I had always visited beam pizza right in front, but never considered going to the restaurant behind it until today. We got the best seat in the house, which is table 31, so definitely try to request that if you're going there. The table is right in front of the kitchen, so you see the chefs' hard at work and it totally reminded me of the TV show called "the bear." I got a delicious orange wine, which you can't go wrong with because it's not too light or too heavy to be eaten with food. Here is what I ordered: The hippo rolls, which is a delicious in between of a dessert bread and regular bread. The coexisting flavors of honey and sea salt is the perfect combination for your sweet or savory tooth. The griddled cauliflower, which is a beautiful presentation and an awfully big size for an appetizer The duck Ragu, which is your regular Ragu, but of course, if you like duck this is worth getting The butternut squash capellaci. The portion was fairly small on this one. I would've wanted more, as you could see from the picture, but it was my favorite dish for sure. And the "Dila o" orange wine which is long gone and there is no photo of because of course that was finished first! read more

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Very excellent dishes! Hard to get resies sometimes but I recommend this place to everyone I know!

Exceptionally good, now one of my favorites in LA. Everything was delicious, got the beans, crudo, sage pasta, wild boar ragu and the persimmon cake desert. Everything was 5 stars I would order everything again plus more. Can't believe this is 4.2 stars this is an easy 5. Perfect date night restaurant or night with friends. read more

Tucked away in the heart of Highland Park, HIPPO is a hip, Italian "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant that exceeds every expectation. I had the pleasure of visiting this vibrant spot for my birthday, and let me tell you, it was a dining experience worth celebrating. What makes HIPPO stand out isn't just the food -- it's the concept of the open kitchen, where you get a firsthand look at the precision and skill of the kitchen staff. The open kitchen serves as a testament to the discipline and quality of the chefs, showcasing the pristine cleanliness and dedication that go into every dish. Watching the culinary team work their magic while preparing each course only heightened the anticipation for what was to come. This is more than just a meal; it's an experience that allows you to appreciate the art of cooking in real-time. Now, let's talk about the food. I opted for the tasting menu, which included a remarkable nine courses -- each one more exceptional than the last. From the very first bite to the last, it was a culinary journey that captured the essence of Italian cuisine in a modern and innovative way. Every dish was thoughtfully crafted, bursting with fresh, bold flavors that left a lasting impression. One highlight that I can't forget was the freshly baked bread. It was simply amazing -- warm, soft, and perfectly complemented the other dishes. The attention to detail at HIPPO is evident in every element, from the ingredients to the presentation, making it clear that no shortcuts are taken in creating such a memorable dining experience. If you find yourself in Highland Park and are craving a unique, top-tier Italian meal, HIPPO should be at the top of your list. Its combination of impeccable food, an inviting atmosphere, and the sheer dedication to the craft makes it a true standout. Don't miss out on this hidden gem; it's a place you'll want to return to again and again. HIPPO餐厅藏匿于高地公园的心脏地带，是一家时尚的意大利"隐藏宝地"餐馆，超出了我的所有预期。我在这里度过了生日，这个充满活力的地方让我感到十分惊喜。HIPPO的独特之处不仅在于食物，还有它的开放式厨房，让你可以近距离看到厨师团队的精湛技艺和每道菜肴的精心准备。 开放式厨房展现了厨房工作人员的纪律性和高品质，厨房的清洁程度也一目了然。这种设计使得就餐体验更加独特，让你在品尝美食的同时，更加欣赏烹饪艺术的精致与精准。 说到食物，我选择了品鉴菜单，包含了令人惊叹的九道菜----每一道都无比出色。从第一口到最后一口，每道菜都带给我令人难忘的美味，现代与经典意大利风味的完美融合，每一口都充满了新鲜、浓郁的味道。 其中一个令我无法忘怀的亮点是新鲜出炉的面包。简直是太好吃了！温暖、松软，与其他菜肴相得益彰。HIPPO对每个细节的关注都体现在菜肴的每个元素上，从原材料到摆盘，都展现了他们对食物和烹饪的极致追求。 如果你来到高地公园，渴望品尝一顿独特的高端意大利餐，HIPPO绝对是你不容错过的地方。它卓越的美食、温馨的氛围以及对烹饪的无限热忱，使它成为一颗真正的餐饮明珠。不要错过这个隐藏的宝藏，这里绝对值得你一再光顾。 read more

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I have lived in LA forever and had never been to Highland Park before! I'm so glad this was my first restaurant to try there as it did not disappoint! Ok let me first address the fact that they have bread there for $12. I at first was like HUH? and now I TOTALLY GET IT. Their "hippo rolls" are deeeeelish and worth every penny! Great way to start the meal. We also shared the griddl'd cauliflower, the Brussel sprouts, the crudo and the butternut squash cappellacci. I had the "mull it over" cocktail which was a perfect drink on a winter night and my friend had the "post mélon" which was like next level spa water. Honestly everything was fabulous. Casual vibe and an open kitchen to watch the masters at work. Definitely a great place to check out if you're in the area! read more

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This place is one of the cutest Italian spots tucked in HP! Portions are smaller as they are reflective of Italian portions. Service was great! Waiters were very friendly and helpful. We enjoyed everything we tried from the appetizers to the entrees. They have indoor and outdoor seating options. Indoor is a better choice with a nice view of the bar and the lively surroundings. Also worth trying Triple Beam Pizza right outside! read more

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Hippo was really fantastic! We've walked/driven by it so many times but didn't expect this gorgeous space tucked away off the street. I can't remember our servers name but he was absolutely fantastic, answered questions, provided recommendations, was attentive, and extremely pleasant! Drinks were great, I got the golden Negroni and it tasted like a less bitter version of my usual Negroni which made it light and refreshing. My husband got an old fashioned and loved it. Also the French red they had was really lovely. Food was fantastic: Prosciutto & Burrata was the perfect amount for two people to share, the secret star was the toast it came with, perfectly crispy. Celery Root Triangoli was absolutely amazing, but it was VERY rich. I recommend getting it to share as an appetizer because I couldn't eat the full dish I maybe ate half. That said, it was savory and decadent, would order again to share. Steak was soooo tasty, it wasn't overpowered with mole and cooked perfectly medium rare, I would order that as my main next time. Overall would definitely visit again, great place to bring friends and visiting family as well! read more

Hippo - Golden Negroni - light and refreshing - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I was craving Italian and I've had a lot of people recommend this place so we gave it a go. Delicious delicious delicious. The burrata comes with this toasty garlic-y bread that is just divine. Their pastas were on point. Don't get the fresh spaghetti with clams unless you're ready for some strong clam flavor. Their hippo rolls were delicious and has a hint of sweetness and cinnamon in the whipped butter. Service was great and the space is nice and open so lots of breathing room and you don't feel packed like sardines. read more

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Another stop on a weekend of celebrating a friends bday! Love Highland Park with its eclectic and hip vibe, and Hippo fits the scene perfectly. It's located inside a building that also houses Triple Beam Pizza (another Matt Molina spot), and has a wine/beer shop attached through the back. There are lots of tables, both inside and in their well-heated outside patio, and a bar with seating too. Luckily we had a reservation, because a few people without a res checking in at the hostess stand ahead of us were turned away as even the bar seating is reserved. The service here is great. Friendly and attentive. I opted for a "vibrant thank cocktail", which was great. And the birthday boy got a "Sesame Street", a rum based cocktail, which he enjoyed a lot. When it comes to the food though... maybe we didn't pick the best dishes that would have highlighted Hippo better? We ordered the burrata, which is served on top of two large basil leaves and a LOT of olive oil, along with two very thick slices of sourdough bread. The bread was unfortunately oil laden, and for me, it wasn't enjoyable to eat. (My pics don't show the amount of oil under the burrata and basil.) A tiny sprinkle of Maldon on top of the burrata would have done wonders too, IMO. Before the burrata even arrived though, we were given focaccia, which was fine but cold and felt a bit hard. We also got the garden lettuce salad. While it is super fresh, it leaned a bit acidic, perhaps too much lemon? Also a touch overdressed for my liking. For our mains, we both opted to "keep it light". The first server we had (they switched half way through), recommended the celery root triangoli to me, he mentioned it as being is very light. While the homemade pasta itself is indeed light, the sauce is not. It was EXTREMELY rich. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE butter. But this was as if someone melted butter and just poured it all over the pasta and in the plate. Just too much butter. Again, a heavy hand with the sauce/drizzle. (Is there one person in the kitchen responsible for dressing of the dishes??) My friend got the pork ragu tagliatelle which he really enjoyed though. Then came the desserts. And THIS is why Hippo gets 4 stars from me and not 3. I got the roasted banana gelato with bourbon and pecan praline. Holy wow. So divine. Really far exceeded my expectations. And the birthday boy got the griddl'd Kentucky buttercake, and that just sent me. Heaven. I asked who the pastry chef is and our server said she didn't know, so I don't know who is responsible for the execution on this?? But sweet Jesus, give this person a raise! Although none of the savoury food stood out to me, I would go back, as I'd like to try a few other things...namely the hippo rolls, the shaved Brussels sprouts (although I don't know if I'll ever find a better one than Nancy Silverton's), the cool wax beans and the herbed ricotta tortelloni (which was my first pasta choice until he convinced me to go for the butter-heavy triangoli). The pasta itself they make in house is sublime. Overall, we had a good experience, but I think someone's hand is heavy in the kitchen. Between the pour of olive oil on the burrata and bread, the "drizzle" of dressing on the salad, and the glug of butter on the triangoli... But the vibe is great, service is good, and desserts were beyond. read more

Hippo - Focaccia and vibrant thang mocktail - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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It's got poping vibes and great services here. We came with a party of 4 and still enjoy our time within a short line since we rsvp in advanced. But we sat by the outdoor additional seats, which is not classy, but still charge all the high prices with food and services. I have a complex feelings about it. The food is not bad! I'd give 5 stars to the scallops grilled as well as the shaved Brussels sprout, but everything else seem alright. But the drinks are just ok, with the high price. I don't see myself coming back here actually, especially not for the drinks. read more

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I loveeeee hippo! The ambiance is super cute, hip, modern. The service was quick, attentive, and sweet. And the food was sooo good! We got the Brussels, hippo rolls, sweet potato & sage pasta, and the scallops! Everything paired so well together. Loved the acidity and tang of the Brussels & the sweetness of the rolls. I am a huge sucker for anything brown butter & sage. This dish was executed really well, but on the sweeter side. If you're not a huge fan of savory & sweet, this might not be for you. The star of the show was the scallops. Seared just perfectly! Loved loved the tenderness of the scallops and the beans, sauce, peppers/veg complimented it sooo well. We didn't have room for dessert, but want to try the basque cheesecake next time!! read more

Hippo - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Went on Sunday which was all day happy hour - yay! There were 5 of us and I made reservations just in case for 5:30 but got there a little before 5 and was able to get seated on patio. None of us had been before and we all were impressed by the drinks and the food. Service was great and drinks were tasty. Prices are reasonable as well. Will be back! read more

Hippo has been on my list every since they opened. Not until now, we finally hit this place up. I made reservations for 4 for 6pm seating. We were seated outdoors, which was perfect. Once seated, it didn't take long for our waiter to take our drink and food orders. Here were the dishes that were ordered. We started with: Royal Hamachi Crudo- The hamachi was fresh, but the citrus did overpower the freshness of the fish. 16 Months Prosciutto- This was fantastic. The P prosciutto was delicious. Definitely goes well with the house bread they give you. Shaved Brussels Sprout - This was ok. Again, the citrus did overpower the salad. Our Main Dishes: Butternut Squash Cappellacci- One of my favorite dishes of the night. The flavor was absolutely fantastic. At first, I thought this pasta dish was going to be sweet because of the squash, but it wasn't. Tagliatelle Pork Ragu- This was my favorite pasta dish of the night. Pasta was on point, and the sauce was flavorful. Barbecue Honey Balsamic Hanger Steak - The Steak perfectly grilled to rare to medium rare. That molé sauce was delicious. Dessert: Kentucky Buttercake- Delicious, and I usually don't order dessert. Service: Very friendly and professional. Overall, Hippo delivered a solid meal, and we wouldn't mind giving it another go. Until next time. read more

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I chose to have my birthday dinner here on Sunday evening. Turns out it was a happy hour deal all day. Big win for us all. We tried majority of the happy hour dishes. Our waiter was very helpful and gave us delicious recommendations. I was very pleased with our dishes. By the end of the dinner I was holding on to the last piece of my bread roll and whipped butter. The patio was just right in temperature and very pleasant. I suggest a 5:30 dinner reservations to beat the Sunday dinner crowd. read more

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5 stars hands down! Came here on a date night, Saturday, as soon as they opened and there was no wait for a party of 2. The vibe is classy but casual. The food is the highlight. We started with burrata, hamachi crudo and brussel sprouts. Yhe bread with the burrata was crispy and thick! The hamachi crudo was fresh, with so many flavors, very unique. The brussell sprouts had lemon juice and almond flavors that really burst, healthy and refreshing! For the main, we had a butternut squash ravioli, pork ragu, and the "tandoori" sea bass. I know, sounds a lot for the 2 of us. But it was so good we couldn't stop eating! Will definitely come back to try the other stuff from the menu! Shout out to Adrian and Carlo for 5 star service! read more

Came here on a Friday night and the hostess was very rude and off putting, which should have been my first sign not to proceed with dinner. There's nothing better and more welcoming than spending your money at a restaurant that doesn't want you there. From there, the overall experience and meal was just "ok". Ordered the hippo rolls, hamachi, three pasta dishes and two cocktails. We were curious about the dessert menu but felt sort of deflated after our meal that we skipped out and went in search of a place with better vibes. The others in my party rated Hippo a 6/10 which is fair, but definitely not worth the price point. Safe to say we won't be going back. read more

We were here on a busy Friday night; it was on the loud side. That aside, our party of four had a 5-star experience. Hippo roll is literally hot out of the oven and delicious. My conchiglie pasta with sausage meat was soooo good. Server was attentive but not intrusive. I would definitely go back, perhaps on a less busy night. read more

HiPPo (Highland Park Post office), is one of the earlier settlers of the growing number of hip restaurants springing up in the tri-park area (Echo, Glassell, Highland). Its menu can be described as Cali-Italian with salads, pastas, seafood and meats. Chef Molina's Mozzarella lineage was obvious in HiPPo's dishes. The tagliolini with duck Ragu and the bucatini with guanciale both had great freshly made pasta; unfortunately they were both a bit over-sauced and overly salty. The grilled halibut was perfectly done and was our favorite of the meal. The hanger steak was a bit tough and once again quite salty. Overall a decent meal. I just wish everything was less salty. read more

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Add Hippo to your fav list! The apps are savory, pasta will melt in your mouth and the meat is to die for! The best part - the staff is knowledgeable and super friendly without being over bearing...vibe is just old school cool! read more

The food was fantastic. The drinks were intoxicating. The service was awesome. Some standouts were the BBQ Balsamic Honey Hanger Steak and the Hippo Rolls. The steak was perfectly done and paired well with fresh and warm tortillas. The salty, acidic, fatty sauce just rocked my world. The Hippo Roll was another taste bud knock out. The bread was pillowy soft and warm that my tongue wanted to sleep on it, but the amount of chew was perfect to help savor the sweet buttery spread that paired with this wonderful carb laden treat. Ambiance is fun and low key. Perfect for hanging with friends or having an intimate date. It's highland park so you know what to expect from parking. read more

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Our waiter, Alexander, forgot our main courses. Very frustrating to happen on Valentine's Day. Hippo is typically excellent but they fell short today. read more

Disappointed... Took a glance at the menu and looked amazing! Atmosphere looked chill. Unfortunately, hostess were unwelcoming and decided to take our business elsewhere. No thank you.... read more

Hippo - No thank you... - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Came here for my pre-birthday dinner and I have to say--I was thoroughly impressed; from the drinks, atmosphere, service, food, and most importantly, dessert, my belly and heart were oh so happy. Everything comes in tapas portions, so we shared a few different plates and appetizers; here's what we got. Grilled Chicken Thighs; perfectly seasoned, juicy chicken thighs with grilled potatoes and arugula. Loved every morsel of it. Herbed Ricotta Tortellini; Ricotta-stuff tortellini; the flavor is there, but I still prefer the delectable grilled chicken thighs. Grill'd Cauliflower; perfectly roasted, and that walnut raisin caper relish adds the perfect touch; much preferred this dish over the shaved Brussels sprouts. Shaved Brussels Sprouts; I had never had shaved Brussels Sprouts, and truth be told, this dish goes heavy on the lemon; not an unpalatable dish, simply not for me. Drinks: Dessert in a cup; The Cosmic Marbles and Post Melon are fruity, sneakily strong and will have you blabbing about your most embarrassing date in no-time. Dessert: do yourself a favor and just go for the butterscotch budino; you'll thank me later. A five-star, unforgettable experience on my special day--thank you so very much, Hippo! read more

Hippo - Grilled Chicken Thighs: beautiful presentation to compliment its deliciousness. - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Fun little spot in Highland Park for dinner! Came with a party of five and was seated outside. I was pleasantly surprised with how large the restaurant was and the ample amount of seating there was both indoors and outside. It wasn't too cold the day we went for dinner, but if needed, there are heaters for outdoor seating. They start out by giving a slab of focaccia, which would taste better if it were warmed! FIRST - *Hippo Rolls: basically parker house rolls, but they were so warm and delicious!! I didn't think I was going to love these as much as I did. The fluffiness of the bread paired with the honey butter was heavenly. I then slathered the butter onto the focaccia after I devoured the rolls. - 16 month Prosciutto: honestly was confused with this vs. the other burrata dish, but I believe its dependent on where the cheese comes from. You can't really go wrong with prosciutto and cheese. - Shaved Brussels Sprouts: a good break with the rest of the dishes and some vegetable for the night. It was fresh and fun and light. PASTA - Semolina Artisanal Fresh Spaghetti: my personal least favorite of the pastas. Everything was pretty salty. I think there was ample amount of seafood present, but everything just tasted like salt and one dimensional. - Duck Ragu Tagliolini: the duck was very tender and the tagliolini was delicious. The portion was just small. - *Sweet Corn Cappellacci: THIS!!! The star of the night. Of all the pastas, I would say order two orders of this for 4+ people because everyone will love it. The creaminess of the corn with the mushrooms made the entire night so wonderful and dreamy. MEAT AND FISH - BBQ Honey Balsamic Hanger Steak: we did order the sauce off to the side since someone in our party was allergic to the ingredients, but the steak was well cooked. I think it is a little steep for close to $40, but I thought everything paired nicely with each other. SWEET - Griddl'd Kentucky Buttercake - Strawberry Buckle Cake DRINK - Post Melón: this was a fun, fizzy drink which started the night Overview: a cute hippo themed date night spot with good vibes and ambiance, but slightly salt heavy on the dishes. Parking can be tough, but there is usually street parking a block down. read more

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The food is really good. The shaved Brussel sprout salad is my favorite ever and I could live on those alone. The ambience is also nice, fun interesting space. However, this time our evening was marred by the server. It was a birthday celebration, most of us had come here before, we definitely expected better service. Other than taking our order at the start, he did not come back to check on us nor ask if we wanted anything else. When we finished our dinner; we waited 40 mins with plates on the table for someone to come by, before one of us went and found someone and asked them could we please order coffee and desert. It's not like the restaurant was that busy. We definitely saw our server chatting away to one couple a lot so it wasn't as if he didn't want to work and was awol. It's not every day when friends can get together, nor is this a cheap place, but that lack of attention, that lack of any kind of service really marred the evening for us. The restaurant did comp our desert and coffee (2 deserts and one Americano), but by then you've been sitting hanging around and the energy and vibe is gone. I have to say, despite my love of those Brussel sprouts I'm hesitant to return read more

Hippo - Inside area - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lovely place for dinner with fam and friends! The bread is so good! Love the open kitchen style. Staff is super friendly and attentive:) read more

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An essential spot in the trendy and hop neighborhood of Highland Park, Hippo is a great place to bring friends and family to enjoy great food and drinks. The menu covers both new American and Italian dishes, so there's plenty of options for dietary restrictions. I tried the crudo, tagliatelle, and scallops, all of which were delicate and flavorful. The crudo was refreshing and tangy, the tagliatelle was hearty and deep, and the scallops were cooked to juicy perfection. Although the portions are on the conservative side, the quality is superb. The complimentary focaccia was a nice touch as well. read more

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I found Hippo on accident via google maps and it was a happy accident. You enter through a hallway where to your left is a pizza place, and to your right is "Go Get Em' Tiger." At the very end of thier dining area/hallway , you'll find the entrence to hippo, where you are greeted at the door. I highly recommend getting a reservation prior because by 6pm, the place was packed with people. We arrived when doors opened at 5pm, and we were led to their warm enclosed outdoor patio area. We sat down and got the following: Drinks: - Mariachi on the beach: This had Tequila, passionfruit, aperol and coconut. It's more on the sour side and you can definitely taste the passion fruit. I loved the tajin (?) and salt rim. I didnt taste the coconut tho. Maybe it was subtle? - golden hour: (not pictured) my friend had this and said it was very, very strong. So if you like strong drinks, this is the one for you. Food: - hippo roll. Its a buttery salty fresh bread with creamy whipped(? -correct me if i am wrong) honey butter (think salty Hawaiian roll) . We couldn't stop eating this. This was delicious. -herb ricotta tortelloni - overall, this was very delicious, very fresh. You can taste the tomato sauce, the riccotta, the capers. My only downside to this was that it was a little too salty with the capers and olives, and the portion was a lil smaller than what we thought it would be. But, it was very good. - basque-style cheesecake: the cheesecake itself was very warm and fresh. i liked the vinegar and the creme fraîche. I was expecting more blueberries though. But the cheesecake was so good i want more. Service: Our server was very lovely. special thank you to her and the cooks. I have a shellfish allergy and the cooks were informed. So i was all good to eat here and I felt safe. Overall, i want to come back to try more of their food and cocktails next time i am in Highland park, just note the portion sizes are a lil smaller than the pictures read more

Hippo - Mariachi on the beach - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Have been back many many times and love it every time. I will say some dishes are better than others but now that I know the menu I know exactly what to order. The wax beans salad is my fave. Followed by the duck ragu. Also love the celery root pasta. Drinks are fun too. read more

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Amazing service and delicious food! The pasta was very fresh and the flavors were all delicious. We had every last drop of the food. You can ask for bread (it's free but they don't advertise it) and use it to sop up all the flavorful sauces. Street parking was not hard to find. The restaurant itself looked trendy and cute. read more

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Came here 45 min early for a reservation with my husband and the host was gracious enough to offer us a seat at the bar. She also offered to move us to a table once our reservation time began, but since we could be served at the bar we ended up deciding to stay for the remainder of the meal. Food: Even though we are all stretched for cash these days, the meal was absolutely worth the cost. The Griddl'd Cauliflower was the highlight of the night--cannot recommend it enough. It was so complex, surprising, and delicate and felt so new/fresh! The duck ragú was a close second--incredibly flavorful and comforting dish. Felt homemade. Service: friendly, gave great recommendations, checked in on us often. Parking: No dedicated lot, and is located in a busier area, but finding street parking wasn't so bad (considering how bad parking can be in LA). We walked from a spot we found about a block away. read more

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Dinner outside on patio. Tons of seating available outside (tented) with ample heaters. Food was delicious! shaved brussel sprouts - light and refreshing, tangy lemon vinaigrette, almonds hamachi crudo - heat from jalapeños, a little sweet, fresh taglione with duck ragout - silky fresh pasta with the right amount of sauce, not too heavy chicken thighs - gorgeously charred, served over potatoes in a aji chile sauce, potent butterscotch budino - with salted caramel and whipped cream, a very good version of this dish Prices are beyond reasonable - something to be said. Service was friendly and efficient. Our server was a little "salty" - ner a smile to be seen, but we ignored, and all other servers seemed happy. A couple of things could have made this meal even better - wine by the glass list is very abbreviated and the ones we tried were okay but not great. A little odd as they have a wine shop in the back. Also, they brought the main chicken dish before the pasta, which was served last - definitely a mistake as the chile sauce in the chicken overpowered the pasta dish. All in all, a strong meal. All about the food. I would definitely go again and try different dishes as many looked appealing. And I must get to that Triple Beam Pizza next door - always doing a good trade. read more

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The food and ambience is wonderful. Have been back multiple times. Many flavorful vegetarian dishes. Stacked chicken thighs are my favorite dish. Open kitchen fun to watch. read more

Wow! The food and service were incredible on our recent visit to Hippo. We ended up sharing the Hippo rolls, Hamachi crudo, and garden lettuce salad to start, then the pork ragu pasta, the barbequed honey balsamic hangar steak, the chicken thighs, and warm spiced persimmon cake. My only regret was not having a larger group to share a few more dishes. read more

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My wife loves Hippo and I can't say I blame her. We've been a few times now and have gone through a good chunk of the menu without ever really being disappointed. The brussel sprout salad is a standout favorite of mine, but all of their pastas are amazing and their breads are fresh and buttery. Service is great too with the people who work here clearly taking pride in their work. I would love to see a more robust cocktail menu, but their cocktails aren't half bad either. read more

I have only had takeout here previously, so this was my first time dining in. Reservations were easy to make online, and I was thankfully able to choose patio when reserving - places don't always make it easy to choose outdoor dining when making reservations. On that tip - no way you will be chilly when dining outdoors here! They have plenty of heat lamps plus a plastic enclosure that still offers open airflow, so you'll be COVID-safe while staying warm. My partner and I are fairly selective eaters, and we don't share the same dietary needs, so we weren't able to share a lot of dishes - the way the menu is laid out, that is defintiely an ideal way to go if you can share some first dishes with others! The wines are mostly partnered with the wine shop next door, so if you like something, I think you'll be able to find it nearby and enjoy it. I had the Field Recordings Orange wine which I was happy to try. Alejandro was our server and he was very attentive. I rarely comment too much on service, mainly because I understand how tough it is right now for waiters and service industry folks, but Alejandro was extremely polite and just the right amount of attentiveness. He noted down our diet allergies (egg for one, vegan the other) and made sure to tell my partner which pastas had egg (the homemade ones). I chose a salad and the cauliflower griddl'd, and partner had the sea bass. Despite ordered two "appetizers" as my main, I was quite full after polishing off the ample portions for "first" dishes. The cauliflower is a big hunk of grilled cauliflower and the flavors were quite delicious. It's like a wedge salad, except cauliflower and having more Mediterranean flair with capers and tahini. My partner loved the bass and said it was excellent. We aren't too big on dessert so we ended there, but the service was great and I would love to go back! A nice vibe for a nice but not over the top evening meal! read more

Hippo - griddled cauliflower dish + orange wine - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I am kind of obsessed with Hippo's food!!! We have only been here twice but definitely want to keep coming back for the food. We made a reservation so it was no problem getting seated . We were seated on the outdoor patio which was covered due to rain and they had heaters. We did not get cold at all which was a worry of ours. The menu is a little limited and some foods we had no idea what they were. BUT that didn't matter because we knew what we came for - THE BREAD AND THE PASTA!! we HIGHLY recommend the Hippo rolls (and they also give you free other bread) and The Pork Ragú and Bucatini. We shared both the pastas cuz they are both THAT GOOD and we couldn't choose. We didn't get dessert but did get some simple drinks. Don't miss out and you have to come try this place out!! read more

Hippo - Hippo Rolls - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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We inevitably had to come back again, this time a party of four. Pandemic was remote history and the real feeling of dining out had started to come back. Hippo was great. Our server was visibly proud of all the delicatessens that were offered. And everything we chose was on point. PREVIOUS REVIEW This one in Highland Park was long on the to-do list but better late than never. The place is very cool and trendy, understandably so - it is cool and therefore trendy. And not too easy to get a table. We got a Saturday one at 9 pm, and I'll get back on that issue. But let me first state that the food was super delicious, tapas-style in sequential fairly small portions, until inevitably all stomach space is used up, in a good way!! The menu is not endless, but everything on is sounds attractive. So, we chose the griddl'd fett'unta bread, the royal hamachi crudo (2nd fav), griddl'd cauliflower (1st fav), burrata from puglia, herbed ricotta tortelloni, cedar-smoked ocean trout. Dessert looked tempting but I had made a Tiramisu at home that was waiting - so we passed. In summary, everything not only looked beautiful but was on point, and the full bouquet of flavors melted on the taste buds. The server Mickey was charming, the bill contactless. But one issue - not her fault - was not appreciated at all. We had the table reserved for 9pm, arrived at 8:55, had to wait until 9:12 - which all would have been absolutely okay, had we not been told 8 minutes later, i.e. at 9:20, that we only had 10 minutes left to order anything as this was the "last call to the kitchen". C'mon!! That is politely put just extremely poor business practice. Not liked at all!!! read more

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Worth the try: butternut squash cappellacci, celery root triangoli Hippo Rolls ($10): soft, buttery house rolls topped with sea salt flakes and served with honey butter. Served fresh and warm, great way to start your meal. Not the best I've had but still good to try. Burrata & Persimmon ($16): thinly sliced persimmon with burrata, medjool dates, sesame chili crunch, and upland cress. A surprising appetizer that combines sweet and spicy pretty well. The flavors blend together with the toasted, buttery side of bread. Butternut Squash Cappellacci ($20): butternut squash pasta with browned butter, sage & amaretti sauce. Imagine little hat-shaped pasta that are basically warm pumpkin-filled pillows. A lot of restaurants do a browned butter safe pasta but Hippo does it the BEST. Celery Root Triangoli ($20): pasta with buttered shallots & chive. Creamy but didn't feel too gross or heavy. Semolina Artisinal Fresh Bucatini ($21): pasta with guanciale, tomato, red onion & chile flake. A nice, simple red pasta but it was a bit too acidic for me (I'm not a fan of tomato sauce, but my partner enjoyed it.) BTW "guanciale" is an Italian cured meat product prepared from pork jowl or cheeks! PARKING: Ample street parking available nearby. SERVICE: Service was attentive to our needs. Our server even let us move tables after mentioning we were really warm underneath the patio heaters. Contactless menu and payments available. ATMOSPHERE: Cute restaurant behind a pizza spot! Indoor and outdoor dining available, the patio is "closed off" with heaters for when it gets cold. My partner took me here with him and his friends after mentioning it was one of his new favorite spots to go for dinner. I'm pretty critical of Italian / pasta places, but Hippo does it well! We shared a bunch of dishes, and the butternut squash was my absolute favorite. Would recommend checking this spot out, they have great drinks, it's easy to make reservations, and the pasta is fresh! read more

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enjoyed the food however would I come back probably not. It was cool to check out but I wouldn't make a trek to come back you know what I mean. Portions were a little on the smaller size considering the price around $25 for a small plate. Service was really great everyone was friendly and helpful. Food came out pretty quickly though. read more

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