Delightful and delectable smells wafting from their windows & a good looking local neighbourhood gastropub...BUT...
I've been to the Garrison before, a long time before! Its good to know that the interior hasn't changed much (sometimes too much change is a bad thing) cos its pretty perfect the way it is. Think of Kath Kidston meets the Stepford wives' country manor clubhouse. Its cutesy, country manor style decor, with one-off pieces here and there. I especially love the downstairs area for its warm table layout, with comfy mocha brown sofa lounges, original overhead screen projection-cum-cinema concept (screenings every Sunday evening) and a feature wall of illuminated glass bottles of various shapes and sizes.
We were there on a lazy Sunday afternoon, nursing a not-quite-a-hangover from the previous nights' celebrations (my bday drinks) but certainly in need of good coffee and fine grub. With the former - it was a great macchiato, beautifully presented with the rich dark layer of espresso at the bottom, the middle layer being a warm hot chocolate looking melding of the espresso and hint of frothed milk, topped with a small dollop of foamy milk.
Unfortunately, I can't pay too many compliments to the meal. Whilst the roast loin of pork that I ordered from the Sunday roast menu was reasonably apportioned for one, my friends' orders came out looking more of an entree sized dish for a mains price tag. Nonetheless, the food itself was absolutely delicious, my only gripe is that the pork was perhaps a little too overcooked in the middle (therefore rendering it slightly dry) and they could've been a little more generous with the side dishes (I recounted 2 pieces of everything, including 2 very lonely looking broccoli). Their roast potatoes were faultless however - crunchy thick coating but fluffy and powdery inside!
Opinions about dessert was somewhat divided amongst the table - I thought the crumble on our pear and blackberry crumble with salted caramel ice cream, was a little too hard and too buttery that it risked overcoming the subtle flavours of the pear and blackberry filling. The ice cream was fantastic however. Portion size wise, we shared one dessert between 3 and there was more than enough to go round the table.
Overall, I think the Garrison is a good spot to take your date out and impress him/her with both the daily specials menu, the relatively modest wine and cocktail list and ofcourse, the dessert to share! Just be prepared to part with some well earned squids! read more