Sazon's Venezuelan delights

The days are not as cold as they should be for this time of the year. It is still warm enough to hang out outside. In the midst of mild weather, about three weeks ago, Judith Suzarra and Robert Campell opened a restaurant called Sazon, which serves typical Venezuelan cuisine.

Sazon is located at 941 Spring Garden St., at the intersection of 10th and Spring Garden Streets. It is easy to find because of the tricolor sign that stands out from mostly abandoned, old buildings in the area. Once inside, the place feels very warm. The lights are lowered and the walls are painted in ochre. On the right, there is a deck with postcards and to-go menus, newspapers and postcards from Havana Café.

We sat in a quiet, hidden table and got the menus and some water. We could not believe that finally someone has brought authentic Venezuelan food for the first time to Philadelphia. First, we wanted to know the amount of food served. Venezuelans eat like the French when it comes to food portions.

Then, we ordered the large size three cheese Empanadas and a red bean soup. The Empanadas come with a delicious tomato sauce that resembles pico de gallo, but much more tasty. I asked the waiter what the ingredients were. He said he could only tell me that it was made with tomatoes and cilantro, the rest is a secret.

As desert we ordered a Tres Leches (Three Milk cake) and Quesillo (Custard flan with caramel) to share. Sazon also offers so many other specialties and are planning to extend their menu. Suzarra is a nutritionist and a personal trainer. As one of the chefs, she makes sure that what is cooked at Sazon is as healthy as possible.

She likes to color food (like yellow rice) with fruits or vegetable, instead of using artificial coloring.

Sazon, a B.Y.O.B. restaurant, is open Mondays through Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Their webpage is www.sazonrestaurant.com.

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