In the previous post, I mentioned going to Buckaroo which reminded me of Sunset Grill & Pub at Seletar Airbase. It would not be complete without a visit to Sunset for a comparison.

As it has been a few months since my last visit to Sunset, some friends and I decided to go there on Saturday to celebrate one of their birthdays (good excuse to also have a “refresher”)…and boy, it was a heck of a birthday to remember…for the birthday boy at least…

I have been there a couple of times before this most recent visit. On both occasions, my dining companions steered clear of ordering the infamous ‘Level 30′ hot wings. The highest I had gone before was 7, however, I told myself that for my next visit, I will HAVE to experience the Level 30 wings myself (having heard so much about it).

This is how it works…on the menu, you have hot wings which are given a spiciness rating of 1 to 10 (10 being the highest). For the brave (or foolhardy), there is a special order not listed on the menu (for good reason), and that is the Level 30. If you and your group can sucessfully finish the entire order of Level 30 wings (be it half a dozen or a full dozen), you get your name on the wall, and get a certificate to attest that you are part of a select group who’d risk life and limb (and gut) just to prove that you have a digestive tract made of adamantium.

When we got there (at about 6.45pm), the place was already quite packed, and there was a long line that seemed to stretch from Seletar to…err…Sengkang. We were told we had to wait an hour to be seated indoors, and another hour for the food. However, we settled for an outdoor seat and were seated almost immediately.

We proceeded to place our order, and a sign of what we were in for came when the waitress raised an eyebrow and asked “Level 30?” in an “are-you-sure-you-know-what-you-are-doing?” tone. Still, I was determined to give it a shot. By now, it was clear that the Level 30 wings would be the focus of the dinner. Nothing else mattered anymore. After all, it was said that your tongue/mouth would be so numbed that you wouldn’t be able to taste anything else anyway. Regardless, the rest of the food deserves some mention.

I must say the deep fried mushrooms were tastier and juicier than the ones at Buckaroo. The calamari rings were so-so…but the rib-eye steak…ohhh…the steak…it was much better than the one at Buckaroo. The flavor from the marinade seemed to soak through to the meat, and there was this char-grilled taste which is oh-so-critical in a good steak. The one at Buckaroo tasted bland once you got through the surface, and the taste of the meat didn’t come through.
 

 

 
(By the way, just some FYI. If you noticed any similarities between the two establishments, there is a reason for it. Apparently, both were conceived by the same person who then sold the idea to others. If that were true, I suppose that explains the similarities, in terms of comestibles. And decor.)

Anyhow, the anticipated (dreaded?) moment arrived. The idea was for each of us to finish one wing. However, my dining companions weren’t huge fans of spicy food, so I told them that I would finish off whatever Level 30 wings were left. The birthday boy (who absolutely CANNOT take spicy food) had to finish at least one all by himself. In the end, the only takers were the three guys.

On the count of three, the three guys proceeded to try the wings. Initially, it was like, “What’s the big deal?”…but the full realization of what you had done only kicks in about 10-20 seconds after you take the first bite. Suffice to say, Mr Birthday Boy started tearing/sweating and could obviously play no part in it. Psycho gamely finished his share, but could go no further…and yours truly, being a man of his word, had to finish the other four. It wasn’t so bad. After all, I like spicy really spicy, and I could take a breather in between wings with ice water, ginger ale, and the other food. It takes about 10 minutes for the heat in your mouth to fully wear off, but the REAL problems only come in about 20 minutes after you finish the meal.

While sitting and chilling, I started to feel this “heat” in my tummy, as though something was burning inside. Then, the cramp-like feelings started and I was not sure if the pain was because I had to go (for the record, I didn’t). But this went on through the rest of the night, and while it wasn’t terribly painful, it caused some discomfort. Even as I write this, three hours after the meal, I can still feel the “heat” in my tummy. I wonder how the sauce doesn’t eat through the plate…

Anyhow, here’s a tip. If you want to have more than two wings, I suggest bringing along some Eno or drinking some milk afterwards (Sunset does have milk…probably for putting out the fire in your belly).

This place has received both positive and negative reviews online, with some saying the food is not value for money, and others saying the place is rundown, etc. And yet, the long queue for a table contradicts all that (when we left at 9pm, there was still a queue!)

I suppose it is down to what one is looking for. If you are looking for a posh place expecting Morton’s steaks, or if you want a reasonably priced steak done properly in a restaurant setting, then this is not the place for you. Go to Morton’s or Aston’s instead.

On the other hand, if you want a quaint, rustic place where you can let your hair down, chill in t-shirt and shorts, have a good time with your friends while tucking into good ol’ American fare with your bare hands, and watch the sun go down ALL at the same time, then give Sunset Grill & Pub a shot. You’ll not regret it…

…unless you order the Level 30 wings.
 

 
 
 
Sunset Grill & Pub is at:
140B Piccadilly Road
Seletar Airbase-East Camp
Singapore 797754
 
 
Oh…and before I forget, here’s proof: