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(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-01-26 09:44

It's hard not to gush about a place like Saffron. Tucked away behind a tiny hutong, this restaurant and bar evokes all the cliches hidden gem, hutong hideaway, breath of fresh air.

Converting a former warehouse, complete with girders, high ceilings, stone floor and black rubber rimmed windows was always going to be fun. And the delightful husband and wife team behind Saffron have clearly enjoyed putting this place together. The personal touches make all the difference in a restaurant or bar and here they are numerous, from the handwritten name cards and the blackboard menus to the faultless service and fantastic, Mediterranean-style food.

Split into two sections, with the top floor overlooking the bottom, Saffron's hard industrial edge is softened with homely touches - potted plants, children's paintings hanging on the back wall, the iron framed windows lit from below and wooden toys placed near the entrance.

The food is quirky and creative. A tapas section includes saffron braised seafood (48 yuan) and shrimp and coconut sauce (38 yuan), both delicious. This can be followed by Uruguay lamb chops (122 yuan) and frozen amaretto mousse for dessert. The owners are fans of pioneering British chef Heston Blumenthal and this comes across in the menu.

From behind the crescent shaped bar come huge, bowl-shaped glasses of sangria (25 yuan), a small but decent selection of red and white wines (150-320 yuan a bottle) and spirits including Baileys, White Russians and Jack Daniels. There are four beers to choose from, with Budweiser and Corona (22 yuan) both on the list.

There are rumors that Beijing's wrecking ball is heading Saffron's way. Plans are already afoot to relocate to a nearby hutong so to sample the charm of drinking and eating in this rare industrial space; now is the time to go.

Saffron
Location: 46 Fangjia Hutong. Head north from Jiaodaokou, at the first traffic light turn east into Fangjia Hutong
Tel: 010-64072632