Saffron Indian fine-dining restaurant opens in Birmingham

Indian restaurant group Saffron has opened its third venue in the centre of Birmingham, where it hopes to become the city's first Michelin-starred Indian restaurant.

The Midlands-based company, which operates two restaurants in Worcester and Oldbury and was named best regional restaurant by the Good Food Guide last year, has taken over a period building in the city centre.

The 60-seat ground floor restaurant, a stone's throw from the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and Symphony Hall, features a golden colour scheme next to baroque wallpaper, recycled bamboo and exposed brickwork.

The menu, overseen by chef-patron Sudha Saha (pictured), offers modern Indian cooking techniques combined with British ingredients. Typical dishes include Nalli Gosht, marinated lamb shank; grilled chicken breast flavoured with makhni, red amaranth and mooli relish; and Paneer Pasanda, a mille feuille of paneer cheese and apple chutney, served with lime and mint cous cous and peanut sesame sauce.

Saha commented: "My aim is to create a journey of taste and texture, by fusing seasonal produce with global influences to give diners the most sensational food they have ever tasted."

Saffron managing director Aklasul Momin added "We already have two successful neighbourhood restaurants in Worcester and Oldbury and felt that the time was right to expand to the heart of Birmingham with our style of Indian fine dining.

"We'll be in great company with Asha's and Lasan close by, especially as there is a growing appetite for exceptionally high quality Indian cuisine by local businesses and visitors to the city."

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By Kerstin Kühn

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