My mom and I ate at Hillstone for under $100. Our meal at the underrated restaurant chain left us impressed.

On our way to the restaurant, I tried to call to reserve a table. However, no one picked up and I soon understood why. Even at almost 3 p.m. on a Wednesday, the place was packed.

We were told the wait for a table would be about 40 minutes, so instead, we decided to grab seats at the bar.

Once seated, the bartender provided us with folded cloth napkins and menus.

I noticed the menu said hot towels could be provided upon request. When I asked the bartender about it, she gave us steaming towels for our hands.

I thought this was a nice touch, especially on a chilly NYC day.

For an appetizer, we ordered the spinach and artichoke dip ($23), which came with salsa, sour cream, and warm tortilla chips.

The dip was salty and had generous amounts of spinach and melty cheese. The salsa was my mom's favorite, and I loved that just as we dwindled down to the last few chips, a server came by with a fresh refill.

My mom and I wanted to try Hillstone's beef, but we didn't necessarily want to have steak in the middle of the afternoon.

So, we decided to share the French dip ($33), made with USDA Prime beef. The sandwich was served alongside a mountain of thin-cut fries that were crispy and well-seasoned, and a bowl of horseradish cream.

We were also given an empty bowl, which confused us at first. However, the bartender filled it with au jus from a small, elegant jug.

The steak was pink, tender, and lightly seasoned, and the bread was nice and soft. It melted away along with the beef after heavy-handed dips in the accompanying sauces.

Overall, the sandwich was so good that my mom and I almost forgot about the fries.

When I visited Hillstone years ago, I ordered a delicious warm brownie ($15) with ice cream. I was excited to see that it was still on the menu during my visit, and knew I had to order it.

Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, the brownie was warm, covered in a decadent caramel sauce, and sprinkled with salty walnuts and peanuts.

Even though we were getting full, my mom and I finished the entire dessert.

After our meal, I wondered why I hadn't returned to Hillstone sooner. The food was excellent, the service was attentive, and we felt like we got great value for our money.

Our bill came out to $77.30 with tax and before tip. Although this price may be a little high for a casual lunch, it felt right for a nice, tasteful meal. The food was easy to share, the dining room was classy, and the menu had a little bit for everyone.

It feels like the type of place you'd go to for an anniversary dinner or special occasion — just be sure to make a reservation in advance.