GiGi_Foulin Anonymous

"There were all kinds of normal folks around, which made me feel happy."

Normal folks? Please define normal folks. I've never been to the Highlands Cafe, but if this is the mindset of the people that patronize this place... The food better be that good or I might as well go to a chain restaurant like Denny's, IHOP or Chili's.

2 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

glebe436 Anonymous

Very disappointing.

Based on the write-up I'd seen here a few times on Texas Gigs while looking up local shows, as well as the award I think it won from the Observer for best something-or-other, I was really expecting something, if not special, at least better than ordinary. But mediocre would be the best way to describe our brunch here, and that's being slightly generous.

I ordered the pancakes, which came with a side of bacon. The bacon was very undercooked, limp and unsatisfying. The pancakes themselves were unremarkable, neither good nor bad, but what got me was that the syrup came in those little packages like you'd get at a McDonald's. That's what I would expect at a McDonald's, and maybe even a Whataburger as well, but not at a neighborhood joint that you would assume does some home-cooking.

My companion's egg sandwich was described simply as "awful" and also came with the same limp bacon.

The atmosphere was also disappointing. Based on what I see here, Highlands Cafe seems like the kind of place that supports local artists, and to its credit a display of CDs for purchase by local artists is at the front of the store. Given that, being subjected to really really bad "lite" 80s music over the speakers -- think Michael Bolton -- during our meal was surprising and diappointing. If the owners of Highlands Cafe are reading this, PLEASE turn off the Bolton and open up one of those CDs by local artists and play it instead. Your diners will thank you.

Also on the good side/bad side territory, Highlands Cafe does display work of local artists on its wall, which is good. But the local artist on display at our end of the restaurant during our visit was baffling. Closest to are table were unremarkable drawings of Rod Stewart and Michael Jordan selling for $750 and $1200 respectively. We were quite puzzled at the choice of art and the artist's delusion that someone would be interested in these works at these prices.

I'm hopeful that diners' experiences here during lunch and dinner are better than our experiences during a Sunday brunch. I remain puzzled by the accolades it has received. All I can think of is that people are so rightfully pleased that any sort of neighborhood restauarnt has opened up like this that theya re afraid to say anything negative about it at all.

3 years, 3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )