The John Dunn Gourmet Dining Room seems to be one of City College’s best-kept secrets. It’s located across from the campus bookstore and right next to the JSB Café. As the only formal sit-down restaurant on campus, it stands out from other places to eat.

Reservations for dinner for two were made about a week in advance. There was no snobbery, just prompt, unobtrusive service. Indoor and patio seating are offered.

The Dining Room’s restaurant is titled Thirteen, after the 13 students remaining from the 20 originally in the class. Culinary Arts students are allowed to name it each year.

The menu consisted of a variety of options for a four-course meal. The Local Red Rock Crab salad was moderately sized with heirloom tomato puree and avocado. A glass of light red wine brought out the dish’s zesty taste.

The next course, a pleasant appetizer of artichoke and wild mushroom cannelloni with Parmesan and roasted garlic sauce, was served with a second glass of wine. It makes the diner wish there was more.

For the third and main course was the American Buffalo tri-tip, served with a glass of savory Ancient Peaks red wine. For someone who has never tried buffalo before, this is a fine example to taste. Alongside was purple Okinawan sweet fondant and pickled beet salad, the variety of different flavors on the plate makes it worth ordering again.

For dessert, the Chocolate Molten Lava Cake tasted like edible ecstasy. Upon service, the waiter explained that the chocolate hot fudge oozing from the cake’s side had erupted a little early.

For the average college student, the Thirteen restaurant might not be of interest because of the formal dress code and $40 four-course meal. But for those of you with more refined taste, this hidden secret will make you feel lucky.