HillTop Kitchen

From start to finish, Hilltop Kitchen is a hidden gem! It’s taken me way too long to get there for a meal, but today was the day and I am so glad I did. We were sat quickly by a lovely young lady who I came to find out is the owner’s daughter. There were several tables occupied but we were greeted promptly and attended to. We ordered the grilled cantaloupe with whipped ricotta crostini and it may be one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted, ever! The drizzle of hot honey topped with pistachios was the perfect accompaniment. I also ordered the tuna Niçoise salad and my husband had the Philly sandwich , both were perfection. We were not planning on dessert, but, then, we did with no regrets. The black cherry cheesecake was delicious and shareable. Honestly, even after a wonderful meal, the best part of our lunch when was the owner came over to chat with us. She introduced herself and told us a little about herself and her story. She is a remarkable, strong, woman who has worked hard to build her business and I truly can’t wait to go back and to bring friends!

I absolutely loved my first visit here over the weekend! The atmosphere is elegant and classy, and everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming. The outdoor area is beautiful, and the service was truly phenomenal. I had a burger and fries and it was absolutely delicious. I’m already looking forward to coming back for the holidays—I can’t wait to see how they decorate for Christmas.👌🏾👌🏾⭐️

This restaurant is truly a hidden gem!! My husband and I went here for the first time last night for our anniversary and we were blown away!! We were welcomed by friendly staff and a beautifully decorated dining room. I got the “spicy Santa” margarita which was a delicious spin off a cosmopolitan but with tequila. They have hand’s down the best calamari I have ever had!! The food was exceptional. I highly recommend coming here and experiencing all that they have to offer.

I wasn’t charged for my meal, I took one bite and it turned my stomach, lost appetite. I examined the meat and I was frustrated, the lamb burger I ordered wasn’t just dried out and burnt it tasted rotten. I have a food safety certificate (18 yrs) for the state of New York and I was appalled by what I bit into. Just one appetizer, 2 drinks - diet coke, smallest sweet tea I’ve ever seen in my life as a beverage in any restaurant (once tried I asked for sugar it was unsweetened tea) and my wife Jens shrimp scampi that was small portion but she said it was delicious though. The warm baked bread was good but the butter and oil was bland, the coconut shrimp appetizer was just “shrimp tempura” on a slice of pineapple and shaved coconut. - It appears and taste exactly like Costco Shrimp Tempura but on sticks (that’s fine but that’s not coconut shrimp). It was a total of $70 total, including tip for 2 drinks, appetizer and shrimp scampi. Staff was kind but the food service was terrible, we unfortunately won’t be going back.

We went into town to go to a different restaurant, and happily ended up here! The atmosphere and service were wonderful, and just what we were looking for on a snowy date night. The bourbon drinks were delicious and our salmon and burger very good. Esp with the homemade chimichurri sauce. Good music in the background and just a nice spot for a nice meal.

I love going here with my all my friends!! Amazing food and friendly staff!! Whenever I ask to get something on the menu modified or even a special sauce for my fries they make it happen and it never disappoints!! Love the inside and outside options!

Hilltop Kitchen is a wonderful family-run business. Every member of the family is kind-hearted and hardworking, and it truly shows in the warm atmosphere and excellent service. Their food is consistently delicious, whether you're stopping by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I especially love the chicken masala and their gluten-free pizza: the crust is the best I’ve ever had. The interior is beautifully decorated, and during warm weather, sitting on their patio is both relaxing and lovely. I’m especially grateful to Alisha, who is incredibly patient and goes above and beyond to take special care of my 95-year-old Dad, a frequent diner there. They even catered my father’s 95th celebration; the food was not only beautifully presented but also absolutely delicious. Definitely check them out, you’ll most likely become regulars, just like my family has.

Took out a 3 color Sicilian pizza and it was delicious! Pesto, vodka and marinara sauce. More than enough for 2 people and looking forward to leftovers

We really liked this place The owners could not have been any more pleasant My husband had the short rib stew that was really good and tasty. The place looked like Christmas magic with many beautiful trees and decoration. It looked like a fairy land. All in all we had a delightful evening in a very lovely place

From start to finish, Hilltop Kitchen is a hidden gem! It's taken me way too long to get there for a meal, but today was the day and I am so glad I did. We were sat quickly by a lovely young lady who I came to find out is the owner's daughter. There were several tables occupied but we were greeted promptly and attended to. We ordered the grilled cantaloupe with whipped ricotta crostini and it may be one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted, ever! The drizzle of hot honey topped with pistachios was the perfect accompaniment. I also ordered the tuna Niçoise salad and my husband had the Philly sandwich , both were perfection. We were not planning on dessert, but, then, we did with no regrets. The black cherry cheesecake was delicious and shareable. Honestly, even after a wonderful meal, the best part of our lunch when was the owner came over to chat with us. She introduced herself and told us a little about herself and her story. She is a remarkable, strong, woman who has worked hard to build her business and I truly can't wait to go back and to bring friends!

Food quality / price (value) rating 8. The atmosphere is contemporary Italian with dark walls and floors. The main dining room has some booths and several tables. They have a second smaller octagonal dining room for parties that has plenty of windows and a high ceiling. A small bar, about five stools, is tucked in the rear. Very nice fresh baked bread and a house garden salad were served. I had the Chicken Marsala with mashed potatoes and squash with some asparagus. The dish was pretty bland, and certainly needs to be brought up a notch as far as flavors. The wife had the Chicken Tikka Marsala, with a curry cream based sauce that was quite flavorful. The service was good. I thought the dessert kemu was a little boring and not at all original.

My wife and I enjoyed visiting this restaurant last evening. Walking into the restaurant we were immediately struck by the magical ambiance. The dining room has been redecorated very nicely. Booths and tables are both available. But they have been arranged in a way that provides a comfortable space for each diner. The room was also decorated with a number of lighted fir trees reminiscent of the Season. The service was excellent. Each person who interacted with us at our table was friendly and courteous. The menu had many interesting choices. We each selected "Duck à la Foret" for our main meal. We shared a serving of ricotta cheese cake for desert. The food was very satisfying. We will be returning to this restaurant!

Great spicy Bloody Mary to start! Then I had Hilltop Avocado Toast from brunch menu was delicious- I left not a scrap of food on my plate! My husband had the house crispy chicken cutlet with bacon, cheddar, ranch, I think called Sammy Hook Something? It even had grilled cheddar and jalepeno on the bun. Great food. Great service. We will be back. Website needs menu ipdates

The service was great! But unfortunately, a lot of the food missed the mark just a bit. The bread service was the highlight and the bread was great quality across all their items. For appetizers - we ordered the calamari and the fried pork belly. The calamari was done quite poorly, with most of the dish before batter or onions and very few actual squid. The lobster roll, and burgers were also decent, but the pineapple fried rice and teriyaki chicken was not quite what we expected and although the flavor was ok, it was far off from what you'd imagine it to be. Overall - the efforts were there, but probably needs to brush on actual cooking.

Have to say was pretty disappointed. We should have known when we arrived at 6:00pm on a Friday night and the parking lot was empty. For a fairly new restaurant in the area, many being Italian/ pizza places this one I think missed the mark. First, can't order pizza in the restaurant unless you order from the kids menu. How absurd. Now with that said I have to give it to them the food was really good however the dinners were appetizer portions. $27 for what they call jumbo ravioli was just 5 regular ravioli. Yes more than $5 per ravioli. Insane. With all the other options in town you can see why the parking lot was empty. We too, will not be going back. Service was so slow we almost got up and left. Hindsight, probably should have.

We adored our girls night sitting outside at the outdoor patio at Hilltop Kitchen overlooking downtown Sandy Hook. While the Caesar salad and cantaloupe crostini were outstanding twists on standard dishes, we found the Cobb salad to be just average. The menu offers a variety of price ranges with something for everyone. The service was fair- some staff seemed more knowledgeable about the menu than others. That being said, this restaurant did a great job despite their recent opening. We can't wait to come back.

The decor is super chic and welcoming - inside and out! We sat outside and it was so lovely. The burrata salad was AMAZING. And the penne vodka pizza was delicious. The vodka sauce was super tasty! I would definitely order both again. Service was exceptional - we will go back!

A newly opened restaurant in Sandy Hook still working through the kinks. The decor of the restaurant is beautiful. My husband & I came in for dinner 8pm on a Saturday night. It was quite hoping this will improve over time. Started out with the calamari - small portion, chewy, but had good breading and seasoning. They have a smaller regular menu with a big specials menu. Maybe over the next month or two they will move some of the specials to the permanent menu. Then make the specials menu a bit smaller. Our dinner - My husband got a slow cooked marinated roast pork sandwich with cheese, broccoli rabe and au jus. Big sandwich with good flavor. French fries with the sandwich were Amazing! But he was only given four fries which were disappointing. They were too good to give so few My dinner - burnt ends with cole slaw, corn on the cob, and baked beans. This was my first time trying burnt ends. I had heard they have alot of fat. The meat they did have nice and juicy. The baked beans were not for me. The cole slaw nice and creamy. The corn on the cob was so good - sweet & perfect. I hope the next time I go on a Saturday night they have taken some suggestions and have alot more customers. They have great potential.

Food was delicious! We got the French toast, corn beef hash and sausage egg and cheese. Perfect place for brunch

Lovely spot for breakfast, food is fresh, and no need to season much. The waitress Alisha was very nice and friendly. Will go back again.

fantastic dinner at hilltop. food quality and portions were perfect. service was attentive and friendly. even the bread course featured an amazing combination spread of seasoned olive oil and butter that made the freshly baked bread taste fantastic. we love eating at hilltop. the atmosphere is clean and well decorated. the staff patient and kind. locally sourced food beautifully prepared.

A new restaurant always has to work out some kinks but Hilltop Kitchen did a phenomenal job when I visited. We were seated right away and consistently checked in on throughout our meal. There are multiple dining room options including booths, tables as well as patio seating. The restaurant is BYOB while they await a liquor license. We tried the traditional eggs Benedict with added fresh avocado and a bacon, egg and cheese. The home fries had great flavor, eggs cooked perfect and the homemade bacon had a nice thickness and saltiness. I will definitely be back to try dinner!

Our visit this evening was so disappointing. When we pulled into the parking lot, the restaurant looked so beautiful! We were a group of 10 celebrating my mother in law's birthday. I am mixed on our waitress. In some instances she was helpful and accommodating and others quite rude. Upon our arrival she told us that they had issues with their cooler not working properly and that as a result, certain menu items were unavailable - meatballs and chicharrones. We ordered wine, soda, juice, cocktails, appetizers, a salad, kid's dinners and adult entrees. I had my heart set on the cheese ravioli alla Bolognese. The waitress said they didn't have it and here is where the rudeness comes in. She said I told you before that we don't have meatballs'. To which I replied Bolognese sauce and meatballs are 2 very different things'. I ended up having to order the ravioli with the cheese cream sauce. However, when we got home and I reviewed the receipt, we were charged for the Bolognese sauce and there were 4 or 5 ravioli, so that $ amount for sparse ravioli . Also, we were told that they didn't have scalloped potatoes but could substitute rice. Again, we were charged for scalloped potatoes instead of rice. We asked for more bread and were told that there would be an extra charge. Seriously?! You are going to charge our large party who ordered a ton of alcohol and food for extra bread?! AND the glass of soda my son ordered was tiny and they charged us for refills. Again, what?! $15 for a couple SMALL glasses of soda?! They did comp us some desserts which was the right thing to do, but upon reviewing our receipt and what we were over charged for, it didn't work out in our favor. I genuinely wish the best for this restaurant. That said, after a HEFTY bill, sub par service and sub par food, Hilltop Kitchen is scratched from our list and we definitely won't be returning.

Pros - Beautifully decorated, pleasant servers, food was good. - Cons - (1) out of several menu items, at the beginning of the dinner hour, this includes certain spirits listed on the menu as well. (2) While the restaurant is beautifully decorated, it lacks warmth, does not feel cozy. (3) too expensive when you factor in the tiny portions.

Burned eggs, overcharged relative to menu prices. Music too loud in an empty restaurant. Will never eat here again. .

Delicious food and a welcoming, friendly staff. The restaurant is beautiful inside - a relaxing and very pleasant experience.

In my opinion, Hilltop Kitchen a place that gets so much right from the moment you walk in. The good is outstanding. Every dish we ordered from the shrimp scampi to the lamb burger were beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. I especially recommend the falafel sliders, which were a knockout. Equally impressive are the drinks. The cocktail list is imaginative without being over-the-top, with expertly mixed drinks that highlight high-quality spirits and inventive flavor pairings. The staff had always been friendly, attentive, and generally passionate about the food and drink they serve. I am sorry, I didn't take any pictures this time but I definitely will update after the next time I visit!

Food was outstanding! Definitely becoming a regular spot for fabulous food. Family run establishment with a heart, definitely worth the time to stop in! The grilled cantaloupe appetizer is to die for!! Have never had a bad experience. If you have an adventurous side Christian the bartender is your man!! Will make a complimentary cocktail for your meal. You won't be disappointed!!!

Really, really disappointed with our experience. We gave them a second try hoping that the issues we had on the first visit were just the kinks being worked out, but unfortunately found out that their inconsistency has persisted. The restaurant was mostly empty so we were seated outside rather quickly once some tables were pushed together (we were a party of 6). The server was very friendly and warned us ahead of time that our drinks may take a while (we were understanding because we ordered martinis and specialty cocktails). However, even subsequent rounds with just one or two refills were taking 15-20 minutes and the martini glasses were not even completely full. The bar also doesn't have Tito's vodka which seems a little odd considering it's popularity. We ordered the lobster/shrimp spinach dip special and were given sausage gravy in a bowl with tortilla chips. None of the staff that made the food or brought it out had noticed that it was sausage and not seafood and spinach. When we asked about it, staff apologized and said they "grabbed the wrong package" in the kitchen. The flavor of the sausage gravy was better than the dip we had intended on getting and honestly might be the only reason we would go back to try breakfast. We then ordered a pizza to share with the table - the Roman Empire. It is supposed to come with a balsamic glaze and showed up to the table without it. When I asked the staff who brought it to the table if the glaze was on there, they said yes. A few minutes later without us having to ask, a side dish of the balsamic glaze was brought out so it was clearly not on the pizza to begin with. The crust did have good texture so a less complicated non-specialty pizza may be the way to go if you're wanting to try something from here. Our last round of drinks must have been made by a different bartender or with different ingredients because the cosmo was SO bitter, but I knew if I sent it back for another one I may not have a drink for 20 more minutes so I didn't even bother. That last round of martinis also came in a smaller coup glass-still not full all the way. The menu is all over the place and the decor feels cold and out of place for the menu and the clientele. If they slim down the menu and really focus on doing a few things well and consistently, maybe they could survive. We probably won't be back.

Lunch today was out of this world. Confit Duck salad. marinated so long and paired with such complementing flavors it didn't even need a salad dressing! Alisha, our hostess and server was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. Her recommendations were spot on! On top of that, the bartender made THE BEST Bloody Mary! Could not have asked for a better afternoon.

I had falafel plate and it was so salty and dry, I couldn't eat it. It was not suitable for pita sandwich that 3 pieces out of 5? pieces fell to the floor as they were overcooked and hard, not much of sauce that wouldn't stay in the pita bread. I saw many good reviews and comments that I had to try this place. I'm not going to return as the environment is stale like a dinner but overpriced menus as the upscale restaurants. My grandson loves food especially Mac and cheese. We ordered Mac and cheese, but he left most of it uneaten. That tells me something.

I gave this place a second and likely last chance. My first visit was lunch soon after opening. They didn't have all of the items on the menu yet, service was poor and to make up for it they have us a free slice of cake which was so stale we threw it all out. Somehow lunch was still over $100 for two. This time I was convinced to try for dinner and it was disappointing, there was nobody there and it still too 45 minutes to get our dinner.

Came in today for brunch. Great experience overall. The loaded bloody Mary was very good, with shrimp and bacon. Was a bit surprised by the quality of fruit that came with my eggs benedict, blood orange, strawberries, and grapes....it all was very tasty.

The location is absolutely beautiful with a gorgeous interior and stunning outdoor patio. The food is delicious and I would definitely recommend going for brunch! Above all the service is incredible and the owners are so sweet and genuine. Would definitely recommend!

Absolute deliscious. Friendly knowledgeable staff. Everything on the menu is divine. A wide variety of food, all cooked fresh from scratch. Nothing frozen

How is this place in business overpriced below average food no question! So let's start with a dreary looking place, service was ok nothing special and our server had little knowledge of the dishes? We won't be back and the cake was stale they served for dessert another below average food establishment in Newtown......

We went there for Sunday breakfast./brunch. Beautiful dining room. Overall food, drinks and waitress service are excellent. Definitely will go back again for the dinner.

We've been here twice and both times have had an exceptional experiences. We sat outside on the lovely patio. The service was attentive and friendly both times. My 93 year old Dad was intrigued by the pasta and butter dish they have on the children's menu which reminded him of his favorite childhood meal. The chef was willing to make an adult portion of that and my Dad felt that it was the best meal he has had since he moved to Connecticut. I had the chicken tikka masala which was delicious with the perfect amount of spice. They have vegetarian and vegan options. The bartender is talented and a personable guy! We will be back!

Ordered shrimp cocktail and the BLT for lunch. Arrived after 2 pm and was told it was the brunch menu, which seemed odd given it was well into lunch time. Shrimp was $17 and on the menu listed as large shrimp. There were 4 and they were small, about the size of a half dollar. The BLT claim was that it was house smoked and cured bacon which was hilariously false and tasted like microwave bacon. Server was nice, unless you go out to eat for a nice server avoid this overpriced underperforming restaurant in a town that has great options. Also the drinks were watered down and the soda was flat.

So glad we found this hidden gem! Loved the ambience and decor! Food was great! Very good vegetarian options. Prices reasonable. Staff was kind and friendly.

Add ice to drinks, none of our drinks had ice even when my cousin order an ice coffee they said they can't give ice for some reason which was a little head scratching, took almost 30 minutes since we ordered and the food wasn't even made yet when we asked. And the waitress didn't even apologize for how long it took and basically said the drinks can be on the house and we can leave. Completely unprofessional and overpriced.

Wonderful service! I am a big fan of the wings here, and love what they have done inside. Unique cocktails, and if you tell Christian what type of cocktail you like or certain ingredients, he will make you something spectacular. Ignore the other reviews. It's a new restaurant and just like a new restaurant they are working out the kinks. Quite frankly, I think it's pre-mature for anyone to leave a scathing review for a business within 3-6 months of their opening.

Unfortunately have been there twice and will not return. We went for Mother's Day brunch, and two members of our party got eggs Benedict with cold eggs. Also my mother was not given a flower when others were. But we decided to try it again because it was new. I ordered a smash burger and asked for it well done. I was assured that smash burgers couldn't be rare. And yet, that's how it came out. One of the people in my party got chicken Marsala so salty she couldn't eat it. They nearly lost my husband's credit card, he had to ask about it and they had to go look for it. We asked for a split check, they put it all on my husband's card and then gave our companions a bill as well. The servers checked in a million times before we had food, but once food came out and there were issues with it, no one came to our table. Unfortunately, given how expensive the food is, I can't spend more money giving the restaurant a chance.

Great little place with great foo, drinks and service. The menu has a large selection of unique dishes and the drinks come in a variety of choices.

In one word: avoid. The water came quickly. Then it was another 16 minutes before a waitress appeared asking if it was ok that it would take some time (at least 20 minutes) before we got our food as there were "10 orders ahead of ours." Mind you this was July 3rd lunchtime in a small, quiet CT town that had basically emptied out for the holiday The place was empty save for about 2 or three other tables. I can only imagine what happens when they are busy! We left. No loss as The menu was also unappealing - unless you are clamoring for high caloric meats (lots of pork) and "chefs secret sauce." There were hardly any vegetarian options and zero vegan. The one star is for the atmosphere. We went down the road to Sugo and had an excellent meal and service.

I was sad to see there were no cars in the lot when we arrived but may have a better understanding now. Server was lovely and food was average. $27 for a cheese pizza seems a bit steep, especially when the online menu has a cheese pizza listed for $17.95. With so many other options in town, we will not be back.

Food here is amazing, and Connor was a great server. All the staff were very friendly and the interior is beautiful, I highly recommend this restaurant (especially for breakfast!)

The renovations are absolutely amazing, it's like a whole new place inside. Went there for brunch. The New England eggs Benedict was delicious. We also love to drop in there for lunch. Their adaptation of the Philly cheesesteak is out of this world. The service is excellent. Run by a local, well liked family that puts their heart and soul into the food and service, and it shows when you eat there. Psyched for the bar that just opened. If their food is any indication of the cocktails they'll be serving I am excited.

Not ready for prime time. My inclination is to support a local business and I see from the previous reviews that this place is working out the kinks a few months after opening, but there are some basic fails here. Menu (actually, there are 3 menus) is indecipherable. Some menu items not available. We waited 30+ mins for our entrees to arrive and, when they did, one of us did not receive their entree. Everyone at the table ate their entree and, by the time everyone finished, that entree was still not available, so one of us went home hungry. Why have 3 menus of items when you can't deliver one of the most basic entrees on the main menu? One upside: server was extremely nice.

I found the food to be overpriced and mediocre. With so many superior options in town I don't see how this place can survive. Service was subpar as well. I wish them luck but we won't be back. It is also worth noting that the restaurant is BYOB as they do not have their liquor license.

Our first time at Hilltop did not disappoint! We came for a late breakfast on Memorial Day...I had bacon and eggs with home fries. The home fries were savory and delicious... with just the right amount of seasoning. The bacon was absolutely amazing. Thick and tender. I could've eaten five orders. My husband ordered the French toast and it was perfect. Crisp on the outside and wonderfully creamy on the inside, served with fresh maple syrup and a side of perfectly ripe fresh berries. We were told the menu is evolving as they have not had an official opening yet and I am eager to see what's next! Our server was very attentive and super friendly. It was raining so we didn't get to sit outside, but I love the availability of the patio overlooking Sandy Hook Center. Excellent experience and we will definitely be back!

Went to Hilltop for brunch and holy smokes was it delicious. Sat outside on the beautiful patio, which had lots of shade from both umbrellas and trees and enjoyed the delicious avocado toast. The service was great, the owners took the time to chat with us about their future plans and how things were going thus far.

Not just another pizza place; Hilltop Kitchen brings an inspired menu, friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere to Sandy Hook Center. Just opened in the former Villa, Hilltop Kitchen offers breakfast lunch and dinner with outdoor seating and vegan options

I had a fantastic meal here! The decor is lovely, the service is excellent, and the food is amazing! I had the duck confit salad, and we shared a lobster dip app with the most amazing fresh-made pita chips. There were so many things on the menu I wanted to try. I can't wait for my next visit.

Thought I would give this place a try for pizza. Don't waste your time or money. Crust was terrible and sauce was like ketchup.

I've been wanting to try Hilltop since it opened and tonight we brought an out of town guest to our first visit. what a remarkable place with a wide variety of delicious dishes with stellar service. we tried four different entrees pasta, pizza, chkn tikki masala, and salad with duck breast . we truly were very happy we chose the restaurant and will visit again soon! The presentation of the dishes was great too.

In addition to a beautiful atmosphere and friendly, professional staff, the food is excellent. My favorite is the Taj Mahal pizza. The seasoning is outrageously delicious. I will be frequenting Hilltop Kitchen at the Village!