Sunday, February 3, 2013

Restaurant Review: Sari Sari (Louisville, KY)




One of the great things about Louisville, KY is ethnic and cultural diversity.  Being something of a hub for the nation in a lot of ways, Louisville has attracted people from all over. Probably a good 40% or more of this city’s population are transplants from elsewhere. And whether you consider this part of the country Midwest or Southeast, the cost of living is lower than the national average, and as a result entertainment and dining experiences have flourished here. Combine that with the wide range of ethnic and cultural variations we have, and you get some truly unique experiences here in Louisville, KY.

Sari Sari is just such an experience. Nestled in the hipster, UofL to The Highlands, trendy area of Louisville proper known as Crescent Hill, this hole-in-the-wall, store-front Filipino restaurant on Frankfort Avenue is a testament to the continued success of small, ethnic entrepreneurs here. This visit for review was actually my second time to Sari Sari as I try to learn more about Filipino food before my impending nuptials to Cherilyn; my fiance’ who lives Southwest of Manila. Being already slightly familiar with the menu at Sari Sari, I was determined to try something I have not eaten before.

For this trip, not only was I accompanied by the usual suspect Ken, but we were also joined by our friend Parker and his wife Emily.

I started my meal with a plate of Lumpia, The Philippines answer to eggrolls. Piping hot and spicy, these crisp veggie filled appetizers are a real delight, especially when dipped in the vinegary sweet sauce that accompanies them. Parker and Emily also enjoyed the Lumpia and were equally impressed with the crisp vegetables and sauce. Ken opted for the Calamari, of which he is something of a connoisseur. I have seen him eat more Calamari than any other appetizer in all the years we have been dining out together. For Ken the Calamari fell a little short of the crispness he requires, but he was very appreciative of the full taste.

For the entrée, I chose a dish that Cherilyn claims is made best by her mother. I’m looking forward to trying her mom’s version now that I have Sari Sari’s Pancit Canton with Pork to which I can compare. Pancit is essentially the Filipino version of spaghetti. Which is really an unfair comparison, as fried Pancit noodles have such an unique texture and flavor unto themselves. Served with fresh, steamed vegetables, jasmine rice and freshly sliced limes, and then topped with healthy, succulent slices of tender pork, the Pancit Canton was truly a hearty meal.

Parker and Emily decided to share an order of Mung Bean Soup, and a plate of the National Dish of The Philippines; Adobo. If I remember correctly, they went with Chicken Adobo as opposed to Pork Adobo. Quite frankly, once I started eating my Pancit, I forgot to keep notes on my phone I was so mesmerized by my meal. But, a warning, Mung Bean is not for everyone. If you like the idea of a Black-Eyed Pea with a sweet taste, then Mung is for you, otherwise, you may want to consider other options. Parker and Emily both praised the vinegary Adobo and its spiciness.

I would love to tell you what Ken ate. But somewhere after about 5 bites of my Pancit Canton, I quit being a reviewer and just a well fed customer. I can tell you there were grunts of approval from his side of the table.  And we have both agreed that Sari Sari is definitely on our “Go To with some Regularity” list. That’s how good it is.

Much to the amazement of my stuffed compatriots, I also ordered dessert. I am one of those people who can not avoid dessert if Flan is on the menu. And the Flan at Sari Sari is among the very best in the world: creamy and sweet, it is a real delight. When you go, you have to have the flan. Period.

Overall, it was yet another superb dining experience a Sari Sari, one that I would heartily recommend to anyone living in the Louisville area, or if you are visiting from out of town. The service is also superb. Entrée’s range in price from $8 to $14, with appetizers and desserts in the $4 to $7 range. Authentic Filipino cuisine at an affordable price makes Sari Sari a great place for Family and Friends, in a cozy, diverse setting in the heart of Louisville.

Located at 2339 Frankfort Ave in Louisville, Sari Sari does not have a web-site, but you can peruse their menu at Yelp.com here: http://www.yelp.com/menu/sari-sari-louisville


Wolf’s Rating: * * * * ½

Parker & Emily’s Rating: * * * * ½

Ken’s Rating: * * * *

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