Cafe Saffron - SHREWSBURY CHRONICLE

Shrewsbury Chronicle 08/11/2007

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Warm welcome awaits diners on a winter eve

NOW the clocks have gone back and what little summer we had is most certainly over, my boyfriend Karl and I were in need of a mid week winter
warmer with a bit of spice.

Cafe Saffron is located in the heart of Shrewsbury overlooking the West End with an instantly welcoming atmosphere.

The fully licensed restaurant, which once upon a time was home to a ·bakery, has recently been fully extended and refurbished to a very modern
standard with a warm and bright colour scheme, including sunny yellows and burnt oranges with distinctive artwork on canvas adorning the
walls.

We were seated right by a huge window allowing us to enjoy the view while deciding what to have over a large glass of Mateus Rose for me and
a Worthington for Karl.

Old favourites

The friendly and energetic staff were on hand to talk us through the menu and recommend any dishes to us, even with a large party in they had
plenty of time for us.

The menu has plenty to choose from with a great selection of old favourites and new fusion dishes exclusive to Cafe Saffron.

The starters are very reasonably priced between £2.95 and £4.95, with most main meals priced around the £7 mark. If you want to be really flash
though, they offer a lobster dish with saffron and garlic for £15.95. I went for shukla aloo, an aromatic potato dish with lemon juice and turmeric
on a bed of crisp lettuce which was lovely, Karl opted for king prawn on puri, Bengal tiger prawns served up in a Bengali pancake which he said
was very tasty. Perfect timing in between courses meant we could enjoy our drinks and take in the surroundings before being expertly served
our main courses by the attentive yet not intrusive staff.

I'd gone for house specialty tawa chicken, a spicy yet flavourful fusion dish of tender chicken breast cooked in the tandoor and served with a
large helping of salad and fried onions.

Enthusiastic

Karl had lamb tikka dansak, a classic taste of sweet and sour, with special rice combining mushrooms, peas and spices to which he gave an
enthusiastic two thumbs up. On the side we couldn't resist the peshwari naan, fluffy in texture and sweet to taste.

All really very enjoyable and not a mouthful left over. With the main courses cleared and the hot towels handed out I thought briefly about
dessert, Karl seldom goes for anything off the sweet menu whereas I have a sweet tooth to rival that of a child.

But they're far from shy with the portions here and my waistband just wouldn't allow it. However, we were more than happy with the arrival of a
large Baileys over crushed ice for me and a warm brandy for Karl on the house to finish.

So with our bellies full we headed back out into the cold to make our way home, leaving behind the warm and lively Cafe Saffron - but I have a
feeling it won't be long before we return.

Nicola Debus

Sample menu

STARTERS: machli biran (pan fried salmon steak coated in tumeric and rock salt), £3.50; stuffed pepper, £3.25; king prawn on puri, £4.95;
dall soup, £2.95.

MAINS: Saffron special (a selection of tikka malai, tandoori chicken and saffron kebabs), £8.50; tiger prawns tagliatelli, £9.95; chicken or lamb
tikka bhuna balti £7.95; tikka massala, £7.95; murghi mossolam (chicken tikka breast cooked with keema, black pepper, coriander, onions and
tomato) £8.95; mixed + vegetable biryani, £5.95.

SIDES: nawabi vegetable, sag aloo, £2.75; pilau rice, £2.35; special rice, £2.60; coriander naan, £1.95.

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Food for Thought: Cafe Saffron, Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Chronicle February 2007

Gone are the days of the typical Indian restaurant with dim surroundings and flock wallpaper; when I and my partner
arrived at Cafe Saffron at 7pm we were greeted with a warm welcome and shown to our table by Abdul Husen, one
of the partners.

The refurbished surroundings were very colourful and modern with a pleasant atmosphere.

We were expecting the evening to be very busy, due to it being Valentine’s Day, but all the staff were very
professional and made our visit most enjoyable.

Although couples were arriving in their droves, we only had to wait about five minutes before our drink order was
taken. I opted for a pint and Julie had a white wine spritzer.

While we were enjoying our drinks we started to study the vast range available on the menu.

For our starter Julie ordered a vegetable samosa and I opted for the king prawn on puri with poppadom and
chutneys. Both helpings were generous and full of flavour.

Within a short period our main course had arrived; at this point the restaurant was getting quite full but the staff still
found the time to be friendly and make you feel at ease.

Julie had ordered jingha masala diwani with pilau rice and Peshwari naan; my choice was pasanda nawabi with
fried rice and garlic naan.

Both were full of flavour, and with the mix of various spices the presentation was excellent. I would recommend them
to anybody who is stuck on what to have, although the friendly staff are available if you need any help or advice.

We finished off our pleasant evening by having coffee and mints.

I would highly recommend to anybody celebrating an event or birthday to try Cafe Saffron – with its, excellent service
and friendly staff, we will definitely be back.

Due to the amount of repeat business that they experience I would suggest booking in advance.

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Shrewsbury Chronicle September 22, 2006

Food for thought: Cafe Saffron, Shrewsbury

Cafe Saffron, in Hills Lane, Shrewsbury proved to be an excellent choice of venue for a girls’ night out, with ample parking on the doorstep and a menu with something for everyone.

On climbing the stairs to the bright and airy all non-smoking restaurant you smell the authentic spices which let you know there is a treat ahead.

Abdul, co-partner in the restaurant, greeted us and then the friendly waiter, John, escorted us to our table, handing us the menus and taking our drinks order.
Abdul and John were attentive and very helpful throughout the evening, giving us advice and explaining things on the menu, which had a vast choice of both traditional and unique dishes. The drinks were brought to the table along with some popadoms and a tray of tasty relishes.

A decision was made: For starters Jane chose chicken tawa, a fusion cooked to the chef’s secret recipe, while Lucy and I shared (saving room for later) a Saffron Chat, diced spiced chicken served with crispy salad on a bed of lettuce.

Both starters were given the thumbs-up. For main course both Jane and Trish chose from the exclusive menu: Jane chose Makani, a dish containing lamb or chicken tikka malai in a base of masala sauce garnished with a thick layer of korma sauce while Trish chose Persona Nawabi, marinated chicken (or lamb) tikki malai cooked with wine in a special pasanda sauce, fresh herbs yogurt and spices – a mild dish.

Lucy ordered the Saffron Special, a sizzling tandoori grill, a selection of tikka malai, paprika chicken and saffron kebabs; and I thoroughly enjoyed the Salmon Spice, lightly spiced salmon grilled and served with rice, salad and a sauce recommended by John.

Let’s have the verdict from my fellow diners in their own words:

Jane: “The starter was fantastic and it will definitely be ordered again. The main course was very tasty – I would recommend it for someone with a sweet tooth. The waiter was helpful and obliged with mushroom pilau rice even though it was not on the menu. This is definitely a restaurant I will be visiting again.”
Trish: “Normally I always have chicken tikka but I decided to be more adventurous and I am very glad I did, so my advice to those like me who always order the same thing is, go for it, try something different, because you won’t be disappointed.”

Lucy: “The starter was lovely, hot and spicy. The main course was absolutely delicious, a variety of kebabs and tandoori chicken with sauce and salad, and all tasted very fresh. I had a keema naan to accompany this and I will definitely choose this dish again.”

Gill: “A lovely evening, with good company and excellent food. I had never thought of ordering salmon at an Indian restaurant before and I was very pleased I did.
“This was the first time I had been to Café Saffron and I can’t wait to revisit.”

To round off a lovely evening we ordered floaty coffee, Irish coffee and a calypso coffee – sadly there was no room for desserts.

Café Saffron caters for vegetarians and has special gourmet nights. The added advantage of a visit here is lovely views of St Chad’s Church, Rowley’s Mansion and the hustle and bustle of the West End of Shrewsbury

Visit their web site www.cafesaffron.co.uk for more information.

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Food for Thought - Cafe Saffron Shrewsbury Chronicle 2Oth July 2006

Cafe Saffron Indian Restaurant is a fantastic choice if you are looking for a relaxing, chilled out evening – and have a large appetite!

Situated in the town centre, the restaurant is easy to get to and also has a car park right outside.

On our arrival we were greeted by the friendly smile of Azad, who has been the restaurant manager here for just over five years. We were taken to our table in the restaurant where Azad kindly bought a high chair, as I was with my husband and daughter.

The decor was bright, clean and contemporary with many windows letting in plenty of light and superb views over the west end.

The non-smoking restaurant had some great features, especially the wooden beams and a huge arch shaped window, comfortable chairs and nicely decorated tables – this was definitely a good sign of things to come.

One of the waiters took the order for our drinks, of which there was an excellent selection with various wines, beers, cocktails, spirits and liqueurs on offer. As no Indian meal is complete without papadoms we ordered two, which came with dips.

After a considerable length of time looking at the extensive menu (and a bit of advice from the waiter) we chose our starters and main courses.

We decided on the Shukla Aloo and Chicken Pathia Puree; sweet and sour, a little hot and served in a pancake, this was definitely an excellent choice! The pancakes were filled with succulent, spicy pieces of chicken and accompanied by a fresh salad and the Aloo (oven baked potato with tumeric and fresh lemon juice) was cooked to perfection.

After a short break the main course arrived. We opted for a Saffron Special – a selection of Tikka Malai, Tandoori Chicken and Saffron Kebabs and also a Chicken Korma, and again, both had their own spicy, authentic taste – delicious. We also ordered side dish of mushroom rice and garlic Naan.

The chef Abdul Husen has acquired vast experience working alongside top chefs in both the UK and abroad.

His secret to success is simple, by using fresh herbs and spices and high quality ingredients – a great meal guaranteed.

We both decided to skip the desserts as we were feeling far too full.

All in all we had a wonderful evening in a really relaxed, informal and cosy atmosphere. The service was prompt and the waiters were helpful and polite – nothing was too much trouble. This was a real bonus for us as we had our two-year-old girl with us.

The restaurant is open daily from 6pm to 12pm (Friday and Saturday until 1pm) and can be hired out for parties and business functions.

We will be returning very soon!
By Alison Jukes.

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Food for Thought - Cafe Saffron Shrewsbury Chronicle 23rd March 2006

My partner and I decided a Sunday evening would be a good time to try out Cafe Saffron in Hills Lane, Shrewsbury, which specialises in Indian cuisine.

As it was only 6pm we thought it would be reasonably quiet. Well, we were wrong there, because by 6.45pm several of the tables were occupied.

We started off with warm spicy papadoms, and a tray of mixed pickle which were delicious.

I chose mixed tandoori to start (£3.50) which was made up of chicken and lamb tikka malai, sheek kebab, and onion bhaji, followed by tandoori chicken (£6.95). Both were really tasty with plenty of flavouring and spices but not too hot.

Brian chose Machli Biran (£3.50), which was a pan fried salmon steak, coated in turmeric and rock salt. He said it was tasty but a little on the dry side for his liking. Then he followed up with Makani (£7.95), which contained plenty of lamb in a base of masala sauce, garnished with a thick layer of korma sauce, served with pilau rice.

We also had two side dished of mushroom bhajee and sag aloo along with a peshwari naan bread.
For desert, having never eaten indian ice cream, I opted for this which I must say was really creamy and delicious.
Brian went for the orange sorbet, which also had the thumbs up.

We would definitely recommend Cafe Saffron as the food was very good, staff courteous, and the atmosphere welcoming. Also, they are offering 20% discount on all takeaway orders (collection only).

The restaurant is open seven days a week including bank holidays. Monday to Sunday 6pm to late.

Sandra Johnson

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Food for Thought - Cafe Saffron Shrewsbury Chronicle 17th November 2005

An evening at Cafe Saffron in Shrewsbury’s Hills Lane is most definitely one to savour and, if you haven’t booked on a Saturday night, it’s a good idea to get there earlyish as the tables fill up quickly.

My boyfriend, Pete, and I settled on a table by the window in the upstairs restaurant, with a view of all the comings and goings of Shrewsbury’s West End – great for people-watching.

Once settled, the menu took some time to ponder over. There is a wide choice of starters, some sizzling tandoori treats, all the old favourites (madras, vindaloo, korma etc.), as well as a large number of imaginative dishes which are specialities of the house.

I decided on a mixed tandoori starter to try tastes of several different dishes (chicken and lamb tikka malai, sheek kebab and onion bhaji) and Pete opted for Bengal tiger prawns-on-puri (tiger prawns cooked with medium spices served on a Bengali pancake).

Both were tasty and left us really looking forward to the main course.

I chose one of the house specialities, the jingha masala diwani (giant tiger prawns cooked in fresh cream with ground roasted almonds, sultanas and coconut milk). It was billed as a mild and creamy dish on the menu’s extremely helpful ‘heat’ rating.

Pete enjoyed a bhuna-strength roshuni baghar (marinated lamb or chicken tikka malai cooked with onions, green peppers, fresh herbs and spices and dressed with a fried garlic topping). There was a slight mix-up when he was served the chicken version of the dish, instead of the lamb one, but he was too pleased with the taste to want to swap.

I had pilau rice as an accompaniment; Pete went for the mushroom pilau and we shared side dishes of sag bhajee (spinach), brinjal bhajee (aubergine) and sukla aloo (cumin roasted potatoes).

We washed our meal down with a glass of cider (me) and Cobra and Kingfisher lager (him). I decided to have a Tia Maria liqueur coffee in lieu of any dessert and to round off the evening.

We left Cafe Saffron fully sated, having enjoyed some great food, friendly service and a pleasant evening.

Christine Davies

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SHREWSBURY CHRONICLE - FOOD FOR THOUGHT - 18TH AUGUST 2005

NEW LOOK RESTAURANT WENT DOWN A TREAT

Recently refurbished and located in the West End of Shrewsbury, myself and my partner Julie visited Cafe Saffron to celebrate my birthday.

The restaurant can now cater for up to 70 guests and has introduced a venue room if you were thinking of celebrating a special event.

With our table reserved by the window we were shown to our seats and presented with the menu and specials list. We started our evening with myself having a pint of Tetley bitter and Julie a white wine spritzer.

After about 10 minutes enjoying our drinks and deliberating over the vast menu choice we had decided on our starters.

My choice was King Prawn-on-Puri which consisted of Bengal Tiger Prawns cooked with medium spices and served on a Bengali pancake. Julie had Machli Biran which was pan fried salmon steak coated in turmeric and rock salt. In between our starter we were served with plain poppadoms and a choice of chutney.

Full of flavour

For our main course Julie had decided on a Rogan Josh, cooked with fresh herbs and spices garnished with a layer of coriander, onions and tomatoes. I had decided on Roshuni Baghar, marinated lamb tikka malai cooked with onions, green peppers, fresh herbs and spices with extra fried garlic topping. Both dishes were excellent, full of flavour and very appetising.

Throughout our meal the staff were excellent with service and also on assisting us on what was in the various dishes that they had to offer. The newly refurbished restaurant, which was completed about two months ago, has gone down very well with new and old customers, nice and bright with a warm atmosphere. We would highly recommend people with a taste for Indian food to try Cafe Saffron as they are very professional in what they do.

I would recommend that you reserve a table as they are very popular over the weekend. Azad and Abdul, directors of Cafe Saffron, made our visit very welcome and will definitely be going again in the very near future. Mark Ball

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