This is honestly one of my favorite pasta spots in LA. I really love their pasta selection, and I'm also a fan of the open kitchen in the back because it makes the whole place feel really lively and cozy. I'd definitely recommend making a reservation though because it gets pretty busy. My personal favorite is the duck ragu if you want something super savory and rich with that deep umami flavor. If you want something lighter and a little sweeter, the butternut squash pasta is sooo good too. Honestly just writing this is making me crave it again. The drinks here are pretty solid as well, and the servers have always been really helpful every time I've gone. read more

Hippo - Tagliolini with Duck Ragú + Butternut Squash Cappellacci - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Wow! This place is amazing! I had heard about it from a few different people, and had it bookmarked as a place to try. It was Friday night and we couldn't decide where to go, and this place made the pick. First of all, the vibe is great. It's very lively and part of charming mini plaza off the street. The first thing I notice were the 2000s Hip Hop & RnB jams playing in the background. I was pleasantly surprised that the tunes kept going throughout the night! It definitely made me feel right at home. Finn, our server, was super friendly and helpful. But make no mistake--the star of the show here is the food! Every single item that we ordered--from the starters to mids to mains to desserts--was absolutely delicious! We will definitely be back soon! read more

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This place has an amazing atmosphere. We went out to dinner as an early valentine's celebration. Our waiter, Byron, was very friendly and attentive. I asked for additional balsamic vinegar or hot water, and everything came out perfect. The food is delicious. Don't make the same mistake ordering too many bread like we did (we got too greedy haha). Also if you're sitting near the long bar seats people could watch you eat which is kind of silly Other than that I love the place and would definitely love to go again! read more

Hippo - "Hippo Rolls" SO GOOD! definitely order this!! The butter was amazing as well. - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Love their pasta selection here. The duck ragu tagliolini was deliciously saucy, without it being too gamey. The hamachi crudo was fresh and flavorful too. From their food and cocktails, everything was solid. What an enjoyable meal! read more

Great food but super loud! It was very hard to hear the person a yard crossed from me. The pasta was fresh, but not enough sauce for my liking and when I asked if they could make it sauce heavy they said they could not. It was very busy. The service wasn't noteworthy nor bad. My favorite was the hanger steak. It was cooked for perfection and I didn't think I would like the white beans with it, but I actually enjoyed them. The Hamachi Crudo was exceptional, but a little small. And the prosciutto was perfect, but I wish they gave more bread all in all. It was an enjoyable meal, but don't know if I would pay to come back. read more

Hippo - BBQ Honey Balsamic Hanger Steak - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I went to Hippo for dinner and this place impressed me from the start. Every dish we ordered was a hit, but the hangar steak and the butternut squash pasta were on another level for me. The steak was perfectly cooked and full of flavor, and the pasta had that rich, cozy vibe that makes you pause after the first bite. Easily my two favorites of the night. We also ordered the hippo rolls with honey butter (dangerously soft and addictive) and the prosciutto with burrata, which was super fresh and well balanced. For dessert, the budino was a standout -- creamy, smooth, and just sweet enough. The butter cake was also delish. Paired it with a cappuccino and it was the perfect ending. The vibe inside is chill and intimate, and the service was friendly without hovering. They played some 00's R&B. Parking: street parking is doable, but like most of Highland Park, you'll want to give yourself a few extra minutes to circle. Overall, Hippo delivered great food, great service, and a great atmosphere. I'd definitely come back -- that steak and pasta are still on my mind. read more

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Byron was an amazing host and waiter. We arrived late, had to leave early and yet he made our time at Hippo lovely. He helped us make selections so we could have two mains served along with appetizers for the guests who had to leave early and then kept the other two mains for the guests staying later. The butternut squash pasta was utterly disarming. So tasty and lovely. The crudo and shaved Brussels sprouts appetizers were both really nice. The crudo had a next level sauce that we sopped up with the fresh focaccia bread. Excellent! I highly recommend Hippo and will come again for certain. read more

Hippo - Butternut Squash Cappellacci - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Hippos are my favorite animal. Chubby, cute, and deadly. And Hippo is one of my favorite new restaurants. I makes me chubbier, it's super cute, and the food coma I go into after isn't deadly, but it sure feels that way. Since my first visit a little over a year ago, I've been back three times - that's a lot for me as lately my going out schedule is drastically reduced. This means I like it here. A lot. Strongly recommend the hamachi crudo and any of the pastas. You won't be disappointed. read more

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Came as a group of 4 on a Sunday evening. The host gave us the option of a table or the bar, one look at that wide, beautiful countertop and the choice was easy. The bar setup is perfect for dining, plenty of space, and surprisingly comfortable. We ordered a good spread: Hippo rolls - The bread was unbelievably soft, and that salt & honey butter? More dessert than dinner, but no complaints. Sweet, rich, and dangerously easy to keep eating. Cool wax beans - Delicious. Light and refreshing, served cold, kind of the ideal palate cleanser in between heavier dishes. Grilled cauliflower - UGH. This one stung. Came out WAY TOO charred, I had to cut so much of it off. You could tell it would've been a great dish if not for the burn. Disappointing, especially since I was really looking forward to it. That level of blackening isn't something i want to eat from a health standpoint. Butternut squash cappellacci - Buttery and cozy, basically autumn in pasta form. Very well done. Conchiglie - Sausage was fantastic. We all agreed this one was a hit and probably the most balanced dish of the night. Grilled chicken thighs - The potatoes underneath were excellent. Well-seasoned and full of flavor. I'm personally not a dark meat fan, so the chicken didn't wow me, but it was cooked well. Broccoli rabe ravioli - ordered this but they were sold out! Will have to come back and try it. Butter cake & cappuccinos - Polished off the meal with the perfect ending. Their coffee is DELICIOUS and with a bite of the cake I was very content. We'd definitely come back. The food overall was solid, the bar seating was beautiful, and the vibe was easygoing. Next time, though, I'll make sure to request no charred bits, that was disappointing, especially since it was the dish I'd been most looking forward to. I didn't send it back since I didn't want to hold back the group but it definitely took the shine off an otherwise good meal. Also, bonus points for location, it's walking distance to The Lodge Room, which makes it a perfect pre show dinner or post concert wind down spot depending on your timing. read more

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Hippo has been on my list for awhile, it certainly did not disappoint. I kicked it out with the royal hamachi crudo, a nice citrus taste with a kick. I paired it a fistful of dollars cocktail, boozy cocktail and a great way to kick off the night. I followed it up with the herbed ricotta tortellini, tasted light and spinach with herbal flavors complements the creamy ricotta with a crunch from the walnuts. Majority of the pastas are made in house, you can taste the difference in quality. Finished with the gelato (3 flavors): peanut butter, rum raisin (boozy), and dark chocolate (highly recommend this combo). Paired dessert with a carajillo, coffee forward and paired very well with dessert. I liked the chill ambiance, laid back with great quality. Service was great, the bartenders and the server were very attentive. Overall, a dope spot in Highland park. read more

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Overall, I think this was only a so-so experience for us, certainly given the price point of this restaurant. Celery root triangoli - by far the best thing we ate here. This was interesting, light, fresh, delicate. All around wonderful experience. I would get this again in a heartbeat. it's one of the more creative things I've eaten in the past year. Tagliatelle duck ragu - Nothing really stood out about this one. Kind of a really standard ragu with unremarkable flavors. Certainly not worth what they're charging for this one. Hippo rolls - these were a little weirdly dry and in need of a good drenching in oil or butter or something... Fett'unta & Burrata - Well this bread was outstanding. I want an entire loaf. And burrata on everything? yes, please. We'd order this and the triangoli again, for sure. Cauliflower - We weren't a big fan of the sauce/relish for this one, and given that it's half the dish... we didn't finish this plate and we opted not to take it home. We're normally big cauliflower fans, but this just wasn't our scene. Service was wonderful - very friendly, super knowledgeable, great recommendations and explanations. Everything was brought quickly, we never waited long for anything. The space was comfortable and nice enough. Music wasn't too loud. Parking is street or city lot in this part of town, so know that you will probably have to walk to get here. They are in back behind the Go Get 'Em Tiger & pizza place. read more

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Hippo represents Californian-Italian cuisine, where tradition meets fresh seasonal produce. Here, they're putting down some wonderful housemade pasta. Tagliolini: The tagliolini is like a tagliatelle, but thinner. That is to say, a delicate egg pasta ribbon with a flat narrow shape. The duck has been slowly braised until pulled apart into fine strands. The tender al dente noodles vibe with the silky meat in a sweet herb tomato sauce. The focaccia is supple, and with its rosemary, it's great for sopping up any leftover sauce. Butterscotch Budino: This is a study in textures and densities. Or, like the bartender said so good you'll want to make out with your spoon. The butterscotch is smooth with a hint of toasted bitterness. Sea salt crystals balance out the sweetness of the thick caramel. With creme fraiche on top, you'll really enjoy the velvety luxury of this dessert. Dining Area: The restaurant has a large interior space with high ceilings and walls painted with funky designs. Parking: There's plenty of metered street parking. Fun Fact: Hippo stands for Highland Park Post Office, which was the former occupant of this space. read more

Hippo - Tagliolini with Duck Ragu - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Been here three times now and always enjoy it. The space is hipster-looking but still welcoming, with both indoor and outdoor seating that work equally well for date nights or groups. It's always crowded, so reservations are recommended as we were seated right away. The hostesses were very nice. Parking is street-metered only. Meals start with complimentary focaccia bread, which is good but would be even better warmed. I almost always get the wax bean salad and/or shaved Brussels -- generous portions, refreshing, perfectly dressed, with crunch from the nuts and just the right kick from the peppers. The crudo is fresh and tasty, but definitely on the small side for the price. A must-try, though, is the bread rolls with honey butter -- soft, warm, pillowy, and surprisingly addictive (even if it feels like carb overload with the focaccia and pastas). I've tried a few pastas here. Most recently, the duck ragu was excellent -- tender duck, well-seasoned, perfectly cooked pasta. The celery root triangoli was interesting -- sweeter than expected, very buttery taste, with the squash blossom adding some nice depth. Glad I tried it, but not sure I'd order again, and I wish the pasta had a bit more chew. Portions on the pastas run small compared to the salads, which are pretty generous. Overall, Hippo is consistently good and fun to try. Great wine list, rotating menu, flavorful dishes, and a nice atmosphere. It is on the pricier side for the amount of food, and while the service is generally good, I did mention we were celebrating a birthday and the promised candle never came. Not a big deal, but just something to note. read more

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As a Highland Park local, Hippo fits right in. I first tried Hippo around 3 years ago for a birthday dinner, and loved the intimate, cozy vibes and classic hipster ambiance HLP delivers. It neighbors Triple Beam Pizza, Go Get Em Tiger coffee, and Highland Park wine shop. Three great HLP staples on a popular street on Fig! What won me over? Their seared scallop appetizer was probably the best scallop I've ever had in my life - perfectly cooked, nice crisp and sear, and nice tangy garlicky lemony seasoning. Tasted like the sea, but even better. We also had their cauliflower appetizer, on a bed of tasty yogurt and pine nuts and nice smoky char. Their duck ragu tagliatelle is always a solid choice, as their pasta is always made fresh everyday. You can taste how delicate and paper thin their pasta is! We also had their Manila clams ravioli, which was a bit salty for my liking, but it was delicate and nice. Their patio seating is great on a summer night, especially when their indoor bar and regular seating is packed on a Friday night. Service was also quick and easy, as our server tended to us fast, as well as a few other 2-person tables on the patio. Complementary focaccia was so simple and perfectly salted, light oil, that I dipped that thing in all of the dishes lol. No complaints. Hippo isn't the cheapest for dining out, but it's a great meal. Pair with a glass of wine and old fashioned cocktail, and you're good to go! read more

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Cute date spot in HP! Friend came by for some dinner and it's our thing to be foodies and try things but always on a whim, we are not the reservation type We came by around 7pm on a Friday and they were able to accommodate us at the bar with no reservation. The restaurant was cute and very busy! We each started with a drink and we got an appetizer but I really can't remember which one we had just know we tore it up lol. I ordered a second round of drinks for me and we each got a pasta as our entree. I don't remember what the names were but taste wise both were amazing especially the red sauce one. Service was great as well and attentive. It is quite pricey for what you get though and that is my only gripe as we were hungry not much later that night when any other place we usually can just have dinner and be set for the night. But nonetheless this place was great! read more

Hippo - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Their spagetti is so flavorful! I would definitely recommend the Spaghetti Pomodoro. It is so delicious with so much flavor. Their bread is delicious! It has a taste of sweet and savory. Reservation highly recommended. The server was very awesome and gave recommendations regarding to food and drinks. I paired my spaghetti with a great red wine. We will definitely come back great place for date night. It's also a great place for big groups read more

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

Great service! Awesome vibe with indoor and outdoor seating. Very accommodating to gluten free allergies. The bread with the honey butter is stupid good. read more

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This is 5+ stars. The food is life altering. Super vibrant environment. Do not skip the bread or the burrata! read more

Hippo - Yum! - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The place is really cute and lively, it's tucked away in the back. The food was so amazing. The dessert wasn't the best (as a dessert girl) but the other dishes made up for that! The hippo rolls are to die for like every review states. The pasta was SO GOOD, and the steak as well! I definitely will be back! read more

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Came for my husband's birthday. Easy to make reservations but I always find it odd when you check in and they ask if you can leave by a certain time cause they're fully booked. Totally off putting. The food was good but scarce. We had to flag down our server for refills. It's a cute hipster place but for the price, service and amount of food, I'd rather go elsewhere. read more

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Excellent food. We ordered Brussel sprouts, grilled cauliflower, burrata, and hippo rolls for appetizers. All delicious!!! For entrees, we ordered striped bass ( more like a branzino fish to me), trout, and 3 different pasta. For dessert, we got the butter cake and butterscotch budino. Everything was so yummy! Enjoyed the ambiance and atmosphere of this place. Service was great. Hard to find parking and in a busy street. But worth trying this place out when you're in highland park. read more

Love this place for pasta. Definitely interested in trying their proteins next time. My girlfriend and I came with another couple and decided to share and try some of their pastas. My personal favorite was the pork ragu and the butternut squash cappellacci. 4 pastas, shaved brussel sprouts, and some bread was enough for all of us to be satisfied. Service was great and was kind enough to make recommendations and break down some dishes for us. read more

Hippo - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The bread and salad were the best part. I ordered the fresh bucatini but it was more spicy than flavorful so was tough to finish with my wine. I also asked for them to bring out a dessert for a congratulations (either a plate saying congrats or a candle) but they just brought out the dessert which was a bit disappointing. And for some reason the people next to us were able to order fries from the menu (maybe friends of the chef?) but we weren't read more

Hippo - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I came for a bday dinner with a group of 13 and the service was really good. We were seated in the outdoor space. The menu was a pre fixe menu. The first were hippo rolls, shaved brussel sprouts, grilled cauliflower. The pasta was duck ragu and butternut squash cappellacci. The duck ragu was good but butternut squash was too sweet. The grilled chicken thighs and tandoori spiced striped bass both were on the salty side. The service was very good throughout from start to finish. read more

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For a group of 4, we ordered cauliflower, scallops, burrata, pork ragu, grilled chicken, and one more main and pasta, and it was the right amount of food. Everything was delicious. That being said-- next time I would order all different things just to try more of the menu and to see if anything in particular stood out. My favorite of this meal was the chicken thighs. The meat itself was succulent and the skin was perfectly crispy and salty. The potatoes were also a really perfect texture. But there was too much sauce which was overpowering. read more

So, Yelp says the vibe of Hippo is "hipster," which makes sense if it's called "Hippo," right? But as someone who is far from being a hipster, I loved this place. Yes, it was too loud for my taste inside, but the patio was wonderful. Fine service. Interesting menu. Tasty food. All around a very positive experience. I'll gladly come again. read more

I came to celebrate my sisters birthday and sample the food. It was all very delicious. I really enjoyed the pasta and the chicken thighs. I was feeling under the weather and ordered a hot tody and it was a perfect drink. While it was loud inside, I enjoyed the open kitchen concept and colors. Only issue is hard to find parking...but common for any business on this block. So add time for parking. read more

Hippo - Entrance and cute matches - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Outstanding in every way. Open floor plan with kitchen visible and a full bar. We had the hippo roll with honey butter to go with an excellent grilled cauliflower and surprising shaved brussels sprouts (not grilled but like a salad) Entrees were delightful but the celery root triangoli was the big winner. What else, a divine butterscoch budino that made it a good night in Highland Park. Service was brisk and attentive. read more

Wow you cans see this beautiful restaurant from the street. You have to really look for it is in a food court. We enjoyed the decoration the ambiance and the amazing tasting food. Our server Charlie was really amazing. All in all I recommend and take friends to this place. Hidden gem ! read more

Hippo - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Maybe more of a 3.5 star. We had the hamachi crudo, duck tagliolini, hanger steak, and the butter cake. Also, I had the espresso martini. The good: I liked that the hamachi crudo had mint and plum... unique. The steak had a mole sauce that was nice. The butter cake was really good, especially because it was grilled. The espresso martini was also good and had a bit of cardamom in it. Their bread they serve was tasty and I think soaked or topped with a nice olive oil. The servers were very helpful and nice. Interior was cute too. The reason for the rating is that the food was just alright...especially considering the price point. Ingredients were good quality but all of the flavors were very mild and bland. There wasn't a dish we were wowed by. We also ordered the steak medium rare but it came out burnt-ish outside and medium well. read more

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This spot hits!!!! We came for a birthday dinner and the food was 10/10 whatever bread that is that they give in the beginning is crackkkk!!! It was salty and garlicky and the butter?! So so so good i really may just return for the bread alone. We all got different dishes and just shared. The waiter was very nice and answered all of our questions. Super clean restroom and although it was chilly outside it wasn't too bad. We'll definitely return! read more

Such a hidden gem in Highland Park! My gf invited me out to dinner with some friends and we were seated outside which was very intimate and moody with the string lights. We shared a bottle of orange wine, salad (garden lettuces and radish vinaigrette), Burrata with toast and then each of us ordered our own entrees. I got the broccoli rabe ravioli that had these delicious clams inside served with white wine sauce. Oh my, it was sCrUmPtIoUs!!! Service was good, although we were told we were approaching our time limit since our party was only allotted for 1.5 hr, I believe and our waitress asked if we wanted to put in an order of dessert or more wine before closing out. I was surprised how packed this spot was!! But overall, I did enjoy the food and atmosphere. read more

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A group of three of us came on a Thursday night. We have a reservation and were sat right away once we had our full group present. Parking in the area is a little rough since you need to find street parking but wasn't too bad on a Thursday night. We got five dishes since the server recommended 1.5-2 dishes per person. For appetizers, we got the burrata with bread which was standard. Bread was warm and toasted and the cheese was just what I expected. Nothing surprising but solid. We also got the crudo which was solid as well. We also got the brussel sprouts which was more of a salad since they were not cooked. It had good flavor and a nice crunch. For pastas, we got the butternut squash and duck ragu. I really enjoyed both pasta dishes and they were the highlight of the meal. The butternut squash pasta was a great balance of sweet and savory. The duck ragu was very flavorful. The pastas are on the smaller side so you do need a couple if sharing. We also got a few cocktails which I thought had good flavor. Our server was very helpful and quick and gave good recommendations. Overall, solid place. read more

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2025 L.A Michelin The Plate Serves Very Good Food. Order Royal Hamachi Crudo Griddl'd Sea Scallops , Grilled "Tandoori Spiced" Striped Bass , Grilled Chicken Thighs Barbequed Honey Balsamic Hanger Steak. Will Return Again. read more

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Had a great girls' dinner at Hippo! The food was really good fresh, flavorful, and beautifully plated. The ambiance is warm and inviting, perfect for a night out with friends. They definitely get busy, so I'd recommend making a reservation if you're planning to come during peak hours. Service was solid, and the overall vibe made for a fun, relaxing evening. Would definitely come back to try more dishes! read more

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Finally tried this place after being handed a Happy Hour menu one time we passed by Walked in at 5-ish with no resy and there were already two groups waiting. Got seated almost immediately (ty to the kind host) for two but with 2 hour time limit since we didn't have resy. However, it was just enough time for us! Food was awesome, got the brussel sprout as an app and wow, never had them served like that but it was a perfect match to the buttery clam broccoli ravioli I ordered. My partner devoured his pork ragu which he said was amazing. But what we didn't expect was their cocktails... it was gooood lol. Luckily, we took the train because that was way too good. Also want to say how friendly their staff is, forgot our server's name but she was so sweet. Will definitely be back to try other stuff and maybe come during a happy hour read more

Cute little spot in Highland Park. Brought my mother here when she came to visit recently. It was pretty busy, but they still were able to accommodate us even though we showed up 2 hours before our reservation. We may have waited 20 minutes. I loved the setup. It was tricky regarding the temperature. It was one of those dreadful, cold days we've been having lately, and we sat outside. They did have the heaters, but the space is so tight that they had to basically put in on top of us, which then made it too hot on our heads, but with it off it was so cold. Nonetheless, the service was great. Our waiter was attentive and gave us recommendations since it was our first time. I was a little annoyed because we all received our food at different times and I hate when they do that. I like us all to eat together, so I had to show restraint while my plate was in front of me looking good af! The food was amazing to me. Upset I didn't take pics of it. I always forget to pull my phone out when I want to dive into the plate! That bread was so good with the honey butter. The wax beans were my favorite. We had to order 2 because I liked them so much and needed one just for myself. Pasta was good. I got the scallops as an appetizer and was disappointed. There were like 3, and the sauce wasn't hittin. My mother was upset with the steak dish because it was more medium well than medium rare. So she ended up giving it to me, and it was delicious. Also, my aunt's chicken came out too charred and tasted too smoky. I don't know if that is how it comes or if they actually burnt it? Either way, we had a good time despite our bill being like 300$ plus for 4 people. read more

As a native Angeleno who likes to eat out, it is no surprise that a Matt Molina restaurant will serve absolutely delicious food. In this way, Hippo does not disappoint. The flavors are stacked and the textures hit all the right nerves. The butternut squash cappellacchi, grilled cauliflower, and cool wax beans were the standouts. They're those things you already crave the next day. But if you're reading this opinion and have gotten this far, you will notice that I didn't give them all the stars. Where they falter is service. The waiter was nice and was patient with the recommendations but that's kind of where it ended. The rest of the evening he was tossing dishes on our table, walking by and asking how everything is going...without even looking at us, and then hinting that we needed to go rather than just saying it. That last one was really disturbing since he just kept doing these little things that made you feel like they wanted us to move along, but if he could have just said it we would have understood and left sooner. Yes we were there for longer than average but it was mainly because they decided to split our main courses into two courses, pasta and then meat, which I get but it didn't make sense under our circumstances since we each ordered one main course (three of us ordered a pasta and one ordered a meat) that they should have just brought them all out together. So basically we received three pastas and then the one fish dish didn't come out until close to half an hour later. We were even about to cancel It until we saw it on the pass through. These little things are what turn a great evening into a disappointing one. And to top it off, we were there for two birthdays, which I indicated on the reservation when they asked, but there were no signs of acknowledging the occasion (I know they read the notes since they did catch the allergy part). Despite the difficult ending, the food and overall ambiance were nice so they deserve most of the stars but if they ever want to be a truly great neighborhood restaurant they really need to work on their communication skills. read more

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The food was excellent. We went with the waiter's menu suggestions. Delicious!! Service was great and loved the ambiance. Also very close to really cool bars. read more

Fantastic,Delicious,Amazing Cuisine!Byron my server was professional,friendly & was very helpful and caring!Cool open kitchen vibes & great tunes! Chelsea & Leslie were so welcoming & genuinely nice! I'll definitely be back especially pre lodge room concerts! BTW pay no mind to those people who don't know the service industry Hippo was friendly,professional amazing food with Awesome hospitality! read more

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