Remember the Ocean Reef seafood restaurant in Teele Square? If you can't, I don't blame you. But, if you have wandered down where it used to be, you may have notice a new joint - Sabur Restaurant and Lounge. Since it opened Nov. 18, Sabur has pleased the few Tufts students that know it exists. And now that it offers a 10 percent discount for Tufts students, the establishment can expect even more pleased Jumbos.
Sabur is the Bosnian word for "set your worries aside," and that is exactly the carefree feeling that Bosnian-born owner Haris Jusufbegovic and master chef Chris Kane deliver. They have worked with each other for seven years and finally decided to open their own place, with the vision of providing relaxation as well as food.
Sabur serves exotic Mediterranean cuisine. Jusufbegovic explains that the entrees are Bosnian-based, with Turkish, Arabic, Italian, and Eastern European influences. The menu is modest, yet the entrees are simply delicious. Kane specializes in lamb, and his Roasted Leg of Lamb is the best I've tasted. The restaurant also offers a full vegetarian menu, as well as Halal meat on request.
If you still have room for dessert, the Glazed Apricots Filled with Mascarpone Cheese and Almonds are a very sweet end to a great meal. Sabur is a bit high on the price scale, with an average cost of $17 per dinner entr?©e, but it is worth every penny. Soon, Jusufbegovic and Kane plan to begin serving brunch on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
At Sabur, the atmosphere is an even better attraction than the food Every element of the d?©cor was imported from Bosnia, from an open-hearth grill down to the lamps. Jusufbegovic believes that the round brass tables and dim lamps, complemented with authentic Bosnian music, recreate an Eastern European atmosphere that is very hard to find in the United States.
Sabur's hospitality is also a Bosnian import. Do not be surprised if Jusufbegovic himself greets you at the door. He's also always up for a good conversation and is not the least bit shy about it.
You can also expect live music during the weekend. Thursdays, jazz, classic jazz, and world music is heard through the otherwise quiet Teele Square. Sabur's resident guitarist, Bosnian-born Boris J.S., is capable of playing a variety of music from traditional Balkan music to Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix. Sabur has also just started offering authentic Balkan music every first Saturday of the month. Jusufbegovic is always looking for guest musicians to complement his lineup.
Overall, eating at Sabur is a full dining experience. The food, atmosphere, and service are top-notch, which is rather difficult to find these days. After being open for only four months, Sabur has already attracted regular customers. I have been very pleased with the pampering and relaxation I experienced the few times I dined there. When I asked Jusufbegovic how he runs the restaurant seven days a week while always being there in person to treat his guests with a smile (he prefers "guests" to "customers"), he simply replied, "If you do something, do it with passion."
