Modern German Cuisine at Kempinski

IF YOU ARE SEEKING some culinary solace or want to dodge shopping mall queues, consider making your way to the Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski. Located near the main entrance to the luxury hotel are two new dining concepts - Frieda Restaurant and Berthold Delikatessen - named after Kempinski's founder Berthold Kempinski and his daughter, Frieda, both visionary hoteliers.

Berthold Delikatessen showcases traditional German delicatessen fare including an assortment of substantial sandwiches and salads. The kitchen also rolls out an extensive selection of German-style breads, rolls and pastries daily.

Over at Frieda, you will find three distinct spaces: Frieda's Day Bar, perfect for enjoying an 'abendbrot' or a casual evening meal topped with a pint or two of icy cold German beer; Frieda's Dining Room, great for a cosy, intimate dining experience; and the botanical-themed Frieda's Garden, a lovely spot for you to unwind and people-watch.

The menu, featuring traditional German and Austrian-style dishes with a modern spin, delivers with rustic generosity. If you are seeking some comfort fare to ease a tough day's work, slurp up a bowl of potato cream soup with leek and crunchy croutons (order some German bread to go with the broth), or the beef consomme, which harbours bouncy semolina dumplings and root vegetables, plus a serving of herbal pancake.

Alternatively, share a platter of cold cuts complemented by Gruyere cheese, mixed pickles, obatzda (a cheesy Bavarian classic), red radish and pretzel. Or dab some honey mustard and dill sauce on the succulent smoked fish before tucking in.

For mains, you can't go wrong with the authentic Wiener Schnitzel or breaded veal cutlet, pan-fried to perfection. The golden brown meat is partnered with sliced cucumbers, tossed with sour cream, dill and parsley, and potato salad. There's also a robust poached wagyu beef brisket and parsley potatoes perked up with horseradish cream sauce and beetroot salad. Those with heftier appetites can feast on sliced grilled meatloaf and German pork sausage with mashed potatoes, while a mound of quintessential sauerkraut helps to ease the richness.

If you're expecting something a tad lighter, a simple pan-fried rainbow trout served with baby spinach and parsley potatoes will satisfy. Had enough of meaty stuff? There's a vegetarian option too which is no less filling - pretzel dumplings enriched with creamy mushroom ragout and scallions.

For dessert, munch on the golden Viennese apple fritters - slices of apples are battered and fried till golden, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, and teamed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or sink your teeth into the pancake bismarck. Fluffy on the inside, and crisp and slightly puffy around the edges, this sweet treat is served with a drizzle of maple syrup and brightened with mixed berries. It's a rich and satisfying finale, best shared.

If a quick lunch is all you have time for, then Frieda's Salad will do the trick with an assortment of seasonal organic lettuce, cherry tomatoes, brined beetroot, and pumpkin seeds. If you like, elevate the dish with some goat's cheese caramelised with honey.

Opening hours: 12pm - 3pm and 6pm - 10.30pm. Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski, Unit 01-87, 01-K1-K2Tel: +65 6715 6873. www.kempinski.com/singapore