Will the trip to Italy be worthy if you don’t meet the Pope? Well exact the same applies to Cyprus and especially at the Limassol city if you don’t visit one of the very best restaurants in the Island and that is The Garden Restaurant and Lounge Bar situated at the tourist area of Yermasoyia then you are really missing something big time!
Previously named De Sol Restaurant and managed by the same people Cecilio El Hajj which he is the key point of the Success of the restaurant and a fantastic character that knows inside out the real art of the hospitality business and of course the great Chef Fadi which his experience from previously working at great restaurants all around the world specially in Thailand have born the idea to bring the already great dining experience into a new level and naturally the Garden Restaurant and Lounge Bar was born.
The fact that it is packed with people at any time of the day is the flag that something great is cooking inside the restaurant, no savings in the excellent décor and surely no savings at the waiters, which to be honest they are passing beyond that stage reaching more the butler’s level. As you enter you can immediately sense the freshness of the space, the vibrant décor inspires you and you can cut the good mood in the air with a knife, the personnel really welcomes you with an honest real smile and if you are lucky and Cecilio happens to be in the door you will really feel special, the first thing I said was “I love it, this place is just outstanding!”
I always ask for the best table in the restaurant and although I have been there uncounted times , am amazed every single time , the red couches next to the cosy fireplace really blast’s me away, I just feel incredible comfortable not just physically , but also mentally. The rapid attention from the waiters is just incredible quickly getting into the point, giving the menu and the fantastic wine selection that the head chef Fadi chooses one by one and again back to the menu which is clean, sharp and easy to understand and you can literally see the whole world as the dishes are from all around the four continents, from Pizza to Sushi.
The last time we visited the place we order the freshest Gillardeau Oysters, huge oysters you could really smell the sea served on a bed of ice keeping it cool, accompanied by a sour salsa a perfect combination then the selection of Japanese set arrived, a mouth-watering selection of the finest Sashimi, Sushi, Maki, Temaki etc. on an impressive 80cm wooden boat a tip it would be that just the boat is more than enough for four person , but as I never have enough when I visit The Garden Restaurant that was just the beginning of our culinary journey. Next came The Garden Salad, a combination of rocket, artichokes, sundried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, Prosciutto, Bresaola, walnuts, parmesan and dry figs. Served with balsamic cream dressing an absolutely jaw dropping salad to die for.
Tricolor Tartar which is a combination of three kinds of fish: salmon, tuna, white fish along with the Beef Carpaccio with capers, rocket, champignons, parmesan, olive oil and Balsamic dressing is just the way to get into the divine world of taste and I really know what you are thinking of , you are thinking, how much can this man eat ? I love good food, I cherish fresh ingredients and I admire those who innovate and invest in excellent cuisine and this is why I have ordered so much the last time because although I have visited the place million times I wanted to have a large feast to be sure that this restaurant doesn’t deserve a critic, but it deserves a place at the section of culinary destinations!
After the delicious starters I and my partner moved into the main course, I have chosen the Lamb Ribs which is a Grilled Australian lamb ribs, served with rice pilaf in Phyllo pastry and The Garden sauce and my partner the Lamb Brochettes which is Lamb brochette served on bamboo skewers with three kind of sauces: Garlic sauce, Pepper sauce and Tomato sauce, served with homemade style fried potatoes accompanied by a 2010 Bourgogne Chateau de Dracy Pinot Noir, doesn’t that sounds sexy? The Australian lamb so tender packed of flavours and the pilaf inside the phylo absolutely cooked into perfection as of my partner’s main dish her comments were stunning and a bit that I have manage to steal was tender, picante and the sauce from tomato was adding that extra push to the yummy factor!
At the end and after struggling with the generous portions of the main dish we order dessert to share which included a Strawberry Cheesecake, Pavlona Mascarpone and a Pana Cota with berry sauce the perfect finish for an unforgettable Saturday Dinner!
What can I say more? After saying the above is there a score for this restaurant? For me is like a valuable ancient sculpture which there is no price on it. An absolutely rare diamond and crossing my fingers I only hope that they will remain like this and that consistency will keep ruling as they are really great! A great restaurant is not made only by its food, but also by the people behind and this is exactly what is this restaurant all about, great about everything small steps with too much love of what they are doing and by undisputed verdict is that this restaurant knows to run a business, knows to respect its good and bad customers and definitely knows a lot about food.
For last I have a small piece of advice for Cecilio and Fadi, please put some live music on Saturdays as well as Saturday are better than Fridays!