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We have come here many times. Actually we came to Houston's and now it's called Hillstone. We were afraid that it had become a new place but were assured that it was just a name change and that there were more items on the menu. I have always come for the ribs, a real favorite. The meat seems the same but the sauce was way overdone. It overwhelmed the ribs. One of us had ordered the ribs without the sauce and it came sauced anyway. When we told the waitress she just said "Oh yeah I forgot, sorry" I tasted some of the new spicy tuna sushi. Not worth it sorry. Two of us were still eating when they started to clear the table. I'm sorry if I have a fork of food in my mouth I don't expect the waitstaff to start clearing. Also when i mentioned the over saucing to our waitress again she just "ok thanks" I believe that we will never be back. Hillstone you lost us...

Went there with a total of 7 people. They do not have a table to sit 7 people. Took one sqare table so 4 can sit down and waited for another sqare table near by to be vacated. After pushing the two tables together, the manager comes over and says that is not allowed since it will distrube the servers and the lighting. Never heard that one before so our group has to be separated. Silly rules. They should have just told us that they can not seat more than 5 people based on their configuration. The manager did comp us with some appertizers but it still ruined the evening for us. I have eaten here many times with a smaller group and the food is good. Damn those stupid rules.

A few friends and I went to dinner at Houston's (now hillstone) in last night and were sadly disappointed. We love going there for the consistent and fresh food and friendly service. What we found were some new rigid rules and a surprising menu change. First off, Hillstone seems to disapprove of sharing. Me and my friend decided to share the ribs, which are way too big for either of us to eat alone, but wanted a salad to go along with it. We were shocked when our waiter informed us that appetizer portion salads are not allowed unless each person in the party is ordering their own, personal entrée! To say the least, this put a damper on our plan. My other friend ordered the Caesar salad with chicken as her entrée. When it arrived, the chicken appeared stringy and pink. We had to call the waiter back over and show him in order to find out that instead of using grilled chicken, they had served rotisserie chicken on top of her salad. Who serves that? It tasted so funny we had to send it back. Must happen all the time, because the waiter knew exactly what we wanted when we chose to send it back. We want Houston's back, enough said.

My husband and I come here all the time and have been for years. To the point where we didn't need to look at the menu. Until the day I ordered the tuna salad and it came out looking completely different. This was the sign of change, and I didn't like it. While I can still get their signature salad if I order it "old school," the other changes Hillstone has implemented make me think twice before enduring an hour long wait for a table. IT is one of those things were the menu changes are so slight that you wouldn't necessarily notice them at first glance - like the grilled fish sandwich that was so fresh is now friend and served with a heaping helping of mustard coleslaw, and the spinach dip is now the Rockefeller and is slightly blander. And the wild rice salad, a personal favorite, now has a creamy texture that is not bad just, different. Small things like that which indicate that Hillstone is searching for more of a tourist clientele than a NY resident clientele. The food there is still very good quality, but when you have come to expect a certain product after years and years and come to find that it has changed, than have wait staff who are new seem to not know what you are talking about, like I said makes you think twice about a long wait for a table. On the plus side, I found out that they do not have a corkage fee, so you can enjoy your own bottle for far less staggering prices than their menu.

I've been here twice with my wife. Each time, the food was generally excellent. The spinach and artichoke dip was great, as were all the steak dishes. The atmosphere was nice: live jazz in the background, and quiet enough to have a conversation without needing to strain. The food did not take very long at all to come out, which was nice. The only thing that was lacking was the service. Each time the waiter/waitress was curt and in a rush to get us out of there. One time we were short one menu, had just sat down, and the waiter came by and seemed annoyed that we needed an extra menu and an extra few minutes to decide on our choices. Near the end of both meals, our dishes were quickly wisked away (I had to tell them that I was still working on my dish). They also quickly took away our drinks and dropped the check on the table. It reminded me of the typical inexpensive Chinatown restaurant that wants its customers in and out as fast as possible to maximize revenue. However, at those places the emphasis in on good, cheap food. It is not appropriate to do that to customers at a more upscale place like Houston's. A little more respect and sensitivity would go a long way. Overall, excellent American food and great atmosphere average value for NYC. The service leaves something to be desired.

I really like this place. I am a Manhattanite, and thus "chain phobic". Despite that, I do realize that even though sometimes we have a million choices, we just want something familiar, and in the case of Houston's. very good. I was at Houston's last Saturday for the first time for dinner (I had been to both the PAS and Queensboro Bridge locations for drinks.) I met a friend, found a space in a comfy stool at the bar, had excellent and generous Martinis, and then a delicious, straight ahead dinner. I had the spinach artichoke dip and a steak and baked potato. Groundbreaking? No. Well made, fair priced and well presented? Absolutely. Highly recommended for a great time and very good food and drink. PS - Not chain atmosphere.

Went at 3PM on a Sunday and less than half the tables were taken. Hostess wanted us to wait until the whole party arrived which I told her was ridiculous and she sat us. Had the spinach and artichoke dip for an appetizer. Steak salad with noodles and the tuna salad were the main courses. American comfort food which is sometimes what you are craving.