Each Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, Saffron's blows it out with huge but not terribly expensive rounds of buffets, dancing and festivities that other restaurants might envy. Set on the water, Saffron's historic, 1920s-era building is perfect for live music, not to mention excessive eating. Its Christmas Day bash was typical — the buffet featured roasted suckling pig, ham, turkey with stuffing, jerk chicken, fish island-style, a pasta station and several varieties of salad, along with Jamaican rum cake, coffee, iced tea and plenty of creamy eggnog, made from the owner's family recipe. Its cost was reasonable at $18.95 for adults, half-price for ages 12 and younger, and $3 for toddlers. On New Year's Eve, the restaurant went over the top again, popping Champagne at midnight and serving breakfast at 2 a.m.
Saffron's Caribbean Cuisine at Historic Jungle Prada, 1700 Park St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-345-6400 or www.saffronscuisine.com.
