Saffron

You'll find yourself in Richmond's bustling town square, stepping into warm lighting and the unmistakable aroma of charcoal and saffron. The room hums with the kind of energy that comes from people actually enjoying their food—families tucking into kebabs, couples lingering over pomegranate molasses cocktails, groups demolishing platters of grilled lamb. This is unfussy Persian dining done properly: succulent marinated meats hit the grill with theatrical precision, rice arrives fluffy and buttery, and sides like kashk-e bademjan and herb-loaded salads arrive with genuine care. It's the sort of place where you'll want to order three times more than you need and somehow manage it all.