CLOSED: Garden Secrets

My husband and I were going on vacation. So I visited this site for recommendations. After reading the good reviews for Garden Secrets, I wanted to make sure I ate there. The building is simple and not fancy but I have learned you cannot judge a good restaurant by the outside. I ordered the eggplant parmigian. It also came with a generous helping of spaghetti, toasted bread and a salad. It was delicious. The eggplant was cooked just right. I also had some type of brownie with soy ice cream on top. It was all delicious. It was so much, I had to take the spaghetti home. The hostess, who was also the owner was a gracious. I only regret I did not make it back. I live about 3 1/2 miles away but when I go back to Hot Springs I plan to visit there again.

Garden Secrets is the only fully vegan restaurant in the state. I've been there a few times and would be there a lot more if it wasn't an hour drive. Great dishes, great deserts, and really nice people.

My Husband and I eat her at least once (usually twice a week)! I can't say I have a favorite item because there are lots of items I love, but if I had to name a few, I would say...their fettuccine alfredo, tamales, and cheese/chik'n quesadillas, not to mention their awesome desserts, which is a tie between the peanut butter chocolate cupcake and the turtle cheesecake. I also get a variety of vegan cooking items from their store which continues to grow. The owner or someone from the kitchen always comes to check on how things are. Our experience is always, pleasant, friendly, and of high quality.

I have been looking forward to eating here since I heard of it opening in January. My husband and I finally made it down to Hot Springs today just to eat here (we live in Little Rock, but as we have no vegetarian/vegan restaurants here....sigh...). The food was so good. My husband had the Smothered Burrito, which was so tasty and came with all the fixin's. I had the GardenQ Chick'n Wrap...and it was AMAZING. My husband (non-veg) took a bite, and his eyes widened and he said "Wow!" I had a side salad with it with "Honey Mustard" dressing, and I drank the rest of the dressing from my bowl after I finsihed the salad. Really. It was that good. The people at the next table both ordered burgers that were FILLED and looked so delicious--I'm trying that next time.
Now, for dessert: I get very excited when I can order a dessert AND a meal. So our choices today were: Turtle Cheesecake, Strawberry Cheesecake, Brownie/Icecream thingy, and Carrot Cake. I got the brownie and my husband got the Turtle cheesecake, and both were phenomenal. My brownie was huge and covered in a delicious caramel and chocolate sauce with sliced almonds. His turtle cheesecake was covered, as well. We left so stuffed--and it was SO worth it. I'm so excited to have such a great place to eat, even if I have to drive a ways for it. What we'll do for good food, huh? We're probably going back next week...