 It worries me
sometimes when I mention Sapori to friends and they seem unsure
where this wonderfully authentic Italian restaurant is situated.
So before I share an amazing dining experience with you, it’s
worth pointing out that Sapori is on your left just as you
approach Woburn on the Leighton Road.
We have
visited this restaurant a few times before, including on a
Valentines night, and whilst this is certainly a great venue for
intimate dining, it is also ideal for any occasion, whether it
be for a birthday celebration or a business meeting where you
might be keen to impress your clients.
We had booked
our table a week earlier and every day my partner and I would
say to each other - “Sapori on Saturday!” in eager anticipation
of returning to this cute little venue. As we took our seats, it
was reassuring to the see the waiting team led by the same young
lady who had first served us almost two years ago when we
visited Sapori for the first time. With ambient lighting, soft
music in the background, and an incredibly enticing menu before
us, we readied ourselves for what would hopefully prove the
perfect dining experience.
We started
with a glass of Prosecco before ordering a bottle of Vernaccia
di San Gimignano D.O.C. (£25). Varieties of Vernaccia are
rapidly becoming a favourite wine of ours. Renowned for being
fresh and crisp, this particular wine was no exception. Easy
drinking, it accompanied our meal perfectly. At Sapori you will
almost certainly not struggle to find an abundance of quality
wines on the menu. My partner started with the Gamberoni aglio
timo e Pinot Grigio £8.50. Shelled king prawns sauteed with
fresh thyme, and simmered in a Pinot Grigio sauce with a touch
of garlic. This is a mouth-watering dish. Simply presented with
five large juicy King Prawns circling a plate, this dish is made
all the more exceptional because of the amazing sauce. The
prawns were exquisite – incredibly succulent and perfectly
seasoned.
I started with
a ‘Special’ of Calamari, served with a garlic and butter sauce
and a salad garnish. This was a classic dish that arrived with
slices of lemon on the side. Calamari can sometimes be tough –
but these had an incredibly light batter, were cooked just right
and tasted sublime once drizzled with lemon.
Another
special of Agnello (£16.95) caught my eye on the ‘Specials’
board. When we looked around the restaurant it appeared many
people were doing the same because this main course of lamb
cutlets on a bed of mash with a rosemary and garlic sauce was
incredibly popular. This looked wonderful on the plate,
and tasted amazing. The sauces in Sapori are out of this world
and they make very good dishes brilliant ones. The rosemary and
garlic sauce was delicious, but in no way did it overpower the
dish. The array of subtle flavours was Italian cuisine at its
very best.
The lamb was
served pink, and I enjoyed every mouthful. There was a lot of
meat and because I enjoyed it so much, I paid little attention
to the vegetables at first. But once I did turn my attention to
some of the carrots, I was amazed at their freshness and how
they were perfectly cooked – still full of flavour; they
possessed a gorgeous texture that needs to be tasted to be
believed. How do they do it I wondered? What was becoming very
evident about the food at Sapori was how even the simplest of
ingredients like carrots were cooked so very well.
My partner
also opted for a ‘Special’ – the ‘Vitello’ - veal, with sautéed
potatoes, with a garlic, rosemary and black pepper sauce. The
veal was tender with a melt-in-the-mouth texture that was
complimented by slices of San Daniele Ham (a superior version of
Parma ham). Yet again, the sauce was amazing.
We moved
quickly onto our choice of desserts and somehow, things just got
better! My choice of Torta Alformaggio – toffee and vanilla
cheesecake was definitely a sweet to die for! This
cheesecake was deep, with an amazingly light texture, drizzled
with just the right amount of delicious toffee sauce. I wish I
had not asked my partner to try some because despite loving her
own dessert, she helped herself to a few more mouthfuls of my
cheesecake than I expected her to – much to my displeasure!!
Her choice of
Coppa Difrutta (a fruit cup in English) was a very pretty dish.
Delicate and full of fresh strawberries and raspberries, it
proved totally refreshing.
The staff at
Sapori are incredibly on the ball when it comes to talking about
the food they are serving. Not once did any question we ask
receive a delayed response (you know what I mean – when the
waiter replies, “Er, this is er, yes, er, actually, let me go
and check with the Chef.”) Their knowledge of food, where it is
sourced and how it is prepared was quite impressive.
In conclusion,
it is somewhat hard to pick holes in the food. Every aspect of
our dining experience was memorable for all the right reasons
from start to finish and Sapori is a must try for anyone who
adores authentic Italian cuisine. |
