deviate from your usual lunch habits, try saffron
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It’s easy to get fed up with the same old lunch options close to the office — which is exactly why I found myself recently wandering around the food court at National City Plaza, scoping out some of the new eateries angelenic has been covering.
Needing to fill that urge for something “different,” I hopped in line at Saffron, a quick food spot serving up fresh, all-natural Indian dishes. (The restaurant opened in mid-February.)
The menu is simple, choose two of any six chicken/veggie dishes, served with a bed of basmati rice or green salad. Grilled chicken salad and a trio of traditional Indian side dishes — simosas, naan and cucumber raita — are the only other food options.
As I waited for my order number to be called, I remembered the less-than-stellar comments some readers posted during Saffron’s probation days — watery , over-priced, not great.
Hoping for the best, I sat down with my Tofu Tikka Masala (seasoned tofu in a tomato sauce), Tofu Daal (four-lentil sauce) and freshly-made garlic naan. It certainly didn’t look watery; in fact, both sauces where rich, flavorful and skillfully seasoned with a hint of spice — the rice, fresh and well-cooked. Portions were sizable and the naan nearly melts in your mouth.
Apparently, owner Peter Stris responded to that early feedback and reworked his recipes. I finished the meal feeling satisfied and pleasantly surprised. Saffron is now on my list of weekly lunch stops, well worth the ten minute walk and ten dollar cost.
Add to that a friendly staff, delivery/catering services and dinner hours until 9:00pm — the verdict is out, this one’s a winner!
Saffron
505 S Flower Street
B Level, Unit 250
Los Angeles, CA 90017
213-488-9754
saffronindia.com
Mon-Fri: 11:00am-9:00pm
-saffron india restaurant opening this month
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6 comments
Sorry, not a fan. Food is bland and overpriced. We need something like a Gills “Express” at City National Plaza.
i agree with stephen — their tofu tikka masala gave me a foodgasm.
While I wouldn’t consider “authentic” Indian cuisine , as a non- ~foodie~ (I hate that term), I have to say I like the food.
Especially the cucumber yogurt sauce that I mix with everything. And Garlic Nan..nyum num num.
Saffron is GREAT!! Flavorful, rich & savory. If you think the food is bland then I think you are reviewing the wrong restaurant. Mmmmm.. the garlic Naan!!!
I agree with Stephen….Saffron is awesome! The chicken daal is so flavorful, not watery at all!!! And the garlic naan is soo yummy!
I don’t know about you but I don’t think that 3 posts are worth giving a final verdict on Saffron’s food. So I decided to check it out myself.
Since Indian fast food wasn’t too thrilling to me, I stood in line and got the most popular Masala with some Nan. Let me just tell you..they keep their menu simple because they know that you don’t have a lot of time to waste reading a bazillion item menu, give large portions- I had took my leftovers home for dinner for another great meal and since I was new to the Indian food idea, I sought a lot of help from those who worked there and they were definitely cool to talk to and very helpful.
Let me just say that not being a fan of Indian food, my mind is now changed and because of trying out Saffron, I’m a big believer in good food.
A blob post is just a post and yes it’s good to read but if you seriously want to form your opinion, get it yourself and try it out. Don’t jump on the bandwagon…be original. All I have to say is yum…but don’t take my word for it. Try it already!!!
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