After a great day spent happily tasting the Marlborough region’s fabulous wine, we headed out to dinner in Blenheim.  We’d been impressed with the area’s laid-back tranquility during the day but Blenheim seemed to carry it to a ridiculous degree.  None of the shops were open and several of the restaurants were closed too – and it was 6PM!  After we’d checked out the places in the guidebook and found nothing that looked promising, we stumbled on The Secret Garden.  At first Wendy didn’t want to walk down the little walkway to their door, since she was convinced it was just a gardening store!  Thankfully, Ian dragged her along and a fabulous restaurant was discovered.

Quite honestly, at that point we would have been happy with just about any place that was open, but when we walked in we straight away knew we’d found some place special.  We were greeted warmly by a gentleman behind the bar, as if we were old friends.  We ordered our drinks at the bar, to be brought out to us.  We were then given menus and shown to our table. 

They have indoor seating but given the lovely evening we chose to sit outdoors.  They have a lovely walled garden that truly lives up to the restaurant name.  It’s ringed with trees and dotted with picnic tables sprinkled on the expansive wooden deck.  There is a patio which is partially covered and the other tables each have their own umbrellas.  The whole setting is as beautiful as it is relaxed and relaxing!

Wendy had the Veggie Delight Pie, $16.50NZD.  Golden puff pastry crowned a delicious medley of lightly spiced curried veggies.  it was served with a wedge of scrumptious savory bread and a tossed salad with a lovely mix of green, baby tomatoes, carrots and cucumbers tossed with a balsamic vinaigrette.

Ian had the Fish ‘n Chips, $19.50NZD.  It was local cod, lightly fried and very nice.  The chips were good, but he did miss having ketchup…  It was served very authentically in newspaper.

Dinner was so excellent we decided to have dessert.  The dessert menu was limited and unbelievably did not include anything chocolate!  We shared an apple pie, $10NZD.  Rather than a traditional apple pie, the filling was simply topped puff pastry.  The apple pie filling was on the tart side with lots of cinnamon.  Ian didn’t find it sweet enough.  It was served hot  with fresh cream and was more than large enough a portion to share.

The service was warm and friendly and the wait staff was attentive and welcoming to our daughter.  We had a wonderful dinner and only wish it were closer – so that we could go back!