless shirts, and hats aren't allowed to be worn. There wasn't any outdoor seating, which is a shame, but an employee told us they used to have it, and they are remodeling and may bring it back. read more

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The Hillstone Restaurant was highly recommended by my hubby's physician after a follow-up visit. He mentioned checking out the salmon appetizer which did not disappoint!! So delicious!! It's been a while since we dined at a fancy restaurant and was pleasantly surprised at the entry, seating areas, and exterior views. Bella is a wonderful, pleasant server who was so incredibly attentive to us! She had such a nice disposition as well. Again, wonderful service!! Her manner gave us a sense of being special, which is a talent in the food/hospitality arena. The restaurant is on the pricier end of the spectrum, however, it is definitely worth the cost. The food was outstanding! I had the homemade veggie burger which was so flavorful. Hubby had a beautifully crafted cheeseburger, yes, cheeseburger!! We bought had so much that we had taken food home. Just a note - House Rule - No baseball caps in the dining area. If you are in Orlando and want a step above - go to Hillstone Restaurant! Enjoy and give Bella a shoutout!! P.S. Valet parking available along with multiple handicap spaces. read more

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Had a wonderful lunch experience with family. Waitress was phenomenal and food was great.

I was looking forward to dining at Hillstone Restaurant, reputed to be one of the top restaurants in Orlando. Uh, what am I missing here? I would rather give the restaurant a 31/2 star rating out of 5. On a positive note, our server, Keen, was fantastic! There was a moment of confusion because we were accidentally given a lunch menu, and there were a few discrepancies between the lunch and dinner menus. Unfortunately, the kitchen must have been backed up, because main courses were slow in coming. You know, when you see one of the chefs delivering meals, there's an issue. I sampled the Caesar salad that my son and wife ordered, and it was, to say the least, an interesting take on what's become ubiquitous. Hillstone's take was certainly not to my liking, as the croutons were mushy and the salad seemed to have a peanut oil taste. Hillstone called their Caesar eggless, and I call it a tasteless pile of leaves and dressing, blah! After a longer-than-average wait, we received our entrées, and I can happily report that they were all excellently prepared. My son had the center-cut filet and didn't leave a molecule to be cloned or shared with our dachshunds. My wife ordered the crab cakes, and she thought that they were the best she had ever had. I had the trout and was pleased. I passed on the coleslaw and substituted broccoli, which was meh. The ambiance is woodsy modern, with large windows overlooking the lake. The noise is decibels matching an airplane taking off, but that's the way, sadly. This is a cashless restaurant, so even cash tips are not accepted, which made using a gift card problematic. It meant that I paid the tip using my debit card. The valet parking attendant takes cash tips, as they're not affiliated with the restaurant. It may be a while before I return to Hillstone, as the prices paid didn't completely match my expectations. However, Hillstone is a solid restaurant; but other restaurants offer similar value without the elevated price. ; read more

Incredible lunch Lakeside in Winter Park. Highly recommend this place for its service, quality food, and view. Be sure to make a reservation. read more

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5 Stars for excellent bar service and solid f&b. Hillstone is a great spot for happy hour. My girlfriend and I showed up on a Friday around 5pm and I was worried we wouldn't find a spot at the bar, but we got lucky! With that being said, parking is limited, so bring some cash to tip the valet. In terms of drinks, the staff is extremely capable and the bartenders can build something to your taste. I actually appreciate their classic martini with gin, but be aware that it doesn't include any vermouth- just good gin or vodka chilled in a martini glass. I suggest added a couple of goat cheese filled olives! If you're after an espresso martini, they didn't have it available when I was there, but maybe in the future. I enjoy sitting at the bar and ordering food right there. This last time, I got jumbo chilled shrimp to start. They were indeed big boys, and absolutely delish! I appreciate the fact that they're cleaned out (no strange brown line going down the back), and you don't have to peel the tails. I'd also suggest an order of fries- they come thin cut and crispy, plus they are served with several dipping sauces including their "mustard honey," which is divine. Finally, gotta suggest the burger. They'll cut it in half if you're sharing, but I'd ask even if you aren't sharing. They also have a veggie burger that I've heard is AMAZING (one of the few spots with a homemade veggie patty), so that's on my list next time. Overall, a great spot for a fancyish happy hour or dinner with a view of the lake! Shrimp, classic martini (no vermouth) read more

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My wife took me here for my birthday. We had been before, great view in the back and the restaurant is beautiful inside. We were seated in along the back wall in a corner. The person who seated us ask if we wanted to order drinks right as we sat down. We asked for Pellegrino for the table, was told that don't have that. Asked for any prosecco for the table, was told they don't have that. I asked for an Ultra (beer) and was told they don't have that and pointed me to three options non of which I had heard of; I passed. She asked about two red wine options and they offer her a tasting of each. Hearing that I asked if I could get a taste of one of the beers (I hate spending $10 on a draft beer only not to like it), nope, "we don't do that". We ordered the jalapeno queso, a filet, a French dip and the Ahi Tuna. The queso was refrigerated and frankly it was garbage. The rest of the food was fine, not great but not bad either. You can decide if that's worth $200+ before tip. In our opinion there's lots of great restaurants in Winter Park and this is not one of them. read more

The salmon was amazing loved their broccoli as well. My server was very sweet and gave great recommendations. Had a small hiccup with one order of steak being overcooked but they quickly fixed it and again was so nice. Will definitely be back not only because of good food but wonderful kind service. read more

The atmosphere was very nice. There is a dress code required so you know that it's a more "fancy" restaurant. We were seated as soon as we entered, and our waiter came within 5 minutes if that. So the service was excellent. I originally wanted the pan seared snapper but they had ran out so if that's what you want to try I suggest that you get there early. What I did get was the rotisserie chicken with the roasted peppers that had feta. It taste absolutely delicious. 5/ 5 would definitely order it again. It also came with small squares of corn bread that were perfectly made an even had pieces of corn in it. Delicious! My friend got the salmon and broccoli. I did not taste it, but he said it was good in the same in appear to be cooked well. I would return to this place again because I need to try that snapper. read more

Hillstone Restaurant - Pan Roasted Salmon - New American Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

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This restaurant is from the Houston's restaurant brand so if you're familiar with that, you'll be familiar with the look and feel of Hillstone. It's beautifully set on a Lake Killarney in the heart of Winter Park with cozy feel on the Main floor and a delightful patio deck for large outdoor seating. Hillstone is a staple in Winter Park and a place where you're sure to have a good experience. I didn't have a reservation, but the wait was only 20min. However, I opted to sit at the bar for instant service since the full menu is served there as well. I ordered the pan seared Salmon with potatoes and their seasonal vegetable (broccolini). The potatoes were my favorite! They were surprisingly rich in flavor and perfectly mashed. The salmon had a great crust and was topped with a light lentil vinaigrette that paired very well. The service was also top notch! Even the bartenders were knowledgable, aware and quick to serve. I actually enjoy the bar experience more because it's easy to round up a conversation with some friendly folks and because of wealth in WP, you never know who you might be talking to . Cheers! read more

Hillstone Restaurant - Pan Roasted Salmon - New American Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

So I've been planning to go to this spot for some time comes highly recommended so decided to bring my wife on a date to the Hillstone restaurant arrived around 12:30 PM to a very full parking lot? Tuesday afternoon 1230 I'm thinking it'd be slow however it was quite busy circled around the parking lot two or three times to find a parking space, however, valet opened up a bunch of spots and let me park My vehicle, walking into the restaurant was immediately greeted, Noticed the restaurant was quite busy, young lady at the front door asked if I had a reservation which I replied no thinking it would be slow, so just letting everyone know you should make a reservation when coming to the Hillstone on the weekday! anyways she told me it'd be about 35 minute wait not a problem headed to the bar and ordered drinks for me and the wife and we waited, around the 45 minute mark my wife got a little bit anxious, decided to approach the front and politely asked where we were with seating to which she replied within five minutes and like clockwork, we sat within five minutes, immediately approached by Sarah I believe her name was? To greet us with a warm welcome and a great smile! Noticing we had drinks, she asked us if this was our first time that we had any immediate questions to which we replied no and they give us five minutes to settle and take a look at the menu, after about 1015 minutes wife get a little bit anxious again wondering where Sarah went so we could order, like clockwork Sarah appeared and took the entire order, we started with their house, special, smoked salmon and deviled eggs, then followed up with the main course with the French dip sandwich with french fries and my wife having the pan Asian noodle salad with chicken, gathering the order Sarah was off with an eight minutes. The appetizer had arrived, the deviled eggs were first very nice lots of flavor their own twist on a classic recipe next to smoked salmon, presented beautifully, but not traditionally however fantastic with lots of flavor highly recommend this! Within five minutes of us having the appetizer Sarah swung back around to check on the quality to which we are quite happy refilling drinks as needed, 10 to 12 minutes after that the entrées arrived by the Runner nice young lady not auction off any food place in the entrées down in the correct spots. Nice touch! Both entrées, fantastic lots of flavor presented beautifully and we couldn't be happier again Sarah swung around to check on the quality of the entrées to which we were very happy! To finish up, I only saw one item on the dessert menu a Keylime pie?! I don't know if that's something I thought they'd be more desserts and while I like Keylime pie, I like a little more diversity so we saved it for the glass knife, which is my next review however this place is sharp modern with a touch of coziness with nice views of the lake, a great date spot if you're ever in the area Winter park drop by the Hillstone restaurant you won't be disappointed! I've spoken read more

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My fries were soggy. The deviled eggs were ok but too much relish. The flavor of the barbecue sauce was way better than the flavor of the ribs. I did enjoy the broccoli with the parmesan. Overall it was just an ok lunch but not really worth the price in my opinion. The ambiance and lake views are very nice as well as the staff. read more

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Hillstone's, located in the Bal Harbour mall, is hands down one of my favorite restaurants. They serve top-quality American food, and the bar is fantastic--the cocktails are truly amazing. The bartender is great, and it really shows in the skill and quality of each drink. The food is simply outstanding. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but my absolute favorite is the mustard-glazed beef ribs... I'm obsessed with that dish! Every time I go, I have a wonderful experience. It's one of those places that never disappoints. read more

We reserved a table for 5 to celebrate a friend's birthday. Unexpectedly, a sixth person was able to join us. We fit all six of us comfortably in the round booth. The manage came over to say it was against house rules for six to sit in that booth. He offered for one of us to eat at the bar. We made it clear that was unacceptable. There was no bending the rule even though it made no sense at all. We said for our drinks and left. I was shocked at their inflexibility. read more

For someone that has food, allergies, all nuts and sesame seeds. The Hillstone restaurant really went out of their way to prepare me A meal that was free from nuts and sesame seeds. They did their research on certain items and made some suggestions to make sure that I was taken care of. The atmosphere is absolutely awesome. The dockside views are fantastic. And the staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable of all their products. Kudos to my server Zach and the manager. Will definitely Come back again and recommend for any couple looking to have a great date night read more

My husband and i decided to go to Hillstone for our wedding anniversary. we started out with drinks at the bar while we waited for our table. The cucumber martini was delicious. Unfortunately, my husband wasn't impressed with the old fashioned he ordered because they don't have large ice cubes, so the bar may want to consider adding those. The food was delicious; my husband ordered the ahi tuna tartare which was amazing, and I ordered the center cut filet which was cooked to perfection. Overall, great atmosphere. The service was amazing, our waitress was very knowledgeable and so sweet to us. read more

Hillstone is my new favorite restaurant!!! Everything was perfect. The ambiance of the place was nice, the service was on point and the food was fresh and delicious!!! We ordered drinks as well and they did not disappoint!! I can't wait to go back! read more

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this steak has made me cry tears of joy not just once, but twice so far. I don't expect it'll be the last. Our service was lovely and attentive and I loved the vibes. read more

Hillstone Restaurant - The Hawaiian - New American Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

When an organization perceives itself to be more important than its customers it has decidedly lost the plot. I'm talking about Hillstone, a restaurant, by definition, in the hospitality industry (hospitality: the friendly, generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers, characterized by warmth and kindness), except it's not. I learned that Hillstone caps parties at five, promoting two couples and a fifth wheel. At a friend's birthday gathering yesterday (five of us) we were 'offered' alternative dining options when her SO made the effort to join us, he had been working earlier, and was told that he could not. BUT he could enjoy the full restaurant dining experience at the bar ....... which is, well, let's just say nuts. The full restaurant dining experience would have been with his SO and her friends. OR we were told, as if it were some fabulous gift, a table for two and a table for four. What? That's so celebratory (insert sarcastic tone here). And btw Hillstone managers could benefit from a little service recovery training, because what we got was the corporate speak. In a world where conflict is everywhere, Hillstone could actually contribute a little grace and humanity ...... oh wait ...... that's right ...... it's policy. We left and went across the street to Sixty Vines, where we enjoyed great food and drink, and wonderful service, at less expense. Our server apologized to us for taking some time as he had a table with lots of allergies and he wanted to make sure everyone was okay - which is genuine care (i.e. hospitality). I love that. He also told us that they frequently get Hillstone groups who would like to sit together. Why on earth would a restaurant - who provides a service - turn people away? Clearly their numbers are so good they can afford to ignore the precepts of being in the hospitality business. And, I, for one, have no desire to pay for that, however good their food, or the view, might be. read more

I really appreciate the ambiance and level of Service at Hillstone. The view of the lake is amazing from the view inside or if you are out in the back. Whenever I have a special occasion, Hillstone is my top three to make a reservation to celebrate. read more

This is a classy restaurant with a beautiful view from both inside and patio seating. Reservations are recommended for inside while patio seating is first come. They do have a dress code so make sure you dress appropriately. They will turn you away as noted in other disgruntled reviews. Bar service includes meals and is first come. Plenty of tenders so you get taken care of quickly. The food is excellent, pretty much whatever you pick from. And don't hesitate to request changes, as they make things fresh and aim to please. This is a great place to impress a date or potential clients if you are trying to win business. My only complaint that knocks a star off is the limited self-park that is often full. This requires you to valet, which is often fairly empty. Street parking is very limited. I'm not sure why the valet spaces take up so much of the parking lot. Owners should be cognizant that people want to self park based on what is more utilized. Don't force us into something we don't want to do. Otherwise this is a beautiful experience.... read more

Hillstone Restaurant - New American Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

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Orlando--From the moment we walked in this place impressed. I know they get a bad rap for some of their peculiar demands, but we had absolutely no issues here. First of all, the ambience is very welcoming and very comfortable. From the hostess to the waitress, everyone was extremely polite and very helpful with the menu suggestions. Our entrées were absolutely delicious. we had the grouper sandwich and the vegan burger. The vegan burger was a little bit too sweet for me, but the coleslaw that I ordered on the side more than made up for that! Probably the most delicious coleslaw I've ever had in my life, and, that is saying a lot! Definitely a spot I would return to over and over again. The outdoor deck with the rocking chairs, overlooking the lake, totally made our afternoon! read more

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This is a very good restaurant in Winter Park. The service is outstanding. It's my favorite thing about this restaurant. The food is very good but I struggle sometimes to find something new and interesting. Personally, I think they should be more open to some new items. The parking is great with valet. One needs reservations - it's just that busy. My only complaint is the restaurant temperature. It is always too cold - before we go,we put on warm clothes and a jacket. It's a good special occasion restaurant, but they have limited availability for parties of 6 or more; they definitely only want parties of no more than four. The lighting is dark and romantic I like the open kitchen. John T read more

This place is all about the atmosphere. Romantic with a beautiful view. Loved being able to walk the pier between courses and just embrace then landscape. Our server was also AMAZING! He was intuitive insightful and gave us so many great tips. The food however was blah. Didn't love it. Didn't hate it. Just meh. read more

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Beautiful outdoor space by the water to relax, have drinks and wait for your table. The food is equally just as good. I've fined here several times and the food is always on point. Perfect date night spot. read more

Very crowded and you must have a reservation. Food is okay but portions seem smaller than they used to. Limited menu also.

Simply the best meal we've had in recent memory. From the deviled eggs, fried oysters, tuna tartar... It was all amazing. The service matched the food too! read more

Service is unprofessional. A lot of other places to go to with just as good food that are professional

Came here for Valentine's dinner with my wife. Had a reservation and were seated promptly. Atmosphere was very nice Inside and quiet outside. We sat outside; Great Lake view and peaceful! We started with the chips and jalapeño Queso - so good! I ordered the Hawaiian and my wife the Trout. Food was delicious and flavorful. We also ordered some pomegranate vojitos - perfect! Also, our server Olivia did a great job serving us that evening. Truly enjoyed her service! Atmosphere 5/5 Hawaiian 5/5 Queso 5/5 Trout 4/5 Service 5/5 read more

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The restaurant is so busy that there is a wait to be seated even for lunch. The staff is very good and quick. Service is great. I wanted to take my leftover chips from the artichoke and spinach dip home but they were taken away. The dip was delicious!!!! The seared tuna salad was also delicious. It is very loud inside however not that it bothers. The location is gorgeous especially the outside with water view and romantic sitting with plenty of shade read more

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The ambiance is great, especially the outdoor area. However, the pricing was way too expensive for the quality of food. The spinach dip was over $20.00+ read more

Went to Hillstone for a birthday dinner and had an amazing experience. I have been there a few times before but this was by far the best. The food was amazing. I had the salmon, my boyfriend had the French dip sandwich. Absolutely no complaints. The service was fantastic and everyone was so attentive. The view, as always, was beautiful. I definitely recommend this restaurant! It is a gem of Winter Park. read more

Hillstone Restaurant - New American Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

Revisited and our food selections were as great as always. Unfortunately, this visit, though, had a couple of not-so-great things. While we are used to very professional and sometimes 'cold' bartenders (and a few are really great, friendly and accommodating), our most recent bartender was really really cold - to the point that it was almost uncomfortable with her look of what seemed to be disgusted. While the wine is always good, her crafted margaritas were not - definitely not up to the standard that we expected. read more

An Orlando staple. Beautiful ambiance with consistent quality service. A true treat whenever I visit! read more

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Cocktail were very good from the bar and the bar staff as amazing mixers. On the real note: Here's a review expressing your experience: I recently had an extremely upsetting experience at Hillstone Restaurant in Winter Park. From the moment we walked in, my 4-year-old son and I were treated like we didn't belong. The manager immediately told us she was "worried" about our table because of my son, even though he hadn't done anything wrong. She insisted on "holding" our table until she felt "ready," not giving him a chance to show he could behave. This felt like blatant discrimination against my family, especially as a disabled person in a wheelchair who uses a robotic arm to eat independently. The atmosphere was cold and uncomfortable, with snooty hosts and a vibe that made us feel unwelcome from the start. Hillstone claims to be upscale, but their attitudes are anything but. This treatment was highly disrespectful, judgmental, and completely lacking in compassion. We ended up leaving, as it was clear we were not going to be treated with respect. I would never recommend this place to families or anyone in the disability community. It's a "wannabe" upscale restaurant with a poor attitude toward inclusivity and respect for others. read more

I have been here before but just for drinks and to enjoy the lake view. This time, we decided to have dinner. How can I explain the menu - guessing Elevated Bar Food. Smoked Salmon was fantastic - generous portion, really well done. FOr entrees, I really wanted to try the fish sandwich but they were sold out, so we ordered the Chicken and Roasted Beef sandwiches. Both were super delicious. My only disappointment was that the chicken sandwich was sort of missing the chicken and had way too much cabbage, but the combination of flavors overall was really good. In this visit, got adventurous and tried a new drink - the Paper Plane - highly recommend although it can be an adquired taste for some. Bourbon based martini. Staff was very attentive. Overall, it was a very pleasant evening. Can be a bit expensive - 2 drinks, 1 appetizer, 2 sandwiches ended up over $100. Yikes. read more

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Beautiful restaurant and great service. We both started with their traditional salad with cornbread croutons (AMAZING) and enjoyed the Hawaiian ribeye for our entrees. The ribeye was so flavorful and probably the best I've ever had. For dessert we tried the apple walnut crumble and it was so delicious. I also had 2 French 75's that were very well made. Overall I had an outstanding experience and can't wait to return. read more

Hillstone Restaurant - Traditional Salad - New American Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

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