Saffron Roots - جذور الزعفران — Restaurant in Municipality of Olaya

I am writing to share my disappointing experience during my visit to your restaurant on 24-Jan-2025. As a passionate admirer of Kashmiri cuisine, I had high hopes for enjoying your offerings, but unfortunately, both the service and food quality fell far short of expectations.

Firstly, the service was severely lacking. I had to repeatedly request basic items like drinking water and chutneys to accompany the Kashmiri wazwan. It was frustrating to see no one available to assist, which significantly diminished the dining experience.

Secondly, the quality of the food was below standard. One specific issue was with the FIRNI we ordered, which was made with spoiled milk, resulting in a sour and unpleasant taste. When we raised this concern with the waiter, the response was dismissive and unprofessional. Though we were introduced to the cook, Nazir Sahib, a respected senior figure, this interaction did not address the issue. Additionally, in a single piece of rista, I found almost 20 seeds of black cardamom, which completely ruined the taste.

The KEHWA served was equally disappointing—it resembled pale yellow water with sugar added, lacking the distinctive flavor of almonds and saffron that one would expect, especially from a restaurant that prides itself on Kashmiri authenticity.

It was also disheartening that the lady owner of the restaurant did not make any effort to engage with us or inquire about our concerns. A simple acknowledgment or discussion could have helped, but the lack of attention felt dismissive and unwelcoming. It gave the impression that customer feedback and satisfaction were not a priority.

While the food prices are notably high, I, like many Kashmiris, would gladly pay a premium for authentic, high-quality wazwan. However, when the quality does not justify the cost, it leaves patrons with a sense of disappointment and regret.

@Saffron Roots …Changing the cook does not mean that the quality of food in the restaurant should be compromised. As a customer, I expect consistency in taste, quality, and service regardless of any internal changes. A restaurant’s reputation is built on delivering a dependable and enjoyable dining experience.

I hope that Saffron Roots takes this feedback constructively and implement improvements to ensure a better experience for customers...

Complete Honest Review!!!

Giving a single star is also crime!!! I mean the food was completely Awful!!!!!!! As a passionate food enthusiast, I frequently explore various restaurants to savor new culinary experiences. During my journeys, I've come across some remarkable places. However, my recent visit to saffron roots left me highly disappointed as the food didn't quite live up to the high expectations set by its price point. The waiters very rudely kept standing around and staring at us while we were eating, which made us very uncomfortable. they have no clue of the menu and the menu itself is very limited. The menu photos on google maps are outdated and are either bought or taken from a photo site. They should atleast delete the old menu photos uploaded from official account. the so called kashmiri dishes lacked the depth and hardly any gravy - how can you serve dishes with gravy as little as the gahwa served?????? have you tried it yourself before serving to people who are paying for this?????? other dishes were very ordinary for the price charged and not to miss the frozen chicken which was still cold from inside. a family evening completely ruined thanks to saffron roots.

Advice to fellow customers - you can get way way better restaurants in terms of taste and price, think twice before visiting this one just on the basis of the 4 star reviews on Google and aesthetic pictures. forced reviews being taken on other tables while we ate. Note to the restaurant - either shut down else overhaul the complete team with proper etiquettes and training but stop the farce looting in the name of unique...

Review:

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Saffron Roots and it was an unforgettable experience! From the moment I walked in, I was transported to the heart of Kashmir, with warm decor that beautifully captured the region’s elegance and charm. The ambiance was cozy and inviting, with intricate wooden carvings, soft lighting, and rich fabrics that made the entire experience feel intimate and authentic.

The food was nothing short of phenomenal. We started with the Tabak Maaz (fried lamb ribs), which was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and spiced to perfection. For the main course, we enjoyed the Rogan Josh and Goshtaba—two traditional dishes that showcased the incredible depth of Kashmiri flavors. The Rogan Josh was rich, aromatic, and perfectly spiced, while the Goshtaba had an amazingly creamy sauce that melted in the mouth. The rice was fragrant and fluffy, a perfect complement to the robust gravies.

To finish, we enjoyed the Kahwa (traditional Kashmiri tea), which was beautifully spiced with saffron, almonds, and cardamom. It was the perfect ending to a rich and satisfying meal.

Service was warm and attentive, with staff who were more than happy to guide us through the menu and share a bit of history about each dish. This was not just a meal but a journey into the heart of Kashmir, filled with warmth, flavor, and a deep appreciation for authentic cuisine. I highly recommend saffron roots to anyone looking to experience true Kashmiri flavors—it’s an...