Sara's

Sara's is a neighbourhood restaurant located in the riverbend area of the city. It was established in 1996, I think. I have been a faithful regular since 2001.

Sara's has a warm, cozy ambience. It consists of dim lighting, candles on the tables, comfy, deep chairs in the front dining room and rugs, throw pillows and low benches and tables in the garden room. There is usually an eclectic mix of flamenco, classic salsa, Indian, jazz and blues playing softly.

There is not a parking lot, but there is ample street parking. The area is relatively secure during the day and at night, and if you have to park further away it should be okay.

Often, a reservation is not needed, however it can be very busy at times. For larger groups especially, a reservation is probably a good idea. Usually there are only a couple of waitresses working so service can be a bit slow. If you're out for a relaxed meal with good company, it will be perfect.

The prices are average, around $30-40 per person for dinner including an appetizer and entree. The cuisine is creole/asian fusion, with the chef drawing on his Indian roots and years spent in Louisiana and NOLA. The entire menu reads like a list of favourite dishes. Deciding is difficult! The appetizers and entrees are excellent and making a poor decision is nearly impossible. There are three chicken dishes that are hard to pass up, each quite distinct besides the common ingredient of chicken. The pork chop is juicy. The mahi-mahi is a thick steak cut with a spicy and sweet chili sauce. The presentation is always spot on and when fork meets mouth, the taste does not disappoint. Some dishes bring a bit more heat, so ask if there are concerns.

Ordering three appetizers (or four, or five) and making a meal is a great way to get familiarized with some of the different curries and flavours. This also might (or might not) save some space to try one of the tasty deserts.

I can't recommend this restaurant enough! In a city full of exceptional dining choices, this has remained a favourite of mine through the years.

If you're thirsty, try the mango daiquiris. You won't be disappointed.