About Us

History

There are very few restaurants who can boast a legacy of 20+ years, but it is an accolade that Saffron San Carlos proudly holds. Founded in 2003 by Ajay Walia, with the support of his partner, Reena Miglani, it was crafted to be an unpretentious source of quality, modern Indian cooking, and a welcoming hub for the local community. The excellence of the menu, which updates classic Indian dishes with modern interpretations, quickly amassed a loyal following. Clientele who first visited the restaurant two decades ago as small children on regular family nights now return as adults, nostalgic for the familiarity of their favorite dishes. Likewise, current employees are the children of some of the founding team. The sense of family and community imbues into every part of the restaurant. 

The pared back, modern interior of Saffron offsets the bright flavors of the menu, physically emulating the fuss-free approach to Indian cooking: unbeatable food at accessible price points, in a modern, approachable space that is as bright as the staff are friendly. 

Despite its legacy, Saffron is not one to rest on its past success. Always eager to keep its offering fresh, it continues to evolve its menus and approach to hospitality, whilst remaining true to its original intention - to be a space for people, run by people. No QR codes or self check out will be found here. This is a place to connect with loved ones over the irresistible flavors from beloved Indian dishes, whilst being taken care of by a team genuinely passionate about hospitality. 

About Saffron

We wanted to create a dining destination that shifted the impression of Indian food. Tired of “all-you-can-eat buffet for $7.99” being the first thing people mentioned when discussing our beloved Desi khana, we set out to craft a dining experience that felt as rich, warm, and comforting as the first bite of ma’s daal after a long hard day.

We gathered cookbooks. We spoke to our parents about their grandparents. We cooked, created, and tasted.

Somewhere in between the pages of those dusty cookbooks detailing the intricacies of “dum-pukht,” long distance phone calls to India discussing the twenty-one spice blend that forms the perfect Rogan Josh sauce, Saffron was born.

We serve high-quality, exceptionally fresh, and authentic cuisine featuring locally-sourced ingredients that celebrates India’s rich culinary traditions.