On the Verandah

We had the best visit to this restaurant last week. There were four of us, three had the lobster and one had the grouper. I also had the spinach salad which was superb. They were all great, and our server was super attentive. The best part came as were passing from the dining room to the front door, we saw a very talented lady playing the piano and singing. We detoured into the piano bar where we had the best time enjoying Lisa’s many talents, playing the guitar, harmonica and piano and singing lots of our favorite songs so perfectly. Loved the experience and had a great time, and met some friendly folks as well. Would love to come back on our next visit!

On the Veranda is pricey so you expect a lot for your money. A lot of the appeal here is the beautiful view of Lake Sequoia.
Unfortunately, your view is marred by the unsightly windows. I believe they are some type of plexiglass and through years of cleaning, they have become severely scratched. If they were in your home, your friends would suggest it’s time to replace them. Bottom line — the view is not what it used to be.
Neither is the food up to par with the prices. My seafood bisque was too bland. I have had better soup out of a can. My charbroiled grouper with jalapeño sauce had an overwhelming charbroiled taste. I couldn’t even identify the taste of the sauce but it definitely wasn’t jalapeño.
Service was excellent however. Our server was friendly and attentive.
We just moved back to Highlands after being away for a number of years. On the Veranda used to be one of our favorite places. Sad to see it like this now.

I visit the Highlands area quite often and have dined here many times over the years. Never once have we had a less than desirable experience. Reservations are always recommend to get a table with the view of Mirror Lake.
The menu doesn’t change but they always have new specials on each visit. One of my favorites is the Peppercorn Strip steak. It is a perfect cut with a rich butter sauce cooked to perfection. Not great for my waistline but perfect for my tastebuds.
Service has never wavered. Just like all restaurants some servers are better than others but each experience has been good.
I know nothing of the brunch but can highly recommend dinner here.

We were underdressed as we had just gotten into town that day. Restaurant was dressy casual and more couples than families which is what we were. We sat outside in the evening which was gorgeous. They were slammed and kind enough to fit us in without a reservation. Gorgeous setting on Mirror Lake. My FIL ordered the filet and said it was fantastic, teen boys ordered grouper and loved it and three of us ordered the Bone in pork chop. Two of the chops were lean but one was fatty. They did offer to replace it but we just stuck with it and they were kind enough to take it off the bill. Nice date night place. Bar area looks great with a piano player and our mixed drinks were superb.

Best meal in Highlands! My husband and I have been coming here for years and continue to rank On the Veranda #1 in our book. The service, food, wine list and view is like nothing else you will find in Highlands-​everything is top notch. A must try for anyone looking for a memorable meal!

Dinner «in the bar» (ITB) at On the Verandah (OTV) is always a great option! Typically don’t need a reservation and the same menu (and even a small plate/​bar menu during the season). YUM!

We had Sunday brunch which included a mimosa for starters, a soup, a salad bar, and an entrée for $ 27. I presume that a dessert or second drink would have been extra. This was not the all-​you-​can-​eat format that I was hoping for. But the place is very pleasant on the banks of a small lake. Live piano music added to the occasion. Get seated on the Verandah or the small outside deck if you want a view.

I am really sorry to have to write this review, but after eating here for years and over 3 times this summer, I have to «tell it like it is»! Awful!!!
I waited three days before writing the review in the hope that time might ease the pain (of the third bad meal and service in a row).
On The Verandah offers a beautiful setting but that where the quality ends. It is clear that management is much more interested in profit than quality of food and service. This is a short sighted business plan as most of my friends have also noticed the decline and refuse to eat here anymore.
Specific to our last meal of Saturday evening, and probably our last meal ever here, it was terrible.
I’m not going to worry about where we were seated, but concentrate on the food and service. My 80+ year old parents are not hard to please. They ordered a wedge salad with blue cheese dressing to start. When the salads arrived, they lacked dressing. My father asked for some additional dressing and were smugly told by the overly animated waiter that there would be an additional charge. We all balked. You mean we are gonna drop $ 200+ for dinner for four and you want to charge for extra dressing? What is this… Zaxbys? That waiter responded «don’t shoot the messenger». Really unprofessional.
When our entrees arrived… finally…we thought our waiter was playing a joke on me. The grouper special was so small that it only covered about one fifth of the plate. Nothing else on the plate. Nothing! Just a piece of fish the size of a silver dollar. My wife tried politely to tell the waiter she did not think the joke was funny, but he explained that was really the meal. Unbelievable!
All our meals were of poor quality and presentation.
Living in Highlands, we have a limited selection of restaurants. Fortunately most of them are pretty good. Now we have to add OTV in with Paolettis. Never waste your money or your evening on either restaurant!
Sorry OTV but it’s really gotten so bad that we can’t eat there anymore.

Sunday Brunch experience.
PRO– We got to sit on the Verandah and it was beautiful outside.
CON– Everything else… our waitress was super nice but pretty aloof. She suggested the black bean soup and said it was delicious… it was a cup of black beans with no seasoning. Tasted like they were from the can. She forgot one of our soups so after about 20 minutes… they brought it out and his had sour cream on it and garnishing. maybe they forgot that on the other 7 people’s soup?
The food took FOREVER to come out… it was good but nothing to write home about. My fiancé and I shared 2 different meals and both were decent but I wouldn’t want to eat there again.

This place has gone WAY downhill. The staff was rude, and our food was cold. We were the only couple in the restaurant, trying to sip our drinks and the waiter kept asking us if we were done. We had just finished our meal and there was nobody waiting for our table, so I don’t know what the problem was. I will not go back, it’s not worth the money. I would have a more enjoyable meal on the couch with my spouse eating cereal, at least we wouldn’t have to pay for sub-​par service in a rush. I promise you aren’t missing anything. Skip it and head somewhere else.

While staying in the Highlands over New Years this restaurant was definitely on our short list after reading the reviews. We were pleased with the setting and ambiance but our entrees were disappointing. My husbands trout with brown sugar and pecans was lackluster and both the filet and strips ordered by our sons were tough. The dry aged strips although tough — had excellent flavor and my wedge salad was very nice with just the right balance of creamy dressing, bacon and pepper.
I’m hoping this was just an off night as the setting is lovely.

Went for Sunday champagne brunch & it was outstanding. I don’t rate too many 5 stars but they deserve it here. 5 stars for food and atmosphere and 4.5 for service (only because they were short staffed)
The price is $ 27 and includes a glass of champagne, mimosa or kir royale. Choice of two soups, salad bar, one of about 12 entrees and desert. A good price when considering all that is included.
We had mushroom soup which was fantastic and had very large Chicken-​of-​the-​woods mushroom pieces. The Hawaiian rice salad was the hit of the salad bar. I chose the shrimp and grits — one of the best I have had. My wife enjoyed the Carolina trout. Deserts were decadent & big enough to share. So split one and take the other home for later.
There are 3 areas, bar, main dining and verandah overlooking the lake. Looking for a return visit soon!

We stopped here for brunch on our way out of town. Old Edwards Inn recommended it as one of the few options for brunch on Sunday. Well, we weren’t bargaining on spending 60 bucks on brunch, but it happened.
Pretentious? Maybe. First thing they asked «Do you have reservations». I laugh and say No. Well good thing for us, the place is empty (which prompts me to wonder why they asked that, but whatever!).
Lucky for us, they managed to squeeze us in to the empty restaurant. Phew. There is a porch overlooking the lake, so the view is really nice. Our waiter was very friendly and NOT pretentious, so we decide to stay and I brace myself to spend this much on a spur of the moment brunch. Very much an older affluent after-​church crowd. We were dressed for a road trip and so did not fit in!!!
It was $ 28 per person — you get soup, salad, entrée and one beverage of your choice (including a mimosa or coffee or juice). We both had the shrimp & grits — large gulf shrimp with the best grits I’ve ever tasted (I think they had more cheese/​butter than actual grits). I had the best mushroom soup I’ve ever eaten and my husband had the lentil and beef. Salad bar was also really good, some interesting items like Cilantro Cole Slaw, Sesame Cucumber Salad and Tabouli Salad with Chick Peas.
I think the food and service deserves 5 stars. Will I go again if I’m in Highlands? Probably not. It was delicious and a «good deal» for the quality and everything that’s included, but I just don’t spend that much on breakfast/​brunch or lunch for that matter!

Probably best place in Highlands. Nicest restaurant of top group, great view during daylight. Nice bar, good martinis, piano. Great menu options,

Venue, food & service were excellent. Chef’s specials — shrimp cake appetizer & Halibut entrée — were outstanding. The view overlooking Lake Sequoyah is always beautiful, but particularly as the sun sets beneath the mountains.

Another stand out restaurant in highlands. Great views, great food, great service. We had a lovely time. And some of the best food (if not the best) in highlands.

Beautiful setting overlooking a lake. Always seems to be busy. Reservations definitely recommended. Food was delicious and service was attentive. Had requested table on verandah due to birthday when reservation was made to no avail. Only negative was older lady when we arrived at hostess stand… unfriendly.