Concepts On Highland

After reading reviews of Concepts on Highlands on this site and another restaurant review site, I noticed that the distribution of reviews was shaped like a «U.» Some reviewers loved it and some hated it but there were many more ones and fives and fewer threes and fours than one usually sees in most reviews and this trend was on both sites. I noticed that a few dedicated Unilocalers with over 30 reviews had some nice things to say about the place and so I decided to give it a try.
We went on a Friday in June of 2012 and the place was on the quiet side. Less than half of the tables were full. I had attempted to dine at Concepts once before, at lunch on a Saturday when the Eau Gallie arts festival was next door. They were slammed and when I realized that every table was full and almost none had food, I opted to leave as I knew the wait could be longer than our young children could stand. This time around the place was surprisingly quiet for a Friday night and the kids were home with a sitter.
We started by sharing an organic field greens salad topped with some fried goat cheese ($ 7.00), which the restaurant kindly split onto two plates for us. A half dollar sized piece of goat cheese, with a light crisp batter added a bit of crunch and variety to the greens. I was impressed that the goat cheese did not get runny when fried. I wish they put a little more dressing on the salad but this one was a winner.
I had the first item on the menu, Salmon over rice. It was nothing special. My spouse had the nightly special of «lamb lollipops» $ 22.00 for 4 pieces/​bones. The lamb was definitely the better dish. The portion was adequate but without ordering a starter or salad and desert a hearty eater might leave not quite full.
There was only one server working when we arrived, which was sufficient given that the place was rather quiet. I saw some reviews on Unilocal where there were service complaints. Our service was fine. I have insufficient information to gauge whether this is the case when the place is busy.
Some of the deserts are made on premises (Crème Brulee) and others are made at a local bakery and heated to order (pineapple upside down cake and bread pudding). We tried the Crème Brulee and Bread pudding both garnished with whipped cream. I would give the bread pudding a «B» and the Crème Brulee a «B+»
Concepts had nice décor and played a mellow mix of music. Concepts is a good restaurant that warrants a return visit but certainly does not warrant a 5 star review and anyone who gave it a 1 star review must have had an axe to grind. 3.5 stars.

The food is truly excellent. Service can be uneven. There seems to be one wait person most of the time. So come but be French and take your time!

Terrible service, didn’t bother to stay long enough to try the food since the waitress all but kicked us out and told us to come back for dinner because it was «better.» Since there was nobody else in the restaurant you’d think they would want the business.

I’ve heard rave reviews of this place so decided to try it out. I was disappointed. I was ready for some awesome food and it was just okay. I won’t be returning because I can get better food elsewhere.

This place is awesome. I’ve been three times. Great steak, solid burger and an awesome salad.
Reasonably priced for a nicer restaurant. Well worth a visit.

Prices high for the size of the portions, Food is good. During the week you get a free bottle of wine with two entrees. We were four, so ordered two bottles of wine. Waiter made it a point to tell us it didn’t work that way, but the owner/​chef said to let it go this time???