A flavorful getaway
By Simon Webster Sabor a Pasion Chef , owner
Wouldn ’ t you like to get away to a top-rated destination to relax and enjoy good food ? Maybe you need to unplug from the stress of work and life – even if it ’ s just for a few hours . Did you know there ’ s a place like that , just outside Palestine , where people from all over come to visit ? Welcome to Sabor a Pasion – a culinary destination like no other – that offers bed & breakfast accommodations , beautiful scenery and internationally-inspired chef-created cuisine .
Located on 25 acres , fives miles south of Palestine , I found this property in 2004 and was immediately welcomed by the long winding driveway that led uphill to a ranch-style house surrounded by trees . It fit perfectly into the vision I had for a B & B and restaurant with a concept like no other . The lush landscape reminded me of growing up in New Zealand and later living in England where I fondly created country gardens and cobblestone pathways . Within a few months of purchase , the dream was becoming a reality and Sabor a Pasion was open for business .
Eighteen years later , Sabor a Pasion has grown and evolved into a top-rated Texas getaway with six cottages , two estate rooms , accommodations for 20 , a well-known restaurant , vineyard and venue for special events – both small and large . People are often surprised by the service and amenities . Where else does the chef come out and greet you when you arrive , serve you coffee and breakfast in the morning and create custom menus and packages to make every customer ’ s stay a special occasion ?
The reviews confirm the experience and word of mouth has become our best form of advertising . It also helped that before I came to Palestine , I had experience in television and media and still appear as a frequent guest chef on news stations and morning shows in Tyler and Dallas . It ’ s a great way to attract people and get them interested in planning a visit to Palestine .
Most of the dishes we serve at Sabor a Pasion are inspired from things I loved to cook in New Zealand and England – fresh fish , lamb , steaks , garden vegetables and creative salads . I also started traveling to Italy when I met Christine Gardner , who is also trained as a chef and spent time learning to cook Italian on the Amalfi Coast .
The Italian influence at Sabor a Pasion is very evident . We have two wood-fired pizza ovens , outdoor Tuscan dining and fresh , handmade pasta dishes that taste just like you ’ re in Italy . Christine and I also lead small group tours to Italy twice a year to spend a week in a private villa experiencing the great flavors of Italian food , wine and specialties .
Over the years there ’ s been a lot of renovation and additions to
Beautiful fine dining tablescapes are just one of the many added luxuries of a stay at Sabor a Pasion .
COURTESY PHOTO | PALESTINE HERALD-PRESS
Sabor a Pasion so that it can functionally serve as both our home and a business . The restaurant and commercial kitchen came first , but later a studio kitchen was created so Christine could have a place to create recipes for her two cookbooks and film cooking segments for CBS19 in Tyler . Also , for many years she ’ s been a recipe developer , food stylist and writer for FRESH and Brookshire ’ s . So , between the two of us there ’ s always something cooking !
Last year we added two new cabins which has attracted more people wanting to get away for a weekend with a group of friends . This year we ’ ve been renovating the old barn on the property to become a day spa . We have a massage therapist who will come and do massages for B & B guests and we wanted to create a tranquil space for these services .
We are always open for dinner by reservation . You just need to call . Friday nights are Italian wood-fired pizza night served family style with salad , pasta , pizza and dessert . Other nights , we have a 3-course set menu with choices of appetizers , main course and desserts for a fixed price . New Zealand Lamb is a favorite entrée for many people and can also choose from specialty desserts like New Zealand Pavlova , Italian Chocolate Caprese Cake or Limoncello Tiramisu . We love to share our recipes as much as we do the flavors in the restaurant . Give the recipes a try or if you don ’ t feel like cooking , call us to come out and experience the beauty and flavor of Sabor a Pasion .
PALESTINE MAGAZINE | SPRING 2022 | 17