the garden slug

And this is why we love our Slugphiles.

Only through Twitter would we learn that there’s a barbershop quartet version of Inner Circle’s “Sweat”. Enjoy.

One of the best rewards we look forward to each year, is the annual hygiene and cleanliness grading letter (haha! We got two letters, geddit? A written letter and the letter “A”! *snort*) from the National Environment Agency.

More than anything, this is a validation of our Slugs’ hard work and diligence in upholding and adhering to our daily, weekly and monthly housekeeping duties.

However, the biggest thanks goes to you, our dear Slugphiles, who are generally very tidy and respectful customers. You make it easy for us to clean up after you, your children and your furkids. Most of you actually clean up after yourselves, and we’ve seen you teaching your offspring to do the same too. For that and so much more – thank you, thank you, thank you!

Here’s to a clean, kind and gracious Singapore

“Tomatoes are red, they never turn blue
Chilli is hot, and so are you.”

Yours truly penned this original poem and recited it to a very pretty girl some time last year. Said pretty girl rolled her eyes and pushed yours truly away.

If you’re just as witty in crafting food-related pseudo-romantic poetry, well, good for you.

If you’re nowhere near this sort of eyeroll-inducing talent, may we gently suggest you invite your hot date/ best friend(s)/ spouse/ family member(s) to a non-discriminatory Valentine’s dining experience at our humble li’l diner?

At The Garden Slug, we believe Valentine’s Day is for celebrating all kinds of love. Out of benevolence and consideration for all of mankind, we have created two special events: Mingle-Mingle Night on 13 Feb 2012, and Lovey-Dovey Dinner on 14 Feb 2012.

Free-flow Menu for Mingle-Mingle Night, 13 Feb 2012
• Pumpkin, feta & cranberry salad tossed in a strawberry vinaigrette
• Assorted mushroom tart triangles w/ bacon & cilantro pesto
• Sweet potato, red pepper & edamame croquettes served w/ a sesame dressing
• Ginger, honey & cayenne chicken drumlets
• Fusilli in a tomato-cream sauce w/ spinach and Italian (pork) meatballs
• Country Chicken Stew w/ hearty vegetables
• Cilantro & chilli dory (fish) atop tri-coloured roasted potatoes
• Red velvet white chocolate raspberry brownie
• French crepes topped w/ refreshing fruits in a lemon-orange rum glaze
  Book online: Mingle-Mingle Night, 13 Feb 2012

Four-Course Menu for Lovey-Dovey Dinner, 14 Feb 2012
• Heartfelt Soup: Roast pumpkin & apple w/ a light marjoram cream drizzle
• Passionate Starter: Fresh prawns w/ chilled avocado, cucumber mousse & a tabasco aioli

  Palette Cleanser: Orange & sweet cilantro shooter in a ginger-salt-rimmed shot glass

• Choice of “The One” Main each:
  – Australian Ribeye Wine Stroganoff (beef) w/ balsamic onions + sweet potato mash
  – Pan-seared Salmon w/ a tangy strawberry shallot sauce + sweet potato mash
  – Slow-baked Saffron Chicken Ratatouille + warm crusty bread
  – Braised Forest Mushroom Pasta, w/ a light drizzle of basil & truffle cream

• Make Sweet Sweet Love Dessert: Red Wine Chocolate Cake w/ a light Earl Grey Cream
  Cheese custard, lovingly paired with port-reduced berries & mint cream
  Book online: Lovey-Dovey Dinner, 14 Feb 2012

And if you’re curious about the story between the pretty girl and yours truly, a year later yours truly receives this in reply:

“Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
I do love the fact
That you are uncool.”

This brings us to only one conclusion: yours truly is clearly the better poet.

Inspired by Indomie Rasa Ayam Spesial. This weekend we’re having Rasa Mama Spesial (Special Mama Flavour) for youse. There’s nothing instant about what we make here, but we always make sure it is spesial. That’s a promise. Not just any promise, but a double-triple-promise, k?

I remember back in 19xx, I introduced the Spice Girls to my Mum. To my surprise, instead of frowning and judging them to be the absolute floozies they were trying so hard to be, she said they were pretty cool and she liked them. I told her my favourite was Sporty Spice.

I had this pirated VCD (yes, pirated. Hello, I’m Malaysian!) of one of their concerts, and Mum actually sat through it with me. After which, she told me her favourite song of all was “Mama I Love You” and that they sang it very well.

Now, I happen to think most mothers are highly-trained in the art of guilt-tripping. Although this time, I think Mum actually meant what she said. ‘Coz at that very moment I got a lump in my throat and something happened to my heart. Maybe it broke, maybe it melted, maybe it felt a twinge of guilt. No wait, maybe my angsty teenage heart simply felt something… like… love? But hey, I was seventeen and I wasn’t about to show any emotion, yo. I wanted to hug her but I didn’t. Teenagers. Sigh.

Anyhoo.

We’ve never talked about this publicly, but without my Mum there would be no TGS. She was our angel investor, and perhaps in a way, our angel. She gave the three of us this opportunity to live our collective dreams. Mum’s visited TGS a grand total of two times in the last four years and I wish she could visit us more.

• • •

This Mothers Day weekend, make a table reservation with us and we’ll give you something we think most mums will like: a Not-Too-Sweet Mango Alphonso, topped with freshly cut & lightly-honeyed strawberries. On the house.

For reservations, call 6346-0504, or e-mail justask@thegardenslug.com, or SMS 9225-7913, or send us a tweet @thegardenslug.

I was having a sandwich when I was watching this, and around 2:40 I nearly choked ‘coz I was getting that lump in my throat again. Show this to your mama, and if you’re a mama reading this, Happy Mothers Day with big sluggy hugs from all of us here

We know it’s not easy, and we hope that you’ll always think it was worth it – the day you decided to become a mother.

We got goosebumps and a good chuckle when we read this. See you tonight when you come claim your prize dinner, lovebirds!

All lives comprise of stories. Chapter by chapter; page after page. Most stories go by unnoticed, and most stories remain untold.

But this is a story that is destined to be forever inscribed in the annals of history. This is a story that deserves to be told. A story of friendship, determination and most importantly; love.

When I got to know her, we were both attached; albeit to the wrong people. I was studying in Australia, and she in Singapore. We knew close to nothing about each other.

Just like Ugly Salmon Cakes stacked upon one another, the odds were stacked against us. Akin to how Juicy Shrimp and Roast Pumpkin made for an unorthodox pairing, we seemed like a deceptively unlikely couple. However, we are great when put together; it was a miraculous case of serendipity.

Like a Semi-thin crust™ and the delicious pizza toppings adorning it, we were inseparable once put together. Similar the role that Asian spices play in a bowl Chunky Asian Seafood Broth, our relationship is characterized by vivacity, verve and vigor.

If there’s one word that would succinctly sum up my feelings for her, it would be “wasuga”.

This begs the question, what’s next? What will be on the next page on our menu of life?

Well, I definitely plan to go on one knee, pop the question, slip on the Calamari Ring, and it won’t be long till we become proud parents of group of little Mushroom Munchkins.



Gary & Agnes

p/s:
We are closed today for Lunar New Year celebrations with our families.

Business as usual from 10am Wednesday 17th Feb.

p/s:
Pls note we are closed today 13th Feb and tomorrow 14th Feb for Lunar New Year celebrations with our families.

Business as usual from 10am Wednesday 17th Feb.

Meet Angie, the radiant bride You’re a lucky guy, Dillon! To get ready for  the solemnization party at noon, Angie popped by Texture ( the cool salon right next to The Garden Slug) to have her hair & makeup done up. Glam man!

The setup for the J.O.P’s table ( Justice of Peace) to solemnize Angie & Dillon’s marriage
Disclaimer: Fancy Cartier rings not provided by The Garden Slug :-0

And now we present the newly weds – Angie & Dillon.
( We noticed that the J.O.P brought along his own little Singapore flag stand!)

All their family members were here to ra-rah them on!

Any guy that is so sweet to his mum and granny is definitely a keeper. And did we mention that Dillon has a fantastic sense of humor? Looks like Angie got a perfect catch too

Friends! What’s a party without whacky friends?!

Once again, Congrats Angie & Dillon ! Stay happy, stay in love always

Check out these lovely chocolates from Joey and Paul.. Joey celebrated her husband’s birthday at The Garden Slug on Friday night, and we’re so happy that they enjoyed themselves! So now, we must hao-lian a bit. ( Just kidding, we are just humbly sharing our joy!! ).. This is what Joey wrote in her card :

” Dearest Sophia, Joseph, Shaun and the other guys who was helping out last night ( Alex and Kenny)..  Thank You ! I really cannot say this enough. You are the best people I’ve had the fortune to meet.. From your sincerity, helpfulness and fantastic enthusiasam, and excellent food… Every one was really impressed, and I am totally blown away. Hugs to all, and all the best!  Joey + Paul Bday Boy “

Joey, you know what? Actually Alex slug told me just now that you are one of the nicest customers we’ve ever had too.. He was so touched that at the end of the party, you actually helped the staff to pack up.. You were also so concerned that the staff would have to stay late and they may be exhausted ..  So truly, the pleasure was all ours! Here’s a toast from The Garden Slug to you and Paul, wishing you both lots of health and happiness!

The chocolates were divine! Thank you for making our day

The “I Do”s scribbled all over the welcome board was all Hans slug’s idea… Didn’t know that Hans had such a marshmallow center. Haiyo, must quickly find Hans a gf, so he can whip out some of that repressed mushiness..

A colourful and chirpy spread for the happy ocassion..

Jesz & Alan! They make a really cute couple, I must say, and they were just a-glowing with happiness :-)

The moment of truth! The solemization of their marriage by the Justice of peace.

Thank You Kenneth for the letting us use your pics for our blog. That’s a highly unusual pose , I must say.. But we like!

Once again, congrats Jesz & Alan, and THANK YOU for trusting us enough to plan the reception for your big day..We wish you love that’s bursting at the seams and 1 million gb of joy!