A look at modern Indian dining with the owners of Saffron

 Over the past decade, the U.S. has seen a food revolution in terms of Indian dining. The once rustic heritage Indian fare traditionally served in restaurants has begun to take on new forms, with a growing number of young chefs offering modern takes on dishes like chicken tikka, tandoori chicken, as well as adding new Indian-inspired fare to their menus. Among the changes brought on by more modern Indian fare is an emphasis on carefully chosen, often local, ingredients, which are presented in a variety of new and exciting ways.

This week on FoodCrush, we’re talking with Fatima and Amrita Kumar, the co-owners of Saffron, a modern Indian restaurant which recently opened in Milwaukee’s Third Ward. During our conversation, they discuss the inspiration that went into creating the progressive new concept, the menu items that are drawing crowds and Saffon’s inventive bar program, which offers diners a new way of experiencing Indian-inspired flavors in beverage form. Along the way, we also discuss the challenges of offering stellar service during the opening weeks at a Downtown hotspot.