The Ruffed Grouse Tavern

Madison's

➤ 445 Main StreetNC 28741, HIGHLANDS, United States

Menu • Wine • Salad • Cheese • Chicken

---

"The hostess upon arrival was extremely short and borderline rude considering my large party arrived complete and prompt. Upon being seated our drink order was taken and cocktails arrived roughly 15/20 minutes following, appetizers were along the same pace and lunch entrees to follow. A lunch service of roughly 2 1/2 hours in a to put it lightly stale environment wasn’t ideal for a Saturday afternoon. Old Edwards reputation for elite hospitality missed the mark big time to put it as politely as possible. Won’t be returning."

The Wine Garden

➤ 445 Main Street, Highlands, 28741, United States Of America, HIGHLANDS

Menu • Wine • Kebab • Asiatic • American

---

"Have dined here numerous times over the years and always enjoy. Recently the lunch menu could be better. We were a sizable group over the Labor Day holiday and had a nice time and good service. I recall the waiter seem to call one of the gentlemen at our table ‘pops’. Food wise the burger was extremely well done without an ask of how it should be cooked before serving. Some sandwiches were salty. All and all not worth the cost for the food sadly. The drinks were very good and the hotel venue is lovely."

Wolfgang's

➤ 474 Main Street Highlands, NC 28741, 28741-9483, HIGHLANDS, United States

Menu • Meat • Steak • Drinks • Seafood

---

"However, I have to address the service, which was disappointing. There was hesitation in seating us, and once we were seated, our server didn’t check on us very often. I even had to go inside to find her just to pay the bill. It felt like we were always hunting down our server—our drinks went empty, orders took a long time to come out, and overall, the service was lacking. I want to emphasize that the staff seemed unsure about seating us, so I’m keeping my expectations in check. Even with these issues, I would definitely come back, as it seems like it was just a one-off situation."

Paoletti

➤ 440 Main Street, Highlands, United States Of America, 28741, HIGHLANDS

Menu • Pizza • Italian • Seafood • Unspecified

---

"While the wine list was extensive, the prices were shockingly high. For example, we ordered a bottle of Super Tuscan red that retails for $22 at the grocery store, but here it was priced at $76—a considerable markup! As for the food... the bread was decent, but it was accompanied by a strange herbed butter that was far too cold to spread and rather underwhelming. My wife ordered the gnocchi, which was actually quite good. I, on the other hand, had the rigatoni bolognese, which was disappointing to say the least. I eat Italian food about once a month, and this was easily the worst I've had in the last couple of years. The dish was watery, lacking in soul, and devoid of real flavor. It was advertised as being served with a ragu and included some meat, but overall it felt lacking. The main issue was that while all the food was mediocre, the bill was exorbitant. In summary, if you’re looking for overpriced Italian food that doesn’t live up to the hype, this is the place for you."

Midpoint Highlands

➤ 332 Main StNC 287418606, HIGHLANDS, United States

Menu • Sushi • Vegetarian • Bar-lounge • Farm To Table

---

"Finally. After many years of enjoyable dining in Highlands, we had a TERRIBLE dining experience at Midpoint. This was actually our third, and I'm sure our LAST bad experience at this restaurant! We will not return again. I've had bad service before, for various reasons....short staff, failed equipment, orders misplaced and/or mixed up. But in most cases the management and staff were aware and extremely apologetic. Today at Midpoint they seemed oblivious to the numerous complaints from the surrounding tables and taking over two hours to complete lunch. 1/2 hr. waiting for appetizers. 20 more min, waiting for salad. Then almost an hour more waiting for the main course. Ice tea glasses not refilled for over an hr. When we asked the server pouring water about some added tea, they stated that they “only poured water” and I'd “have to ask our waiter for more tea”. And when the main courses came the pork loin was so salty it was almost inedible. The rest of the food (fish and chips, empanadas, black beans, saffron rice, etc. . we're all lukewarm at best, and nothing beyond ordinary. When contrasted with the many outstanding restaurants in Highlands (Madison's, Lakeside, Wolfgang's, Paoletti, Wild Thymes, etc. Midpoint is way out of their league. They've got to improve significantly to even become mediocre! When our expediter/server asked about our experience, we answered candidly and politely explained the poor service we had received and the below average food, she was incredulous. What is really sad is the fact that Midpoint is the latest evolution of the restaurant Cyprus which, when it was located out on Hwy. 106 (Dillard Rd. , was one of the finest restaurants in Highlands, if not the entire SE. Very, very sad indeed."