We started with a sculptural presentation of ceviche mixto: tuna, squid and shrimp balanced on crisp taro along with Peruvian toasted corn. The dish was “cooked” lightly in lime juice, a great opener to the meal that woke up my palate.

Peruvian-influenced ceviche mixto (Kim Westerman)

Next up was a deceptively rich heirloom tomato and buffalo mozzarella salad placed atop a sweet red plum with sherry gel and smoked hazelnuts. The nuts, even more than the plum-tomato combination, made the dish stand out.

Plum, tomato and buffalo mozzarella salad (Kim Westerman)

The winner of the meal — among a string of winners — was the Wagyu steak tartare roll with bone marrow peanut sauce and Vietnamese pickles. This is a special dish you’d be hard-pressed to make on your own and well worth the $15 price tag for the beef alone.

Wagyu steak tartare roll (Kim Westerman)

It was hard to follow this dish, but the ssam-glazed pork belly with salmon caviar and pickled mushrooms, served in a lettuce cup, did the trick. This and the tartare are destined to quickly become two of Chef Hogan’s signature dishes.

Lamb meatballs infused with currant and pinenuts, with eggplant-yogurt purée and pomegranate, were deeply satisfying — decadently rich, but not too rich when served tapas-style.

Rich and satisfying lamb meatballs (Kim Westerman)

We tried two desserts: a caramelized white chocolate and bacon doughnut with butternut squash and maple ice cream, a nice balance of sweet and savory, and a dark chocolate torte with cocoa nibs, milk chocolate Chantilly, and salted hazelnut brittle, again, a play on sweet and savory.

Doughnut with butternut squash and maple ice cream (Kim Westerman)

Service was spot on, despite the fact that the restaurant is just one day old. Look for Sabio to be packed with locals, so much so that those looking to drive out from other parts of the Bay Area, which they surely will, need to book well ahead.

Sabio on Main
501 Main St. [Map]
Pleasanton, CA 94566
Ph: (925) 800-3090
Hours: Mon-Thu, 5-9:30pm; Fri-Sat, 5-10pm; Sun, 4-9pm
Price Range: $$-$$$ (Tapas $11-$17, Entrees $31-$60)
Facebook: Sabio on Main
Twitter: @sabiopleasanton

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