New restaurant and bar, Saf , has opened its doors on Curtain Road to offer you one of the healthiest dining experiences around, and a sure fire way to achieve your summer body: raw food.

Eating raw means that nothing you eat can be heated above 48°C as this is the point at which the heat kills the enzymes, thus removing much of the nutritional content and flavour. You’d be forgiven for wondering if this actually leaves you with much of a selection.Prepare to be amazed!

I started with Beetroot Ravioli, which, contrary to any expectations based on previous ravioli experience was cold and crunchy. Made from wafer thin sheets of beetroot and filled with a ricotta cheeselike substance, forged from cashew nuts, this ravioli is tangy,packed with subtle flavours and vibrant in the mouth.

As I moved on to the main course, Lasagne, the real essence of the raw experience became apparent – flavour and texture. This lasagne was like an exquisite ratatouille. I actually found it a little bit too rich, which considering it is both vegan and raw was somewhat surprising.

Unable to choose between a cheese course and a sweet I decide to opt for both. The cheese was again made from nuts, in this case macadamia. It was delicious. It came with semi-dried tomatoes, which in my opinion are everything the traditional sundried tomato should be but isn’t, a perfect compliment to the cheese/nut stuff.

My final course was Ganache Tart, which my friendly and knowledgeable waitress recommended. It’s chocolaty! She assured me with a smile. And it was. How they managed it without going above 48 degrees is a mystery to me.

Saf is smooth if slightly industrial inside, offset with artistic lighting. I wasn’t drinking on this occasion but next time I’ll definitely be sampling the botanical cocktails and organic wine list. The raw diet offers an array of potential benefits from weight-loss to a boosted immune system, which
makes this new style of dining out a must-try for anyone with an interest in their health.

Saf , 152-154 Curtain Road
Prices are around £25-£30 per head excluding wine.