Review: The House at Secret Garden

Recently, I met up with a new friend who invited me to meet her for happy hour at The House at Secret Garden. Crazily enough, The House is right down the street from where I live – coincidence? Whatever it may be, I think I’ve just discovered my new favorite spot.

The House at Secret Garden is location at 24th street and Baseline and just officially opened for lunch and dinner less than two weeks ago. It is tucked away on a beautiful property, mostly used for weddings and events (visit the Secret Garden website here), inside a historic mansion built in 1929. The mansion has been re-vamped with a few modern touches and conveniences, but still holds that warm, historic feel that I love.

The restaurant is absolutely beautiful and unlike anything I’ve found in South Phoenix. Selfishly, I want this restaurant to remain one of the city’s best kept secrets, but instead I’ll share the greatness with you all.

I met my friend for happy hour (5:00pm-6:30pm) and was enticed by their unique cocktail menu. I opted for the Basil Cucumbertini ($6 for Happy Hour) described as “light and refreshing – Bombay Sapphire with fresh basil, cucumber and agave nectar”. I’m not one for cocktails these days and I’m especially not a fan of gin, but give me basil in a drink any day. I’m glad I gave it a shot, because I would definitely re-order this. The agave lends just the right amount of sweetness to soften the basil. Paired with the crispness of cucumber, it was a pick-me-up in a glass. (By the way… The House has their own herb garden in the back!)

For bites, we ordered:

Sweet Potato Planks ($5 for Happy Hour) – Sweet Potato Skins with Crème Fraiche, Scallions and Pancetta Wheels. Genius combination – a sophisticated version of loaded baked potato skins! After I went home, I found myself craving these all night and in to the next couple of days… which required a follow-up visit for more.

Sweet Potato Planks

Local and Organic Veggies “Scampi” Style ($10) – Grilled Focaccia with Seasonal Veggies and Black Mesa Ranch Goat Cheese. This will make you fall in love with vegetables – I don’t care what your aversion may be!

Local and Organic Veggies “Scampi” Style

Pulled Pork Sliders ($5 for Happy Hour) – Three Sliders with House Slaw. I can see why these have been such a hit since the opening. Smoky, not spicy (the way I like it), with a crunchy bite of slaw. I took my leftovers home to the husband who praised these for days!

Pulled Pork Sliders

Lastly, Golden Polenta Fries with House Dipping Aioli ($3.50 for Happy Hour). WOW. I’ve been talking about these polenta fries since the moment I had them. I’m a huge fan of fries (anything fried, really, I’m from the Midwest), but these were… magnificent. Try them, you must!

Golden Polenta Fries

Dessert was taken to go only because I wouldn’t dream of  passing it up, and I couldn’t eat another bite. I chose the Puddin’ and Pie ($8) since it seemed to be the logical choice for a to-go dessert. The dessert was described as “Sweet Potato Puddin’ with Toasted Coconut, Marshmallows and Pecan Pie”. The house-made marshmallows were fluffy and delicious, a nice addition to the trio. The sweet potato pudding was equally scrumptious… and I finished every bite. However, the Pecan Pie was the real star – I need 100 more of these! Sadly, there are no pictures of this – I devoured it too quickly.

The meal left such an impression on me, that I took my husband out for another visit two days later. We ordered much of the same:

Sweet Potato Planks

Golden Polenta Fries

With the addition of the Smoked Brisket Sandwich ($11) – Arugula, Tomatoes, Grilled Onions, Dijon Mustard, and Provolone Cheese on Toasted Baguette. This was my husband’s dish and he requested no tomatoes, but later admitted that they would have really complemented the sandwich. He spoke nothing but praise of it! I managed to sneak a tiny piece of smoky brisket though – so full of deliciousness!

Smoked Brisket Sandwich

For dessert, we tried the Fig-Ricotta Fritters ($8) – Fig Balsamic Syrup, Crème Fraiche and Fleur de sel Caramel for Dipping. Of course, the Fleur de sel Caramel was my favorite dipping sauce, but don’t let that fool you in to thinking the other two were any less fabulous. The little fritters were fluffy, moist and sweet with tiny crunches of fig. Another dessert I would absolutely re-order!

Fig-Ricotta Fritters

The House at Secret Garden is located at 2501 E. Baseline Road | Phoenix | 85042. Visit their website for more information at houseatsecretgarden.com

Also, follow them on Twitter (@TheHouseatSG) and Facebook for updates.

Head on out for lunch or dinner and tell me what you think (or better yet, take me with you)!