Eliza R.
Yelp
If you enjoy gardening, or if you're looking for a new source of plants and flowers to bolster your in-home/outdoor garden, or, you just enjoy being in an outdoor space, then North Haven Gardens is for you!
VENUE: The whole establishment is nestled on a small street just off the highway. It has a café, an art gallery, a greenhouse, and an outdoor space where you can peruse through all sorts of plants and flowers, or survey some of their outdoor exhibits. Last Saturday, my boyfriend and I went and there were chicken vendors who were showing off gorgeous chickens and roosters for purchase. We were starving and so we walked into the café to grab something to eat. Side note: there is seating both indoors and outdoors - so feel free to bring your dogs to enjoy the space with you. The outdoor seating is situated between the café and the art gallery, all underneath a nice canopy, so the sun won't beat down on you. The indoor café is bright, with lots of natural light.
After placing we order, we walked through the back of the café to the art gallery, where there were gorgeous pieces for sale.
From there, we walked outdoors to the greenhouse and just window-shopped (does that term apply in an outdoor space?) for some herbs to add to the kitchen. All the plants are nicely organized for easy access and finding.
FOOD/DRINK: The café serves BEER and WINE!!! I know that's a selling point for some of y'all but that's not why you should eat here. The sandwiches. Are. Fantastic. I hear the chef of the café has won an award for her burger. They were sold out when we went last time, but the sandwiches were delicious. I ordered the Applewood BLT with a side of fruit. The bread was just on the cusp between warm, soft and crispy, the bacon was seasoned just right, and the garlic aioli brought all the flavors together. If you want a savory option, I recommend this one. My boyfriend ordered the turkey sandwich which highlighted red onions and honey mustard to pull in a more sweet/savory flavor. Really, all the sandwiches on their menu sounded amazing - I will definitely go for the grilled cheese or the burger when I return next.
SERVICE: I'm really not surprised that in a place where gorgeous flowers are blooming and fountains are singing -that the staff (in both café and greenhouse) were just the most delightful, peaceful, and helpful people. From ordering food, to inquiring about chickens or a persimmon tree, every point of contact we made was done so with just the friendliest team. There was definitely a desire to teach and share knowledge rather than to try and sell us anything. Truly a place to go if you want to enjoy nice weather or nice food or nice people.