Located in Chinatown, Zaffron is a decent place to get Indian food with mediocre service. Ray and I came here to get lunch. When we walked in there were two other tables already eating and no wait staff to be found. We decided it would be appropriate to go ahead and seat ourselves. I would of grabbed menus, but they were no where to be found. It took a while for the waiter to come out and when he did it took a while for him to notice us, as he was a one man team. Finally I got up to ask for some menus and to let our presence to known. He said there were no menus, just buffet for lunch. Well that fucking blows. I’m not a fan of buffets for many reasons. Buffets tend to keep food warm. That’s not good enough for me. Temperature is a huge issue for me. I prefer my food piping hot and made just for me because I love to share food, but with those I know. Anyway, needless to say, I wanted to leave but Ray, I know he wanted to stay.

Here’s a picture of the buffet. It’s small, yet very charming and does the job.

Here’s a closer picture from the opposite angle. There were two rice dishes and two meat dishes, other than that everything else was vegetable. I liked the trio of sauces that were offered. I love variety of sauces and condiments.

Naan was extra, which I hate paying extra for bread at a buffet. If anything it should be given for free, especially at a buffet, it’s bread for peaks sake, flour, water, and not a lot of money to make. But I do want to say that it was hot and delicious. If you haven’t had a chance to taste Indian bread your really missing out. This place does it right, there’s a few places that fuck it up, like Indian Bazaar Madras Curry and Indian Food Curry and BBQ. In my opinion, Indian bread should always be hot, that’s what I’m use to and that’s what I expect, especially if you have to pay for it. I think the bread cost around $4.00.

Here’s my trio of sauces. I could eat them as is, they were that good. Ray hated it.

Ray’s plate. He loves chicken and got plenty of it.

And here’s my plate. That little meat ball in the middle tasted just like an Italian meat ball. It was still really good, just not what I expected from an Indian place.

Overall, I was content with this place. I know I would of been happier if I had been able to order off the menu. I don’t think I would come back for lunch, but most definitely for dinner. Off the top of my head, I think the buffet cost $8.95, include the bread, Rays drink, tax and tip, this place isn’t so cheap anymore. If I’m paying $30.00 for just lunch I want to be fulfilled.

Ready for another quick story? Before we leave I get up to take pictures of the buffet. The Indian guy comes out of the kitchen wondering why the hell I’m taking a picture of his buffet. I tell him that it’s my first time to eat Indian food, which is a total lie, and seemed to be a good reason for taking pictures. He runs behind the counter comes back with this laminated paper, tells me they won a few awards, I don’t know if this was meant to be the award or not and shows me the laminated paper. I go, “wow, that’s great, may I take this.” He goes, “no.” “Then I will take a picture,” I say, held it up and snapped my camera. Before we left I asked him to hold up the paper and pose for me.

There you have it folks. Curry will keep your mind sharp.

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Zaffron
69 North King Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 533-6635

That’s my honey, Ray. In case your wondering, no that’s not shit on his face. No, he wasn’t looking for love in all the wrong places. What is wrong with you people? Shane dared him to walk out with pudding in his face, so he decided to make good use of the pudding and next thing I know, Ray’s slapping chocolate pudding on his face and we’re on our way out the door.
Ray has this theory that food taste better when someone else makes it. Ray eats quite well because he’s less of a cook than I am. I’m going to take his theory one step further and say food taste even better when someone else makes it and when it’s free.
We pass by Perry’s Smorgy Restaurant often and not once had I the desire to give it a try, that was until Shane said he has a friend that works the counter and would gladly give him and his friends a hook up. And just like that Perry’s Smorgy sounded rather appealing. Hey, why judge a book by it’s cover.
Once in, nothing looked appetizing, so when I doubt eat sugar.

Fruit is a great way to end a meal.
The boys got the ordinary stuff.

Ray’s plate

Shane’s plate
In conclusion, the free part of this meal was huge. I don’t think we would have eaten it if we actually had to pay for it. After testing and our hypothesis in a contained environment we can say with 100% certainty that food not only taste better when someone else makes it but it will taste better when it is free as well. If you plan to pay, I suggest you take your money elsewhere but if your stubborn breakfast is $7.95, lunch is $8.95 and dinner is $11.95.

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Perry’s Smorgy Restaurants
2380 Kuhio Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 926-0184