Hilltop Kitchen & Bar — Restaurant in Town of Oyster Bay

I went out with my best friend early last evening, sort of celebrating settling my divorce lol and it was super cold yesterday. I was in the mood for some soup and a late dinner and she was on board with me with that We thought we would check out. Hilltop since we've been watching it being built for a while, and we heard a lot of chatter about what the menu might be like. I know somebody who ate there and said the French onion soup was great and I am a French onion soup fanatic so Hilltop seemed like a great choice and it turned out to be a good one for sure! when we got there, we did have to wait for a bit. We each had a drink after all, I deserved a toast in my honor I figured, and the drinks were great and I think the bar scene was certainly nice not too over the top but I don't know what it would be like during the week but I'll be back to check it out... that's a def! We were seated about a half hour later. Our server came fairly quickly to our table and we still had our drinks with us so we were asked if we were ready to order. The vibe in the restaurant was pretty frenetic and they were quite a few children there at the time, but it was that time of day so we kind of expected that but I mean it is Syosset Syosset, so don't go there at that time and expect it to be quiet and romantic because it's not going to be. It's a nice restaurant it's comfortable. The chairs and tables are welcoming and the staff is friendly and definitely professional. I think the Syosset crowd can be demanding so we shall see if they are up for the challenge. We both ordered the same thing; onion soup, and the Oscar burger both medium. The orders came out in about 20 minutes which is what our server told us and by that time we had finished our drinks, but we do not want another one. The onion soup oh I'm sorry… We both wanted the soup and the burgers to be served all at the same time and that was not a problem, though our server was first inquisitive as to why. She thought we may have not liked the restaurant and wanted to leave sooner I said no this is just how we want to eat our dinner so she smiles and everything came out great the food was terrific and no complaints. There are only things that I would say, would be a negative would be spacing between the tables and chairs too close and it's hard to maneuver. Also, the restaurant is loud and it will be loud matter what time. Also, parking is a little difficult.prices are fair. I also found it hard to forget that I was sitting in what used to be Friendly's. I definitely will be back hopefully with a...

Went back to so my daughter and her friends can celebrate the holidays. But what a let down! The kids had typical burgers, sliders, Mac and cheese, and fries. And the food was good. I had the kettle one spiked apple cider drink which I recommend with my go to BLT. The desserts were great: fried Oreos, brownie sundae, and the kids favorite: skillet cookie with ice cream. However, the poor service (her name was Diane R) ruined the whole experience; the server did not seem happy to be serving 10 young girls; didn't pour any of the waters into their cups so I had to do it. She didn't come back unless 20-30min passes (and doesn't even ask if we need anything) or I had to flag another server to get her. My co-chaperone went to the bathroom with the girls only to find the server rolling her eyes at the kids as she left! Never in our lives had we experienced such blatant rudeness. These are young kids - only 9yrs old and I'm sorry it wasn't even busy at the restaurant at all - in fact it was pretty dead on a rainy Sunday evening; so I don't think this total lack of service and attitude was called for (under any circumstances, let alone when the restaurant was empty...) during Holiday season. When we spoke to one of the owners (on duty 12/10 evening) - all we got was an "I'm sorry". We had to even ask later to change servers as they didn't offer any solutions or other compensations for the situation; which pretty much seems to be the trend of the place - a lack of care for their customer's satisfaction. I'm sorry but the food isn't that amazing for anyone to put up with that kind of lackluster service.

Update - Nov 2024: Their current seasonal menu drinks are pretty good. But what I would definitely tell you to run and get is their apple cinnamon ice cream dessert they have on their seasonal menu at the moment. Get it before it’s too late. Their other desserts are underwhelming and I...

So Today is Friday March 28,2025 so you know what date this review was written

I was not impressed, I drove all the way from Queen NY from Forest Hills / Kew Gardens because my child wanted to go here, so what do us parents do we do it for our kids . I am a Sick Sept 11 2001 First Responder decorated by New York State and New York City for my heroic efforts on Sept 11,2001 the days after. So like usual when I’m in other restaurants they offer Military / First Responder Recognition for one’s service . I asked the waiter and he said the owner the Blond Heavy set woman didn’t even care and had an attitude when I asked after the waiter said that .

I was totally disgusted, disappointed and appalled by her response and would never ever drive 40 mins from Queens ever again because of her horrible attitude and actions when I said something to her. He response said it all !

Look if a place can’t respect and recognize people like my self for actions on Sept 11 2001 and even the plane crash of American Airlines plane crash Flight 587 in the Rockaway’s Queens New York in November of 2001 this type of people does not deserve my support or revenue. Peter Lugar steak house a much higher caliber of a place and many others recognize people for they have done or there First Responders actions such as what I mentioned above !

Totally disgusting not worth my time and noone of Law Enforcement or Fire Departments or EMS should never step foot in this place for the owners disrespectfulness to what we do for others !

I will never go back and neither should you !

Update to the owners Response ; The only one rude people was the Blond Woman behind the Register who was the one Rude and nasty and DID NOT RESPECT ME for my service on Sept 11 2001 . MY child was applaud at her response people and She does Zero for First Responder so what she wrote...