I am a big fan of all things weird and wonderful – especially where my food is concerned. And with Leeds not having the same amount of restaurants that the capital has, one have to be slightly more creative with opening up the palete to new flavours. And one of it is Safran in Leeds, who serves traditional persian (I believe that is modern day Iran?) cuisine.

We first came across Safran in October last year, but it was right before I got my Canon, so the subsequent pictures did the beautiful food no justice. With Mandy in town, it was high time we went again…and seeing that it has been about a 7, 8 month lapse since the last time we were there, it is high time!

The insides were slightly strange, reminds me of our hotel in Egypt. Shudders. This place was right under the railway tracks, so the occasional shudder would shake the restaurant. Darkly lit, there is two rooms to this restaurant, one with a window (shuttered tight) and one a windowless room. Both times we were stuck in the windowless room, guess its the main dining room.

After the last time when we were stuffed by the end of sharing one starter, this time we ordered one starter and two main course between the three of us.

This was the Mixed starter. It consists of a olives, iceberg lettuce, bell peppers, sliced gherkins, lamb kebab,salad, falefel and the world’s best hummous. We had it the last time we were here, and absolutely love it. It is seriously the best hummous in the world, about 1000 times better than my home made hummous.

This, we had the last time as well. Apparently this is a typical Persian ‘khoresht‘ (stew), served with Baghla Polow (basmati rice with saffron, broad beans, dill and butter). The khoresht itself was called Mahicheh (slow cooked lamb shank with tomato puree and spices). The lovely rice was very ‘perfumey’ in smell, all in all a lovelier version of your regular rice pilaf. Yumm. And in case you didn’t know, the portions were humungous…the plate is easily 14 inches in diametre.

I know this dish looks very typical kebab shop grub. Well, it is actually called Joojeh Kebab Makhsoos. This meant a large skewer of minced lamb kebab and a skewer of off the bone marinated chicken breast with grilled tomatoes. The meat was juicy, well-flavoured and generously portion. Lovely. And oh, the naan-like bread actually came with the starter. I love Middle-eastern bread…it is so yummy. It was nearly all I had in Egypt, couldn’t resist the lovely smell coming out from the tandoor. But it is much better in Leeds, how mad is that?

The bill came up to £23 for the three of us – a bargin in central Leeds. Friendly staff, the only thing I would say is that their drinks menu could do with a little revamp. All it said was ‘ask staff for more details’…which is slightly standoffish. Anyway, I would still return…it is interesting, it is cheap, it is yummy. Both times we were there, we were the only non middle eastern customers. If you know Leeds, it is where Megabus drops off, just up the road from the Leeds Parish Church. They do takeaways as well, and are open until 11pm most nights – unlike most restaurants I know!

Safran Traditional Persian Cuisine
81 Kirkgate, Leeds
LS2 7DJ
Tel: 0113 244 4496

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