Breakfast at Saffron Cafe & Bakery

Hubby and I went out for breakfast today at the magical land of Saffron. What makes it a magical land? Hubby and I have been at least three separate times in the last several months only to find it closed. The last time, we pulled up and the lights on inside and the cars in the parking lot gave us false hopes of finally scoring some dessert. But alas, the cars were only construction workers there to work on the remodel.

Last week Hubby was given the task of picking up a birthday cake for someone at the office, and naturally I teased him. "Sure, you're going to Saffron. Have you got a back-up plan? You know, just in case THEY'RE NOT OPEN???" He was indeed able to pick up the cake, it was reportedly delicious and the rumor began to circulate that they were open for breakfast.




Turned out the rumor was true. The remodel is complete and breakfast is served daily, including lunch and some pretty fabulous-looking pastries. I have to mention here that the Best Cake I Ever Ate came from Saffron a few years ago, so I had high hopes.

Hubby ordered the short stack of pancakes with a side of sausage. He liked them both, stating that the pancakes were fluffy and the sausage was really good.

I ordered the French toast, something I rarely do because I think I make the best French toast ever. Their French toast was good, although from the menu description I expected a lot more cinnamon. When we placed the order, the less-than attentive server asked if I wanted the fruit (which comes with it) or sausage. I chose fruit and even told her so. I got both. Mystified? Yeah, we were, too, but since they didn't charge for the extra sausage we let it go and Hubby got extra, something his meat-loving soul relished.

A word about the coffee: The first two cups were very good, despite the fact that I had to ask for a refill. Later, when we were ready to leave, someone began circulating with a coffee pot, and all I could think was, "Where were YOU 10 minutes ago??" The third cup was so bitter and burnt tasting it was a shock to the system. What I want to know is this--how hard is it really to make decent coffee? Just a question for the universe, and since I don't make my own coffee at home, there's only so much I know about it's preparation.

The remodel turned Saffron from functional but small and uninteresting into a space that is relaxing, understatedly elegant and larger. There is also a nice outdoor dining area at the rear of the building, which might have been a better choice because the ambient noise echo of the interior gave Hubby a bit of a headache.

As I said before, the service was lacking. We were served our food before getting forks, knives and napkins, something that Hubby and I agreed was cruel treatment indeed. When I asked for that second cup of coffee, it took a couple of minutes for the coffee pot to make it to the table, and then I had to request more cream. How I love restaurants that automatically give you cream at the same time that they bring you coffee! It's just so right, you know?

Saffron also boasts an assortment of deli-type menu items for lunch, including "Mediterranean Specialties" which may or may not include the interesting, um, appliances above the pastry case. Nope, not sure what they use that for. I am just a simple Southern girl after all...

SAFFRON CAFE:
SERVICE: 2 out of 5
FOOD: 3 1/2 out of 5
ATMOSPHERE: 3 out of 5

OVERALL RATING: 3 out of 5...We'll go back another time, but we hope the service will improve.