PRESS / SABA REVIEWS & FEATURES

Review on loudervoice website

9 July 2009

I am sorry I don't have the opportunity to give Saba six, or even seven, stars. That's how much I love this place. Even though I review restaurants on my blog, and so am obliged to spread around my food euros, I keep going back again and again to Saba?- maybe thirty times to date? My wife can barely conceive of eating out anywhere else. My buddy from London was over last year and, after eating there, he had all kinds of entrepreneurial plans to do a deal with Saba to franchise the model?in the UK.

The congenial and super-efficiant maitre d' is the best I've come across. Every time we go there, the place is jointed with all sorts - couples, post-work crowd, parties (the?cast of?Fair City were making merry there once at?the table next to me - keep it down, guys, your show sucks!)?- and we are always accommodated, even though we have rarely booked ahead.?It can get very noisy but - hey - that's the sound of lots of customers having fun. If you want the sounds of?silence, go to Aya or RhodesD7.

The menu is a diverse panoply of standard Asian / Thai dishes (Red Duck Curry etc), as well as some more unusual ones - soft-shelled crabs (they look like big spiders but they're scrumptious - Mmm, spidery goodness!), Bo (Beef in Chang Beer - outrageously tasty), and Hake in Banana Leaf.

Prices are typical of Dublin city centre dining, but there are plenty of less expensive wok dishes available too, for those who have recently lost their?jobs or had their car repossessed. Anyway, those people should be eating at home - the boom is over, guys,?you might never work again.

There is plenty of interest on the wine list. Last night I had Ligenfelder Gewurztraminer, from Pfalz in Germany. Not as aromatic as some examples of the grape, but my wife was ecstatic as she felt she could really taste the lychees that you're supposed to "get" from Gewurzt. You could too. Other good whites on the list include Seresin Sauvignon Blanc and Friendly Gruner Veltliner. I never really go for red there as I don't really enjoy reds so much with Asian food, I need something cool and draughty. There is an excellent selection of cocktails too.

I'm moving to Kinsale in just over a week, so that'll be the end of my Saba splurges.?But I reckon I can squeeze in one more visit next weekend. Saba, there will always be a special place for you in my heart.

Grapes of Sloth - I drink it, so you don't have to.

www.pauljkiernan.wordpress.com

www.loudervoice.com

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