We had very good dinners in the past at the Highwood and we were looking forward to this one. On Ambiance: The original dining room is being renovated, so we were in temporary accommodations, which while not horrible, were not optimal. On Service: Courteous and competent would best describe our experience. Props to Rei, our server. On food: The menu was very appealing but the execution was not up to the ambition. - Top marks for the tartare and the desert - A bit of a miss for the duck which was hard, no wow factor On Value: Half the value is to get to taste what the new generation of chefs will come up with. In this case, perhaps we landed on a junior cook day, there were some highs but a bit short of expectations. Overall: Not bad but not spectacular.
Michael
I have been to Highwood perhaps a dozen times in the past 8-10 years. I keep coming back. It is an educational setting but it has class. The tables are spread apart. It is calm. The students are the servers and the staff is available for a chat about how things are going. The current room is about one third the size of the regular dining room (which is under construction). The food continues to be outstanding from the amuse gueule to the little surprise sweets at the end.
Michelle
The food is absolutely amazing. Went for lunch and the prices were unbelievably good for the type of food selection. This is a must try.
Georgia Panagakos
This was my first time here. When a friend suggested we go there for dinner and she told me the concept I thought it was awesome. The food was really good and thought the students did an awesome job including our waitress who answered our questions perfectly. She was very informed. The only reason I gave a 4 fir the atmosphere was because it is currently under construction. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Donald
The experience was disappointing. Previously we had a good evening but this time the food was off. My wife was unable to chew the Calamari at all - it was inedible. The squash soup on the other hand was delicious for both of us. My steak of the surf and turf was quite ‘chewy' and more rare than the med-rare I asked for. The fries and grilled veggies were good. My wife's lamb was rare and she had to send it back hoping to have it cooked a little more. Not much progress there as not still came back blood red. The service however was excellent and there was recognition of my wife's birthday which was much appreciated
Lynn
Good experience Salad was very good with marinated vegetables. Large enough for two to share. Ordered bread but should have skipped it as a warm homemade roll is included. Rack of lamb was very good. Strip loin was medium rare as ordered. Shrimp were large but just lemon or seafood sauce would enhance. Bernaise sauce was very rich. Vegetables with entrees were a good accompaniment. Fries and potato pave were both good. We were too full for desert but a lovely selection of chocolates and cookies finished the meal. Great to support young learning talent.
Andy
The food has been a huge let down this time, lack of flavor&seasoning. Especially the beef tartare, it was dry and flavorless. Service was adequate, also cocktail drinks selection was surprisingly limited due to its temporarily location? Also wanted to share my positive experience with Jade, even though she wasn't our server of the night, but her attention to detail makes it a far more enjoyable dinner. Overall, it left more to be desired, but I do want to highlight the rack of lamb, it was absolutely delicious!
Gisèle
They need to post signs explaining check-in. There was no one there when we arrived so we waited for a while and then went to look for someone. Eventually the woman running the check in came back and she said that she has to take people up in the elevator and show them to your table. It would have helped if we knew this ahead of time. It is also difficult for people in wheelchairs since you can't drive to the building.
Carol
Just remember they are students, they are keen and excited to give you fantastic service, and the food prep and presentation is exceptional
angela lumm
My friend and I enjoyed our multi course dinner throughout the many highlights and a few lowlights of the experience. The pop-up location is a bit difficult to find but the hostess who escorts guests to the dining room may or may not be at the main floor podium depending on how busy it is. Our student server was lovely and sweet. We loved the gazpacho amuse bouche- so balanced and fresh. We were also treated to some delicious dinner rolls and butter. We sampled the Mulligatawny soup as it was a cold fall evening but decided on the roasted vegetables and the beef tartare for our appetizers. The tartare was perfect in texture and garnished with a raw quail egg yolk, which gave the dish a bold richness. We opted for the rack of lamb and duck two ways which were the more adventurous entrees compared to the other options. The lamb rack was well prepared and the potato pave was very bougie. By the time I finished my half portion of the lamb, I had reached my limit and will need to finish my review of the duck at a future date. Our kind server brought some complimentary small sweets which were a nice surprise. I can’t wait until they move back into their renovated space! The fluorescent lights did not add to the atmosphere but this was clearly not something the program can control.
Always good food. A bit tougher finding the temporary location though we found it. Service and food were good though they indicated messing up my order and I had a discount off the bill. Food was very good as usual. I enjoyed the duck and my wife had the surf and turf ( big portions). We've been many times over the years .
Sean
I will preface this with I know it's a learning facility, and they may not have the equipment they need in the temp facility. I gave it a five star on that basis Our service was really good. The gentleman that was helping us out didn't speak much English but he was trying his hardest so I have all the time in the world for people who are actually trying. He did a great job. We worked through thing collaboratively and it all worked out great. Teachers were on top of everything, making sure it was all flowing well. For the food, my wife had the salmon and I had the surf and turf. My wife said her meal was great. My meal was very good. Presented very well. I will point out a couple of things as constructive. My steak was cooked a perfect med rare(as I asked for). Where it was lacking was in the sear. There were sear marks but they were very weak. Whatever they are using for a sear station wasn't hot enough to get a proper sear. I understand they are in a temp facility and may not have all the equipment they need ... so no big deal. My second criticism was with the shrimp. They did not come de-veined. I don't know if they were told to do it this way, or if it was an oversight but I ended up doing it at the table. They really should be deveined. Other than those two things, it really was quite good. Next was desert. I had the chocolate cake ( I am a massive chocolate cake fan). Whoever they have back there putting together this creation is full on really for prime time. It is presented very well with the nice little accompaniment of flavour bursts which were amazing. The cake itself was absolutely great. It is right up there with some of the best chocolate cake I've ever had ... ever! All and all, it great experience, we had a fun night. As a side note SAIT needs to do something about the bathroom. This isn't a knock on the restaurant but on SAIT facilities. That bathroom smelt so bad that I couldn't even go number 1 in there. I ended up gagging for the next 5 min
Jonathan Heung
Food is good. Service is good. Students were trying their best and you can feel it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Mariana Garcia
It is a pleasant place to spend time as a couple or with friends, it is not a wide menu but it is enough to eat something delicious. The attention of the students is amazing and also of their instructor.
The atmosphere is warm and pleasant. I recommend you make a reservation and let the staff know if it is a special date.
We ask for lamb, salmon and striploin and we weren’t disappointed. Steak was soft and juicy served with a perfect crunchy veggies and fries. Be nice with the students, they are doing their best! 😉
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
hua emily
Super friendly people, super nice food! Thank you guys for the anniversary card!
We had very good dinners in the past at the Highwood and we were looking forward to this one. On Ambiance: The original dining room is being renovated, so we were in temporary accommodations, which while not horrible, were not optimal. On Service: Courteous and competent would best describe our experience. Props to Rei, our server. On food: The menu was very appealing but the execution was not up to the ambition. - Top marks for the tartare and the desert - A bit of a miss for the duck which was hard, no wow factor On Value: Half the value is to get to taste what the new generation of chefs will come up with. In this case, perhaps we landed on a junior cook day, there were some highs but a bit short of expectations. Overall: Not bad but not spectacular.
I have been to Highwood perhaps a dozen times in the past 8-10 years. I keep coming back. It is an educational setting but it has class. The tables are spread apart. It is calm. The students are the servers and the staff is available for a chat about how things are going. The current room is about one third the size of the regular dining room (which is under construction). The food continues to be outstanding from the amuse gueule to the little surprise sweets at the end.
The food is absolutely amazing. Went for lunch and the prices were unbelievably good for the type of food selection. This is a must try.
This was my first time here. When a friend suggested we go there for dinner and she told me the concept I thought it was awesome. The food was really good and thought the students did an awesome job including our waitress who answered our questions perfectly. She was very informed. The only reason I gave a 4 fir the atmosphere was because it is currently under construction. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The experience was disappointing. Previously we had a good evening but this time the food was off. My wife was unable to chew the Calamari at all - it was inedible. The squash soup on the other hand was delicious for both of us. My steak of the surf and turf was quite ‘chewy' and more rare than the med-rare I asked for. The fries and grilled veggies were good. My wife's lamb was rare and she had to send it back hoping to have it cooked a little more. Not much progress there as not still came back blood red. The service however was excellent and there was recognition of my wife's birthday which was much appreciated
Good experience Salad was very good with marinated vegetables. Large enough for two to share. Ordered bread but should have skipped it as a warm homemade roll is included. Rack of lamb was very good. Strip loin was medium rare as ordered. Shrimp were large but just lemon or seafood sauce would enhance. Bernaise sauce was very rich. Vegetables with entrees were a good accompaniment. Fries and potato pave were both good. We were too full for desert but a lovely selection of chocolates and cookies finished the meal. Great to support young learning talent.
The food has been a huge let down this time, lack of flavor&seasoning. Especially the beef tartare, it was dry and flavorless. Service was adequate, also cocktail drinks selection was surprisingly limited due to its temporarily location? Also wanted to share my positive experience with Jade, even though she wasn't our server of the night, but her attention to detail makes it a far more enjoyable dinner. Overall, it left more to be desired, but I do want to highlight the rack of lamb, it was absolutely delicious!
They need to post signs explaining check-in. There was no one there when we arrived so we waited for a while and then went to look for someone. Eventually the woman running the check in came back and she said that she has to take people up in the elevator and show them to your table. It would have helped if we knew this ahead of time. It is also difficult for people in wheelchairs since you can't drive to the building.
Just remember they are students, they are keen and excited to give you fantastic service, and the food prep and presentation is exceptional
My friend and I enjoyed our multi course dinner throughout the many highlights and a few lowlights of the experience. The pop-up location is a bit difficult to find but the hostess who escorts guests to the dining room may or may not be at the main floor podium depending on how busy it is. Our student server was lovely and sweet. We loved the gazpacho amuse bouche- so balanced and fresh. We were also treated to some delicious dinner rolls and butter. We sampled the Mulligatawny soup as it was a cold fall evening but decided on the roasted vegetables and the beef tartare for our appetizers. The tartare was perfect in texture and garnished with a raw quail egg yolk, which gave the dish a bold richness. We opted for the rack of lamb and duck two ways which were the more adventurous entrees compared to the other options. The lamb rack was well prepared and the potato pave was very bougie. By the time I finished my half portion of the lamb, I had reached my limit and will need to finish my review of the duck at a future date. Our kind server brought some complimentary small sweets which were a nice surprise. I can’t wait until they move back into their renovated space! The fluorescent lights did not add to the atmosphere but this was clearly not something the program can control.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Always good food. A bit tougher finding the temporary location though we found it. Service and food were good though they indicated messing up my order and I had a discount off the bill. Food was very good as usual. I enjoyed the duck and my wife had the surf and turf ( big portions). We've been many times over the years .
I will preface this with I know it's a learning facility, and they may not have the equipment they need in the temp facility. I gave it a five star on that basis Our service was really good. The gentleman that was helping us out didn't speak much English but he was trying his hardest so I have all the time in the world for people who are actually trying. He did a great job. We worked through thing collaboratively and it all worked out great. Teachers were on top of everything, making sure it was all flowing well. For the food, my wife had the salmon and I had the surf and turf. My wife said her meal was great. My meal was very good. Presented very well. I will point out a couple of things as constructive. My steak was cooked a perfect med rare(as I asked for). Where it was lacking was in the sear. There were sear marks but they were very weak. Whatever they are using for a sear station wasn't hot enough to get a proper sear. I understand they are in a temp facility and may not have all the equipment they need ... so no big deal. My second criticism was with the shrimp. They did not come de-veined. I don't know if they were told to do it this way, or if it was an oversight but I ended up doing it at the table. They really should be deveined. Other than those two things, it really was quite good. Next was desert. I had the chocolate cake ( I am a massive chocolate cake fan). Whoever they have back there putting together this creation is full on really for prime time. It is presented very well with the nice little accompaniment of flavour bursts which were amazing. The cake itself was absolutely great. It is right up there with some of the best chocolate cake I've ever had ... ever! All and all, it great experience, we had a fun night. As a side note SAIT needs to do something about the bathroom. This isn't a knock on the restaurant but on SAIT facilities. That bathroom smelt so bad that I couldn't even go number 1 in there. I ended up gagging for the next 5 min
Food is good. Service is good. Students were trying their best and you can feel it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
It is a pleasant place to spend time as a couple or with friends, it is not a wide menu but it is enough to eat something delicious. The attention of the students is amazing and also of their instructor.
The atmosphere is warm and pleasant. I recommend you make a reservation and let the staff know if it is a special date.
We ask for lamb, salmon and striploin and we weren’t disappointed. Steak was soft and juicy served with a perfect crunchy veggies and fries.
Be nice with the students, they are doing their best! 😉
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super friendly people, super nice food! Thank you guys for the anniversary card!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...