Saffron Noodles and Sate & Saffron Thai Grilled Chicken

Su Mei Yu's two very popular and successful restaurants reside on busy India Street. For those who don't know who Su Mei Yu is, she's the Author of the most enjoyable cookbook, Cracking the Coconut which I have on my list of cookbooks to purchase, she is also a regular contributor to Fine Cooking Magazine and the San Diego Union Tribune. In fact, I've had some success with Her recipes in Fine Cooking, but unfortunately, have not had very good meals at Saffron. I had first heard of Saffron Grilled Chicken while I was doing consulting work in San Diego back in '99, and made sure to stop by there, and wondered what the big deal was about. In fact, I dropped by 4 times in the following months, and really never did figure out what the fuss was about. When Saffron Noodles opened we tried it out, but was again disappointed, the Pad Thai was overly sweet and the noodles were overcooked, the drunken noodles were okay, but no better then I've had in a many other places. So I beg the question; can you enjoy someones cookbook and recipes, yet not enjoy the restaurants they own? So in my dogged determination to find some redeeming dish at Saffron, we decided another meal was in order.

Saffron Noodles and Sate is the newer of Su Mei Yu's two restaurants. While Saffron Chicken is more of a take-out "joint", Saffron Noodles has a very nice dining area, adorned with artwork, and very relaxed, though the restaurant personnel are some of the fastest I've ever encountered.

Noodles and Sate features, what else, many noodle dishes:

As well as many specials. The Missus decided to order the "Duck Soup Special", according to the sign, people wait the entire year for this soup which is only served for a limited time($7.00):

A small pile of moist and tasty chopped duck lay in the middle a medium sized bowl of soup. The thin rice noodles were a bit strange, kind of mushy, they reminded me of somen. After a quick taste of the soup, the Missus exclaimed; "Oh my God"! I responded with; "Wow, is it that good". The reply? "This is terrible, it tastes like soy sauce water, and the noodles suck!" A quick taste verified what she said. No amount of fried shallot, Thai basil, or anything could save this watery broth. We finished the duck, and left most of the soup and noodles. The most revealing comment? "I'd rather have 100 bowls of Pho' than this!" If you've ever noticed; most of my Pho posts are done solo.......

I ordered Pad See-Eew with Chicken($7.70):

A very small plate of noodles with 5 florets of broccoli, as well as cross cut stems. The chicken was very moist and tender, though. Though the menu had a "chili pepper" on it, this dish was not spicy at all, but that could be based on my palate. In my mind, Pad See Eew is a deceptively easy dish. Simply, rice noodles flavored with soy sauce and/or fish sauce, sugar or other sweetening agent, and broccoli. But Pad See Eew also represents a sort of an understanding of the cuisine, and when done well, is delici-yoso beyond words. The best Pad See Eew I've had so far were at Lotus of Siam in Las Vegas, and Krua Thai in West Covina. I've not yet experienced the ultimate "wok hay" version that Elmo, from Monster Munching has, but maybe someday. To be very brief, the Pad See Eew was very mildy flavored (I dare say bland), and very tame. I found the portion size to be very small.

I left hungry and we ended up at Gaglione Brothers.

Still convinced that Saffron must have something going for it, I recently went to Saffron Grilled Chicken during a recent lunch hour.

What I found interesting was that a rotisserie is actually used to cook the chicken. The "Guys" working here are super fast, I was in and out in 3 minutes flat!

I ordered the 2 Thigh Chicken Combination($5.70):

I choose the "Peanut sauce" for my chicken. I'd been disappointed in the Sriracha and other sauces I had before, and was told that the peanut sauce was the way to go. Basically, the sauce is a red curry, peanut, and coconut milk based sauce, and tasted pretty good. The chicken, even though it was dark meat was on the dry side, and tasted very bland without the added sauces. Just to confirm I had another co-worker taste the chicken, and asked Her if it was better then Costco's Rotisserie Chicken. The answer? "No way!"

The best item on the plate was the "Cambodian Salad", a nice mixed salad of cabbage, carrots, in a very refreshing sweet-sour dressing. Too bad, I only got a small container of it, but I'd come back just for that.

I also ordered a skewer of Chicken Sate, without checking out the price - it was 4 bucks!

What I got were two very dry chicken tenderloins, seasoned with what seemed to be a yellow curry based sauce.

I really want to enjoy Saffron, but have always left disappointed. I'm sorry to say I think we're done here.

Saffron Noodles and Sate'
3737 India Street
San Diego, CA 92103

Saffron Thai Grilled Chicken
3731 India St.
San Diego, CA 92103

Comments

[clare eats]

That is an expensive satay stick!
I LOVE Duck noodle soup so I would have ordered the Same as the Missus :)

[noromdiam]

I keep wanting to order the duck soup but they're always taking the sign down right as I get there!

Saffron and Gelato Vero are pretty much the reasons why I moved to Mission Hills. I think El Pollo Loco is 10x better than the Saffron rotisserie chicken, but other things on their menu like Drunken Noodles and Dirty Rice are outstanding.

[Kady]

Funny thing about Saffron. I see it everytime I go to India Street and ALWAYS want to try it but I can't bring myself to because I'm in love with the Garden Grill next door (best and cheapest mediterranean food!). One day I'll just have to eat both places!!!

[Rachel]

mmm yummy the chicken looked a bit dry though, especially the expensive skewer. Thats the same price I paid in New York for a chicken skewer! And that sucked majorly too, having been raw on the inside

[Candice]

I've been disappointed with the dryness of Saffron's chicken. The wings and legs are sometimes almost petrified! I do love their Pad See-Ew though, I think it's the crispy shallots!

[Jack]

I have a like/hate relationship w\Saffron. We lived very close to the place and it was a convenient place to pick up a quick dinner (if you could find parking). I'm a thigh guy so no probs on dryness there....chicken, rice w/ peanut and siracha sauce...yum. Like the cucumber salad. Noodles were ok. I don't really care for their generic broth. The daily specials can be very good. My wife once got a chicken sate that was totally unedible...completely dried out. She sure does have a business though.

[howie]

I'm kind of disappointed with Saffron also. I'm mostly talking about the roast chicken. I don't remember having problems with dryness since I got the thigh & leg, but it seemed that the chicken was almost completely unseasoned -- not even salt. Very strange.

The noodle soups are OK, but I don't like them nearly as much as the many pho places around SD.

I do *love* Gelato Vero right next door though!

[Gypsy Jan]

Ohh boy, are you spot on.

The food is not great, but good enough, fairly priced and close to the freeway if you are hungry and need something that isn't McNasty.

[Jack]

Does anyone remember when Doodleburger was open where Saffron Noodles is currently? Now that was a great burger and fries!

[Kirk]

Hi Clare - Probably the most expensive Sate I've ever had!

Hi noromdiam - I can see moving for Gelato Vero. Saffron has a nice "vibe" and the sevice is really efficient, but the food.....

Hi Kady - Funny you should mention the Garden Grill....a post is coming up very soon!

Hi Rachel - I guess I should count my blessings that the chicken was fully cooked I guess!

Hi Candice - The Pad See Eew wasn't the worst I ever had, though portion size was very small!

Hi Jack - We always laughed at the Sriracha, you can get just as good from a bottle - and if you wanted extra sauce(and believe me, sometimes you needed it), they charged you another 75 cents for it! I love Su Mei Yu's "personality", but I think I'll make some stuff from Her cookbook and compare!

Hi Howie - The chicken without the sauces are very bland!

Hi Gypsy Jan - If you put it in those terms, maybe it is priced right. But $14+ for a bland rotisserie chicken? hmmmmm......

Hey Jack - Doodleburger? I would had alot of fun with that name!

[Rachel]

kirky! Thanks for adding me on your list. I am very much honoured! Hope you find a much better thai place with great chicken :)

[ed]

Your post brought back memories of duck soup from Amarin Thai in Monterey. So rich I would order it only once every couple months - and co-workers would always give me one of those looks and say something like "You eat duck soup? I thought it was just a Marx Bros. movie." Anyway, too back the missus soup missed the mark. By the way, I've been going through mmm-yoso withdrawals the last couple of days; reading this blog is one of the good parts of the morning.

[tracina]

I love Saffron, but I only get the drunken noodles or any of the curries that they have on special. Half of saffron's appeal is the price and quickness of getting your meal.

[dietchilicheesefries]

wow, kirk ... to give a place 3 chances, you're pretty open minded...

i'm pretty shallow, i'm more like one and done, unless i find out i ordered the wrong thing or the waitress was a dead ringer for Jessica Alba or something.. ha ha

[santos.]

oh my goodness, i'm so glad you've experienced the good cookbook, eh restaurant phenomenon too. i've had that happen more than a couple of times with certain hawaiian chefs who shall not be named. i think it's a combination of mediocre ingredients, incompetent/impatient/inattentive underlings, and the general need to get food out to the customer in a hurry that can make a good recipe go bad.

[Jack]

Can you believe that, .75 for Sriracha? No thanks, I've got plenty in the cabinet! I just re-read your entry and you are spot-on in your take on the place.

[Kirk]

Hi Rachel - Actually, I need to apologize for taking so darn long to update my "list"!

Hi Ed - Hope all is going well for you! I guess duck soup is really not "duck soup" to make????

Hi Tracina - Welcome back! I think it's the fast and efficient service.

Hi DCCF - I don't think it's shallow, it's just your standards! LOL!

Hi santos - Actually, I've experienced probably experienced the same for several cookbooks/restaurants.

Hey Jack - Isn't that funny? You get 2 whole little containers of sauce with a whole chicken!

[Daly]

Sorry--I'll quit posting but I'm obsessed with all the food pics!! It seems all the good food are in San Diego. When you and Missus visit Vegas again, try
ARCHI'S THAI KITCHEN
6360 W. Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, NV http://www.reviewjournal.com/bestoflv/2005/LongReturns.jsp?bestID=7113 And the next time you guys visit Lotus of Siam, you've got to try the coconut ice cream dessert--it is TO DIE FOR!! I have it BEFORE the main course because my taste buds are shot after eating all the spicy foods...LOL. http://www.saipinchutima.com/

[Kirk]

Hello Daly - No, not all the food in San Diego is good. And you have LOS! We usually do end our meal with mango and sticky rice and coconut ice cream. I like it that you use it as an appetizer, the Missus might go for that. I'll definitely put Archi's Thai Kitchen on my list for Vegas. No need to quit commenting, I enjoy your comments!

[Annie]

i had their other noodles and they were terrible too! they use some strange concoction of watered down flavors. i don't know why it gets good reviews.