The Garden Slug

It's another one of those days when I'm eating out alone again, but at least there's still that element of adventure to the day as I sought out a hidden gem in the eastern side of Singapore. This is The Garden Slug, a modest but admirable eatery that has been around in the Telok Kurau area for quite some time now. If "comfortable food", reasonable prices, excellent service and a peaceful setting is what you are looking out for, this is one place that you may be interested in.


The warm, humble and cheery feel to The Garden Slug would probably remind you of other cafes like Food for Thought, Kith Cafe, Kichn and Vanilla Bar, and for good reason too. I really like how unpretentious and sincere The Garden Slug appears to me and it's definitely my kind of place for a simple and hearty meal. Thank goodness I was in the vicinity today and it was a perfect reason to give it a visit.

Roast Beef Sandwich
Ciabatta bread topped with mozzarella and mushrooms


Truth be told, I was not in the bestest of moods so a cheer-me-up was called for. Naturally, I was well prepared for something deliciously sweet (read on...) but I realised I should have something warm and savoury too. The Roast Beef Sandwich looked like a simple and safe enough choice, inasmuch as part of me was eyeing the seafood pizza and pasta but there was only a certain amount of space that my jeans and belt could hold for the afternoon.


And delightfully, it was simple and safe enough to satiate my lunchtime hunger. Hearty slices of beef that went very well with the cheese, bits of mushrooms and most importantly of all, well-toasted ciabatta bread. It was typical of me to push aside the side salad (because I'm sooo on a diet) and in its place I got a small pack of Doritos nacho cheese chips. Neat.

Apple Cranberry Streusel


What reallyyy got me all the way here in the first place, was the dessert of the month: the Apple Cranberry Streusel. This looked so good on The Garden Slug's blog that I knew I had to brave the scorching heat and additional bus ride just for a taste of this little heaven. Thankfully, it did not disappoint at all.


Add this: thankfully too that I only had a sandwich before this, because the portion of this streusel was huge and it would definitely be better shared. It's pretty, no doubt about it, and the "scoop" of vanilla ice-cream (with notable specks of the all revered vanilla beans) was more like a packed snowball worth at least two standard-size ice-cream scoops. Generosity: check. Admittedly, it was a tad "icy" but this also meant that it managed to stay harder longer as I went through the dessert slowly. The hot streusel (very much a crumble to me) had fresh slices of apples and was uniquely good because of the pleasant hint of spices, which is more than just cinnamon. Sugar rush: check. Satisfaction: check that as well!

From what I gather from its blog, The Garden Slug is also offering photography courses for DSLR users. A pity that I live all the way in the west. I was a little "stressed" as well while posting this blog entry because I know my amateurish pictures can't possibly match up to their photography skills! Nevertheless, all that aside, it was a decent lunch indeed and I'm definitely looking at my calendar to plan a return visit here. The seafood pizza beckons.

Service
Excellent. Polite and friendly. All for no service charge as well!

Price
$9.50 for the roast beef sandwich
$9.50 for the apple cranberry streusel

* Note: The Apple Cranberry Streusel is only available till the end of the month!

Place
55 Lorong L Telok Kurau,
#01-59/61 Bright Centre.
Take Bus 155 from Eunos MRT, and get off at the fourth stop. Bright Centre is across the road, to your left.

Additional Comments
1. GST and service charge are both waived.
2. Opening Hours:
Mon - Tues 6pm-10pm
Wed - Thur 10am-10pm
Fri - Sun 9am-10pm or late
Public Hol 9am-10pm or late

Pictures taken with the Canon EOS 500D.