Review

Traditional Indian restaurant, the Saffron Brasserie on Regent Street is a popular place to be at weekends. A bustling Saturday night atmosphere is found, with large groups of people having celebrations and couples sharing an intimate meal as well as students, local regulars and small groups of friends and work colleagues. A large smart-looking team of staff, all wearing black and looking like an army ready for business are on stand by to deal with the influx of people. The restaurant has a cosy feel with warm red

bustling Saturday night atmosphere is found

carpets, blinds and table settings, peach coloured roses on every table and a very spacious table arrangement. Ornamental sheesha pipes are displayed in glass cabinets along one side of the restaurant, and flower paintings on 3-D canvasses adorn the walls. The modern waiting area with neon lights gives a contemporary twist to the décor, and is a very comfortable place to sit and wait for a table whilst the tempting spicy aromas from the kitchen arouse your taste buds.

After expressing an interest in the unique tasting red onion chutney, the friendly waiter proudly informs us that it is made from a home-made recipe including tomato ketchup and 14 different spices. Although, the waiter didn't seem so friendly after our dips were prematurely taken away, leaving us with one lonely popadom. Also, the portion of prawn biryani we ordered did not appear good value for money, with a flat serving on a small standard metal rice dish, and the taste did not meet our expectations either, with undercooked hardened rice, overcooked chewy prawns and an overall flavourlessness. A similarly sub-standard side dish of tarka dahl was ordered, which resembled more of a soup and only tasted of lentils with a slight buttery taste, along with tasty but under-cooked and oily naan bread, struggling to hold itself together.

The Saffron Brasserie looks smart from the outside with its dark tinted windows and blinds showing through. Inside, the restaurant has a simple décor resembling many other Indian restaurants in town, but with a warm and cosy feel. Even though the food sampled was not the tastiest, the restaurant is popular for its friendly service, comfortable atmosphere and central location.