Steak in Singapore: New York’s Wolfgang’s Steakhouse is a Thrill for Carnivores

Does the Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Singapore Menu live up to its NYC heritage? Our editor and her steak-loving husband endeavor to find out

As I’ve mentioned once or twice before, my husband and I used to live in New York City, and one of the things we miss most about the city is its incredibly vibrant food scene. Of course, Singapore’s dining scene just might be even better, particularly as it draws in restaurants from the world’s best celebrity chefs.

I think the Singapore opening of New York’s famous Wolfgang’s Steakhouse might have been the second biggest highlight of 2017 for my husband (coming in just behind the birth of our son). He is a big-time carnivore and has dined multiple times at all of New York’s famous steakhouses, including Peter Luger’s, The Palm, Delmonico’s, and so on. But Wolfgang’s, famed for its USDA Prime 28 days dry-aged steak, is far and away his favorite.

Wolfgang’s is actually a bit of an upstart on the New York steakhouse scene, where a few of the stalwarts date back to the 1800s. The restaurant’s first location only opened on Park Avenue in 2004; the eponymous Wolfgang, Wolfgang Zwiener, spent 40 years as the head waiter at iconic Peter Luger’s before striking out on his own. He clearly possessed a recipe for success, as the restaurant has since grown to nine locations across the United States and 10 here in Asia (including four in Japan, where they certainly know a thing or two about beef).

Wolfgang’s Singapore location opened last November at the beautiful new InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay, which is fast becoming a dining destination unto itself. Upon arriving at the hotel you take the elevator up to the second floor and are deposited into a sleek, moodily lit lobby; the first thing you come to is a bar stocked with all manner of whiskeys and bourbons, along with some clubby leather banquettes.

At the restaurant’s entrance we were greeted by two friendly hosts, who escorted us through the buzzy, brightly lit dining room to our table overlooking the river. Because we were celebrating my husband’s birthday (and because, due to the aforementioned baby, this was the first time we’d managed to make it out to the restaurant), we decided to splash out with some of the menu’s highlights, including the signature Wolfgang’s Salad; the Seafood Platter with fresh lobster, shrimp and crab; and the Signature Porterhouse Steak for two.

Spoiler alert, mamas: we loved Every. Delicious. Bite. We cleaned our plates (even at dessert, when we opted for the Classic New York Style Cheesecake, which was far lighter and less cloyingly sweet than most cheesecakes you’re apt to find in Singapore).

For starters, the Wolfgang’s Salad is the perfect dish for a meat eater (like my husband) who begrudingly needs to eat some veggies. It balances lettuce, crisp green beans, and plump tomatoes with succulent bits of lobster and juicy, thick-cut bacon. I’ve never seen anything quite like it on any other menu; despite the decadent proteins it manages to be light and even somewhat refreshing.

The Seafood Platter almost felt like a palate cleanser; I’ve had my fair share of bad experiences with raw seafood here, but am relieved to report that the lobster was perfectly prepared. This is a great, somewhat decadent dish if you or one of your dining companions isn’t a huge meat aficionado (guilty as charged). The carefully edited menu also offers grilled salmon, tuna, and catch of the day options, along with a sublime 3lb Jumbo Lobster (available broiled or steamed) and – one of my all-time faves – Lobster Mac n’ Cheese.

Of course this was my husband’s day, so we went all out with the extraordinary Porterhouse ($185 for two people; apparently this accounts for 70% of orders at the restaurant). Wolfgang’s uses USDA Prime Black Angus steaks, which are flown in directly from the US, then placed in a climate-controlled facility for 28 days of dry aging, which results in super tender, extra flavorful meat. Only 2-3% of certified ‘Prime’ grade beef is even distributed in the United States, so you can imagine how special and rare it is to have here in Singapore.

Our steak arrived sizzling on a platter in a bath of butter and its own delicious juices; our expert waiter then served each of us a few tender cuts, cooked to medium-rare perfection just as we’d ordered. Even on its own it basically melted on my tongue, but with a dollop of house-made steak sauce it became a true jubilee.

On the side we went with two steakhouse classics – Creamed Spinach (I could have eaten a bucket of the stuff!) and German Potatoes – which perfectly balanced out the juicy earthiness of the meat with their creaminess and starchiness, respectively. I knew there was a reason I skipped lunch today, I thought as I shovelled the delicious food into my mouth. And I regret nothing.

Dessert was equally delightful, as was the service provided throughout the meal by our waiter, Idris, who told us about all the steak restaurants he has worked at in Singapore over the last two decades. He gushed about everything he’d learned from Wolfgang Zwiener and his son, who occasionally visit the restaurant.

Honestly mamas, I can’t find fault with the meal, which vastly surpassed any other steak restaurant I’ve visited in Singapore (including some that were far pricier). Wolfgang’s definitely isn’t cheap, but delivers with high-quality food and fantastic, friendly service. The restaurant also does a fab set lunch menu; for $80 you get not only delicious USDA Prime Petit Filet Mignon, but also a seafood starter (more lobster!), choice of soup or salad (how ’bout Caesar Salad with the thickest slab of bacon you’ve ever seen?), two delicious sides, and dessert. (Swap in Chicken Parmigiana – another New York classic – for the Filet and the price goes down to $55).

Read More: The Best Set Lunch Deals in Singapore

I know we’ll also make a point to swing by for the restaurant’s Happy Hour (daily from 3pm-6pm), which features a variety of beers and spirits for a totally palatable $10 apiece alongside various burgers and steak dishes ranging from about $15-$22. It’s excellent value if you find yourself at Robertson Quay at twilight, mama.

Given the fact that New York was yet again blanketed in snow this week (in April!), my husband and I will happily take the Singapore version of Wolfgang’s anytime.

Opening hours: Open daily from 11:30am to 3:30pm (Lunch) and 3:30pm to 11:30pm (Dinner). Happy Hour from 3pm to 6pm daily.

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, 1 Nanson Road #02-01, InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay, Singapore 238909, Tel: (+65) 6887 5885, www.wolfgangssteakhouse.sg