Saffron Indian Cuisine in Vernon Hills

Yesterday we had a commitment with one of our daughters that interfered with cooking dinner and I dread eating out on Valentines Day. For the hell of it, I called a couple standbys, but no luck unless we wanted to eat at 9:30. My thought was a small ethnic restaurant may be less affected by the Valentines Day throngs. We called Saffron, an Indian restaurant in Vernon Hills and they had openings.

Saffron has been in the Hawthorn Village Commons on Rt. 60 for almost a year, but it is tucked back into a corner (a couple doors past Tasty Thai), so it is difficult to see while cruising down 60.

The restaurant was very clean and attractive and we had some nice conversations with the friendly owner, Gur Jhawar. He made some helpful suggestions to balance our combination based on what we were leaning towards ordering.

An easy way to start is with the Vegetarian Combination Platter of a Samosa, Paneer Pakora, Mixed Vegetable Pakora, and Aloo Tikki. All were very good and my wife felt they were better versions than most and not at all greasy or heavy.

We ordered the lamb Seekh Kebabs (from the Tandoor oven), chicken Tikka Masala, Malai Kofta, Saffron rice Peas Pulao, and garlic nan. Everything was wonderful. The flavorful kebabs came out on a sizzling plate, the sauces on the Tikka Masala and Malai Kofta rich and complex, and the rice was perfectly cooked.

Even though we were not looking for dessert, we were tempted by Gur’s recommendation of the delicious mango Kulfi, served sliced like a real mango.

While we are not Indian food experts, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and look forward to exploring more of the menu, both dining in and taking out.

Saffron Indian Cuisine
270 Hawthorne Village Commons
Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061
847.247.0898
http://www.saffroncuisines.com

Thanks for the heads up, Al. I live very near there but never heard about or noticed this place. Been open almost a year, you say? I really need to look around more.

I didn't think there was any choice for Indian food in this area except Peacock (corner of 60 and Milwaukee). Maybe I'll do a little taste and price comparing ...

p.s., I clicked on the website link and found there are coupons there, for $5 off carryout and 15% dining in.

Yeah, the location is tough for a restaurant, especially for a new place that doesn't have a big advertising budget.

I've only been to Peacock once or twice, not really a fan. When we wanted Indian food without driving in to the city, our other choices were India House in Buffalo Grove or the Curry Hut in Highwood.

Best,
Al

I went past that restaurant back in January one Saturday afternoon on my way to Lake Forest. It is hard enough to find Tasty Thai in that plaza much less Saffron or the Middle Eastern place.

I will try to get there on my next trip.

Has anyone tried the Korean places near the old Garden Fresh store on Rt 60?

Al Ehrhardt wrote:Yeah, the location is tough for a restaurant, especially for a new place that doesn't have a big advertising budget.

I've only been to Peacock once or twice, not really a fan. When we wanted Indian food without driving in to the city, our other choices were India House in Buffalo Grove or the Curry Hut in Highwood.

Best,
Al

When I worked in Morton Grove, my girlfriend and I use to drive to India House for lunch. Saffron sounds interesting...will have to pass that on to friends who live in the area.

I've been here a bunch of times, and I like it more than India House and Himalaya. They have a lunch buffet as well.

I've only been to Saffron for the lunch buffet and it was certainly better than the Peacock.

There is a new Indian place just a couple of blocks west of Saffron. I haven't tried it yet but my oldest
son the vegetarian swears their combo vegetable platter for lunch is well worth the money.

Spicy Bites
139 E Townline Rd
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
(847) 549-0099

The Korean by Garden Fresh is Narabee. It is a Korean BBQ in the shopping center with Menards.
I've never been but one of my neighbors raves about it.

House of Narabee
50 Oak Creek Plz
Mundelein, IL 60060 (Map)
(847) 837-0580

Not open yet but looks almost ready is:

Blue House Korean Barbecue Restaurant
1484 Townline Road,
Mundelein, IL 60060
(847) 566-2647

Another good meal at Saffron on Saturday evening.

Everything we had, the Vegetarian Combination Platter, Rojan Josh, chicken Tikka Masala, chicken Saag, Saffron rice Peas Pulao, and naan, was delicious.

Gur, the owner came by to chat and remembered us from our last visit in February (as did our waiter)! The restaurant was very busy when we arrived at about 8:30. Everyone who came in contact with was extremely friendly and helpful.

I'm sorry that we waited so long to return.

Yep, everything Al says goes for our family as well. Saffron is very solid, a 15-minute ride from our house in Mundelein rather than a 40-minute one (or longer) to India House in Buffalo Grove, which was my previous northwest suburban Indian haunt. And I would give the edge overall to Saffron, for quality & price.

We've become partial to the rogan josh (lamb shoulder bites in a complex gravy), aloo gobhi (cauliflower & potato) and the Saffron rice peas puleo. Oh, and the complimentary warm flatbread with a creamy yellow chutney that is addictive.

Washed down with a cold Kingfisher beer, it's almost like Devon Ave.

And don't forget two phenomenal south Indian desserts--the mango kulfi (a chunky, creamy, icy mango sorbet) and the gulab jamon (fried dough in sugar syrup).

Last Sunday, my lady friend (I'm too old to be called her "boy friend") and I decided to try Saffron's lunch buffet. It should be noted that I once had a frightfully hot appetizer at an Indian restaurant. The heat was so great that I couldn't taste any other items we ordered. So based on that one bad experience, Indian cuisine is one I really don't know.
Everything on Saffron's buffet was clearly marked and some other guests were quite helpful in explaining certain dishes. The food was wonderful. My lady friend even tried the goat, which I had eaten before. She loves lamb and thought the texture and flavors are similar. She has a problem with the concept of eating goat, but she was a happy camper. Make sure you save room for dessert.
The buffet was only $9.95 - a real bargain.
So we'll be back again.
BTW - They're in the process of changing their name to Aroma.

For the $, Saffron's lunch buffet is decent eats. I think I've been thrice, and I prefer it to India House for the price. They have a green chutney which really quite resembles a mexican salsa verde in consistency and flavor IMO, that usually provides a decent kick and bite of fresh cilantro to spruce up the mundane flavors of the buffet offerings. Each time I've gone, the meat offerings are Chicken Makhani, and Goat or Lamb "Curry." The butter chicken has been different each time, but the goat/lamb curry has been consistently great each time. Tender, succulent, on the bone, and decently spicy curry. Someone knows how to stew that stuff well. I usually fill up on the lamb/goat, a tiny bit of the chicken, and they usually have an aloo gobi or a saag paneer on hand - along with the other veggie dishes, but, sorry, imo, the others are bland and tired.

I'd still absolutely LOVE to have a bare bones Indian buffet open up in them parts. I'd assume it would do pretty well. India House and Saffron are too fancy pants. I'm talking about having a bunch of non matching creaky chairs, and randomly shaped formica table strewn joint charging 6.95, with a bunch of gravy dishes, rice, naan, paratha, and rc products. I'd be all over that. Oh yeah, and at least one dish labeled "Extra Hot!" every day.

New name - Aroma Indian Cuisine - same owners - http://www.saffroncuisines.com/