At Magma

Magma German Wine Bistro a fairly new joint at Bukit Pasoh Road (upstreet from the New Majestic Hotel), a lane short on length but rich in clannish heritage. Every other lot seems to be the global headquarters of some Chinese streetfighting kongxi association dedicated to furthering the fortunes of those who share in its lineage or trade. There's even a karaoke joint just below the upper story premises of one noble huay kuan, recalling perhaps the times when the street was as renowned for its walking ladies (who have since moved to Keong Saik Road next door) as its tribes of brotherhood. 

Magma touts itself as the only source of authentic German Flammkuchen in Singapore. We didn't try these but started off with a pint of Monkpils (not much character), some bread and cold cuts. Unlike the woody, kloster-like decor of typical German restaurants, Magma seems to be going for a cleaner Scandinavian ('that's from IKEA!' was mentioned aloud by someone) feel with bright primary colours, clean corners and streamlined furniture. There is a rather extensive selection of German wines (and a thick wine book) but I didn't check it out in detail as my duck was in a beery mood. A corner of the lot has been converted into a small grocery filled with Teutonic specialties (think jarred sauerkraut, honeywine, spicy jalapeno chocolates and plenty of pickles). In one corner was a small upright piano, perhaps a leftover from the days when the lot was a music hall (the monkey tells me a plaque by the entrance speaks of the place's tuneful past).

The temperature was slightly more than ideal, which a waitress explained was due to a request from the neighbouring long table for warmer air. She did, however, consent to aiming another aircon unit at our sweating ducks. The monkey and I arrived together (my duck having discovered the ape hiding at the Lido earlier) and the LonelyHam arrived shortly after. The crabby birthday girl had a full day of crabbing and classes, and declined to arrive with a skin layer of fresh sea salt to season the dinner. Instead, she turned up fashionably late in a new baju and still reeking of the shower....       

The girl with a thorn in her side, showing the aftereffects of drinking a pint of Anti-Ageing Beer, a German formulation available at Magma. This brew is made from powdered chitin, SK-II and Oil of Olay malt and thermal brine water from the health resort of Bad Saarow, as well as spirulina and plant flavonoids. It's not as bad as it sounds, and actually tastes pretty decent (like liquid Marmite, says the LonelyHam). But what do I know, considering I chose a tipple that was emerald green and tasted like cough mixture. The grassy goblet is Berliner Weisse flavoured with woodruff syrup while the rosy one is laced with raspberry syrup. Monkey found it too gassy and threatens to slice and pickle my duck never speak to my duck again if I post the photo showing her reaction.

The monkey ordered a Gebratenes Huehnerbrustfilet (chicken breast in malt beer sauce with rice and broccoli) while my duck eschewed fowl for a Schweinebraten (pork chop in black beer sauce with red cabbage [my favourite!] and potato dumplings). Joe and the Lonely Ham shared a sausage platter and a grilled pork knuckle.

On the whole I'd say the food is pretty ok. Not top notch nor basement barrel but rather above expectations for the price. The sausages were uneven; the ribbed one was quite tasty, but another had the skin texture of 4-a-pack supermarket bangers. The monkey said her chicken was tough, but I thought my chops pretty well done and satisfying. They should provide carving implements for the knuckles though (we kindly suggested this to the not-too-clued-in waiting staff) and I suspect that teething service problems are still bothering this month-old establishment. An Austrian (well, that's what his shirt says) chef (whom Joe thought looks like a character from 'Allo 'Allo) and a local apprentice dished out the servings from an open kitchen counter. The girl who waited on us didn't seem to know what 'tah pau' meant though and tried to suggest that this wasn't done, although later the boss readily agreed to doggy bag the unfinished knuckles for Joe to tear apart at home.

We had thought of washing down the meaty meal at Tea Chapter but it was already closing when we reached the place. After dithering a little at Maxwell Market, we headed to Smith Street for some Ah Balling glutinous rice balls instead. The monkey latched on a stray signal and did some street surfing while we sat and bitched til the stalls were shuttered up, rats leapt from the drain and the cleaners were clearly intent on calling it a night.

Comments

[monkey]

birthday girl looks fantabulous. monkey looks nasty as ever, im beginning to think thats all i ever look like *sigh*

[Lham]

your photos are really nice.
:)
muahahahaa.
Maybe i should go slit my eyes to make them look bigger. =P

[monkey]

your eyes looks fine O_O"