Finding the bar was perhaps not the easiest experience. Frankie and I must have walked up and down the high street at least three times before a friendly passer by directed us into a small market entrance. Then, we wandered around a maze of an undercover market, where during the day time, there would be small shops offering hairdressing services and stalls selling fresh fish among other foods.
Eventually however, we stumbled across The Hill Station.
From the outside, the bar was modeled on an authentic Himalayan mountain shack, decorated with flags and cheery blue shutters, with benches for people to sit. On the inside, the bar was tiny! There was perhaps room for about 10 people in the seating area and room for a couple more propped up at the bar its self. This cozy venue was decorated all over with colourful cushions, photographs and glass hanging lanterns, giving it a warm atmosphere.
We settled down and read through the menu, before picking a 'Darjeeling Iced Tea' and a 'Hillary's Hibiscus'. Then, incredibly looking plates of sushi were deposited in front of us! Nibbles had arrived from the next door 'Hi-Ki Robata Grill and Sushi Bar'. Beautifully served and incredibly delicious, this was a real unexpected treat! The sushi was lovely and fresh, but it was the little meat skewers which really stole the show!
Soon, we tucked into our cocktails. These were prettily presented and also very tasty. The Darjeeling Iced Tea I especially liked as it had a strong taste of spicy peppercorns and even came served with half a pepper on top which was rather unusual!
Over the course of the evening, we managed to sample an extensive range of the menu. Each cocktail was carefully made with a host of interesting ingredients. I even got to try a whole tamarind fruit which blew me away slightly, much to the amusement of our hosts! I'd never seen it in its fresh form before and loved how it almost looked like a giant, slightly furry peanut, filled with soft fruit. My favorite cocktail I think would have to be a Tibetan-Thai which was a sweet, rum-soaked concoction.
The Hill Station was a great little surprise and it's amazing to see how areas of London are regenerating and making way for little businesses like this bar and the neighboring sushi restaurant. It also paves the way for a new kind of dining experience. One where you may start your night in the Hill Station for a cozy drink with your friends, before moving next door for the first part of your dinner and perhaps a little deeper into the market for pudding. Not only are you supporting local start ups, this gives you an amazing freedom to try a myriad of different dishes and cuisines. Personally I love the concept and hope that we see it spread across the capital!
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