UNESCO ancient town Hoi An is a unique gem that surprises visitors in all possible ways. We spent quite a few weeks in Hoi An and surprises were happening till the last day. Honestly, the offer is as diverse as it can be from an adventurous and hedonistic point of view. All things considered, foodies from all over the world come to Hoi An and we were truly impressed by one laid-back European restaurant. Now, dear gourmands, we want to share our review of The Hill Station Hoi An wine bar with you.
Contents
About The Hill Station
A lovely wine bar/deli shop is a tribute to the bygone French colonial era, which had an impact on Vietnamese cuisine. More specifically, the Hill Stations used to be the heart of social life in remote parts. Nowadays whoever is craving some charcuterie board can enjoy splendid local produce and a few imported classics. As we know modern times call for modern measures and that is why The Hill Station expanded through the years from its original location in Sapa to Hanoi and Hoi An. In addition to food and drinks, guests can enjoy different events and exhibitions for a deeper connection and high jinks.
Ambiance
A charming old shophouse is bursting with color and retro vibes. From far you’ll recognize azure window shutters that contrast the run-down yellow exterior. Once inside the Hill Station you can stay on the ground floor, where dimmed light and dark interior invite with comfortable sitting area. Although, if you are after the bright light then head upstairs and you’ll find plenty of colors. First, is the blue room stretching to the yellow balcony from where you can enjoy the green canopy. At the back is a somewhat secluded red room with an intense romantic vibe. Everywhere you’ll find wooden furniture that enhances the rustic appeal.
The Hill Station Menu
On the menu of The Hill Station Deli & Boutique Hoi An, we found bites suitable for all meals of the day. As expected, the food is French-inspired and ranges from hot mains to cold appetizers. Behind the stairs, we saw a fully stocked deli fridge with cheese and cured meats. It didn’t take us long to spot the afternoon Happy Hour deal for drinks that are spot-on for charcuterie or sweets.
The drinks menu at The Hill Station includes a long wine list, served by glass or bottles from different wine-growing regions around the world. Further on you’ll find a collection of craft beers and some spirits, artisan blends, and traditional rice wine. On top of that, one can enjoy a cup of Italian-style brewed coffee or traditional Vietnamese-style coffee.
Our Food
Cheese Platter
Three kinds of locally produced cheese ranged from mild to the strong flavor and exhibited different textures. We loved the classic pairing of Dalat mozzarella with basil and tomato, which is always a winning combination. The same goes for a combination of nuts and Beaufort cheese which is famous for its buttery flavors and a pleasing mild taste. Dalat, the Mountainous region in the Vietnamese Central Highlands is also home to delicious Camembert. No wonder Camembert got the nickname “queen of cheese” due to its popularity and we loved every bite of it. To some point, we wanted to save mango jam for the last bite but it was irresistible to wait and it paired perfectly with everything.
Cold Cuts
On a wooden board, we got neatly arranged local meaty bites of three sorts. It is impossible to state what was NO. 1 because everything was just wonderful along with condiments. Olives provided some extra salt to ham torchon, while olive oil with “Aceto di balsamico” helped smoothen the salami. We can eat prosciutto on its own anytime, but it was best with fresh bread we got on the side.
Carrot Cake
Carrot and pecan cake topped with glossy crème Fraiche glaze was incredibly tasty. We loved the compact dough that held in necessary moisture, which was enriched by the luscious topping. Everything was well balanced and structured from toothsome pecan nuts to creamy Crème Fraiche icing that provided some refreshing notes to every bite.
The Hill Station Hoi An Review Card
- ATMOSPHERE – 9.7/109.7/10
- SERVICE – 9.5/109.5/10
- PRESENTATION – 9.5/109.5/10
- FOOD – 9.5/109.5/10
- DRINKS – 9.3/109.3/10
- VALUE – 9.2/109.2/10
Final Thought
From start to finish the Hill Station impressed us, that is why we can confirm that it is one of our favorite restaurants in Hoi An. It looks like that kind staff and focus on local produce is a winning combination. However, we can’t neglect very photogenic interior design that respects changes that happen in time. Hoi An as a heritage town is just the perfect place to marry the old and the new which usually becomes a timeless classic. Hope our The Hill Station Hoi An Review helped you with deciding to visit or not this gem.
Price and Location
A treat like ours got us under 30 USD which is not too much if you consider those products are mostly imported and we all know how expensive can cheese get here in Asia. Here is a link to the location for easier navigation.
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