There are a number of shareable plates that I really enjoy. But first, you gotta try some of the shrimp chips. These look something like pork rinds but are much lighter and have a delicate texture. And you just can't stop eating them. Same for the Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls. Served with a delicious hot and sour plum sauce, these are the perfect place to begin. And I enjoy the Fish Tacos as well. The mahi mahi is tender, the jicama salad is the perfect contrast, and the charred Serrano aoli sauce is just right for dipping. Another interesting "shareable" is the Creole accented Calamari. Presented with a lovely remoulade, the calamari is tender, and the tastes are authentic and very pleasant. Also new to the menu are the Shrimp Flautas. These are extremely engaging and the first bite yielded the requisite oohs and ahs at our table. Also on the Asian side, the Mu Shu Pork is to die for. The pork has a seared flavor that goes beautifully with the sesame pancakes and the Asian BBQ sauce. And like so many of the shareables at Saba, it's another perfect finger food. And the Red Chile Tortilla Soup is also most worthy of mention. It's got a sweeter flavor than most in this genre, but I enjoyed it.

Now if mixing and matching tapas is not your thing, there are larger entrees at Saba as well. One of my favorites is the Paella. This classic Spanish dish, named for the heavy pan its typically prepared in, blends scallops, shrimp, mussels, and saffron rice in a delicious stew. The Shrimp Enchiladas, in an interesting stacked presentation, are also excellent. The Ranchero cream sauce is quite appealing without going over the top into excess, and the zesty avocado salsa accents things nicely. A new entrée is the Camino Crusted Tenderloin. Ours was very tasty, cooked to order, with a compelling flavor. Served along with roasted garlic mashers and crisp green beans, this is the steak lover's dish. And we also tried the Blackened Redfish which I found to be very flavorful, exquisitely tender, without being tricked up by the blackening spices.

The libations are original and plentiful at Saba. The Clasico Mojito, the famous Havana rum drink, is well presented here. Also, the Saba Island Tea, their version of the Long Island Iced Tea is a tasty respite on these heat-intensive days we're heading into.

So head out to Saba at 208 W. 4th St. Look for the happy food critic with the beard, that's me, sharing tapas, tempting libations, and enjoying the great local color that makes Austin such a fun place to live.