The Chop House, by the same people of Wooloomooloo Steakhouse, is a modern chic gastro-bar where you can sit indoor or along the promenade to watch fireworks during weekends.

Starters

The homemade mussel soup ($10, above), with New Zealand green-lipped mussels, was a tad creamy and strongly flavored for us; perhaps the bold may like it. The quesadillas (chicken or beef, $15, below) were ok: tortilla shells (could be firmer and crisper) were filled with minced chicken or beef and melted Jack cheddar.

Mains

The mains were created to be hearty, and a complete meal in itself, so if you can live with yourself for not ordering starters, I’d recommend you to be a maverick and start with the mains. Push the envelope a little, yah?

The pork burger ($22, above) had an Asian twist, a thick minced patty flavored with ginger, chilli and coriander, served with applewood smoked bacon. Juicy and quite satisfying. The Berkshire pork chop ($32, below) was slab with an interesting Mongolian glaze, with hoisin and black bean chilli sauce. It was almost like a tangy char siew taste with more complexity: recommended for those who, like me, prefer their food a little sweet.

Does size matters? The show-stopping beef shank lollipop (4kg, $140, below) proves it does. Like a true geisha who can stop men in their tracks with one look, this dish caused passersby to stop and stare at our food–and they stared for some time.

Taste-wise, the tender shank was steeped in wine-reduction sauce and came with tomato, mash, tots and asparagus. Chiobu liked the beef by itself, evoking her cavewoman instincts, while I preferred it with the sharp and slightly choking chilli mustard, boosting the beef, giving it a kick.

The shank is recommended for 4-6 people but we 7 had at least 2 servings each. (I had 3!) Chop House only cooks 3 portions a day, so it is best to call and reserve a portion.

Equally value-for money is the 200g USDA Prime Ribeye for only $36.

Chop House also has a specially curated wine selection; 6 beers on tap; curious cocktails and the first self-tap beer in Singapore. The selftap concept is like the EZLink card: you buy the card ($5), top up the value, tap in, fill up your mug, and tap out. About $8-10 a mug. Quite innovative if you crave your beer immediately.

Overall, both Chiobu and I thought the restaurant is suitable for groups of friends or colleagues after work. It’s nothing fancy, but the price is right, the portions hearty and you don’t need to wait for your beer.

The Chop House Singapore

1 Harbourfront Walk #01-161/162 VivoCity Singapore 098585
t: 6376 9262
M-Th: 11.30am-11pm
F, Sat & PH eve: 11.30am-midnight
Sun: 11am-11pm

Rating: 3.117/5 stars

ps: Thanks, Chenyze and Veron, for the invite.

Written by A. Nathanael Ho.