The Garden is a medium-sized, all-vegan eatery in Santa Rosa with a homey feel and a wonderful outside seating area.

I walk in and am greeted right away by the assistant waiter. The first thing I notice is how lovely it is inside, with beautiful tabletops, wooden floors and tiled mirrors along the walls. Right off the bat, he fills my glass up with water without me having to ask, a quality many restaurants lack. Unfortunately, the assistant waiter was more attentive than the headwaiter (I didn’t see other waiters as it was early in the day and not very busy.) The headwaiter, who takes the orders and brings the check, took 15 minutes too acknowledge me, and another 15 minutes to actually take my order. This is unacceptable with only three tables full.

Going into the restaurant I did not know what to expect. I had never eaten at an all-vegan place and was a little skeptical. With the restaurant’s motto: “Healthy body, healthy mind, healthy soul,” I had no idea what to think. The first thing I notice on the menu is variety. From eggplant parmesan to the black bean burger to a variety of pastas. Of course, these choices are just the beginning. The Garden serves all three meals plus choices for appetizers and desserts.

The Garden is also a bakery that bakes its own bread and serve it to customers dining in, serving it with a balsamic and olive oil mix. Also on the menu is a variety of smoothies and fresh-squeezed juices, including flavors like apple-tangerine and a veggie medley.

The eatery is a bit in the middle, price wise. The most expensive were the pastas for $15.95. Smoothies and juices are a bit steep with prices ranging from $2.95 for 8 oz. to $8.95 for 24 oz. for the higher-end flavors.

Even though I am disappointed by my first choice of entrée, the black bean burger, running out, I was very happy with my “FLT” fakon, or tofu bacon, lettuce and tomato with vegan aioli spread on focaccia bread. The sandwich comes with a side, either spring salad, fruit salad, air-baked fries, sweet potato fries or grilled vegetables. I went with the air-baked fries, deliciously baked fries that I didn’t have to feel guilty about eating.

This place is great for vegetarians and people with food allergies. Most menu items can be made into gluten-free and the substitute cheese is available for lactose-intolerant people.

I do recommend the Garden; the food is good and the décor is lovely, but if you go, be prepared to wait. I went there on a Thursday at noon with only three busy tables and didn’t finish until 1:30. The Garden does offer an express lunch menu for people with a limited lunchtime.

The Garden is opened Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.; It is closed on Saturdays.