Su-Mei Yu opened her tiny Saffron Thai Grilled Chicken takeout in 1985 and quickly earned kudos for creating healthy, easy meals. She then opened Saffron Noodles and Saté next door in 2002, providing a place to sit and eat her expanded menu, including two-dozen varieties of soups and noodles. Both spots serve her signature saffron-marinated chicken, which comes by the piece or combo with jasmine rice, salad, and your choice of sauces (go for the peanut). The noodle restaurant has a long room with tables and chairs and offers two-dozen varieties of soups and noodles. There are five versions of Tom Yum soup and Monday's special is the Brain Booster stir-fry packed with veggies and tofu. Curries appear on each day's special menu, along with some sort of super-food salad, soup, or entrée. Yu has authored two Thai cookbooks and has become a passionate supporter of healthy eating to achieve harmony and health. She also hosts a Savor San Diego, a weekly public television show featuring local food producers and farms and episodes on everything from healthy cooking with children to craft beer brewers.