Have a Little Slug With Your Meal. (Slug and Lettuce)

Member Name: nickyturnill

Product:	Slug and Lettuce
Date:	09/01/06 (969 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good food, comfortable, stylish and friendly .

Disadvantages: It's a chain.....

Although I don't usually go in for any chain establishments the Slug and Lettuce is simply one of my favourite places to eat and drink. This goes for the one in my home town of Cheltenham and also the one up here in Newcastle, both of which I have I have spent many a happy house inside. I have also been to the Slug in York and in Cardiff and both were just as good. I love the Slug in Newcastle because it never gets too busy at the weekends (although this cannot be said for the Cheltenham branch which is usually packed all of the time) and because it is in such a great location, there are comfy sofas, a great menu and wine list, cocktails and table service, all in pleasant and modern surroundings. What more could anyone want?

In the description on Ciao, the Slug is described as a Cafe. this is misleading. It is definitely more of a bar.

Hers a little more detail.

****The Decour****
The Slug in Newcastle is modern and spacious. There are huge windows which let in lots of light and reveal the fabulous views across the quayside. There isn't a specific bar or restaurant area. It all just merges into one, although the back is primarily kept separate for functions/parties. The walls are painted in pale pastel shades, plants adorn the restaurant and the walls are covered with comtempory art works, for example coloured tiles and prints. There are a number of plush leather sofa, which we always try to grab if they are free, interspersed amongst solid woden tables. Menus are found on each of the tables. I really like the atmosphere here, day or night, it is relatively casual and always friendly and relaxing. I especially like it as the clintele are really varied, from students to people in their middle age. There isn't really a stereotype and the music is never too loud either which is a real bonus!

Well, it all looks very inviting so shall we have a look at the menu?

****The Food****
The menu is fantastic and I always have a hard time choosing what to have. Generally it is a mixture of Mediterranean and English cuisine and there is usually a few dishes which are distinctly different sounding if you like to try new things. The menu's change quite frequently although standards such as steak, chicken ceasar salad and bangers and mash are always on offer. In addition there are usually specials advertised on the tables. A good selection of breakfasts are available till 12 and Roast dinners on Sundays. I have eaten here many many times and the food has always been good. Last time we went I had the smoked haddock (see below) and it was GORGEOUS to say the least.

The following examples are cut from the online menu directly.

>>>Starters.
RUSTIC GARLIC BREAD (V)
Freshly Baked with garlic butter, parsley and olive oil. Served with Sweet red Pepper Crème Fraiche. £3.95

FRESH MUSSELS (GF)
Kept fresh and simple, steamed with onion, parsley and white wine. £4.95

FRESH CHAR-GRILLED CHICKEN & CHORIZO SKEWERS (GF)
Served with Salad Leaves and Crème Fraiche £5.25

>>>Mains
SICILIAN CHICKEN (GF)
Fresh chicken fillet filled with sun-blushed tomatoes, fresh basil pesto and mozzarella, wrapped in cured ham and served on sauté potatoes and onions, with a lightly spiced tomato sauce. £9.25

CLASSIC MOUSSAKA
Layers of baked aubergine, potato and lamb ragu topped with a rich cream sauce. Served with rocket, manchego cheese and sun-blushed tomato salad. £8.25

BUTTER BAKED SMOKED HADDOCK (GF)
Topped with fresh asparagus and poached eggs. Served with wilted spinach and new potatoes. £9.95

>>>Puddings
ELI'S COOKIES AND CREAM CHEESECAKE
The newest flavour from the Chicago cheesecake giant, served with dairy ice cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce.
3.95

MINI CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
For those who need a chocolate fix but don't want to over indulge, a little, light chocolate mousse very simple served.
2.50

>>>Lighter bites
GREEK FETA AND ROASTED RED PEPPER TORTILLA WRAP(v)
Roasted red pepper, feta, sun-blushed tomatoes and rocket. £5.95

AVOCADO, ASPARAGUS, PINK GRAPEFRUIT and BLUE CHEESE SALAD (GF) (V) (N)
Served on crisp salad leaves and tomato. Drizzled with fresh basil pesto. £7.75

CLUB SANDWICH
Crispy Chicken Escalope, Cured Ham, Fresh Mozzarella, Lettuce, Tomato and Mayonnaise. Served in fresh baked rustic bread £6.95

>>>To share
THE SLUG PLATTER
Chicken and Chorizo skewers, crispy potato wedges, rustic garlic bread, wasabi tempura vegetables and roasted red pepper and feta crostini's. Served with sour cream, garlic mayonnaise and sweet chilli sauce. £12.50

>>>Sides
Buttered new potatoes 1.95
Beer Battered Onion Rings 1.95
Mediterranean Marinated Olives 2.25

I'd say that the prices are reasonable as the portion sizes are quite large and the food is high quality and well presented. As you can see from above there are a good selection of vegerarian options available and I'd say that you'd be hard pushed not to find something for everyone to enjoy. I also like the slug because they cater for whatever you like, whether it be a main meal, some snacks or a light lunch.

When the meals are served staff bring over a condiments tray with cuttlery, salt, pepper, mayo, ketchup, mustard and they are happy to fetch anything else you might require.
I have never personally had a bad meal here although I am sure there are some out there who can't say the same.

****Drinks****
There is a wide selection of cocktails (£4.50 a glass, £14 a jug, non-alcoholic cocktails are also available for £2.95 each) and shooters (£2.95). There is a good wine list, sold by small (175ml), large (250ml) or by the bottle, including campagne and also a good selection of soft drinks and hot drinks such as cappuncion, herbal teas and hot chocolate (real sugar lumps come with the coffees which is a nice touch!)
Staff are more than happy to bring drinks over to the table for you, even if you are not eating, which is a rariety anywhere.

****Opening Times****
The Slug and Lettuce opens at 10am for breakfasts and continues serving food untill 10pm. Alcohol is served until the usual times. There is no late licence or anything.

****Staff****
I have always found the staff helpful, well presented and generally friendly. As usual in such places, the staff are mostly students and young people. They dress all in black with teashirts bearing the S&L logo and back aprons.

****Tipping****
A service charge is NOT immediately added onto the bill.

****Toilets****
Good, clean, smart, lots of them so no queue for the ladies. Not much else to say really.

****Children****
There are a selection of children's meals available during the day time. For example burger and chips, chicken and chips or smaller portions of roast dinners on a Sunday. The Slug and Lettuce is a very accomodating place and I am sure they would be willing to do smaller portions of some of the other main meals. However be aware that the Slug and Lettuce is NOT really suitable for children in the evening but during the day there are often children present.

****Locations and Additional Info***
The Slug and Lettuce is becoming more and more popular and there is now a branch in almost every major City/Town. If you want to find out where your nearest Slug is then please check the website.

The Slug and Lettuce has been on the highstreet since the 1980's and is owned by SFI is a multiple retailer in the licensed trade, the company includes bars such as Bar Med and The Litten Tree, which I have never heard of.

If you want to find out more check out the website at:
http://www.slugandlettuce.co.uk/home.htm

****My Opinion****
The Slug and Lettuce gets a definite five stars from me. It is a relaxed, ambient place that I have always found friendly, clean and wellcoming. The food is great and if you don't want to eat you can always just grab a sofa and enjoy a drink! Check it out!

Summary: A great place to eat, drink and relax!