There is another restaurant associated with this restaurant called Pizza and Pipes in Redwood City.  Yes, Pizza and Pipes is a chain, but they have put a spin on this one.  Indian Pizza. Yes, that's right.  Indian Pizza.  No more scooping your food up with naan...it's served on top of it!  Oh and sooooo yummy.  I still love the feel of the Saffron restaurant, but if you want to get Indian food for half of your party and pizza (Indian or no) for the others, you can order both from the same website for pickup and delivery.  Check it out!

This March 17, 2007 marks Saffron Indian Bistro's 4th year in business and when I asked Ajay if there was going to be a party he said "Every day is a party" to which I wholeheartedly agree.  If good food and great company equals party, then he is right!

Many Indian restaurants that I have been to emphasize the HOT part of spicy...but believe me when I tell you Saffron has got it right. There are spices. Yes. And you could call the food spicy. But not in the oh my gosh my mouth it burns kind of spicy. Eating at Saffron will introduce you to the true meaning of spice.

Saffron has a buffet every day M-F for lunch. If you're new to Indian food, it is an excellent affordable and belly-stuffing way to try a variety of items from their menu that you may not have known to try otherwise. As a newb to Indian food a few years ago, I was partial to butter chicken and saag paneer. Now, everything has changed. Though I still do love saag paneer as my veggie. Buffets work for some people, but the menu here...it should work for just about everyone.

If you ask either of the two owners (Pinky or Ajay) if they have recommendations, they'll not steer you wrong. They took my inexperienced taste buds and conjoured lovely spicy yummy goodness that I crave on a regular basis.

If you can't escape for lunch buffet and need buffet, fear not! There is a DINNER BUFFET (drool) on Tuesday and Sunday nights. But the menu is ALWAYS available, buffet or no. I'm drooling just thinking of all those sauces and curries and naan bread and oh...gotta go.

Are you hungry yet? Get thee to Saffron Indian Bistro!

1143 San Carlos Ave, San Carlos, CA 94070

955 Ralston Ave

Belmont, CA 94002

(650) 59-3965

Yummy yummy for the tummy. I have driven by this tiny storefront for almost two years and never went inside. Whose loss? MINE. I just had jaw surgery in December so food has been somewhat of a challenge (read: can't eat unless it's slurpable) so when my doctor cleared me for FISH, I jumped in the car with CT and drove to the first open sushi restaurant I could find. In my mind I was "settling" for Sushi Monster. Why would I think this? Well, I won't ever again.

The owner is a wonderful woman named Alison who is part bumble bee. She works the counter and the floor (tiny floor with about 30 person MAX capacity-that's a guess) which as far as I have seen (of course I've been back!) is always almost packed. Even when I showed up to pick up unagi-to-go 10 minutes before closing the place was buzzing.

I am still unable to eat most raw fish (the chew factor) but CT provided good feedback and I must say, I am quite impressed with this place. I was fortunate enough to show up on a night when they had fresh uni and ankimo (monk fish liver). I was in absolute heaven. I realise many people wouldn't want to go to that part of the menu, but rest assured, the rolls and teriyaki dishes are excellent. So drop in to the little sushi restaurant that could. It's the one with white Christmas lights hanging out front year-round (though not in a tacky way). Order yourself up some rolls if that's your thing, or go crazy with the nigiri sushi and sashimi. As mentioned before, you can bring those friends of yours who need things fully cooked and not from the sea, and also impress your sushi snob friends at the same time. Score!