Hillstone

So a vegan walks into a steakhouse, and enjoyed it. My boyfriend’s parents were in town over a long weekend and I knew going out to dinner without reservations would be a disaster. I searched high and low for a place known for great steaks where this vegan could enjoy something more than a green salad and then I remembered an article I read about how Hillstone in NYC was one of Bill Clinton’s favorite places to enjoy a veggie burger in the city — BINGO. Reservations were easily made online for our party of 4 and there were ample time options available for me to choose from. We arrived a bit early but were immediately seated at a nice booth with a bit of an outside view.
The service here was excellent, but odd. At one point I think we had gone through four different servers during our meal. One took our cocktail and appetizer order, another one asked again for cocktails and got confused when we had already ordered, another one took our dinner order, etc. I am not sure if we came during a shift change, or if this restaurants pools tips? In all we never had to wait long for anything because our table was taken care of, just by a million different people, but, I guess that is better than no service at all.
The food and drinks were excellent. We all had some delicious cocktails to start and my non-​vegan dining companions munched on the highly recommended artichoke dip and said it was to die for. For entrees I went for the veggie burger — the server said the patty itself was vegan without the cheese or sauce on it. When it came to the table it actually looked like a rare burger. The ingredients used gave it a pink hue which made me feel like I can finally fit in with the meat eaters and not look like the lone vegan at a steakhouse (ha). Everyone at my table scraped their plates clean and we washed it all down with a great bottle of wine.
In all I would recommend Hillstone as the type of spot to bring your parents or for a nice corporate meal. For me I am more into something more off the beaten path and not the stand American fare provided here, but this was a good option to please a crowd with different tastes and dietary needs. Also, a bit on the pricey side for what I would normally pay on my own, but it is located right in a tourist hub of SF so that is to be expected.

Expensive price point for salads, burgers, steaks, and seafood but totally worth it. My husband used to work at this location and we like to eat here because it brings back memories of when he worked there and when we worked two blocks away in an office building. Plus, he always reminds me of the freshness of their ingredients and how they make their own ketchup. Our favorite items are the Chicken Tortilla Soup, Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Cheese Burger, Thai Beef/​Chicken Salad and the Kale Chicken Salad plus their Fries! Their fries are the best. They are thinly sliced but not shoestring and are always fried to perfection and have a nice level of salt. The Tortilla soup is only offered on Tuesdays so try to stop in for it on that day. It has a thick consistency and yummy flavors. You have to get the Dip because it’s tasty and easy to share. It comes with tortilla chips so it’s not too filling and the gooey cheese melded with the Artichokes and Spinach is served really hot and has good flavors. If you’re into big juicy burgers, this is the spot but if you don’t like mustard, speak up. I don’t think they list the mustard on the menu but it comes dressed. Both salads are great in size and presentation. They’re quite filling and they’re delicious with fresh vegetables and juicy meat but the Thai one is by far my favorite with a little kick in their dressing. We’ve always have great service. They are friendly and keep your glasses full and table cleared of dirty dishes. The outdoor patio is awesome for a relaxing lunch and the bar is nice for a late afternoon drink.

Perfect last minute find for our Father’s Day dinner. So surprisingly family friendly and hearty American food appropriate for all the omnivores, one kiddo with only 2 teeth, one vegetarian (me).
Family friendly tips include changing tables in both men’s and women’s bathroom, live jazz on weekends, plenty of booth seating near windows for lots is scenery, appropriate noise level, a awesome service (thank you for the straws) and deep tables to place items out of little hands’ reach, and even a little sitting area near a fireplace where toddler feet can stretch. Didn’t see a kids menu but my toddler loved the pomme purée (mashed potatoes) and nibbled on the cheese that came with the burgers.
And the food! Huge portions. No one finished their entrée. Interestingly the burger had a mountain of shredded cheddar cheese (3″ high no joke) instead of a slice. We liked the grilled artichokes, although a bit pricey and salty at 3 halves for $ 17. Smoked salmon was finished quickly, and I enjoyed the braised red cabbage– brown sugar sweet, slightly tangy, and loved the goat cheese on top. Crab cakes weren’t bad either, my husband liked (but not loved) his Hawaiian ribeye — it wasn’t on the menu, but this was the day’s special. Finishing with an ice cream sundae made my daughter happy. ESP the pour your own hot fudge in a metal pitcher, allowed us to control how much melting happened.
Glad we got last minute reservations! Not sure they were necessary but it helped since it was a holiday. Oh and street parking was a breeze outside, free on Sunday’s I believe.

My overall experience at Hillstone was great. The food was delicious and filling. We went in at about 11am as they were just about to open for the day. We ordered roasted artichokes and the spinach & artichoke dip with salsa and sour cream for our appetizers. I loved the roasted flavor of the artichokes with the mayo dip. We had to get chips for the dip since it was pretty heavy on the cheese, though it tasted really good. I ordered the French dip with horseradish. They gave an entire cup of horseradish so if you’re really into the spicy burning sensation, you’ll appreciate the size of horseradish they give. The meat was very tender and the au jus added nice flavor.
The service while we were the only ones there was exceptional, but as more people came in, it slowed down (as expected). Our waiter had to return to our table 3 times to get all the waters refilled and there were only 7 of us (I guess that was due to the small glass bottles they used to refill our water).

I went there for lunch with my roomie.
We ordered 2 Hickory burgers and both of us got food poisoned! I couldn’t eat for the whole day because I felt so nauseous and the day after I had to deliver a presentation!
I think that the meat wasn’t really fresh.
I will never come back!

Color me ‘impressed,’ Hillstone (glorified Houston’s) is a classy and upscale restaurant located in the Embarcadero/​North Beach area of San Francisco. The menu features a wide array of options from sushi, steak, and salads to a lunch classic, burgers. Most all of the menu items are served from peak-​of-​freshness ingredients and the utmost attention to detail. DELICIOUS.
The restaurant is filled with warm wood, contemporary art, dark red booths, and the dull roar of a hundred conversations over soft jazz and the clattering of several dishes. The dining room gives way to a bar, several booth seating and tables, as well as a gorgeous patio area with trees and heat lamps.
The staff is friendly and the service was excellent (Valerie M), adding to the overall experience. It can run a little pricey, but it serves delicious food, so it felt fair at around $ 100 for my family. We came during the lunch rush and got in and out quickly, which was needed based on our upcoming bus tour.
We really liked (A grade) the Chicago spinach dip and the grilled artichokes. The family also went for the Hickory Burger, each cooked to our taste, and they were plenty big and finger licking good. I would not hesitate to go back!

Came here with my husband to try out the grilled artichoke (which did not disappoint!). He had been to another location in Manhattan Beach and couldn’t stop raving about it. We discovered they have locations across the US, which are individually owned and operated.
The interior is dark and they had live music when we were there on a Wednesday night. I had made a reservation and we were seated right away. Our waitress was excellent. Every plate we ordered was delicious! Drinks were great too!
If you’re in the area GO! Parking was easy to find on the street too!

The artichoke dip was great and the Thai Steak Salad was amazing with the seared steak tender and delicious. I really can’t compliment the food enough, it was all so good. The service could have been better. It wasn’t terrible service, just not on par with the quality of the food. That’s the only reason this review gets 3 stars instead of 4 or 5.

Warning Note: This review is a couple of months outdated.
How could you not listen to part Italian homosexual hairstylist when he makes recommendation on where to go? Off we went to Hillstone!
The ambience and décor were nice, it gives some European rustic feeling in a way. The place was kept clean. So clean, I actually slipped on the floor!
Service was good with occasional careful intermission. There were plenty of spaces between tables to ensure privacy in conversation.
Now for the food, The crispy chicken was a bit too oily and bland. Honestly, the red cabbage that served as its accompaniment stands out more with its unique flavor.
The Thai steak and Noodle Salad was a refreshing one with mango and fresh herb. It struck me more of a summer dish.
I am starting to think his recommendation was based on the venue and ambiance. When it comes to the food, it was good. Ok good, not crazy good.

Came here for a date night! I wanted to eat somewhere that I could get a great vegan meal for myself and my carnivore spouse could have a great meal too. Boy were we completely blown away.
The night started with great drinks at the bar. The French 75, a light refreshing drink with a kick! From there we had a grilled artichoke which I highly recommend. Both my hubby and I thought it was the best grilled artichoke we had ever had. From there I order the braised cabbage which was delicious my hubby had a prime rib which easily could have feed two people.
We were too stuffed for dessert but took a key lime pie to our son. He said it was the best pie he every had, which says a lot for a 6 year old.
All and all the dinner was worth the price and all different diets left completely satisfied!

Yes, of COURSE the ribs are very good – tangy sauce that’s tasty without overpowering the meal. The meat falls off the bone, portions are generous, and as a starter the foccacia is perfect, as is the Caesar salad. And here is the surprise– the omelet is delightful – super fluffy, with super fresh spinach and just the right amount of goat cheese inside.
The jazz quartet was perfect – great tunes, entertaining without being loud, and tonight as a lovely tribute they played a beautifully rendered cover of Purple Rain.
One star less than five for failure to be prompt with drink refills.

Came here for my mom’s birthday lunch. They NAILED both our fillet mignons, they were soo good, and so soft I was literally able to cut them with a fork. We got ribs that were delicious and a good crunchy salad with all the tasty veggies. It’s a nice ambiance and the servers were so attentive and courteous; I would definitely come back again.

Great outdoor area for Al Fresco dining! This is our neighborhood go to restaurant where we enjoy weekend brunches and evening dinners with nightly live jazz ensembles.
Favorite dishes:
APPETIZERS: salmon with toast points, grilled artichoke, kale salad with chicken
ENTREES: Hawaiian Rib Eye, Ahi Tuna Salad, Thai Steak Salad, Rotisserie Chicken, Roast Prime Rib
DESSERT: brownies with ice cream to share

Our family came here for my dad’s birthday and I must say that I haven’t been this satisfied after a meal in a long time.
5 stars in all categories:
Service:
Our waitress, Ahnai (?), was so friendly, professional and caring. I’m not sure if the restaurant trains all of their waiters that well or if she’s a standout but someone needs to give her an award for service.
Food:
It’s very rare to find a nice restaurant that serves both quality and quantity. We ordered the spinach and artichoke dip as an appetizer, which is a must. Then we got the BBQ ribs, prime rib, steak salad and the Filet. I wish I had more money in my wallet to buy another round of each dish…
Location:
Conveniently located right next to the pier so you can take a walk after arguably the best meal you’ll have in a long time.
My parents come here regularly and I always thought it a slight waste of money. But after last night, I understand why. Can’t wait to come back.

Was great! Best artichokes EVER! (And I grew them for years). Ribs a little sweet but not too fatty or gelatinous. Very well cooked. Way a lot of food! Trout grilled to perfection with the right amount of char, succulent and not dry.
Sides: broccoli Was perfect, Cole slaw good flavor sand unique — good food science complimenting the ribs and fries light and crisp — cooked exactly right.
Staff was cheery, attentive and responded well to all our dish modifiers (we are picky foodies).
An overall amazing trifecta — food quality! Service! Environment!
The older Houston interior has aged well with great finishes — copper, wood and leather booths all feel solid and welcoming.
One of the chef’s outside after morning prep and before service really friendly helpful and knowledgeable, intrigued us more for this 1^st time visit before restaurant opened.
Best staff ever.

Came here for an anniversary dinner and from experiences with some of our friends, who recommended us to this place, we made reservations. The restaurant itself is located right across from the Pier and you can find parking behind the restaurant, that is if it isn’t too busy.
We made a reservation for 10:00pm, which is a super late dinner, but due to a prior commitment on our anniversary day, this was the only time possible for us. You would think that by this time, it would be less busy and that you are seated right at your reservation time. WRONG. There were other groups ahead of us waiting for their tables and we ended up waiting 45 minutes AFTER our reservation till we actually got seated. The hostess explained to us, after asking numerous times what the status was, that they were way behind on reservations. I’d also like to add that the girls upfront weren’t very apologetic to this issue as it seemed like this happens allllll the time. As a restaurant that seems to be very busy every day, especially on a weekend, you would think that organizing reservations and handling waiting, and hungry customers would be their forte but unfortunately, its not.
Despite all that, we were waiting by the kitchen, which is open, and you can see all the chefs cooking the food. They noticed that we’ve been waiting for a bit so they decided to give us complimentary fries, dipping sauce, and water while we waited. The group next to us, which was a dad and his two kids, also were served a complimentary dish for waiting. I thought that was very sweet and thoughtful!
When we were finally seated, we had the pleasure of having an awesome waitress and our food was delightful! Highly recommend ordering the Home Smoked Salmon as a starter! It comes with some kind of tartar sauce which you spread onto the crostini bread, then you lay the smoked salmon on top and voila! DELICIOUS. The salmon will literally melt in your mouth!
For our main course, I had the Thai steak and noodle salad and my bf had the New York steak, which was the special that night and ended up costing $ 50, just for the steak lol It was delicious though and the steak was super tender. My salad was also bomb! Probably one of the best salads I’ve ever had and I’m totally not being sarcastic. If you are a person who orders salads at restaurants, that one is a must try! Don’t forget to order a glass of wine to top of your dinner, they have a great selection which all go perfectly with their dishes.
Minus the wait, we had a great anniversary dinner. I’d dress pretty business casual when going here as it is more on the upscale side and very classy/​romantic.

I’ve been here only a few times and somehow my food compass always points me to the Thai Steak and Noodle Salad. Maybe it’s the name, maybe I’m always in the mood for something healthy and the word salad stands out. Regardless, it’s been great every single time I’ve been here so I’ll recommend the Thai Steak and Noodle Salad to you. Essentially, it’s cold Thai noodles with steak pieces and secret sauce that just soothes your mind and stomach from the worries of the world. Did I mention the price is competitively priced for SF’s standards so it won’t burn a hole in your wallet?
Another hot ticket item is the steak. Considering that this is a classy style American restaurant and they have a outstanding steak, I’m surprised again that their steak is competitively priced for what you get. Order the medium rare (my favorite) and you will have yourself a big, fat, and juicy steak to shove between your big smile.

Hillstone is a classy and upscale restaurant located in the Embarcadero/​North Beach area of San Francisco. The menu features a wide array of options from sushi to salads and from steak to burgers. Most all of the menu items are served from peak-​of-​freshness ingredients and the utmost attention to detail.
The restaurant is filled with warm wood, contemporary art, dark red booths, and the dull roar of a hundred conversations over soft jazz and the clattering of several dishes. The dining room gives way to a bar, several booth seating and tables, as well as a gorgeous patio area with trees and heat lamps.
The staff is friendly and service excellent, adding to the overall experience. It can run a little pricey, but it serves delicious food!

Decided to come here because they do not have a corkage fee… and guess what? We forgot to bring the wine! Lol! Anyway, we did order a nice bottle of wine, Flora Springs Chardonnay, which was at a good price point as far as restaurant pricing is concerned.
Accompanying the wine, we ordered several appetizers which tantalized our taste buds. The wood fired brussesl sprouts were so tasty, the smokiness flavor alongside the creamy remoulade was a great combination. The spinach and artichoke dip was one of the best I’ve ever had! Not sure what made it so tasty, but it sure was good! We then had the Kale salad with Roasted Chicken and Filet. Both were prepared very well and we enjoyed every bite!

I’ve come here a few times for take out salads and sandwiches because I work in the building two doors down, but I’m always thoroughly disappointed by the portions for their price.
you can’t order a decent sized salad here for less than $ 18, and while their sandwiches are more than enough for lunch, $ 24+ is a bit much for me right now.
their appetizers are great, however. try their smoked salmon and dip !!

UPDATE: Decided to try Hillstone again for my wife’s birthday. I MADE SURE TO CALL AHEAD OF TIME TO SEE WHAT THEY HAD AVAILABLE DUE TO MY MISTAKE LAST TIME. I called and was told no grilled Artichoke. A little disappointing upon hearing that but asked if they at least had the crab cake. Was told yes we have crab cake so my wife and I decided to go and live without the Artichoke. We saw the menu and saw it mentioned the Artichoke is only available in the Spring and Summer which we will forever remember in our heads now. Long story short — they did not have crab cake that night even though I was told they do on the phone. Had to order the ribs which were pretty good and fell off the bone but not sure if the portion size was worth the $ 36 dollars or whatever it cost. Service was poor (waiter came by only once or twice throughout the night, also forgot my order for a Greyhound drink, and never refilled water)
Another important event (wife’s 30^th) where I left dissapointed by Hillstone

I came with my friend Greg who recommended the French dip. I didn’t expect much but it was pretty awesome. The atmosphere is pretty stellar.

Perhaps my 3^rd or 4^th time here. I’ve been going to this place since it was Houston’s. We also frequent its sister restaurant Rutherford Grill over in wine country. It’s just too bad they don’t serve Rutherford’s famous cornbread. But they do have the grilled artichokes! However, these are only available in spring and summer.
If you’re on a somewhat of a budget, this place can still be doable. They give you a decent amount of food compared to other pricey restaurants, so sharing is an option. This time, my girlfriend and I split an entrée and a starter.
We kicked it off with the emerald kale salad ($ 11) – possibly the best I’ve had. Then we decided to share the barbecue pork ribs ($ 36). It’s about a full rack and as far as ribs go, I’ve never experienced the meat falling off the bone quite like it does here. And with consistency, too. I get it almost every time. It’s packed with flavor and it doesn’t feel the need to completely smother the ribs with sauce. Of course, you could always ask for more if you want, but I’m sure you won’t need to.
The drinks here are fantastic as well. They probably have the best sidecar I’ve tasted. And they know how to do a good gin martini too.
For dessert, we ordered the apple walnut casserole, which is addicting. My mom doesn’t usually like apple desserts, but she begged us to get this one. It’s truly amazing.
But this place is great! Although it’s considered upscale, it’s not snooty at all. Our server, Oliver, was extremely friendly and down to earth.
I’m sure you won’t be disappointed with your meal. Hillstone is definitely one of my favorite spots in the city. I always look forward to coming here!

I’m almost a regular! 3 times in the last year.
This place is just so consistently good without being pretentious.
We sat at the bar this time. Great place to eat, though likely a little less service there.
I had the NY strip. SOOO good. Especially since I spent 16 days in Argentina last month (Dec.2015) and went to Belcampo Meat Co on Russian Hill last week. So I am a beef expert now!!!
Its hard to match Argentina and the value there. But other than a flight to Buenos Aires, Hillstone rocks! Slightly pricey but well worth it. And Sooo easy to avoid the typical expensive restaurant wine markups. No corkage at Hillstone. We brought our own $ 15 bottle of wine which would have been $ 50 – 60 at Belcampo.
Love this restaurant!

Incredible service and extraordinary food. 5 stars for the service, food and no corkage fee. Artichoke and spinach dip are to die for! Incredible French Dip is consistently delicious and a must try at this former Houston’s diner… The filet mignon and rib eye are incredible, tender and flavorful!

Hillstone is owned the Houston’s restaurant group. All of their restaurants are very similar and quite good!
I definitely recommend the blackened Ribeye. Sooo good! They have nice cocktails and wine by the glass as well.
French Dip is always a classic as well!

This used to be a regular spot for me. I’d come here once a month or so and my friend and I would order the exact same thing — we would share the spinach dip and I would get the French dip (he always got the ribs). Occasionally, we would splurge (on calories) and also get the ice cream sundae. In addition to not having corkage, Hillstone also has a number of reasonably priced bottles of wine.
Hillstone had always been a favorite of mine because it was reliably good and reasonably priced. The last time I was there, the prices had gone up quite a bit. I’m not sure if I was a frog in a pot of boiling water and I just jumped out but the prices have gone up a lot over the last year. The ribs are now $ 38 and the dip is $ 15 (French dip is still an ok price of $ 22 though still a bit high for a sandwich). I think Hillstone is catering more to the cruise ship crowd and less to locals.

A regular spot for me, a hit every time. The ambiance is awesome. It is a good place for a group dinner or a romantic date. They also have a piano band. In addition, you can grab a drink at the bar while you are waiting to be seated.
The service is good, no complaints.
As for the food, it’s good quality. I wished that the appetizer menu had a better selection. However, the chilled jumbo shrimp and the artichoke spinach dip does suffice. For the main course, I typically go with the filet. It’s the traditional classic entrée. The baby back ribs are good too, as they fall right off the bone. I think they can ease up on the BBQ sauce just a tad. Pair your dinner with a nice glass of wine or a draft beer and you are all set! I never have room for dessert so I can not comment on the sweets. =)

Service was ok. Didn’t check on us too much, but it was ok since the guy had a pleasant accent.
Food and décor are so sophisticated. We three wayed a beef noodle salad, a cheese burger and the trout dish. Mmmmm. It was all so amazing. A must try for all. We loved it so much I tried to deconstruct the salad dressing and I was close.
Pretty darn amazing.
We walked from the exploritorium. And was able to get a quiet meal with out loads of kids hopped up on sugar and science.

I went back to Hillstone. I wanted to give it another try – my previous visit in ’13 was not ideal and that was mainly a service issue and wait time.
I went for lunch and looking at their menu I had to try something new. I got the crispy chicken sandwich and it seemed to have a lot of raves. First the service was exceptional – there is always a large retinue of staff and I am never sure who will be my wait person as it seems two people came before my wait person announced themselves. Just as long as I got service and great service I was happy. Now back to the chicken sandwich – it was good – not great – I would say it is not even in San Francisco’s top 10. That is unfortunate on several counts – Hillstone uses great ingredient and it was $ 18 — I expect great. The chicken was fairly crispy but not delightful crispy like Hard Water’s. The chicken was thin and tasted like a very small hint of lavender which is a great touch.
I got a side Cesar salad in place of fries (because I could not order a smaller salad versus the larger Cesar) but I had to have fries so I ordered a side order of fries ($ 8); the logic was to get a Cesar. Hillstone has the best Cesar in San Francisco — I like because it is eggless — it is savory, delectable and gives the tart and salty qualities I prefer. The Cesar was a no regret great option. The disappointment was the super small side of fries ($ 8) — so small. I don’t mind pay for them but there should be either a larger portion or how about a few dollars less expensive.
Hillstone has always had a great wine list – small but well edited. I had to start with a cocktail – I had the French 75 — Monkey 47 Schwarzwald, lemon juice and Champagne; giving me the best of my two favourites — Champagne and gin – superb.
Overall, I’ll go back – I won’t order the chicken sandwich again – I love the environment – comfortable setting and seating. But I will have to order the tried and true.

Came here to catch up with a few co-​workers on 12÷9÷2015 after one had highly recommended, with good cause, Hillstone. The staff here is definitely quite professional, and they even have a live band playing! They were great, and even occasionally played some top 40 hits which was interesting and lively.
For starters for four people, we shared the Thai beef salad, along with chips with artichoke dip. Here is my review — Oh. My. God. The salad was legitly the BEST salad I have ever had in my life, and the tri-​tip beef was on point — can it even legally be called a salad to be honest? I don’t know, but it was amazing. As if I couldn’t be even more amazed, the chips with the spinach dip was heavenly. It was really heavy, though, but it tasted amazing.
As for the entrée, I took the Famous French Dip which comes with some nice au jous, but I ain’t really about the sauce — I like to eat things without additional flavoring to truly judge the quality. Oh. My. God. It was a meaty prime rib sandwich cooked to perfection (medium rare — medium). This place was, hands down, one of my better fine dining experiences, and you can bet that I will come back here.

We visit Hillstone whenever we are in San Francisco. We love the Hawaiian Rib Eye.
Amazing!!!
Great vibe, great food, great service!

I’ve tried multiple dishes here. Everything was good but a few things really stood out. After moving to Seattle I find myself craving the following items: cheese toast, smoked salmon app, tortilla soup, Cheeseburger, roasted chicken, Hawaiian rib eye.
Each of those dishes at Hillstone is the best I’ve ever had in my life. You heard me, they serve a life changing cheese toast, tortilla soup, cheeseburger, roasted chicken and so on.
Never have I ever had a better burger than at Hillstone. If you want to try a burger that will elevate your perception of a burger from a sub casual lunch option to a real dinner dish, Hillstone is the place to do it. If Hillstone’s burger does not change your mind, nothing will. They do their meats right.
Note on the smoked salmon, some days it’s a bit overlooked and on those days it’s good but not life changing. Get it when it’s cooked just right, medium in the middle.
Chicken tortilla soup is an absolute impossible to recreate but so unforgettable that some days I feel like flying to San Francisco just to eat it one more time.
There’re a few restaurants around the country that linger in my mind and this one is definitely one of them.
The atmosphere is classy. Service is upscale but friendly.

I love a great dining out experience. And am willing to pay the cost for great service. If you feel likewise then Hillstone is a sure bet. The atmosphere is casual cool, with excellent service. A large group of us decided to give it a try. I decided to go the fish route, and the waitress suggested the broiled sea bass topped with small fried shrimp-​spectacular! The flavoring was perfect, and the shrimp complimented the sea bass perfectly. For desert I went with the almond nut brownie covered with vanilla ice cream –delicious! So many great choices in SF this is a must. And its right on the Embacader i.e. close to the pier so easily accessible for tourist and native alike.

I quite enjoy Hillstone. It has this classy vibe and the menu price is a little bit high — but you wouldn’t expect anything different from a restaurant at the Embarcadero area close to the touristic part of the city.
They have a bar area — which you can sit whenever you spot a vacancy — and the normal table. Be sure to make a reservation, because this place is quite popular.
Sometimes they have live music, so it can be a bit loud to talk. But the ambiance is definitely great and very chic.
The food is really good. I quite like their artichoke. However, the must-​have is their ice cream with chocolate fudge. Best fudge ever!

I love hillstone. I’ve been here multiple times and I have already found my favorites on the menu:
–Prime rib: just delicious. The quality of the meat is pretty good for its price, and it’s huge too, definitely can be shared amongst two people. We usually get fries instead of the baked potato but both are good.
–grilled oak artichokes: MY absolute favorite and a must try whenever you are here! Comes with an aioli for dipping!
–house salad: delicious, tomatoes cheese and walnuts! Good for two people!
I love coming here, food is excellent, I always come here when you want a not so fancy but also not so casual meal. Service is alright, not the best. One time a server didn’t even tell us the specials and we heard the same server telling the specials to another couple. And they don’t really do anything special for birthdays or anniversaries, or if they do, they definitely didn’t for us :(minus one star.
But these are very small things that I can overlook for the food

I usually don’t dig American food but I thought Hillstone was pretty good. The prices are a bit on the higher side but the ambiance is quite nice, and there is live jazz music nightly.
The French dip I got was quite tasty. Portion sizes are large. They put some light mayonnaise on the bread. I liked the dipping sauce, and the roast beef was plentiful.
The french fries were quite thin. The spicy mayonnaise that came on the side was very good. I would eat this all the time.
The tabouleh salad was also tasty. The portion size was right for sharing and the dish was very refreshing. They had cherry tomatoes sprinkled throughout.

Hillstone is an excellent establishment with long psuedo-​franchise roots. Hillstone was brought to SF from the same folks behind Houston’s, Bandera, and Rutherford Grill. The restaurant group’s attention to quality and consistency is certainly present here.
Known for steak, fish, and other delectable, fine-​dining and hearty dinners, Hillstone should certainly not be overlooked for lunch. The salad and sandwich menu is sure to please everyone. On a sunny SF day it’s so nice to sit outside and watch people stroll along the Embarcedero.
The service here is second to none. The staff is extremely professional and attentive. It’s exactly on par for what a restaurant at this price point and reputation should be.

I went here with my mom for an early mother’s day lunch. Loved the interior, very nice atmosphere. She had previously sat outside which was much quieter and there was a fireplace, but on the day we went it was a little too cold and windy so we opted to sit inside. The staff are all very courteous and professional.
We just got water to drink which they kept refilling (even my mom’s sparkling water). We started with the nice little house salad which had mixed greens, some really delicious golden beets, tomatoes, and some wonderful goat cheese. It was big enough to share. We then split the veggie burger, which was also definitely big enough to share! They split it in two and it was very yummy. The buns were great, the dressing was good, the cheese was delish, the burger itself was great tasting. shall I go on? ;) It came with fries and some fantastic spicy mayo, as well as ketchup. It was nice to sit and chat in the booth over some great food and I would love to go back!

I thought there was nothing Hillstone could do to make me love them even more, but this past weekend I was sorely mistaken.
My family came here to celebrate my brother’s birthday. He was so excited to get the prime rib. That’s all he talked about. Maybe a fourth through his meal, he found a strand of hair in his food. Now normally I’d be disgusted, make a big scene and storm out. But I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt because they are my fave restaurant.
My brother told our server and she took the plate away and apologized profusely. A few moments later the manager came by and apologized again and said they’d take care of it. They had another prime rib already cooking. My brother made no big deal about it, he understood. We asked for them to pack it up to-​go because by the time it’d be ready, the rest of the table would’ve been done and ready to leave.
Of course they comped the prime rib and apologized again when the bill came. They handled it very professionally. You know an establishment is doing something right if you still want to return after something happens that would usually turn most people away.
I will forever come back. I still recommend them, possibly even more so now.