Sabur Restaurant and Lounge: a Tufts favorite

You've probably passed by Sabur a million times _ you can't miss the red, flashing "OPEN" sign _ and wondered about the restaurant and lounge near Teele Square. You may have even read in the Nutrition Matters weekly feature that Sabur is one of President Bacow's favorite restaurants. If you haven't actually been to Sabur, however, you are really missing out.

Conveniently located near Tufts University, Sabur offers a fusion of flavors, combining cuisines from Italy, Greece, Southern France, and the Balkans to North Africa. During the week, there isn't much of a crowd, but on weekends when there is live music, you'd be lucky to get a table without a long wait in this cozy, trendy restaurant. The main dining room has about twenty ornate handcrafted Bosnian copper tables and an open-hearth grill. Despite the cold chill outside, the hanging light fixtures dressed in yellow fabric blend with the red d?©cor to diffuse yellow-orange light, adding a warm glow to the room.

The service at Sabur was fabulous. The waiters are attentive yet unobtrusive. After you are seated, water and bread are immediately provided. Guests are allowed enough time to peruse the menu, and are offered expert recommendations when they ask for advice.

Ordering the mezze is a great way to try a variety of exotic foods, and it is less expensive than ordering main entrees, which range from $13.75 to $19.75. Mezze means "to nibble or enjoy at leisure" and is the Middle Eastern/Mediterranean tradition of eating several small appetizers, including simple cold vegetable dishes and miniature versions of elaborate main dishes. It is typically served with wine.

The chef's selection of mezze for two people ($10) consisted of "chicken skewers, zucchini fritters, hummus with pita, and barley salad." The large Greek salad ($9) and another appetizer _ the potato and celery root cakes with pear-spiced relish and sour cream ($7) completed the meal.

The menu's description of the chef's selection of mezze did not do it justice; the food arrived at the table and was nothing less than art. The four fried zucchini fritters were carefully arranged and were surrounded by pita bread that formed two fans along opposite sides of the plate, bordering the two portions of hummus.

The two skewers of chicken were crisscrossed over the cranberry chutney, which stood out next to the barley. Sprigs of herbs accented the dish. The Greek salad was equally impressive on its own plate, full of bright green romaine lettuce, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and red and green peppers. The potato and celery root cakes were also delicately layered and topped with sour cream, with the pears around the edges.

And it was all overwhelmingly delicious. The zucchini fritters had a hint of dill, the chicken was spicy and perfectly paired with the cranberry chutney, and the Greek salad was refreshing. The blending of multiple cultures was seamless and the flavors complemented each other well. Anyone seeking bland food might be disappointed. The zucchini fritters and the potato celery root cakes were deep fried, which might mislead anyone seeking the typically more healthful "Mediterranean" diet.

The desserts were exotic and rich. I recommend the dessert special: tea poached figs stuffed with walnuts and almonds served with honey chai cr??me fraishe ($4.75). We also tried the chocolate chip cannoli ($3), which had an unusual orange flavor, and the cheesecake with berry sauce ($5). Our waiter even brought us a complimentary taste of his favorite: glazed apricots filled with mascarpone and almonds ($5).

Overall, the restaurant was a very pleasant experience _ a great place to take your parents when they're in town. The food was wonderful and the service was excellent. And if you can't wait for your parents, it was all 15% off with a coupon that you can print from Sabur's website at www.saburrestaurant.com. Bon Appetit!

Diane Voyatzis can be reached at nutrition@tuftsdaily.com.