Erwin’s Gastrobar

3 stars!
1 star each for Food, Price and Ambience. No stars for Service and «Will I come back?»
This review is based on a lunch experience.
Service — Unfortunately, there were only 1 or 2 service staff for a busy lunch period. They were working very hard and being as pleasant as they can get. But no matter how hard they tried, the fact is, there was just not enough service staff.
I was dining alone, and I wandered into the restaurant to find my own seat as no one was available to seat me.
Other tables, I noticed were mostly waiting or waving their hands around for attention. As the special for weekdays was a set lunch, there were many tables of people needing a quick lunch before going back into work.
I ordered my lunch after a while, and while I waited for my appetiser, I got myself a glass of water from the bussing station. (I didn’t mind, the staff were VERY busy.)
Food — Above average. Steak for lunch seemed heavy, but the serving for the lunch set is manageable (150g). Who am I kidding? I would have eaten a 300g steak for lunch anyway.
The desert was great! Mocha mousse served in a demitasse cup and a tiny warmed doughnut by the side.
Price — $ 18+++ for a 3-​course lunch set. (and a soft drink OR coffee /​tea) (See picture of menu and menu board)
Ambiance — Apart from a many unbussed tables, overall pleasant.
«Will I come back?» — Unfortunately, no. Took too long, and made me feel sad /​angry for the service staff.

Erwins is a great place for a casual weekend brunch if you’re in the area. They serve an excellent scrambled eggs with smoked salmon (or chorizo if I’m not mistaken) on soft buttery brioche. They’ve got a decent selection of fail safe ‘western’ staples — from pies to pasta.

Very average western style food. Okay for snack, no so good for dinner. Maybe try KFC next time. Place is air cond. There is 10% service charge and 7% GST, brings grand total up by 17% above base food charge.

You say «pizookie», I say «pazookie»…
It’s like the best of calorie-​laden bar foods all on one menu! Honey siracha wings, sliders, pork skins, burritos and burgers. I particularly enjoyed the Steak Sandwich and the Beef knuckle Bolognese. The bread was fresh, the steak done to specifications. The beef knuckle gave a good texture and contrast combined with the pappardelle. The beer menu is also pretty extensive.
This is the second Erwin’s outlet (the first being at Marina Bay Financial Centre) and it’s similarly decked with cool furniture, mood lighting and an urban vibe. There was a lot of space within.
So back to the pizookie. It’s a portmanteau of «pizza» and «cookie», more cookie than pizza, a dessert famously on the menu of BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse since 1978. I guess they have a trademark on that word cos it’s listed as «pazookie» on Erwin’s menu. I think they serve the only pizookie in Singapore.
BJ’s version is a deep dish chewy cookie with ice cream slathered on top. Erwin’s result is similarly sinful dessert of crunchy peanut butter cookie, caramel, popcorn and ice cream… I’ll be back with friends. Cos calories should be shared.