Apart from decent food of course, a dining experience is made all the more enjoyable by meeting owners who have a real passion for their business.
None more so than Ali Amzed. Almost single-handedly, without doubt backed up by attentive and well informed colleagues. Ali has made this part of Summertown his own, imprinting a stamp of excellence and great service. If you need a good meal and a general lift, look no further than Ali. Not only will you leave Saffron replete, you’ll also leave with a smile on your face.
And whereas many restaurants will add annoying charges for this and that, Ali will add value, add dishes and add to your overall experience.
Kids? Most welcome. We took three of them. Chicken Korma’s are normally the order of the day – I can’t talk, I was 32 by the time I kicked the habit! But this time, Ali brought the kids out of their ‘Korma shells’ and we were all indulged in a veritable feast. There was hardly room left on the table.
Here’s a selection of what we had:
Starters – a mixed dish, beautifully prepared, including the following delicious treats – lamb tikka, Suffiany Kebab (minced lamb, skewered and chargrilled in the tandoor over), meat samosas, Jinga Moni Puree (King prawns cooked with spices served with a slice of fresh pineapple on fried Indian bread), and Grilled Ribs.
Mains –
Chicken Rogan - North Indian dish with tomatoes, green peppers, onions and a touch of garlic.
Chicken Korma – well we had to have at least one, for old time’s sake! - A mild dish cooked in cream, almond & coconut.
Sigdi Chicken - Chicken marinated in spice, cooked in chef's own special recipe (medium)
Sikandari Badi Lamb - This is a very exotic Indian dish, shank of lamb marinated with herbs and spices then roasted in the oven.
King Prawn Jalfrayzi – or ‘Jinga’ – Stir fried highly spiced with fresh green chilies & coriander. (HOT!!!!).
Chicken Passanda – in a delicate mild creamy sauce with almond powder & red wine
You really can’t go wrong at Saffron. We were served dutifully throughout and the attention we received was remarkable given this was a busy Friday night, just before Christmas. Saffron is a lively, contemporarily designed restaurant, with a beautiful flow with a couple of individual eating areas aside from the main room. This enables you to almost enjoy your own private enclave, akin to having your own dinner party in public.
The wonderful all round Saffron dining experience has been recognised with a number of awards, including the Top 30 Best in Britain (BIBA) and a Gold Award from Quality Food Online Ltd, all of which are fully deserved. The restaurant frequently hosts charity events, supporting charities such as Child Reach International and Helen and Douglas House. Over twelve years, Saffron has become a firm favourite for the inhabitants of Summertown and beyond. Why not join in the fun?
Reviewed by Richard Rosser
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