Brotzeit @ The Star Vista

It's one of those Sundays, when the sun's parching your throat and you just need a good closure before you start the gruelling week ahead.

I have to set the record straight - I'm not advocating drinking as a time-killer. In fact, I'm a lousy drinker, and my consciousness don't survive past 0.3 litres of draft beer. But drinking in moderation with food keeps the heart pumping and the brain cells buzzing sufficiently to allow conversations to flow smoothly. But of course, if beer isn't your thing, I'm sure their menu excites everyone equally, young and old, carnivore or not.

The latest Brotzeit watering hole at the Star Vista boosts both alfresco and indoor dining areas dressed in a rustic theme (think cowboy). I realised that Brotzeit sets their tables and seats lower than normal restaurants, just above the thigh, probably so that you don't have to shout over your pork knuckle platter or that litre-mug of beer.

I call this food for the civilised carnivores.

Pork Medallions with orange butter

Brotzeit's signature pork knuckle is the must-try if you're a first-timer there, but once you've gotten over the fad, it's high time you gave the other celebrities on the menu a chance at winning you over. The Hubby has been having their pork medallions, and I can see why. The palette is designed to win over all your senses - the soft orange butter is provided for you to melt over the bacon-wrapped pork chops, the garden vegetables are roasted to perfection, and the seasoned skinny fries are just there to to trick you into overeating. You can wrap up the dish with an ice-cold lager or something darker.

Sauerkraut

It's only Brotzeit who creates sauerkraut that's good enough to eat. To be truthful, not too many restaurants put their heart and soul into creating fluffy, warm and flavourful sauerkraut. Brotzeit's sauerkraut comes with a dash of bacon bits to enhance the flavour and a generous topping of onion frits to complete the taste. The onion frits could be omitted, since they do more harm than good to the cabbage.

Spinach pizza

If you're bringing a vegetarian to Brotzeit, there's little need to pull your hair out over what to select. There's a good selection of salads (the small serving is good enough for a lady, while the large serving is for sharing), vegetarian pizzas, and a very interesting-looking potato fingers pasta with chunks of parmesan cheese for the cheese lovers, and a page-full of desserts for those with a sweet tooth. The thin-crusted spinach pizza was loaded full with spinach, cherry tomatoes and cheese. For those who are like a more flavourful bite, you might wish to add a sprinkle of paprika and cheese powder to your pizza. Top it off with a light and fruity beer for a complete weekend.

If you're thinking about lunching here, it's best to skip breakfast, have a starter of fries or bruschettas, before allowing the beer and conversations to flow. Willkommen.

Overall:
Ambience: 4/5
Food: 4/5
Price: $$-$$$
Service: 2.5/5 (can be slow and inattentive at times)

Eat where:
Brotzeit @ The Star Vista
1 Vista Exchange Green #02-17
Singapore 138617

Operating hours:
Mon - Thu, Sun: 12pm - 12am
Fri - Sat, PH Eve, PH: 12pm - 1am