Restaurant Review: From office to bar for R&R

It’s a chain which brings to mind corporate city types, most of them in London, grabbing a saintly salad a necessary few after-work drinks.

It’s probably fitting, then, that Glasgow’s first branch of The Slug and Lettuce has opened on St Vincent Street — but don’t let the location fool you.

Step inside and it’s a pleasantly quirkier than expected; a flashy bar, sure, but complemented by hanging decanters-turned-lamps, plush 70s jewel tones and mirrors, mirrors everywhere. In short, it was a little cosier than I’d expected — which was no bad thing.

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My first mistake was taking the car along. Having invited along a friend who has been off gallivanting the globe for a year, a catch-up ensued that would only have been made better by cocktails.

Still, S&L is running its extensive cocktail menu at half price Friday-Sunday, so a return visit may be in order.

No doubt still on hippy traveller time, she indulged and tried a Long Bramble — a Bombay Sapphire gin concoction that was delicious, although the volume of crushed ice around it got in the way of imbibing just a bit.

I opted for a virgin version of the Bambini Bellini; cranberry juice, peach puree, fresh lime and lemonade - a zesty refreshing combo without the risk of a hangover.

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Having had her fill of Aussie barbecues and grub on the go, my companion opted for comfort food at its best; a warming, creamy hug of a chicken pie with smoked cheese and bacon sauce. The meat was moist, the pastry crisp and buttery mash went down a treat on the side, as did wilted spears of asparagus.

The call of a relatively healthy Lebanese flatbread got the better of me, and I opted for the smoked salmon topping; a crisp, herby base with generous flecks of fish and dill creme fraiche on top, although the advertised avocado was swapped for fresh peppers — sad news for this avo obsessive.

Still, it was tasty — and sort of guilt-free — paired with a hefty portion of thin and crispy sweet potato fries.

Of course, all that healthy eating went out the window when it came to dessert.

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Having totted up brownie (sorry) points with my main, I went all out with a chocolate and salted caramel bar; layers of ganache and gooey caramel stacked and drizzled. The chocolate was rich, the caramel properly salted (not a claim you can often make about the trendy ingredient) and it made for one indulgent end to a meal.

On the other side of the table, caramel-drenched waffles went down a treat too, for the most part — although my worldly-wise friend found the middle of them a bit too cold and chewy.

It has to be said that the service at The Slug and Lettuce was very good; polite, friendly, welcoming — often what’s needed after a long day at the office.

It wasn’t a perfect sweep, but with a few more cocktails (half price ones in particular), I’d happily eat it all again — making The Slug and Lettuce a reliable and welcome addition to Glasgow’s city centre food scene.

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Tostada flatbread with Severn & Wye oak-smoked salmon - £8.65

Sweet potato fries - £2.50

Chicken breast open pie with buttered asparagus and mash or chips - £10.25

Chocolate and salted caramel bar - £3.95

Warm waffles with caramel and ice cream - £3.95

Total: £29.30

The Slug and Lettuce

150 St Vincent Street

Glasgow

G2 5NE

0141 229 0607

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