Up Reviews

Very nice entry to Up. The restaurant is on the third floor. The elevator opens to a lobby. As we walked past the lobby, around the corner you view the bar with its giant crystal sphere. Wow! The wooden columns in the restaurant have marble inserts that are lighted within. Each of the booths also has marble lighting. The restaurant looked even nicer as the sun set. We were seated at the window. The wait staff was very attentive but not bothersome. The menu has a nice selection…not one of those booklets some restaurants try to pull off. The wine selection is very nice and the prices didn’t seem unreasonable. We all enjoyed our dinners. We never felt rushed. Three hours later we were ready to leave. Our waiter stopped and thanked us for visiting. Up is not inexpensive, nor overly priced…though it is on the higher end. Not an every night place, though we had fun at the bar for our first drink. Oh, and the chips at the bar were great. I could have eaten these all night.

The first time I went I visited the bar which is very attractive. The second time I went for lunch, the service and food were very good specially the desserts. My husband has been there for business and likes it very much as well. I have to try dinner with it's beautiful atmosphere :)

I went to Up with family and had great appetizers, (brussel sprouts and artichokes) and tortilla soup. If you like flavorful tortilla soup with a bit of a kick you should check it out. I then had the Japanese style sea bass which was so scrumptious! Also the server Rico was very personable and provided great service.

Up is a fabulous and gorgeous place located above the Cole Hahn store in Highland Village. The wait staff is always attentive and remembers the wine I order, even when I haven't been by in a few months. The food is always wonderful and the views are breathtaking. I would recommend this for groups or a cozy date. The bar scene can also get a little vibrant during Thursday happy hour time.

Having enjoyed other visits to UP, we decided to celebrate our Mother's 91st birthday lunch here - with limited mobility, we were seated at the upper section - great placement - view of the entire restaurant decorated for the holidays. Fresh white roses on the table - excellent service. Our group chose either the asparagus soup or lobster bisque - both delicious. Chunks of asparagus or small bits of lobster - huge bowl. The seafood cannelloni with lobster, crab, shrimp & scallops were enjoyed by 3, the tuna with quinoa was a great choice and good mixture of textures. I selected the mushroom and pine nut raviloni in a rich truffle oil sauce - fabulous. We had a variety of desserts - they brought Mom a plate of macaroons complete with a birthday candle and Happy Birthday written in chocolate. Two guests had the creme brulee, and the others had the gelato sampler - rich, smooth & creamy ice cream at it's best. - All topped off with a large cup of fresh brewed coffee! Up has it all - great view, excellent service, fine dining at reasonable prices - put it on your Must Do list - enjoy the view for the holidays too!

We enjoyed the HRW menu. All the food was excellent and the servers were very attentive. Nice location.

Went here for a work dinner. Food was good and excellent view. Fairly pricey though. Looking at around $100/per person with food and a few drinks. Bar was a scene for sugar babies waiting for daddies showing up spending big bucks at dinner.

Great interior and wait staff. Food was delicious - however we had to send our cowboy steak back. Noticed other diners sending steaks back as well. It came back perfect. Wonderful experiencel.

On a nondescript Sunday, I walked out of the elevator into Up's main dining room. A third floor enclave awash in sunlight and with sweeping Vistas of Westheimer. There were banks of fresh salads, crudite and sushi bar, breakfast, dessert and the private dining room was filled with an excellent selection of hot South American and Italian delicacies. Bottomless mimosas for $12. The service was great. Brunch is served every Sunday 11am to 3pm.

We’d had a prior less than stellar meal here, but were invited to join friends so we gave it another shot. It took 40 minutes to our appetizers and roughly as long for our mains. They weren’t worth the wait. Poorly seasoned and overcooked, the food was a disappointment across the board. Elegant dining room is wasted on the poor quality offerings.

We dined here for HRW. The place is gorgeous, sleek and contemporary. The food was average for the price. The short ribs were delicious, along with the miso fish. The deserts were unremarkable. We had all of them and none stood out. The grilled octopus salad had a good flavor but it was burnt to the point where I could taste the charred areas. Service was great. Our server was very attentive. The hostess refused to seat our party because 2 of the 6 were missing. It was a bit irritating but whatever. Overall I would not pay to eat from their regular menu. Too expensive for average food. Good attempt though to do something different in the River Oaks area. Love the elevator concept, beautiful bathroom and lovely chandelier.

This quiet Tuesday dinner started and ended a bit off-beat because the main elevator was out of service. A sign said to go around the corner to the service entrance next to Cole Haan, which was a dead-end, poorly lit alley ending with a non-descript door that said something about authorized personnel only and "do not enter." Entering anyway, I went up past some humming machinery and roof-top A/C units and then stepped into my elevated destination heightened in elegance by the contrast of the path I took to get there. The ambience is understated and subdued with soft lighting, tall ceilings, and warm wood panels, which tastefully matches the accents on the chair backs and menu covers, all overlooking the Christmas-lit expanse of the Highland Village corridor. A giant sparkling chandelier ball and glowing stone panels pop out and add just enough dazzle. The service was prompt. It wasn't very full, so if anything, they were too attentive at the beginning, needing to be told a few times that we weren't ready to order yet or we weren't finished with a particular plate. And then at the end, when we were just sitting and talking, we were out of water and couldn't find a waiter. Minor points perhaps, but the service at the best (competitor) restaurants are notable for their genius at anticipating your needs so perfectly that it is inconspicuous. The food was good, but not outstanding. And strangely for a Tuesday night, they were out of asparagus soup and chamomile tea. - Lobster Bisque: perhaps the most generous portion of actual (succulent) lobster I've seen in a bisque, which was creamy but not too heavy. - Crispy Brussels Sprouts: not bad but not as good the comparable dish at Uchi. The raisins soak up too much of the sherry glaze and garlic aioli, so just one of them overwhelms everything else. Interesting presentation: topped with katsuobushi (the Japanese fish flakes that curl and move when heated). This seems to have become popular (and maybe even passe?) - off the top of my head, I've also seen this at Roost and Uchi. - Beet Salad: very good balance of leafy roquette, at least three kinds of beets that I saw, and crunchy candied nuts topped with an orange-inflected drizzle. - Lobster Ravioli: good but not amazing. very rich (as was my friend's truffle mushroom ravioloni). I've had better pasta at Divino and the much-missed La Mora). - Lobster Mac & Cheese: I didn't mean to be responsible for the demise of so many lobsters, but they didn't have the soup I wanted and the mac 'n cheese sounded too good to pass up. It didn't disappoint. Generously sized pieces of lobster, penne-style "macaroni" smothered in three cheeses, and a dash of truffles. - Hazelnut Doughnuts: a surprisingly generous portion of maybe eight or nine fresh-made doughnut holes, which were light and fluffy with a hint of amaretto accompanied by caramel, raspberry, and chocolate dipping sauces Maybe this would be outstanding in another town, but Up faces stiff competition in Houston.

The location is easy to find. The valet is friendly and UP on the elevator you go. The entrance is stunning and immediately I was whisked to the bar where I could grab a cocktail as I waited for my colleagues. Greg and David make great drinks by putting in the time to concoct the perfect blend. Our waiter never introduce himself and seemed to disappear at the end of our meal and before we could order dessert. No worries, we love our corner table great for people watching. The cevechi was mild variety of three tastings. While the short ribs were calling my name I decided to go with the Seafood Cannelloni. Others tried the Gaspatcho, asparagus soup, prime rib and seabass. We passed on dessert in the end.

It was a nice day so we sat on the "patio". The windows were opened and there was a a very nice breeze. The meal started with a light and fluffy brioche type roll. We also had really nice brunch drinks. The appetizers were served family style so we could try everything, there was no need for each one of us to get something different so we can taste everything. Yippie! My favorite was the mac and cheese. The main courses were the duck confit and the salmon. Both were prepared perfectly. The duck had the fat rendered out (duck can sometimes be slimy with fat and this wasn't) and the salmon was cooked medium rare. Our favorite from the dessert buffet was the lemon tart and the creme brulee. The staff was attentive and took very good care of us. We had a really nice brunch. We'll be back.

I've been here before and was really wowed. This time it was good but not great. I had the snapper and thought it was on the dry side yet cool so perhaps they didn't get the timing right. I was with a group of 7 people so maybe that was it but shouldn't be this the staff was good but I would have liked them to take a bit more initiative to moving things along ordering etc. but I think they were trying to not interrupt the meeting. They had a new corn brûlée which was amazing. Lots of interesting flavor profiles.

Looking for a special occasion spot in Houston this is the place. We went for sons graduation and couldn't pick better. Attentive service, quality food, upscale atmosphere. Variety in menu will work for all. Great ceviche and shrimp. The highlight was the table side pasta in cheese wheel. Do not pass up dessert and get the salted Carmel macaroon. The best ever.

We attended a 40th dinner party with many couples and loved being together but had a terrible dining experience. The pros: Beautiful chandelier, atmosphere, views! Cons: Unfriendly and non- catering service, quality of food was horrific and most of us had to send back our food, they originally stated they could separate the checks and then did not so we all put in an equal share. After all was said and done, one couple out of the group was charged for the entire group although we had all paid our part. Was all brought to the owners attention with promises to make it right, asked for addresses several times so they could send gift cards, that was October of last year. Still waiting!

Back again for Up's Sunday Brunch - I highly recommend trying out their brunch. Atmosphere is casual elegance, service is excellent and the food is delicious. Price is reasonable for so much. The family style serving of the soup, salad and appetizers is just the beginning. The mac & cheese was exceptional today as was the lobster beignets. I selected the grilled salmon with haricots as the entree - seasoned just right. My girlfriend had the crab cakes benedict - cooked perfectly. We paced ourselves before trying the dessert buffet - the rich decadent chocolate bread pudding with Godiva chocolate sauce was to die for - - moan - - Our waitress was kind enough to pack a few macaroons and a lemon tart to go. A Must Try for all - - Up - a wonderful way to spend Sunday lunch with family & friends. Lovely view, enjoyable music, wonderfully kind staff and a meal to write home about. What more could you ask for?

Went for dinner with Collegues upon friend recommendation during a business trip. Prime objective of the place is the "ambiance "with a large bar and dinning tables.Service is very efficient but food is just OK.I do not think it is place for enjoying "cuisine",more a family and friends place.Very,very noisy due to happy guests from the bar.

Was there for a good friend's birthday celebration. What a menu! Had the best lobster ravioli I have ever had. Nice wine list too with a great champagne selection.

Our experience was memorable - NEGATIVELY. We had an early Easter Eve reservation because of needing to get up earlier than usual for EASTER morning church service. We each had a cocktail and ordered a half bottle of wine for our Dover sole entrees - the waiter returned to tell us they were out of that wine - which was also a 'wine by the glass' selection. You carve meat - what do you do to a fish? Anyway, it took SO LONG that the fish was Cold when served. AND on top of that, one of the desserts on the menu was unavailable. IS THIS NOT A RESTAURANT!? Should a diner be happy to be subjected to a $156 + tax + gratuity food check? I DON'T THINK SO!!!!!

Should be on your list of great Houston restaurants to visit. Perfect for shopping day in classu Highland Village.

Went for a business dinner with a group of colleagues. Shared some starters, which were all delicious. I had the extremely tender short ribs, which is highly recommendable and among the best I have had! Tried a bite of the filet, which was also great. We shared several side dishes, which all were good. They have a good wine list. Service is great and decor is very nice. Would surely come back.

If you are looking for a really neat place for a Sunday brunch- please try Up Restaurant's!! My family went this morning to celebrate my wedding anniversary- great choice. I have been here several times for lunch & have never been disappointed in food, service , or ambience! A modern setting- lots of light & floor to ceiling windows (located on the 3rd floor), white tablecloths & fresh white roses on the table. Sunday brunch here is relatively new (just since August); it's relatively quiet so no competing to hear table mates talking. The menu includes 3 courses- 1st is served family style- tortilla soup (individual), Mac & cheese, Cesar salad, & lobster beignets- to die for! You then choose your entree from a great list- I chose eggs Benedict on smoked salmon - it comes with diced hash browns- table mates chose salmon or duck. Go hungry as there is so much to eat ! Coffee was outstanding too! Dessert was served buffet style- yes you get up (you can asked to be served too); awesome choices- 2 kinds of bread pudding - chocolate was my favorite; 3 kinds of brûlée; assortment of French macaroons; parfaits; lemon tarts. If you are looking for a special treat- go to Up for brunch!

four of us had lunch at Up while Up was taking part in a 'feed the hungry' city-wide program among restaurants. a portion of each of our meal cost ($20 set for lunch) went to the program. The red fish was small but outstanding, my friend reported her salmon was great (she was served a larger portion of salmon than my red fish--wish I'd have ordered the salmon). Another friend had a crepes, also a winner. Lovely setting, perfect for gatherings of friends. Can't say it's a good place to take children. Smart casual is the general attire. Service was excellent.

UP was recommended to us by a local businessman, and the food was innovative and excellent, though a bit pricey. The honey citrus shrimp with coconut curry and cherries (OK it sounds really weird, but somehow it worked) was very tasty. My companion enjoyed his salmon. The maple leaf duck lettuce wrap was good not great, but the special dessert - a set of nut doughnut holes with 3 dipping sauces (vahlrona chocolate, caramel rum and limoncello) was the perfect finish. I also think I need to go back, to try the chocolate sampler and the Parisian macaron sampler. The wine list by the glass offered a number of good options, even for a picky Californian like me.

Up has good food and a wonderful atmosphere. The purée cauliflower, crisp brussel sprouts and artichoke hearts, and dessert macaroons were quite nice. It sits up over stores in Highland Village, and yet has an elegant elevator entrance. The tree line view of the lights and surrounding area is lovely. The service is personable and friendly. It is a terrific place to eat for the holidays.

Nice place. You almost have to know it is there because it is not well posted. But plenty people know about it because it is always busy. Good bar scene and good food and friendly service. A place to be seen was my take on the place so dress well

The ride "Up" in the elevator was like being in a sweatbox in a Pacific island concentration camp. Unfortunately, the heat doesn't stop there. The design is such that it is very difficult to move around and find that comfortable space while waiting. Fortunately the dining room was very cold to compensate. Our booth was comfortable except for the vortex of 7 or 8 mosquitos hovering above and to the left of my head - we talked about moving, but as they were not on the attack, decided to stay put. Attention Up: Great opportunity for a comped dessert or SOMETHING to make up for the disturbance, but an opportunity missed by management. Alas, the food was all excellent, and the wait staff attentive, friendly and efficient, which made up for most.

We had a small party that nibbled on oven roasted brussel sprouts. Great service and food with some nice views of downtown and the nearby Galleria area.

We've been to Up several times and always enjoyed it. The prices, however, are more in the Special Occasion range. I was really happy when I saw a Happy Hour posted on their website! The times are 11 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday. You must sit at the bar for the special prices. Most of Up's wines by the glass are around $12. For Happy Hour, they have another selection of 'pretty good' wines for around $8. We ordered a Pinot Noir and a Cabernet. We thought the Pinot was a little better than the Cab so we split a second glass of Pinot. We were there on a Saturday and they had a small list of 'Saturday Shopper Special' food items too. My husband got the Hamburger topped with Chile, which came with fries and some pickles, lettuce , tomato, etc for $14. He added a fried egg on top for $2 additional. It was huge and cooked perfectly I got the Texas Chili for $12 and also got the fried egg on top, $2 extra! The chili was excellent and also had shredded cheese and what looked like chives on the side. We were both stuffed after our meal. Aaron took very good care of us and our bill came to $58.46 before the tip. So, give it a try!

Food & service was excellent. Seemed a little pricey but the ambiance made up for the difference. Little noisy! But would go back anytime!

A companion and I dined at this establishment on 11/19. We had reservations and was seated upon arrival. The restaurant was absolutely beautiful. The waiter was very professional and polite. He took excellent care of us, ensuring that our water and wine glasses were always refreshed. The wine list is quite extensive. The waiter and manager were kind enough to offer wine suggestions and allow sampling. My companion and I dined on Ceviche Salad as an appetizer and Chilean Sea Bass as our entree. The food was beyond excellent. I will absolutely dine at UP the next time I'm visiting Houston.

A lovely restaurant tucked away in a quiet building. You must take the elevator UP to the restaurant so have a nice view of the Houston skyline.

Very friendly, inviting decor, good view and the food was exceptional. I had the Quinoa with Ahi Tuna and roasted veggies. The flavors were unique and delicious.

This was our first visit to Up. When I walked in, I loved the ambience. The service was great and the menu is wonderful. It would have been perfect if the food lived up to all the other attributes. The crispy Brussels sprouts weren't very crispy, the mozzarella in the homemade mozzarella caprese salad was hard, the homemade lobster ravioli pasta was thick and tough. My boyfriends salmon was dry and overcooked. I wanted to like it but can't see why is go back.

I had a reservation for 6 on Saturday night. The restaurant looked very trendy and chic from the outside. We arrived at the 3rd floor, the elevator opened, and the hostess at the reservation desk, did not allowed us in. Why? Because one in our party was wearing a dark blue dressy T-shirt, and it had no collar. So we decided to leave. As we were leaving, a second group showed up, a couple, she had a very elegant black dress, and he had a pair of dark blue jeans and guess what, a black T-shirt, and as you can imagine, they weren't let in as well. We all left, and as we were waiting on the Valet, a third group arrived with a T-shirt.....same story. So if you really really want to taste the food here, you need wear a shirt WITH A COLLAR!!! Enjoy....

Went today for Easter brunch and loved it! Loved the fresh seafood, cheese and fruit. I suggest skipping the salad area...I wasn't impressed with the flavors of any of the salads. The salmon and steak was delicious and so were the desserts. The caramel macaroon was the best I have ever eaten! I gave a four stars instead of five bc they sat us at a table for 6 for our party of 8 and then came and brought other chairs and place settings a few mins later--this should have been done before we were seated bc it was a little awkward standing around waiting for extra chairs.

We went for an early Dinner before a show. The service was amazing, our server was very knowledgeable and gave great recommendations. The view is very nice. The food was above average, but wasn't the best. Great Wine Selection.

Good service and wine, but the food was way below expectations.Paella was poor at best, Lobster ravioli much too chewy, and tomatoes Caprese a peculiar joke. Won't be back.

This place has great decor and city views. Several friends went here for lunch during Houston Restaurant Month so we ordered off of the special menu so that $3 of every order was donated to the Houston Food Bank. All of us ordered the asparagus soup which was pretty good. Some got the fish and said they enjoyed it (very small portion). Some of us got the short ribs which were very tender and pretty good. We ordered the various brulees for dessert and were happy with those. What really stood out was the service. Our glasses never got near empty and were filled frequently. The manager came by several times to check on our progress. Nice touch!

First let me say this is a beautiful restaurant. The service was also excellent but frankly there were so few diners it would be hard for it not to be. However as other reviewers have said the food was very disappointing. We were impressed with the menu and had a difficult time deciding what to order. In the end, I tasted several dishes and the only thing that met my expectations were the truffle fries. Notably our food came out extremely fast (in a disconcerting way) and the lobster mac and cheese was room temperature. With so may great restaurants in the area this is one to skip.

Hubby and I visited Up several times when it first opened a couple of years ago and enjoyed good meals and their extensive wine list. Then one night after our service was dismal and we'd already tried everything on the menu, we decided to move on. Last night we were craving their Brussel sprouts/Artichoke hearts app, so we returned. The app with its yummy aoli was as yummy as we remembered, good call. Wine list, still on point. I ordered the Lobster ravioli in a lemon beurre blanc sauce that was disappointing. The lobster tasted slightly fishy, never a good sign, and the sauce was mixed with tomato (not mentioned in the menu description) which gave it a Chef Boyardee consistency. $20. Hubby had a lovely glass of Malbec to go with his Crispy skin duck breast and leg and thigh confit in a cranberry and orange reduction. The plating was lovely and leg and thigh were good, but the breast tasted a little earthier than it should have and was slightly overe cooked. $28. For dessert we split the Flourless chocolate cake with candied walnuts, Carmel, sea salt and banana gelato. The cake should have been warm, walnuts were absent and we both forgot about the sea salt until our third bite where we each got one little crunch of salt. We left the rest on the plate as it was dry. The teaspoon (seriously) of banana gelato was decadent. $10. To sum it up, we'd pop back in Up for apps and drinks as a pre-dinner spot, but there are just too many really great restaurants in Houston where we can spend the evening.

We love Houston Restaurant Week and started tonight with Up restaurant. The atmosphere was top class, and the views from third floor of Galleria or downtown were impressive. The food and service was perfect! I think we made a wise choice having this meal on a Thursday night at the beginning of August. We did not feel rushed, and the food arrived exactly when we were ready for each course. The pre-set restaurant week menu offered a good variety. I wanted to try the brussel sprouts for appetizer, but they are only offered on the lunch menu for Restaurant Week. My husband ordered the asparagus soup for appetizer, and I wish I had too. My dinner salad was good, but predictable. His soup was spectacular! My entree was the short ribs, and they were the best I have ever had. So tender and the flavors were superb! We both chose the Creme Brulee for desert and I enjoyed that light sweet taste. I hope to visit again and would highly recommend for a special occasion.

Up is absolutely fabulous! The decor is very fresh and modern. The food is wonderful. I had the veal (waiter's recommendation). Delicious! This is a great place for any occasion.

Not sure where to begin, but there was much to be disappointed by in this dining experience. To begin, we were seated in what appeared to be the 'overflow' dining room - no ambiance, very sterile, and very loud despite having made the reservation two months in advance - that should warrant the main dining room I believe. Second, we were not informed when making the reservation that they would be having a Prefixed menu that evening so this came as quite a shock when we were not able to select from their published menu on their website. Third, the waiter made a very bad assumption that because we were two ladies, that we were 'dateless' for the evening & he would be our date...I was there with my partner. Fourth, the quality of the 'two entree choices' available on the Valentine's menu were very lacking in taste, and the desserts served were so bland that we did not even eat them . Lastly, the service was poor...when you have to refill your own wine glass at a 5 star rated restaurant, and walk out with a bill of $313 (this included a $50 gratuity that was automatically added to our tab), something doesn't add up. In a city rich in choices of topnotch restaurants, Up does not qualify to be in the same company with many other great restaurants. Save your time & money, and avoid disappointment...choose another wonderful restaurant in a city with many outstanding choices.

Fabulous food, wonderful ambience, good service. I encourage you to try Up. The beef short ribs were very tender and very well seasoned. I had a bite of my husband's redfish and will have to order it the next time we go. A nice variety of desserts. The service was excellent! A definite thumbs UP for Up.

I have eaten at this restaurant for lunch, dinner and at the bar for with tacos and a drink. All have been simple amazing. By simply amazong I mean the food is great the service is great they just make it all look like perfect food is so SIMPLE. But it is not. Today I had the chili and it was amazing.

First time to Up Restaurant and was pleasantly surprised by the great view and ambiance. They offer a business lunch menu with excellent pricing (3 courses) under $30.00. However, we both choose to go with their Ceasar Salad (which was extremely good). Since we were having lunch we went with their Lobster Bisque and Cerviche. Both were tasty and unique with their own flare. Beautifully presented. We followed up with with a Candied Grand Marniere Orange Creme Brûlée. It was out of this world. It addition to sending it out the chef sent us out two samples of two others desserts (perhaps since it was the first of the year) either way all desserts were divine! We definitely will return for an evening dinner here.

Up Restaurant was the gathering place for a couple of friends and me recently- taking advantage of Houston Restaurant Week. I love going to this place! The ambiance is modern chic with a fabulous view of Highland Village- there is an upper & lower ding area surrounded by floor to ceiling windows. The HRW menu offered 3 courses- hard decisions as they were all inviting. I had the Cesar salad- yum! And it had an anchovy! Loved it. Entree was red fish grilled and placed on top of haricots; perfectly done; dessert - chocolate gelato. Service was excellent . Whether you go during HRW or regular times, UP Restaurant is not to be missed!

This is a beautiful, upscale, classy restaurant in a lovely area of Houston. Always request a table by the window for dinner. They make you feel like royalty! When someone asks me about a nice restaurant- Up is always #1 recommendation.

Came during HRW. This is by far our favorite. The decor is light, clean and modern. The staff were all attentive and friendly. The oysters both raw and grilled were tasty and fresh, the shrimp tempura was lite fresh and flavorful. The seafood paella and lobster ravioli were well prepared and delicious. Desert was macaroons and crepe cake both delicious and well prepared. An overall treat.

Had dinner at Up last weekend. It was actually a business meeting and we were able to get a booth so we were able to talk and have a great conversation. The waiter was excellent in giving us time to visit.His timing was very good in allowing us to visit before checking the menu and allowing us to linger longer after dinner even on a busy Saturday night. The food and ambiance were perfect. We all had seafood prepared beautifully.There were enough seafood choices that we all actually selected a different fish.However, this is not just a seafood restaurant ...it has a complete menu of all choices of food. I enjoy being able to eat out and have a great selection of items that are healthy and light. So many of us are watching what we eat to try and be healthy and this restaurant really delivers in giving us enough of these options. I look at the menu and find many choices.Living in Houston we have so many great choices of restaurants but I must say this one has a place on my favorites list.

My sister-in-law chose Up as the place to celebrate her birthday so we were excited to enjoy a new place together. We all ate from the Restaurant Weeks brunch menu. You won't have to choose from the list of appetisers all of them are served family style at the table. The gazpacho and mac n cheese were our favorites. The deconstructed ceasar salad was not to our liking, nor was the sushi. We will recommend the 44 ranch filet entree, but not the crab cakes benedict or the paella. The crab cakes were bland & the eggs were barely poached. Like most people, i do not like wiggly whites. All of the seafood in the paella was over cooked. One mussel was so bad it would not come away from the shell. The Rice in the paella was the best part as it had the wonderful flavors of the seafood cooked into it. We were also unempressed with the dessert bar. The grand marnier creme brule and the meyer lemon tart were pretty good. If you want a really good filet for brunch, check it out. We went away feeling like we had been rushed through pur meal.

Great experience. Excellent food, relaxed meal, they didn't rush us, great staff, incredible wine list.

Up showcases its decor and atmosphere as much as its food. the reception from the valet to the elevator UP to the dining area is highly choreographed. the lobby bar and dining area are spectacular with great views of Houston's Highland Village. One question you might ask is whether there is anything really that spectacular to see, but if you have a view west over toward the Galleria it is really very nice to watch the sun set behind the giant Transco (Williams) tower. I thought the food was great, a little expensive. We all had seafood dishes and it was great. My redfish was prepared very well, not overcooked, in a lemon butter sauce. The desserts are also very nice and offer the opportunity to sample sorbet, creme bulee and other combinations. The octopus appetizer was my favorite. The place is new and I will be interested to see how it evolves.

I took a friend to UP for the first time. I'm always recognized by the management and that makes one feel special. The Sea Bass is always so good. I just LOVE the beautiful crystal chandelier ball over the bar.

I took my wife, daughter and wife's BFF to Up for a birthday celebration dinner. My wife was really hoping for reservations at one of the hot foodie spots in town, but there was no availability for reservations. On a bit of a flyer, I booked dinner at Up in Highland Village. We opted to valet, as parking can be a challenge. We took the elevator 'up' and low and behold...what a surprise. Taken from a page of 60's club chic, Up is decked to the 9's. Grab a cocktail at the beautiful bar and look out across an expansive dining room. We were seated next to the windows overlooking Westhemier. As the sun set, the lights in Highland Village added to the very unique dining setting. I chose the honey seared sea bass. It was, hands down, thee best sea bass I have ever had, I know the ladies at my table were very happy with their dishes. I honestly don't recall what they ate. I was so blown away by the sea bass. Service was great. Wine list was extensive. Desserts were very creative and quite yummy. Take my word for it, dinner at Up will be an experience you will enjoy.

Another success for Houston Restaurant week! Lunch today at Up was delightful for all your senses. Perched 3 floors up over looking Highland Village on Westheimer, the floor to ceiling windows created the perfect view. The waitstaff was very attentative and friendly. The HRW menu had a variety for everyone's taste - The spicy humus with cracked pepper crackers was tasty. 1 st course was a choice of 2 soups or salad. The asparagus soup was creamy and filled with asapargus. The mixed green salad with cranberries & citrix rind was refreshing. 2nd course - Half the guests ordered the red fish with fingerling potatoes in a light lemon sauce - fresh, light and melted in your mouth. The others ordered the thrice cooked short ribs in a rich sauce, served with grilled vegetables - the ribs were so tender, no knife was needed. The horseradish sauce was fantastic. We all had the infamous french macaroons for dessert - salted caramel, chocolate, lemon and rose - - chocolate & lemon were the best. The food and service was so impressive, we have already made dinner reservations!

Up has always been a treat to visit and now they offer Sunday Brunch from 11a - 2pm. Quiet, relaxing atmosphere, excellent service and wonderful view. The appetizers are served family style - tortilla soup - large bowl filled with shredded chicken and avocado, mac n cheese, lobster beneits and cesar salad - all delicious. You can choose an entree - I had the roasted duck on mashed potatoes and my daughter had the seared salmon - savory, mouth watering delight. We ended with the dessert buffet - a choice of 2 bread puddings, small tarts, strawberry parfait, a variety of macaroons (their specialty) and 3 different creme brulee. Loved the idea of being served a sampling of the appetizers, then our entree and then making your own selection for dessert. Spoil yourself and enjoy being served fantastic food by outstanding waitstaff! Kudos to all! Spread the word - - Up for brunch!

Dinner here with friends was very pleasant. The environment is top notch and the attention by the staff is superb. Dinner was well prepared and delivered at the perfect temperature. My wife said her short ribs were fantastic! The view from the table was very nice.

We went here for dinner with a large group. The food and drinks were excellent and the service was amazing.

My sister, nephew and I celebrated our birthdays with Sunday brunch. I reserved the private area near the bar which is surrounded by sheer drapes - they setup the seating to accommodate a party of 16 comfortably - food was excellent - several opting for the specials - crab cake benedict, ribeye steaks, paella, but my favorite is the duck. The side dish of brussel sprouts with almonds and citris was surprisingly good (it's not my choice of veggie). Of course the dessert bar is wonderful - opting for the great chocolate bread pudding! Whoohoo. The waitstaff presented the birthday folks with a decorated plate of macaroons and a chocolate Happy Birthday complete with candle. Wonderful place to dine and celebrate.

Great concept! Definitely should get a table by the window in the evening! Fabulous service, and the gluten free options are amazing!!!! Food is fresh, well prepared, and unique. And we were so excited that the gelato was gluten free we got another serving! A wonderful evening, will most certainly return!!!

This place is above a shoe store, albeit a high end one, in Highland Village. The third floor of this building offers a slight view of downtown, but the food is so good and the dining room so relaxing that one might not even look outside. Really, these folks are very accommodating and make one feel very at home, and the food and beverages are outstanding, the service impeccable.

Just returned from dinner at Up with friends. Aside from the gnats flying around inside, the atmosphere was nice. Quite the markup on the wine list. We started with pizza for an appetizer and it was delicious. Our dinners were sub par at best. No flavor at all to all of our dishes (grouper, veal, salmon). Nobody at our table finished their meal due to lack of flavor but our server didn't bother to inquire about why our food was unfinished. Don't go to Up with grand dining experience expectations. If you're looking for the bar scene, you'll love it here. It's way too loud to carry on a conversation, so people watching is about it.

If you want to impress your date, or need a classy place for an anniversary dinner then you should give Up a try. It is a very well decorated restaurant with great views out the floor to ceiling windows. You must take an elevator to the top floor of a three story building. Once inside you a surrounded by floor to ceiling windows showing the skyline of both the Galleria but also downtown Houston. The menu is continental in my opinion with excellent choices. A little pricey though. A small but good wine list. I recommend it.

I lunched with three friends, celebrating a birthday today, at Up Restaurant in Highland Village, Houston. Making the reservation on line was a seamless process, and it was confirmed by email. When we arrived, we were appropriately welcomed, and our food journey began almost immediately. Our drink orders were taken and perfectly delivered. A tray of flatbread and excellent hummus was placed on the table; each was quite good, yet I thought the hummus was overpowered by the flavors of the flatbread. We decided on the 3 course businessman’s lunch ($24), and the choices were outstanding. We all decided on the crispy Brussels sprouts and artichokes with truffle aioli as a starter. They did not disappoint, and we all agreed that we could have made a meal of just this dish. We chose a few different entrees: Two had the seafood cannelloni , one had the duck confit lettuce wraps and I opted for the redfish with green beans. We heard not one complaint, each of us thinking she had ordered the best on the menu. Dessert consisted of 2 macarons each, chosen from salted caramel, chocolate, rose, or lemon. The favorites were the chocolate and salted caramel. Nobody was able to finish the more than ample portions and the remainders were taken home for yet another meal. A la carte choices are available but are different from those on the businessman’s lunch menu. Because the day was cold, we elected to eat inside. Had the weather been balmier, we could have dined on the lovely patio, with views of Houston from this third level perch. Inside tables were surrounded by tall windows and contemporary décor for our white cloth dining experience. Service was perfect, and not hovering. Another nice feature was the fact that we were able to hear our own conversation, and did not have interference of other’s conversations. Feedback was elicited from staff and cheerfully contributed by all of us. Parking can be difficult in Highland Village, but free valet parking is provided to patrons. Arrangements can be made for private parties.

Went for lunch during Restaurant Weeks. Had 3 courses to choose from. Our table had the crispy brussel sprouts, which was so different an delicious! loved the slight bitter taste with the dipping sauce. the cesar salad had ginormos shavings of parm cheese on top. the gazpacho was quite good too; can taste the cucumber in it. for second/main course, we had grilled veal steak, which was really thinkly sliced and had grill marks on both sides and came with arugula. it was a nice meaty choice. the seafood cannelloni was okay. it was filled with a finely chopped paste of crab/shrimp, which you can still taste, but we were not crazy about the texture. the beef Bolognese was better than it looked (slightly resembles hamburger helper...). the pasta was definitely delicious, clearly homemade and the slight chewy-ness is just right. for dessert we had the macaroons (salt caramel was so devine! the rose macaroon unexpectedly delicious and pretty :) will definitely order these again).the lemon tart had the best crust/lemon cream combo/ratio. the flour-less chocoate cake was crumbly, but i really enjoye the dark chocolate taste. now all these were HUGE portions! apparently the dinner plates are even bigger and their regular plates for lunch that's not during restaurant are huge! your best bet would be group of 4 or 5. that way you can sample multiple dishes. i couldn' finish mine, which is very very rare! The restauant is accessed by its own elevator, right by the valet.

Can't say enough GREAT things about this lovely restaurant. Delicious cousine, great atmosphere, love the patio btw, prime location and the staff are friendly and helpful. 5 🌟 all the way!

This is a sleek, contemporary venue with lovely views overlooking Highland Village. Service was outstanding for our party of four. The food was generally quite good with one slip on the crispy roasted brussel sprouts and artichoke appetizer (a bit overcooked but the remoulade sauce was yummy).There were several standout dishes, including the Ceaser Cardini salad, Texas Redfish, and Truffle Mushroom Ravioli (tossed in a bowl made from a giant wheel of Parmigiano Regiano). We were celebrating a birthday and, fortunately, never felt rushed. Perfect evening.

This is an especially nice place during the holidays with views of Highland Village at night - it is magical. Food and service are excellent -- smaller groups do better. I had a group of 18 in a semi-private area -- not conducive to "private" -- it's on the beaten path to the restrooms! The room is very nice -- I would say two thumbs up for atmosphere ESPECIALLY private room on the West side -- great sunsets and view.

This place was awful. the one redeeming quality was the ambiance -- it is a very nice restaurant with a nice outdoor patio. it took 20 mins to get our drinks, all of our food was incredibly subpar and very overpriced. this place is completely not worth it.

Lunch here during Houston Restaurants Weeks. We each ordered foods we normally wouldn't - brussel sprouts, asparagus soup, seafood canneloni (incredible) and a surprisingly delicious 1/4 chicken, roasted. Everything exceeded expectations. The desserts were so-so, but the starter and the main course were delicious. The chicken came with a generous portion of delicious green beans in a lemon butter sauce with pine nuts. Great atmosphere. Clearly a happening scene, and it was sort of a fun thing to take an elevator to the restaurant, this is unusual in Houston. But not too noisy even when the tables were full. When it cools off, I will come back to enjoy a huge outdoor patio overlooking the expensive shopping below. I absolutely loved this experience.

Up restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. It is 3 stories up in Highland Village and has a beautiful view from the patio. The staff and service was second to none. They were attentive. The food was good and the portions were moderate. In terms of pricing, it was a bit expensive. I had the roasted chicken, and it was tasty. However, I would say it was a vit under seasoned. The place makes great cocktails that contained all the alcohol...yum! The dessert menu was not that extensive or exciting...typical items, such as chocolate, chocolate cake, etc. I did not seem inclined to taste. They also have music a couple of days per week. It is a place for a chic, hip, nice evening out. If you have the funds, it is worth a try.

Great brunch with brkfst, salads, sushi and hot items. Everything is fresh and you'll want to save room for the huge macaroons that are to die for.

Can you pls add this picture to my Up Review? I would appreciate it. This is from the dessert buffet. Chocolate bread pudding, lemon tart, vanilla bread pudding.

We dined there last night and really enjoyed it. The food was creative and well prepared. The service staff was attentive, but we had multiple waiters help the table. It became unclear who was our server. I had the tuna sashimi and the short rib pizza. Both were delicious. My husband had ceviche and the red snapper and he enjoyed both of them. The wine list was extensive, but we paid close to $90 for a bottle we usually buy for $35. The wine mark up was high, but I guess it goes along with the location. We liked it enough that we will add it to our regular rotation. If the night is perfect, ask to sit outside on the patio. But, make sure you request that when you make your reservation as those tables fill up first.

The food was good, the service also good, but when the elevator was not working - the 3 flights up the stairs not so good. Ask before coming if the elevator works!. The booths and table tight. The staff had to keep clearing the plates to make room... Short Ribs great...

Really great service with a staff that was willing to please. I thought the food was not as good as the service and a little overpriced for the quality but maybe it was just what I ordered.

First, the ambience of the restaurant is very appealing. Views of the Galleria, Downtown and the beautiful Highland Village from its palatial 3rd floor venue. It attracts a very eclectic crowd and the live music is very pleasant. The wine by the glass that we ordered was excellent. When we said we would take a botlle, we were told that we would be charged by the glass ($14). That was a first for us. However, we were saved. The waiter recommended a nice Chardonnay for over $100.00 for a bottle. Second, the waiter was very kind to recommend items on the menu that were his favorites. By pure chance, the recommended items were the most expensive on the menu. When we inquired about a less expensive entree, there was a shrug and "I haven't tried those." After we did order a bottle of wine (alas, we were able to resist the $100 Chardonnay), our appetizers were promptly brought. A nice touch, the chef accompanied the appetizers and they were excellent. The Duck Wraps were very good and the beet/goat cheese salad, while pedestrian, was excellent. I mean, how can you fancy up beets and goat cheese. They are just plain good, basic food and a nice addition to the menu. Having experienced this next little move before, we were allowed to quietly (and time consuming) finish our bottle of less than $100 bottle of white wine.with no sight of the entrees for what seemed like an eternity. (Yes, when you are just sitting there, time does slow down). Not really caring what the bill was (when you just want to get out) we asked for the check. At that moment in time, miracle of miracles, our entree appeared immediately. (Since our entrees were slow to appear, I leave it to your imagination to determine if Up wanted us to order another bottle of wine, even if it was less than $100?). To his credit, the manager then arrived at our table to express his regrets that the kitchen was "backed up." Since there were only about 1/3 of the tables occupied, perhaps they need to post a sign outside, "Cook Wanted." Rather than engage in "what went wrong," it was just easier to pay the bill and get out. I mean, we aren't coming back, why go through that mental exercise when we have overstayed our welcome? Oh, forgetful me. When we called for reservations, we were told that all the tables by the windows were reserved. To their credit, they did get us a table for two by a window. Unfortunately for the restaurant, while we were there, we determined that a lot of those folks that reserved a window table were no shows. One wonders, does a restaurant think that patrons don't pick up on these little foibles? (To their credit, they just brought tap water and we did not go through the dance of what bottled water did we crave).

Hello...My Niece and I went for our monthly brunch/dinner...it happened to be my birthday...well the ambience was very nice with a perfect view of Highland Village...the service was great...appetizers was lobster bisque which was good but they could have given us some bread ...I had the Caesar salad which was tastee...she ordered ribs and I ordered Salmon...interesting the bring just enough food..dinky need a to go bag LOL..the entree was excellent and tasty..I had a glass of wine which was ok...it is a bit pricy and the nearby guests were too damn loud...

Had the opportunity to catch up with a friend at Up for dinner. Valet is the only parking I could see and my rental car stuck out in the sea of 700 series BMWs and 500 series Mercedes. The entry is via elevator three stories up which is in itself a treat in the glass elevator which opens to foyer elevated above the dining room but below the bar. The restaurant is rich in woods from ceiling to floor with a spectacular ball chandelier above the bar. We sat in a booth which was at yet another level just a step above the main dining area. The service is impeccable. Our server was respectful of our time to talk and never for a moment intruded on our space but was at our beck and call the whole evening. The food however was good not great. We had sushi (Crudo on the menu) as an appetizer which was delicious and fresh but I have had better at not as nice an establishment. The main entree's were again good. I had the scallops which were excellent but again not befitting such a splendid environment nor their price of $39 scallops only I recall five or six. My asparagus side was and additional $12. I am used to a la cart but there was a disconnect. My friend had a beautiful Hong Kong Day Boat red snapper fillet and it too was beautiful but again I was underwhelmed and for the price of the entree was disappointing. There is definitely a disconnect between the well written menu nouns and verbs and the actual production of food. However at the end of the day I would probably go back to Up in spite of the underwhelming creations but the countless other great places nearby would hinder a second nod. Houston has far too many truly chic restaurants and I hope Up survives all they need is a second look at the menu by an outside "professional" and not some casual diner like myself.

Wonderful experience, first time to this restaurant for a business dinner. The menu had a great choice of meals and although it was fine dining, it was very relaxing! The service was excellent and meals arrived quickly!

We had never been here and went to celebrate our anniversary. The restaurant is beautiful and has an awesome skyline view. The food was delicious, and the staff was quite friendly. The appetizers were oversized in my view, while the main dishes were just about right.

Poor service , poorly trained waiter. Kept me from going back. There were only two customers in the dinning area yet the waiter kept getting lost somewhere and it was a struggle to get refills and extra silverware.

For some time I have wanted to dine at UP and finally had the opportunity for lunch and dinner in September. While I had heard a lot about the restaurant, there was enough difference of opinion to make my experience a decision for one camp or another. In short, I was wowed by the three necessities of any fine dining establishment: food, service, and atmosphere. The food exceeded my high expectations on every level. For lunch our group had the Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes and Redfish with Haricots Verts. Both came with well composed salads and for HRW were steals at $20. Dessert was also outstanding, and when I couldn't decide on the Crepe Suzette Cake or Assorted Macarons our waiter brought me both. This is the mark of a well tuned restaurant that wants to please the customer, and I was. For dinner our group ordered the Lobster Ravioli and Valenciana Seafood Paella. Both were accompanied by the delightful salads, same as lunch. For dessert we had the Au Chocolat Fondue, a chocolate cake with warm chocolate in the middle. $45 for this? Hand me a mask because this was the steal of HRW. It was a fabulous dinner, made even more so with $35 wine bottles noted on the menu. THE BEST MEAL IN HOUSTON FOR HRW BAR NONE. Service for both meals was exemplary. On both occasions the manager checked our table, and the waiters were poised and efficient. The service here compares with any of the finest restaurants in Houston. Very well trained and operated like professionals. Finally, the ambience of UP is breathtaking. It is one of the two or three most beautiful restaurants in Houston. Very contemporary with a bar that is made for a photo spread. And being three floors high gives you commanding sight lines of Houston. You won't believe how gorgeous this place is. I can recommend UP without hesitation for one of the finest meals in Houston. Food, service and setting, it can't be beat. One final tip. If you want to avoid valet you can easily park anywhere in Highland Village for free, an empty parking space is not hard to find.

I dont understand who is running this restaurant but i beg you to close your doors. The feel of the restaurant is amazing, you feel like you are in New York! I know the owner of the restaurant also owns the Highland Village shopping complex so koodos to him for being rich and spending so much money on build out and decor, but unfortunately his taste in food is very poor! Quality of food has fallen so much that some of those cooks should be working at a Mexican taqueria making beans and rice! My friend ordered the Seafood Canneloni which looked like canned tuna wrapped in dough and covered with melted cheese slices on a bed of canned tomato puree. I ordered the Loster Roll, the lobster was chewy and looked old as if it was over boiled and sat in the fridge for days. It came with fried potato chips that were cold, greasy, and stale! I will never eat there again!! I left there with a sick feeling in my stomach! My advice to them is to give it up! I felt like i was in a communist country, dining in a government owned establishment! Horrible!!!

Beautiful place. We sat on the outside terrace to enjoy the weather and great view. The Brussels sprout/ artichoke appetizer was the best dish I had. We all got the three course lunch for $24 and everyone seemed to enjoy their selection. The macaroons for desert were okay but a tad too sweet. The decor of this restaurant is stunning! I'd definitely return.

Another example of wanting the use of 1/2 stars. I would like to give up 3 1/2 stars, but the food is what causes me to round this one down to 3. Up is a very elegant looking restaurant atop the 3rd floor overlooking Highland Village. After taking the elevator up to the restaurant, your eyes are immediately drawn to the amazing decor of the place. My wife really loved the large disco style ball over the bar. We came for HRW 2012 lunch and the place was not overly crowded which was nice and allowed us to enjoy our meal without feeling rushed. For starters, I had the Caesar salad and my wife the mixed greens salad. The Caesar was not very good. One of the worst I have tasted. The mixed greens salad was much better with a light citrus vinaigrette. We also enjoyed the complimentary cheese flat bread they bring to you at the beginning. For the second course, I chose the seafood cannelloni which were large tubes stuffed with every kind of seafood you could imagine. They were really loaded with seafood which was surprising to me. The cannelloni were topped with amoricaine sauce and melted cheese. This was the best thing I had during our meal. My wife enjoyed her truffle mushroom ravioli. It was just one giant ravioli filled with mushrooms, nuts and egg yolk. I tasted it and it was pretty good. Dessert course was also pretty good. I had the lemon tart and my wife had the flourless chocolate cake. The cake was awful. Really dry and not very appetizing at all. I think she only took couple of bites and could not eat anymore. The lemon tart was good. Nice and light and the perfect end to a meal. Our service was great from start to finish and I really enjoyed the ambiance and feel of the location. I do not think I would pay the full prices to dine here again, but it may be worthwhile to come and check out happy hour sometime. You get to experience the restaurant and get a good deal on food and drinks. I may return again in future and update my review accordingly.

I had made a reservation here for lunch not realizing that they had a brunch on Sundays. I did not notice it on the website. The restaurant is set in a beautiful setting in white. There is a very relaxing ambience. You can come here business casual or dressed up. The customer service is phenomenal. I'm not a fan of buffet brunch but the brunch here is excellent. There is a raw bar, a wonderful salad bar, and a hot entrée section. Everything is incredibly fresh. Options that day include a paella, ribeye, pasta, and perfectly cooked salmon dish, as well as a kid's section. The simple grilled vegetables were absolutely perfect. The dessert table is incredible. I would highly recommend the chocolate bread pudding. It is the best I've ever had and I am not a fan of bread pudding. There are bottomless fresh squeezed juice mimosas, bellinis, and bloody Mary's as an option. The price point for the brunch is absolutely worth it and it's much less expensive than you would think given the setting and food options. This is a wonderful brunch well worth trying!!

The bar was lively but I was there for dinner. Exemplary service! Table side steak tartare was a unique play in the experience. Valet, thank goodness it's a busy spot. The decor is sleek ,clean and modern. The menu and all of the dishes being brought out looked fab and ours were! They bring a purse stand to the table so your million dollar handbags don't touch anything. The elevator takes you UP, go figure , directly to the Hostess station, which I should mention the Hostess was delightful. I loved that all of the patrons were dressed, business and classy. I will be back.

Really great place to meet up with friends you haven't seen for a while. Very good food/wine and staff were excellent. Relaxing, quiet atmosphere. We"ll be back.

Just went during restaurant weeks and had lunch. Started at the bar while waiting for a table. The bartender was great. We discussed Scotch while I drank my overpriced but to expected prosecco. My son had told me wonderful stories of this restaurant and was excited to be there having lunch with me. We moved to our table and were served a plate of stale large tortillas with cheese melted on it with a humus type dip that was a bit sour for my taste. I ordered from the restaurant week menu started with the caesar salad.....ok....then the entree Veal with sauted mushrooms and kale. So dry and chewy and tasteless. I didn't make a comment and my son wanted to try it and he looked at me and said that is such a disappointment. Dessert was chocolate creme brulee it was ok nothing to jump up and down about. My son had the duck it was better than mine but still compared to lets say Perry's in Houston or Union Square Cafe in New York this was just plain bad. Again my son felt bad because of all the great things he had said about Up and I told him it is just one dish maybe the Bass is the way to go....next time....maybe.

For Mother's Day Brunch this year, instead of going to the same old places we have been to in the past, we decided to try some place new. And it totally lived "Up" to standards and more! With my 90 yr old grandmother, my mom, aunt and sister all for brunch, we could choose a different entree from the preset menu, all getting something different. The food was all very delicious, delicately prepared even for the mad rush of Mother's Day. The Texas Short Ribs were by far the absolute BEST! HIGHLY recommend. The dessert buffet had so many options, I went back for seconds. :) And our server, John, was FABULOUS! He could not have been more accommodating to the neediness of our older family members and as kind as can be with each additional request. John was upbeat, respectable, and always smiling. LOVE HIM! I will definitely go back to try dinner on a normal evening.

My wife, my two daughters and I visited Up and immediately thought the restaurant looked very nice, had a wonderful setting and view. The staff was attentive almost to the point of being annoying. Are you sure you don't want some water? We're sure. Two waiters and the manager asked twice before we broke down and accepted. The appetizers were very good, especially the asparagus soup. The entrees were a mixed back with three being lukewarm and one being too hot to eat for several minutes. The deserts were very nice but one of them was wrong. The real drawback was that the meal, at $300 for the four of us, was a bit pricey for what we got. So it would be fair to say that we thought it was over priced.

Went yesterday with a group of girlfriends for a bday celebration. The place is gorgeous!! On the third floor with windows all around. Beautiful decor. Friendly waitstaff. We all chose the prix-fix lunch for $24.00. Everyone's starter was very good, however, the mains were not. the salmon was "brule"or burnt on the top! And the lobster roll was so ill-conceived There was no way to pick it up and eat it!! Guacamole, some kind of slaw and lobstermeat sat on a gigantic hamburger bun wich was way overtoasted, a huge mess! They should have called it "torta" instead. There were only 2 other tables occupied. So, I think their bad food is catching up with the guest attendance. It would be a shame if this beautiful restaurant closes down, that's why I say to them: Quick, improve the food before it's too late!

We were able to secure this place on Father's Day to host our baby shower. Bethany took care of everything very professionally from day one of meeting to tasting and being there on the day of the event. Since it was on Sunday and they are only open for few hours we were able to have entire restaurant to our party. All the decorations and food was ready on time our guests started to arrive. All the staff on floor and bar were very professional. I would differently recommend this to anyone look to host a company party or any event party. Big thanks to entire team UP for our successful event and we will definitely be back to enjoy rest of the menu.

Loved the atmosphere as much as the food and excellent service. Wonderful salads with grilled fish or meat, pizzas and entrees. Excellent wine list. Fun place for brunch. Best service I've had in any restaurant in years!

Well...the website has pictures rhat would want to make you go to this restaurant..thats for sure.. however the food that is served is very average, over seasoned and the service is just as ordinary as a mediocre restaurant. There were constantly cutlery and plates being dropped all over the place. Our waitr was either new or very nervous.. he was literally sweating all over. I felt sorry for him when he asked for help to do a tableside service from another waiter and the guy just said no..unbeliavable.. The coffee never came..they had no espresso?? The check came in a flthy and sticky plastic ... i couldnt touch it... Anyhow, the place is full so i suppose people like it. Honestly, Houston has soooo much more than this...

First, the dining room is more than attractive -- it is stunning. The bi-level dining room allows all the patrons to view Houston's dramatic skylines through tall windows. In summer the windows are open to the breeze and by October, early dusk is a visual pleasure. Once it is cool, the windows are closed and the Christmas lights are truly magical. Second, the menu is always a delight… I usually ask for the chef's special and I have never been disappointed. The seasonal fare is delicious. And the bartender is friendly and receptive to suggestions, i.e. "Just a smudge of vermouth, please."

Had lunch with my daughter on her birthday. Always enjoy the setting at Up. We ate off the HRW menu and food was very good. Service very good and salad and entrée- fish was excellent. Can't go wrong with this choice.

Up is a great venue with terrific food and a fun vibe. It's one of the best secrets in Houston! The open air patio is surprisingly comfortable and the views are terrific.

I found their webite confusing, but wanted to find out what all the buzz was about, so we went for lunch. I'm not kinding about the "Posh" Everything screams that from the dress code posters to the livery attire for the wait staff. but luckily we had on our collared shirts and closed toed shoes! The hostess and staff were very friendly.We chose the "business lunch" for $19--(drinks are extra you get a salad or soup, entree and 3 gourmet cookies for dessert. We picked french onion soup and asparagus soup, the salmon salad and the grilled fish with fresh green beans-- there is home made biscotti, chocolated chocolate chip cookie and macadamia nut cranberry cookie for dessert. # stories up so view is nice but parking a pain--pay attention to parking signs on neighborhood streets--

Good parking, nice entrance, friendly manager,lovely bar area, good service, a well layed out food menu and a great wine list. The manager was a great help picking the wines and the waiter was very good always right there when we needed him. The price was reasonable for the quality of food and wine. I will return.

We brought our 13 year old daughter and 3 of her friends to Up for her birthday dinner. We wanted her to feel special... to have dinner at a "fancy" restaurant that didn't have a drive thru window. Up DID provide that. The atmosphere and ambiance is nice. The wait staff is knowledgeable, professional, and courteous. There's a great view overlooking Highland Village and into the city. That's where the positive stops. The lobster bisque was subpar (Perry's is WAY better), the lobster ravioli wasn't very good (way too cheesy), my wife's seafood paella wasn't good (it was terrible quite honestly). Everything on the menu is overpriced. The food quality simply didn't match the price tag. There are far too many culinary hotspots in this city for us to consider going back.

I didn't give this a terrible because the dining room is very nice so it feels special eating here -- if you ignore the food and service. Dishes take forever to come out, then are oversalted, overcooked, or just don't taste good. Come once for the dining room, then go elsewhere for good food.

We had the truffle pasta, chicken mole, crispy brussel sprouts and artichokes appetizer. The truffle raviolino (think giant ravioli) in parmesan cream sauce was good the sauce was by far the best part. Chicken mole was supposed to be boneless - not so much- the chicken was pan seared and very crispy and perfectly seasoned. The mole was poor and had no depth. Rice side was attractive and fragrant. By far the best dish was the appetizer...crispy and flavorful with a yummy spicy dipping sauce. The view is spectacular and and the ambience cozy. The service was attentive and had good suggestions as well as being knowledgeable about the menu. Not pushy or snobby. Dinner above was 75. We won't be going back unless major changes occur.

this was my second time for dinner at this restaurant so i was sure, it would be a great experience and decided to go for my 7th anniversary. Sadly it didn't meet my expectations. The elevator was broken so we had to go in by the back door and up 3 floors of stairs. When we came in we were nicely greeted by the live music which ended 30 minutes after we arrived and I had to ask for some music because the ambiance was totally dead after the musitians left. The place is beautiful , great view and amazing menu. Our waiter seemed sad and not very entusiastic to be serving us even after I tryed to be sympathetic with him. I ordered a dirty vodka martini, which was super salty, so I didnt drink it and decided to switch to wine, i told the waiter but he didn't mind cause I still payed 18 dlls for the salty martini. The appetizers were delicious, tuna tartar and cevice! then my husband asked for some raw oysters, and to my surprise the waiter answered " we don't serve them, you should try Eddie V's" hahaha I didn't expect that! We asked to meet the chef and the waiter advised us he had already left for the night at 10:00 pm. The entries where good but for two different plates they used the exact same sauce. Lobster ravioli and seafood canoli. dessert was OK not great (macarons) The bill was $250 for two. So NO I dont think I'll go back. Houston has so many amazing places to offer, I think I'll try the waiters advice.

My wife had previously been to Up and RAVED over it. So last week, I figured we'd give Up a 'couples' chance on our date night. The restaurant is REALLY nice. It's in a great location and if you have the right table (we had a booth) you can almost see the entire city. Up hit on virtually every detail. The leather used in the booths, to the curtains, flooring selection, the amazing chandelier over the bar... The Ambiance at Up truly is a class above most 'affordable' date restaurants. Major props. The wait staff is Johnny On The Spot. I haven't a single complaint. My water never dropped below half and they managed to do that without hovering over the table. Our waiter sensed this was date night and didn't rush the tempo of the evening. Now for the disappointment. The first cocktail I ordered was the Violette Mojito. This may sound cliché, but it tasted like cough syrup. Literally. After I managed to choke that one down, I ordered up The Highland. I'll rank it "mostly average". Not worth $12. My wife's drink, the Apple Pear Martini, was poured STRONG. Like Danger-Flammable-Liquid strong. Overall drink experience, C-. I can't justify a better rating based on the price tag of the cocktails. We were both instantly drawn to the description of the Tandoori Spice Scottish Salmon. We're both fans of tzatziki sauces in food and decided it was worth a shot. Salmon is an easy fish to under or overcook, but we were only one of 4-5 active table tops. There should have been no reason for it to come out overcooked, but it did. Additionally, there were just too many ingredients in the dish. Sigh. So much promise. D- It was an enjoyable experience at Up, but for the hit on my wallet I don't think we'll be coming back.

What a beautiful view of the area at dusk from this trendy, upscale restaurant with a varied menu offering the full range of courses. The gluten-free pizza and pasta availability is an added attraction to those with gluten intolerance. The waiter recommended a kight versus heavy fare and a deliciously sweet glass of Muscato. The flour less chocolate cake was divine coupled with chocolate ice cream. Not too pricey for a classy filling meal!

Had lunch with friends here - beautiful space but a little noisy. The food was delicious and the service impeccable. The asparagus soup was awesome!! The portions are very large so be warned. Think I am having lunch for dinner again..... A fun, upscale place!!

I was brought here by a company I was interviewing with. The service was fantastic. The views from the restaurant was incredible. The restaurant itself was charming and fancy. The food could have been better. I ordered a ravioli and all I was able to think about was how much oil this meal had. I could not get over that fact. The desserts were decent. The appetizers were the best part of the whole meal.

We were invited to a business dinner and needed time to talk. The food and wine were excellent. We have been here before and will certainly go again. What made the dinner even better was the superb service. The wait staff was not only attentive but went overboard. They knew we were having an important meeting and that we spent a great deal of time talking. They did not rush us and truly gave us time. We were all greatly appreciative of this since it was Saturday night and the restaurant was fairly full. I highly recommend Up to anyone who loves a good meal, an upbeat and attractive atmosphere and facility, and superb service.

Five of us had a business lunch here. It is on the top floor of a 3 story building which gives you a nice view of the downtown skyline. The place was a good one for a business lunch as it was quiet and we were not rushed out. Service was also good but no one thought their food was special. I had the curry chicken salad which was average at best. Another had the pizza which he did not like at all. Most liked were the ravioli dishes. Lunch w/o drinks for 5 with tip was $110.00.

The owner made the visit great. Hostess at door was uncooperative even with reservation. Owner smoothed it out and rest of experience there was great! Great service. Nice open decor. Great food during buffet event. Will be back to try regular meal.

Pricey but only ok food. Service depends on how well you are dressed. I went one time in very casual clothes...snotty service. Went again for friends bday and we were well dressed...got excellent service. Coincidence maybe?

Pleasant waiter and good well served wine. Very disappointing food including the special for Wednesday Paella.

Dinned September 25th because of reading a review about great bar men items. Arrived at the restaurant no one greeted my husband and I went to the bar. The waiter came to our table at the bar and seemed to be in a rush. There were only 4 people at the bar. He rushed to take our drink order. We said we would like to see a menu. He brought a dinner menu. He didn't know much. We asked for the bar menu, but he wasn't sure about that either. Handed us a vine menu. He finally found the bar menu and proceeded to tell us about the $41 fish special. Too pricey for red fish. Food was good. We ordered 2 bar menu dishes and 2 dinner entrees. It is a little pricey and the food was not that good to justify the price. Service was average and the parking bad. Only valet is possible. It does not feel good to be forced to pay for valet to dine in a restaurant. Many other places to go other than this. It is on the bottom of my list.

You arrive at this place via elevator! he dining room is done modern and is very open. We enjoyed our meal very much despite the bad service we received. It became clear early on that our waiter was in a learning phase so he made plenty of mistakes. I'm sure he's over this by now and we'd go back next time when in town. The food presentation was done very nicely.

We were looking for someone where to go last minute for Valentine's Day and came across Up. The restaurant itself is awesome. It's design is impressive and it would make for a very cool night if you were looking to grab some drinks. They had a set 4 course Valentine's Day menu (without the prices list, we will get to that later) with an optional wine pairing. The food was ok, but nothing to write home about. The wine however was excellent and the service was great as well. I am no stranger to fine-dining and expected to pay a decent amount for this outing, but not $392. I was shocked, even my bank text me to make sure it wasnt fraud, lol. It is not a bad place, but definitely not worth almost $400. Ridiculously overpriced. Too many other great restaurants in this city. Grab a drink, eat elsewhere.

Chilean sea bass and lobster ravioli were fantastic. So much flavor and perfectly cooked. Great ambiance as always and excellent service. Creme brûlée has a little too much liqueur for my taste and I should have ordered another drink. Pom mojito was just ok. Other than those minor hiccups everything else was fantastic.

Dined in for lunch during Houston Restaurant Week. Loved the decor of the restaurant, very sophisticated with the color white and ivory and fresh roses on the table. With that being said, restaurant needs to pay even closer attentions on the maintenance on some of the sofas or dining chairs. The decorative button of the chair that I was sitting on was loosen. Food was delicious; portion was good as well even though it was HRW. Servers wear white coats.. at first my colleagues and I thought he was the chef but this actually shows knowledge of the menu and empowerment for the staff. Manager greeted every table to ensure service and food were great. I love this so much because not many restaurants practice this anymore - it is always wonderful to have a manager to check on you when things are going great!

We dined at Up on October 1, 2016. The place has been there many years now, and we drove by it almost every day while living in Houston, but never stopped in. Friends of our suggested this place so we met up for dinner. We were sure glad we did, and felt a little sorry that we had not had this on our "Houston favorites" list. It's on the list now. We ordered Tuna Tartar-great. Mixed sautéed mushrooms-out of this world. Char Grilled Octopus-Oh Dukey! A meat dish that was herb encrusted and grilled Scottish Salmon... The wine was a memorable Opus One. Tasty. Tasty. Tasty. We had a wonderful evening and will be going back, over and over.

Excellent food, no doubt, good wines and service, great location. Extremely noisy when crowded, it's difficult to talk.

A beautiful view from this ' High Rise', especially at dusk. During daylight, somewhat interesting. Wonderful room, lots of glass. Now to the food: fantastic. Had heard mixed reviews, so was curious. I couldn't have been more pleased. We went during Houston Restaurant Weeks, so expecting somewhat diminished service. Just the opposite, we were actually reseated to a nice table with a much better view.. All service folks were exceptional, and we were treated like royality, UNTIL the crowds hit. The room became packed and very noisy. We had to wait for our check. However, the meal was excellent, pleased with the choices available. Asparagus Soup was delicious, and the desserts fantastic. I had the lowley little Macaroons, and can't remember a better cookie !! My only down-side, the tables are so close together, we all had difficulty trying to walk between. Was this because added more tables just for all newcomers? If permanent, might want to rethink this design. I would defintily reccommend and can't wait to go back. If even just for a cocktail.

UP had great service, each waitstaff i encountered was very attentive and pleasant. The atmosphere is somewhere along the line of thirty-thousand dollar millionaire to wannabe socialites and those who are the legit rich. It's in Highland Village so I assume if you are going there, you know what crowd to expect, this is the standard I encounter there. They have the elevator you take up to the actual restaurant, unique i suppose, kind of pretentious, but ok that's their deal. The interior is nice; the bar area is pretty and looks to be a good scene for people watching. We ate on the balcony and enjoyed the weather. We had a variety of foods with our large party; meatballs, shrimp tempura, beef sliders & pizza. I thought the meatballs were meh, not a fan of the sliders since they had bleu cheese, but the pizza was definitely tasty. If you are wanting to try something new in Highland Village, go for it. Food is fine, but the people watching will be even better.