Dining out with toddlers can be stressful for everyone involved
and my two youngest children can push it to the limit.
Dining out with toddlers can be stressful for everyone involved and my two youngest children can push it to the limit. When put to the ultimate test, the wait staff at Jardines De San Juan Mexican Garden Restaurant passed with flying colors. Located at 113 Third St. in San Juan Bautista and right across the street from the old Mission De San Juan, Jardines offers a unique garden dining experience you won’t soon forget.
My mother and I always opt to sit outside, and, at Jardines, that means on the lovely brick patio shaded by large trees and umbrellas. Despite a little confusion and lack of an apparent host or hostess, we were seated at one of the green wrought iron tables with chairs set among large cacti, bright hanging pots of geraniums and rosebushes. The quaint patio is a calming oasis hidden from the street by large trees and tall fences covered in lush ivy. With my children in tow, I was pleased to see the staff happily fuss over high chairs and booster seats and treat my children as they would any other guest. I also appreciated the way our server went out of his way to rinse and refill my daughter’s sippy cup when her beverage selection switched from milk to apple juice. We were immediately brought water and chips with two different salsas. One was a dark red chili salsa that had spice without being too hot. The other was a chunky salsa fresca, better known as pico de gallo made just how I like, full of fresh garden flavor, fresh diced tomatoes, cilantro, onions and peppers.
The wretched heat wave this week steered my sights immediately toward the selection of blended margaritas. I was intrigued by the apricot margarita ($6.50 per glass or $16.25 for a pitcher) but opted for a traditional blended top shelf margarita with salt for $6.50. It was cold and refreshing without having a strong tequila taste. The wine menu explained that while you might automatically think of beer or margaritas when you think of Mexican food, they feel good wines always pair well with their meals. The restaurant offers locally grown and other California varietals. Our drinks took quite some time to arrive and when you are trying to entertain fidgety little ones, every second counts. My son was delighted with his lemonade that finally arrived with a wedge of lime and he chose to order the cheese quesadilla that came with a side of rice for $4.45. Thankfully, our entrees arrived promptly and he was generous enough to share a slice with his 19-month old sister. Both children were completely satisfied with this mild selection.
I found it to be quite charming when the servers presented my daughter with her own place setting, complete with placemat, napkin and fork. I think this is the first time she has been treated as an actual diner and not just a crumb thrower.
The regular menu offers familiar favorites like tacos and burritos and authentic dishes such as menudo and albondigas. They have many vegetarian selections marked on the menu and feature dinner specialties on Friday through Sunday nights for $16.50. Because I was trying to stay cool, I considered the crab and shrimp tostada for $10.25 which was a fried tortilla bowl containing lettuce, tomato, avocado, bell peppers, egg, and topped with crab and shrimp. But, I had a craving for beans, so I decided on the chicken tostada con guacamole from the ala carte menu for $7.95. It was a flat tortilla with beans, cheese, shredded chicken, a mountain of shredded lettuce, guacamole, tomatoes and a few olives on top. I should have gone with my first instinct and ordered the seafood salad because even with the tang that the thin guacamole sauce offered, the chicken tostada was flavorless. Half way through my meal, I had the brilliant idea of dumping the Pico de Gallo that came with our chips on top of the tostada and that added a little excitement to the flavor. My mother ordered the combination dinner #1, a shredded beef taco and cheese enchilada with rice and beans on the side for $11. Talk about plate envy! Her taco was filled with flavorful shredded beef that was cooked in spices that added all of the Mexican flavor and warmth without being spicy hot. The cheese enchilada was soft and gooey and topped with a delicious mild chili sauce. A dollop of sour cream was added to give a cool finish.
Because I was left feeling deflated by my tostada and in an effort of public interest for this column, we ordered dessert and I was more than pleased. We chose the flan for $3.50, a traditional Mexican custard with a caramel sauce. It was light and creamy without being too sweet. The star of the meal had to be the champagne sherbet for $2.75. It was more of an icy treat similar to a sorbet with a delightful pink color. It had just a hint of strawberry flavor and was not overwhelming like an artificial strawberry ice cream. It was simply light and refreshing and a wonderful respite from the heat. Overall, the staff was polite, very attentive and kept our glasses full. The food was generally satisfying and you would be hard pressed to find an outdoor patio that could compare to the ambiance you experience at Jardines De San Juan.
Jane Dough  was raised in Gilroy and returned after graduating from California  Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She enjoys cooking, caring for her husband and three small children, and dining out every chance she gets. Reach her at sl*******@ya***.com. All reviews for The Dish are anonymous, and all reviewer’s meals are paid for by South Valley Newspapers.
