Secret gardens for good eats: Enjoy a delicious dinner under the stars at these hidden outdoor retreats

Secret gardens for good eats: Enjoy a delicious dinner under the stars at these hidden outdoor retreats
By Jacqui Gal
Special to Metromix

Nothing thrills us more than stumbling on a hidden restaurant garden — probably because, as New Yorkers,
we often have to do without our own little patch. So with the warm weather here to stay, get some green at these hidden gems.

Le Jardin
25 Cleveland Place
Between Spring and Lafayette streets
212-343-9599

This classic French bistro has an expansive outdoor area, paved with stones and covered in grape vines. French menu staples like tuna tartare, bouillabaisse and a croque monsieur are reproduced faithfully, alongside a selection of regional wines. There are profiteroles and crème brulee for dessert, although the handsome French waiters might be all the sweetness you need.

Jeeb
154 Orchard St.
Between Rivington and Stanton streets
212-677-4101

With an entrance tucked below ground level, it’s easy to walk right past Jeeb on the Lower East Side — but don’t. Head downstairs, past the kitchen and outside to a spacious back garden, where Thai classics are served alongside an innovative “Thai tapas” menu. At $5 or $6 a plate, you can order a round of salmon dumplings, crab cakes and chive pancakes before delving into the wider menu of authentic curries, noodles and duck specials.

Max
51 Avenue B
Between Third and Fourth streets
212-539-0111

This beloved East Village Italian spot consistently hits the mark on three basic measures: quality, price and garden. The only trouble is deciding: the creamy mozzarella Caprese salad or the tomato bruschetta? Homemade gnocci or rigatoni with eggplant? From the meat group, there’s a veal shank, chicken cutlet and meatloaf just like Nonna used to make. Portions run large and the bill is comparatively small, so don’t forget your tiramisu for dessert.

Quartino Bottega Organica
11 Bleecker St.
Between Bowery and Lafayette streets
212-529-5133

For the vegetarians in your social circle, Quartino is a good bet. The back garden space isn’t enormous, so you’ll need good timing to snag a table. The menu emphasizes light, healthy and organic fare, with whole-wheat sandwiches and pasta dishes such as homemade tagliarini with avocado and tomatoes. Plus, there’s a good selection of wines, served by the bottle or — as the name suggests — by the quartino.

The Good Fork
391 Van Brunt St. at Coffey Street
718-643-6636

This Red Hook gem, which has gained a loyal following for its lively menu and cozy vibe, recently opened an outdoor area. The garden tables can’t be pre-booked, but ask to be seated there once you arrive. Then sit back for the parade: seared scallops, cornmeal crusted oysters, seared duck breast, pappardelle with spicy pork ragu. And, before you’re through, it’s probably worth trying the dumplings that beat Bobby Flay in a throwdown.

Gnocco
337 E. 10th St.
Between Avenues A and B
212-677-1913

There’s Italian-American and then there’s Italian-Italian food, which can be perfectly sopped up while sitting underneath the ivy in Gnocco’s back garden space. Start with baked artichoke hearts stuffed with goat cheese, or paper-thin octopus carpaccio among the antipasto. Then move on to homemade pastas, thin-crust pizzas topped with fresh mozzarella, or entree selections of beef, pork, lamb, fish and Cornish hen.

Jolie
320 Atlantic Ave. at Smith Street
718-488-0777

Private and romantic, the garden at Jolie restaurant in Boerum Hill is wooddecked and illuminated with delicate fairy lights — the perfect backdrop for a creative French bistro menu strewn with seared arctic char with spaghetti squash and pesto, venison filet with yam puree, and trusty old steak frites. There’s also a bumper brunch menu: think salads, sandwiches and omelets. Eager to please, the house even keeps a bottle of insect repellent on hand for sweet blooded patrons.

DuMont
432 Union Ave.
Between Keap and Devoe streets
718-486-7717

Since winning Time Out’s 2006 Eat Out award for best garden, DuMont is no longer a great secret, but it’s still a great place to eat. DuMont’s burgers are legendary, as is the gooey goodness of the “Dumac & Cheese” (fortified with gruyere and bacon). The back garden is decked out with wooden benches and a raised “tree house” space with several tables — plus an outdoor bar to keep the imported beers and house cocktails coming.

B Bar and Grill
40 E. Fourth St. at Bowery
212-475-2220

By Manhattan standards, the 3,000-square-foot garden at this Bowery bar is positively enormous. Covered in climbers and fairy lights, you’ll quickly forget that beyond those high walls is the bustling Bowery. Choose from six kinds of martinis or spring for a $35 pitcher of sangria — from there on in, making friends will be a snap. Bar bites and Latinstyle fare is served from brunch until 1 a.m.