Saffron Cafe
Opened: March 2009
It was the sigh heard ’round the neighborhood when the grimy but lovable Canary Cafe closed its doors. And while Saffron Cafe—the new tenant of the blink-and-you-miss-it building—bears no resemblance to its predecessor, the Moroccan eatery is sure to be just as beloved. For an introduction to Moroccan cuisine, try the tanjines, named for the vessels in which they are served, which trap the steam from the hot meats to create a flavorful broth. We like the ginger chicken tanjine, a roasted half chicken seasoned with onion, garlic, ginger, and saffron and punctuated with tart bites of pickled lemon. The creamy saffron fettuccine Alfredo and the bakoula, a spicy spinach spread, are also winners, but skip the couscous, which pales in comparison to other zesty offerings. Owner and chef Anass Sentissi routinely tours the front of the house and makes tiramisu daily, based on his family’s secret recipe.
Bottom line: Indy’s only Moroccan restaurant breathed new life into a storied location while making this authentic cuisine approachable.
621 Ft. Wayne Ave., 917-0131,
saffroncafe-indy.com
