SAFFRON: Abode of Heavenly Spices and Flavours

SAFFRON: Abode of Heavenly Spices and Flavours

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SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE

Saffron, the signature restaurant of the Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts, might fall slightly under the radar in its heavenly location on the 51st and 52nd floors of the Banyan Tree Bangkok. After all, the renowned open deck Vertigo and Moon Bar sit up above it on the roof, and Sathorn Road is well known for its prolific collection of fine dining spots. Yet this elegant sky high spot is no slouch when it comes to refined cuisine. Combining authentic Thai flavours with an innovative twist, Saffron delivers sumptuous dishes in a warm and dazzling setting.

Saffron, and its adjoining Latitude Lounge & Bar, take up space indoors and outdoors on the 51st and 52nd floor of the Banyan Tree. While the masses head for sunset cocktails at the higher level Moon Bar, the views are actually just as good from 8 floors down, minus most of the tour groups. The Latitude Lounge has a sky deck perfect for aperitifs or post dinner drinks with awe inspiring panoramas of the Bangkok cityscape. Signature drinks here come with Thai flavours, such as the impressive Saffron Sunrise, concocted with vodka, lime juice, Malibu, syrup, chili, and kaffir lime, or the more simple Tom Yum, made with white rum, lemongrass, kaffir lime, and chili.

Yet it is not just the drinks and vistas that one comes here for. The gourmet menu is loaded with Thai classics all enhanced with creative touches by the team of epicurean chefs. We started off our evening (as do most diners by the look of the other tables) with the khong wang ruam, the restaurant's signature dish of popular Thai appetisers for two. The set comes with grilled chicken breast satay, fried sea bass rice noodle rolls, banana blossom salad, and crispy rice noodle wrapped prawns, all served with a variety of sweet and sour sauces. Not only was the presentation flawless, the staff even pointed out the order in which one was supposed to eat the various dishes, based on the spices and sauces used.

Next up was the goong yai pad prik gaeng karee saffron, another winner, consisting of mammoth jumbo king prawns served in a saffron curry sauce with coconut and potatoes. These are some of the largest prawns you'll come across in all Thailand, and like all the meat and seafood served here, of the highest quality and enhancing the dishes to extremes.

While the tom sab beef soup isn't listed amongst the restaurant's recommendations, it has always been one of my Thai favourites, a spicy Isaan soup that uses tender chunks of stewed meat to enhance the stock flavour. While most restaurants use pork, Saffron loads its tom sab with chunks of finely braised Australian short ribs, melt in the mouth soft and tangy, and the entire soup just bursts with flavour and should be included with any dinner selection.

In addition to the meat, curry, and seafood standouts, there are larb or yum Thai salads to choose from, and again, most have innovative twists to them. We opted for the yum pla salmon, made with chunks of seared Tasmanian salmon, coriander and mint salad, crispy pork cracklings, and spicy citrus dressing. Once again, the combo of refined and fresh ingredients along with creative kitchen techniques made for another superb standout.

While we were just about too stuffed to ponder dessert, the menu of traditional Thai sweets and favourites like khao niaow mamuang (mango and sticky rice) or fresh coconut crepe proved hard to resist. While most of the sweets are a bit heavy, Saffron does make its own homemade Thai tea ice cream, which is sublime (and ought to be packaged and marketed all over town). Neither too sweet nor too heavy, it was the perfect finish to one excellent meal.

In addition to the food and the wonderful views, the restaurant itself is quite romantic and a soothing spot to relax in. The decor is contemporary Thai and features ambient lighting, walls full of lotus flowers, exquisite wooden tables topped with cracked glass tabletops, and high backed chairs upholstered in fine silk. Soft light and soft music only go to enhance the fine food and those oh so wonderful views.

In addition to its regular a la carte and set menu offerings, Saffron will be ushering in the new year with a heavenly celebration. For New Year's Eve, the restaurant has an elaborately crafted 5 course set dinner that will be paired with fine Thai wines. Highlights include a steamed green curry lobster souffle, grilled Australian beef with cumin leaf and crispy dried shrimp, and stir fried royal mushrooms and sweet basil. Monsoon Valley Winery top barrel selections such as Cuvee de Siam Rouge and Colombard head the wine pairing list. The New Year's Eve gala goes for 6,000 baht net per set, or 7,200 per set with wine. Additionally, there will be a 50% off privilege with this set on entry into the Latitude Bar and Lounge, which will be running a New Year's special of 3000 baht unlimited beverage package for the evening, welcoming in 2015 from high above the city.

Saffron is one of the priciest spices in the world by weight, partly because it takes 75,000 flowers to produce just one pound of the fragrant spice. Saffron at the Banyan Tree employs the same philosophy behind its rich cuisine. Taking from a wide myriad of authentic flavours, classic recipes, and ingenious culinary skills, the end result is a fine perfected product. With great flavours, adherence to tradition, and exquisite high end fresh ingredients, along with the Banyan Tree's impeccable attentiveness and service, Saffron should remain at the top of the epicurean food chain for a long time to come, even without being the highest kid on the block.


SAFFRON Banyan Tree Bangkok Fl. 51-52, 21/100. South Sathorn Road. Tel. 02 679 1200. Open daily: 6-11 p.m. www.banyantree.com

 

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