Clandestine tables

The Guide went around town and picked three tables that will keep you miles away from preying eyes, so you can drown into your loved one's today

Ditch red today and ring in some green. Our recommendations for a secret Valentine's date are hideaway restaurants where the food, service and ambience are enticing enough to transport you to a 'We' world away from the buzzing hustle bustle. The only other colour, besides the greenery that surrounds these restaurants would be the one you will find on your plates.
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Secret Garden Caf ufffd
It's quite a Herculean task finding this Secret Garden Caf ufffd and that's why it fits in our list of Secret tables. But this one's a secret really well kept. You take a right after the Sigma Mall on Cunningham Road and go straight where you spot Guru Nanak Bhavan on your right. Turn right there and head straight to the Queens Road. Take the cul de sac on Edward Road, just before the Gold Coin Hotel and enter that lane with a green tree canopy.

At the end of the road look for a small green board that aptly reads Secret Garden Caf ufffd. Climb up the iron steps and meet Nirada and Smita, who run the eatery with all of three helpers in quaint surroundings with only greenery around for company. With no fuss or frills, the al fresco restaurant is kept alive with peppy green and lively blue table covers and a blackboard menu that changes everyday. The hostesses' warm smiles and their fine Continental cuisine whipped up in an open kitchen do all the talking. Though their specials are salads and desserts, the ladies master their cookery skills from their travels abroad. What's hot: Quesadillas, Sri Lankan Curry, Crab Hotpot, Fettuccine Prawns, Pastas, Terrine and their hot seller Fish Fillet with a basil pesto sauce smothered over the Pomfret with a generous helping of olive oil.
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At Secret Garden Caf ufffd, 7/1 Edward Road, Off Queen's Road.
Call 41131365.
Time 11.30 am to 6 pm. Meal for two R 700.

Cilantro
Tread off the trodden path today. Tucked inside a serviced apartment complex, you can walk through a bamboo-lined passage with flowing water bodies to reach here. Cilantro welcomes you with greenery, high ceiling and a very pleasant open-air feel. You can find the cilantro garnishing embossed on the walls and even on your plates. If you're headed out in the evening, you can try the two interactive sections with a live pasta counter with different sauces and flavours to choose from and the grill section with a wide variety of meats that can be customised to cook to your tastes. For the mains there's a tempting vegetarian and non-vegetarian section with signature dishes like the Red Wine Chicken Breast, Sizzlers and Pan-seared Butter Fish, with seductive desserts to seal your hot Valentine date with a sweet note. The best part here is that you can linger on for as long as you want, as this one's a 24-hour restaurant. But, hey, the food has done its part. It's time you take over now.

At Cilantro, Halcyon, 9, 80 Feet Road, Koramangala 4th Block.
Call 41102200. Time All day.
Meal for two R 800.

The Rogue Elephant
This one will take you and your loved one away from the herd. Now that's what you asked for, didn't you? Pave your way through the green garden that also sells potted plants, into the narrow alley and find a round table for yourself in a quaint corner. Rightly named The Rogue Elephant is just like the wild elephant who likes to keep away from the rest of his herd. Partners Anand and Sheila churn out European and South African dishes with their own innovative twist to it. Their salads, soups and desserts and their wholesome pastas are always cooked to perfection. You can choose between a white sauce or arrabiata with a balanced garlic and tomato paste .
What's hot: Savoury Panacotta and Fresh Fig Salad, Pan Fried Fish in Lemon Butter Sauce, Moroccan Stew with Couscous and Carrot Cake and Ice Cream

At The Rogue Elephant, Ambara, 119, Annaswamy Mudaliar Road.
Call 25572829.
Time 12-6 pm. Meal for two R 700.