Saffron Café serves Persian food and is located at the
intersection of Lead and Cornell just south of UNM. This
is a small, locally-owned restaurant with an extensive
menu of foods that are completely prepared on the
premises. I was concerned the first time I ate here -
when I called no one at the restaurant knew what gluten
free meant. However, when I explained what I could not
eat, the person I spoke with told there were several
things I could order. Gluten free was also a new term for
our server. However, her knowledge of the menu and
their cooking process was extensive, and I had no
problem figuring out what to order.
I have tried the shirazi salad pictured here. It is so fresh
and flavorful that I would eat at Saffron even if this
were the only gluten-free food available. Fortunately,
many if not all of the delicious meat kabobs are
marinated in sauces (olive oil, herbs and lemon juice are
their primary ingredients) that are gluten free. All the
kebobs are cooked in their own area and do not come in
contact with foods containing gluten. Each kabob meal is
accompanied by basmati rice topped with threads of
saffron and a grilled jalepeno and tomato.
Saffron has a beautiful patio that would make a
fantastic venue to while away one of Albuquerque's
beautiful summer evenings. However, you would have to
want relax over a cup of tea as no alcoholic beverages
are served at Saffron.