TNH

I have found some strange things in my food in Hanoi. I found a headless cockroach in a bowl of pasta, and one time, a burnt match in the bottom of my glass of iced coffee.

But The Windmill tops the list for serving me and my friends a plate of onion rings and fried taro BATTERED WITH CAT HAIR.

I kid you not, the batter mixture was actually matted with fur. Masses of little black and white hairs. Which we only noticed after we starting eating them. Under the food, the plates themselves were also covered in a greasy layer of distinctly feline fur.

When we showed the waitresses they looked suitably horrified and all gathered around to inspect the offending fur balls and swiftly remove them from sight. I wish I had taken a photo.

The mind boggles as to how this happened. There was so much hair that, bizarre as it sounds, it seemed as though a cat had actually fallen into the batter or the deep fryer.

As much as we then enjoyed making jokes about eating pussy, this experience has pretty much turned me off The Windmill, a place I previously really liked.

File this under “how come I never knew about this before?”

I spent an enjoyable Sunday evening at the Windmill. As mentioned below the site is very beautifully done out. However it’s more than just twinkly lights. Add to that a bit of French architecture and beautiful bamboo growing along its external fringes.

But it’s the beer that is the biggest winner. I didn’t try the dark beer as I’ll save that for another occasions but the light (coloured) beer I drank was fantastic.

Brewed at the site, it’s pitched somewhere between a pale ale and a wheat beer it’s absolutely delicious.

The cost, while considerably more than bia hoi prices, is still cheaper than your average bottle of Bia Hanoi in a half decent bar.

To eat we ordered deep fried squid, Russian cheese, tofu in tomato sauce. In addition I’m not sure what they called them on the menu (I wasn’t doing the ordering) but there were what appeared to be very Highway 4 -style catfish spring rolls that were every bit as good as the H4 version.

In general, while the beer is the star, the food is more than decent enough for grazing on.

On the downside they lose a star for making us feel that once we were the last table that they really wished we would leave. Also for a minor discrepancy in the bill that was eventually sorted. That said, on the whole, the staff were very attentive and helpful.

Anyway this place is really great. Great beer in a fantastic setting. Considering it was my first trip there I felt very at home.

I’ll be returning to try that dark beer.

Definitely one of my favourite places.

Extensive, reasonably priced menu, great beer (I prefer the 'yellow beer' as the staff refer to it, but the darker one is good too) and a lovely setting. It's particularly good for a big group gathering, as you can sit right in the middle of the courtyard at one long table and it feels like a King's banquet or something.

There's always a few cute cats wandering around too (hopefully not into the batter, mind - see review a few spaces below) which is a bonus.

EDIT - forgot to say that I'd highly recommend the BBQ beef steak. The sauce is absolutely delicious.

The dark beer...that is what every review for the windmill should start with. Been having it for a few years and it always makes me cry a little thinking of all the micro brews back home. A very decent dark beer and maybe the best (local) at some times in Hanoi.

The food is pretty good too, have it after a dark beer or four and it's fantastic. Tofu's, squids, pork, fried rice all solid, and not to expensive considering the nice atmosphere and of course the beer.

The light beer is fine too but similar to many others in the city.

As a LLV teacher, it's obligatorily that I go here at least once a week. I don't really have a say in the matter... But honestly, I don't mind, for this place brews great beer. Food is decent as well. Their Nem Ca is freakin' delicious and it comes with a really nice wasabi sauce. Good tofu and tomato as well. The staff is always super friendly and prompt and the owner is the tits. Just wish the bathrooms were a little less jungle-esk...