The Terrace Restaurant and Bar Takes Over the Hill

It was less than four months ago that the popular House on the Hill closed its doors after seven years in Poway.

But the owners of the property located on Poway and Pomerado roads, Happy and Renu Sikand, are trying to do more than fill the void that House on the Hill left.

The couple said they’re trying to improve the standards of fine dinning at an affordable price with its new eatery, .

“We want to serve the same thing but in a better way,” said Happy. “We are trying to bring the world to Poway....in the art of food.”

Happy and Renu, who have owned the property and the adjacent  Hotel for 13 years, opted to take over the eatery as soon as House on the Hill announced its closure.

The couple, in the hospitality business for 30 years, said they decided to keep the restaurant in the family rather than renting it out at the wish of their 24-year-old son Kunal.

“Our son wanted to open his own restaurant,” Renu said. “He’s been in the hospitality business for three years, but he was really born in the business.”

Kunal, who graduated with a business degree from Richmond University in London, assisted in the design of the revamped restaurant. 

“He brings the influence of European casual dinning and comfort to the restaurant,” Renu said. 

Happy said the family designed the restaurant to appeal to as many customers as possible. With that, the Sikands added a full-service bar, a lounge area with televisions and casual outdoor seating, but kept the fine-dining and romantic feel in three of restaurant’s rooms. 

“I want people to know they don’t need to come here for just their anniversaries, birthdays and special events, but they can come every day,” Renu said. “It’s different now. We wanted to make it special, but also an everyday place where they can come and relax.”

The restaurant is complete with General Manager and Executive Chef Timothy Angel. Angel, who has “extensive upscale culinary skills” and has worked in the business for a number of years, created a menu focused heavily on seafood items including pan-seared calamari, oyster ménage trois and bronzed local game fish.

But Happy said the menu is still evolving and the restaurant is relying on customer feedback. He also said that prices will be 10 to 15 percent less than restaurants with comparable food. 

Though the ongoing recession is a reality, the couple, who also owns a Holiday Inn Express in La Mesa, said they aren’t too nervous. 

“It isn’t frightening when you have the right product,” Renu said. 

The couple, who recently opened the restaurant for a soft launch and will celebrate its grand opening on Thursday, Nov. 2, said the restaurant is named after the terrace seating that oversees the city. They're hopeful the unique location of their restaurant will attract more Powegians. 

“I want it to be the social gathering place for Poway residents to connect,” Happy said. “They want to have a good time in their own backyard and that’s what we’re trying to give them.”