Hippo

Tucked away in the heart of Highland Park, HIPPO is a hip, Italian "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant that exceeds every expectation. I had the pleasure of visiting this vibrant spot for my birthday, and let me tell you, it was a dining experience worth celebrating. What makes HIPPO stand out isn't just the food -- it's the concept of the open kitchen, where you get a firsthand look at the precision and skill of the kitchen staff.The open kitchen serves as a testament to the discipline and quality of the chefs, showcasing the pristine cleanliness and dedication that go into every dish. Watching the culinary team work their magic while preparing each course only heightened the anticipation for what was to come. This is more than just a meal; it's an experience that allows you to appreciate the art of cooking in real-time.Now, let's talk about the food. I opted for the tasting menu, which included a remarkable nine courses -- each one more exceptional than the last. From the very first bite to the last, it was a culinary journey that captured the essence of Italian cuisine in a modern and innovative way. Every dish was thoughtfully crafted, bursting with fresh, bold flavors that left a lasting impression.One highlight that I can't forget was the freshly baked bread. It was simply amazing -- warm, soft, and perfectly complemented the other dishes. The attention to detail at HIPPO is evident in every element, from the ingredients to the presentation, making it clear that no shortcuts are taken in creating such a memorable dining experience.If you find yourself in Highland Park and are craving a unique, top-tier Italian meal, HIPPO should be at the top of your list. Its combination of impeccable food, an inviting atmosphere, and the sheer dedication to the craft makes it a true standout. Don't miss out on this hidden gem; it's a place you'll want to return to again and again.HIPPO餐厅藏匿于高地公园的心脏地带，是一家时尚的意大利"隐藏宝地"餐馆，超出了我的所有预期。我在这里度过了生日，这个充满活力的地方让我感到十分惊喜。HIPPO的独特之处不仅在于食物，还有它的开放式厨房，让你可以近距离看到厨师团队的精湛技艺和每道菜肴的精心准备。开放式厨房展现了厨房工作人员的纪律性和高品质，厨房的清洁程度也一目了然。这种设计使得就餐体验更加独特，让你在品尝美食的同时，更加欣赏烹饪艺术的精致与精准。说到食物，我选择了品鉴菜单，包含了令人惊叹的九道菜----每一道都无比出色。从第一口到最后一口，每道菜都带给我令人难忘的美味，现代与经典意大利风味的完美融合，每一口都充满了新鲜、浓郁的味道。其中一个令我无法忘怀的亮点是新鲜出炉的面包。简直是太好吃了！温暖、松软，与其他菜肴相得益彰。HIPPO对每个细节的关注都体现在菜肴的每个元素上，从原材料到摆盘，都展现了他们对食物和烹饪的极致追求。如果你来到高地公园，渴望品尝一顿独特的高端意大利餐，HIPPO绝对是你不容错过的地方。它卓越的美食、温馨的氛围以及对烹饪的无限热忱，使它成为一颗真正的餐饮明珠。不要错过这个隐藏的宝藏，这里绝对值得你一再光顾。

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.

Cute spot! I love the Hippo theme running throughout, especially the little touches like the paperclips! The pastas are amazing, especially the butternut squash one. The happy hour is a great deal for both drinks and food, although keep in mind it is half portions not full portions for food. The biggest disappointment was the bread/hippo rolls that everyone here raved about ... they were flavorless and a little too airy; even the butter didn't help. Would definitely pass on those next time.

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.

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.

We came here on a Sunday night, excited to try a new spot that we've seen circulating in various food publications. The host was warm and friendly receiving us, even though we were a bit early for our reservation. He had us check out the menu at the bar while they got our table ready, and within a few minutes we were sat! Alexander was our wonderful waiter, very attentive and knowledgeable with any questions we had. Sunday has happy hour all night long, which was perfect because we love to sample and share a variety of little plates. We sat outside on the patio, which was heated and pleasantly lit up with alt-rock hits playing in the background loud enough to enjoy but not so loud that it would drown out conversation. We ordered some drinks--I got an aperol spritz (so yummy and refreshing, not too sweet or bitter) and he got a sábado picante (a FANTASTIC cocktail and perfectly balanced, would absolutely get this next time.). We started with the prosciutto & burrata and the hamachi crudo--neither of which were on the happy hour menu but both were fantastic. The fett'unta bread served with the prosciutto/burrata was griddled perfectly, the charred garlicky flavor brought out the creamy burrata and salty prosciutto so well. The clear winner of the two plates was the hamachi crudo, though; that plate absolutely sang with herby citrus deliciousness. Get a bite with the fresh hamachi, a tangerine segment, and a serrano slice all in one. It was phenomenal. For the actual happy hour plates, we shared the chicken thigh, the duck ragu pasta (with gluten free penne as my partner is gluten sensitive), and the celery root triangoli (no gluten free option for this one). The triangoli was a clear favorite--the buttery shallots and chives create a lovely unctuous glossiness over the homemade pasta and complement the celery root-stuffed triangoli perfectly. That was probably my favorite bite of the night. Can't decide between that or the hamachi. My partner tried a small piece of it too, and said it was well worth whatever pain the gluten would have him endure later. The chicken thigh was delightful too--lovely char and still quite juicy (pro tip: we sopped up some extra bits with the buttery sauce from the triangoli). We both agreed that while the duck ragu was delicious & hearty and even the gluten free penne surprisingly good, it would've been vastly superior with their handmade pasta. We ranked it at the bottom of our tier list, but it was still a spectacular dish. Afterward, we ended up getting the smoked ocean trout with lentils and mushrooms. The fish was flaky and juicy, perfectly cooked with a translucent orange-red interior. The dish was an exciting mix of earth and sea, and we very nearly licked the plate when we were done. We finished the meal with their dark chocolate hazelnut cake, which was warm and rich and gluten free! My favorite part of that was the amarena cherry gelato, which mellowed out the richness of the chocolate quite pleasantly. I would be remiss not to mention their cappuccino, which my partner got (decaf, since it was late). Usually we find that decaf cappuccinos can be bitter, and that a lot of places don't care much about getting a nice pull or properly steaming the milk. Not so with Hippo! The cappuccino was creamy, fragrant, and sweet--without any trace of acrid, sour, or bitter flavor.Our experience absolutely lived up to the hype. We will definitely be back again, especially for hippo hour.

Went on Sunday which was all day happy hour - yay! There were 5 of us and I made reservations just in case for 5:30 but got there a little before 5 and was able to get seated on patio. None of us had been before and we all were impressed by the drinks and the food. Service was great and drinks were tasty. Prices are reasonable as well. Will be back!

I was in the area and thought I was getting Triple Beam pizza and noticed Hippo was open!! I was pleasantly surprised and had been wanting to try out this place. It was fully packed as they're only open Wed through Sunday and only for dinner. I had to try it. Erica helped me out with my order take out and recommended the Butternut Squash Cappellacci. I was then torn between this dish and the Broccoli Rabe Ravioli, but I went with her recommendation. Wow, it did not disappoint!! As she said, it was a tad on the sweeter side, something I wasn't used to for the pasta but this dish was delicious!! I'm not a big eater but I wished there were two extra pieces!! The forcaccia bread that she gave me was very yummy sopped up in the brown butter sauce, too!! I scoffed everything down and I usually don't eat that fast. Yup, it was that delicious!! I was thinking I could get another order, but decided it was enough for one night and will definitely come back to try other dishes plus that!! I loved the ambiance, it was spacious for both indoor and patio dining and even room for people dining out alone. Thanks Erica and the Hippo team for the great service and creating such delicious melt-in-your-mouth pasta dish!! I enjoyed it very much!!

Located in the very hip area of Highland Park, this restaurant is tucked behind the pizza joint Triple Beam, who makes their yummy bread. When we entered I was surprised at how big it was inside as we headed outside to the patio. The bar was hopping on Saturday night and as the night went on the tables filled. The menu was definitely different...tapas style dishes with interesting & unique combinations. My friend had been here before and we let her suggest our top picks to share. It was plenty of food for all of us. We ordered: *Shaved Brussel Sprouts $14 - 4/5 they are raw. I think I was expecting them to be cooked first. *Royal Hamachi Crudo $24 - 4/5*Sweet Corn Cappellacci $25 -5/5*Tagliatelle with pork ragu $25 - 4/5*Cedar Smoked Ocean Trout $29 - 3/5 (To be perfectly honest, I preferred the bread and my margarita the most. Not sure I would go back) *Service was excellent*Plenty of parking lots in the area *Pricey *Tapas Style Restaurant

Tasty food, great service and fun atmosphere for hanging out with friends. Made reservations for four people a day before going. Easy to make reservations. We ordered a bottle of wine to start, then onto appetizers, main course, and dessert to share. Portion size are normal to small, so you can order an extra dish to share.