Saf
our comments
After an evening spent carousing in a curry house in Brick Lane I arrived the next day for lunch at Saf convinced I was radiating the sort of beery, meat-eating, bad-living kind of aura that would kill a vegan at twenty paces. I was in serious need of some kind of detox, if not a full colonic. The latter not being something I would undertake without a fight, this seemed the next best thing. The space makes you feel fresh as you walk in, all high ceilings, lively décor and staff buzzing with bright-eyed enthusiasm. Out back the sun-dappled yard was the perfect place to be, but when we discovered our tabletop was only vaguely connected to its legs we moved to a shadier but more solid position.
The open kitchen is not where all the ‘cooking’ takes place; there is a far larger one downstairs. Here though you can see the Saf philosophy in action. No meat, no dairy and nothing cooked above 48C. That all the vegetables are organic goes without saying, so I won’t. Through the use of state of the art machines, of the kind found at the Fat Duck and El Bulli, the chefs are able to do things to vegetables and nuts that cant be done at home and create dishes that are in general a long way removed from the vegan dishes we used to eat, and later deeply regret, at festivals.
Some things never change though and one is the tendency to label dishes in ways familiar to meat eaters. Remember the infamous nut cutlet? It’s not on the menu here but there are cheeses that have never seen a cow and rice that has never seen a paddy field. My Beetroot ravioli with cashew herb ricotta, early asparagus salad, balsamic figs and pumpkin-seed oil wasn’t actually ravioli at all but discs of raw beetroot sandwiching the filling. Eating these with the supplied chopsticks wasn’t easy but was worth it, the filling was indeed ricotta-like and the sweet beetroot crunchy yet tender. The balsamic fig came over a bit strong, but the salad and dressing wouldn’t have disgraced any top end restaurant.
Spring Dumplings came stuffed with spinach, date, caramelised onion and water chestnut, all to be dipped in ‘black vinaigrette’ that I assume was made from Chinese Black Vinegar. I only tried a half dumpling, a ‘dump’ perhaps, and for me the sweet date dominated too much, but then I had only given the dump a cursory dip in the vinaigrette. My main was a Saf Bowl deeply containing all manner of good things like courgette sesame noodles, very nice, avocado, smooth and perfectly ripe and ‘parsnip rice’ which was the least successful as after a few mouthfuls I found it bland and cloying and too reminiscent of old-skool veggie.
The daily ravioli lacked colour, the mushroom filling making them dishwater grey and uninspiring, but they had a wonderfully rich, forest-floor flavour and a chewable texture that was missing in the other dishes. Desserts were a bit odd; the Chocolate Ganache tart was too rich for the eater and my Superfood with maca ice cream, Lucuma cookie and Goji syrup had some flavours going on that I would need some time to become accustomed to. But they do say Goji beans can cure cancer, as well as many other as yet unproven things, so it had to be worth the effort
Generally speaking Saf is a gift from the gods for vegans and a very interesting place for the rest of us. I left feeling a lot better than when I went in. On that basis, as well as a menu that is begging to be explored further, I will definitely be back.
N.H. - July 2008
your comments review this restaurant and win a bottle of champagne
I went to this sleek, atmospheric restaurant the other dayfor lunch and was delighted with the thought and care that went into preparing and serving the dishes. I would highly recommend this vegan restaurant that fills a much needed gap in the London food market.
I had high expectations (being fortunate enough to have sampled the exquiste and plentiful vegan expertise in NYC) and this did not disappoint and even reminded me of my favourite award-winning vegan restaurant in NYC.
I will definitely be returning and am looking forward to an evening experience in Saf.
I can highly recommend the betroot ravioli, chickpea pancake, strawberry cheesecake with coconut base (OMG!) and the chocolate ganche tart (!!!!!!) and the cheeses. Just writing this is making me hungry!
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JCW
Overall rating 
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, September 05, 2008
Vegan food extraveganassario! This is a herbivore's Nirvana. Every dish constructed with architectural genius akin to the divine Sir Christopher Wren. The cocktail of flavours and textures dancing under teeth and over tongue with precision and co-ordination, evoking memories of such beauty and elegance that they touch on ethereal bliss. This restaurant is the trailblazer, the catalyst that must surely convert the masses to realise that vegetarian cuisine, at its best outshines all that has gone before. If there is but one flaw the portions are too small to revel for long in their magnificance. Otherwise roll on the first vegetarian Michelin star. Sublime.
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Anton Stanbrook
Overall rating 
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Friday, June 27, 2008
After hearing amazing things about this place from a friend, and being a part-time vegan myself, decided to give it a try, My husband and I were not disappointed. Although initially bar service was a little slow, the tantalizing cocktails (Jasmine Pearl Martini) did more than make up for it. Our entrées included Beetroot ravioli and a macadamia cheese plate, both delish. Again, mains of 'Lasagne' and Green Tea Glazed Tofu did not disappoint (the tofu particularly was divine!) Accompanying wines were also lovely, (my husband had the Syrah, and I , the Chilean red). Lastly but definitely not least, the vegan desserts were sublime - both berry ganache and mint icecream dish. Will return (hoping to have my upcoming b'day there v soon!)
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Caroline
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Monday, June 16, 2008
Just stunning. Having a vegan husband often means that fine dining isn't on the menu, if you'll pardon the pun, but Saf boldly flies in the face of this.
The restaurant itself is airy and subtly decorated, with friendly and welcoming staff. We started with a couple of organic beers before making our way to our table. We had some delicious edamame whilst waiting for our starters, which were worth the wait.
The beetroot ravioli was a real surprise; the nut 'cheese' actually tasting like a light cream cheese, which is amazing. My husband's starter of chive pearls, on sweet potato latkes with apples and sour cream was good enough for a Michelin-starred establishment. My main was the meal's highlight; a mushroom croquette with truffle alfredo and rosemary, accompanied by minute pickled vegetables - a real explosion of tastes and all raw, which beggars belief. My husband declared his lasagne one of the best vegan meals he's ever eaten.
We skipped a sweet course but I will be dragging anyone who'll accompany me so that I can revisit and try the rest of the menu. Inspired stuff.
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Soap - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating 
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, May 23, 2008
I was quite apprehensive when I was invited to Saf; imagining it to be all grated carrot and cabbage dishes in a worthy vegan atmosphere. So, when last night's dinner resulted in being one of the best meals I've had this year, I was quite surprised! The restaurant is cool and trendy and we were sat at the back overlooking a small pretty courtyard. To kick off, we had cocktails which were all fantastic and fresh tasting whilst we chose our meals. The starters were my favourite - maki rolls of avocado and parsnip rice, beetroot and ricotta ravioli and cucumber consomme. To follow, we had a sharing cheese plate of various 'cheeses' from a walnut flavoured concoction to a boursin-type round - each little taster was well-presented and packed with flavour. As mains, we tried the Buddha Bowl, a mushroom dish and the sushi plate - all of which were nice albeit not as stunning as the starters. All in all, we had a great evening and would definitely go back. And I'm already booking my meat-orientated friends in for an unexpected conversion!
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Gaby - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Friday, May 23, 2008
I went for dinner the other night and it was just fabulous. the concept at first seems to be a bit hard to get a grasp on but the execution of the food as well as its noticeable benefits make you want to come back for more. This is a true grounding and pioneering effort at the center of an otherwise debauched and hedonistic Soreditch. Saf is now offering the reassurance to Hoxton Party People that not matter how hard they party on the week-end, Saf is now here to nurture them back to health!
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Jeremie Cometto-Lingenheim
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, May 16, 2008
