Hippo

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!

AMAZING FOOD AND AMAZING DRINKS! Everything we ordered was 10/10! The service was pretty fast, but we did have reservations so not sure if that made a difference. The place was pretty full. The place has a nice romantic ambiance for a date night or a girls night.

Thursday night. 5:15 PM reservation. Entire party present. Seated immediately. That’s how you start an after-work dinner correctly. From the host stand to the last sip, service was exceptional. The hostesses were warm and genuinely welcoming. The wait staff? Attentive without hovering. Knowledgeable. Efficient. Professional. The energy felt polished but relaxed exactly what you want on a weeknight when you’re ready to unwind. Cocktails Let’s be clear: the bar program is serious. • Sea Legs “freezer dirty martini” with Grey Goose Coastal Brine ($17). Ice cold. Silky. Saline perfection. This is how a martini should taste crisp, briny, unapologetically clean. • Sábado Picante mezcal, rum, guacamole, ginger, falernum, ancho chile, citrus ($16). Smoky with depth, layered heat, beautifully balanced sweetness. Complex but cohesive. • Mariachi on the Beach tequila, passion fruit, coconut, Aperol, Freater, acid OJ ($16). Tropical but not cloying. Bright, refreshing, dangerously easy to drink. Every cocktail had intention. Nothing generic. Starters • Hippo Rolls with sea salt & honey butter ($14). Absolute heaven. Fluffy, warm, slightly sweet, and that honey butter melts into every crevice. Order them. No debate. • Shaved Brussels Sprouts with toasted almonds, mint, lemon, Grana Padano ($14). Fresh, textured, citrus forward. Clean and vibrant. • Royal Hamachi Crudo with fresh tangerines, lime, mint, serrano chile ($26). Delicate and bright. The citrus and serrano lifted the richness of the fish perfectly. Mains • Butternut Squash Cappellacci with browned butter, sage & amaretti ($26). Nutty, comforting, subtly sweet. Balanced richness. • Fettuccine with Pork Ragù ($27). Deep, savory, beautifully coated pasta. Classic and executed properly. • Barbecued Honey Balsamic Hanger Steak with great northern white beans & herb roasted Campari tomatoes ($45). Tender, flavorful, well-composed plate. Sweet acidity from the balsamic played beautifully against the char. This was the perfect Thursday dinner: elevated without being pretentious, energetic without being chaotic, refined without losing warmth. Cocktails hit. Food delivered. Service impressed.

Happy hour at Hippo turned out to be the perfect introduction to this exceptional Italian restaurant. The carefully curated menu offers diverse and inventive dishes that showcase both traditional Italian influences and creative global inspirations. The standout dish was undoubtedly the Indian-inspired striped sea bass - a masterful fusion that perfectly balanced bold spices with the delicate fish. The complex flavor profile created a truly memorable dining experience that would alone warrant a return visit. Their pasta offerings showcased authentic Italian craftsmanship. The spaghetti delivered classic comfort while the Duck Ragu demonstrated their skill with richer, more complex flavors. The Brussels sprouts offered a perfect complementary side with their savory depth. No meal is complete without dessert, and the brown butter cake provided a sophisticated sweet finale to our culinary journey. The beverage program deserves special recognition - particularly their rosé selection which impressed even a self-professed rosé skeptic. Their cocktail menu offers equally thoughtful options. Beyond the exceptional food, Hippo's service and pacing elevated the entire experience. The server guided us through the menu with knowledge and enthusiasm, while the kitchen's timing ensured each dish arrived at the perfect moment. Hippo successfully balances sophistication with accessibility, making it ideal for everything from casual happy hours to special occasions. This restaurant has rightfully earned its place among the must-visit dining destinations in the area.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​