PRESS / SABA REVIEWS & FEATURES

High quality at Saba - The Mayo News - Joan Geragthy

14 February 2007

The Irish abroad love nothing better than finding the nearest watering hole that offers a pint of Guinness and propping themselves right up at the bar. When it turns out that the person behind the running of the establishment is not only a fellow countryman or countrywoman, but also hails from the same county in Ireland, the pleasure is even sweeter.

Of course, you don’t always have to leave the country to appreciate the achievements of the roving Irish. Given that Ireland is now ranked among the richest nations in the world, offering one of the best standards of living, making it big in its city capital of Dublin is a major coup for anyone.

Happily, plenty of ‘culchies’ from all around Ireland have manages to succeed in business in Dublin and one of the latest success stories is none other than Westport man, Paul Cadden. Young, dynamic and a seasoned networker, Paul recently opened up a new Thai food restaurant (Saba) in a superb location, just off Grafton Street, where he is wowing customers day and night with his excellent fare.

During my trip to Dublin last weekend, my friend and I were delighted to get a table at Saba, which also specialises in Vietnamese food. Over the course of two hours we were wined and dined royally and because the place was literally rocking with customers, it was a feast for the eyes in every sense.

Rectangular and square shapes are big in Saba with fitted seating along whole lengths of walls. Overall the restaurant has a lovely open-plan feel with an abundant choice of seating for romantic twosomes (good for tonight’s Valentine’s lovebirds). In fact, Saba can accommodate 150 customers in total – 130 on the main floor and 20 in the more private area facing on to the bar (where the in-house bar manager is a noted cocktail maker supreme).

The décor is attractive with lots of black, mahogany browns and honey tones set off with warm reds and loud pinks. There is even a cerise pink ‘boudoir’ type area backing on to the Westbury Hotel, which doubles as a secret entrance for VIP’s! (I kid you not. As I said, Saba is a major hit and drawing crowds of every description through its doors!)

As for the food at Saba, it lives up to its reputation of ‘high quality at a reasonable cost’. Those with a sophisticated palate will love the choice oriental dishes on offer including excellent coups, noodles, and curries (the chef used to cook for the King and Queen of Thailand!) while newcomers to Thai and Vietnamese food will also warm to the interesting flavours. Most starters are light and sumptuous or you can share a selection (as we did) and enjoy a variety of tastes (even frog’s legs if you fancy!). As opening hours are from 12 noon to late seven days a week, bookings are available from lunch onwards.

I managed to get talking to proprietor Paul Cadden at the end of the night and was struck by a number of things about him. First of all, it’s obvious that people love him as much as he loves people. His expert networking skills which were evident in his discreet table-hopping chats with customers go far beyond the boundaries of the restaurant, by all accounts. Apparently, his name has such good associations from time spent previously at the highly rated ‘Diep Shaker’ restaurant that people now wait in line to dine at his restaurant.

A former chef whose background is in hotel management, Paul is also very energetic, charming and keeps such a keen eye on the running of his business that all customers are assured an excellent service. Further more, he enjoys oodles of loyal support from family and friends. (The night we were there his two brothers, Mark and Alan (Bar one and Studio One in Castlebar) also docked in and, like everyone else, had to wait in line!)

Paul’s parents Michael (now an artist) and Mary Cadden (High Tide home interiors) are well-known business people in Mayo, having run the Asgard Restaurant in Westport for years, so it’s no surprise to see their offspring showing similar talents.

Isn’t it just great to see a Mayo man make good in Dublin? Here’s hoping many more will follow suit and, in the meantime, it’s good to be able to support them on trips to the Big Smoke.

- Joan Geraghty -

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