Indian food has won a name for itself for bringing comfort to people who love it from around the world. It has a charm that appeals to pretty much any and every foodie. The rich blend of aromatic spices and local flavours leaves you wanting more. Such is the magic of JW Marriott Juhu Mumbai’s newest restaurant Saffron.
Photo Courtesy: JW Marriot
A gem of culinary expertise, Saffron indulges guests with masterful creations from the Indian subcontinent. From tangy street favourites to spicy gravy, juicy, tender meat to toasty naans, the food at Saffron is hearty and wholesome.
Woody ambience
Walking through the doors, one cannot helps but notice the charming ambience coupled with warm welcomes and impeccable hospitality. An ode to modern India, the interiors of the restaurant were designed by the renowned P.G. Patki Architects. It has a contemporary aesthetic characterised by deep, neutral tones of creams and browns. Wood-panelled walls, dramatic metal mesh curtains and a rattan patchwork ceiling in Indian motifs envelopes the interiors.
Photo Courtesy: JW Marriot
There’s a clever use of deep blue, green and violet colours uplifted by amber tones that celebrates India’s national bird, the peacock, in the interiors. A selection of purple-hued upholstery fashioned with bold lotus patterns adds to the elegance of the space, which brings an altogether warm and earthy depth to Saffron.
Floral motifs are an important part of the decor language, and have been incorporated into the design of the restaurant. Aside from the floral-patterned upholstery, flower motif screen dividers have been used to create intimate nooks across the floor.
Photo Courtesy: JW Marriot
Street food meets contemporary cuisine
My dinner companion and I were served with a specially curated menu, filled with chef’s recommendations, comprising a selection of small plates, main course, and, of course dessert.
Artisnal Papad
A special treat at the restaurant is the selection of papad served to all guests before the meal begins. These included varieties like the masala, khichiya and sabudana papad which were a deliciously crunchy start to the meal.
Watermelon and Guac Chaat
Our first course was a selection of four small plates. A refreshing watermelon and guac chaat, the first dish had sweet, juicy watermelon cubes layered with sweet lime, guacamole and chickpeas. The highlight of the dish was the fancy garnish of nitrogen-frozen masala which added a perfect mix of salty and spicy flavours.
Pani Puri
The next dish was a street favourite, pani puri with a contemporary twist. Each puri was served with a different filling of avocado, chickpeas, sprouts, and potatoes, and was served with a side of three different waters, pineapple, tamarind and mint. A perfect memory of every Indian’s favourite street bite, the dish was well balanced with sweet, salty and spicy aromas.
Tender curations
Next was a combination of two meat courses, Bhatti ka murgh and smoked buttermilk lamb. The former was a juicy tandoor-style chicken roasted with a fragrant bunch of spices, garnished with toasted cashew nuts for an added crunch.
Smoked Buttermilk Lamb
The second dish, the smoked buttermilk lamb is a popular favourite and one of the most requested dishes at the restaurant, we were informed. The lamb is specially imported from New Zealand, and cooked to perfection with creamy buttermilk, complemented by smoked spices. The best thing about Saffron is that regardless of what meat you order, each of them are cooked just right with a perfect balance of ingredients that aren’t overwhelming in any manner.
Saquila
Taking a much needed break between the courses, my dinner companion and I opted for a round of artisanal cocktails. Going with the experts, we opted for a Saquila for myself and Saffroni for my companion, from the Saffron signature selection.
Saffroni
The Saquila was named as a clever word play for the saffron infused tequila cocktail. Mashed lychee, yuzu marmalade and agave nectar gave the cocktail a sweet and slightly tart flavour. Saffroni on the other hand, was a spicy ode to a white Negroni, flavoured with cardamom and other house-made bitters, the perfect cocktail for a girls’ night out.
Local flavours
Our main course had distinct flavours from across the country. First to arrive at our table was a dish called chole kulche. An Amritsari special, dark, spicy chickpeas had been cooked in fennel, ginger and cardamom and served with warm kulchas. Spicy, flavourful and filling, the dish was flavoured intensely with aromatics. Even though the dish was part of the main course, it is something I could see myself casually snacking on during the day!
Chole Kulche
This was followed right after with a rich and creamy Awadhi Korma. Made using yogurt and Kashmiri saffron among other spices, the dish was fulfilling, with generous servings of chicken. Served with garlic butter naan, this was a dish to die for!
Awadhi Korma
Any Indian specialty menu is incomplete without biryani! And Saffron’s Hyderabadi murgh biryani is a must try for all biryani lovers.
Hyderabadi Murgh Biryani
Saffron sweet
As wholesome as Indian specialty menus are, their desserts are even better. We opted for the 64% cocoa pastry. A rich chocolate mousse on a stick, adorned with a mix of cherries, blueberries and raspberries, the dessert was the perfect close to a wholesome meal.
64% Cocoa Pastry
In a city, that is filled with restaurants specialising in Latin, Mediterranean and other cuisines, Saffron stands out for its authethic Indian menu, with modern twists. If a rich, aromatic Indian meal is what you desire, then Saffron is your hub.
