Sabor has a nice lively, buzzy vibe and great cocktails. A sight for sore eyes on this stretch of Essex Road.

The Venue
The restaurant fits a long narrow bar into a long narrow glass and chrome room. It is deceptively bigger than it looks from the outside. Come early to bag a good table.

The Atmosphere
It can get incredibly crowded at weekends so the atmosphere is like a fiesta with very loud music from Friday through to Sunday. Service is friendly, efficient and laid back. They don’t rush you even when the place is hopping. Weekdays are a good deal more sedate and it’s a great place to relax after work. Sunday brunch complete with papers is very relaxed, a godsend for people avoiding the Upper Street throng. Depending what you’re looking for, Sabor is a perfect venue for a couple of drinks and a snack or a full meal, as well as dates – both first and last!

The Food
The menu is long and evocative of South America, and some of the descriptions will have you running to the travel agent. There is a delicious selection of fusion starters such as monkfish ceviche. Mains particularly worth trying are the great empanadas, the grilled meats done a la parilla, barbecue grilled. Don’t miss the fried yuca side dish and be sure to try the Latin Trifle for dessert, just for the delicious coconut flan topping. Portions are large and mains include salad. There’s a weekend brunch of the tasty Tex-Mex variety, as well as party menus which are good value.

The Drink
Sabor serves fantastic mojitos, caipirinhas plus anything else you can ask for from the full cocktail bar. Wine connoisseurs should check out the wine list, which concentrates on Chilean and Argentinian wines.

The Last Word
Full marks for Sabor, a lively Latin restaurant in Islington which has built steadily on its well-earned success.

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