The Garden Slug: A hidden gem in the East

June 2, 2010 | 21 Comments

wagyu beef burger

The Garden Slug’s Waga Wagyu Beef burger ($18.90)

Of late, I have been hanging out in the East almost every week. I’ve mentioned on twitter that I needed some suggestions for my list on the best food places in the East of Singapore.

There were many responses pointing to the stretch of restaurants along East Coast road, with Aston Speciality and Everything with Fries among the more popular options there. But the whole area was a little hyped-up and I preferred a quieter place for a simple dinner.

I’ve been to The Garden Slug previously for a food photography workshop organized by Samsung Singapore. When my partner said that she wanted comfort food for dinner, the cafe immediately came to mind.

Housed in the same cluster together with a few pet stores, The Garden Slug is somewhat like an indie cafe at Lorong L Telok Kurau. It serves homely comfort food – think big portions of Western food at reasonable prices.

bolognese pasta

We thoroughly enjoyed the Rustic Bolognese pasta ($9.90). There wasn’t any fanciful ingredients, just a light tomato sauce created with topside beef and carrot chunks and topped with zucchini. It was a very simple yet satisfying pasta done the Garden Slug way – comfort food in large portions.

BBQ Pork Ribs

The Hickory Babyback ribs ($29.0 for full and $18.90 for half rack) was bright, and hearty. The perfect dish to whet your appetite when you don’t feel like eating, and it’s also the dish to make us hungrier when we are feeling hungry. Having half a rack alone was probably not enough, so we ordered the full rack to share.

Mushroom risotto

Risotto looks like baby food, except that it’s much nicer.

I have a love-hate feeling for the risotto. It’s heavy, yet comforting. It’s a dish that I will want to order every time, but never wise to do so since I always can’t finish it on my own. It’s silly and downright foolish to try and finish a serving of risotto alone. Risotto is meant to be shared.

Subconsciously, I found myself scooping mouth after mouth after mouth of the Grilled Ocean Scallops with Mushroom risotto (on the weekend special menu). I adored the huge chunks of mushroom, and the risotto was somewhat similar to porridge. It’s warm and charming – the perfect thing for rainy days. This is comfort food at its best.

Pan seared dory fillet

The portions of the dishes at The Garden Slug are big and filling, and the Pan Seared Dory Fillet ($17.90) is no exception.

* * *

Like what I have mentioned, most people would probably think of the stretch of restaurants along East coast road, or Siglap centre when they think of the best food places in the East of Singapore.

If you are looking for a place that is away from the crowded East Coast area, The Garden Slug is a great hidden gem to bring your family, friends or date to. The cafe is simple and unpretentious. Most of the main courses are priced under $20, and I can see myself returning to the garden slug for their all day breakfast soon.

Restaurant Review
The Garden Slug
55 Lorong L Telok Kurau
#01-59/61 Bright Centre
Tel: +65 6346 0504

The Garden Slug is listed as one of ladyironchef’s favorite restaurants in Singapore.

Comments

21 Responses to “The Garden Slug: A hidden gem in the East”

Majimo
June 2nd, 2010 @ 12:06 pm

Have you been to Yellow Light Thai Food? It has been my usual haunt for a while now. Not your usual Pineapple Rice and Tom Yam soup kinda Thai joint has more unique dishes.

Give it a go… its further up from the usual foodie stretch, closer to Everything with Fries. It’s at 95, East Coast Road.
jiaying
June 2nd, 2010 @ 12:13 pm

did you try their desserts?
Mingfang
June 2nd, 2010 @ 12:32 pm

Try the bangers and mash next time you go there! I know my tweets are always late. :p
danghl
June 2nd, 2010 @ 1:36 pm

I’ve heard a lot about The Garden Slug, been wanting to visit it but the place seems a lil’ inconvenient for me. But your descriptions make it sound like I should go haha.

Ps. Stop seducing my stomach with your pictures!
Life for Beginners
June 2nd, 2010 @ 3:37 pm

“Risotto looks like baby food, except that it’s much nicer.”

Funny. (But true, too. Hehe.)
taufulou
June 2nd, 2010 @ 3:53 pm

just look at the ribs . . . so juicy~

*tempted
Esther
June 3rd, 2010 @ 1:46 am

I love the veggie breakfast set. V filling. But healthy so it’s okay
Esther
June 3rd, 2010 @ 2:02 am

And the pasta looks gorgeous. I will try it the next time I’m there!
ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
June 4th, 2010 @ 12:38 pm

Majimo: Yellow Light Thai Food? have not been there before. what’s the prices like?

jiaying: i tried their brownie and tiramisu on my previous visit, but this time we went to the cheesecake cafe after dinner

mingfang: YA! your tweet always come only after i finish my dinner. lol

danghl: oops sorry to seduce you everyday! lol! do drop by the garden slug when u are in the East!

LFB: but it’s true! i love risotto!

taufulou: I think a full rack is not enough, give me more! babyribs are the best thing ever

esther: hahaha veggie breakfast sounds a bit too healthy for my liking. Yeah please try the pasta next time, it’s simple yet delicious
y
June 4th, 2010 @ 10:28 pm

have you tried Arbite? It’s in the north-east though.. heh
ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
June 7th, 2010 @ 8:32 am

y: Arbite? nope it’s the first time i heard of the name. what type of place is it?
Majimo
June 7th, 2010 @ 10:08 am

Brad,

The prices at Yellow Light are pretty reasonable, of course nothing like Thai Express or Tuk Tuk as the food is definitely more authentic than Thai Express and more refined than Tuk Tuk.

A good meal that will leave you really full is around 50 bucks for two, that what me and the wife usually spend when we are famished.
yun
June 12th, 2010 @ 4:33 pm

noooooooo. you revealed one of my favourite hideaways ! i love this place. charming little shop tucked away among the estates.
ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
June 14th, 2010 @ 10:59 am

yun: hahahahahahahah oops! me too! it’s a nice quiet place! what’s your favorite dish there?
absolutjoiz
June 15th, 2010 @ 12:10 pm

I went there yesterday and tried the mushroom munchkins, greek salad, lamb loin and aglio olio. I like the salad (big and flavourful) and mushrooms (beware when you bite on it; it’s scalding!). The staff there was nice too, to give my dogs a big bowl of iced water (it was hot) and a dog biscuit each.
ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
June 15th, 2010 @ 3:39 pm

absolutjoiz: hows the lamb loin? I saw that on the menu but we din order it in the end (i was craving for bbq babyribs) yeah they are very kids, and pets friendly : )
absolutjoiz
June 16th, 2010 @ 12:00 pm

it was not too bad. I asked for medium rare but it came a bit more cooked, probably medium. And if you like lamb with no smell, this is the one. The mint sauce that comes with it is a bit too sweet for my palate though.
cynthia
September 14th, 2010 @ 2:03 pm

i heart the garden slug… and the best thing… they are animal friendly… XD
ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
September 17th, 2010 @ 11:30 am

cynthia: oh yes, one of the few places that are pets friendly! hehe
bunnisteffi
December 23rd, 2011 @ 2:50 pm

TGS is just a little way down from where I live. I’ve been down on two occasions, the second time with my family. The food and service were great both times. As Mingfang has proposed, try the Bangers and Mash! <3
Li
February 18th, 2012 @ 4:26 pm

Just went there on the weekend and tried their sandwiches. Taste wise they were just a little above average for me, nothing too special. But if I were to go back, It would be for the quiet and chill setting without the hyped crowd that has destroyed the dining experience of most cafes. The laid back and friendly staffs made the experience even more enjoyable. Though i dont have A dog, love the dog friendly environment!