Safran-Nouvelle Vietnamese Cuisine

Safran welcomes you to try a Vietnamese cuisine like no other. A style one could perhaps call Viet-chic, Safran serves contemporary, Vietnamese cooking evolved to include influences and elite techniques from around the world.

Executive Chef Laura Lam (formally of the Rainbow Room and Monsoon Restaurant) was raised in Vietnam, but through her education and travels has developed a cooking style like New York has never before seen. Her dishes are prepared using an array of spices, fresh herbs and seasonal fruits.

Nominated for Time Out New York's Best new Asian restaurant for the 2007 Eat Out awards, here are some of the menu highlights:

The Filet of Sole is one of chef Lam's personal favorites and probably the most celebrated dish amongst her customers. Fresh Sole is delicately pan seared in a sweet tamarind-chili reduction and accented with fried scallions and fresh dill.

The Green Mango Beef Salad is another of Lam's highlights (already receiving a 4-star review from Time Out New York on October 26, 2006). Tender beef is marinated in lemongrass, grilled and served over a delicate mango salad with spicy vinaigrette.

For those who have not yet acquainted themselves with Chef Lam's food, a tasting menu is offered at all times featuring several of Safran's signature dishes.

The drink menu is filled with house-concocted specialty drinks made from fresh herbs like ginger, lavender and mint and exotic fruit mixed with premium spirits (flavored vodka, sugarcane rum etc.) and carefully chosen accents such as Perrier Jouet.

The modern, upscale setting reflects the restaurant's unique qualities and is ideal for both groups and intimate evenings. A warm, orange interior is complimented by numerous glowing candles and luscious bouquets of fresh flowers. A small pond decorates the lower level of the restaurant adding an atmosphere of movement and tranquility. Shiny, steel bead curtains and wall-to-wall mirrors line the winding stairway to the lower level. Stone statues can also be found among the decor that come from the chef's own personal collection.

Group accommodations are up to 130. A private VIP room is available for those guests desiring more privacy.

Safran is located at 88 Seventh Avenue between 15th and 16th street in Chelsea.

Hours

Mon-Thus 11:30am-11:30pm
Friday 11:30am-12:00pm
Saturday 12:00pm-12:00am
Sunday 12:00pm-11:30am

Space

Designed by CPS; Charles Swerz
Seats up to 130 people
VIP seats up to 20 people