It's the end of the month and your monthly allowance is slowly but surely being depleted. With your belt tightened, where can you go to satisfy your craving for a thick, juicy steak? Phin's Steakhouse brings to the masses upscale western food at affordable prices, and is also conveniently located in the prime shopping area of Bugis.

• The Vibe
  Located at Liang Seah Street , this street of restored shop-houses is but a stone's throw from the bustling Parco Bugis Junction. The modest eatery's simplistic theme is apparent throughout the interior. Warm lighting illuminates the walls, and the glowing oak lamps provide a touch of brightness to an otherwise rather dim place. Diners may feel a little claustrophobic with the tables arranged so close to each other, although this is understandable in view of the size of the premises. Alfresco dining is available by the corridor, although this is not recommended during peak dining hours.

• The Food
  Phin's Steakhouse serves essentially American cuisine with a touch of fusion influence. With a menu that presents a wide range of choices from thick, succulent pieces of prime quality steak and breaded fried fish to platters of seafood, it attempts to wow the unsuspecting and delight the faithful. Although it may lack the finesse of premier steakhouses, it does enough to satisfy the heartland palates.

  Have a fine start to your meal with a hot bowl of Wild Mushroom Soup ($4.90). With a selection of wild mushrooms simmered in thick creamy soup and served with a slice of crispy garlic bread to boot, this precursor is truly appetite-whetting. The quintessential American treat, Tangy Buffalo Wings ($8.90), named after the city of Buffalo in New York , departs slightly from the norm. The well-breaded wings soak up the special sauce concocted by the chef, making the flavour evenly distributed.

  If you are a seafood lover and don't mind a twist to your salad, try the Phin's Seafood Salad ($9.90). Very much a novelty, it comes in a serving for 2 with generous slices of fish, mussels and prawns on a bed of crunchy greens. However, non fish-lovers may find the dish overpowering. While waiting for the main course to be served, you may try a thirst-quenching Mango Soda Float ($5.90). Cool and refreshing, one cannot help but take frequent sips.

  For main courses, do take note that Phin's Flambe Steak ($23.90) comes highly recommended. The mark of a good steak is its degree of doneness - it should be cooked to perfection, which naturally, is medium-rare to medium. If complemented by a great sauce that enhances the natural flavour of a juicy succulent piece of steak, what else can one complain about? The Flambe Steak comes in a hot plate and is a sight to behold as flames rise from the steak when Bacardi, which has the effect of improving the tenderness, is poured onto it. Although the cut of premium grain-fed tenderloin is commendable, the accompanying vegetables were bland and insipid. The mushroom sauce which was to go with the steak caked up upon exposure to the air and soon lost the smooth consistency it initially had.

  Do try the Brownie Attraction ($6.90) as it will simply bowl you over. What is more satisfying than a generous piece of rich homemade chocolate walnut brownie topped with vanilla ice-cream? Further drizzled with chocolate sauce, roasted almonds and whipped cream, surely makes it worthy of some moments of sinful indulgence.

• The Service
  The service staff is friendly, earnest and helpful. They will bring you a pleasant, no-frills dining experience. Do not hesitate to ask for their recommendations.

SD Food Advisor's take on Phin's Steakhouse
Phin's operating hours extend late till 3am or later for most days, making it an ideal place to for a gathering with friends for supper or drinks. Phin's intention to dispel the notion that meals at steakhouses are for the rich and elusive are evident. The reasonably-priced food at Phin's attracts a constant stream of customers, mostly trendy youngsters looking for a hip Western-style eatery offering affordable food. It has successfully branded itself as a budget steakhouse and carved out a niche market. Coupled with the continued efforts to improve its food quality, it would not be a surprise to see franchises sprout even in the heartlands.