• Saf

     
  • RUNNER-UP - BEST SUSTAINABLE RESTAURANT

    Time Out Eating & Drinking awards 2008

  • 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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  1. Posted by Jackie on 10 Jun 2009 05:44

    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.

  2. Posted by MParry on 08 Feb 2009 19:06

    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.

  3. Posted by Weemrsbee on 16 Sep 2008 22:23

    suprisingly superb - this from a commited carnivore

  4. Posted by lesley on 09 Sep 2008 10:36

    brilliant, stylish, delicious, service with a smile. will go again!

  5. Posted by elf on 04 Sep 2008 08:04

    happy food

  6. Posted by dila on 04 Sep 2008 07:57

    fantastic food, amazing service, smiling faces.

  7. Posted by aj on 29 Aug 2008 13:34

    brilliant!

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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
  • Map

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