The Milla — Restaurant in Da Lat City

I discovered the bar in October last year, and since then, I have become a regular, frequently stopping by to enjoy wine. With an objective and fair perspective, I have some thoughts about the bar as follows:

First Impression: WINE CARTE On my first visit, what surprised me the most was the wine list (Wine Carte). The bar mainly focuses on French and Italian wines, perhaps aiming to provide a traditional wine-drinking experience. This reflects a well-thought-out selection rather than following trends in a scattered manner.

Although the bar prioritizes wines from these two countries, it still offers some selections from other regions, demonstrating a careful balance between having a clear direction and catering to diverse customer preferences.

Wine Quality Despite being a small wine bar tucked away in an alley along Đà Lạt’s main road, the quality of wine here is undeniable. I often order wine by the glass to explore different varieties, and I am particularly impressed by the bar’s flexibility. Even if some bottles are not listed as available by the glass, the owner is willing to use a Coravin to pour a tasting upon request, ensuring a complete and satisfying experience. This is a significant advantage that I truly appreciate.

Some bottles tend to sell out quickly, which indicates the bar’s meticulous selection and deep understanding of its customers' preferences. Rather than feeling disappointed when a favorite bottle is unavailable, I take it as an opportunity to discover other intriguing options from their wine list.

If a glass of wine does not meet expectations, various factors could be at play, from winemaking style to the wine's condition when poured. Although Coravin helps preserve wine well, certain wines still need time to breathe to fully reveal their flavors. If the wine does not taste perfect, customers can provide immediate feedback so the bar can promptly assist, ensuring the best possible tasting experience.

Light Bites The bar’s light food offerings are likely curated in a minimalist style to keep the focus on the wine experience. Some wine bars do not emphasize food but instead provide basic accompaniments that complement the wine.

Of course, if guests expect a more elaborate dining experience, this might be something the bar could consider expanding. However, it is also essential to respect the original concept and vision of the establishment.

Hospitality The role of the owner in shaping the guest experience is undeniable. However, their approach to each table may vary depending on the overall ambiance of the evening and the level of interaction from customers.

Spending more time at tables that order full bottles does not necessarily mean neglecting those who order by the glass. It could simply stem from a desire to create a private atmosphere for couples or groups who prefer a quiet moment. This does not indicate a lack of hospitality but rather a service style adjusted to suit different types of guests.

Ambiance For me, the ambiance of a wine bar is subjective, as everyone perceives it differently. Music may be perfect for one group of guests but slightly too loud...

I visited The Milla looking for some wines. The experience was not bad per se, but definitely leaves some rooms for improvement.

Wine selection The wine selection is not bad, especially considering this locates in Da Lat and not major cities like Hanoi or HCMC. Wines from Italy and France are plentiful, and the bar has some options for new-world wine as well. However, most of the selection comes in bottle-option only. The by-the-glass selection is similarly predominated by France and Italy, with only one South African option. As a fan of new-world wine myself, the selection did not spark joy. Wine quality We initially chose a bottle of Montepulciano, which looked like good bangs for the bucks, but the owner informed us that he just sold the last bottle. Not very excited by the remaining option (some of which I feels a bit more expensive than expected), we decided to only order by the glass. We ordered two glasess, one white and red each. The white glass was not bad, but the red pinot noir tasted did not taste well, a bit stale and strong alcoholic smell, though both glasses are reportedly poured from Coravined bottles. Maybe it is just my bad luck, but the experience was not great. Snacks We ordered some nuts, which are relatively basic. The price was acceptable, though I can’t say this is the selling point. Hospitality While the host did not do anything wrong per se, he did not offer any offers/recommendations/suggests for the wines; I personally think any hosts play a strong role in shaping the characteristics of any wine bars, so this lack of recommendations feels disappointing. The host spent a lot more time talking to one table (which ordered a full bottle) while talking minimally to us and another table (who ordered glasses). Ambiance The ambiance is not bad, the music was a bit loud for me, and the room maybe use a bit better...

Let me tell you something: this is the best I have been to when I craved some wine!!! Located very near to the center of beautiful DALAT this bar provides you of a great range of wines and as I am Italian that was a major missing! The atmosphere makes you feel like at one of those wine bar in Europe and the good vibes of the owner definitely makes you feel comfortably at home. The wine I tasted was a really good one from Spain and for a very fair price!! I highly recommend this one of a kind place if you are visiting Dalat! You...