Restaurant Review: De Bier Haus

On the menu: Snacks, platters, small plates and mains. Brunch and lunch ranges from "big breakfasts" to salads, a vegetarian risotto, lamb burgers (both of which also come as mains), open sandwiches and fish and chips.
Some of the more popular fare includes steamed mussels in a choice of not-very-German Thai green curry sauce; coriander, lime and white wine; or bacon, sweet chilli sauce and cream. They're available in a snack-size serving or, if you're game, a whopping one kilo's worth.
Other mains on offer include cider-braised pork belly, steak and a melange of sausage/sauerkraut/garlic mash. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available.
I'll have: The fish of the day, which was salmon. It was my second choice. I would have had the herb-crusted lamb, but it came with mash and warm veges, which didn't appeal given it was a warm summer evening. The fillet arrived on a bed of diced tomato, cucumber, red onion and lettuce, alongside a large helping of roasted gourmet potatoes. I ploughed my way through the large helping of fish - the flavours were sunny and fresh. I was defeated by the spuds.
She/he'll have: A very artistic-looking bacon-wrapped chicken breast stuffed with feta and sun-dried tomatoes, set atop a helping of creamy scalloped potato. It was perfectly cooked and got a big tick.
We shared: Bretzels (those soft, salty traditional pretzel-shaped bread rolls) which came with small bowls of garlic butter and an olive oil/balsamic vinegar mix. If you're here for after-work drinks rather than a full meal, these are the perfect, low-fat snack (minus that garlic butter, of course).
For the adventurous: There's not a lot of "different", though the crab and fish cakes with lime and chilli dipping sauce sounded tempting, plus I'm always up for a good Reuben sandwich, and DBH is the only place in town I've seen that has Reuben on the menu.
Value for money: Hard to tell given there's no indication of what anything costs. Maybe a Leffe dark and some of that twice-roasted pork belly.
To drink: Given it's a beerhouse, a variety of specialty ales and tap beers, and a short wine list with several decent-quality local reds and aromatics.
The staff were: On the ball, bringing water and the pepper grinder with no prompting. We picked waiter Stu as Irish or Scottish. He's actually English, and, according to some regulars, a "wee darling".
The buzz? We visited on a Tuesday night and there was a pretty full house - outside, anyway. The music was inoffensive soft rock, so we were able to have a conversation. Manager Nicole Monaco reckons during the week the Bier Haus is all about leisurely dining and after-work drinks, while food takes a back seat to fun on Fridays and Saturdays.
The verdict: A beerhouse with a solid but interestingly tweaked menu. If there's a group of you, the long tables inside beneath the antlers would be the perfect place for a, er, rowdyish night.
De Bier Haus
Where: 111 The Strand, Tauranga.
Phone: 928 0833.
Hours: Seven days till late.
Price range: You'll have to ask. There are no prices on the menu.