Highpoint Bistro and Bar

The food was definitely «Meh. I’ve experienced better.» Calamari was just that: meh. The spiced string beans were tasty, but $ 6 for a little helping of beans?
The service was OK.
I can’t personally comment on their cocktails, but my friends seemed to enjoy them. Like everything else on the menu, they were a bit on the pricey side at $ 12.
So I don’t know, let’s call this a 2.5?
We were in the neighborhood and needed a place to hole up before it thunderstormed. I wouldn’t go out of my way to return. As other reviews state, everything on the menu is priced a few dollars too high… and I just didn’t feel like I got what I paid for.

$ 5 wine for happy hour (malbec or pinot grigio); both our waitress and the hostess were pleasant and friendly, and water was refilled constantly. Crab cake, fried calamari (VERY spicy!) and tuna tartar tacos were decent; the dessert with caramel sauce poured over a slab of pink salt — with fresh berries, marshmallows, apples and freshly baked pretzel bread — awesome!

Service was pretty friendly, food wasn’t great though –
* Pizza with bbq chicken: diced chicken was a bit too dry, crust tasted more like hard bread than pizza crust. small arugula greens on top were fresh, but sort of out of place
* Steak and eggs: bf said the quality of the meat wasn’t very good

I was here a week ago with several friend’s for my best friend’s birthday. The service was okay — it was a busy night — but the food portions were a bit small & a few dollars overpriced, particularly for mac and cheese. On top of that, one of our friends brought mini-​cupcakes — because of this, we were charged a $ 15 cake fee. WTF! A $ 15 CAKE FEE!
Needless to say, I have no desire to come back here.

Another great, great brunch spot! The truffle eggs were out of this world!!! Potatoes on bottom, truffle cheese, then eggs on top! And they french press the coffee! YUM, I would eat there every day if the waistline and budget allowed!
No rez, we just walked in. This is a well kept secret and I hate to share it, but they deserve the accolades! Not to mention the little shopping cart of donut holes!!!
Our wait staff was most excellent, very attentive, I love it. Not pretentious.
GO!!!

Better than good food in this nondescript interior bistro. We sat near the front windows where I noticed the hostess never helped out and got confused when I asked for a drink.
Our server was nice and efficient, she knew the menu, helpful. Our food was delicious and nice portions. The menu really can please all, many fish dishes, meat and vegetarian.

The food here is OK, nothing spectacular. We only dined here because we were going to a comedy club around the corner. If I had a choice to come here again I probably wouldn’t, just because the food is mediocre. When I dine, I like to dine on awesome food! This place was meh.
We dined on:
Shopping Cart of Bread — I love bread… but this bread left a lot to be desired and was tough to chew. The actual shopping cart was the highlight merely because of its cuteness factor.
Tuna Tartare Tacos — They had a nice flavor to them but they were absolutely miniscule, which was a total bummer.
Farmers Salad — It was a salad… enough said.
Flatbread Pizza — the arugula was fresh and provided good flavor. Other than that, it was just ok.
Cheeseburger Sliders — Again, nothing special. In fact this was the worst part of the meal because the waiter offered to add another slider, so my friend and I could split the burgers equally, but failed to mention they charged an additional $ 3.95 for one tiny slider! $ 16 on sliders is not cool! Especially when they are mediocre. I could have had 2 big mouthwatering Shake Shack burgers for that ridiculous price!
Highpoint Bistro– you suckered me out of my money… so I hope you enjoyed, because it’s not happening again. Too bad Unilocal doesn’t do half stars, because you really deserve a 2 ½, not a 3.

I came here last night with my husband for my birthday dinner. We made last minute reservations and I think it’s good we did because the place filled up within a few minutes of us getting there. Our server was sweet and pretty informed about the menu which was appreciated.
We ended up sharing two apps and an entrée. We had the kobe corn dogs, calamari, and Not Your Mother’s Meatloaf. The corn dogs were awesome, probably my favorite thing there. The calamari was pretty good– typical though nothing too special. The meatloaf was really tasty and rich, as was the mac n cheese it came with but it was a small portion. I know it wasn’t meant to be shared but I think if I ordered a $ 19 plate of meatloaf I’d expect a little more than what they gave you…
In general I would say the food is good, service is good, cocktails okay– but priced a couple dollars too high per plate. Atmosphere was super cute but not enough to draw me back too soon.

— — — -DINNER ONLY — — — — –
Came to this place with my co-​workers while on a last-​minute NYC business trip thanks to a random local in our hotel who recommended this place as «good tapas». It’s not even tapas style but hey, it was pretty dark good.
This review is based on food alone and not on price since it was paid by the company :)
Their menu had a lot of promising items. It’s always a good sign when you have trouble deciding what you want because everything sounds so good! We ordered tons of food but I just wanted to call out the highlights
1. Scallops pan seared, prosciutto, black mission fig, balsamic glaze
Deliciously cooked and all the extras on the side were a HUGE complement to the dish.
2. Duck confit, parsnip, cranberry, duck jus
This was basically duck in 3 different ways. I specifically remember one version being sort of like mashed potatoes with duck in it and then standard duck that was cooked medium rare. AMAZING. You know what else was surprisingly amazing? The caramelized brussels sprouts that were also on the dish – super sweet and delicious and I’m heavily debating whether or not I like the duck more or the brussels sprouts.
3. Truffled mac & cheese
Such a simple side dish; subtle in flavor but heavy on the stomach. Good side dish to keep you full, esp when your dish ends up taking WAY too long to come out
4. Caramel Experiment (Dessert)
Okay, THIS DISH is the reason why this place bumped itself from 4 stars to 5 stars. If you don’t order anything else here, come here for this caramel experiment dessert. It’s definitely a gastronomy experience that will end the night with such awesomeness. Basically, they give you a block of Himalayan Salt (fancy) and you pour caramel over it. Apparently the combined taste will actually change the longer it sits so as you’re trying it with stuff, the flavor will subtly change. It came with a bunch of stuff including granny smith apples, mashmellows, popcorn, walnuts, etc. Seriously, it was like a mini-​fondue experience that was super delicious. Definitely was an awesome way to end the meal.

Drinks: Spiked Hot Chocolate. This is how hot chocolate should be… spiked with alcohol. It made all warm in the inside.
Brunch: Ordered Eggs benedict and it was cooked well; the eggs were runny and the caramelized onions added a hint of sweetness to the savory egg dish. The ham though was a bit lacking in flavor.
Sides: Truffle Mushrooms. I’m not sure where the «truffle» part comes in because they looked and tasted like regular mushrooms to me. This was a bit of a disappointment. I was expecting a strong, earthy, mushroom taste with wood undertones? But then again for $ 4, what can you expect right? Even if it was just mushrooms, the taste was a bit bland as if the flavors weren’t sautéed enough.
Service: Excellent; the waiter was funny and service was prompt.
Overall, I really enjoyed the spike hot chocolate and the eggs benedict. I would like to come by and try other dishes on the menu. The steak and egg dish ordered by some of my friends looked and smelled delicious!

Cheap beer. Good outdoor seating.
Come here!

First, a grand entrance! With winter coats flailing on the backs of chairs and shopping bags all around, it took a minute for the waiter to make sure that I’m comfortable. I just joined a friend and her coworker for dinner.
I was happy to order a glass of Rose, even though they didn’t have Reisling by the glass. I was also happy to share an appetizer and entrée with my friend (they prices were a bit steep for a no occasion wednesday night outing).
The scallops, prosciutto and fig appetizer looked very appetizing and was delish (don’t see it on the online menu though). The picky food critic in me would point, however, that I can’t say the combination was memorable, except that the scallops were very nice.
For the entrée we got the short rib stroganoff — a very hearty meal with the short rib placed gently on top of wide egg noodles, carrot purée, wild mushrooms and baby turnip. It was good, but I would try something else next time.
The best part was the dessert, when I got the Crème Brulle Egglings. I was shocked, awed, surprised and extremely curious when the crème brûlée actually came in an actual egg shell. The delicatry of having to make the dessert still astounds me. My fellow guests had the Chocolate Soufflé (any chocolate lover’s dream) and an apple tart (any baker’s dream).
Overall, I so want to come back and try some more!

Sat at the bar of this moderately cozy and dimly lit bistro to enjoy some vino. The reds by the glass, while affordable, leave something to be desired, especially for those desiring fuller, spicy pours. But after being offered a taste of two wines competing for my palate, I selected the Blend — a smooth, medium-​bodied oaky red. The bartender served up a complimentary dish of spiced popcorn and waters and then let my friend and I talk. Lovely.
I’d stop in again if in the neighborhood (to try one of their interesting signature cocktails), but this isn’t really a destination.

Came here for brunch on Sunday and ordered coffee and the truffle fried eggs ($ 10). There were 3 of us, and we chose to order one large coffee. Our waitress told us it would be between 5 and 6 cups, which seemed perfect for what we wanted.
The food came out very quickly, which was great, but the coffee was nowhere to be found. Over 15 minutes into eating my meal, and pretty much done with it, the coffee finally arrived. It was tasty, but didn’t even last 4 full cups.
The service was the low point of the meal. While the other server at the restaurant was friendly and eager to help, our actual waitress was flustered, slow and unresponsive for no real reason. The place wasn’t even that crowded, and she didn’t have many tables to worry about. I had an empty water glass for at least 20 minutes, and was disappointed with the coffee situation.
Will definitely return to give the place another try, since the most important part of the meal (the food) was good. Just hope they get the service figured out by then.

If you are looking for a new brunch place in NYC make sure to check out Highpoint Bistro on 7^th Ave between 22^nd and 23^rd street. I’ve gone in a large group of about 10 people and as small as just me and my boyfriend.
Highpoint truly lives up to its name. Instead of bread or muffins, they serve freshly made donut holes, its the perfect way to start the day!
I’ve had 2 eggs over medium there which is my typical go to brunch item. It was good but the side dishes proved to be a highlight. The french fries were great. The first time I ordered the mac and cheese it was just scrumptious. I dreamt about it so the second time I went to Highpoint I made sure to order it again but it just wasn’t as great. I’ve also tried their buttermilk pancakes with lemon thyme butter which made them more savory. However, I found their pancakes too dry. If I’m eating pancakes, I’m going all out and I expect fluffy pancakes and I just didn’t get that from Highpoint. I’ve heard their french onion soup is just delicious. All in all, I enjoy going to Highpoint and look forward to going again.
Its a pretty small place but both times I’ve gone its been pretty empty. The service is fairly good.
** I am a food blogger, if you enjoy reading my reviews check out my website:

We started with the soft wild mushroom polenta topped with goat cheese and a quail egg ($ 9) and «naughty» calamari with sweet chili sauce ($ 9). Polenta is all about texture, and Highpoint’s version did not disappoint. The mushroom flavor came from truffle oil which made the polenta smooth and rich, and the goat cheese was tangy, a nice complement to the oil. Not sure what makes the calamari «naughty,» except for the fact that they are deep-​fried. Highpoint’s calamari is standard, run-​of-​the-​mill, with the exception of the presentation (they are served in a tiny shopping cart which upon arrival at the table made everyone say, «awww!»
For entrée, we split the petite filet mignon ($ 27) and homemade pappardelle with duck confit and butternut squash. The filet mignon was cut into medallions and served over a butternut purée. Pretty standard. However, the parpardelle really knocked my socks off. The pasta was cooked perfectly, the duck extremely tender and the squash soft & moist. While the flavor was not overpowering (since most of it came from the duck) the combination of the flavors and textures was spot-​on.
Overall, the food at Highpoint is above average for the price. I did notice, however, they are sacrificing taste for presentation in some instances (e.g. calamari). The dining room is well-​light and comfortable. At the end of the evening, chef came over, introduced himself, and asked how our meal was, which was a nice touch.

I absolutely love this place! I was looking for a quick and full filling lunch, and when I looked at their menu I was sold. I had the Tuna tartar tacos which just melted in my mouth, and then for the main course the Highpoint burger, which was extremely juicy. It was very affordable too!
Plus they gave free homemade donuts. Great place!

Executive Chef Phil Deffina has created a spectacular menu for this new Chelsea bistro on 7^th ave.
The food is very high-​end, fresh, and playful.
I’ve had the pleasure of trying many things on the menu and I look forward to going back soon and having more.
The service is top notch weather you are in for a quick drink at the bar or a long relaxing dinner.
Perfect atmosphere for a business lunch or fancy late night dinner with your especial someone.

In a bittersweet tribute to Shelby’s last weekend in New York, we decided to consummate her final Sunday by meeting for brunch at the newly-​opened Highpoint Bistro & Bar.
Aside from a couple of other occupied tables, Shelbs and I basically had free reign of where we wanted to sit. While settling in to our spacious four-​top abode, a server approached and handed each of us a brunch menu. Since Highpoint’s offerings appeared radically varied — from «Tuna Tartare Tacos» and «Watermelon Steak Au Poivre» to «Stuffed French Toast» — Shelbs and I felt prompted to order a handful of dishes and split everything down the middle.
A shopping cart filled with homemade, golf ball-​sized donut holes christened our meal. While I appreciated the fact that they were made on the premises, I found the fried dough’s exterior to taste similar to the crust on day-​old sandwich bread. As my teeth sunk further in to the donut’s interior, I was taken aback by its overwhelming density and dryness.
The next item we received was the «Bacon, Egg and Cheese Spring Rolls» which, like the donut holes before them, arrived in a shopping cart. Being that Highpoint’s chef, Phil Deffina, had previously worked with — and was influenced by — David Burke (the king of innovative and creatively executed cuisine), I really appreciated the uniqueness of this dish. Spring rolls are the ultimate «portable» snack and, instead of filling them with a boring mélange of julienned carrots and cabbage, the holy trinity of breakfast ingredients — bacon, egg, and cheese — was used in instead. A piping-​hot, crispy exterior gave way to soft, velvety scrambled eggs that were dotted with smoky bacon chips and melted cheese. A small dish of ketchup was served as an accompaniment.
The next dish we received was the «Tuna Tartare Tacos.» Of all the plates that we sampled, I must admit that this particular one was my least favorite. Sushi-​grade chopped tuna was lightly dressed, then stuffed in to mini shells; a dollop of avocado mousse and tobiko crowned each taco. Seaweed salad served as an accompaniment. My issues with this dish were the following:
* I loathe tobiko
* While I appreciated the Asian-​Mexican fusion on the plate, I found the seaweed salad to be a slimy afterthought
* The taco shells were too hard and arid, which created an overwhelming contrast to the delicate texture of the fresh tuna
* I loathe tobiko
«Buffalo Chicken Lollipops» were the next plate of morsels that we received. Minced white-​meat chicken was bound with blue cheese and hot-​sauce — formed in to bite-​sized balls — enveloped in thin wonton dough — then deep-​fried. A wooden lollipop stick pierced the middle of each «pop.»
Each of the four lollipops rested atop a cucumber slice, and were positioned near a small mound of pickled juilienned carrots. Cool and creamy «blue cheese fondue» served as an appropriate dip. From the dish’s level of creativity to the flavor and texture, these pops hit high marks.
And finally, we received the entrée that I had been yearning for, the Black Angus Cheeseburger. Served atop a fluffy, toasted brioche bun were the following ingredients: butter lettuce, sliced white onions, tomato, and a generous glob of ooey-​gooey melted gruyère cheese that enveloped a ½″ mound of medium-​rare Black Angus. I utilized the accompanying hand-​cut fries to sop up all of the delicious juices that oozed on to my plate after each bite of my cheeseburger.
As if we had any more room in our stomachs, our final entrée arrived. I’ve had Stuffed French Toast before, but never have I been witness to such a mammoth portion of this sweet treat. Standing almost 2″ tall, the griddled brioche was crowned, not stuffed, with a generous dollop of orange-​cardamom cream and marmalade. While still tasty, I would have preferred that the interior of the brioche be more pudding-​like. I asked for a side of maple syrup to further aid in moistening the toast.
Conclusion: my meal at Highpoint Bistro & Bar had its share of ups — bacon/​egg/​cheese lolli’s, chicken lollipops, cheeseburger, fries, chicken lollipops — and downs — tuna tartare tacos, donuts — in terms of the food, but the service that we received was warm and accommodating. Since this is a new restaurant, after all, I don’t think that it would be fair of me to write it off or not return. As with any new venture, time is the only remedy for both learning and growing pains. With the talent behind Highpoint Bistro & Bar, I ultimately believe that it will succeed. Chelsea desperately needs this innovative, yet comfortable, concept.

I’m bumping this to 5 stars, because of the good service.
Sure I sat at the bar and ate, but it was good experience.
Looking for a nice place to have a drink and some lite fare after working this entire beautiful holiday weekend Sunday. I liked the open air feeling, and the view of the brilliant sunshine toward Seventh ave. I was surprised how cool it was inside, with the windows wide open. That made me want to stay.
After having a Grey Goose and OJ with the fresh squeezed Orange juice, I opted for the $ 12 Tuna Tacos, which were topped with a little bit guacamole, and some small flying fish (caviar-​like) eggs. 3 small but heftily packed tacos with a small side of seaweed salad, was really good.
Before that arrived, I was presented with my «flat bread» in a small metal shopping cart, that looked like it was from a large doll house. Wheels and all, with a small branded placard on the front with the restaurants name.
I wanted to take that thing, but that was after my second drink. :)
The irony of NYC is that someone walked by on the street with a real one, and it was almost surreal as I glanced out the open window and back at my mini-​version.
MY bartender, John was a cool guy with a good head for conversation.
This is a really nice place. Try it when you can.