Simon Food Favourites: Reuben Hills

27 July 2016

Hills Bros, Martin Place, Sydney (27 July 2016)

5 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000
https://www.instagram.com/hillsbros/

Reuben Hills in the CBD

Love the foyer space here with such a high ceiling. Service is friendly and efficient and doing good things for a coffee fix from the makers of Reuben Hills in Surry Hills. My Cappuccino ($4) was good and served in a lovely hand made cup that warms your hand with the heat of the coffee. Muffins ($5) are baked daily in house and a good side to share. Also spotted Penny Fours croissants.

10 February 2012

Reuben Hills: Coffee roastry & café, Surry Hills (7 Feb 2012)

61 Albion Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Phone: (02) 9211 5556
http://reubenhills.com.au

There’s coffee in them Hills

If you thought Surry Hills had reached its capacity for coffee cafes think again. Inspired by glowing reviews by Gosstronomy I put Reuben Hills on my wish list. I liked the industrial vibe and openness apparently influenced by a Melbourne designer I believe — so Melbourne. The Salted caramel shake ($6.50) had a good balance of flavour although pity it's not filled to the top. The White chocolate & espresso shake ($6.50) was more espresso than noticeable white chocolate but still likeable and I wondered if some liberal sprinkling of white choc flakes on top would done the trick. Loved the look of the Ceviche of Ocean trout, roast corn, smoked sweet potato, chilli, lime & witlof ($16) when it arrived. Fresh flavours although I thought the trout flavour was overpowered by the citrus and bitterness of the witlof to fully appreciate and the corn could have probably done with more roasting as it didn’t really have that smokiness I was expecting.

Favourite of the day for me was the NOT reuben-wagyu salt Brisket, pickled slaw, melted manchego & horseradish cream ($15). A very tasty sandwich that was moist and juicy. The horseradish was quite dominate but welcomed if you’re a horseradish fan. Not sure about the side of radish, how about a juicy pickle instead? The Baleada of pulled Pimenton pork, chimal ($10) was good and thankfully easy enough to eat without being too messy unless you’re trying to share it. The Flat white ($3.50) was liked by my barista friend and my Mocha ($4) certainly had very roasty flavours which perhaps dominated over the chocolate more than most I’ve had. For the sweet tooth the Doggs breakfast ($9) of an ice cream sandwich with salted caramel had simple flavours that worked although I wondered if perhaps some honey roasted macadamias in the biscuit would have excited the palate even more adding some crunch and texture. The slightly warmed Brioche with marcapone & dulce de leche ($6) wasn’t a huge hit due to a very plain marcapone. I probably would have preferred with a good vanilla bean ice cream instead.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Fair amount of seating, Interesting decor, Friendly and efficient service, Interesting menu seems reasonably priced for quality

CONS: Some dishes missing that WOW factor for me but I'd return to try other dishes

MUST TRY: the NOT reuben-wagyu salt Brisket, pickled slaw, melted manchego & horseradish cream

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