The Chop House of Meat and Beer

The Chop House at 112 Katong unabashedly hawks beer by the barrel and red meat by the rack – loin, striploin and any other fashion you can think of. Open from 12pm to 12 midnight, The Chop House serves a highlight of five types of draft beer, as well as bottled ones, cocktails and spirits. The menu sports a wide range of safe European favourites to accompany the attention-grabbing cuts of meat, cleaved from any commercial livestock that you can name. Browsing the menu, you just know that you will not be going home hungry.

Wooloomoo Group’s second eatery brings outback cooking to the quaint neighbourhood of Marine Parade in east Singapore. This laid-back quarter of Singapore fits right in with the The Chop House’s décor and in-store ambience. The friendly, relaxed feel conjures up images of wooden beer kegs (which by the way are installed at most tables to pull yourself a long cool tall one), gorgeously grilled meats, good friends and lazy sunny weekends. Equally inviting is The Chop House’s business proposition, which is to serve up quality char grilled steaks and roasted meats without the sky high tabs handed out at American steakhouses downtown.

We started the meal with a good ol’ pot of Mussels Meuniere (S$24). Slurp up the broth at the bottom of the pot, for the it is pure seafood yummy umami goodness. The mussels are plump, fresh and has a wholesome, clean taste. Pop one and you won’t be able to stop.

A Mexican pleaser but otherwise undistinguished, the second dish – the Quesadilla (S$19) – did whet my appetite but I wouldn’t want to spoil it with this stomach filler.

The next three dishes are the only three reasons you need to make a beeline for The Chop House. The Pork Knuckle Platter (S$85) lines up a trio of ribs that will have baby coming back any time, pork knuckles that have a satisfying crunch and sticks of savory sausages. If you are a fan of beer, wash it all down with several pints of German weissbier – the perfect companion.

The piece de resistance, the USDA Prime Grain Fed Rib Eye (S$38) tastes every much as good as it looks here. Succulent, slightly charred, moist, juicy – everything a mouthful of rib eye should be.

The Berkshire Pork Chop (S$29) shows off more of The Chop House’s char-grilled finesse. Put away these three plates of pleasure and you’d think you have died and gone to Valhalla.

The man-sized burger called Aussie Burger (S$26) is definitely has to be Australian judging by the heft. Crammed with half a pound of ground lean beef, tomatoes, lettuce, onion jam, beetroot, bacon AND a sunny-side-up egg, this tower of power packs a flavourful punch. Expect food coma.

Not one of The Chop House’s strong points, the Garlic Prawns (S$25) were a little over done. A little too wide a breadth of offerings, I felt that the kitchen overstretched itself. Especially when it could concentrate on its strong points like the grilled meats and steaks which are its raison d’être.

Clockwise from top: Churros with chocolate and vanilla sauce (S$6), Banana split (S$7), Apple strudel tortillas ($8), ice cream selections ($4), and hot chocolate brownies (S$8).

Making sure not to leave dessert fans out in the cold, a modest but carefully considered selection of sweet treats have found a space at the end of the menu. Light, crispy and delicious, the churros craze has not gone unnoticed. Accompanied by two rich chocolate and heavenly vanilla sauces, I savoured every last bite. I especially liked the crisp texture and how the slightly moist dough inside mixed with intense flavours of each sauce every time I chomped down.

The classic banana split is worth a passing mention but didn’t raise any eyebrows. The other standout confection was the fantastic flaky apple strudel topped with ice cream. The play on textures and different temperatures was an interesting take on contrasts that worked well. The hot chocolate brownies was another staple that can’t fail to please – moist on the inside and not too heavy on the chocolate. If you have only the stomach for one item, order the apple strudel, order the churros and have half each because you cannot miss either.

Come with your family or come with your friends, this diner is all smiles and the environment is as chill as the mugs of beers.