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| Saro is a tiny bistro on the LES that features "cuisine from long lost empires." |
All of these adjectives describe an eatery named Saro Bistro, a tiny (maybe 12-seat) restaurant on the Lower East Side, just off Delancey.
Touting its food as the "cuisine of long lost empires," Saro features dishes from the former Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires, aka the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Glancing over the menu, I saw a number of dishes that sounded like items that I've heard my Hungarian grandfather describe, but just never knew their names.
I went to Saro for the first time for brunch a few Sundays ago and instantly warmed to the place. From the (purposely) mismatched tea & coffee cups to the fresh flowers on every table, it feels like dining in someone's front parlor rather than a restaurant.
The friendly staff is quite knowledgeable and accommodating to those of us with gluten allergies, too.
Case in point: They bring a basket of complimentary doughnuts to the table at brunch (for any of you out there who can eat gluten, I was told that they were dynamite.) Our server let the affable chef/owner Eran Elhalal know about my allergy, and he arrived at the table with a plate of Gluten Free corn fritters, which he made with "a surprise inside." They were perfectly fried with just a hint of bacon grease to give them a little bit of smokiness. Inside, he'd snuck in a dollop of fruit preserves--my guess is currant--for a subtly sweet compliment to the hint of smoke. Delicious.
I had a fairly traditional Peasant Breakfast with two scrambled eggs, smoky thick-cut bacon, and a perfect mixed herbs salad, dressed with a splash of lemon juice. It was the perfect portion--hearty without being too filling. A complete win.
I am determined to go back and try the Satarash, which came highly recommended by our server. Basically, the dish is two eggs baked atop chunky pepper relish with a side of their delicious gluten free corn fritters.
I'm also determined to save room for a slice of their flourless, gluten free Hazelnut-Chocolate Cake next time, too!
Also, it bears mentioning that the total bill for 2 people was about $30. A complete STEAL when it comes to brunch ANYWHERE in the city.
A true gem worth seeking out on the LES.
I'm also determined to save room for a slice of their flourless, gluten free Hazelnut-Chocolate Cake next time, too!
Also, it bears mentioning that the total bill for 2 people was about $30. A complete STEAL when it comes to brunch ANYWHERE in the city.
A true gem worth seeking out on the LES.
(DEFINITELY call ahead for reservations. As I said, the place is tiny.)
Saro Bistro
102 Norfolk St
212-505-7276
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