Saffron De Twah — Restaurant in Detroit

This is in response to the owners post about my recent experience at this so called establishment.

I want to start off by stating that I rarely ever post reviews and the reason I am doing so right now is due to the TERRIBLE customer service that was on display by the owner.

My friends and I ordered 5 chicken sandwiches that were definitely uncooked and not EDIBLE. The chicken was literally pink to the core and slimy. When my friends and I noticed this, we decided that we would take them back. I entered thru the door with two bags containing the 5 sandwiches. The two workers had a shocked look on their face. The owner was standing in the lobby and he asked whats wrong. In a pleasant manner, I stated that my friends and I ordered 5 sandwiches and that they were raw. The owner immediately got defensive, and instead of APOLOGIZING, started talking to me in a condescending manner. He stated "No way, 100% the chicken is cooked. There's no way it is raw. I will cook a new batch for you, however I am telling you it is cooked." He kept stating that the pieces are dark meat and thats how they are. Not once did he APOLOGIZE throughout this whole interaction. Upon which, I pulled out the sandwiches to demonstrate the problem and showed him the raw uncooked pieces. He then aggressively started peeling off the chicken pieces in front of my face and showing them to me. On one of the pieces, which was the worst of them all, he could not even pull it apart because thats how uncooked and raw the chicken was. He kept coming up with excuses after excuses, not once APOLOGIZING to which I got frustrated and told him I just want my refund. He stated that "maybe next time you can ask to have them fried hard." I didn't know that you have to request chicken to be cooked. Upon this, I stated I just want my refund, to which he continued talking to me in a degrading manner. At that point, I told him let me get my f**kin refund and go. He did refund me but did not offer to cook the sandwiches like he stated in his post. Not like I would've took the offer anyway. You couldn't pay me to eat something that's not EDIBLE.

There were several issues that I want to address

The most important of all, the owner never APOLOGIZED to me and my friends. Even on his post, you can see that he refuses to acknowledge his mistake and shifts the blame on the customer.

The owner was condescending throughout the whole interaction. He talked down on me like I didn't know what I was talking about. As if I didn't know the difference between cooked and uncooked meat. He was very disrespectful and acted like it was 100% our fault (stating we should've got it fried hard). He also kept interjecting and cutting me off as I was trying to explain my situation which was very rude to say the least. Mr. Omar, word of advice. We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason; so we can listen twice as much as we speak. I have never met a person in the customer service industry that could display such behaviors that are so pompous and...

First time coming here. I have heard so many good things so I had to try it. We got the fried potatoes which were tasty and crispy and these fried fritter things that are very very good and the sauce at the bottom is also quite good. The lamb tagine was good. I was expecting it to be more flavorful but it was tasty and I got it on couscous because I think that is what tagine usually is served on. It was more like a couscous salad with lamb on top. The dish was cold so I'm not sure if it was supposed to be hot or not. I liked it ok. The chicken tagine was out of this world amazing. The chicken didn't taste like much but the sauce is very flavorful and complex. Had that on top of the polenta and that just knocked it out of the park. I think it was supposed to have a salad on top but mine didn't include a salad. I kinda wished I got the lamb on the polenta. Note the lamb didn't really have a sauce. Got the fish sandwhich as well to give is a try and got everything on the side because we knew were were not going to be able to eat it today. The fish didn't taste like much on it's own but the sauces are good and that is where all the flavor is from. The bread is very very good and tastes like they are fresh. I think it is supposed to come with the soup of the day but there was no soup included. That said overall the food is really great and if you have not been here go and try it now.

The staff were very friendly and kind. You can tell everyone enjoys working there. I love the way they are disrupting the resturant industry by actually paying a living wage and benifits for their staff. Chef Omar was even there and chatted it up with us.

The take out containers were very flimsy. Be very careful if you order take out. The chicken tagine was the only thing that was super hot and it kinda disintegrated the container because with the sauce and the polenta it has a lot of liquid. I kept almost dropping and spilling everything especially the little sauce containers.

The decor here is nice. I would have loved to dine in today but it was just too hot to eat outside. Definately will be back. I am going to be having dreams of the chicken tagine sauce...

Chef Omar and his team are running one of the most exceptional restaurants in Detroit and possibly in all of Michigan.

At first glance, it is an unassuming building across the street from a barbershop. Walking in, you are immediately met with an open kitchen layout as well as a cozy and comfortable seating area.

Chef Omar came around to our table after we seated and explained each individual item on the menu (that he updates regularly) before we placed our orders, giving his own bestsellers and recommendations on the menu.

After we placed our orders, drinks were served- with the tea being served traditionally by a (very sweet and funny) waitress who poured the tea the traditional way and explained the history of why it was poured that way (making the stream from the pot to the cup as long as possible to signify importance of the person receiving the tea).

Finally, the main reason everyone is reading this review: the food. We ordered brussel sprouts with beef bacon, as well as the harissa potato appetizer and one of the bestseller appetizers that I can't remember the name of at the moment. Each item was seasoned perfectly and we argued over which one we liked more (Brussel sprouts won 4/5)

3 of us ordered the Moroccan chicken sandwich (best seller) which was not only comically huge, but also incredibly delicious for a great price. The other 2 ordered the mushroom cous cous which had such a strong and delicious creamy mushroom flavor while also somehow being vegan!

Last but not least, Chef Omar (executive chef/ owner) came to our table after we were done eating and together we had an intimate conversation about all walks of life. It was such a pleasant and unexpected treat to be able to meet the man behind it all and share that experience with him.

Altogether, I think this is one of the greatest restaurants I've been to from the quality food down to the incredible customer service in recent memory. Anyone looking for one of the best restaurant experiences in all of Detroit, know you're not making a mistake choosing to be in the care of Chef Omar...