SABOR PERU, RUTHERFORD
For the first time a few months ago, I bought a Groupon, a discounted gift certificate. The business closed two weeks later. To their credit, Groupon gave me credit, which I used for a dining deal which cost $30 for up to $61.50 of food. Being leery about this type of promotion, Lowell and I decided to see what our experience would be if we stayed within the cost of this “deal.” Would we want to return to a restaurant where $30 was paid for our meal and in the future we would have to pay twice as much? Restaurants have a small margin of profitability so why would they participate in Groupon? Cash flow problems? Trying to introduce the public to their product? To fill up the restaurant on a slow night?
Our certificate for two people at Sabor Peru in Rutherford allowed us one appetizer or ceviche (up to $18 value), two entrees (up to $18.50 value each), and one dessert ($6.50 value) and was valid Wednesday, Thursday, or Sunday. The most expensive appetizer at $17.50 was shared. It was a ceviche special containing calamari, shrimp, octopus, scallops, mussels, red onions, potato and sweet potato. The refreshing citrus-based marinade with lime and cilantro sparked up the seafood. Two entrees, up to $18.50 each were allowed, and we opted for two at that price. A house special, tallarine saltado, was described on the menu as having pan-fried noodles with beef, chicken, seafood, onions, pepper, bok choy, tomato ginger, Peruvian spices and soy. We can describe it as an uninteresting pasta with overcooked beef, seafood and chicken. A saltados with stir-fried, mixed seafood was combined with onion, celery, tomatoes, potatoes and Peruvian spices served with white rice. The tomato sauce and vegetables were tasty but the fish did not impress. Dessert for $5.50 was a very dense flan topped with caramel sauce. Our bill was $4.17 which was the tax and we left a $12 tip as the dinner would have cost $60. Therefore the total cost of our meal was $46 with the $30 that we paid to Groupon, tax and tip. Was it worth it and would we return? No. Based on what we ate the food just was not worth it and we did not love what we ate. Would we have liked other menu items if we did not keep within the limits of the coupon? Perhaps, as there were some interesting items available.
This storefront restaurant is colorful with turquoise wood tables, red linen napkins, Spanish music and friendly staff wearing “Got Ceviche” T-shirts. Sabor Peru is open Wednesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Reservations are advised for weekends.
What has been your Groupon experience? Send a note to [email protected] and let me know. BTW—Sabor Peru has been open for 7 years.
Tallarine saltado.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein
Sabor Peru
8 Highland Cross
Rutherford
201-935-7378
BYO
**************************************
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].