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.
Wolf’s Rating: * * * * ½
Parker & Emily’s
Rating: * * * * ½
Ken’s Rating: * * * *
