Upside Restaurant

On our weekend getaway we stopped in for dinner service and took an outdoor table on the upper deck. What's nice is when getting seating they tell you the open table and where it's located and ask if you want it. We opted for it so we could see the views. Isn't that why we visit the OBX? If you go as soon as they open for dinner you won't wait long for a table, however, if you wait until later, the wait time stacks up. Our family of four ordered the hush puppies and fried green tomatoes for appetizers. The hush puppies weren't spicy but pleasant heat and flavor. They were cooked well but very dense and a bit dry. The cinnamon butter, I say cinnamon since it was the dominant flavor, was interesting with the peppered hush puppies. We just opted to eat the puppies without the butter. They tomatoes were well coated. And the coating was crisp fried. This have the outside a nice crunch. The tomatoes inside were soft and on the squishy side. I prefer my fried tomatoes on the firm side. The pimento cheese spread had a nice heat to it for pimento spread but it was a bit thick so it lended to the tomato feeling squishier. I wouldn't order either appetizer again. They weren't awful but they just didn't appeal texturally and nothing absolutely standout to just make your mouth water so you dream about and make you want to come back. It was the end of a warm day so most of us got salads. I got the berry pecan salad. I skipped the pecans. The Dijon vinaigrette was a standout dressing. Just enough to dress the salad without making anything swim. The fruit was fresh and popped in your mouth. The cheese was the perfect touch. There was enough to have a bit in every bite. Daughter got the chop salad and added chicken with the dressing on the side. And hubs got the upside salad with shrimp. The chicken and shrimp were perfectly done and full of flavor. These were excellent salads as well. You can order half or whole portions. We also got a kids chicken basket. They don't have fries but chips. They're chips are nice and crisp. Excellent crunch and will seasoned. But if you're looking for fries, not going to happen. For us not a deal breaker, we're an equal opportunity potato eater but I know for some fries are a must. I also got a raspberry lemonade margarita. I love a good drink and for someone I think this would be. I found it a bit too tart. Maybe a bit too lemonade like and less margarita like. Now service here was super. They put a water carafe on your table for you to keep your glasses full, which makes perfect sense when you have a multi level building. But despite all the running our server had to do we were never neglected. Our did came out quickly and our meal was well paced. We had time to eat our appetizers without feeling rushed, yet we didn't have to wait for the dinner plates after finishing the apps. So the kitchen staff obviously works well with the wait staff. That shows they have some good management getting everyone on the same page. I appreciate that. There were some other menu others that we want to try so this is on the revisit list.

Can’t speak about the bad reviews for the crab cakes. Can only say this - they held to the wait time they told us, when seated the apps came out timely as well as the food. Service was friendly and efficient. Food- lobster quesadillas- “to die for” according to my son. Fried Green tomatoes - well done - not too greasy. Tuna dish was good quality. Come here around sunset and the view is great. Will be back for sure.

Nothing short of 5 stares here! Outdoor dining upstairs on the deck on a perfect night. We each had a delicious beverage to start along with an appetizer to share. Best fried green tomatoes we’ve ever had! Then dinner….Southern Seafood Boil served over grits was excellent. Very tasty but not heavy. The shrimp and scallop dish over pesto pasta was also a great choice. No room for dessert but we brought home the key lime pie for later. Wow! Thanks Upside for a wonderful Dinner and great service from Veronica. She was able to describe each item we ordered and answered all our questions.

This was our first time trying this restaurant. The wait was about an hour during the busy season but they have a decent call ahead system where you can walk around the local area until your table is ready. The seating up top has a great view and it’s very breezy. The mixed drinks were good and the salads were good as well. However my fried fish was bone dry and the bread was stale as was the bread on another sandwich. That was a little disappointing.

Went with a party of 4 per a recommendation and was not disappointed - food was outstanding! I ordered the seasonal mahi-mahi dish and was very impressed. We also had the lobster quesadillas appetizer which left us wishing we had ordered more. Our drinks were pretty and decent tasting. Service was pretty good overall, nice atmosphere.

DELICIOUS! Would suggest crab cake, Caesar salad, fried chicken sandwich, old fashion, coconut mojito, key lime pie. Did not enjoy the cucumber elderflower martini (TART!). Great view and covered second floor patio. Our server Matt was very friendly, knowledgeable about the menu and had great suggestions.