Located on Calle Jose Maria Morelos across from Baja Brewing in an interior garden courtyard is Jardin Secreto. Walking through a vine covered long entryway, you arrive in a lounge area with comfortable seating and booths that open into a large dining area. On one wall are iron planter racks, a large bar on the other wall and much of the dining room is covered by a metal roof. The lighting is subdued and the atmosphere extremely pleasant (even if the music was a little loud for us old folks).

The menu includes interesting appetizers – octopus and beef carpaccio, mussels, oysters, a cheese board and a garlic cream soup – salads, pizzas, pasta and main courses ranging from pork belly to steaks to shrimp chardonnay and a catch of the day. While we were ordering our drinks and reviewing the menu, our server brought us a small amuse of couscous with tomatoes, corn, garlic and basil that were delicious. Beth and I thought the Roasted Garlic Cream was a dip and so asked to share it. It turned out to be an absolutely amazing soup that came with a crostini and large pieces of grilled garlic floating on the cream soup. Sue ordered the beat salad served with dates and John ordered the Palo Verde salad, which came with arugula, Kalamata olives, couscous, cheese and sun-dried tomatoes in a vinaigrette dressing.

For main courses, both John and I ordered the mushroom risotto and Beth ordered the Gnocchi in a white wine, butter, shallot, parmesan sauce. We were all delighted with our choices.

Having sampled the appetizers and main courses, we moved on to desserts and John and Sue ordered tiramisu and we ordered the chocolate cake. Again, very good. We will definitely be back to try more items on the menu.