Five of a kind
Hillstone restaurants
RESTAURANTS • First Person
I am a proud member of the Hillstone hive. Like other Angeleno devotees of the restaurant group — which counts seven brands across 11 states — I love a Houston’s, an R+D Kitchen, and an Honor Bar for all the right reasons: they’re comforting, vibey, and consistent. I know when I’m halfway through a martini, it’ll be poured into a fresh, newly ice-cold glass. I also know that even though all Hillstone restaurants from Denver to Palm Beach deploy essentially the same formula, they’re called different names at least in part to avoid being categorized as a chain (which would require calorie counts on menus). Which is also perfectly fine by me.
Less okay, however, is that only one of the five Hillstone properties in Los Angeles, South Beverly Grill, serves a shrimp cocktail. Still, I’d happily visit the others — Honor Bar next door, Houston’s in Pasadena, or R+D Kitchen and Hillstone (both Santa Monica) — on any given night. The ribs are great, the cocktails are made right, and the sushi is passable. Many Hillstone regulars will recommend the veggie burger. I say skip it. Another contrarian opinion: pass on the spinach-artichoke dip and consider the grilled artichokes (if they’re available).
Of the five restaurants, Honor Bar is the most casual, while Houston’s boasts a koi pond. And because Hillstone restaurants breed neighborhood followings, Beverly Hills presents more posh than suburban Pasadena or Santa Monica (casual yet moneyed). Otherwise, they share a vibe: buttoned-up, yet undeniably warm, with an all-American feel.
Each dining room is packed, no matter the night. Make no mistake: Hillstone runs five of the hottest restaurants in town. Be sure to book in advance, unless you’re pulling up to the walk-in-only Honor Bar or R+D, in which case arrive early or prepare to wait it out with the rest of us. –Emily Wilson
→ Houston's (Pasadena) • 320 S Arroyo Pkwy • Sun-Tues, 1130a-9p; Wed-Sat, 1130a-10p.
→ South Beverly Grill (Beverly Hills) • 122 S Beverly Dr • Mon-Sun, 1130a-10p.
→ Honor Bar (Beverly Hills) • 122 S Beverly Dr • Sun-Sat, 1130a-10p.
→ R+D Kitchen (Santa Monica) • 1323 Montana Ave • Sun, 11a-9p; Mon-Wed, 1130a-9p; Thurs-Fri, 1130a-10p; Sat, 11a-10p.
→ Hillstone (Santa Monica) • 202 Wilshire Blvd • Sun-Wed, 1130a-9p; Thurs-Sat., 1130a-10p.
