Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Café
141 Middle Road #01-01
9 Bras Basah Road
#01-01 Rendezvous Hotel
http://www.scafe.com.sg/
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| Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte / Black Forest Gâteau Cake (SGD $12) |
Hearty German & Swabian Cuisine
(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 10
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 9
Value for Money: 8
Spent about SGD $31 per person.
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Established in November 2012 by the S-One Stuttgart Singapore Group, the Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Café is its food & beverage arm of the business, showcasing classic, traditional German Swabian art and cuisine. With their friendly, professional service, good quality tasty food that is served in large portions, and whimsical, fairy-tale like ambience, Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Café is a place that promises a good dining experience.
Ambience at Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Café calls to mind the evergreen forests and picturesque villages of the Black Forest region in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Faux greenery cover the walls and ceilings, while rustic wooden furniture, some of it hand carved, line the warmly lit, carpeted dining area. The Black Forest region is renowned for producing ornate cuckoo clocks, which are displayed at the entrance. Life-sized, figurative nutcracker dolls, a German symbol of good luck, stand guard here. Excellent atmosphere!
Service at Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Café is very good. Staff are friendly, attentive, and efficient. Quick to greet and seat diners, they're also knowledgeable on the menu, and will check for feedback on your dining experience. Staff make the effort to engage guests in conversations, and they display proper serving etiquette befitting of a fine dining establishment. Feels welcoming and comfortable. Little wonder they've won a crowd of regulars, whom they even address by name!
Food at Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Café is a showcase of classic German cuisine, and the lesser-known Swabian cuisine from the Black Forest region. Generally, I find the dishes to be authentic, sticking close to traditional recipes. Tasty and bold in flavour where needed, dishes are also large and hearty in portion. Very good value for money, as you get restaurant quality food at bistro prices. Budget about SGD $31 per person for a full 3-course meal with drinks here. Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Café is definitely worth visiting!
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| Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Café Signage |
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| Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Café Exterior |
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| Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Café Interior |
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| Bar |
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| Decor |
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| Decor |
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| Decor |
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| Menu |
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| Menu |
The Beer Palmbräu Weizen (SGD $14) has a hazy, pale orange colour, aromas of wheat and yeast, with a smooth, light body and a rich frothy white foam head. Tastes of bread, sour apples, grains, and slight banana, with a dry finish that lacks bitterness.
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| Beer Palmbräu Weizen (SGD $14) |
The Beer Palmbräu Dunkel (SGD $14) has a hazy, chestnut brown colour, aromas of wheat and caramel, with a smooth, medium body, and a creamy stable pearl foam head. Tastes of bread, chocolate, spices, and slight toffee, with a sweet finish that has a hint of dry malty roast.
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| Beer Palmbräu Dunkel (SGD $14) |
The Beer Alpirsbacher Klosterbräu Pilsner (SGD $16) has a clear, straw golden colour, aromas of straw, malt, and lemon, with a fine, medium body, and a small stable white foam head. Tastes of grains, cereal, bread, and slight grass, with a semi-dry finish that has a sharp hop tang.
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| Beer Alpirsbacher Klosterbräu Pilsner (SGD $16) |
The Knoblauchbrot / Garlic Bread (SGD $Complimentary) is very good, with a crisp, airy texture, light yet not oily, and fragrant aroma of herbs and garlic. Lightly buttered, it's good enough that I wished I had more of it.
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| Knoblauchbrot / Garlic Bread (SGD $Complimentary) |
The Kürbissuppe / Pumpkin Soup (SGD $8.80) is a classic German autumn dish, featuring a rich, creamy, pumpkin soup / broth that has a lovely floral sweet flavour. The use of garlic and butter lends the soup / broth great body and a lovely fragrance, while the garnish of bread crumbs and vibrant green spirulina go well with this. Good!
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| Kürbissuppe / Pumpkin Soup (SGD $8.80) |
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| Kürbissuppe / Pumpkin Soup |
Different from the French Onion Soup, the German Zwiebelsuppe / Onion Soup (SGD $8.80) is very clear and light, with a thin body, and is much sweeter on the palate. The traditional classic version is made with caramelised onions, garlic, white wine, chicken stock, and oregano, though their version here uses beef stock instead. Presentation also differs, with the parmesan cheese coated bread in large chunks rather than small croutons. Light and tasty, not too filling, this warm soup / broth helps to open the appetite.
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| Zwiebelsuppe / Onion Soup (SGD $8.80) |
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| Zwiebelsuppe / Onion Soup |
While the Kartoffelsuppe / Potato Soup (SGD $8.80) has a nicely thick and creamy texture, the flavour is a let-down, being rather bland. Could have been so much better if various other root vegetables or more herbs were added. Skip this.
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| Kartoffelsuppe / Potato Soup (SGD $8.80) |
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| Kartoffelsuppe / Potato Soup |
The Linsen Mit Spätzle Und Wurst / Lentils With Spatzle And Sausage (SGD $16.80) is a classic Swabian dish, featuring irregular-shaped spatzle egg noodles, which are made with eggs, salt, and coarse semolina flour. Chewy in texture and plain in taste, when paired with the rest of the ingredients, including a thin-skinned, snappy beef sausage frankfurter that is savoury salty and juicy, as well as a smoky savoury brown lentil stew (made from brown lentils, beef stock, salt, bay leaf, carrots, smoked bacon, butter, onions, vinegar, sugar, and pepper), this dish is incredibly delicious. Hearty, German comfort food. Highly recommended!
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| Linsen Mit Spätzle Und Wurst / Lentils With Spatzle And Sausage (SGD $16.80) |
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| Linsen Mit Spätzle Und Wurst / Lentils With Spatzle And Sausage |
Rather conflicted about the Würstchen / Speciality Sausages (SGD $18.80). What I liked; the thin-skinned, snappy beef sausage frankfurter that is savoury salty and juicy; the smooth, creamy mashed potato with brown sauce; and the sour sharp sauerkraut fermented cabbage that is mixed with strips of bacon, lending a tasty savoury salty flavour. What I didn't like, was the rather loosely packed pork snail sausage, lacking the meaty depth of flavour, and missing the smoky grilled aroma. Decent dish overall.
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| Würstchen / Speciality Sausages (SGD $18.80) |
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| Würstchen / Speciality Sausages |
The German Rindergulasch / Beef Goulash Stew (SGD $21.80) features lean chunks of beef shoulder, carrots, onions, and celery, all braised / stewed together in a mix of water, red wine, salt, bay leaf, and oregano. The result is incredibly tender beef meat, that seemingly melt away in the mouth, while the rich, thick stew gravy is boldly savoury meaty, and robust in flavour. Served with a crusty loaf of white bread, the portion looked small, but is super filling. Good!
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| Rindergulasch / Beef Goulash Stew (SGD $21.80) |
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| Rindergulasch / Beef Goulash Stew |
The Maultaschen (SGD $16.80) is a traditional Swabian meat pocket / dumpling, square in shape like the Italian ravioli pasta, except this is much, much larger. The version here stays true to the classic recipe, with a large pocket of pasta noodle, tightly stuffed with a filling of minced beef meat, smoked beef, spinach, onions, bread crumbs, parsley, nutmeg, and pepper, served in a warm chicken and vegetable soup / broth that is savoury salty and intense. The meat pocket / dumpling itself has a nice chewy exterior, while the interior is hot, moist, meaty, savoury salty, and so satisfying. I understand why this is a German Swabian comfort dish. Highly recommended!
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| Maultaschen (SGD $16.80) |
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| Maultaschen |
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| Maultaschen |
Their signature dish is the Schweinshaxe / Roasted Pork Knuckle (SGD $19.80 / $55). Served with creamy smooth mashed potatoes and sour sharp sauerkraut fermented cabbage, the pork knuckle is surprisingly moist, with tender meat that comes off easily from the bone. The thick layer of fats is easily removed, and the skin is crunchy and savoury, crackling beautifully when bit. Very satisfiying. Portion size is rather large, making it worth sharing. Highly recommended!
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| Schweinshaxe / Roasted Pork Knuckle (SGD $19.80 / $55) |
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| Schweinshaxe / Roasted Pork Knuckle |
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| Schweinshaxe / Roasted Pork Knuckle |
The classic German dessert of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte / Black Forest Gâteau Cake (SGD $12), also known as Black Forest Cherry Cake, is named for the signature liqueur of kirschwasser / morello cherry liqueur it uses, which is made in the Black Forest region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The version here stays true to the traditional recipe, and is among the best versions I've tasted, with a moist, soft chocolate sponge cake, layered with airy whipped cream, studded with sour cherries infused with kirschwasser / morello cherry liqueur, garnished with maraschino cherries, and chocolate shavings. Taste is sweet, sour, sharp, and boozy, all at once, very delightful. Highly recommended!
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| Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte / Black Forest Gâteau Cake (SGD $12) |
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| Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte / Black Forest Gâteau Cake |
The traditional Ofenschlupfer / Swabian Bread Pudding (SGD $10) somewhat resembles the classic British dessert of Bread Pudding, with some differences. While still featuring a baked white bread pudding studded with raisins, soaked in milk, butter, and spiced with sugar and cinnamon, the Swabian version also adds sliced apples and almonds into the dessert. This makes it more sweet, nutty, and fruity than other versions. Served with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. It's large in portion, best shared among 2 - 3 people. Good!
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| Ofenschlupfer / Swabian Bread Pudding (SGD $10) |
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| Ofenschlupfer / Swabian Bread Pudding |
The Birnenstreusel / Pear Crumble (SGD $10) has a thick layer of cinnamon spiced biscuit and rolled oats crumble on top, with a nice grainy crumbly texture. And below, a blanket of warm tender pear slices, sweet and fresh. Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, this dessert is simple, but satisfiying.
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| Birnenstreusel / Pear Crumble (SGD $10) |
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| Birnenstreusel / Pear Crumble |
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Update Dec-2019: Been over 3 years since I last visited Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Café, and they're still doing what they do best. Ambience at Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Café is as lovely as ever, the rustic hand-carved wooden furniture, faux greenery, and life-sized decor having stood the test of time. Service at Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Café remains friendly and efficient, with staff displaying good product knowledge and personalised attention. Food at Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Café features classic German cuisine, and the lesser-known Swabian cuisine from the Black Forest region. Taste is consistently good, and dishes are large in portion. Prices have remained constant, budget about SGD $31 per person for a meal here.
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| Seating |
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| Menu |
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| Menu |
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| Menu |
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| Menu |
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| Menu |
The Beer Engel Gold (SGD $18) is a German style helles pale lager beer, brewed by the Crailsheimer Engelbräu in Crailsheim, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It has a bright sunrise orange colour, with aromas of hops, barley, wheat, and light malts. The body is thin, light, and fresh, boasting a good foamy white head of carbonation, with tastes of butterscotch, cardboard, white bread, and grapefruit. Has a citrus sour sweet bitter flavour, with a watery finish.
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| Beer Engel Gold (SGD $18) |
The Beer Engel Dunkel (SGD $18) is a Munich style dunkel lager beer, brewed by the Crailsheimer Engelbräu in Crailsheim, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It has a dark tan brown colour, with aromas of figs, chocolate, toffee, and dark malts. The body is thin, light, and dry, boasting a good foamy white head of carbonation, with tastes of chestnut, caramel, rye bread, and dark cherry. Has a bready sour sweet bitter flavour, with a watery finish.
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| Beer Engel Dunkel (SGD $18) |
The Knoblauchbrot / Garlic Bread (SGD $Complimentary) features medium slices of crisp light toasted bread, coated in a piquant layer of crushed garlic and butter, with a sharp herbal sweet spice flavour. Decent enough. Typically served with any order of soup or salad here.
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| Knoblauchbrot / Garlic Bread (SGD $Complimentary) |
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| Knoblauchbrot / Garlic Bread |
The Schwarzwälder Sommer Salat / Black Forest Summer Salad (SGD $9.80) features a fresh crunchy base of mesclun salad (lettuce, baby spinach, chard, mizuna), juicy cherry tomatoes, tender cocktail onions, soft kidney beans, and pickled mustard seeds. This lovely refreshing bowl has bright vegetal bitter earthy sweet sour flavours. We chose the honey mustard dressing, which lent bright mellow tangy zesty sour sweet flavour to the salad. Good!
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| Schwarzwälder Sommer Salat / Black Forest Summer Salad (SGD $9.80) |
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| Schwarzwälder Sommer Salat / Black Forest Summer Salad |
The Würstchen Mit Kartoffelpüree / Sausage And Mash (SGD $9) is large enough to be a main dish instead of an appetizer. A mound of smooth chunky mashed potato sits in a thin brown gravy that holds bold salty savoury flavour. Topped with a large juicy snappy sausage (choice of either chicken or beef), which bursts with addictive savoury salty meaty flavour. Delicious and filling. Good!
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| Würstchen Mit Kartoffelpüree / Sausage And Mash (SGD $9) |
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| Würstchen Mit Kartoffelpüree / Sausage And Mash |
The Maultaschen (SGD $16.80) is as good as before. The traditional Swabian meat pocket / dumpling, square in shape like the Italian ravioli pasta (and made from pasta noodle), is large, and generously packed with a filling of minced beef meat, smoked beef, spinach, onions, bread crumbs, parsley, nutmeg, and pepper. This meaty pocket is served in a warm chicken and vegetable soup / broth that is savoury salty in flavour, completed with a garnish of soft caramelised onions and crisp pea shoots. The meat pocket / dumpling itself has a nice chewy exterior, while the interior is hot, moist, meaty, savoury salty, and so satisfying. Highly recommended!
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| Maultaschen (SGD $16.80) |
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| Maultaschen |
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| Maultaschen |
The Schweinshaxe / Roasted Pork Knuckle (SGD $48) seems to be more affordable than before. They've omitted the mashed potatoes this time, but the juicy crisp sauerkraut fermented cabbage is still present, refreshing the palate with its sour sharp flavour. The pork knuckle is partly moist and partly dry, with tender pork meat that comes off easily from the bone, and is meaty savoury salty in taste with a light chew. The thick layer of fats is easily removed, and the pork crackling skin is super crisp and savoury salty, crunching beautifully when bit. Very satisfiying. Portion size is large, making it worth sharing between 3 to 4 people. Served with an addictive brown gravy on the side.
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| Schweinshaxe / Roasted Pork Knuckle (SGD $48) |
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| Schweinshaxe / Roasted Pork Knuckle |
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| Sauerkraut |
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| Schweinshaxe / Roasted Pork Knuckle |
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| Schweinshaxe / Roasted Pork Knuckle |
Loved the excellent Schweineschnitzel / Pork Schnitzel (SGD $19.80). Enveloped in a thin yet crisp breaded batter, the thick cut of pork loin chop is boneless, with meat that is tender and moist. Bite in, and you get a beautiful savoury salty meaty flavour. Accompanied by fresh crisp lettuce, a slice of juicy tomato, and 2 scoops of dense mashed potato, completed with a lovely meat gravy that is boldly savoury salty in taste. A hearty and filling plate, yum. Highly recommended!
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| Schweineschnitzel / Pork Schnitzel (SGD $19.80) |
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| Schweineschnitzel / Pork Schnitzel |
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| Schweineschnitzel / Pork Schnitzel |
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| Schweineschnitzel / Pork Schnitzel |
The demand for their excellent Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte / Black Forest Gâteau Cake (SGD $14) remains high. This Black Forest Cherry Cake, named for the signature liqueur of kirschwasser / morello cherry liqueur it uses, stays true to the traditional recipe, and is still among the best versions I've tasted. It has a moist, soft chocolate sponge cake, layered with airy whipped cream, studded with sour cherries infused with kirschwasser / morello cherry liqueur, garnished with maraschino cherries, and chocolate shavings. Taste is chocolatey sweet, sour, sharp, and boozy, all at once, very delightful. Highly recommended!
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| Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte / Black Forest Gâteau Cake (SGD $14) |
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| Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte / Black Forest Gâteau Cake |
Think of the Apfelküchle / Apple Fritter Rings (SGD $12) like a dessert version of fried onion rings. Seemingly simple, I appreciate the complexity in making this; from ensuring that the green apple slices are sufficiently thick and juicy, able to fry without going dry; to the thinness of the crisp beer breaded batter, which envelopes the apple rings without breaking. Coated in a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar crystals, this lovely dessert has addictive fruity sweet spice flavours. Served with a large creamy smooth scoop of vanilla ice cream. Completely delicious, I loved every bite of this. Highly recommended!
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| Apfelküchle / Apple Fritter Rings (SGD $12) |
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| Apfelküchle / Apple Fritter Rings |
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| Apfelküchle / Apple Fritter Rings |
The Christmas Cookies (SGD $Complimentary) were made in-house, and have a good buttery flavour, with a crisp crumbly texture. Delicious cookies, I understand they also sell this by the jar during Christmas.
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| Christmas Cookies (SGD $Complimentary) |
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CONVERSATION