Dinner at Stuttgart Blackforest S Cafe [Takeout]

9 Bras Basah Road #01-01 Rendezvous Hotel Gallery, Singapore 189559

Tel: 6335 8675

Website: https://www.scafe.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sbbscafe

Stuttgart Blackforest S Cafe is my favorite German restaurant, and it's no secret. Over the years, I have visited countless times, enjoying their various cuisine and celebrating special occasions here, bringing friends to try this lovely place. Check out past reviews here on more food items.

Recently, due to the Circuit Breaker (Covid-19), I was only too delighted to order their food for my Mother's Day dinner and for a special friend's Mother's Day dinner, too. Dining in was great, but their food remain good when eaten at home, too.

Their Speciality Sausage (SGD$19.80) - choose from chicken, beef or pork, is served with delicious mashed potato.

I love their Pork Knuckle - comes in whole (SGD$48.00), or single portion (SGD$22.80). Crackling exterior leading the teeth the way into tender flesh; served with sauerkraut and a sauce that tastes like mashed potato gravy.

The Schnitzel (SGD$19.80) - choose from chicken or pork, is a breaded meat dish,  deep-fried till golden brown. Enjoyable to eat, definitely, and is served with mashed potato and salad on the side.

Just last Christmas, I was there for my favorite Maultschen Meat Pocket (a Swabian dumplings dish), Truffle Fries and signature Blackforest Cake over wine, with some girlfriends.

Looking forward to returning to their beautiful settings and dining in, enjoying the good service and palatable fare, soon again.

Brunch at Brotzeit @ Westgate, Jurong

3 Gateway Drive, #01-04 Westgate, Singapore 608532

Tel: 6465 9874

Website: http://brotzeit.co

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com

This must be my 50th time at a Brotzeit outlet, and I am still loving it. Okay, exaggerations aside, I was glad to meet *Gareth for brunch at Brotzeit @ Westgate over the St. Paddy's weekend.

He started with Original Weissbier (SGD$10.00) a while I had the Beer Tasting Paddle (SGD$13.00). The latter came with 4 beer samplers, being Weininger PD 1813 Naturtrub Zwickl, Wieninger Dunkels Lager Naturtrub, Hofbrauhaus Munchen Original Weissbier and Schneider Weisse Tap 7 (Meine Original).

The German Breakfast Platter for 2 (SGD$30.00) comprised an array of cold cut items, thinly-sliced cheese triangles, fruits, gherkins, and assortment of bread rolls, served with a neat mug of scrambled eggs. I must say that I could definitely get used to a Chacuterie-noard style breakfast everyday - tasty and fun to eat.

We also added on a mini Cheese Board (SGD$13.00) aka Kase Platte, made up of fresh juicy grapes, small variety of European Cheese and crackers.

Overall, we enjoyed our food and drinks here very much.

Dinner at Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-cafe @ Rendezvous Hotel [New Items Tried]

9 Bras Basah Road #01-01 Rendezvous Hotel Gallery, Singapore 189559

Tel: 6335 8675

Website: https://www.scafe.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sbbscafe

After many visits and revisits, I still love this place, especially at Christmastime, where the decor stepped up to reflect Yuletide's beauty with poinsettias and Christmas trees.  Here is a review on Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Cafe @ Rendezvous Hotel, before we move on to the new items tried by us, during this Christmas gathering between friends.  I love this place for the beautiful settings, and quality German food at very wallet-friendly prices, and no, this is not a paid review nor invited tasting.

The Roasted Pumpkin Soup (SGD$8.80) was served with their signature crispy and tasty garlic bread. The creamy soup was sweet and pleasing to the palate, a festive delight best for cool days.

Next, Grandma's Chicken Stew (SGD$16.80) - tender, moistened half-spring chicken served with root vegetables, bathing in a scrumptious homemade broth. The mashed potato and carrots were soft and made delicious by the flavourful sauce as well.

Then we tried the Wild Mushroom Squid Ink Risotto (SGD$16.80) - chewy risotto served with bonito flakes and salted egg yolk flakes - this briny delicacy was so rich with ingredients, we could hardly detect the rich grains.

Finally, Signature Black Forest Cake (SGD$14.00), served with a pot of tea (Peppermint, for me).  Fluffy chocolate sponge cake layered with cream and Kirsch-soaked cherries, keeping the heart beating with excitement, keeping pace with every bite. The taste is old-school bakery-style Black Forest cake and European authentic touch, a heavenly combination.  I ordered a slice and the girls each ordered a slice too - its allure was that powerful.

I had to have a glass of Red Wine of course, as customary for festive gatherings.

Overall, we enjoyed the ambience and quality, palatable food and desserts here.

Christmas Dinner at Brotzeit @ Somerset 313

313 Orchard Road #01-27 Somerset @ 313, Singapore 238895

Tel: 6834 4038

Website: http://brotzeit.co

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brotzeit.co/?rf=280986482010049

No stranger at all to Brotzeit's menu, having visited multiple times (click here for latest review), *Mikaela and I decided to head here for good German food and drinks. Our initial meeting place this year was Brussels' Sprouts but unfortunately they have closed down for good.

Anyway, we eagerly prowled through Brotzeit's Christmas Menu, and I ordered the must-have Hot Mulled Wine (SGD$12.00) laced with sugar around the rim. I had 2 of that hot red wine - it was especially delightful on a cool evening as such, sitting alfresco enjoying the chilly night winds over dinner.

*Mikaela was more for Weissbeer, which was enjoyed with Potato Wedges for starters. Their wedges are consistently, always crispy around the edge with a good mash within - simply palatable.

For mains, she chose the Veal Sausages with red cabbage and mashed potatoes - enjoying the taut sausages that bounced upon being bitten, but was pretty succulent in texture overall.

I chose Roast Pork Roulade (SGD$32.00) - crackling skin encircled melty meat roasted together with wintertime herbs for that tasty flavour. Served on the side was an assortment of grilled vegetables such as beetroot and brussels sprouts etc.

We enjoyed our hearty meal at Brotzeit tremendously, always comfort food for the soul for us. Plus, the Christmas decor and festive lights along the 313 walkway, this place brings Christmas right in front of us.

Drinks at Brotzeit @ Raffles City Shopping Centre

252 North Bridge Road, #01-17 Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103

Tel: 6883 1534

Website: http://brotzeit.co

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brotzeit.co

No stranger to Brotzeit for sure (reviews here and here), definitely enjoying their hearty good and wide selection of good beers, I was happy when *Micaela suggested Brotzeit for catching up.

We started with a round of beers - she had the Pilsner (SGD $12 / SGD $16 / SGD $28, a pale draft beer with fine bitter happy aroma and I had my usual Schwarzer (SGD $14.50), a mixture of beer and Coke.

Fries (SGD $8.00), got our jaws working, sticks of crispy shoe-string deep-fried potato, with 2 dips to enhance the flavor.

The Nurnberger (SGD $18.50) - grilled pork sausage served with mash potato and sauerkaut. Enjoyed their succulent sausages as usual, with the ever so gentle bounce to its texture.

Another round of drinks ensued.  We both went for something bolder and sounded like dessert - the Original Munchner Dunkel Lager (SGD$10 / SGD$14 / SGD$16), a dark lager beer from Munich with a lovely dark brown hue from caramel malt and has a delicious bitter-sweetness. It was smooth, slightly murky and absolutely tasty.

We enjoyed our chilling session at Brotzeit, and I know I will continue to patronize them, just like how I have over the years.

Dinner and Drinks at Brauhaus @ United Square (Revisit)

101 Thomson Road #B113 / 14 United Square, Singapore 307591

Tel: 6250 3116 

Website: http://www.brauhaus.com.sg 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrauhausRestaurantPub/?fref=ts

Since Brauhaus is a favorite haunt for one of my closer buddies, we decided to celebrate his birthday here this year. See review here for what we'd enjoyed over the last visit (okay, he frequents here a lot more often than us over the years).

So again I reiterate, Brauhaus has more than 25 years' of history serving up many, many beers from all around the world, a good live band as well as interesting menu consisting of Western and Asian dishes, including some exotic ones such as Ostrich, Quail, Crocodile and Rabbit Stew, etc. The owner Michael and his wife do mingle with the diners warmly as well, ensuring that we are having a good time in this homely, friendly bistro bar / restaurant.

We chose to sit outdoors again, even though indoors is cooler and more beautiful - I prefer the fountain backdrop for alfresco seating, and so that we could catch up without the din of the live band indoors.

This time round, I started the Floris Honey Beer (SGD$13.50) - I'd tried the berries, mango and chocolate flavours before, and liked every single one of them. The thing about Floris is that the beer is light and sweet; this Honey flavour one even bears the distinct aroma of honey's sweetness.

*Edwin had his usual Lapin Kulta Beer (SGD$13.50), a beer which he enjoys immensely, and claims can only be found here.

Afterwards, he moved on to Hite Beer (SGD$12.00) and I went for glasses of Red Wine (SGD$10.00 / SGD$12.00) over the course of dinner here.

Food-wise, we started with Escargots (SGD$10.00) - 2 servings, mind you, simply because it was delicious. Unlike the French's baked version, this was prepared simply without any additional ingredient other than light condiments, allowing us to enjoy the natural flavour of these garden snails.

We wanted Ostrich Fillet for one of the mains but unfortunately it was not available. Hence, *Edwin opted for Salmon Steak (SGD$19.50). The generous grilled salmon steak was juicy, moistened and tender, served with a bed of salad and French Fries.

I went for Crocodile Schnitzel (SGD$35.00) - breaded fillet of crocodile, served with a bed of salad and French Fries. While the crocodile schnitzel was succulent instead of tough (I'd tried homemade crocodile soup before and the flesh was rough), I was hoping that it would be crispy but it was soft; I also didn't like the tiny pickled dices that were slathered over the schnitzel, giving it a sweet taste.

Overall, we still enjoyed chilling out here very much, and this would undoubtedly continue to be hangouts whenever friends wish to have international beers or exotic dishes in comfortable settings.

The Honeymoon Series [xii] - Lake Titisee in Black Forest, Germany

After visiting stunning Switzerland (review here), we cross over to Lake Titisee, Blackforest region in Germany. Now, Germany is an interesting Western European country with diversity - its capital Berlin which is rich for cultural, art and nightlife scenes, its city Munich known for Oktoberfest and famous German beers, and Frankfurt being the modern arm with skycrapers and central brank.

PLACES OF INTEREST

We had a short stay in Germany itself - basically merely crossing through the beautiful Black Forest region, renowned for its beautiful forests, black forest cakes and cuckoo clocks.

BLACK FOREST
A beautiful mountainous landscape with a dark cape of evergreens (pine trees) so dense, the shine could not shine through - that was how it's name was derived. Stretching west to the Rhine River and south into the Alpine foothills, the Black Forest is a must-visit for tourists in the Baden-Wutterberg (Swabia) region -it is also the biggest national park in the country with 130 years of tourism.

Besides a beautiful natural scenery, the Black Forest also houses some of the best restaurants, more than 30 spas, as well as the Cathedral of Freiburg, which is said to be one of the most beautiful gothic churches in Germany.

LAKE TITISEE
Strandbadstr 4. 79822 Titisee-Neustadt, Titisee, Germany
Website: http://www.blackforest-tourism.com/Media/Attraktionen/Titisee-lake

A beautiful lake surrounded by low mountains and forests, this natural setting is perfect for photography, relaxation and tourist's visitation. The Lake Titisee covers an area of km2 and is approximately 20 metres deep.

One may also be keen to visit the largest waterfall in Triberg here, the largest in the country.

SHOPPING

Besides Cuckoo Clocks, one may be very keen to do shopping for other merchandise as well. Housed in the same building are lots of other brands as well, from Mont Blanc to Pandora to Coach to Longchamp. You cannot walk away without a gorgeous, secure Rimowa luggage! And it was surprising to note that the prices of certain branded watches were about SGD$1,000 less than what we bought in Switzerland (gasps).

DRUBBA CUCKOO CLOCK / SHOPPING
Seestraße 37-41, 79822 Titisee-Neustadt, Germany
Website: https://www.drubba.com

How could one miss visiting the house of the Cuckoo Clocks? We were treated to a demonstration of the mechanisms and history of the famous exquisite clocks, with a better understanding of how they work. I never knew there were so many types of cuckoo clocks - some tell stories, others chime melodies instead of the usual birdie's coo-ing.  This is a lovely place to be at.

RESTAURANTS

There are many small hotels and restaurants, bars etc here so one could easily find food and drinks to fill their tummies or satiate cravings. When in Black Forest, one must eat their Pork Knuckle with Saukernaut and Black Forest Cake, as well as try German Beer and / or Wine!

CAFE & BRAUHAUS ZUR MUHLE
Seestraße 37-41, 79822 Titisee-Neustadt, Germany
Website: https://www.drubba.com/en/drubba/drubba-services/restaurants/restaurant-zur-muehle

Also under the Drubba Group, in the same building, is a beautiful café restaurant offering one a clear view of the surrounding forest through its full glass windows. Be it Summer or Winter, one dines in a gorgeous natural surrounding, served by cheerful service crew and warm hospitality over delicious, authentic German cuisine.

Here concludes our tour in Germany, and also the last city we visited in Europe (sadly). We bode the wonderful coldness goodbye and moved on to our last Honeymoon destination next - the exotic Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Keep a lookout for it next week. Thank you for reading, and smooches my dears.


For backtracks:
(i) Honeymoon Series part 1 - selecting the destinations (click here)
(ii) Honeymoon Series part 2 - researching and booking (click here)
(iii) Honeymoon Series part 3 - preparing for the trip (click here)
(iv) Honeymoon Series part 4 - Rome, Italy (click here)
(v) Honeymoon Series part 5 - Siena, Florence & Pisa, Italy (click here)

(vi) Honeymoon Series part 6 - Venice and Milan, Italy (click here)
(vii) Honeymoon Series part 7 - Lorraine and Fontainebleau, France (click here)
(viii) Honeymoon Series part 8 - Paris, France (click here)
(ix) Honeymoon Series part 9 - Swiss Alps and Bern, Switzerland (click here)

(x) Honeymoon Series part 10 - Interlaken and Jungfrau, Switzerland (click here)
(xi) Honeymoon Series part 11 - Lake Titisee, Blackforest, Germany (click here)