Came to The Hillmont this Friday, and they recommended I sit at the bar for the best experience, which I found to be surprisingly comfortable and spacious!
At the bar, Beverly was super attentive. The Lavender Haze was bright and refreshing; in my opinion, it's the perfect summer cocktail. The Smoked Old Fashioned was silky smooth, and the smoke pouring out of the glass completely draws you in, makes you want to stay for a while.
I visited in the afternoon and it was beautiful. Sunlight shining through the skylights to bring life to the lemon drop tree, soft glows from the bay windows hitting the polished concrete and wooden beams. It’s a masterclass in color, texture, and contrast. Everything is so thoughtful, from the front door to the mixed metal handrails and bathroom fixtures. You can tell this place really comes alive in the evenings.
As for the food, here’s my list of must-haves:
Rosemary Fries: They go great with all the fried fare I ordered and warm up the palate perfectly. The aerated garlic cream is so delicious that we kept it on the table for the rest of our dishes too. Don’t skimp if you get a slider, in fact, get the half order, then add a full order for the table. You won’t regret it.
Jumbo Wings: These wings are actually jumbo, especially compared to other wing joints in town. The pink peppercorn dry rub is solid, but when you pair it with the creamy dressing, it gets even better. The bourbon pineapple wings are what honey BBQ wings wish they could be, absolutely delicious.
Glazed Flat Iron: If you only order one thing, make it this. Seasoned and cooked to perfection, extra tender from the pineapple and bourbon glaze, and textbook medium-rare. I boxed most of it up, but finished it on the drive home. I couldn’t help myself.
Everyone did a fantastic job. The vibes in this place are immaculate. All smiles, laughs, incredible food, and cocktails that are an experience in themselves. You can tell the owners and the team take real pride in the food, the drinks, and the whole atmosphere.
One server, Michelle, really stood out to me. She was so attuned to every guest, so thoughtful and warm, and she really knows her stuff. She makes you feel right at home, even when you’re sitting at a bar full of strangers.
I’ve been watching this place come together over the last few months. The anticipation has been building for everyone in town, and for everyone involved in the project, but it was so worth the wait.
The Hillmont has a heart of its own, and it’s going to make history in...
Read moreAuburn just got lucky.
The Hillmont is exactly the kind of restaurant this town has been waiting for — unique, elevated, vibey, and full of creativity in both food and cocktails. From start to finish, our experience was incredible.
We started with the Cultured Butcher Board and the Not So Classic Caesar — which was honestly amazing, probably one of the best Caesars I’ve had. The Crisped Carnaroli was perfectly done, crispy and comforting, while the Glazed Flat Iron was rich and flavorful.
The Jumbo Wings (kimchi buffalo + dukkah) were a standout twist on a classic, the Hush Puppies were golden and addictive, and the Salted Rosemary Fries had the perfect balance of herb and salt. Every dish felt thoughtful, with bold flavor combinations that actually worked. A lovely detail that made the experience feel even more personal — the tomatoes and peaches we enjoyed came straight from Lacey’s garden, which added such a special, homegrown touch to the menu.
We couldn’t resist trying all three: The Remedy, Zeppole, and the Crème Brûlée. Each one had its own personality — but The Remedy stole the show for me.
Cocktails here are next level. Between the table we had: • Mickey’s Boot • Remedy Boulevardier • Lavender Haze • Espresso Martinis (perfect pick-me-up, smooth and not too sweet) • A peach-mezcal-reposado special with a tajín rim (so good I forgot the name!)
Balanced, fun, and memorable. Easily some of the best cocktails in Auburn.
Shoutout to Lacey, Trevor, and Matthew — all three were incredibly attentive and knowledgeable. You could tell they genuinely cared about the experience and knew the menu inside and out.
The Hillmont nails the atmosphere — chic, modern, and vibey without trying too hard. The kind of place you want to bring friends, celebrate something special, or just treat yourself to a night out.
The Hillmont feels like it belongs in a big city, but I’m thrilled it’s right here in Auburn. The food and drinks are creative, flavors bold, and the team clearly cares about what they’re building. Hard to pick a favorite dish — but that just means I’ll be...
Read moreI wanted to like this place so badly. I went in this Friday, excited to try it out with my boyfriend. It looks beautiful. We got a seat at the bar as the wait for a normal table was over an hour. We sat there for awhile before someone approached us, but it’s busy, we get it. She offered us water and said she’d get us a waiter. Two more people behind the bar said the same thing. We waited nearly 30 minutes to order food and drink. They didn’t have any more wings. We ordered a beer and mixed drink. The people behind the bar asked if he we had been helped and we said yes. But no one made our drink. We sat there another 20 minutes. Nearly an hour and all we got was some water. The food looked tiny and fancy for a higher price. I was tired of waiting and we left. Sorry we placed an order and walked out but if we weren’t left forever without anything we could’ve told you to cancel it.
Worst service I’ve ever experienced. I hope since you are starting out you can take this as constructive criticism to do better. Staff badly...
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