My first visit to Zaffran was sometime in 2006, a casual meeting with friends over lunch, took us to their Crawford market outlet. As we climbed up the stairs the stilt floor divided into two sections. The place was choose simply because the food served Indian cuisine has options for vegetarians. We ordered several dishes and gulped them down, then my favourite was their Dal makhni.
A friend of mine Nihal Koshie, who had served time in Hyderabad, (haha he is a journalist) had then objected to their dessert 'Khobani ka mitha'. He was furious that a speciality dessert was served with ice cream. He was so upset that he wanted to burn down the place, (Of course in a lighter vein).
Cut to 2015, while passing through my favourite area in Mumbai, Bandra, i see Zaffran having opened on Hill road. The same place where earlier there used to be Spice Tree. So the coming weekend am sitting in the open section of the resto with Galouti kebabs and tandoori masala papad.
A beer lover, i called for 'Perroni', that day it was out of stock, the captain suggested i try Stella, a Belgium beer, he described it to be very smooth and to be had only when served cold. The reco proved correct. I wanted to have only one pint but then one more ''banta hai''.
As for food we went with the traditional/signature dish, butter chicken, among two of us it was too much but, fabulous dish.Frankly speaking i am not a great admirer of decor of an eatery, food only matters. But the Bandra place is well light and spacious, catering to family audience. A must visit is in rains, sit in the open section and enjoy the food made with love and served with a smile, while the sound of rain drops falling on the tarpaulin, gives you a different high.
