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Hillstone
Category: Restaurants American (Traditional) American (Traditional) [Edit]
60 State St(between Congress St & Kilby St)
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 573-9777
Announcement
Please call for reservations.
Parking is validated starting at 3:30pm on weekdays and all-day on weekends.
- Nearest Transit:
-
Congress St @ State St (191, 192, 193, 4, 92, 93)
Devonshire St @ State St (4, 92, 93)
State St Station - To Bowdoin (Blue Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 10 pm
Fri 11 am - 11 pm
Sat 12 pm - 11 pm
Sun 4 pm - 10 pm
- Parking:
- Garage
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
266 reviews for Hillstone
Review Highlights
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"Houston's might be my favorite new place in Boston." In 98 reviews -
"...has the best spinach and artichoke dip I've ever had." In 25 reviews -
"Def get the hawaiian rib-eye- so sweet and mouthwatering." In 11 reviews
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266 reviews in English
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Review from Cami F.
Boston, MA
4/23/2012
So I know this place is a chain, but I just love it. I get the same thing every time, and it never fails to disappoint. The Thai tuna roll is original and so so good. I've heard they have great burgers but I just can't NOT get the Thai tuna roll when I go.
The best part is their drinks taste great and are very strong. Its almost dangerous (confession: I once wiped out there- flat on my back in the middle of the restaurant. I am embarrassed to say I was only one drink deep). GET THE GIN FIZZ!!! you wont regret it. -
Review from Greg I.
Boston, MA
4/23/2012
-old fashioned (maker's)
-wood-grilled artichokes
-pork ribs, baked beans
-key-lime pie
you. are. welcome.
sidenote: if you get a martini at your table, every 15-20 min they'll pour that drink you're nursing too slowly into a frozen glass, keeping it ever so cool. -
Review from Jason S.
Boston, MA
4/8/2012
I love Hillstone (used to be known as Houston's). Every time my wife and I go to this place we order the Spinach and Artichoke Dip, which is so creamy, smooth and YUMMY. You will love this appetizer. Then what do you get for lunch/dinner? That part is hard to decide because everything I've tried is very very good. I am in love with the BBQ ribs because their meat falls right off the bone and the sauce is great. As sad as this is about to sound, their cheeseburger is very good too, they do a nice job of giving that extra flavor that makes you say....yes!
Although, we have never tried a dessert, I am sure that would be great too!
Enjoy! -
Review from Molly M.
Boston, MA
5/21/2012
My friends and I went here on a Friday later in the evening. It was crowded but still had room to be seated at the table. Drinks were delicious. We didn't really need entrees so we got the loaded baked potato- holy yum! Delicious.
Shout out to our server Patrick, who had to put up with 4 silly women but he did it all with a smile. Thanks! -
Review from Casey H.
Boston, MA
5/21/2012
Very good BBQ ribs that fall right off the bone.
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Review from Rohit J.
3/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Took a lovely girl here on a date on a Friday night a month ago knowing its a safe bet as there is a Houston's on Long Island by me.
First off the parking is free for up to 3 hrs on nights and weekends which is a huge plus! My reservation was for 630 but we had gotten to the restaurant by 6 and were seated without a hiccup. We had ordered 2 dirty martinis but they weren't dirty enough for us and the waitress had no problem taking them back to bartender. Our new drinks were a taste of perfection.
To start I had gotten the tortilla soup and we shared the artichoke spinach dip. For the main I had gotten the ribs of course because they are amazing and my date had ordered the special which was cod, I forgot how it was cooked but it came with Cajun shrimp and mashed potatoes. We had shared everything and everything was excellent as expected. My date really enjoyed herself as she has never been before! -
Review from Bethany B.
Mid-Cambridge, MA
5/2/2012
Chain chain chain...I know, I know. But a delicious chain! Growing up I went to Houston's every Sunday after church and grew to L-O-V-E the spinach and artichoke dip and still do! Hillstone still has the delicious dip, but adds fun and interesting items like sushi to the menu. (my friends swear by it, although I'm always nervous about ordering sushi at a non-Asian spot). As usual, with almost any place I'm going to give four stars, Hillstone also has great cocktails. I say go for the gin fizz and call it a night. A tried and true spot that you know will always be delicious, you'll always leave buzzed, and the service will always be good! Enjoy!
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Review from Tom A.
Culver City, CA
3/24/2012
Full disclosure, our evening at Hillstone started off a bit rocky. I had made reservations for 4, but explained to the hostess that there would be a possibility for 5. I was told that wasn't a problem. We show up to the restaurant with 5, and the tables are only able to accommodate 4. Long story short, we waited quite a while before being seated.
Here is how the staff at Hillstone went above and beyond the call of duty. We were given appetizers on the house to munch on before being seated. Once we were seated, more appetizers. That's only the beginning.
We brought a bottle of wine because as ex-Californians, we are used to the no-corkage policy at the west-coast Hillstone restaurants. We were told that by law, Massachusetts doesn't allow this, but they invited us to pick a bottle of wine from their menu, again at no cost.
Finally, after our meal (which was delicious, per the usual), our waiter (who was fantastic) let us know that the entire meal would be complimentary. We were blown away by the gesture (Thank you to the GM, Adam). It's things like this that really keep us coming back again and again. The food is consistently amazing, and the service is impeccable. We will be back again soon! -
Review from Taj K.
Boston, MA
2/20/2012
My fiance got the steak salad and it was very good. I got the veggie burger, and it mostly fell apart and wasn't very impressive.
It's got a cool atmosphere and a great selection of wines.
Be prepared to spend a bit more money than you'd like. -
Review from R O.
Boston, MA
2/22/2012
I honestly cannot believe I have not reviewed this place before! I fell in love with it many many years ago when I was still a tiny college tyke and it went by the name of Houston's. It is exactly the same company. It is said and I believe they renamed many of their Houston's restaurants to Hillstone in order to move under 20 franchise restaurants thus they became exempt from having to label their calories in places such as NY.
Anyway ignorance is bliss for me! I come time and time again for the legendary California Burger! My mouth drools simply thinking about it: buttery fresh bun made in house, fresh-ground chuck with melted Jack, avocado, arugula and red onion topped with some honey style mustard. It is no longer on the menu but you are still free to order! Not to mention their delicious fries just brimming with flavour. If you love burgers give this one a try! In my humble opinion it is the best burger I have had in Boston.
Must note: you cannot come here without getting the artichoke-spinach dip! mm so good!
Honorable mentions (if burgers aren't for you): Thai steak & noodle salad, spicy tuna roll salad (generous portion of tuna roll & greens), & chicken tenders for the little ones. Can't forget the loaded baked potato! What a treat!
The only con is I cannot walk over at a moments notice! Must rely on the T or taxi (which is probably good for my hips since it keeps me away more often than not haha!) -
Review from Jenelle J.
Boston, MA
1/23/2012 3 Check-ins Here
If the prices weren't so steep, I think I'd be back more often. Had drinks and appetizers at the bar here - everything was delicious. I had a california roll which was impeccably done.
Just as perfect was the ambiance. Intimate and trendy. You'll see when you go there. -
Review from Yvonne Y.
Boston, MA
2/5/2012
I have mixed feelings for this place. We came here for dinner on a weekday, and the place was busy. While the ambience is great, I was not impressed by the food.
We started off with some sushi as appetizer. But when it came, I realized the sushi were made from some sushi molds, not by a sushi chef. (eeek) Then when the sushi hit my mouth, I realized they put way too much vinegar in the sushi rice. I felt like I was instantly eating my own stomach juice because of how sour it was. (yuck yuck) I struggled, because the fish and ingredients were actually fresh, just the preparation ruined it all. We had the Thai steak salad and California burger, they were okay, nothing to run home about. I didn't leave feeling satisfied with my food.
If the review is based solely on food, it'd probably be a 2-star place. But the fresh ingredients and the cool atmosphere gave it another star.
With all being said, I think this is a great place to come have a drink at the bar area after work. But go elsewhere to seek for food. -
Review from Ismael C.
Boston, MA
3/7/2012 2 Check-ins Here
After more than 20 times going back to this place, even when it used to be called Houston, i have always recomended the place to friends visiting Boston... But last time i went had the worst experience ever, to the point where i felt threated by the bouncer there while leaving the place. Once shouldn't have that after dinning out, if tips are not high it is because they were not deserved.
Beginning to end it was a constant that we were neglected by the waitress, no explaining specials, not coming back to check on us, even when glasses were empty for what seemed ages, not coming back to collect the check...
Apart from beeing neglected all night by our lousy, shouldn't work facing the public if you are a have an attitude, waitress. Food was only ok (Unlike previous times that I used to dine here over the last three years), I think this place has gotten only worse ever since the name change.
PS they have discontinued from the menu the best entree that they had, the pork chop.
PS2 I hate reviews that are based on a one bad experience, specially if it is about the service, but I felt obliged to share this with everybody since the experience was so bad that made me decide to not come back to a place I used to love. -
Review from Cindy K.
Needham, MA
12/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
I work near Gov. Center & Fanieul hall so this is the go-to place when we actually have time for a 2 hour lunch break. A little bit on the pricier side but the food is really very delicious which is also why there are tons of "suits" here so be warned that its not a very "casual" restaurant.
I've only had the burgers here and they are delicious. Also its a pretty big burger so be prepared for some messy hands. I've had both beef and veggie burgers and I have to say that the veggie burgers here are out of this world! They handmake all their burgers in the morning so its freshly made veggie patties made of brown rice and packed with a whole lotta yummy goodness & flavor. DELISH! Fries are super addicting. I dare you to only eat one....trust me, you'll never be able to.
Service is really good - waitstaff is always very friendly and accommodating. But be warned that the wait can be very long during the lunchtime and I'm sure after work so plan accordingly. -
Review from L. G.
Boston, MA
1/20/2012
I absolutely love this place.
I go to Hillstone regularly and every experience there is fantastic. Consistently great food, amazing customer service and a great atmosphere. For the price, there's nothing better.
Oh, and if you like sushi, get the pressed sushi. It is the best I've ever had! -
Review from Ellie W.
9/7/2011
Delicious veggie burgers? Let's face it, meat tastes good. And I crave a big hunk of cow every once in awhile. But when I tasted the veggie burger here...sign me up for PETA, because this stuff is THE SH*T.
Made of brown rice, beans, and some sort of pepper, if I remember correctly, it's the most delicious vegetarian burger patty I've ever tasted. It tastes a lot healthier than your average bacon burger, without skimping on flavor.
For the meat-lovers, the regular burgers here are fantastic as well, and HUGE. I've split a burger with a friend before, they're pretty large in portion size.
Hillstone is chic, classic, and yes, upscale, with good food and a friendly staff. Beats the garbage restaurants around the tourist-laden Fan Hall area. If I see one more person with a Dick's Last Resort condom hat on... -
Review from Meridith H.
Boston, MA
10/4/2011
Worth the price.
Red cabbage with goat cheese - worth it.
Spicy Thai Sushi roll - worth it.
Oversized glass of wine - worth it.
Superbly unobtrusive, extraordinarily efficient, and friendly service - worth it. -
Review from Nicole C.
Philadelphia, PA
10/4/2011
Sexy dark interior!! Bar opens up fully to the outside on nice nights, great place for outdoor drinks. Sushi was wonderful and entrees were great. I recommend the ribs!!!
Our server was great too!!! Plus, the coolest napkins of any restaurant I have ever been to! -
Review from Sarah G.
Boston, MA
12/21/2011
My boss made reservations at Hillstone this past Saturday for our Holiday Dinner. Boss & her husband were running late, so they called Hillstone to ask if my girlfriend & I could be seated when we arrived, since we were going to be on time. Hostess assured Boss that this would be no problem at all! When GF and I arrived we were treated coldly by the Hostess, who refused to seat us "until the entire party is present", and when I mentioned that Boss had called ahead and was told this wasn't a problem, Hostess then proceeded to condescend to us about how it is their "policy" and how we must be lying because no one at the restaurant would have said we could be seated. GF & I were then left standing in the doorway (there really isn't a lobby) for the next 20 minutes.
When we were all present and finally seated, we were placed in a booth along the back wall, which allowed me to see that the restaurant was a little over half-full. Only one other booth (of the 8-10) along the back wall was occupied, but they made us wait, even though we had a reservation and they were only at half-capacity.
The Ambiance says "Classy", but while I was there, I did see (as another reviewer mentioned) screaming children being allowed to run around unattended and diners wearing sweatpants with words printed on the butt. Definitely *not* classy. In a dress and high-heels, I felt overdressed. Between the obnoxious hostesses and screaming children, it's only a step above an Outback at twice the price.
Pros: Our server, Emily, was not only adorable but also knowledgeable about both the food and the wine. We took a long time deciding on a bottle of wine and she went back through her tasting notes to help us pick. The food was decent, but the prices were outrageous.
TL;DR
Hostesses are rude and will infer that you're a liar. If you go, be prepared to be treated poorly and pay through the nose for it. -
Review from Jessica S.
Cumberland, RI
2/7/2012
Really nice atmosphere. Good food and drinks
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Review from Courtney M.
Newton, MA
1/21/2012 6 Check-ins Here
I came in around 2pm to celebrate getting a job with my girlfriend on a weekday. The restuarant was calm and spotted with suited professionals on their lunch meeting breaks. Their sushi is really quite incredible and our server was very non-judgemental of our request for a bottle of champagne! What a better way to celebrate getting a job! It has perfect mood lighting and the bar seems like it would be hopping on any night. I will definitely come again just for their fish sandwich which is to die for. A great spot for groups!
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Review from Arnold C.
Boston, MA
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
One of our favorite restaurants.
We really like the Hawaiian steak. The prime rib is another of our favorites. The mango Thai salad is a light, yet delicious, dish. The cheeseburger is meaty and made just right.
Oh, I love the $5 side salad. It has just enough lettuce:bacon ratio to make it a salad.
I would definitely recommend this place to anyone for a casual dine-out with a slightly upscale, jazzy feel. -
Review from Court S.
San Francisco, CA
I always dine here with my cousin. The ambiance is sexy with dim lighting and they usually seat us at one of the large booths. It's never too populated nor do I have to worry about bratty, noisy children running around. The food is always scrumptious and cooked to perfection. The cocktails have the right amount of alcohol.
Listed in: yo tengo hambre
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Review from Jason M.
7/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Unexpected. Completely 100% unexpected.
Anything in the Faneuil Hall area is suspect at best, but somehow Hillstone manages to rise above their location.
The interior is dark and slick, but I highly recommend skipping that and sitting at the bar. The service is at the bar is fast, fun and enjoyable.
On a lovely afternoon, we were treated to dueling cocktails between Nicole and Spencer. They attempted to one up each other with their bartending skills... and the result was more than just good drinks, it made for a good experience.
Oh, to watch Spencer shake a cocktail...
Oh, to hear Nicole then call me out for having Spencer make me a cocktail.
And then there's the food.
Thai Tuna Roll? Sushi? THERE? Really? Seriously?
For reals?
Its kind of amazing.
When we first visited, I thought it was a slightly nicer version of Chili's... and then I had the thai tuna roll. It's delicious and rolled perfectly. The macadamia nuts give it a special buttery taste and amazing crunch.
For food... I recommend the French Dip. It's pile after pile of thinly sliced cow on some tasty bread with an ridiculously good horseradish sauce. I am very thankful that cow sacrificed its life for my stomach.
Others rave about the chicken tenders, which sounds a bit crazy until you see them. First of all, they fill up an entire place. And, they're fried to hell and back... it's a beautiful tempura batter which is light, fluffy and incredibly delicious.
All in all, a great experience. -
Review from Kevin B.
Boston, MA
11/3/2011
Can't quite explain it, but I love this place. Great ambiance, food is always delicious. Favories are spinach artichoke dip and whatever is the fish special. Sushi is great too.
I was here last night and my meal was literally 5ish minutes late... and without me saying anything, the mangager came over to apologize and bought my girlfriend and I a complimentary round of drinks.
Only gripe is they aren't on opentable. Annoying. -
Review from Tina D.
8/10/2011
Okay the first thing you might notice about this place is how crazy expensive everything is on the menu. I'm talking about salads that go for approx. $20 at lunch. If you put that aside, then you can really focus on how wonderful everything else is.
The location is spot on in Fan. Hall and since it is a little pricey, you don't get too many of the tourists in for lunch. It is the perfect place for a work lunch or to meet someone for happy hour drinks, oh, its great for dinner too. All of the dishes are executed perfectly and I have never had a bad meal. The servers are polite and the food comes out quickly. There is a patio for outdoor seating, but you can also just sit at the bar because the windows get pulled back on nice days and you are practically sitting outside.
Delicious! -
Review from HL K.
Andover, MA
1/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
Worth every penny.. the meals we ordered were all super delicious! The interior is a bit too dark I felt like walking in a movie theatre.. and tripping! But other than that I love this place.
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Review from Kimberley S.
Charlestown, MA
3/11/2011
GOD. The name change is so hard to get used to!
Otherwise, a very solid restaurant, and I completely enjoy my experience every time that I'm here.
I have always thought that the menu sounds uninspired. Everything seems run-of-the-mill... on paper. Then you put it in your mouth. They make some really boring-sounding dishes taste just fantastic. I've never eaten anything here that wasn't absolutely delicious, but here are my favorites:
- any of the sushi. It's so Americanized, but that's on purpose. This is not an Asian restaurant and it doesn't pretend to be. The best is the pressed ahi and avocado sushi. But I love the spicy tuna roll as well. They're all good, really. And they use some weird ingredients like orange in the California rolls and jicama in some of the others.
- On that note, the tuna roll salad is the greatest thing in the world
- Steak salad, also delightful
- the tortilla soup here is the best I've ever had, bar-none
- the french dip is outstanding
That's about it. I stick to the basics here. They do an amazing job on the basics.
You know what is uninspired? The dessert menu. Don't even bother.
FUN FACT: My freshman year of college, I actually worked here for all of two weeks before I realized that I was too lazy for a legitimate restaurant job. I think it's because I know some of the behind-the-scenes that I love it here so much.
I am obsessed with the service philosophy here. You don't have one waiter, you have 20. And you're not supposed to notice that. You pretty much have one person coming by all the time, but people pop by every now and then to refill your water and inconspicuously remove your food. You're not even supposed to notice they're there. I love the unobtrusiveness of it. You never want for anything and you can totally focus on your fabulous company.
It happens like this because when waiters get a free moment, they patrol the aisles looking for things that need to be done. The service here is like a well-oiled machine. You will never find a place more consistent and efficient in terms of service.
Do yourself a favor and give it a try. It's consistent and it excels in food execution. -
Review from Meghan M.
Updated - 4/21/2011
Over two years and a name change later, I still feel exactly the same about this place.
Here again for a business dinner, I tried:
A Rioja - Decent and $10/glass
A Cab - Very good and $14/glass
Spinach Artichoke dip - Okay but nothing memorable
Arctic Char with Wilted Spinach - Okay but again, nothing memorable (I maybe ate half)
Service is very good as is the ambiance if you're looking for upscale casual. Coming here, though, when you're within a stone's throw of so many amazing spots just doesn't make much sense in my book but hey...It's always crowded so they must be doing something right.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/2/2009
Houston's is a higher end chain restaurant. That's about it. I don't really think there's too much… Read more »
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Review from Travis D.
Andover, MA
5/28/2011
My wife and I popped in to Hillstone/Houston's last night for a couple of cocktails to kick off a long holiday weekend. It's been a while since I was here, but as I remembered, the drinks were fantastic, and the crowd was electric. On a gorgeous evening like we had last night, the bar is opened up to their outdoor seating, making for a perfect summertime stop. We didn't have a full dinner, but did get their grilled artichokes (which were perfect).
Afterward, we found ourselves still a bit hungry, and thus ordered their barbecue pork ribs. Since we did not have a full dinner here, I wasn't really thinking about a Yelp review for this place until we dug into the ribs. I'm writing today to say this: if you have a chance, and you like barbecue ribs, you NEED TO COME HERE AND ORDER THEIR RIBS!!!!! I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that these are the best ribs that my wife and I can ever recall eating. We've tried many of the supposed 'greats' in the Boston area, places that I'll refrain from naming in this review but ones that are known for their ribs, and these guys have the secret formula down - hands down the best ever!!
Anyway, I've always liked Houston's and enjoyed their bar at their Boston location, but was never a raving fan. Clearly I never got around to trying their ribs before - now I'm raving!! :) -
Review from Michael C.
Boston, MA
12/5/2011
Hillstone, formerly Houston's, is one of the best eating establishments in Faneuil Hall. Everytime I have been here I have been pretty impressed considering it is a chain. They make a fantastic burger which tastes like a gourmet version of a McDonalds burger (yes, this is a good thing). This place caters more to the business crowd than tourists and would be perfect for a client meeting or after work drinks.
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Review from Andrew R.
3/13/2011
This place is nice. One of the best wait staff experiences we've had in a while. Just outstanding service!
However, the price doesn't reflect what you get. The quality is there but the quantity is not. Small portions for the amount you're paying would have me go somewhere else next time. I mean, I love my leftovers!
Now for the food:
The Thai Tuna Roll is tuna with macadamia nuts.Different and cool, but one of the pieces was spicier than the others. It was served with soy sauce, wasabi, ginger, and two sauces which I was not able to identify.
The Cod was juicy and tender and was seasoned very well. It was served with risotto and wilted spinach. The risotto was moist and flavorful. The spinach was nice and crisp.
The Striped Bass was tender, juicy, and seasoned well. It was served with red cabbage, which had three dollops of goat cheese on top of it. The cabbage was crisp and juicy.
The Apple Walnut Cobbler was served warm with vanilla ice cream on top in the center of it. The walnuts appeared candied on top of the cobbler's top crumble. The apples inside were soft but tender. The bottom crust was mushy while the top crumble was sweet and dry. -
Review from Amanda J.
Boston, MA
3/23/2011
What can anyone say that's bad about Hillstone (fka Houston's)? Their ever expanding sushi menu rocks! They have great, fresh cocktails (my fave the Silver Gin Fizz). The young woman who bartends on Sundays is the best bartender in the city in our opinion. All the wait staff are great. I can honestly say I've never had a bad experience - food, service or otherwise, at Hillstone.
If we had to complain (and now, I'm just nitpicking here b/c no where can be that perfect, right?), it would only be that they only offer Clam Chowder on the weekend. Booo.
But, we'll forgive and forget, and keep coming back..... -
Review from Lady L.
Orange County, CA
6/30/2011
I can't say enough about our experience at Hillstone. We were visiting Boston, and this was one of our last meals. The ambiance was perfect, service from hostess to server was exceptional (Erin rocked!) and the food and wine was perfect. A pricer restaurant (compared to Boston pubs) but such a value for what you get in return. We were even thinking of having lunch there the following day!
You must dine at Hillstone when visiting Boston! -
Review from Erica D.
Revere, MA
12/30/2010 4 Check-ins Here
For my first visit to Hillstone, I was pretty impressed! When I heard they had sushi, I was a little skeptical since it's supposedly an American restaurant, but after I tried a sushi roll, I had to order my own.
Price: The sushi combo was a good price, it came with four varieties, three rolls each, which doesn't sound like a lot, but trust me, the quality is worth the price. Their mixed drinks are pretty expensive, around $10. I had my first Pimm's Cup (Pimm's No.1, shaved cucumber, a sprig of mint with ginger ale) and it was heavenly (if not dangerous)!
Decor: It's a really cool place. The bathrooms are a bit of a hike from the bar area, just stay on the path and you'll be fine.
Service: I sat at the bar and received the best service of my life! Seriously, if I had an empty glass in front of me--the bartender had ESP--a minute later he'd come by to ask if I wanted a another drink, and refilled my water glass every time I finished it. You can't get much better than that! When I asked how the Pimm's Cup was, he gave me a sample of the gin.
Food/Presentation: The sushi is AMAZING! Nice, neat presentation. Apparently the chef is an authentic sushi chef, I believe he was from Japan, but don't quote me on that. I shared two orders of the sushi combo which came with three raw tuna rolls, three vegetarian rolls, three mollusk-type rolls with walnuts in it (OH MY GOD!), and three California rolls. I don't normally like California rolls, but this was fantastic. The sushi rolls are two different sizes, which is nice so that you could eat a short one to sample before committing to the taller roll. The combo came with three types of sauces which made everything taste better. Oh man, I need to go back there now!
Location: Conveniently in the Faneuil Hall area, on the right side by the Boston ticket booth. It's a short walk from my office, which makes it all the better for after work drinking.
Recap:
Price: 4/5
Decor: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Food/Presentation: 5/5
Location 5/5
Total: 4.6 -
Review from Hailey T.
Boston, MA
11/26/2011 10 Check-ins Here
I stopped in here while my sister was visiting and we decided to escape the madhouse that some Quincy Market area places can be and we were pleasantly surprised! This place has a beautiful interior and great servers. We just sat at the bar and while they don't have a cocktail menu they'll make you anything you like. The bartender made a phenomenal dirty martini for both of us. We also did the sushi combo appetizer and I have to say it was delicious! A top shelf vodka martini will run you about $14, but it's worth it. In fact, we both enjoyed our excursion here so much that when our parents arrived in town a few days later we returned with them...and on that note the bartender makes a great lemon drop as well. I'm certain of two things: the price and atmosphere make the experience worth every penny, and I'll be back soon.
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Review from Jacque M.
Watertown, MA
2/18/2011 10 Check-ins Here
HIllstone's, formerly Houston's is lots of fun. It get really packed after work on most days, during all seasons.
Food is delicious...recently had the veggie rolls...sooooo good! They have everything from sushi to a cobb salad to a delicious filet mignon.
Staff is super friendly. -
Review from Dan W.
Boston, MA
2/17/2011
Being new to Boston, I am always looking for classy, trendy places to go to. I really enjoyed Hillstone. I really liked the higher end type of atmosphere.
We showed up at 8:30 on a saturday night. We waited for about 45 minutes for a table. Not bad. We had drinks at the bar while we waited. The only knock I would have is that I didn't think they had enough bartenders but at the same time, they may have gotten in each other's way if there were more.
The food was great. We ordered sushi which was very fresh and tasty. They put peanuts in their tuna roll. Interesting. Spinach dip was a big hit. I had a fish sandwich which was really, really good. It was on a butter roll. My friend got a French dip. She loved that too. Shoe string fries came with the sandwiches. Delish!
This is a super place to go with friends, have good food at reasonable prices and hang out in first class type of atmosphere. Staff was very professional also.
They do take reservations but I called too late. They were booked. -
Review from Adriel I.
Cambridge, MA
3/1/2011
Houston's (I denounce thee new name...) is the Ray Allen of the Boston restaurant scene. Consistent, Classy, and Clutch. Not the flashiest place, and the menu doesn't change too often, bu ff you need a place to take a group of friends, a date or a client, you can count on Houston's to deliver a great experience.
I usually start with the artichoke dip and the biscuits. The biscuits are a must have. Try ordering 6 for a party of five. That way you can observe the cognitive dissonance that plays out as your friends jockey for position on the last biscuit. At least that's what I do. It amuses me. The dip is a strong role player as well. It sets a fine foundation for the steak to come.
Oh, no doubt about it, there will be steak. Typically when the server lays down the menu, I can go ahead and give mine right back. Who are we kidding - I know what entree I'll be getting. The Hawaiian Rib Eye is an institution in and of itself. Marinated for what has to be days, and grilled to perfection, I have literally had dreams about this steak. With just the right tangy notes, and perfection of texture, the most amazing thing about it to me is how each time I have it is as good as the last. Another pull up from behind the line, and swish. Three points. Rinse and repeat. You get the drift. Pair it with a baked potato and the combo is unstoppable.
So there you have it. Hillstone is consistently great unpretentious dining. Just do us a favor and bring back the name m'kay? -
Review from Kelsey P.
Manhattan, NY
2/28/2011
The old "Houston's" - same great place new name! Delicious and consistent American meals. Moderate pricing with delicious menu options. Lots of options for a group dinner to make everyone happy.
Food:
- Club Salad - my all-time favorite dinner option here: mixed greens, crispy chicken, avocado, chopped egg and bacon. Try this with the buttermilk ranch dressing on the side! The chicken is very lightly fried and the star of the show. Avocado is always perfectly fresh.
- Grilled artichokes - best appetizer by far. Delicious artichokes, cut in half and grilled to perfection. Served with a tasty aioli dip.
- Great cheeseburger - delicious thin fries!
- Sushi combo plate - really really impressive sushi for what is considered an American restaurant, great dinner option.
Drinks & Bar:
- Great bar scene at the front of the restaurant near the glass-windowed front of the restaurant. This bar scene overflows outside as the windows open and the front of the restaurant becomes open-air in the spring and summer.
- "The Greyhound "- delicious grapefruit cocktail
- Fantastic wine list
Ambiance & Service:
- Beautifully lit dark wood interior
- They take reservations and the hosts are really prompt in seating people right upon arrival
- Cool bathrooms, which weirdly (or awesomely) enough, even have TV screens for the men!
