Hit up Saffron for the lunch buffet today. Wish I liked it more. I probably would have if there was more chile in anything.
The deshi chutney, curry ghost, and saag paneer were decent today, my samples of the other buffet items were salty and bland. The deshi chutney packed a modest hit of heat so I sprinkled it on everything for a little bit of zing. I'd imagine heat levels of everything varies day to day. I'll definitely be going back. Seems like lunch up this way is a min of 10.00 no matter where you go, so 10.65 (tax included) for an Indian buffet seems fair. There's also a thai lunch buffet, and some place with the name Tangine in it next door to Saffron. Think I'll be investigating those next week. I also saw that little La Rosa joint hidden behind the traffic and construction. Think I'll be giving that a go next week as well. Looked like there was nobody in there at high noon on a Friday.

seebee,

Get yourself to Burt's Deli in Libertyville, just off Milwaukee. Old School deli with very respectable pastrami, good pickles and the owner Ralph is a character. Make sure to call first as they were recently on vacation.

Tagine is nice as well. Daily specials are a good deal, if not too adventurous. Chicken tagine with preserved lemons is tasty.

Burt's Deli
114 Greentree Ctr
Libertyville, IL 60048
(847) 367-9687

The Thai place with the buffet that you mention is Tasty Thai. It'is not worth the trip for me, and I work across the street.

And LaRosa's is never super busy at lunch. Maybe they do more carry-out then? There's usually cops dining there at noon, too.

jersette wrote:The Thai place with the buffet that you mention is Tasty Thai. It'is not worth the trip for me, and I work across the street.

I'm a sucker for an interesting buffet. Don't think I've ever gone to a Thai buffet, and since I am again gonna be stationed up this way for another project, I caved. Boy, you sure weren't kidding. I'm glad I tried it tho. Very small buffet, and when I went, it was regularly restocked with fresh product. There was a red and yellow curry on offer - both were far too sugary for my tastes. There was a very chewy beef dish that was more on the savory side which I got a second helping of, and a "spicy basil chicken" offering which was not spicy, and was basically salt and holy basil with ground chicken. The Gai Tod was boneless chicken nuggets (real chicken, probably breaded in house) fried extra hard to the point of being jerky, and tossed with a red, sugary, sauce.

I last had Gai Tod at Spoon a few weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon, and it was overcooked as well. I think the powers that be are telling me to get to Sticky Rice for Thai fried chicky therapy soon.