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Saffron
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
16 reviews for Saffron
Saffron.. oh Saffron. I can not say enough good things about this place. Last night was not my first time there - but let me paint a picture of the delicious dinner:
appetizer: fried green tomatoes, with a perfect crisp, though not at all greasy on the outside topped with a spicy aioli and a sprinkle of scallions.
dinner: perfect roast chicken with a crisp of manchego cheese on the bottom, on top of a poblano pepper on top of basmati rice. sauteed peaches covered the whole thing. Ah-maz-ing.
wife had the paella - the seafood was fresh and perfectly cooked. the presentation fantastic. she loved the rice, I didn't try it as i was already starting to get full and I wanted to save room for the dessert.
dessert: The chocolate bread pudding. I have never been a fan of bread pudding, but this changed my mind. Order it.
Had a glass of pinot which did not disappoint.
also ordered a small cappuccino - I'm a bit of a coffee snob and foam was perfect, espresso still had a nice crema on it that i could see through the foam.
Not to mention the service! The chef/owner is so sweet & friendly - obviously loves his job which just makes the place that much nicer. The waitresses are fantastic.
Great wine, service, food, & coffee? I'm sold.
Also - i loved it before the remodel, and now it is even nicer. If i could give this place 6 stars I would.
Menu changes often with a small selection - but that's part of the charm.
The new remodel is very nice, the decor and the inside was very comfortable. The food, not so great. Started with some fried green tomatoes, they were kinda tart and bitter, and so little sauce was on top of them. (It was some type of aioli, which was tasty and helped balance out the tartness, but don't be so frugal with it). Then we got the burger and the sole. Olive tarpenade on a nice juicy flavorful burger? Didn't go together, and the cheese and prosciutto was way to much . The burger came with portabello fries, again, way to heavy and it didn't work well. The fish was bland, and needed more flavor to it.
Great location, but they are trying way to hard to stand out and be different, and it just didn't work for me.
First of all I must say that you haven't experienced the complete Sonoma experience unless you pay a visit to Saffron Restaurant. This small classy establishment is simply awesome. I have had the best steak here - literally I have NEVER had a better steak in my life. The service was great and I really can't say enough about the food. It's always been busy but ever since their renovation the place has packed so if you plan to eat here make sure you call for reservations especially on the weekends.
What is up with a remodeling during the busy season here in Sonoma county????
As a vegetarian, I did some research prior to going to Saffron. As suggested by by people on the web, I asked for the owner/chef Chris and he suggested a fabulous meal based on our favorite items. For appetizer we had the fried green tomatoes with aioli - they were extremely crisp and tasty but not greasy. For entrees, Chris made a creamy polenta with vegetables and a vegetable and rice dish with pan fried Manchego cheese - both were extremely delicious. For dessert we had the chocolate bread pudding and port. With dinner Chris pick a small production Zinfandel from Sonoma which was also incredible. Overall an outstanding dining experience. On Saturday night, the restaurant was quite busy, the service was not lacking at all. I highly recommend it to fellow vegetarians and I have heard accolades from foodie non-vegetarians.
Had a wonderful dinner there last Sat night with two foodie friends and we all loved it.
The fried green tomatoes were divine and the other two had the mixed greens with baby beets and Gorgonzola. I had the pork loin with a delicious reduction, and the other two had the roasted chicken with peaches. We all devoured every bite. The service was very good - attentive but not in your face. And the extras were very appreciated- we ordered the baked figs for dessert, but were really jonesing for some chocolate after such a great meal (plus we had more red wine to finish), so we asked what they could do. Christopher presented us with a plate of heated Callubaute chocolate for us to swirled our forks in. We were in heaven.
It is a small place, which we enjoy as the food and service reflects their care & thoughtfulness. We'll be back again.
And we discovered Christopher is a beer aficionado- they have an extensive beer selection. What a nice surprise in wine country!
This restaurant was highly recommended to us by our local friends. As a matter of fact, they urged us to try this place and even made the reservation for us! When he was describing the place, it sounded a bit exotic and I was thinking maybe it's not the right place for the occasion - my b-day dinner but after drinking glasses of wine and some great company, we were off.
It was a short drive as promised and it is a quaint spot, like the city itself. We drove around to the lot in the back and walked up thru the side and in through the front door - again, very quaint. Upon entering, we were greeted by the friendly waitress who served us and the person our friends also raved about.
The waitress was indeed very pleasant and friendly, as well as attentive. It has been a full day with lots of food and beverage already so we settled for a glass of wine each instead of a bottle - it was warm so I settled for a nice chilled rose. We also skipped appetizer because I wanted to save room for dessert - must blow candle to make a wish!
Menu was small but with good selection. It was easy for hubby since they have lamb chop. I decided to go with the paella. As the night darkens, the place became more romantic and since we were sat at the corner table next to the window - we have the best spot. The presentation of my paella was very nice - see photo. I especially enjoyed the large prawn head although others may not.
My paella was really good but hubby's lamp chop was to die for. Wow, that was uttered by both of us after the first bite. The meat was SO tender and flavorful - we dare say this is the best lamb we've had. Natually, I convinced my hubby to try many biteful of my paella so I can nibble more lamb off from him.
For dessert, we shared the chocolate bread pudding and it was a nice presentation. Of course, they were aware it was my birthday so it came with a candle and I get to make my wish. BTW, the dessert was very good.
We sat for a while and waited for our check. Finally, my lack of patience got better of me and I waved the waitress over for the check. To our surprise - a very pleasant one - we were told everything has been taken care of by our dear friend! What a lovely and thoughtful gesture! We were so appreciative and just didn't feel right leaving nothing so we left a nice tip.
A wonderful place and a great meal to end a very relaxing and enjoyable day.
This is a dinner only, small, well decorated restaurant in a little corner easy to miss. But it is worth the stop and enjoy!
We were there early (opens at 5pm) as we went wine tasting all day and needed food badly. Our waitress was very friendly, always checking on us that we had enough water on our table (we skipped the wine for this one as we had enough already). The tables were spread out which makes it very convenient for a romantic dinner.
It is a very small but specialized menu. For the appetizer we order two different salads. The salads were fresh and dressing just enough amount without overtaking on the flavor. Then we order the pork chop and the seared Ahi Tuna. Needless to say, we used the bread to clean the sauces off the plate as they were just fantastic!
The service was fabulous and look forward coming back here again!
The Final Verdict:
Restaurant Ambiance/Decor: 4.5 out of 5.0
Staff Service/friendliness: 5.0 out of 5.0
Seating Arrangement/Layout: 5.0 out of 5.0
Seating Comfort: 4.5 out of 5.0
Food Quality/Flavor: 5.0 out of 5.0
Wine/Alcohol Selection: (did not have)
Price Value: 4.5 out of 5.0
Bathrooms Cleanliness: 4.5 out of 5.0
Final Score: 33 out of 35 (94 out of 100% or A grade)
Final Comment: A little pricey but worth the money! A great service, not rushed and the food is just lovely. Perfect setting for an intimate dinner.
Seared Ahi Tuna. Seared Ahi Tuna on Forbidden rice in a curry sauce. Add some broccolini and you've got what I delighted in for dinner.
I have driven by this place dozens and dozens of times, always wanting to eat there and tonight was it. My friend had the rabbit with pasta and he couldn't stop talking about it.
Atmosphere is quiet, dimly lit and lovely (and I was with my ex, so this place had to be good to soften up THAT). The waitstaff was friendly, attentive, and left you alone - that's just what I like.
Menu is small and seasonal, they have a solid wine list and a nice choice of desserts tacked onto a wooden plankwith dried flowers laquered in place, cutesy, yes - but it worked.
The chef was talking to people at the table next to us, so we got to tell him how fantastic the meal was.
I don't know what took me so long, but they've got a new customer.
Elegant, rustic and charming little restaurant on the fringe of the dining pocket in Glen Ellen's village
The menu boasts an unusual combination of flavors. Shared a perfectly crisp crab cake on a bed of a coleslaw as well as a generous portion of mixed greens and fresh baby beets accented with toasted pumpkin seeds. The salmon dish's citrus / butter reduction was a couple of points too tart in contrast to the apps, but the fish was cooked just enough. The popular dessert of the evening was a chocolate bread pudding - which had the flavor and texture of a soft, moist brownie - topped with vanilla ice cream and a rolled chocolate stick.
The bohemian yet sophisticated hand-bound drink "book" showcases highly allocated French and Spanish wines along with lesser known but exceptional local boutique producers.
Some of the most thoughtful servers I've experienced in ages!
My boyfriend and I happened upon this wonderful restaurant after a Saturday impromptu drive to Sonoma. On the recommendation of Dennis at the Eric Ross Winery down the road (also delicious), we headed into Saffron early with no reservations. Our meal was exquisite. It's a very intimate setting with great service in a charming, scenic part of Sonoma. The flat-bread was delicious as was the crab cake we shared as an appetizer. Prices are reasonable given the high quality of the food.
Go enjoy this little gem!
After passing by it for several years, we finally dined at Saffron and, boy, were we bummed that we hadn't stopped sooner!
We enjoyed outstanding, friendly service and our entrees were fantastic! My Alaskan halibut was moist and wonderfully seasoned, atop "forbidden rice" (black and tastes like wild rice), topped with asparagus spears and surrounded by a puddle of curry sauce so yummy I wanted to lick the plate. My husband enjoyed his spring greens salad with goat cheese and golden beets, and his thick pork chop was very moist and accompanied by a melange of vegetables. Since the entrees were so great, we couldn't pass up the fresh fruit crisp and banana split for dessert.
Points for Fiesta ware-like dishes that were different for every course, soft butter, fresh flowers on the table, linens, demitasse spoons with the coffee and warmly-colored walls and elegant drapes.
Lucky for them, we were seated in a front window - by the end of the meal we were enthusiastically giving two thumbs up to potential diners peering in the window.
Saffron reflects all the best of the Sonoma wine country. Too bad it took us locals so many years to discover it!
P.S. It's hard to believe that the diatribe posted by an earlier review referred to the same restaurant that we enjoyed...
Like so many places in Sonoma if you go on one Friday night & then again the following Tuesday everything can (& apparently did) change.
My wife & I & countless friends have eaten here close to a dozen times. When your staying at the Jack London Lodge (about 200 yards away) it's a no-brainer.
However...on a recent Saturday night visit these guys just fell apart in practically every food, service, managerial & common courtesy category.
For starters our party of six waited over 25 minutes before we could be seated & were then split up between two tables, OK I can handle that no problem, just bring us a bottle of wine & we'll be fine. 20 minutes later get the WINE LIST... OK I can handle that, just bring me this wine & we'll be alright...another 15 minutes later NO WINE, "excuse me waiter, can we get our wine please?"...no response (& BTW, we still haven't even ordered anything yet) Waiter finally comes with wine, everyone gets a glass & all is well... except he still didn't take our order yet. I finally get up & track down the manager & ask him if there is a problem? "Please sir we're a little backed up right now but if you'd please go back to your table I'll see to your order... That helped. After another 35 minutes four out of six dinner orders were wrong, one meat that was asked for rare was charred to a crisp, salads were wilty, etc. That's it. Find manager, tell manager there's no freakin way in hell that after over an hour & a half of horrible service, wrong orders, bad attitudes we're paying for three dinners that were completely wrong, tempers flare, accusations fly, manager is on the verge of a nervous breakdown & I don't want to be a part of it.
So for the first time in over 12 years my party & I walk out of a restaurant, toss a $100 bill at the manager & tell him (& the rest of the main dining room) that this has been BY FAR THE WORST FOOD & SERVICE THAT I HAVE EVER RECEIVED IN A RESTAURANT IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, WE ARE LEAVING & WOULD ADVISE OTHERS TO DO SO AS WELL!!!!!!
The best part, he didn't even try to solve any issues nor offer to comp any of the dinners, just had an elitist, asshole attitude the whole time. Can not freaking believe the whole situation but all I can say is beware of this place & stay away.
A big F--k you to Saffron!!!
Loved this place! I can't wait for another opportunity. It was such a relief from the hustle and bustle of dining in Napa. In fact, our overall experience in Glen Ellen in my book was superior to Napa. But I digress. The menu was simple, elegant, and truth be told, very reasonably priced - especially the wine! Very romantic setting. My dinner of roasted duck with potato risotto and asparagus was simple yet right on the money, and I'd never had potato risotto before and it was delicious. I sampled the other entree of filet mignon in filo dough with blue cheese, which needless to say, was decadent and a little over the top. But still quite tasty and again, I'd never had anything like it. Points for friendliness, unpretentiousness, and overall deliciousness.
Holy cow, this place was great. A wonderful little mom-and-pop gourmet restaurant. Their menu changes every night, so I'll have to go back more often, when I can afford it. I can honestly say, that out of all the places I ate out at in Glenn Ellen, this is the only one that was worth it. Their dishes are creative and gorgeous (the food as well as the plates!) and simply delicious. They even manage to impart that quality to even their water (we now put cucumber slices in our guests water when we entertain at home). Make sure you have some dessert, and order some port with it - they have the funnest little glasses!
Good, simple food, cooked well and moderately priced. cute little quiet restaurant in the middle of nowhere. The menu wasn't inventive or spectacularly interesting but the food was fresh, tasty and well-prepared. We started off with a persimmon, pomegrante and spinach salad. There was lots of spinach and slivers of persimmon and missing pomegrante but still pretty good. My friend started with a crab cake over microgreens. The crab cake was perfectly cooked (crispy on the outside) and heavy on the crab. For dinner, I had the sole stuffed wtih crab over spaghetti squash and my friend had pork loin. Both were perfectly cooked - not too dry, not too undercooked, and well-seasoned. Dessert included a creme bruele and a ginger cake with house-made vanilla gelato. The ginger cake was a little too sweet and kind of disappointing but the vanilla gelato was tasty. The creme bruele was creamy on the inside and had a nice thin layer of carmelized sugar on top.
