Berliner German Bar and Restaurant Shop G01B, D Deck, Discovery Bay. Tel 2987 8203

The vibe: the recently opened Berliner German Bar and Restaurant in Discovery Bay is a chilled-out spot to unwind from city stresses. The large establishment with polite and helpful staff features a modern and stylish decor with brown teak furnishings. However, to make the most of the cooler temperatures, my guest and I opted to sit outside in the spacious alfresco beer garden to take in the sea view. Here, wooden-deck seating and well-placed lighting create a welcoming ambience, and the piped-in German pop music is enjoyable simply for its novelty value.

The drinks: the Berliner's large selection of mostly German beers, including Weltenburger, Kloster, Keiler and Schneider Weisse (HK$68 each), complements the traditional and hearty German dishes on offer. I washed down an excellent roasted pork knuckle with mashed potatoes and sauerkraut (HK$169) with a creamy, Guinness-like Fishers Hell (half a litre, HK$60). The Das Original (HK$50) Berlin-style beer, meanwhile, had a citrusy flavour that was too overpowering to enjoy. Half of the drinks menu comprises beers, but there's an impressive selection of cocktails and nine wines on offer. We enjoyed the refreshing Apfel Ananassaft (HK$58) made with fresh pineapple juice, apple schnapps, honey and fresh mint. And if you are not in the mood for dessert but want something sweet, my guest recommends the decadent German Chocolate Cake cocktail (Malibu, Creme de cacao and Frangelico, HK$58). Schnapps fans are well catered to with six varieties available.