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Hilton’s Unwine Event

Hilton Darwin launched their daily Unwine event at their hotel lobby in Mitchell Street and we had the opportunity of being invited to attend. The event is aimed at office workers in the city and offers a good value for money food and drinks package.  

Opening night

Hilton Unwine Event 2017

For the launch event they had an amazing buffet of canapes, cured meats, bread sticks, crackers and two types of cheese; perfect with a glass of wine or beer. Sadly, there won’t be canapes for the daily events as they were superb. Our favourite would have to be the asparagus panna cotta with smoked salmon. A close second was the 4:21 beer battered fish.

The buffet

Hilton Unwine Event 2017

Hilton Unwine Event 2017

The asparagus panna cotta was creamy and the sourness from the tomato balanced it nicely with the smoked salmon adding a nice flavour to it. It didn’t really have the normal consistency of panna cotta, it was more like a foam but it tasted amazing nonetheless. We really couldn’t pick that it was asparagus so we had to ask one of the kitchen staff that were on hand.

Hilton Unwine Event 2017

The beer battered fish was so addictive that we couldn’t help but have quite a few of these. The fish was flaky and not dry, combined with the crispy batter you really can’t go wrong. If only we had some chips to go with it. 

Hilton Unwine Event 2017

Hilton Unwine Event 2017

Hilton Unwine Event 2017

The cold meat selection was superb, there was salami, spicy cabana, ham and prosciutto. The spicy cabana with an asparagus on top was an unexpectedly good combination. 

Hilton Unwine Event 2017

Chefs that prepared the food for the event roamed around the lobby offering nibbles to the guests and shaved the cheese on the spot. The two cheeses that were served were a peppercorn cheddar and a pecorino cheese served alongside a choice of almond bread or crackers. 

Hilton Unwine Event 2017

There was chicken liver pate on toast with a small slice of tomato on top. You can never go wrong with chicken liver pate on toast. While the bread was a little cold by the time we ate it, it still tasted nice with the rich pate.

Hilton Unwine Event 2017

After the fish was finished, the chefs bought out another canape which was pork braised in a red wine reduction with dates. The pork bits were chewy little nuggets that were packed with flavour with a nice balance from the sweet dates.

The wines & beers

Hilton Unwine Event 2017

Hilton Unwine Event 2017

Penfolds Max’s Shiraz Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc were served at the event alongside the locally brewed One Mile beer and cider. Hilton have committed to rotating the wines within the Penfolds range and to serve only locally brewed beer. The wines were undoubtedly good given they were Penfolds. Although quite a lot of the crowd opted for the One Mile beer. 

Hilton Unwine Event 2017

There was a local pianist that played the piano off to the side of the lobby which added a nice touch of ambience and background noise. Although, when he took a break the lobby felt a bit “empty” so they might need a small stereo to fill in while the performers are on a break.

Overall

The event was great, and a great way for the office workers in the city to unwind after a day in the office. The focus on local musicians and local arts is a great way to promote our local talent. The event runs Monday to Friday and starts at 4.21PM (for you NTG workers) and ends at 7.21PM.

For $24 you can nab yourself two beers or two glasses of wine or one of each with a plate of cheese and cured meats correction, 3 beers or 3 wines with your cured meat and cheese platter. If you do come in the first hour of the event, it’s 50% off so you’ll only need to pay $12, absolute bargain!

They will also have a rotating performer each night as well as showcasing local art around the hotel lobby.

It’s at the Hilton at 32 Mitchell Street, not to be confused with the Doubletree by Hilton Hotels along the Esplanade.

Guest written by Jeff Jape.