Dusmesh Indian restaurant — Restaurant in Cincinnati

★★★★★ Food quality ★★★★☆ Service ★★★★★ Ambiance ★★★★☆ Value ★★★★★ Menu selection ★★★☆☆ Location/Accessibility ★★★★★ Overall experience Date visited: 11/24/2022 As the anniversary of one of the most traumatic tragedies that ever happened to me draws near, I revisit this review to reflect on that fateful occasion. On Thanksgiving Day 2022, I and a former coworker engaged in debates and discussions to pinpoint the best Indian restaurant for our feast, and Dusmesh emerged as the ultimate choice. Upon our arrival, I noted that the parking lot was a modest expanse of land with just one car occupying the space. The main entrance, tucked to the side of the building, beckoned us inside. Immediately, I was greeted by an olfactory symphony—sweet, bold, and tinged with spices. It seemed to emanate from the incense burning in the restaurant. My eyes fell upon a spacious hall, with tables and chairs neatly stacked atop one another, awaiting the next buffet dining period. As I approached a counter, an Indian staff member, shy and accent-laden in her greeting, welcomed us. Her greeting, delivered with a charming Indian accent, seemed to trigger my former friend in a manner I hadn't anticipated. We quickly informed the staff member that we were there for takeout but needed a moment to peruse the menu. She kindly seated us at an empty table and even brought us water, perhaps unnecessary for takeout customers, but a gesture I appreciated nonetheless. While my former friend mulled over our selection, I took the opportunity to observe the room more closely. Apart from a couple dining outside, the room was virtually empty. The scent of incense hung more pronouncedly in the air here, although the source of the aroma, likely a burner, remained unseen. The room was dimly lit with warm, inviting colors, the walls adorned with Indian-themed decorations. The tables and chairs, while not inherently Indian in design, somehow evoked an Indian aesthetic, possibly due to the decor that adorned them. In the background, Indian music played softly, adding to the mystique of the ambiance. My former friend, having finalized our order, approached the counter to place it, and I didn't catch the specifics of our selections. However, I recall that they included a vegetarian masala dish and accompanying naans. From my vantage point, I could see the kitchen area, accessible through a glass door. I caught a fleeting glimpse of a young Indian female cook deftly moving about, tending to pots, pans, and simmering kettles, one of which held a fragrant curry or masala. Fresh vegetables adorned the kitchen counter, adding to the authenticity of the culinary scene. The wait for our food was brief, and my former friend, an apparently respectable older gentleman, donned a mask of civility during the transaction. However, his true nature was unveiled when he engaged in inappropriate flirtation with the young female staff member, who was half his age. At the time, I was unaware of the gravity of the situation, but in hindsight, it's all too clear. If the individuals involved in this incident ever read this review, please accept my sincere apologies for his behavior, and rest assured that he faced the consequences he deserved. Once our bill was settled, I hastily retrieved the paper bag containing our orders, and we departed. Since some time has passed, I don't recall all the details of the taste and flavors. However, I vividly remember that the masala was exceedingly creamy, eliciting a few involuntary cringes during my meal. The vegetables and the long-grain rice, cooked with a lavish dose of butter, met my palate with more agreeable sensations. Little did I know at that moment that this meal would be my last with my former friend, just before a heinous incident occurred the following day that scarred all those involved. Overall, I would recommend Dusmesh to anyone who has yet to experience its culinary offerings. After that initial visit, you're likely to find yourself drawn back to its flavors,...

Once upon a time, I enjoyed your Chicken Tikka Masala. But now it makes me cry endless amounts of tears. It’s not my tears that have made your sauce watery, it’s your recently found suckiness in quality. As I sit here alone, in low light, I contemplate the life that we used to have. I weep for what could have been.

Do not call me a chicken tikka masala connoisseur again, Dusmesh, because I no longer know what I am. I am nothing but a single tear shed over what once was good. I have become nothing more than a hungry tikka masala connoisseur, waiting for his next fix of your substance.

We lost you. Dusmesh, the city of Cincinnati, has lost you. We are desperately looking for your replacement, your glitzy successor, the replacement to the tastiness that once filled our lives, but now has been gone for quite some time. I no longer hear your beautiful tones screaming my name, my stomach no longer growls in response to your power.

You are nothing, but the food in my mouth that is so watery and soggy and sad. You are nothing but tears of emptiness for a time we once enjoyed, you were once the food that brought us comfort, you were once something I loved to eat. But now, even that time feels like nothing.

Dusmesh, my fate now is to wait for your replacement. I will starve myself until I find that replacement. The replacement must be good. The replacement must be the exact same taste, the same mouth feel, the same perfection. Because what I am left with now are tears. Tears of an empty stomach and not knowing what comes next. And if I don’t find a replacement soon, I will spend all of my time in the vast Cincinnati night. In search of the glitzy flavor that once filled my life, that changed it forever, but now seems as far away as the stars.

You are nothing, Dusmesh. I no longer need you. For all of you chicken connoisseurs reading this, look elsewhere for the food you so desire. Search for it, and maybe, just maybe, you will find what I no...

I am honestly very sad about my experience tonight. This is my first visit back after almost 7 years and told my daughters that it was the best Indian food in the area. We moved away a few years ago. Well it took almost 20 minutes to get even a water. My one daughter was finished eating before she received the drink she ordered before we ordered dinner. The naan came after our food was mostly gone and didn't taste anything like naan at all. Our matter paneer was very bland and watery and the peas were barely cooked and still hard. The curry chicken was ok nothing special and my one daughters chicken biryani was fine. Despite receiving our naan at the very end of our dinner and it not being properly cooked they charged us for it all. I originally ordered 3 orders after the first when the second came I was just getting some as my kids had first dibs I asked then to not bring the 3rd order as I was not good. It was very doughy and had a strange flavor. My 6 year old son actually said what kind of poison did they out on this. He even knew it wasn't right as we eat naan fairly often. Same with my daughters drink and mine that came about 2 minutes before hers which was literally after she was finished eating and I was just over halfway thru my food. I think had we not walked up to all for it we wouldn't have gotten them at all. Dushmesh absolutely used to be my all time favorite Indian restaurant and I am so disappointed that I just spent 87.00 on food that I was in no way impressed by and honestly didn't really enjoy. Sadly we won't be back. Anyone know any Indian cuisine in this area that tastes like...