I used to go to Hi Life a few times a month and this was our 'go to' place for important work dinners and out of town guests. The wine list is excellent and the service is usually good as the servers have been there a long time (not much turnover; a good sign). However, I would echo some of the other comments about the food going downhill. For example, the last few times I was there the seabass did not taste qutie right. I'm disappointed as this used to be my favorite place in Norcross ...
(3)
Tamoy T.
I love this spot!! Chef Dontrell is the Man!! My favorite dessert hands down - Bourbon Chocolate Cake!
I hadn't eaten here since before Yelp existed, so.... This place has been here for at least 15 years. I thought that any place that old, must be doing something right. Well, they are, but not that right. The food was unspectacular. Good, but not great. The calamari appetizer was greasy, rubbery and tasteless. The vinegar dip didn't work for me. I had the grilled, dry rubbed chicken with blistered asparagus and the 'forbidden rice'. Are you allowed to eat the forbidden rice? The chicken was good, but the creamy sauce with it was too much lemon. Way out of balance. The asparagus was good and the rice was fine. I asked the waitress, who was very personable, why the rice was forbidden and she sort-of knew. I think one of the problems at this restaurant was that the wait staff is very poorly trained. The waitress leaned heavily upon one of the chairs, she didn't know the menu that well, and she told us things about her life that you don't tell patrons. There were no salt/pepper shakers on the table and we were brought a mismatched set. When the food was delivered to the table, the waitress and another woman both carried the plates with their thumbs upon the top sides. It was not far into the plate, but a simple serving tray would have solved the problem. The woman who served us should make a very excellent waitress. She is a very nice person and truly tried to be helpful. However, the restaurant is not professionally run, and she has not been properly trained. Other facts to support lack of professional management: The facility needs maintenance: The front door doesn't close, the round bathroom sink is spun around to the right so the faucet is at 1:00 on the clock dial, there are nicks in the wood work everywhere, I received a chipped glass for my water, and I could go on. OK, one more thing...the seat cushion was so worn that I felt like I was sitting in a hole. I'm sure at one time, this was a very fine, business class restaurant but it is showing its age and the lack of care in its management. It needs a face lift and an energetic new manager to make sure the service and food are up to par. I don't think I will be back for either a business or a social meal.
(2)
Michael P.
Food was pretty good here but pricey for what you get. They charge Manhattan NY prices. The denotation of $$ here is incorrect, entrees alone are $23-30+ so that is firmly "$$$" if not "$$$$" Of course like everything in Norcross, GA, this is located in a strip mall! This whole area is like the franchise expo exploded. So this is actually one of the few places that is not a formulaic franchise, yet still keeps it real here by staying in a strip mall. Food was OK and they had interesting things, but I would probably not go here again if it were anywhere else. But given that around here you have choices like the cheesesteak factory, or even chain thai places(!) you could do a lot worse than this place.
(3)
Ron L.
Three stars are for the coffee crusted short ribs. They were pretty awesome. The service was good too. However, pretty much everything else was not great. Barely would rate two stars. The decore needs serious updating. Everything is pretty tattered. Even when you walk up to the front door, you already get the sense that it's just tired. Sorry to say that I don't think we'll be visiting again.
(3)
Mark D.
If my company has guests in from out of town we usually take them here for dinner. The location is convenient to my office but I don't usually come here for lunch. The food is good, but it won't blow you away. Still I always leave satisfied. The service has always been excellent. I'm not sure if Hi Life stacks up against other high end restaurants in Atlanta, but it's one of the better options in the area. I thinks it's really a 3.5 star but I rounded up.
(4)
Jonathan M.
We were here 7-8 years ago before returning this time. This place has fantastic food. Very quiet on the weekend we went and think the weekends are slower for them so it makes for a great place to go if you are local. From apps to dessert it was a great experience. Service was good and I personally liked the style. Go there for food and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Greg E.
We used to be regulars at this restaurant and stayed away for a few years after some terrible experiences. Glad to tell everyone that Hi Life is back. From some exciting menu options to several outstanding basics, if you have not been in a while you should absolutely give this a try again.
(4)
Jeff L.
I was here for a coporate event so I didn't have the full menu available to me. We had choice of salads and I took the house which was very average. the Cesar looked better wished I'd choosen that. Main course was a salmon dish that they specifially asked how we wanted it cooked and I said medium, it was well done. This really wasn't the level of quality that I would have wanted medium anyways. Overall pretty good, but only a 3 in my book.
(3)
Pat R.
The service here has gotten spotty reviews, so let me start there. The service tonight was excellent. I was greeted immediately upon entering the restaurant, I was greeted by the bartender, and I had no fewer than 3 people check on me after I was seated at my table. I stopped by the bar first and checked out the extensive-for-Atlanta bourbon and rye selection. I chose a Whistle Pig Manhattan, which seemed to please the bartender as he'd been mainly pouring beers and making Crown and Cokes. Friendly service and good bartending skills. When I got to the table the excellent service continued. The menu is extensive, so no problem finding an appetizing selection. I ordered the 5-spice ahi tuna, and should have been concerned when they didn't suggest it rare. I ordered it rare anyway. The slices were so thick and ridden with sinewy connective tissue that I could barely cut it with a knife. The accompanying sauce and julienned bok choy and beets were tasty, but the quality of the fish was definitely not ahi grade. They get dinged for the food, but bonus points for the service. I might come back, but only if other places are booked full.
Went here with some co-workers the other day. This place has a bizarro menu. I'm the first to admit that I'm a pretty picky eater and I tend to go for healthy stuff and am usually able to find something, but this menu was just all over the place. I ended up getting the grouper sandwich. I guess I shouldn't have been, but I was surprised when the server asked if I wanted it on white, wheat or rye. (I went with rye) It just seems like a fish sandwich should be on some sort of hard roll or something, at least in my opinion. When it came out, it was just extremely oily (despite getting it without mayo, can't imagine how much more greasy it would have been with!) and I had to eat it with a fork and knife. Bleh, not my favorite. On a positive note, everyone else who I was with seemed to like their meals just fine.
(2)
Hugh R.
I just enjoyed their special tonight which was pan seared Salmon Parmesan encrusted. Absolutely off the charts great.. The service was excellent and very personable. The place wasn't very crowded which I couldn't understand with such incredibly fresh seafood.
(5)
kyle s.
Our sever was RUDE,OBNOXIOUS ,ARROGANT ,he really needs to be in a assembly line or a job that doesn't work with people! Food was tasteless and too expensive,along with the drinks.Calamari was good ,but not worth the whole long drawn out dinner. As many restaurants in Norcross ,and surrounding area ,I say seek them out before this one!
(1)
Ron F.
We've been coming here for years. The food is always excellent, the staff is always friendly, and its never too crowded. The swordfish sandwich was incredible last visit, and they had a half off special on certain wines - we got a very nice bottle of chardonnay for $15.
(5)
Paige N.
When a friend of yours has nearly been run over and killed by a rogue tram in Prague (and failing to look for said tram before stepping oft the sidewalk), what better way to welcome back the nearly deceased than with a post birthday dinner? While the whole Prague Tram Incident is a story for another blog, to celebrate Adam's escape from his near brush with death, a group of 8 of us assembled at Hi Life Restaurant (a favorite of his) for dinner the Friday after he'd arrived back in the US. I'd never been to nor heard of Hi Life before (not unusual since venturing OTP isn't usually my MO), but I was pleasantly surprised by this place. It's not flashy on the outside by any means (in fact the place looks a little dive-y when you first pull up to it), but looks are deceiving. We arrived around 8 and it was unusually empty (I really don't consider any restaurant in or near Atlanta to be empty on a Friday evening), and since the weather was still nice enough, we requested a large table outside for our party. Once everyone was seated and comfortable our waitress (who was great to put up with some good-natured ribbing from some members of the party) came around to take drink orders, and tell us the specials. She did an excellent job all night taking care of us, even with the special requests and extraneous comments coming from the peanut gallery. I opted for a glass of Malbec wine that night, our table got chicken spring rolls, jumbo crab cakes and fried corn fritters to share as appetizers, and for dinner, I split the seared duck breast with sweet potatoes and bok choy with my boyfriend. Everything was surprisingly good - the chicken spring rolls were just average but the corn fritters (like hush puppies but better) and the crab cake were very tasty. The duck breast was just slightly underdone for my taste but the fig glaze, sweet potatoes and bok choy that came with it more than made up. When I saw the size of some of the other entrees, I was really glad we'd split an entree too. One person ordered the Guinness braised short ribs which looked great but the meat was also the size of a brick and he barely finished half of it along with the mashed potatoes. Another friend ordered the spaghettini (which resembled a portion Maggiano's would commonly dole out and dub "family style"), and a third had the filet. Let me just say that there were more than a few doggy bags being taken home that evening. Toward the end of the meal the bartender came out as he knew the boy of honor and his wife, and they traded stories then he brought out Jolly Rancher flavored shots for everyone (those things would be very dangerous en masse - you couldn't taste the alcohol at all!). The only real fly in the ointment came at the very end when we got our bills (which were split by couple) - all the shots for the table were on one bill. Since the bartender was a friend, we'd assumed (mistakenly) that they were on the house (especially since we didn't order them outright, they just appeared at the table), but there they were. So everyone pitched in an extra $10 per couple to cover them but that was a little unexpected and a bit off-putting. In all, it was a fun evening and I enjoyed Hi Life Restaurant (and now I'm really surprised it doesn't have more good reviews on Yelp).
(3)
Priscilla D.
They refused to honor the restaurant.com certificate even though they don't expire & Did not tell us about the wine special of half priced wine on Saturdays till after we had ordered by the glass wines. Not that wasn't even the worst. We went ahead and ordered the 1/2 bottle special after checking if we were allowed to recap it & take it home since we knew we wouldn't be able or want to drink a entire bottle. The 1/2 priced wine is unlike anything I have ever tasted or smelled. It wasn't drinkable wine, it wasn't vinegar. It was just AWFUL. We even told the forgetful waitress and she smelled it with her nose on our bottle ( APPALLING ) then she said Yeah that smalls strange. She never offered to remove the 1/2 price un-drinkable bottle of wine from our bill or to alert the owner or manager. Our food was only so so. I would never recommend this place to anyone. if you can't even serve wine that is drinkable you have got problems. The bread never came, nor did our salads & we asked more than once. Then after she delivered our meals we asked again. She said she forgot & then offered to go get it only after forgetting all the times as we sat there weigh no bread, no salads & then meals & horrible wine.. Charged us full price & we had to pay for awful wine , yes it may have been 1/2 price special but it had been now up the witness nose & when we said that we couldn't drink it she offered for us to leave it there for them to cook with. I am being 100% honest. They wouldn't even honor their own restaurant.com certificate either. I hope that no one spends a moment of time or a dime here.
(1)
Scott W.
Last evening my company had a made a dinner reservation for four people. As we left the office we invited another co-worker to join us. When we arrived and announced that we now needed a table that would accommodate five instead of four, we created quite a disturbance. Our request seem to throw the entire staff of balance. They began frantically to debate what to do with us and and then the manager appeared. He promptly scolded us for making the addition and then directed us to a table for four and pulled up an chair for the end of the table. Since it was obvious that we were not being very good customers, we made the decision to leave. We went a couple of miles to another location where we had a fantastic meal and great, friendly service. Thanks Hi Life.
(1)
Donna S.
Exceptional service and amazing food. I had the lobster ravioli. Hand made pasta plus ample amounts of sweet, fresh lobster was delicious. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Kristen C.
I came here for a work dinner on a Wednesday night. We started with goat cheese fritters, which were really good. For my entree, I got the sea scallops with tempura string beans, which were fried well, but the scallops were cooked okay but the entire dish was extremely salty. The service was good here.
(2)
Terry J.
came here for lunch. I had jambalaya, which was pretty good not great. Service was just ok. They weren't busy but took quite a while to bring us our meals and the check. This was weird because their menu was all 'business lunches' and getting you out quick. All in all a pleasant time and the only interesting, non-chain around here.
(3)
Erika N.
The food & service here was great...don't let the outside appearance fool you!! On a Friday night, we were seated right away & we were able to dine in under an hour. (We did tell the server that we were in a bit of a hurry.) It was an older crowd but, the place had a great ambiance. Perfect place for a date night!! I'm a real foodie & the chef certainly satisfied my palette. I had a deliciously seasoned scallop dish & my boyfriend had a filet mignon that he was very happy with. Our server provided top notch service with a smile & the cocktails were generous. The prices are a little high but, well worth the splurge if you want a romantic evening filled w/ tasty eats. We will definitely go back for seconds!!
(4)
Tommy R.
Took at least 40 minutes to get our lunch. Food was not worth the price tag. I got fish tacos and they were fishy tasting.
(2)
M Louie M.
SLOW SLOW SLOW -Total disregard for the Customer, Mid Town fine dine prices for Poor Service, Cold food, and rotting lettuce to name a few issues... Dined here on Wed. night, and took 40 minutes to get our food.When it came out the veggies were cold, duck way undercooked and the chicken satay's resembled hockey pucks. The lettuce in the salad looked as though it was starting to decay... When we spoke to the owner about the wait, he quoted the time the order printed in the kitchen to prove a point that we had been waiting ONLY 30 minutes. He never considered there may have been a 10 min. lag in the time the order was RUNG IN. Total disregard for customer service and "customer is always right." He never offered an apology, just excuses, didn't offer to adjust the bill, offer even free cup of coffee,not a thing. Not even to warm up the cold bok choy... Terrible experience. Won't ever go back.
(1)
Robert S.
Although this meal occurred more than several months ago, I am reminded of it when I drive by this restaurant weekdays on my home from the office. To get right to the point, the meal that I had at Hi Life lo those many months ago was not worthy of being the last meal for a death row inmate let alone my last meal of the week on a coveted Friday night. I have never seen a piece of Halibut bastardized to the likes of that poor fish that sat on my plate. I feel sad that it died for that meal. If I wound up at this place for any other reason than I was leaving work late it would have been a colossal error in judgment. To say that this place was not fit for foodies would be the understatement of the year; It was not even fit for dog foodies! Avoid it like you would a sandpaper haircut.
(1)
Erin G.
Ventured out to Hi-Life after wondering about it for years. It's THE oddest location for a "fancy" restaurant ever. Regardless, the food was very good and overall we had a pleasant experience. The service was top-notch, and the "extras" made us feel like we were at a fine-dining establishment. From the optional white or black cloth napkins (the only other place I have ever seen this is Ruth's Chris), to the vast array of hot teas for my choosing. The wine list and beer selection are expansive. We got a NY Strip and the Swordfish. Both were very good, cooked to perfection and the presentation was beyond reproach. Sides were all very enjoyable, they split our salad w/o hassle or charge and everything else was smooth. We had a $25 Gift Card, but we still ended up spending $100 on top of that, which was a tad more than I expected. The crab/brie bake appetizer was just ok and tasted a wee bit too 'crabby' for me, but maybe that's just my taste. All in all a good experience, just too pricey to dine at on a regular basis. Try it for a special occasion for sure!
(4)
Michael C.
Great find for the area. Very good bar with happy hour specials. Decent wine selection. Food is very good with a nice selection. I frequently travel to the area for business and always appreciate the option for an above average experience here.
(3)
Kate T.
I pass by this place over a million times (or so it seems), but I never thought of visiting till a friend's boyfriend highly recommended, so we gave it a shot last Friday evening. We ordered calamari, cheese and cracker plate, mussel with white wine sauce and crab cake for a party of 7 to share. We each ordered our own dishes. If I recall, these were the ones: grill salmon with risotto, spinach and tomatoes; lobster ravioli; grill tuna with dirty rice (?); seafood pasta in tomatoes sauce; and a filet mignon. Total damage: $315 Each of us enjoyed the dishes. I, for one, thought the food was decent, the server was rather fun, the place was.... er... could've been better? How shall I describe the vibe? The building left me feeling as if I'm in the middle of a war zone, dodging bullets while still trying to enjoy the some fine dining while I'm at a hide out. Too much movies? And... I don't think I will visit again unless I really have to -- with a party of 7 or 8.
(3)
Brian P.
Steaks are great, but go for the seafood!! Amazing!!! Calamari starter, sea scallops main... It all great!
(5)
Sunil R.
Average food, average decor, average service. Decent option for medium sized groups.
(2)
Felix C.
Stopped by for drinks after a long day at the office. The waiteress was pretty friendly. Later, stopped by for a company party. Heavy appetizers were standard fare. It can be hard to evaluate a restaurant when it comes to catered food. Seems like a local establishment with standard cuisine.
(2)
Peter C.
"Miller Time"? It is not uncommon for locals to have driven by for years without ever venturing in. A relaxing happy hour stop after work; always a 'welcome back' spirit with the bartenders. Recommended: Blackened tuna over wonton chips and shrimp spring rolls. The sweet soy glaze was pleasantly different but try a cautious dab first before taking a full dip of the jalapeño jelly sauce!
(4)
Scott L.
The food here is really good. They just charge too much. $30 for a strip steak. $30 for salmon. C'mon! This is a $20 entree restaurant selling meals for $30+. I liked it, but no value in the meal or experience. For a $30 steak, I will stick to Intown Atlanta. My dad has got scallops the past two times that he complained had sand in them. I was just reading another review and someone said the same thing. Just a warning.
(3)
jd h.
Just driving by, you might think to yourself: "pass." But you would be wrong. Once inside, you should have a great lunch or dinner dinning experience. I went with business associates and we impressed. Everything from the service, atmosphere, and food were top notch. I just had a grill salmon salad, and it was one of the best salad I have ever had. The menu is broad and pricing fair. I'd be surprised if you came away with anything less than "very good."
(4)
Don H.
For several years Hi-Life was the restaurant that my wife and I went to for special occasions. We hadn't been in over a year so we went at Christmastime 2009. I'm very sad to say that we will not be going back. My scallops were so salty and gritty (from sand not being washed off) that they were inedible. Worse than that was the piece of SIRLOIN that they tried to pass off as filet mignon to my wife. That was her go-to dish at Hi-Life so we know that in the past she was able to cut it with a fork. This was obviously just a thick sirloin. Tough as leather. Stringy. Oblong in shape like I've never seen in a real filet. They overcooked the first one and had to do it twice. The manager pretty much comped our whole bill because we were so disastified but our special night out was ruined. Kudos to him for doing the right thing with the bill but the place has gone downhill fast. The ultimate disappointment was that they no longer have the fried banana split on the dessert menu. The manager told me that that dessert required several ingredients that were not used by other desserts so that made it too costly to keep. Really? I think that might just explain their current predicament. I won't go back until I see a "under new ownership and management" sign out front. Maybe not even then.
(1)
Nitin M.
Attended a business lunch, enjoyed the open face swordfish sandwich... blackened swordfish, toasted brioche, avocado, tomato, napa cabbage with yellow tomato aioli. Four stars on taste, not five as it was a wee bit too buttery for my taste. Service, three stars, could have been faster during lunch the lunch hour. Will go back may be try out a relaxed dinner.
(3)
Keith F.
I was concerned about going to Hi Life after seeing the reviews, but friends insisted we go. We were not disappointed. I has the $25 prime rib special, which include a salad and dessert. My wife had lobster ravioli. Our friends had the tuna and the prime rib special. Everything was great. The service was attentive and every dish was done right. They even served a tart sorbet before the entree to cleanse the palate. Give it a try for yourself. You will not be disappointed.
(4)
digger d.
Table service excellent, knowledgeable. Full bar. Good wine selection. Excellent appitizers and dinners. Desserts big and plentiful. Everyone left full and satisfied.
(5)
Pat R.
The service here has gotten spotty reviews, so let me start there. The service tonight was excellent. I was greeted immediately upon entering the restaurant, I was greeted by the bartender, and I had no fewer than 3 people check on me after I was seated at my table. I stopped by the bar first and checked out the extensive-for-Atlanta bourbon and rye selection. I chose a Whistle Pig Manhattan, which seemed to please the bartender as he'd been mainly pouring beers and making Crown and Cokes. Friendly service and good bartending skills. When I got to the table the excellent service continued. The menu is extensive, so no problem finding an appetizing selection. I ordered the 5-spice ahi tuna, and should have been concerned when they didn't suggest it rare. I ordered it rare anyway. The slices were so thick and ridden with sinewy connective tissue that I could barely cut it with a knife. The accompanying sauce and julienned bok choy and beets were tasty, but the quality of the fish was definitely not ahi grade. They get dinged for the food, but bonus points for the service. I might come back, but only if other places are booked full.
(3)
Mark D.
If my company has guests in from out of town we usually take them here for dinner. The location is convenient to my office but I don't usually come here for lunch. The food is good, but it won't blow you away. Still I always leave satisfied. The service has always been excellent. I'm not sure if Hi Life stacks up against other high end restaurants in Atlanta, but it's one of the better options in the area. I thinks it's really a 3.5 star but I rounded up.
(4)
Jonathan M.
We were here 7-8 years ago before returning this time. This place has fantastic food. Very quiet on the weekend we went and think the weekends are slower for them so it makes for a great place to go if you are local. From apps to dessert it was a great experience. Service was good and I personally liked the style. Go there for food and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Greg E.
We used to be regulars at this restaurant and stayed away for a few years after some terrible experiences. Glad to tell everyone that Hi Life is back. From some exciting menu options to several outstanding basics, if you have not been in a while you should absolutely give this a try again.
(4)
Jeff L.
I was here for a coporate event so I didn't have the full menu available to me. We had choice of salads and I took the house which was very average. the Cesar looked better wished I'd choosen that. Main course was a salmon dish that they specifially asked how we wanted it cooked and I said medium, it was well done. This really wasn't the level of quality that I would have wanted medium anyways. Overall pretty good, but only a 3 in my book.
(3)
Ron L.
Three stars are for the coffee crusted short ribs. They were pretty awesome. The service was good too. However, pretty much everything else was not great. Barely would rate two stars. The decore needs serious updating. Everything is pretty tattered. Even when you walk up to the front door, you already get the sense that it's just tired. Sorry to say that I don't think we'll be visiting again.
(3)
Kate T.
I pass by this place over a million times (or so it seems), but I never thought of visiting till a friend's boyfriend highly recommended, so we gave it a shot last Friday evening. We ordered calamari, cheese and cracker plate, mussel with white wine sauce and crab cake for a party of 7 to share. We each ordered our own dishes. If I recall, these were the ones: grill salmon with risotto, spinach and tomatoes; lobster ravioli; grill tuna with dirty rice (?); seafood pasta in tomatoes sauce; and a filet mignon. Total damage: $315 Each of us enjoyed the dishes. I, for one, thought the food was decent, the server was rather fun, the place was.... er... could've been better? How shall I describe the vibe? The building left me feeling as if I'm in the middle of a war zone, dodging bullets while still trying to enjoy the some fine dining while I'm at a hide out. Too much movies? And... I don't think I will visit again unless I really have to -- with a party of 7 or 8.
(3)
Brian P.
Steaks are great, but go for the seafood!! Amazing!!! Calamari starter, sea scallops main... It all great!
(5)
Sunil R.
Average food, average decor, average service. Decent option for medium sized groups.
(2)
Felix C.
Stopped by for drinks after a long day at the office. The waiteress was pretty friendly. Later, stopped by for a company party. Heavy appetizers were standard fare. It can be hard to evaluate a restaurant when it comes to catered food. Seems like a local establishment with standard cuisine.
(2)
Peter C.
"Miller Time"? It is not uncommon for locals to have driven by for years without ever venturing in. A relaxing happy hour stop after work; always a 'welcome back' spirit with the bartenders. Recommended: Blackened tuna over wonton chips and shrimp spring rolls. The sweet soy glaze was pleasantly different but try a cautious dab first before taking a full dip of the jalapeño jelly sauce!
(4)
Scott L.
The food here is really good. They just charge too much. $30 for a strip steak. $30 for salmon. C'mon! This is a $20 entree restaurant selling meals for $30+. I liked it, but no value in the meal or experience. For a $30 steak, I will stick to Intown Atlanta. My dad has got scallops the past two times that he complained had sand in them. I was just reading another review and someone said the same thing. Just a warning.
When a friend of yours has nearly been run over and killed by a rogue tram in Prague (and failing to look for said tram before stepping oft the sidewalk), what better way to welcome back the nearly deceased than with a post birthday dinner? While the whole Prague Tram Incident is a story for another blog, to celebrate Adam's escape from his near brush with death, a group of 8 of us assembled at Hi Life Restaurant (a favorite of his) for dinner the Friday after he'd arrived back in the US. I'd never been to nor heard of Hi Life before (not unusual since venturing OTP isn't usually my MO), but I was pleasantly surprised by this place. It's not flashy on the outside by any means (in fact the place looks a little dive-y when you first pull up to it), but looks are deceiving. We arrived around 8 and it was unusually empty (I really don't consider any restaurant in or near Atlanta to be empty on a Friday evening), and since the weather was still nice enough, we requested a large table outside for our party. Once everyone was seated and comfortable our waitress (who was great to put up with some good-natured ribbing from some members of the party) came around to take drink orders, and tell us the specials. She did an excellent job all night taking care of us, even with the special requests and extraneous comments coming from the peanut gallery. I opted for a glass of Malbec wine that night, our table got chicken spring rolls, jumbo crab cakes and fried corn fritters to share as appetizers, and for dinner, I split the seared duck breast with sweet potatoes and bok choy with my boyfriend. Everything was surprisingly good - the chicken spring rolls were just average but the corn fritters (like hush puppies but better) and the crab cake were very tasty. The duck breast was just slightly underdone for my taste but the fig glaze, sweet potatoes and bok choy that came with it more than made up. When I saw the size of some of the other entrees, I was really glad we'd split an entree too. One person ordered the Guinness braised short ribs which looked great but the meat was also the size of a brick and he barely finished half of it along with the mashed potatoes. Another friend ordered the spaghettini (which resembled a portion Maggiano's would commonly dole out and dub "family style"), and a third had the filet. Let me just say that there were more than a few doggy bags being taken home that evening. Toward the end of the meal the bartender came out as he knew the boy of honor and his wife, and they traded stories then he brought out Jolly Rancher flavored shots for everyone (those things would be very dangerous en masse - you couldn't taste the alcohol at all!). The only real fly in the ointment came at the very end when we got our bills (which were split by couple) - all the shots for the table were on one bill. Since the bartender was a friend, we'd assumed (mistakenly) that they were on the house (especially since we didn't order them outright, they just appeared at the table), but there they were. So everyone pitched in an extra $10 per couple to cover them but that was a little unexpected and a bit off-putting. In all, it was a fun evening and I enjoyed Hi Life Restaurant (and now I'm really surprised it doesn't have more good reviews on Yelp).
(3)
Lee B.
Went here with some co-workers the other day. This place has a bizarro menu. I'm the first to admit that I'm a pretty picky eater and I tend to go for healthy stuff and am usually able to find something, but this menu was just all over the place. I ended up getting the grouper sandwich. I guess I shouldn't have been, but I was surprised when the server asked if I wanted it on white, wheat or rye. (I went with rye) It just seems like a fish sandwich should be on some sort of hard roll or something, at least in my opinion. When it came out, it was just extremely oily (despite getting it without mayo, can't imagine how much more greasy it would have been with!) and I had to eat it with a fork and knife. Bleh, not my favorite. On a positive note, everyone else who I was with seemed to like their meals just fine.
(2)
Hugh R.
I just enjoyed their special tonight which was pan seared Salmon Parmesan encrusted. Absolutely off the charts great.. The service was excellent and very personable. The place wasn't very crowded which I couldn't understand with such incredibly fresh seafood.
(5)
kyle s.
Our sever was RUDE,OBNOXIOUS ,ARROGANT ,he really needs to be in a assembly line or a job that doesn't work with people! Food was tasteless and too expensive,along with the drinks.Calamari was good ,but not worth the whole long drawn out dinner. As many restaurants in Norcross ,and surrounding area ,I say seek them out before this one!
(1)
Ron F.
We've been coming here for years. The food is always excellent, the staff is always friendly, and its never too crowded. The swordfish sandwich was incredible last visit, and they had a half off special on certain wines - we got a very nice bottle of chardonnay for $15.
(5)
Priscilla D.
They refused to honor the restaurant.com certificate even though they don't expire & Did not tell us about the wine special of half priced wine on Saturdays till after we had ordered by the glass wines. Not that wasn't even the worst. We went ahead and ordered the 1/2 bottle special after checking if we were allowed to recap it & take it home since we knew we wouldn't be able or want to drink a entire bottle. The 1/2 priced wine is unlike anything I have ever tasted or smelled. It wasn't drinkable wine, it wasn't vinegar. It was just AWFUL. We even told the forgetful waitress and she smelled it with her nose on our bottle ( APPALLING ) then she said Yeah that smalls strange. She never offered to remove the 1/2 price un-drinkable bottle of wine from our bill or to alert the owner or manager. Our food was only so so. I would never recommend this place to anyone. if you can't even serve wine that is drinkable you have got problems. The bread never came, nor did our salads & we asked more than once. Then after she delivered our meals we asked again. She said she forgot & then offered to go get it only after forgetting all the times as we sat there weigh no bread, no salads & then meals & horrible wine.. Charged us full price & we had to pay for awful wine , yes it may have been 1/2 price special but it had been now up the witness nose & when we said that we couldn't drink it she offered for us to leave it there for them to cook with. I am being 100% honest. They wouldn't even honor their own restaurant.com certificate either. I hope that no one spends a moment of time or a dime here.
(1)
jd h.
Just driving by, you might think to yourself: "pass." But you would be wrong. Once inside, you should have a great lunch or dinner dinning experience. I went with business associates and we impressed. Everything from the service, atmosphere, and food were top notch. I just had a grill salmon salad, and it was one of the best salad I have ever had. The menu is broad and pricing fair. I'd be surprised if you came away with anything less than "very good."
(4)
Kristen C.
I came here for a work dinner on a Wednesday night. We started with goat cheese fritters, which were really good. For my entree, I got the sea scallops with tempura string beans, which were fried well, but the scallops were cooked okay but the entire dish was extremely salty. The service was good here.
(2)
Don H.
For several years Hi-Life was the restaurant that my wife and I went to for special occasions. We hadn't been in over a year so we went at Christmastime 2009. I'm very sad to say that we will not be going back. My scallops were so salty and gritty (from sand not being washed off) that they were inedible. Worse than that was the piece of SIRLOIN that they tried to pass off as filet mignon to my wife. That was her go-to dish at Hi-Life so we know that in the past she was able to cut it with a fork. This was obviously just a thick sirloin. Tough as leather. Stringy. Oblong in shape like I've never seen in a real filet. They overcooked the first one and had to do it twice. The manager pretty much comped our whole bill because we were so disastified but our special night out was ruined. Kudos to him for doing the right thing with the bill but the place has gone downhill fast. The ultimate disappointment was that they no longer have the fried banana split on the dessert menu. The manager told me that that dessert required several ingredients that were not used by other desserts so that made it too costly to keep. Really? I think that might just explain their current predicament. I won't go back until I see a "under new ownership and management" sign out front. Maybe not even then.
(1)
Nitin M.
Attended a business lunch, enjoyed the open face swordfish sandwich... blackened swordfish, toasted brioche, avocado, tomato, napa cabbage with yellow tomato aioli. Four stars on taste, not five as it was a wee bit too buttery for my taste. Service, three stars, could have been faster during lunch the lunch hour. Will go back may be try out a relaxed dinner.
(3)
Scott W.
Last evening my company had a made a dinner reservation for four people. As we left the office we invited another co-worker to join us. When we arrived and announced that we now needed a table that would accommodate five instead of four, we created quite a disturbance. Our request seem to throw the entire staff of balance. They began frantically to debate what to do with us and and then the manager appeared. He promptly scolded us for making the addition and then directed us to a table for four and pulled up an chair for the end of the table. Since it was obvious that we were not being very good customers, we made the decision to leave. We went a couple of miles to another location where we had a fantastic meal and great, friendly service. Thanks Hi Life.
(1)
Donna S.
Exceptional service and amazing food. I had the lobster ravioli. Hand made pasta plus ample amounts of sweet, fresh lobster was delicious. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Doug K.
I hadn't eaten here since before Yelp existed, so.... This place has been here for at least 15 years. I thought that any place that old, must be doing something right. Well, they are, but not that right. The food was unspectacular. Good, but not great. The calamari appetizer was greasy, rubbery and tasteless. The vinegar dip didn't work for me. I had the grilled, dry rubbed chicken with blistered asparagus and the 'forbidden rice'. Are you allowed to eat the forbidden rice? The chicken was good, but the creamy sauce with it was too much lemon. Way out of balance. The asparagus was good and the rice was fine. I asked the waitress, who was very personable, why the rice was forbidden and she sort-of knew. I think one of the problems at this restaurant was that the wait staff is very poorly trained. The waitress leaned heavily upon one of the chairs, she didn't know the menu that well, and she told us things about her life that you don't tell patrons. There were no salt/pepper shakers on the table and we were brought a mismatched set. When the food was delivered to the table, the waitress and another woman both carried the plates with their thumbs upon the top sides. It was not far into the plate, but a simple serving tray would have solved the problem. The woman who served us should make a very excellent waitress. She is a very nice person and truly tried to be helpful. However, the restaurant is not professionally run, and she has not been properly trained. Other facts to support lack of professional management: The facility needs maintenance: The front door doesn't close, the round bathroom sink is spun around to the right so the faucet is at 1:00 on the clock dial, there are nicks in the wood work everywhere, I received a chipped glass for my water, and I could go on. OK, one more thing...the seat cushion was so worn that I felt like I was sitting in a hole. I'm sure at one time, this was a very fine, business class restaurant but it is showing its age and the lack of care in its management. It needs a face lift and an energetic new manager to make sure the service and food are up to par. I don't think I will be back for either a business or a social meal.
(2)
Michael P.
Food was pretty good here but pricey for what you get. They charge Manhattan NY prices. The denotation of $$ here is incorrect, entrees alone are $23-30+ so that is firmly "$$$" if not "$$$$" Of course like everything in Norcross, GA, this is located in a strip mall! This whole area is like the franchise expo exploded. So this is actually one of the few places that is not a formulaic franchise, yet still keeps it real here by staying in a strip mall. Food was OK and they had interesting things, but I would probably not go here again if it were anywhere else. But given that around here you have choices like the cheesesteak factory, or even chain thai places(!) you could do a lot worse than this place.
(3)
Keith F.
I was concerned about going to Hi Life after seeing the reviews, but friends insisted we go. We were not disappointed. I has the $25 prime rib special, which include a salad and dessert. My wife had lobster ravioli. Our friends had the tuna and the prime rib special. Everything was great. The service was attentive and every dish was done right. They even served a tart sorbet before the entree to cleanse the palate. Give it a try for yourself. You will not be disappointed.
(4)
digger d.
Table service excellent, knowledgeable. Full bar. Good wine selection. Excellent appitizers and dinners. Desserts big and plentiful. Everyone left full and satisfied.
(5)
Terry J.
came here for lunch. I had jambalaya, which was pretty good not great. Service was just ok. They weren't busy but took quite a while to bring us our meals and the check. This was weird because their menu was all 'business lunches' and getting you out quick. All in all a pleasant time and the only interesting, non-chain around here.
(3)
Erika N.
The food & service here was great...don't let the outside appearance fool you!! On a Friday night, we were seated right away & we were able to dine in under an hour. (We did tell the server that we were in a bit of a hurry.) It was an older crowd but, the place had a great ambiance. Perfect place for a date night!! I'm a real foodie & the chef certainly satisfied my palette. I had a deliciously seasoned scallop dish & my boyfriend had a filet mignon that he was very happy with. Our server provided top notch service with a smile & the cocktails were generous. The prices are a little high but, well worth the splurge if you want a romantic evening filled w/ tasty eats. We will definitely go back for seconds!!
(4)
Tommy R.
Took at least 40 minutes to get our lunch. Food was not worth the price tag. I got fish tacos and they were fishy tasting.
(2)
M Louie M.
SLOW SLOW SLOW -Total disregard for the Customer, Mid Town fine dine prices for Poor Service, Cold food, and rotting lettuce to name a few issues... Dined here on Wed. night, and took 40 minutes to get our food.When it came out the veggies were cold, duck way undercooked and the chicken satay's resembled hockey pucks. The lettuce in the salad looked as though it was starting to decay... When we spoke to the owner about the wait, he quoted the time the order printed in the kitchen to prove a point that we had been waiting ONLY 30 minutes. He never considered there may have been a 10 min. lag in the time the order was RUNG IN. Total disregard for customer service and "customer is always right." He never offered an apology, just excuses, didn't offer to adjust the bill, offer even free cup of coffee,not a thing. Not even to warm up the cold bok choy... Terrible experience. Won't ever go back.
(1)
Robert S.
Although this meal occurred more than several months ago, I am reminded of it when I drive by this restaurant weekdays on my home from the office. To get right to the point, the meal that I had at Hi Life lo those many months ago was not worthy of being the last meal for a death row inmate let alone my last meal of the week on a coveted Friday night. I have never seen a piece of Halibut bastardized to the likes of that poor fish that sat on my plate. I feel sad that it died for that meal. If I wound up at this place for any other reason than I was leaving work late it would have been a colossal error in judgment. To say that this place was not fit for foodies would be the understatement of the year; It was not even fit for dog foodies! Avoid it like you would a sandpaper haircut.
This was a great experience, from the food to the staff, my wife and I enjoyed ourselves. Great food served with a smile, engaging banter from our bartender and ample drink pours are a hallmark for a good restaurant.
(4)
Erin G.
Ventured out to Hi-Life after wondering about it for years. It's THE oddest location for a "fancy" restaurant ever. Regardless, the food was very good and overall we had a pleasant experience. The service was top-notch, and the "extras" made us feel like we were at a fine-dining establishment. From the optional white or black cloth napkins (the only other place I have ever seen this is Ruth's Chris), to the vast array of hot teas for my choosing. The wine list and beer selection are expansive. We got a NY Strip and the Swordfish. Both were very good, cooked to perfection and the presentation was beyond reproach. Sides were all very enjoyable, they split our salad w/o hassle or charge and everything else was smooth. We had a $25 Gift Card, but we still ended up spending $100 on top of that, which was a tad more than I expected. The crab/brie bake appetizer was just ok and tasted a wee bit too 'crabby' for me, but maybe that's just my taste. All in all a good experience, just too pricey to dine at on a regular basis. Try it for a special occasion for sure!
(4)
Michael C.
Great find for the area. Very good bar with happy hour specials. Decent wine selection. Food is very good with a nice selection. I frequently travel to the area for business and always appreciate the option for an above average experience here.
(3)
john r.
I used to go to Hi Life a few times a month and this was our 'go to' place for important work dinners and out of town guests. The wine list is excellent and the service is usually good as the servers have been there a long time (not much turnover; a good sign). However, I would echo some of the other comments about the food going downhill. For example, the last few times I was there the seabass did not taste qutie right. I'm disappointed as this used to be my favorite place in Norcross ...
(3)
Tamoy T.
I love this spot!! Chef Dontrell is the Man!! My favorite dessert hands down - Bourbon Chocolate Cake!
(5)
Otto L.
This was a great experience, from the food to the staff, my wife and I enjoyed ourselves. Great food served with a smile, engaging banter from our bartender and ample drink pours are a hallmark for a good restaurant.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
john r.
I used to go to Hi Life a few times a month and this was our 'go to' place for important work dinners and out of town guests. The wine list is excellent and the service is usually good as the servers have been there a long time (not much turnover; a good sign). However, I would echo some of the other comments about the food going downhill. For example, the last few times I was there the seabass did not taste qutie right. I'm disappointed as this used to be my favorite place in Norcross ...
(3)Tamoy T.
I love this spot!! Chef Dontrell is the Man!! My favorite dessert hands down - Bourbon Chocolate Cake!
(5)Fdoamerica G.
Sadly, I have lived in P/T Corners (Norcross) for years but never got around to eating at Hi Life until this week. My loss. This is some of the best food I have had in Peachtree Corners... the service was attentive and the atmosphere is cordial. What stands out is the food. Since the restaurant is noted as a "new American and steak house" we ordered the NY Strip and the Tuna Steak (both $27). They were suburb. The steak came with string beans and mashed pot. and Béarnaise Sauce on the side. The Béarnaise Sauce was the best I have had in years. Excellent. I have heard they have one of the best hamburgers in Atlanta... sounds like a lunch date to me.
(4)Doug K.
I hadn't eaten here since before Yelp existed, so.... This place has been here for at least 15 years. I thought that any place that old, must be doing something right. Well, they are, but not that right. The food was unspectacular. Good, but not great. The calamari appetizer was greasy, rubbery and tasteless. The vinegar dip didn't work for me. I had the grilled, dry rubbed chicken with blistered asparagus and the 'forbidden rice'. Are you allowed to eat the forbidden rice? The chicken was good, but the creamy sauce with it was too much lemon. Way out of balance. The asparagus was good and the rice was fine. I asked the waitress, who was very personable, why the rice was forbidden and she sort-of knew. I think one of the problems at this restaurant was that the wait staff is very poorly trained. The waitress leaned heavily upon one of the chairs, she didn't know the menu that well, and she told us things about her life that you don't tell patrons. There were no salt/pepper shakers on the table and we were brought a mismatched set. When the food was delivered to the table, the waitress and another woman both carried the plates with their thumbs upon the top sides. It was not far into the plate, but a simple serving tray would have solved the problem. The woman who served us should make a very excellent waitress. She is a very nice person and truly tried to be helpful. However, the restaurant is not professionally run, and she has not been properly trained. Other facts to support lack of professional management: The facility needs maintenance: The front door doesn't close, the round bathroom sink is spun around to the right so the faucet is at 1:00 on the clock dial, there are nicks in the wood work everywhere, I received a chipped glass for my water, and I could go on. OK, one more thing...the seat cushion was so worn that I felt like I was sitting in a hole. I'm sure at one time, this was a very fine, business class restaurant but it is showing its age and the lack of care in its management. It needs a face lift and an energetic new manager to make sure the service and food are up to par. I don't think I will be back for either a business or a social meal.
(2)Michael P.
Food was pretty good here but pricey for what you get. They charge Manhattan NY prices. The denotation of $$ here is incorrect, entrees alone are $23-30+ so that is firmly "$$$" if not "$$$$" Of course like everything in Norcross, GA, this is located in a strip mall! This whole area is like the franchise expo exploded. So this is actually one of the few places that is not a formulaic franchise, yet still keeps it real here by staying in a strip mall. Food was OK and they had interesting things, but I would probably not go here again if it were anywhere else. But given that around here you have choices like the cheesesteak factory, or even chain thai places(!) you could do a lot worse than this place.
(3)Ron L.
Three stars are for the coffee crusted short ribs. They were pretty awesome. The service was good too. However, pretty much everything else was not great. Barely would rate two stars. The decore needs serious updating. Everything is pretty tattered. Even when you walk up to the front door, you already get the sense that it's just tired. Sorry to say that I don't think we'll be visiting again.
(3)Mark D.
If my company has guests in from out of town we usually take them here for dinner. The location is convenient to my office but I don't usually come here for lunch. The food is good, but it won't blow you away. Still I always leave satisfied. The service has always been excellent. I'm not sure if Hi Life stacks up against other high end restaurants in Atlanta, but it's one of the better options in the area. I thinks it's really a 3.5 star but I rounded up.
(4)Jonathan M.
We were here 7-8 years ago before returning this time. This place has fantastic food. Very quiet on the weekend we went and think the weekends are slower for them so it makes for a great place to go if you are local. From apps to dessert it was a great experience. Service was good and I personally liked the style. Go there for food and you won't be disappointed.
(5)Greg E.
We used to be regulars at this restaurant and stayed away for a few years after some terrible experiences. Glad to tell everyone that Hi Life is back. From some exciting menu options to several outstanding basics, if you have not been in a while you should absolutely give this a try again.
(4)Jeff L.
I was here for a coporate event so I didn't have the full menu available to me. We had choice of salads and I took the house which was very average. the Cesar looked better wished I'd choosen that. Main course was a salmon dish that they specifially asked how we wanted it cooked and I said medium, it was well done. This really wasn't the level of quality that I would have wanted medium anyways. Overall pretty good, but only a 3 in my book.
(3)Pat R.
The service here has gotten spotty reviews, so let me start there. The service tonight was excellent. I was greeted immediately upon entering the restaurant, I was greeted by the bartender, and I had no fewer than 3 people check on me after I was seated at my table. I stopped by the bar first and checked out the extensive-for-Atlanta bourbon and rye selection. I chose a Whistle Pig Manhattan, which seemed to please the bartender as he'd been mainly pouring beers and making Crown and Cokes. Friendly service and good bartending skills. When I got to the table the excellent service continued. The menu is extensive, so no problem finding an appetizing selection. I ordered the 5-spice ahi tuna, and should have been concerned when they didn't suggest it rare. I ordered it rare anyway. The slices were so thick and ridden with sinewy connective tissue that I could barely cut it with a knife. The accompanying sauce and julienned bok choy and beets were tasty, but the quality of the fish was definitely not ahi grade. They get dinged for the food, but bonus points for the service. I might come back, but only if other places are booked full.
(3)Heather O.
My husband and I just moved here from CA and wanted to finally enjoy a good meal with a nice environment. That's what Hi Life was for us. My husband found this little gem of a place on Open Table. It's located in an area that is not really placed well for the type of restaurant it is, but it doesn't matter because the food was excellent. The staff was very professional and friendly. I chose the chicken and sausage Jumbalaya while my husband had the filet with potatoes and grilled asparagus. The food was delicious! The wine selection was wonderful and the dessert we chose ( Creme brûlée) tasted yummy and topped off the evening. Our waitress Jessica advised that they will be having live music starting on September 12, Friday nights. I look forward to enjoying more tasty cuisine with that light mood music in the background. While I can't rave enough about the food and OUR waitress, the reason I am giving it 4 stars is due to the initial greeting we received (or lack thereof) when entering. We had 6 o'clock reservations and arrived early. So we decided to take a seat at the bar for a drink. The bartender saw us walk in for there was no one at the podium to greet us (even though it was dinner time) and he had to give us an impromptu greeting from the actual bar. Once we were seated, the bartender was slightly curt with us, and I felt rushed to order a drink. However once we got over that initial bump, the rest of the night was great. (Maybe he was just a little stressed or something, nothing that won't deter us from visiting again.)
(4)Lee B.
Went here with some co-workers the other day. This place has a bizarro menu. I'm the first to admit that I'm a pretty picky eater and I tend to go for healthy stuff and am usually able to find something, but this menu was just all over the place. I ended up getting the grouper sandwich. I guess I shouldn't have been, but I was surprised when the server asked if I wanted it on white, wheat or rye. (I went with rye) It just seems like a fish sandwich should be on some sort of hard roll or something, at least in my opinion. When it came out, it was just extremely oily (despite getting it without mayo, can't imagine how much more greasy it would have been with!) and I had to eat it with a fork and knife. Bleh, not my favorite. On a positive note, everyone else who I was with seemed to like their meals just fine.
(2)Hugh R.
I just enjoyed their special tonight which was pan seared Salmon Parmesan encrusted. Absolutely off the charts great.. The service was excellent and very personable. The place wasn't very crowded which I couldn't understand with such incredibly fresh seafood.
(5)kyle s.
Our sever was RUDE,OBNOXIOUS ,ARROGANT ,he really needs to be in a assembly line or a job that doesn't work with people! Food was tasteless and too expensive,along with the drinks.Calamari was good ,but not worth the whole long drawn out dinner. As many restaurants in Norcross ,and surrounding area ,I say seek them out before this one!
(1)Ron F.
We've been coming here for years. The food is always excellent, the staff is always friendly, and its never too crowded. The swordfish sandwich was incredible last visit, and they had a half off special on certain wines - we got a very nice bottle of chardonnay for $15.
(5)Paige N.
When a friend of yours has nearly been run over and killed by a rogue tram in Prague (and failing to look for said tram before stepping oft the sidewalk), what better way to welcome back the nearly deceased than with a post birthday dinner? While the whole Prague Tram Incident is a story for another blog, to celebrate Adam's escape from his near brush with death, a group of 8 of us assembled at Hi Life Restaurant (a favorite of his) for dinner the Friday after he'd arrived back in the US. I'd never been to nor heard of Hi Life before (not unusual since venturing OTP isn't usually my MO), but I was pleasantly surprised by this place. It's not flashy on the outside by any means (in fact the place looks a little dive-y when you first pull up to it), but looks are deceiving. We arrived around 8 and it was unusually empty (I really don't consider any restaurant in or near Atlanta to be empty on a Friday evening), and since the weather was still nice enough, we requested a large table outside for our party. Once everyone was seated and comfortable our waitress (who was great to put up with some good-natured ribbing from some members of the party) came around to take drink orders, and tell us the specials. She did an excellent job all night taking care of us, even with the special requests and extraneous comments coming from the peanut gallery. I opted for a glass of Malbec wine that night, our table got chicken spring rolls, jumbo crab cakes and fried corn fritters to share as appetizers, and for dinner, I split the seared duck breast with sweet potatoes and bok choy with my boyfriend. Everything was surprisingly good - the chicken spring rolls were just average but the corn fritters (like hush puppies but better) and the crab cake were very tasty. The duck breast was just slightly underdone for my taste but the fig glaze, sweet potatoes and bok choy that came with it more than made up. When I saw the size of some of the other entrees, I was really glad we'd split an entree too. One person ordered the Guinness braised short ribs which looked great but the meat was also the size of a brick and he barely finished half of it along with the mashed potatoes. Another friend ordered the spaghettini (which resembled a portion Maggiano's would commonly dole out and dub "family style"), and a third had the filet. Let me just say that there were more than a few doggy bags being taken home that evening. Toward the end of the meal the bartender came out as he knew the boy of honor and his wife, and they traded stories then he brought out Jolly Rancher flavored shots for everyone (those things would be very dangerous en masse - you couldn't taste the alcohol at all!). The only real fly in the ointment came at the very end when we got our bills (which were split by couple) - all the shots for the table were on one bill. Since the bartender was a friend, we'd assumed (mistakenly) that they were on the house (especially since we didn't order them outright, they just appeared at the table), but there they were. So everyone pitched in an extra $10 per couple to cover them but that was a little unexpected and a bit off-putting. In all, it was a fun evening and I enjoyed Hi Life Restaurant (and now I'm really surprised it doesn't have more good reviews on Yelp).
(3)Priscilla D.
They refused to honor the restaurant.com certificate even though they don't expire & Did not tell us about the wine special of half priced wine on Saturdays till after we had ordered by the glass wines. Not that wasn't even the worst. We went ahead and ordered the 1/2 bottle special after checking if we were allowed to recap it & take it home since we knew we wouldn't be able or want to drink a entire bottle. The 1/2 priced wine is unlike anything I have ever tasted or smelled. It wasn't drinkable wine, it wasn't vinegar. It was just AWFUL. We even told the forgetful waitress and she smelled it with her nose on our bottle ( APPALLING ) then she said Yeah that smalls strange. She never offered to remove the 1/2 price un-drinkable bottle of wine from our bill or to alert the owner or manager. Our food was only so so. I would never recommend this place to anyone. if you can't even serve wine that is drinkable you have got problems. The bread never came, nor did our salads & we asked more than once. Then after she delivered our meals we asked again. She said she forgot & then offered to go get it only after forgetting all the times as we sat there weigh no bread, no salads & then meals & horrible wine.. Charged us full price & we had to pay for awful wine , yes it may have been 1/2 price special but it had been now up the witness nose & when we said that we couldn't drink it she offered for us to leave it there for them to cook with. I am being 100% honest. They wouldn't even honor their own restaurant.com certificate either. I hope that no one spends a moment of time or a dime here.
(1)Scott W.
Last evening my company had a made a dinner reservation for four people. As we left the office we invited another co-worker to join us. When we arrived and announced that we now needed a table that would accommodate five instead of four, we created quite a disturbance. Our request seem to throw the entire staff of balance. They began frantically to debate what to do with us and and then the manager appeared. He promptly scolded us for making the addition and then directed us to a table for four and pulled up an chair for the end of the table. Since it was obvious that we were not being very good customers, we made the decision to leave. We went a couple of miles to another location where we had a fantastic meal and great, friendly service. Thanks Hi Life.
(1)Donna S.
Exceptional service and amazing food. I had the lobster ravioli. Hand made pasta plus ample amounts of sweet, fresh lobster was delicious. I will definitely be back.
(5)Kristen C.
I came here for a work dinner on a Wednesday night. We started with goat cheese fritters, which were really good. For my entree, I got the sea scallops with tempura string beans, which were fried well, but the scallops were cooked okay but the entire dish was extremely salty. The service was good here.
(2)Terry J.
came here for lunch. I had jambalaya, which was pretty good not great. Service was just ok. They weren't busy but took quite a while to bring us our meals and the check. This was weird because their menu was all 'business lunches' and getting you out quick. All in all a pleasant time and the only interesting, non-chain around here.
(3)Erika N.
The food & service here was great...don't let the outside appearance fool you!! On a Friday night, we were seated right away & we were able to dine in under an hour. (We did tell the server that we were in a bit of a hurry.) It was an older crowd but, the place had a great ambiance. Perfect place for a date night!! I'm a real foodie & the chef certainly satisfied my palette. I had a deliciously seasoned scallop dish & my boyfriend had a filet mignon that he was very happy with. Our server provided top notch service with a smile & the cocktails were generous. The prices are a little high but, well worth the splurge if you want a romantic evening filled w/ tasty eats. We will definitely go back for seconds!!
(4)Tommy R.
Took at least 40 minutes to get our lunch. Food was not worth the price tag. I got fish tacos and they were fishy tasting.
(2)M Louie M.
SLOW SLOW SLOW -Total disregard for the Customer, Mid Town fine dine prices for Poor Service, Cold food, and rotting lettuce to name a few issues... Dined here on Wed. night, and took 40 minutes to get our food.When it came out the veggies were cold, duck way undercooked and the chicken satay's resembled hockey pucks. The lettuce in the salad looked as though it was starting to decay... When we spoke to the owner about the wait, he quoted the time the order printed in the kitchen to prove a point that we had been waiting ONLY 30 minutes. He never considered there may have been a 10 min. lag in the time the order was RUNG IN. Total disregard for customer service and "customer is always right." He never offered an apology, just excuses, didn't offer to adjust the bill, offer even free cup of coffee,not a thing. Not even to warm up the cold bok choy... Terrible experience. Won't ever go back.
(1)Robert S.
Although this meal occurred more than several months ago, I am reminded of it when I drive by this restaurant weekdays on my home from the office. To get right to the point, the meal that I had at Hi Life lo those many months ago was not worthy of being the last meal for a death row inmate let alone my last meal of the week on a coveted Friday night. I have never seen a piece of Halibut bastardized to the likes of that poor fish that sat on my plate. I feel sad that it died for that meal. If I wound up at this place for any other reason than I was leaving work late it would have been a colossal error in judgment. To say that this place was not fit for foodies would be the understatement of the year; It was not even fit for dog foodies! Avoid it like you would a sandpaper haircut.
(1)Erin G.
Ventured out to Hi-Life after wondering about it for years. It's THE oddest location for a "fancy" restaurant ever. Regardless, the food was very good and overall we had a pleasant experience. The service was top-notch, and the "extras" made us feel like we were at a fine-dining establishment. From the optional white or black cloth napkins (the only other place I have ever seen this is Ruth's Chris), to the vast array of hot teas for my choosing. The wine list and beer selection are expansive. We got a NY Strip and the Swordfish. Both were very good, cooked to perfection and the presentation was beyond reproach. Sides were all very enjoyable, they split our salad w/o hassle or charge and everything else was smooth. We had a $25 Gift Card, but we still ended up spending $100 on top of that, which was a tad more than I expected. The crab/brie bake appetizer was just ok and tasted a wee bit too 'crabby' for me, but maybe that's just my taste. All in all a good experience, just too pricey to dine at on a regular basis. Try it for a special occasion for sure!
(4)Michael C.
Great find for the area. Very good bar with happy hour specials. Decent wine selection. Food is very good with a nice selection. I frequently travel to the area for business and always appreciate the option for an above average experience here.
(3)Kate T.
I pass by this place over a million times (or so it seems), but I never thought of visiting till a friend's boyfriend highly recommended, so we gave it a shot last Friday evening. We ordered calamari, cheese and cracker plate, mussel with white wine sauce and crab cake for a party of 7 to share. We each ordered our own dishes. If I recall, these were the ones: grill salmon with risotto, spinach and tomatoes; lobster ravioli; grill tuna with dirty rice (?); seafood pasta in tomatoes sauce; and a filet mignon. Total damage: $315 Each of us enjoyed the dishes. I, for one, thought the food was decent, the server was rather fun, the place was.... er... could've been better? How shall I describe the vibe? The building left me feeling as if I'm in the middle of a war zone, dodging bullets while still trying to enjoy the some fine dining while I'm at a hide out. Too much movies? And... I don't think I will visit again unless I really have to -- with a party of 7 or 8.
(3)Brian P.
Steaks are great, but go for the seafood!! Amazing!!! Calamari starter, sea scallops main... It all great!
(5)Sunil R.
Average food, average decor, average service. Decent option for medium sized groups.
(2)Felix C.
Stopped by for drinks after a long day at the office. The waiteress was pretty friendly. Later, stopped by for a company party. Heavy appetizers were standard fare. It can be hard to evaluate a restaurant when it comes to catered food. Seems like a local establishment with standard cuisine.
(2)Peter C.
"Miller Time"? It is not uncommon for locals to have driven by for years without ever venturing in. A relaxing happy hour stop after work; always a 'welcome back' spirit with the bartenders. Recommended: Blackened tuna over wonton chips and shrimp spring rolls. The sweet soy glaze was pleasantly different but try a cautious dab first before taking a full dip of the jalapeño jelly sauce!
(4)Scott L.
The food here is really good. They just charge too much. $30 for a strip steak. $30 for salmon. C'mon! This is a $20 entree restaurant selling meals for $30+. I liked it, but no value in the meal or experience. For a $30 steak, I will stick to Intown Atlanta. My dad has got scallops the past two times that he complained had sand in them. I was just reading another review and someone said the same thing. Just a warning.
(3)jd h.
Just driving by, you might think to yourself: "pass." But you would be wrong. Once inside, you should have a great lunch or dinner dinning experience. I went with business associates and we impressed. Everything from the service, atmosphere, and food were top notch. I just had a grill salmon salad, and it was one of the best salad I have ever had. The menu is broad and pricing fair. I'd be surprised if you came away with anything less than "very good."
(4)Don H.
For several years Hi-Life was the restaurant that my wife and I went to for special occasions. We hadn't been in over a year so we went at Christmastime 2009. I'm very sad to say that we will not be going back. My scallops were so salty and gritty (from sand not being washed off) that they were inedible. Worse than that was the piece of SIRLOIN that they tried to pass off as filet mignon to my wife. That was her go-to dish at Hi-Life so we know that in the past she was able to cut it with a fork. This was obviously just a thick sirloin. Tough as leather. Stringy. Oblong in shape like I've never seen in a real filet. They overcooked the first one and had to do it twice. The manager pretty much comped our whole bill because we were so disastified but our special night out was ruined. Kudos to him for doing the right thing with the bill but the place has gone downhill fast. The ultimate disappointment was that they no longer have the fried banana split on the dessert menu. The manager told me that that dessert required several ingredients that were not used by other desserts so that made it too costly to keep. Really? I think that might just explain their current predicament. I won't go back until I see a "under new ownership and management" sign out front. Maybe not even then.
(1)Nitin M.
Attended a business lunch, enjoyed the open face swordfish sandwich... blackened swordfish, toasted brioche, avocado, tomato, napa cabbage with yellow tomato aioli. Four stars on taste, not five as it was a wee bit too buttery for my taste. Service, three stars, could have been faster during lunch the lunch hour. Will go back may be try out a relaxed dinner.
(3)Keith F.
I was concerned about going to Hi Life after seeing the reviews, but friends insisted we go. We were not disappointed. I has the $25 prime rib special, which include a salad and dessert. My wife had lobster ravioli. Our friends had the tuna and the prime rib special. Everything was great. The service was attentive and every dish was done right. They even served a tart sorbet before the entree to cleanse the palate. Give it a try for yourself. You will not be disappointed.
(4)digger d.
Table service excellent, knowledgeable. Full bar. Good wine selection. Excellent appitizers and dinners. Desserts big and plentiful. Everyone left full and satisfied.
(5)Pat R.
The service here has gotten spotty reviews, so let me start there. The service tonight was excellent. I was greeted immediately upon entering the restaurant, I was greeted by the bartender, and I had no fewer than 3 people check on me after I was seated at my table. I stopped by the bar first and checked out the extensive-for-Atlanta bourbon and rye selection. I chose a Whistle Pig Manhattan, which seemed to please the bartender as he'd been mainly pouring beers and making Crown and Cokes. Friendly service and good bartending skills. When I got to the table the excellent service continued. The menu is extensive, so no problem finding an appetizing selection. I ordered the 5-spice ahi tuna, and should have been concerned when they didn't suggest it rare. I ordered it rare anyway. The slices were so thick and ridden with sinewy connective tissue that I could barely cut it with a knife. The accompanying sauce and julienned bok choy and beets were tasty, but the quality of the fish was definitely not ahi grade. They get dinged for the food, but bonus points for the service. I might come back, but only if other places are booked full.
(3)Mark D.
If my company has guests in from out of town we usually take them here for dinner. The location is convenient to my office but I don't usually come here for lunch. The food is good, but it won't blow you away. Still I always leave satisfied. The service has always been excellent. I'm not sure if Hi Life stacks up against other high end restaurants in Atlanta, but it's one of the better options in the area. I thinks it's really a 3.5 star but I rounded up.
(4)Jonathan M.
We were here 7-8 years ago before returning this time. This place has fantastic food. Very quiet on the weekend we went and think the weekends are slower for them so it makes for a great place to go if you are local. From apps to dessert it was a great experience. Service was good and I personally liked the style. Go there for food and you won't be disappointed.
(5)Greg E.
We used to be regulars at this restaurant and stayed away for a few years after some terrible experiences. Glad to tell everyone that Hi Life is back. From some exciting menu options to several outstanding basics, if you have not been in a while you should absolutely give this a try again.
(4)Jeff L.
I was here for a coporate event so I didn't have the full menu available to me. We had choice of salads and I took the house which was very average. the Cesar looked better wished I'd choosen that. Main course was a salmon dish that they specifially asked how we wanted it cooked and I said medium, it was well done. This really wasn't the level of quality that I would have wanted medium anyways. Overall pretty good, but only a 3 in my book.
(3)Ron L.
Three stars are for the coffee crusted short ribs. They were pretty awesome. The service was good too. However, pretty much everything else was not great. Barely would rate two stars. The decore needs serious updating. Everything is pretty tattered. Even when you walk up to the front door, you already get the sense that it's just tired. Sorry to say that I don't think we'll be visiting again.
(3)Kate T.
I pass by this place over a million times (or so it seems), but I never thought of visiting till a friend's boyfriend highly recommended, so we gave it a shot last Friday evening. We ordered calamari, cheese and cracker plate, mussel with white wine sauce and crab cake for a party of 7 to share. We each ordered our own dishes. If I recall, these were the ones: grill salmon with risotto, spinach and tomatoes; lobster ravioli; grill tuna with dirty rice (?); seafood pasta in tomatoes sauce; and a filet mignon. Total damage: $315 Each of us enjoyed the dishes. I, for one, thought the food was decent, the server was rather fun, the place was.... er... could've been better? How shall I describe the vibe? The building left me feeling as if I'm in the middle of a war zone, dodging bullets while still trying to enjoy the some fine dining while I'm at a hide out. Too much movies? And... I don't think I will visit again unless I really have to -- with a party of 7 or 8.
(3)Brian P.
Steaks are great, but go for the seafood!! Amazing!!! Calamari starter, sea scallops main... It all great!
(5)Sunil R.
Average food, average decor, average service. Decent option for medium sized groups.
(2)Felix C.
Stopped by for drinks after a long day at the office. The waiteress was pretty friendly. Later, stopped by for a company party. Heavy appetizers were standard fare. It can be hard to evaluate a restaurant when it comes to catered food. Seems like a local establishment with standard cuisine.
(2)Peter C.
"Miller Time"? It is not uncommon for locals to have driven by for years without ever venturing in. A relaxing happy hour stop after work; always a 'welcome back' spirit with the bartenders. Recommended: Blackened tuna over wonton chips and shrimp spring rolls. The sweet soy glaze was pleasantly different but try a cautious dab first before taking a full dip of the jalapeño jelly sauce!
(4)Scott L.
The food here is really good. They just charge too much. $30 for a strip steak. $30 for salmon. C'mon! This is a $20 entree restaurant selling meals for $30+. I liked it, but no value in the meal or experience. For a $30 steak, I will stick to Intown Atlanta. My dad has got scallops the past two times that he complained had sand in them. I was just reading another review and someone said the same thing. Just a warning.
(3)Heather O.
My husband and I just moved here from CA and wanted to finally enjoy a good meal with a nice environment. That's what Hi Life was for us. My husband found this little gem of a place on Open Table. It's located in an area that is not really placed well for the type of restaurant it is, but it doesn't matter because the food was excellent. The staff was very professional and friendly. I chose the chicken and sausage Jumbalaya while my husband had the filet with potatoes and grilled asparagus. The food was delicious! The wine selection was wonderful and the dessert we chose ( Creme brûlée) tasted yummy and topped off the evening. Our waitress Jessica advised that they will be having live music starting on September 12, Friday nights. I look forward to enjoying more tasty cuisine with that light mood music in the background. While I can't rave enough about the food and OUR waitress, the reason I am giving it 4 stars is due to the initial greeting we received (or lack thereof) when entering. We had 6 o'clock reservations and arrived early. So we decided to take a seat at the bar for a drink. The bartender saw us walk in for there was no one at the podium to greet us (even though it was dinner time) and he had to give us an impromptu greeting from the actual bar. Once we were seated, the bartender was slightly curt with us, and I felt rushed to order a drink. However once we got over that initial bump, the rest of the night was great. (Maybe he was just a little stressed or something, nothing that won't deter us from visiting again.)
(4)Paige N.
When a friend of yours has nearly been run over and killed by a rogue tram in Prague (and failing to look for said tram before stepping oft the sidewalk), what better way to welcome back the nearly deceased than with a post birthday dinner? While the whole Prague Tram Incident is a story for another blog, to celebrate Adam's escape from his near brush with death, a group of 8 of us assembled at Hi Life Restaurant (a favorite of his) for dinner the Friday after he'd arrived back in the US. I'd never been to nor heard of Hi Life before (not unusual since venturing OTP isn't usually my MO), but I was pleasantly surprised by this place. It's not flashy on the outside by any means (in fact the place looks a little dive-y when you first pull up to it), but looks are deceiving. We arrived around 8 and it was unusually empty (I really don't consider any restaurant in or near Atlanta to be empty on a Friday evening), and since the weather was still nice enough, we requested a large table outside for our party. Once everyone was seated and comfortable our waitress (who was great to put up with some good-natured ribbing from some members of the party) came around to take drink orders, and tell us the specials. She did an excellent job all night taking care of us, even with the special requests and extraneous comments coming from the peanut gallery. I opted for a glass of Malbec wine that night, our table got chicken spring rolls, jumbo crab cakes and fried corn fritters to share as appetizers, and for dinner, I split the seared duck breast with sweet potatoes and bok choy with my boyfriend. Everything was surprisingly good - the chicken spring rolls were just average but the corn fritters (like hush puppies but better) and the crab cake were very tasty. The duck breast was just slightly underdone for my taste but the fig glaze, sweet potatoes and bok choy that came with it more than made up. When I saw the size of some of the other entrees, I was really glad we'd split an entree too. One person ordered the Guinness braised short ribs which looked great but the meat was also the size of a brick and he barely finished half of it along with the mashed potatoes. Another friend ordered the spaghettini (which resembled a portion Maggiano's would commonly dole out and dub "family style"), and a third had the filet. Let me just say that there were more than a few doggy bags being taken home that evening. Toward the end of the meal the bartender came out as he knew the boy of honor and his wife, and they traded stories then he brought out Jolly Rancher flavored shots for everyone (those things would be very dangerous en masse - you couldn't taste the alcohol at all!). The only real fly in the ointment came at the very end when we got our bills (which were split by couple) - all the shots for the table were on one bill. Since the bartender was a friend, we'd assumed (mistakenly) that they were on the house (especially since we didn't order them outright, they just appeared at the table), but there they were. So everyone pitched in an extra $10 per couple to cover them but that was a little unexpected and a bit off-putting. In all, it was a fun evening and I enjoyed Hi Life Restaurant (and now I'm really surprised it doesn't have more good reviews on Yelp).
(3)Lee B.
Went here with some co-workers the other day. This place has a bizarro menu. I'm the first to admit that I'm a pretty picky eater and I tend to go for healthy stuff and am usually able to find something, but this menu was just all over the place. I ended up getting the grouper sandwich. I guess I shouldn't have been, but I was surprised when the server asked if I wanted it on white, wheat or rye. (I went with rye) It just seems like a fish sandwich should be on some sort of hard roll or something, at least in my opinion. When it came out, it was just extremely oily (despite getting it without mayo, can't imagine how much more greasy it would have been with!) and I had to eat it with a fork and knife. Bleh, not my favorite. On a positive note, everyone else who I was with seemed to like their meals just fine.
(2)Hugh R.
I just enjoyed their special tonight which was pan seared Salmon Parmesan encrusted. Absolutely off the charts great.. The service was excellent and very personable. The place wasn't very crowded which I couldn't understand with such incredibly fresh seafood.
(5)kyle s.
Our sever was RUDE,OBNOXIOUS ,ARROGANT ,he really needs to be in a assembly line or a job that doesn't work with people! Food was tasteless and too expensive,along with the drinks.Calamari was good ,but not worth the whole long drawn out dinner. As many restaurants in Norcross ,and surrounding area ,I say seek them out before this one!
(1)Ron F.
We've been coming here for years. The food is always excellent, the staff is always friendly, and its never too crowded. The swordfish sandwich was incredible last visit, and they had a half off special on certain wines - we got a very nice bottle of chardonnay for $15.
(5)Priscilla D.
They refused to honor the restaurant.com certificate even though they don't expire & Did not tell us about the wine special of half priced wine on Saturdays till after we had ordered by the glass wines. Not that wasn't even the worst. We went ahead and ordered the 1/2 bottle special after checking if we were allowed to recap it & take it home since we knew we wouldn't be able or want to drink a entire bottle. The 1/2 priced wine is unlike anything I have ever tasted or smelled. It wasn't drinkable wine, it wasn't vinegar. It was just AWFUL. We even told the forgetful waitress and she smelled it with her nose on our bottle ( APPALLING ) then she said Yeah that smalls strange. She never offered to remove the 1/2 price un-drinkable bottle of wine from our bill or to alert the owner or manager. Our food was only so so. I would never recommend this place to anyone. if you can't even serve wine that is drinkable you have got problems. The bread never came, nor did our salads & we asked more than once. Then after she delivered our meals we asked again. She said she forgot & then offered to go get it only after forgetting all the times as we sat there weigh no bread, no salads & then meals & horrible wine.. Charged us full price & we had to pay for awful wine , yes it may have been 1/2 price special but it had been now up the witness nose & when we said that we couldn't drink it she offered for us to leave it there for them to cook with. I am being 100% honest. They wouldn't even honor their own restaurant.com certificate either. I hope that no one spends a moment of time or a dime here.
(1)jd h.
Just driving by, you might think to yourself: "pass." But you would be wrong. Once inside, you should have a great lunch or dinner dinning experience. I went with business associates and we impressed. Everything from the service, atmosphere, and food were top notch. I just had a grill salmon salad, and it was one of the best salad I have ever had. The menu is broad and pricing fair. I'd be surprised if you came away with anything less than "very good."
(4)Kristen C.
I came here for a work dinner on a Wednesday night. We started with goat cheese fritters, which were really good. For my entree, I got the sea scallops with tempura string beans, which were fried well, but the scallops were cooked okay but the entire dish was extremely salty. The service was good here.
(2)Don H.
For several years Hi-Life was the restaurant that my wife and I went to for special occasions. We hadn't been in over a year so we went at Christmastime 2009. I'm very sad to say that we will not be going back. My scallops were so salty and gritty (from sand not being washed off) that they were inedible. Worse than that was the piece of SIRLOIN that they tried to pass off as filet mignon to my wife. That was her go-to dish at Hi-Life so we know that in the past she was able to cut it with a fork. This was obviously just a thick sirloin. Tough as leather. Stringy. Oblong in shape like I've never seen in a real filet. They overcooked the first one and had to do it twice. The manager pretty much comped our whole bill because we were so disastified but our special night out was ruined. Kudos to him for doing the right thing with the bill but the place has gone downhill fast. The ultimate disappointment was that they no longer have the fried banana split on the dessert menu. The manager told me that that dessert required several ingredients that were not used by other desserts so that made it too costly to keep. Really? I think that might just explain their current predicament. I won't go back until I see a "under new ownership and management" sign out front. Maybe not even then.
(1)Nitin M.
Attended a business lunch, enjoyed the open face swordfish sandwich... blackened swordfish, toasted brioche, avocado, tomato, napa cabbage with yellow tomato aioli. Four stars on taste, not five as it was a wee bit too buttery for my taste. Service, three stars, could have been faster during lunch the lunch hour. Will go back may be try out a relaxed dinner.
(3)Scott W.
Last evening my company had a made a dinner reservation for four people. As we left the office we invited another co-worker to join us. When we arrived and announced that we now needed a table that would accommodate five instead of four, we created quite a disturbance. Our request seem to throw the entire staff of balance. They began frantically to debate what to do with us and and then the manager appeared. He promptly scolded us for making the addition and then directed us to a table for four and pulled up an chair for the end of the table. Since it was obvious that we were not being very good customers, we made the decision to leave. We went a couple of miles to another location where we had a fantastic meal and great, friendly service. Thanks Hi Life.
(1)Donna S.
Exceptional service and amazing food. I had the lobster ravioli. Hand made pasta plus ample amounts of sweet, fresh lobster was delicious. I will definitely be back.
(5)Doug K.
I hadn't eaten here since before Yelp existed, so.... This place has been here for at least 15 years. I thought that any place that old, must be doing something right. Well, they are, but not that right. The food was unspectacular. Good, but not great. The calamari appetizer was greasy, rubbery and tasteless. The vinegar dip didn't work for me. I had the grilled, dry rubbed chicken with blistered asparagus and the 'forbidden rice'. Are you allowed to eat the forbidden rice? The chicken was good, but the creamy sauce with it was too much lemon. Way out of balance. The asparagus was good and the rice was fine. I asked the waitress, who was very personable, why the rice was forbidden and she sort-of knew. I think one of the problems at this restaurant was that the wait staff is very poorly trained. The waitress leaned heavily upon one of the chairs, she didn't know the menu that well, and she told us things about her life that you don't tell patrons. There were no salt/pepper shakers on the table and we were brought a mismatched set. When the food was delivered to the table, the waitress and another woman both carried the plates with their thumbs upon the top sides. It was not far into the plate, but a simple serving tray would have solved the problem. The woman who served us should make a very excellent waitress. She is a very nice person and truly tried to be helpful. However, the restaurant is not professionally run, and she has not been properly trained. Other facts to support lack of professional management: The facility needs maintenance: The front door doesn't close, the round bathroom sink is spun around to the right so the faucet is at 1:00 on the clock dial, there are nicks in the wood work everywhere, I received a chipped glass for my water, and I could go on. OK, one more thing...the seat cushion was so worn that I felt like I was sitting in a hole. I'm sure at one time, this was a very fine, business class restaurant but it is showing its age and the lack of care in its management. It needs a face lift and an energetic new manager to make sure the service and food are up to par. I don't think I will be back for either a business or a social meal.
(2)Michael P.
Food was pretty good here but pricey for what you get. They charge Manhattan NY prices. The denotation of $$ here is incorrect, entrees alone are $23-30+ so that is firmly "$$$" if not "$$$$" Of course like everything in Norcross, GA, this is located in a strip mall! This whole area is like the franchise expo exploded. So this is actually one of the few places that is not a formulaic franchise, yet still keeps it real here by staying in a strip mall. Food was OK and they had interesting things, but I would probably not go here again if it were anywhere else. But given that around here you have choices like the cheesesteak factory, or even chain thai places(!) you could do a lot worse than this place.
(3)Keith F.
I was concerned about going to Hi Life after seeing the reviews, but friends insisted we go. We were not disappointed. I has the $25 prime rib special, which include a salad and dessert. My wife had lobster ravioli. Our friends had the tuna and the prime rib special. Everything was great. The service was attentive and every dish was done right. They even served a tart sorbet before the entree to cleanse the palate. Give it a try for yourself. You will not be disappointed.
(4)digger d.
Table service excellent, knowledgeable. Full bar. Good wine selection. Excellent appitizers and dinners. Desserts big and plentiful. Everyone left full and satisfied.
(5)Terry J.
came here for lunch. I had jambalaya, which was pretty good not great. Service was just ok. They weren't busy but took quite a while to bring us our meals and the check. This was weird because their menu was all 'business lunches' and getting you out quick. All in all a pleasant time and the only interesting, non-chain around here.
(3)Erika N.
The food & service here was great...don't let the outside appearance fool you!! On a Friday night, we were seated right away & we were able to dine in under an hour. (We did tell the server that we were in a bit of a hurry.) It was an older crowd but, the place had a great ambiance. Perfect place for a date night!! I'm a real foodie & the chef certainly satisfied my palette. I had a deliciously seasoned scallop dish & my boyfriend had a filet mignon that he was very happy with. Our server provided top notch service with a smile & the cocktails were generous. The prices are a little high but, well worth the splurge if you want a romantic evening filled w/ tasty eats. We will definitely go back for seconds!!
(4)Tommy R.
Took at least 40 minutes to get our lunch. Food was not worth the price tag. I got fish tacos and they were fishy tasting.
(2)M Louie M.
SLOW SLOW SLOW -Total disregard for the Customer, Mid Town fine dine prices for Poor Service, Cold food, and rotting lettuce to name a few issues... Dined here on Wed. night, and took 40 minutes to get our food.When it came out the veggies were cold, duck way undercooked and the chicken satay's resembled hockey pucks. The lettuce in the salad looked as though it was starting to decay... When we spoke to the owner about the wait, he quoted the time the order printed in the kitchen to prove a point that we had been waiting ONLY 30 minutes. He never considered there may have been a 10 min. lag in the time the order was RUNG IN. Total disregard for customer service and "customer is always right." He never offered an apology, just excuses, didn't offer to adjust the bill, offer even free cup of coffee,not a thing. Not even to warm up the cold bok choy... Terrible experience. Won't ever go back.
(1)Robert S.
Although this meal occurred more than several months ago, I am reminded of it when I drive by this restaurant weekdays on my home from the office. To get right to the point, the meal that I had at Hi Life lo those many months ago was not worthy of being the last meal for a death row inmate let alone my last meal of the week on a coveted Friday night. I have never seen a piece of Halibut bastardized to the likes of that poor fish that sat on my plate. I feel sad that it died for that meal. If I wound up at this place for any other reason than I was leaving work late it would have been a colossal error in judgment. To say that this place was not fit for foodies would be the understatement of the year; It was not even fit for dog foodies! Avoid it like you would a sandpaper haircut.
(1)Fdoamerica G.
Sadly, I have lived in P/T Corners (Norcross) for years but never got around to eating at Hi Life until this week. My loss. This is some of the best food I have had in Peachtree Corners... the service was attentive and the atmosphere is cordial. What stands out is the food. Since the restaurant is noted as a "new American and steak house" we ordered the NY Strip and the Tuna Steak (both $27). They were suburb. The steak came with string beans and mashed pot. and Béarnaise Sauce on the side. The Béarnaise Sauce was the best I have had in years. Excellent. I have heard they have one of the best hamburgers in Atlanta... sounds like a lunch date to me.
(4)Otto L.
This was a great experience, from the food to the staff, my wife and I enjoyed ourselves. Great food served with a smile, engaging banter from our bartender and ample drink pours are a hallmark for a good restaurant.
(4)Erin G.
Ventured out to Hi-Life after wondering about it for years. It's THE oddest location for a "fancy" restaurant ever. Regardless, the food was very good and overall we had a pleasant experience. The service was top-notch, and the "extras" made us feel like we were at a fine-dining establishment. From the optional white or black cloth napkins (the only other place I have ever seen this is Ruth's Chris), to the vast array of hot teas for my choosing. The wine list and beer selection are expansive. We got a NY Strip and the Swordfish. Both were very good, cooked to perfection and the presentation was beyond reproach. Sides were all very enjoyable, they split our salad w/o hassle or charge and everything else was smooth. We had a $25 Gift Card, but we still ended up spending $100 on top of that, which was a tad more than I expected. The crab/brie bake appetizer was just ok and tasted a wee bit too 'crabby' for me, but maybe that's just my taste. All in all a good experience, just too pricey to dine at on a regular basis. Try it for a special occasion for sure!
(4)Michael C.
Great find for the area. Very good bar with happy hour specials. Decent wine selection. Food is very good with a nice selection. I frequently travel to the area for business and always appreciate the option for an above average experience here.
(3)john r.
I used to go to Hi Life a few times a month and this was our 'go to' place for important work dinners and out of town guests. The wine list is excellent and the service is usually good as the servers have been there a long time (not much turnover; a good sign). However, I would echo some of the other comments about the food going downhill. For example, the last few times I was there the seabass did not taste qutie right. I'm disappointed as this used to be my favorite place in Norcross ...
(3)Tamoy T.
I love this spot!! Chef Dontrell is the Man!! My favorite dessert hands down - Bourbon Chocolate Cake!
(5)Otto L.
This was a great experience, from the food to the staff, my wife and I enjoyed ourselves. Great food served with a smile, engaging banter from our bartender and ample drink pours are a hallmark for a good restaurant.
(4)