Sabor the Flavor

The ritzy, elegant Saber Room is a diamond in Wilkes-Barre

Dustin Drevitch

Being born and raised in the North End of Wilkes-Barre, I can positively say I have visited most of the eateries in town except for one, which always tickled my imagination. As a child I remember passing by a restaurant with a big glowing, yellow sword on the sign and wondering what could possibly be inside those mysterious doors.

That building was The Saber Room.

I took my lovely mother on a date recently to finally check out the place. Rumored to be one of the most expensive restaurants in the area, we dressed to impress. When we arrived we were seated in a secluded back room. Initially given a cold vibe from our host as we were carded, I hoped the distinguished man with his initials inscribed on the cuffs of his shirt would warm up to us - which he did.

The decor is elegant and quaint, with large, bronzed statues, antique chandeliers, and dim lighting. The Saber Room is a great romantic spot for a date night no matter what the age of the lovebirds, and the vintage crooners such as Elvis and Sinatra quietly coming through the speakers made for a perfect mix with the soothing atmosphere.

Starting off with some drinks and complimentary warm, homemade bread, it didn't take long to realize dining at the Saber Room is not a quick event. Make sure you allow yourself at least two hours to enjoy the full potential of this classy eatery.

Once our host returned, we figured we'd go all out and make this a multiple-course meal, so we could get the full experience of the food (which was unnecessary, but I'll get to that).

As far as the menu is concerned, The Saber Room is regarded as a steak and seafood place more than anything else. The steaks have their very own menu, which includes anything from a 10 oz. Filet Mignon to a 16 oz. Cowboy Steak ranging in price from $32.50-38.95 and cooked however you like.

Other menu highlights include Veal Venetian, Fettuccini Verdi, Scallops, Potato Crusted Salmon, and Jumbo Crab Cakes.

We began with a shrimp martini and a bowl of French onion soup. The shrimp martini was presented in a tall martini-like glass filled with cocktail sauce hugged by three of the largest, meatiest shrimp I think I have ever seen.

The French onion soup was presented piping hot and cooked to perfection. Unlike other French onion soups, which can be loaded with salt, leaving one thirsty the rest of the day, this was cooked superbly.

As soon as our empty appetizer plates were taken away our salad maisons were in front of us. The salad consisted of assorted greens and fresh vegetables, topped with a house dressing of oil and vinegar similarities. Out of everything eaten during our dinner, the salad was the most forgettable item.

Before our main dishes were brought out, a small amount of pina colada sorbet was given to settle our stomachs and cleanse our pallets. Before that, courtesy of the chef, a pepperoni and cheese and cracker was served, at which point I realized this place was no joke.

For our main dishes, I chose filet mignon tips over noodles with sauce and cheese, while my mom went for a seafood pasta loaded with more of those Barry Bonds-esque shrimp, crab meat, and a garlic sauce (only after her first choice of lobster tail was shot down due to a busy night before).

The filet mignon tips were breathtaking and literally melted in my mouth. The seafood pasta was cooked amazingly with the essential amount of garlic and spices. The portion was in no way going to be eaten in one sitting, but rather doggie-bagged for lunch the next day.

We gave the succulent desserts a try, sharing a piece of cheesecake, which was accompanied by a raspberry glaze, the perfect closer for the evening. It was light and fluffy and left no doubt that we'd had enough, which apparently means there is too much of a good thing.

The Saber Room is an experience that many may have in the big cities. In Wilkes-Barre, however, only those who know about that building with a big, glowing yellow sword know about the excellent, personable, caring service and delicately prepared dishes.

If you're looking for a cheap, quick bite, this isn't the place. But, if ever a night comes along where you're feelin' a little classy, you know where to go.