Saffron - Morrisville (Indian) - ∆∆

(Reviewed 10/29/06)

Food - ∆∆
Service - ∆∆ 1/2
Atmosphere - ∆∆∆

This was our first time trying Saffron and a Saturday lunch buffet is always a test. We came in around the halfway point of their noon to 2:30 serving window.

The buffet is set up in a back room that looks like it's normally reserved for private parties. It is a bit crowded and is forced to fit in a U-shape of three tables with diners lining up on the inside of the U. That makes it rather shoulder to shoulder. The food items were being replenished pretty regularly and nothing looked tired and crusty. Fresh plates were replenished at the head of the line.

There was an assortment of both veg and meat items. I recall some fried lentil doughnut-type rings, chicken biryani, a goat stew, garbanzos and new potatoes in a mildly spicy red sauce, a vegetarian paneer in a creamy mild red sauce, white rice, curry leaf rice (that's three different rice dishes if you're counting!), and something completely unidentifiable in a thick white cream sauce. To my amazement, there was also a dish labeled as Kung Pao Vegetables. And it was! The classic Chinese flavor in an Indian buffet. Weird.

Flavors of all dishes were good, but not standout notable. The best items were brought straight from the kitchen to the table as complimentary accompaniments to the meal. The naan, as noted above, was very hot and fresh and coated with butter. It was just a tad thick and chewy for my taste, but still good because of the freshness. The winners were the complimentary dhosas, which used very light and crispy crepes and contained just a small appetizer portion of the potato filling. We got seconds on those because they worked so well alone or with the mint or tamarind side sauces.

Service was plentiful, swift, and pleasant. Everybody smiled, used dishes were cleared quickly, and we felt welcome. The buffet cost $10 without drinks.