Azafran

PROFILED BY DEGROOTS MEDIA
Azafran is the deliciously exotic Spanish name for saffron. It’s also the name of a neat little restaurant in suburban Annerley. Owners Sarah and Mark Bocquee are testament to what owning and operating a restaurant is all about. They fell in love with the restaurant while dining at Azafran’s almost a year prior to when they bought it. During that time they waited patiently for the opportunity to present itself unto when they snatched it up and made it their own. Azafran’s is a mesh between city dining and suburban pace that appeals to the locals who pop in regularly and to other folks who travel from town to experience Azafran for themselves.

The wine list at Azafran is well chosen and suited to the menu of modern Australian cuisine, jazzed up with European and Middle Eastern techniques and flavours. It seems Azafran’s most famous dish is actually one of their desserts – the Turkish delight pannacotta. A delicious and sought after sweet treat, it comes accompanied with pistachio ice-cream and saffron fairy floss. This delectable dish came about after a fair bit of experimentation to ensure its perfect consistency and balance of flavour. At one stage it came off the menu but regular diners went into such an uproar that it was immediately reinstated. Azafran’s offers a friendly and homely atmosphere, making it a great change to the busy and fast-paced restaurants in the city.

Ben Upton