The Saffron Mantra Indian Restaurant — Restaurant in Lagoa

Couple visit. Went on the back of other reviews. Have tried others nearby and can now concur that the food at Saffron Mantra is in a higher league. They haven't spent a fortune on signage, fancy lighting, tables, crockery, staff uniforms or "ambience", so it's dead easy to walk straight past thinking it's "just another Indian" in CVO, but please don't. Someone here can really cook well: the use of high quality fresh ingredients, the expert mix of spices, listening to the customer's requests that are communicated effectively to the chef by the charming smiling waiter who is attentive without being intrusive. You're clearly NOT in one of CVO's "meal machines" Take as long as you like and savour the excellent food. We really couldn't work out how they produced it for the price charged and made ANY profit. The restaurant's previous replies to reviews cite a culture of treating their guest as royalty. Long live this culture, Saffron Mantra: IMHO you nailed it!!!! Would I recommend it? I don't think you need to ask but...

If there were no Stars thats what I would award. We visited this restaurant last year and wrote a rave review - I dont know whats happened but I will never go back after our recent visit. We should have copped on when there was no one in the place and everywhere else was busy. The waiter though only new hadnt a clue about the menu or how to serve (actually had to ask for a clean plate after my starter). The only meat on the menu seemed to be chicken for both starters and main - though there was one lamb dish but the lamb was no longer a lamb!! Tough and chewy. Bread was served burnt with holes in it. We ended up giving it back and paid only for one starter which I did eat and wine (we didnt even stay to finish this). Such a pity this had the makings of...

Ok this place makes me a little mad. Because I’m from Toronto and there is such a huge Indian population there…. And this had the best butter chicken and dal I’ve ever had. And now I can’t have it every day because I have to go home!! I have no doubt the other Indian restaurants in town are nice, but they won’t be this. Like the other reviewer said, if the place isn’t packed do NOT take that as a sign and don’t sleep on this place - they’ve only been around a year and I have no doubt they will thrive.

They were kind enough to make our butter chicken and dal spicy on our request, it was utterly perfect. The staff were all so lovely. We have to come back before we leave in a few days, we have no choice....