Garden Mediterranean Grill — Restaurant in Florida

While the food was quite good, the service we experienced was terrible. The restaurant was not busy, with only three tables (including ours) and two servers on duty. Our table was four plus a small child, and we shared a meat platter with one person ording a seperate meal. Several drink glasses were empty for the majority of the meal and only 2/3 of our water glasses were refilled when the attention of our server was finally granted. We were not checked on often, our server seemed more content to remain near the drink fountain and play on their phone or gossip with the other waitstaff on shift.

No where on the menu was it listed that an automatic gratuity would be added to bills, nor the parameter for such, however there was an 18% gratuity added. When we politely inquired about the matter we were met with immediate hostility and defensiveness, from both waitstaff and management. We were told that it was the standard restaurant policy in the area (it is not), we were told we must be from out of state or unfamiliar with the area (we are not, we live a half hour away and eat in the area often and have been doing so for years). Only after adressing the illegality of not listing on the menu an automatic gratuity, as required by Florida law, were we refunded the 18%. There was no civility in the discussion or apology made for their oversight.

When I dine at locations with gratuity included I expect a level of table service befitting that, as well as a level of customer service that reflects it should a problem arise. We did not see either of these things here. There are numerous restaurants, both large and small, in the area that will treat you infinitely better that will not attempt to abuse potential trust or oversight and I strongly reccomend taking your business to any number of them as opposed to patronizing the Garden...

WISH I could give them more STARS! I'm rarely at a loss for words, so bear with me as I tap these keys.... Absolutely incredible food, so fresh and full of flavor! THIS place turns food into veritable works of art! NO KIDDING!

We stopped in just before lunchtime and were immediately greeted by a wonder of a woman named Raja. She went way above and beyond to ensure our complete satisfaction. We were impressed. We truly felt honored.

The place is bright and spotlessly clean. With appropriate background music setting the mood, closing my eyes I swear I caught a scent of Mediterranean Sea air wafting by....ahhhhhh

Thanks to many two thumbs up reviews, first up was two mugs of mint lemonade. Thick, like a mint leaf milkshake, each and every sip was pure zingy decadence. NEVER had anything like THAT before!

Raja brought us some fresh pita bread and a saucer of olive oil laden with garlic, herbs and olive bits. We deliciously dredged the bread, and those flavors went to our heads!

My Fab One ordered a Gyro Wrap with the House Salad for a side. I got the Gyro Platter with a House Salad. Both meals were similar. Mine came with more of that crazy good gyro meat and a skewer of grilled vegetables.

I'm sure you could hear a WHOLE LOT of oooh's and ahhhh's out on the highway, as we were voicing a merry Mediterranean meal-ody. 'OHHHHHH SOOOOO GOOD' would be the name of that tune!

Raja returned often to check up on us. It was fairly obvious we were enjoying this Garden of delights. To close out our meal, she brought us two cups of hot mint tea on a silver platter. A majestic touch that made us feel like royalty.

As we were leaving, we thanked Raja and her chef husband for this most amazing meal experience. The Mediterranean lifestyle invokes a feeling of 'Be with family. Share with loved ones'. And now we know...

Absolutely delicious food! Really fresh and quality ingredients go into making this food. First time here and we're really impressed with the food. I had the appetizer sampler platter with one of the best hummus and baba ganouj I've ever had. They make it fresh and you can tell. The olive oil served with spices and a hot fresh basket of pita bread was and again on the platter was top notch! I'm very finicky about my olive oils, being half Italian, LOL!

My mom had the salad with grilled lamb. That lamb was so tender and the salad itself was incredibly fresh and very large. Easily could feed two. It also had very high quality feta and oil cured olives. Nice touch!

I had the Moroccan tea with was made with FRESH mint! It was a delight instead of the overly minty "hot Scope" I usual end up with. That freshness made all the difference in the world.

The bathroom was very large, private and clean. I've learned you can often judge a restaurant's kitchen's cleanliness on the cleanliness of the restrooms. The dining room was updated and clean too.

Our server was absolutely wonderful. Patient and attentive, Ayoub did an amazing job. I recommend eating here 10/10.

Edit ok everyone is right about the frosty mint lemonade! WOW! I got it at the end of the meal and it's SUPERB! It's hard not to drink it too fast and get brainfreeze 🥶

It's made to order with, once again,...