Saffron Grill, that cozy little North Indian restaurant on Fulton and Divisadero, is back in business after a large fire in 2012.
The restaurant, run by Ajeet Mehta and his father-in-law Ganesh Bankoti, was forced to close back in December of 2012 due to a fire most likely caused by an electrical short in their refrigerator. Luckily, they bounced back and were able to reopen, but not after a snazzy-yet-understated interior makeover. Despite the explosion of new and fancier businesses that ensued in their absence, their menu and reasonable prices remain exactly the same.
Ajeet and Ganesh started Saffron Grill back in 2008 after they bought the former restaurant, a Nepalese place called Kathmandu Café, from its then-ailing owner. The two changed the name and began serving North Indian fare prepared by Ganesh. He's been cooking for 40 years, originally making his bones at The Taj hotel in New Delhi, India.
Northern Indian cuisine differs from Southern Indian cuisine in that the latter focuses more on pancake-like dosa dishes, and the former predominantly uses clay ovens to cook the food. Menu highlights here include Chicken Achar, which is a pickled boneless chicken dish served in a spicy tangy sauce (10.95), and the Sag Paneer (8.95), which might just be some of the best around town.
Saffron Grill is open from 5pm to 9:30pm Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and from 5pm to 9:45pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant is closed Mondays.
The restaurant, run by Ajeet Mehta and his father-in-law Ganesh Bankoti, was forced to close back in December of 2012 due to a fire most likely caused by an electrical short in their refrigerator. Luckily, they bounced back and were able to reopen, but not after a snazzy-yet-understated interior makeover. Despite the explosion of new and fancier businesses that ensued in their absence, their menu and reasonable prices remain exactly the same.
