Sab-E-Lee 2, Cathy's visits, so far

mmm-yoso!!!is a blog.  About food.  Written by various friends. Who don't eat out together much, if at all. We just write about our various adventures here.  Today, it's Cathy doing the writing.

Hi.  Things have been busy for me in the last month or so.  Without getting into much detail,  one entire day of my life was wasted   spent doing my Civic Duty with this view and these vending machines.

  

On the plus side, I have at least a year until I have to do this again.

(for those of you who don't know, this is the East County Jury Duty room where you are instructed and then wait (and wait) to see if you are called to be screened for a jury).

So anyhow, Sab-E-Lee 2 has opened in my neck of the woods, Santee.  It is, in fact, walking distance from my home, less than 2 miles away.  It's just that it is uphill to go back, so I have so far only driven here for some meals.

I thought I would share what menu items The Mister and I have had here so far.
Pork Larb ($7.95), hot tea, sticky rice ($2.25).  I got this on opening day. Kobe and the crew greeted me so warmly and it was very nice.  The larb, of course, was excellent and really satisfied my cravings.

The next time, I went with The Mister for lunch (he has been working late and now seems to also get into work late...) and we each got a bowl of 'egg drop' soup, a chicken based soup broth (very rich) with tomatoes and onions. There was a lemon note to it and the egg part was very fine.  It was not spicy, as Tom Yum Gai would be.

 

I got the salted fish fried rice ($8.95), which I had been craving.  This also was something The Mister tasted and wanted no part of (more for me!). Perfectly fried rice intermingled with excellent salted fish (kind of anchovy- like in flavor) . This really is one of my cravings.

The Mister got one of the lunch specials- the pineapple curry with chicken ($7.95). This was something we never had had and it was very nice. Moist chicken, a rich, flavorful, coconut milk based curry. The portion size is very large, despite my wonderful illusionary photography skills.

   On this day, we splurged and got dessert (The Mister really did not want to go in to work).  The mango sticky rice ($6.95), The rice is made with coconut milk, when you order it (takes some time) and the mangoes are in season and wonderfully flavored.  A seemingly simple yet so complex dessert.  A very nice treat for us.  

 

The other evening, The Mister was leaving work late and wanted to know what I had for dinner...I told him "Sab E Lee".  He thought I meant take out,  silly man.

This is the Prawn Tempura from the "Nibbles" section of the menu. ($7.95)

4 shrimp and carrots, onion and broccoli light dusted in rice flour and fried to a good crispness.  It was served with a sweet sauce which I tried but was just as happy eating it plain. Or with the sauce from our primary course:

 Fish Garlic ($12.95). This was a catfish I believe.  Topped with a wonderful garlic sauce, this seemed to be delicately fried  and was served on the fish shaped plate on top of cabbage and carrots.  It looks like a whole fish, but was boneless- and the broccoli taking the place of the head was so cute.

 

The Mister had been craving papaya salad ($7.95)and we had that as our 'dessert'.  Spiciness level 2.  We wanted to taste the ingredients...

That's all for now.

Sab-E-Lee 2

9157 Mission Gorge Road Santee CA 92071 (619) 328-1568

Open daily 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

website

Comments

[Carol]

I am so craving Sab-e-lee right now. Kobe had recommended the mango sticky rice to us before "2" was opened and we really enjoyed the combination. The fish garlic looks fantastic. I think we'll try that next time we're there (hopefully soon).

[sawyer]

ohh man...i gotta get my butt down to sd ASAP...i don't know how much more i can take reading your and kirk's posts on this place....those are some beautiful pictures!

[michael]

great photos. i keep trying to drag myself over there.

[ed (from Yuma)]

You are so lucky to have Sab E Lee so close. Maybe Koby learned where you live and located accordingly.

[cathy]

You know, I had tried almost everything at the other location, Carol and to be able to get the same plus new-and just as quality- here, is so nice for me. You need to try it before you will want to stay in your new kitchen.

Thanks, Sawyer. iPhones are pretty nice. You should have some free time to drive South in the next few weeks...

Santee is not that far away on the freeway, michael. We have a newly opened Pho House, as well as an almost open Japanese Steakhouse. I always loved Oiishi-sushi and Thai-(posted on it twice now) and most of the other places out here. Sab E Lee shines, though. Thanks for the kind words. All photos are from my iPhone.

There is a Thai Temple in Santee, ed. Kobe *might* have used that as his reasoning. But it's nice to think it was because of me...:)

[Dennis]

Hi Cathy, darn I've yet to go to the original location. Everything looks delicious especially the larb!

[Cathy]

Oh, everything at Sab E Lee is great, Dennis. Make it a New Year Resolution to visit.