Saffron Restaurant & Lounge - A Tasteful Splurge in RTP

The Triangle has no shortage of Indian restaurants, but lately there appears to be a new breed among this group. One of these, located in a Morrisville strip mall, is sophisticated, sleek, and trendy. Saffron, like its more traditional counterparts, features an inexpensive lunch buffet, but the contemporary décor and large bar suggest a finer dining scene come evening.

Saffron’s secret ingredient is Chef Gamar Rewat, lured here from one of the best Indian restaurants in the country, Tamarind in New York. Rewat’s dishes are a far cry from the standard Indian fare on the strip mall ethnic scene. Try his lamb shanks with whole spices and red wine, eggplant and potatoes, or coconut crusted sea bass with fresh curry leaves and discover how elegant Indian cooking can be. Save room for a sweet ending--saffron crème brulee or carrot pudding with orange sauce are both a lovely way to wind up a special meal.

Returning to the RTP area at night seems like swimming upstream for most of us in the Triangle. But to experience the food of a world class Indian chef, the drive to Saffron is certainly worth the effort.