Sabur restaurant in Teele Square
If you haven't been to Sabur yet, you're missing out. I've had almost everything on the menu (if you include sampling my dinner companion's selections) and nothing disappoints. Almost any two appetizers make a full meal, and the bread is fresh and chewy in all the right places. The atmosphere is wonderful-- very warm (especially if you sit next to the roasting tangine). The wait staff is very knowledgeable and there is never a wait, which makes me terrified this place is going to go out of business. which would be crying shame.
By caseymoto
on Jan 9, 2004 09:25 AM
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I've eaten at Sabur a few times now. I always want to root for the local guys, and of course the unusual ethnic twist here is appealing (sortof Croation/Italian?). Service has always been very friendly (if a tad slow), and the place is groovy inside. But much as I wanted to really like this place, I find them a bit overpriced for food that doesn't excite me. Last time there I got the appetizer plate and the chicken breast and friends got the mushroom veggie tart. It wasn't bad, it just was like food I could make at home. I hate to say it, I really do. When I'm in Davis and want a nice meal, I go to Gargoyle's and feel like I get more than my money's worth.
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I've eaten a couple of times at Sabur and always enjoyed the experience. The key with that place is to remember that Croatian/Balkan food is heavy on meat and slow cooked food (ie chicken and veggie options probably don't showcase the cuisine as well). Items such as the slow cooked lamb or the balkan sausages really are the essence of the cooking and that's probably what you want to stick to.
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I'd agree. Chicken is something I hardly ever order in a restaurant since you can usually do it as well at home. I went to Sabur over the holidays and had some great apps and a wonderful scallop dish. Not sure if it was a special or not.
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Don't know if it's typical, but I enjoyed the appetizers at Sabur more than the entrees.
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hey all. just wanted to give a quick update on Sabur. I went there recently, last night even and um...i'm not sure how to say this but...the burek...wasn't really food. every culture on earth knows how to make good food. even russia and england throw down on some hearty fare from time to time. so i know that burek is good food, but man, they sure did a fantastic job of screwing it up. it came out luke warm in temperature and the meat stuffing just felt, well, old. and unsalted. their bellini's were only so-so. why a bosnian place would serve something as fruity and bright as a bellini, i'm not sure. why i ordered a bellini in a bosnian restaurant, now that's the question...
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We've been 2X and both times were disappointed. The last time, I ordered a chicken with veggies over polenta. Someone in the kitchen didn't realize the the water from from the veggies will get soaked up by the polenta like a sponge. It was so bad that there was about a half inch of liquid killing the polenta at the bottom of the plate. Didn't even bother to send it back and get stressed out further. Way too many other choices in the area to opt for a 3rd attempt.
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Used to be great. Is still usually good, but much more hit and miss.
We are usually one of 3 couples in there it seems, and that's been the case for years. No idea how the place stays afloat.
I still drive over to it when I'm in the area.
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Original chef left 2-3 years ago. Probably part of the reason for the change.
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I agree exactly with Dillard's assessment from 5 years ago. I think the best way to patronize Sabur is to go on a nice day in the summer, sit on their beautiful patio for an appetizer and maybe a drink, and then eat somewhere else.
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Although we've been there a few times, I don't know how good most of the menu is because I get the moussaka near every time. Perfect comfort food, especially in the dead of winter.
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