**** This location of Sab-E-Lee has closed
I've been wondering why I crave spicy foods when the mercury rises...... it's a strange thing. Eating spicy food can make you sweat, which I do more than my share of, inducing the body's cooling mechanisms. Or perhaps it's the endorphins released by capsaicin, creating that "chili -high".... who knows. I do know that I crave certain spicy dishes when it heats up; Sichuan Hot Pot need not apply, but by all means bring on the Larb! Since Sab E Lee made our rotation, I've pretty much stopped taking photos. Really, how many Sab E Lee posts can one deal with.
However, on some recent visits, I managed to whip out the camera, so here goes. My brow is damp already...
I'm pretty sure regulars readers are just waiting to see a photos of Koi Soi/Koi Nua, the spicy raw beef salad that is probably my favorite dish at Sab E Lee. But I've decided to leave that out of this post....mainly because everyone knows Ilove the stuff, it's become kinda, well, predictable. So predictable that when some FOYs dropped by for some drinks and eats, they brought along... youguessed it Koi Soi from Sab E Lee. And not just one order, but two!
Speaking of predictable, I've long noticed that most of my photos, like this one of the excellent Catfish Larb ($6.95), all look the same. It's the eye from above look....
So here's a better shot, of the savory, salty, citrus-y, Catfish Larb. The flavors are pushed along by the roasted rice powder. There have been times when the catfish was less than stellar, but when it's on, the combination of textures is wonderful.
And of course, I just can't get away from that up from above shot, like in the case of the Bamboo Shoot Salad($6.95):
The savory fish sauce, when combined with the bright citrus flavor and crisp bamboo makes this a refreshing dish. The woodsy and mildly smoky flavor of the bamboo, I believe from the chemical para-cresol adds depth to the dish. When JohnL, a FOY (Friend of Yoso) had dinner with me one evening, he enjoyed this dish so much, went back for more the next day. Unfortunately, it was Monday, and Sab E Lee was closed. He had to wait an entire day for his fix.
I've covered our little dilemma of which beef salad to order before, but we still have the same problem. On some days, it's the Nahm Tok ($6.95):
Yes, yet another "bird's eye view". The Nahm Tok is a nice, savory, mildly sweet beef salad, the heat is slow burning, provided by dried chilies and chili paste. With nutty accents provided by the roasted rice powder. It is more suave and subtle (perhaps not the right term) than the Yum Nua, the Beef Salad ($6.95):
Fresh chilies, onions, and raw garlic give this dish some teeth! As you see, on occasion, the addition of Thai Eggplant adds a mild astringency, though it is nowhere near as bitter as Lao versions of this dish. It is upfront, in your face, and plain delicious.
And of course, you'll need an "eye in the sky" shot, right?
In the end, though my photos may be, as the Missus calls it, "boring and predictable" (I call it consistent), what Sab E Lee puts out on a daily basis is definitely not boring......
Here's a few other photos, just because:
The Salted Fish Fried rice....sooo good, but politically incorrect, don't take it back to the office with you.
Chicken with Spicy Mint Leaves:
Hope everyone had a great Monday..... I gotta go practice some new camera angles!
Sab-E-Lee Restaurant
2405 Ulric St
San Diego, CA 92111
You always take just fine pictures. It's a great, all encompassing angle for food dishes =)
Posted by: Lynnea | Monday, 24 August 2009 at 08:53 PM
hi kirk
the nahm tok is pretty good here! i learned my lesson - going there on a monday...only to be crushed when i saw the 'closed' sign.
Posted by: caninecologne | Monday, 24 August 2009 at 09:15 PM
Hi Kirk, I love your photos don't change a thing! Unless you want to of course.. :) I gotta finally try this place!
Posted by: Dennis | Monday, 24 August 2009 at 09:55 PM
I wonder why more places don't offer catfish laab? The best kind IMHO
Posted by: Chris | Monday, 24 August 2009 at 09:58 PM
damn i'm hungry for some thai now...i gotta get down to sd asap. been wanting that koi soi again hehe. loved their salted fish fried rice too. any recs around the la area?
Posted by: sawyer | Monday, 24 August 2009 at 10:10 PM
I notice I eat more curries and kim chee when it is humid and hot here too. I like your photos, I think it captures the deliciousness of the foods!
Posted by: kat | Monday, 24 August 2009 at 11:35 PM
Good pics - but made me hungry. I noticed the camera angles thing on my Artisan post. All of Tina's dishes were shot from a side angle and all mine from above because I take pics before we eat and trade plates etc. But I never thought about camera angles in YOUR posts before.
Posted by: ed (from Yuma) | Tuesday, 25 August 2009 at 06:49 AM
Hi Lynnea - Thanks, you're always so sweet!
Hi CC - Try and do a beef salad comparison next time.... the differences will be quite obvious!
Hi Dennis - I'm surprised you haven't tried Sab E Lee yet!
Hi Chris - Good question.... I dunno.
Hi Sawyer - A couple of places in Thai Town, and Renu Nakorn makes, or at least used to make really good Issan:
Renu Nakorn Restaurant
13019 Rosecrans Ave
Norwalk, CA 90650
Hi Kat - Thanks, funny about the spices and heat.....
Hi Ed - Funny how we all approach our shots, after doing this for so long, we naturally go with a certain angle.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 25 August 2009 at 08:01 AM
How fortuitous for me! It's the Mister's birthday and he said he wants Sab-e-Lee. He also said he wants a dish he hasn't tried before so here I am, scouring the posts for a dish recommendation.
Posted by: Carol | Tuesday, 25 August 2009 at 08:20 AM
I love those little Thai eggplants. Indonesians eat 'em just dipped in sambal. I've never seen them used in anything outside that application...until now.
I neeeeeed to visit this place next SD trip, which is overdue.
Posted by: elmomonster | Tuesday, 25 August 2009 at 08:30 AM
I still need to visit this place. Especially since I'm moving back up to the bay area soon :(... That chicken with spicy mint leaves looks moutwateringly yummmmmy
Posted by: Judy @ TinkerWithFood | Tuesday, 25 August 2009 at 12:30 PM
Hey Kirk,
Its Aubree from Sammy's! I found an amazing little place for you to try out. Its called Alchemy at 30th and Beech in South Park. Not a sushi place but its such amazing food I think you'd enjoy it. I'm actually applying there which is what made me try it out.
Posted by: Aubree Miller | Tuesday, 25 August 2009 at 06:12 PM
Salivating...I can eat Koi Soi three times a day. Have you tried to Tom Yum Soup and the Spicy Mint Fried Rice? oooh man, they're so goooood.
Posted by: Tammy | Tuesday, 25 August 2009 at 11:23 PM
Hi Carol - Well, a hearty Happy B-Day to the Mister!
Hey Elmo - In Thailand we had those eggplants in a number of salads and "dips", in Laos the same, and also as crudite. If you're coming my way, make sure to drop me a line!
Hi Judy - Moving to NoCal! How exciting. I can't believe you haven't tried out Sab E Lee yet.
Hi Aubree - It's so nice to hear from you.... it was also nice running into you the other day. I've tried Alchemy, and enjoyed the food - I hope things work out for you there!
Hey Tammy - Yes, I've had both. The Tom Yum is decent, but the Fried Rice with Spicy Mint leaves is delicious!
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 26 August 2009 at 07:46 AM
I ended up ordering the Catfish Larb and it must have been a good day because it was really good! As a matter of fact, every dish we ordered was spot on. The Mister said it was because they knew it was his b-day, hehe. And he thanks you for the b-day wish! :)
Posted by: Carol | Wednesday, 26 August 2009 at 08:05 AM
Hi Carol - I think the Mister was right!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 27 August 2009 at 07:42 AM
I love the naked shrimp at Sab-E-Lee so much, i end up ordering it everytime i go. And the Northeastern sausage is delicious. There seems to be nothing terrible coming out of the kitchen at Koby's place. I'm just glad the patrons seem to be growing which means less space but no worries about it closing down which i was really thinking about for a while. Thanks, Kirk.
Posted by: Didi | Thursday, 27 August 2009 at 11:27 AM
Hi Didi - Have you ever tried Aguachile at various Mariscos places? If you enjoy the naked shrimp at Sab E Lee, you might enjoy that dish.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 27 August 2009 at 02:59 PM