Food In Scotland
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Sabor
36 Deanhaugh Street
Edinburgh
0131 332 3322
The lively tastes and sounds of Latin America have arrived in an intimate basement bistro in Stockbridge just down from Edinburgh's New Town.
Formerly a cosy coffee house, popular with locals for a Sunday brunch over the papers, it has now been magically transformed into a bright and colourful South American bar and restaurant.
The dozen of so tables are covered in bright checked table-clothes, there are vases of fresh flowers, coconuts hanging from the ceiling beams and in the evening candles and soft lighting.
Whenever you walk down the steps you are entering an exotic world full of sunshine and laughter. The proprietors Mohammed and Mercedes Taheri, a husband and wife team, greet you personally with a broad grin, find us a table near the bar and bring bright yellow menus.
A cocktail is suggested and we are soon sipping a classic margarita and a pina colada. Now we really feel we have flown off to the South Sea and are basking under a palm tree.
Sabor offers the "authentic Latin American taste" and the extensive menu is certainly very enticing. With such an unusual cuisine it is perhaps wise to ask for the house specialities and soon we were sampling a selection of entradas to begin our meal.
Ceviche, marinated fish with garlic and spices and arepitas con queso, corn flour bread served with sour cream, with a mixed salad on the side. After these tasty starters we studied the wide range of poultry, seafood, kebabs and rice and vegetarian dishes.
Popular dishes include Argentina parrilla, a platter of mixed grilled meats and pabellon from Venezuela, featuring shredded beef stew, black beans and rice.
The selection of fish was very tempting and I thoroughly enjoyed langostinos a la plancha, grilled king prawns, served with rice and fried plantain, the tropical green skinned banana.
This is a delicious and perfect accompaniment to savoury dishes and popular in many places from the Caribbean to Madeira. I have never before experienced plantain in Edinburgh so this was a real treat.
My partner thoroughly enjoyed an enormous plate of spicy chilli con vegetables, which I was pleased to sample as well.
Our superb feast was washed down with a bottle of the house red wine, Casa de Piedra Cabernet Sauvignon at the amazingly good value at just �7.90.
On a wet Sunday night, Sabor was very busy indeed with people arriving on spec for a table. With typical fiesta music in the background, the warm ambience, friendly service and a delicious banquet, this is the place to come for a little South American sunshine in the middle of the Scottish winter.
The Bill: starters �3-�5, main courses �7-�12, pudding � 3.50. House wine �7.90
~ Vivien Devlin
(13/12/01)