Saffron, West Palm Beach: Great Indian Cuisine and Environment

I stopped by Saffron on Village Boulevard in West Palm Beach for my second visit last night after a graduation ceremony, so I was understandably hungry. The restaurant is fairly large, and has a number of booths that have beautiful silk curtains which can be closed if one desires more privacy. The flat screen television by the bar seemed to be showing a Bollywood-type MTV channel, and Indian music was played in the background for the rest of the restaurant

Every table is given pappadam (incredibly thin Indian bread) and three dipping sauces (one sweet, one spicy, and one minty). My table then order the vegetable somosa appetizer, which came with two large somasas. The sweet dipping sauce intended for the pappadam tasted great on the vegetable somasas.

For my entrée, I ordered the chicken tiki masala ($14.95), which is chicken with cream, tomatoes, and onions. I have had this dish at another local Indian restaurant, and I found Saffron's version to be just as good, if not better. I mixed my entrée, which comes in a small golden pot, with my rice. The pot in which the entrée was delivered to my table on is very deceiving; the small size of the pot made me think I would be able to easily finish the entrée. However, I ended up taking about a quarter of it home (and it was just as delicious the next day for lunch). My entrée also came with a choice of bread; I opted for the plain naan (a round flatbread).

The service at Saffron was excellent: we were attended to from the moment we walked in to the second we left. The staff was very friendly and helpful; they explained to us what many of the dishes were.

I should note that I am often very hesitant when it comes to trying ethnic food. However, Indian food is really just a new and exciting way to try some of your regular favorite dishes, such as chicken and shrimp. You can choose the degree of spiciness in your food for basically of the entrées (mild is hot enough for me). This restaurant would be a great place to bring someone who is hesitant to try Indian food, because the beautiful atmosphere is alluring enough to make someone want to try the food.

The food is a little on the pricy side (most entrees are in the $13.95-$22 range). Baskets of breads are in the $2-$5 range, and appetizers are somewhere in between. You'll want to get appetizers and bread along with your meal, so your tab may be a bit pricy in the end. I would recommended this restaurant for a special night out, or on a night when you are really craving some great ethnic food.