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Opening hours: 10am - 11pm, 7 days.
Wheelchair friendly.
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204-206 Banbury Road, Ads by Daily Info:
  
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I was excited to visit Saffron after reading good reviews, and being a big Indian fan, plus it was one of the few Indians in Oxford I had not yet been to. But I was disappointed: the service was terrible and it was not even that busy, the staff all seemed miserable as well. The food was bland, both mine and my girlfriend's curries seem to taste the same, just one was red and the other yellow. For the quality it was pretty expensive. Perhaps I just caught it on a bad day and may be if there were fewer Indians in Oxford I would give it another chance, but as it stands I would just advise going elsewhere!
Alex, 11/10/09 I went to Saffron with a friend on Tuesday. They had a large party and were very busy but this didn't affect the quality of the food. It was excellent. Well worth waiting a little longer than usual. Saffron must be one of the best Indian restaurants around. Can't wait to go back. josh, 27/08/09 Living away from home, I miss my mum’s home cooking. I was invited to my work (Oxfordshire PCT) colleague's birthday meal, at Saffron; I was pleasantly surprised. From the moment I arrived I was greeted by friendly & helpful waiters who lead us to our table. The menu was extensive and had a wide selection of dishes from different regions of the Indian sub-continent. Without any delay we had our drinks & papadum brought to us. The starters were tasty indeed, beautifully presented with interesting contrasts of colour and texture as well as carefully contrived combinations of flavours. The main course did not disappoint either - I ordered my favourite Chicken Tikka Jalfrezi, which was one of the best I had tasted in ages. Saffron seemed like a very popular place - on the night we visited it was packed. I would recommend this place to anyone wishing to enjoy true Indian food, in a friendly atmosphere – Saffron is the place. 03/02/09 Great service, great ambience and great food. Michael, 31/01/09 I went to this restaurant specially to try the dosa which was very disappointing. They should take it off the menu and leave dosas to South Indian specialists (which sadly I have not found in Oxford). Sue, 30/11/08 A takeaway menu on Saturday was extremely disappointing. We were told it would be delivered in 30 minutes, but in the end it took an hour - after a couple of phone calls to ascertain what had happened. Perhaps not surprisingly, the food was barely warm. It is not an experience I would wish to repeat. E. Phillips, 05/11/07 Very, very disappointed. We ordered a takeaway last night and was told it would take half an hour, which seemed fair as we are around 3 miles away frm the restaurant. 40 minutes later it hadn't arrived, we called and were told some excuse: first that our road was really busy - we looked out and not a car in sight, then the story changed that three there was a carnival on in Summertown, which caused the delay. Maybe there was, (although I could find nothing about it and nor could a friend of mine who lives locally to Saffron) but then why tell customers that it will take less time when they knew it would take longer? We asked for a discount when we called up, but were rudely told that it wasn't their fault that the traffic was bad. Finally food arrived and it was cold and bland and we had stomach aches that evening and when we awoke the next day. One plus is that the price was reasonable and the salad was cold as it should have been, not really too difficult! Would never use again!!! sidesey, 04/11/07 Four of us went on Sat to Saffron’s and had the ‘Leave it to us feast’. It was wonderful: mixture of starters followed by a lamb, chicken, prawn and duck curry as well as rice, nans and potatoes and spinach and chickpea and aubergine curry. We all tried curries we do not usually have and I can honestly say it was the best flavours I have ever had and very reasonably priced. I would highly recommend them to anyone. Kidlington Ceroc Lady, 24/06/07 They are a nice bunch at Saffron, very nice, and you will be feel loved the moment that they offer to take your coat from you. The white interior is not quite as warm as the welcome, but it evokes modernity and cleanliness - none of that furry red wallpaper that used to be a standard in curry houses. Perhaps efficiency too, since the poppodums appear with lightning speed. You might want to take your time examining the menu - there is a wide range of vegetarian food on offer for starters, main and side dishes. We decided on a combination of side dishes for the main course - among which sag aloo, tarka dall and lemon rice, with garlic mushrooms for starters. The latter are an Indian take on the more familar European dish, which is usually interpreted as mushrooms floating in oil. The Saffron version is more subtle, with spices, and is presented with a small side salad. Hold on, here comes the waiter again (would we like more poppodoms?, no we're fine thanks). The remaining poppodums disappear to an uncertain future in the kitchen before I can say that I'd really rather they stayed so that we could eat them. Still, the staff are nice, and they pace up and down like benevolent jailers. I'm glad I didn't finish those p.doms, though, because the main courses are good - well presented and without too much oil. Be careful not to stop eating, though, in case the waiters notice (which they will) and offer to move the process along. Desserts are priced for the expenses-paid market, with no cheap options. (Are you having a dessert? I will if you do. Silence.... Just coffee then?). But, despite the price, I would eat there again, and would recommend Saffron to you. Phileas, 18/04/07 I have been to Saffron before and it was OK (nothing more). However, Saturday was a very unpleasant experience. We had reserved in the afternoon, and on being met were then ignored for 5+ minutes whilst the host talked to a couple of his staff. We had to ask again before being shown to a back room with cramped space for 2/3 tables and no decor. We were squashed in, barging elbows with another couple dining and had a very cold breeze on our backs. I asked if we could be moved and was told that no because we had booked late and others had specified individual tables (as if, who ever has at an Indian!), even though there was lots of space available at the time. About as poor service etc as I have ever seen in Oxford - so we left. Graham, 05/02/07 This is a reliable, sound Indian restaurant. Nothing too remarkable, but the food seems fresh, the decor is pleasant, and the staff are friendly. Reasonably good value too. jc, 18/12/06 Friday night after a busy week - what to do? Oxford is small and so we have been to most of its restaurants. We decided to try an Indian in Summertown called Saffron. Looks nice from outside, but the smoking area is next to window tables so today my shirt smells a bit. Service is prompt and the menu looks a bit different from that of the average Indian restaurant. I ordered a south Indian Masala Dosa and my wife chose the Murgh Nawabi (chicken/lamb with vegetables). Unfortunately, I have travelled a lot and eaten in many places and to my jaded palate this Masala Dosa was limp in both presentation and flavour. The chicken dish also suffered due to the chicken being dry and over-cooked. The rice was well cooked and the vegetables very tasty. Pudding orders became difficult as the waitress did not understand English and so we had coffee instead. A meal for two £35 with house wine. Can't complain really but these days one expects much better. Eurocook, 22/04/06 They're great for takeaways also - nothing is too much trouble. Once I diverted off my usual Chicken Dhansak into unfamiliar territory - lemon chicken - it wasn't anything like the Chinese equivalent (why would it be?!?) - far too bitter for me - so I called them up and they replaced it free of charge and within 15 mins with a King Prawn Jalfrezhi and fresh rice - pretty good in anyone's book. Highly recommended. In fact I shall be taking my football team there this Sat night. DK, 07/03/06 Very nice restaurant indeed. The food was gorgeous, staff extremely friendly and service was so quick was quite unbelievable. I strongly recommend this restaurant, I will be visiting again soon I hope. Lilly, 05/01/06 This Indian Café Restaurant (previously being French/Indian) is contemporary in its décor and the tables set out in a spacious way, so you aren't elbow to elbow with your neighbouring diners! The service was excellent and there were plenty of waiters on hand to attend to every request. Drink orders were taken promptly and arrived very quickly (2 pints of Stella, £3 each). We couldn't resist popadoms and chutneys to nibble through whilst looking through the extensive menu. The popadoms arrived with a beautifully presented selection of chutney's, our favourite being Mango! Our waiter was very patient with us as we took our time deciding what to eat. With an excellent selection of vegetarian and meat starters we really couldn't make up our minds, this was the case with the main course as well. Not only were there the normal Indian dishes but a number of saffron specialities which would be suitable for those people who are not so keen on spicy food. These were slightly pricier at £10.95. At this point we decided to opt for the “Leave It To Us Feast!” which is a 3-course option where they decide for you. We ordered one meat (£14.50) and one vegetarian (£12.50) with a garlic naan to share. A selection of 3 different starters came for each of us, all were delicious and we were happy with our decision. Our main courses were equally enjoyable, a rolled chicken breast with minced lamb for me and a vegetable curry and a side dish of aubergines and chickpeas for my girlfriend. Rice was served with both meals. All the dishes were very flavoursome and medium spiced. Indian ice cream was served for our final course – pistachio and mango. Again presentation was faultless and finished the meal with a refreshing taste. This restaurant seems suitable for all occasions. There were a number of couples, families and groups eating and all appeared to be having an enjoyable time. Saffron's is open for lunch as well as dinner and has lunchtime specials between 12 and 2.30. I hope to go back very soon. David Soper, 08/09/04
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