A Generous Indian Meal at Saffron in Montgomery

A basket of warm garlic naan, a bowl of butter chicken, and enough glossy sauce left behind for another tear of bread: that is a fine way to settle into a meal at Saffron. This Montgomery restaurant takes the broad, generous approach to Indian dining, with curries that invite sharing, breads with their own personalities, and enough choices for a table to build a meal around several dishes instead of just one.

Curry-spice aromas greet diners near the entrance, and the dining room carries on with Indian cultural décor and an informal, comfortable setup. Smaller tables work well for a weeknight dinner, while larger tables give families and groups room to spread out their plates, bowls, bread baskets, and perhaps a few extra spoons for sampling.

The lunch buffet is a regular reason people return to Saffron. It offers a broad selection and suits the diner who would rather taste across the menu than make the difficult choice of settling on one curry.

A buffet meal can be a useful introduction to the restaurant's range: a little sauce over rice, a few bites of a vegetable dish, a tandoori item, and a chance to compare mild and more assertive flavors. It is also an easy option for a mixed group, since everyone can start with the dishes that appeal to them and go back for more of a favorite.

Daily buffet dishes, selection, and hours can change, so it is worth confirming the current setup with the restaurant before heading over. The made-to-order menu provides plenty to explore at other times of day.

Chicken tikka masala and butter chicken sit near the familiar center of the menu, with richly seasoned sauces that are made for naan. They are dependable shared-table choices, especially when one person is craving a creamy tomato-based curry and another is looking for a welcoming entry into Indian food.

Chicken korma takes a milder route. Its gentler profile makes it a useful counterpoint when the table also includes a more forceful dish, and it gives diners who prefer less heat a curry that does not feel like an afterthought.

Lamb appears in several directions. Lamb korma offers the quieter, creamier side of the menu, while Rogan Josh brings a deeper, more robust curry to the table. Garlic naan is particularly good alongside either one, used to catch the sauce that tends to remain after the lamb is gone.

For diners who want the spice level to announce itself, vindaloo and Lamb Andhra Curry move the meal in a hotter direction. The menu accommodates a range of spice preferences, so a group does not have to order every dish at the same intensity. A mild curry, a spicy one, and a cooling drink make a sensible trio.

Other choices expand the lineup beyond the usual restaurant standards. Goat curry has a more distinctive place on the menu, while coconut curry chicken brings a different sort of richness. A table that orders two or three curries can move from creamy to tangy to spicy without repeating itself.

Fresh naan is more than a side here. It is the practical tool for finishing curry sauces, but it can also become its own little tasting course. Standard garlic naan is a natural starting point, especially with tikka masala, butter chicken, or Rogan Josh.

The variations give a shared meal more range. Cheese garlic naan adds extra richness; onion naan brings a savory edge; raisin cashew naan offers a sweeter, nutty contrast; and jalapeño naan gives bread lovers another hit of heat. Ordering a few kinds makes it easy to pass pieces around and decide which one belongs with which curry.

This is also where generous portions come in handy. A large spread can readily lead to leftovers, particularly when the table has ordered several sauces, tandoori dishes, rice, appetizers, and more than one bread.

Saffron's vegetarian choices are clearly identified, and they are substantial enough to be main dishes rather than backup options. Malai Kofta is a standout choice: soft vegetable-and-cheese dumplings in a rich sauce, with the sort of texture that keeps a vegetarian order interesting alongside meat curries.

Paneer makhani brings paneer into a lush, creamy preparation, a good choice for diners who like the comfort of butter chicken-style sauce but want a meatless plate. Dal makhani offers another dependable direction, with slow-cooked lentils that can anchor a meal or be shared as one of several dishes.

The vegetable bhajia fritters make a smart opening move. Onion, cabbage, and spinach are fried into crisp little bites and served with mint and tamarind sauces. The mint has a cool, bright edge; the tamarind brings its sweet-tart note. They give the table something crunchy before the curries arrive.

The tandoori side of the menu provides a welcome change from saucy curries. Chicken tandoori arrives hot and freshly prepared, with the direct spice and char of the clay-oven style, while chicken kebab offers another straightforward grilled option.

Tandoori dishes can work as an entrée for someone who prefers a more grilled, less saucy meal, but they also fit nicely into a family-style order. Add a curry, a vegetable dish, rice, and a couple of naans, and the table has different textures without becoming overly complicated.

The kitchen has shown flexibility with some special requests, including an unlisted Shezwan-style tandoori preparation. Such accommodations depend on the day and the kitchen, rather than being a standing menu promise, but diners with a specific idea can ask.

Mango lassi is a useful companion for a spicy order. Lightly sweet and refreshing, it offers a cool pause between bites of vindaloo or Andhra-style lamb and can be just as satisfying with a milder korma.

For dessert, mango ice cream keeps the finish simple and pleasant. After a table full of garlic, ginger, curry spices, tandoori dishes, and warm bread, a cold mango note is an easy landing place.

Saffron has the relaxed rhythm of a restaurant where couples can settle in over one or two curries and families can order broadly for the table. The room includes both small and large tables, and it has been comfortable for groups that include children, grandparents, and several generations with different appetites.

Service is warm, attentive, and helpful for diners trying to sort through a long menu. Staff can provide useful context about dishes, a welcome touch when the choice is between two curries with similar names or when someone is deciding how far to take the heat.

The dining room is also quiet enough for easy conversation. That matters more than it sounds like it should: Indian food rewards a meal that lingers a little, especially once the extra naan arrives and everyone starts comparing sauces.

A free parking lot provides plenty of parking, keeping the arrival uncomplicated. Reservations have not generally been necessary for many visits, though larger gatherings may still want to contact the restaurant directly.

The menu can support a simple solo-style entrée or a much larger shared order, so spending varies considerably with the number of dishes, breads, drinks, and people at the table. Current prices and availability are best checked on the latest menu.

For a first meal, the pleasant problem is deciding how much to order. A shared bhajia appetizer, one mild curry, one spicier curry, a vegetarian dish, and two kinds of naan gives a table a generous tour without leaving much unexplored for the next visit.