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Saf
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RUNNER-UP - BEST SUSTAINABLE RESTAURANT
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By Guy Dimond
Saf sets new standards for vegan and raw food restaurants. Part of an international chain (branches in Istanbul and Munich), US-based executive chef Chad Sarno presumably spends the rest of his time creating beautiful dishes for size zero Hollywood stars to trifle with, such is the artistry of his work. It's almost a shame to eat dishes this pretty; and it's even more remarkable when you realise these compositions, with their vivid colours, variety of textures and unusual flavours, are created almost entirely from uncooked fruit and veg (only low temperatures are used to cook a few of the ingredients).
Seed sprouts feature as garnishes, carefully-placed drops of oil and balsamic vinegar help make the plates look like the work of a haute cuisine chef. The so-called 'cheese' courses are made from crushed nut-milk, and resemble moist halva; our 'almond cheese' had a remarkable texture and nut-milk flavour, nicely paired with thin wafers of shaved fennel bulb.
Not every dish was faultless; the olive oil sorbet garnishing a cucumber consommé had melted into an oil slick by the time it reached our table, but this soup was still refreshing. From the several dishes we tried, a pattern emerged; the balance of flavours leans towards the savoury or even bitter, and refined sugar isn't used, not even in the desserts; agave syrup is used instead. Our non-dairy ice-cream was flavoured with maca, a fruit from the Andes, and had a texture that was in no way inferior to dairy ice-cream.
Far from being worthy or hairshirt, Saf is a strikingly good-looking bar and restaurant, airy and bright and filled with fashionable Shoreditch folk. The cocktails are good too, and the head barman chatty and welcoming. A remarkable restaurant - and a must-visit if you're a vegetarian bored of eating mushroom risotto or pasta dishes every time you eat out.
Time Out Issue 1969: May 15-21 2008
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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.
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Details
- 152-154 Curtain Rd, Shoreditch, EC2A 3AT
- Area: Shoreditch
- Tel: 020 7613 0007
- www.safrestaurant.co.uk
- Book online
- Category: Vegetarian
- Travel: Old St tube/rail
- Times: Meals served daily 12noon-3.30pm, 6.30-11pm. Open daily 11am-12midnmight
- Price: Meal for two with wine and service: around £75
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One of the best meals out I've ever had! I'm not vegan but I loved it, really amazing food, great service and lovely decor. I went for my birthday and will definitely go again.
i am a meat lover, strictly dond like rosted oily vegetables, neither i like salads, but saf changed every thing i knew about food great place to visit,
great food and cocktail. nice service
we had a 14 course dinner, a trip for 5 hourse, and we will never think again that vegan is limited. best meal ever , mixologist joe and chef anupam was hilarious, knowldgeble and very friendly best dinner ever
Our visit to saf was on the recommendation of friends and our dinner certainly did not disappoint. We were very courteously and quietly greeted on arrival. Pre dinner drinks on the bench gave way to a nice table in an airy and unfussy atmosphere.
All four of us chose differently from the a la carte menu which we felt was well balanced between seasonal and creativiti. The dishes were superbly prepared and excellently presented. Flavours were very subtle and the burger,in particular, was remarkable as were the wines. chefs can be very proud of his skills!
Service in the comfortable dining room was absolutely first class. The staff were discreet and very attentive without being overbearing. No fussing about with who ordered what, either.
We really could find nothing to fault and will soon be going back next for lunch. Overall, One of the best food (all catagory)restaurant visits anywhere in the world in the last 39 years. Excellent service Very realistic value.
unbeliveble quality in raw cooking it was a fresh and great dinner with yammmiii cocktails
best vegan food ,and coktail i ever had ,
The staff and atmosphere was very nice. A little haven in a busy area. Entrees were pretty tasty with impressive presentation. However, mains were terrible. The mushroom risotto was inedible so my partner went hungry. My mango curry had no mango, was full of disgusting pieces of canned pineapple with about 4 tiny cubes of tofu, a tiny amount of noodles all presented in a huge bowl covered with curry liquid. So considering, prices were outrageous for mains that were either inedible or unpleasant and meager.
I went recently for lunch and it was the most satisfying eating experience I've had in a long time. Without a doubt, my new favourite place.
suprisingly superb - this from a commited carnivore