Update June 2020: The Chop House has closed.

Like the neighbouring ports, VivoCity plays host to a smorgasbord of cultures, brands and flavours. Just a walk down the promenade will bring you up close with some of the world’s most mouthwatering cuisines – from classic Western flavours by Brotzeit and Jamie’s Italian to explosively tantalising Asian offerings like Crystal Jade and Menya Musahi.

The Chop House is one of them; branded as Singapore’s first self-tap beer gastrobar, it is the brainchild of the team behind Wooloomooloo Steakhouse, another hugely popular joint for meat maestros and closet carnivores. But while this vibrant-hued gastrobar is a regular haunt for lovers of the self-proclaimed “liquid diet” (cue pints of beer on a Friday night), The Chop House has also rolled out a 2-Course Set Lunch for the corporate bound at nearby HarbourFront offices, as well as hungry tourists on weekdays for S$19.90. 

When the colleagues and I dropped by on a drizzling Tuesday afternoon – any excuse to skip Gym Day 😛 – The Chop House was permeated by a laid-back atmosphere that was more telling of a beachfront resort. Pop songs played in the background and we were ushered in with a cheery hello from the waiters. Alfresco dining by the promenade with a clear view of Resorts World Sentosa across? Why not? 😉

Settling into a table for four – with only an adjacent table occupied by a trio of other ladies enjoying the same set lunch – we made our choices. Just three choices each for Appetizers and Main Courses meant that us diners could reach a decision far more quickly – which means lunch would come faster to fill our rumbling bellies. Yay! 😀

The Garlic Mushroom Salad is really a simple starter that packs a world of freshness and flavours. Mix greens served with sautéed garlic mushrooms, pine nuts and cherry tomato with a dash of white truffle oil for all you diners who want to meet the daily minimum requirement for fibre without crossing into the icky vegetables zone.

The greens were plentiful and the mushrooms were cooked and seasoned well. The pine nuts added a rustic touch and the colours of this dish reminded me of a walk through the forest 😉 There was a right amount of oil so the greens didn’t get too soggy at the bottom of the bowl.

I don’t think I’ve ever had more meat in one sitting than I did with my main, the Veal Ossobucco which is braised and served on a bed of buttery, melt-in-your-mouth mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Just writing and thinking about it right now has got me salivating (and I don’t think it has much to do with the fact that I hadn’t had my lunch at the time of writing :P).

The Chop House is renowned for its burgers, steaks and pork chops, but this veal is a pretty hot contender for a top spot on its menu too. Saturated with flavour and hearty to the very last bite, the meat had that melt-in-your-mouth consistency that culinary dreams are made of. Digging in with my knife and fork, I found the flesh separated from the bone without much effort, and with an oh so satisfying feel. Equally intense in taste were the vegetables, whose natural flavours were simply overpowered by the strong blend of ingredients in the gravy.

The plating is pretty dramatic too, and one for conversation topics at the table. With the bowl sloping in at a certain angle, you’ll be wondering if the gravy is threatening to spill out any time (it doesn’t, thankfully). Cutting into the meat makes it sink further into the gravy and soak up all those flavours. Make no mistake, this is a dish that is certainly not the faint-hearted, or on a diet; certainly not if you are both.

If that’s not enough, they even have a trio of complimentary homemade sauces – Beetroot Chutney, Chilli Mustard and Onion Jam.  Personally, I’m a huge fan of mustard, and I enjoyed spreading it over my veal. 😀 Didn’t get round to trying the other two because that’s how good it was. 😀

Lunch doesn’t come with drinks, but if you must- The Chop House has a wide selection of artisan beers and crafted cocktails to quench your thirst. My Cool Mint Mocktail was a perfect concoction of lychee juice, ginger ale, soda and plenty of mint sprigs along with a couple of juicy lychees. Not too gassy and with just the right blend of flavours. 🙂 At S$8, it was quite a generous pour too. 

It was the perfect pseudo getaway from the office, deadlines and windowless cubicles at The Chophouse. Their set lunch is not available on Public Holidays, so do come down if you’re working in the area and in need of a hour long respite from the daily grind. I know I did, and the delicious food, coupled by the impeccable service and gorgeous waterfront view, more than made up for the busy start to the week!;)

Address: 01-161/162 VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk
Opening Hours: 
Monday to Thursday: 13:00 – 23:00
Friday and Saturday: 12:00 – 00:00
Eve of Public Holidays: 12:00 – 00:00
Sunday and Public Holidays: 11:00 – 23:00
Contact: 63769262
Website/Facebook: http://www.wooloo-mooloo.com/sg/the-chop-house.aspx / https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Chop-House-VivoCity/422514381198824
Menu: Food/ Drinks 

chueonit.