Saffy’s — Restaurant in Los Angeles

An intimate restaurant with the boldness of Bavel

Bavel is one of my favorite restaurants in LA, and when we found out that Saffy's is from the owners of Bavel, named after their daughter too, we knew we needed to check this out as soon as we could. We did have to get a reservation further out, but it was definitey worth it.

When you first come in, you will be immediately greeted by an intense aroma from the MIddle Eastern cuisine. There is also an open kitchen where you get to see the food being prepared, and you get a chance to glimpse at what waiters are delivering. My group made mental notes on 3 different dishes, "ooh, that looks good."

Shishito Peppers (9/10) These peppers were cooked increibly well. There were soft in the middle but definitely still had bite to them, and while they had a kick of spice, the amazing tahini sauce was tangy but also cooled down the pepper to give it a really incredibe combination. The lemon zest was not overpowering, and the breadcrumbs gave an excellent texture. We loved the sauce so much we refused to allow the waiters to take the leftovers off our table. We needed to keep it.

Onion and Endive Salad (7/10) This wasn't my personal favorite dish, but my group loved it. I have to credit the oil that was used in the dish, it really added moistness in an otherwise cruncy, raw dish. However, while onions and endives wouldn't be something I would normally eat, I was particularly surprised with how tasty it all was. Definitely a good veggie to have before some of the bigger meals

Grilled Squab (5/10) This was probably the only dish I was dissapointed in. It wasn't particularly bad, but do to the expensive price, 36 dollars, we definitely wouldn't order it again. We understoof that the bird is rarer and isn't something you would be able to get at most places, but it was incredibly small and the meat was much tougher. It didn't really come off the bone as I would expect with the smokiness that it had in there. The Squab definitely had a unique smoky taste, but it wasn't as tender as I had hoped

Wood-fire Shawarma Plate (9/10) This was the dish that brought me back to everthing I love about Bavel. On first impression, I was astonished by the generous amount of meat. And once I took my first bite, I was blown away by the chewey lamb, and the tougher cuts of beef that provided a sublime pairing, combined with exceptionally yummu Lafta, a type of bread. We really enjoyed everything about this plate, including the mix of veggies and the Tahini they provided

Skewers (10/10) Wow wow wow. These were incredible. We decided to get the chicken and beef skewers, and we were incredible happy. The ones we got didn't come with any veggies, and we were completely okay with it. While the portions aren't huge, every bite into the smoky juicy meet was making me exhilierated, I had to slow down. This dish really did close out our night at an incredible high point.

Drinks (8/10) The cocktail menu is fairly small, but they do have an expansive wine list. The faovirte of ours was the Vesper Martini, the rose was subtle enough where it didnt make it to sweet, but uniquely flavorful that made it stand out. The boulverdier was good as well.

Closing Thoughts Saffys has incredible good, great service, an although it may be pricey, do yourself a favor and come with a group and order a ton of stuff on the menu. These are the type of restaurants that make LA exciting, all the food is very shareable and you will definitely experience flavor profiles you haven't tried before. We will...

It’s worth braving driving to the Hollywood/Los Feliz section of LA for dinner at the Middle Eastern restaurant Saffy’s on Fountain Ave. Make sure to plan accordingly, expect traffic, and read the street signs closely before parking - we found a meter a few blocks up after driving around for a bit.

SERVICE:
We had top-tier service, and as someone who knows how important this is to Angelinos, you won’t be disappointed. Our server Julia was extremely knowledgeable about the menu, and when I had a question related to dietary restrictions, she got me the answer right away. When our food was delivered to the wrong table, she did a great job at communicating why the wait would be a little longer. Julia also did the perfect amount of circling back to check in on us.

DRINKS: If you’re new to Greek wines, not to fear. When I let our server know that I was debating between the different red wines by the glass, she related them to more commonly known varietals that they’re most similar to. I ended up going with the Kotsifali 2021 Domaine Paterianakis 3.14 from Crete for $21/glass and it was absolutely marvelous. I loved the wine, and I can’t wait to come back during the day to try the coffee.

ATMOSPHERE:
They have both indoor and outdoor dining, and both are extremely charming. I even look the vibe of the bar inside. I’ll have to come back soon to try out all of the different dining ambiances + visit the coffee shop next door.

FOOD: They recommend ordering a few things for the table to share, and I completely agree. Here are a few of the things we loved, and it was the perfect amount for a party of two:

Hummus Ful ($15) with slow cooked fava beans, cumin, lemon, pickled serrano, soft egg, & challah. The egg wil make you do a happy dance, and if you’re gluten free you can add a side of Crudité for $6.

Tomatoes ($19) with smoked eggplant purée, goat feta, cinnamon, sesame dukkah, savory, & cilantro. The vibrant tomatoes are an absolute must-order for anyone who even mildly likes tomatoes. The feta cheese is made with goat’s milk (yay for all of those lactose intolerant folks!)

Green Falafel ($16) with tahini, preserved lemon, ajika, fresh parsley, & fresh dill. I love it when appetizers come with even quantities. The falafel is easy to share, as it comes with 6 bite-sized pieces. The ajika is a red Georgian chili sauce under the falafel and it definitely packs a kick!

Skewers ($39 for 2) accompanied with laffa, tahini chopped salad, chili crunch, & amba. I recommend getting two different kebabs so you can try a variety, as they’re pretty large. We went with a comparison of their lambs, the Spicy Lamb Kebab (habanero, shallots, ginger, garam masala, cilantro) and the second Lamb Kebab (sweet & spicy peppers, onions, parsley, dry mint...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at this trendy Mediterranean restaurant, and I must say, the overall experience was fantastic. While the food was exceptional and the ambiance trendy, a minor setback with our reservation prevents me from giving it a full five-star rating.

The restaurant exuded a stylish and mid-century modern atmosphere that immediately caught my attention. From the sleek decor to the vibrant energy, it was clear that this place had its finger on the pulse of current dining trends.

The food itself was a true culinary delight. Each dish was expertly prepared, presenting a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The attention to detail and the quality of ingredients were evident in every bite, reflecting the skill and passion of the chefs. The menu offered a variety of options that catered to different preferences, ensuring a satisfying dining experience for everyone.

The service at the restaurant was exceptional. The waitstaff was attentive, knowledgeable, and displayed a genuine passion for the food they served. They were prompt in taking orders, providing recommendations, and ensuring that our dining experience was enjoyable. Any requests or inquiries were handled with professionalism and efficiency, contributing to the overall positive experience.

However, the only downside was the reservation setback. Despite having made a reservation in advance, we had to wait for a significant amount of time before being seated (45 minutes past reservation time). While I understand that busy nights can lead to some delays, it is ultimately the responsibility of the management to control the bookings and ensure a smooth dining experience. This aspect was a slight disappointment, and it impacted our overall satisfaction.

Taking all factors into consideration, I believe a four-star rating is fair. The trendy ambiance, delicious food, and excellent service are all commendable. However, the reservation issue detracted from an otherwise exceptional experience. With better management of the bookings, this restaurant has the potential to achieve a perfect five-star rating.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a trendy Mediterranean dining experience with fantastic food and attentive service, this restaurant is worth considering. Just be aware that reservations may not always guarantee immediate seating. Despite the minor setback, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and would recommend this...