Godavari Cincinnati — Restaurant in Deerfield Township

Tried out Godavari's South Indian weekend lunch buffet with my family, couple of weeks back. It's located at 5947 Deerfield Blvd., #101, Mason, OH 45040 and at the same old Persi's restaurant place. The spot could be quite busy and has good lighting, especially in the front dining area opposite to the buffet area with outside light seeping in. They have made an effort to create a South Indian nostalgia with pictures of celebrities on the wall adjacent to the dining tables. Godavari is a bit more expensive, compared to other Indian options available. It's spicy as well!

We were welcomed by the hostess, Manisha who was friendly and answered our questions. The front side near the cash register is narrow and the buffet side exposes a bit of space constraints,

The table was spacious and clean. You get to taste all the usual Indian fare appetizers ranging from the soups like the real spicy hot and sour soup, apart from the tomato soup, good samosas with mint and tamarind chutneys, the Pav bhaji and also the sweet pongal which were really good. Even the Chaats was there, if I remember correct. There was Masala chai, apart from fresh lime juice. The lime juice could also help reduce some of the spiciness present in some of the dishes which is typical of Andhra cuisine.

Started the main course with both the delicious Chicken Dum Biriyani and Vegetable Dum Biriyani. There was the Hara Bhara Pulao which didn't seem to be made of spinach, as I was told, but of cilantro as it tasted. The Karom Podi Kababs(Chicken) were wonderful just like the Tandoori Chicken, apart from chicken curry. There were Chicken wings, too in a corner, but somewhat different in taste from the American wings. A selection of mutton or goat curries were also present which I avoided due to personal preference. There were naans and battooras which happened to be a good combination with the Chicken Tikka Masala.

Vegetarian choices were also handy with curd rice, being one of the best! There were dessert options with Gulab Jamun and Halwa opposite to the buffet spread area, actually a bit congested and lacking in space, next to the fresh lime juice option. It was a bit inconvenient due to the fact that there could be people trying out to choose the main buffet spread while other people behind them trying to get either the lime juice or the halwa! Fresh fruits and raitha were also available. There was paan available to buy after the meal which was something I never do!

Godavari doesn't necessarily have the same dishes for the buffet every weekend. It's mainly the chef who decides what to be on the spread, as per Manisha, the hostess. I didn't see any fish which you usually see during weekdays, if I amn't mistaken. Overall, it was a pretty good lunch buffet with a variety of choices and quite distinct along with the typical options, but some new and unique ones, too!

Couple of suggestions as far as improvements:

Please provide enough napkins at the tables, without the guests even having to ask, each time and having to make repeated requests. This is typical of Indian restaurants which we have experienced several times.

Providing knives separately as part of utensils on tables would be very helpful. I had to request this personally, myself!

The washroom was not that clean and could very well improve in cleanliness. It could have something to do with the patrons as well!

Reorganize the buffet area, since there was lack of space noticed. You could move the lime juice and halwa, next to the Pav Bhaji spot.

Please check with the diners to make sure whether they need more water?

The lunch buffet rate could...

I rarely leave reviews, but after my visit to Godavari, I felt compelled to share my experience to hopefully see improvements or alert fellow diners. As an enthusiast of South Indian cuisine, I had high hopes, especially with the buzz surrounding their dosas and curries. Unfortunately, my experience did not live up to the expectations set by their vibrant menu and promising reviews.

Ambiance and Service:

Upon entering, the ambiance seemed lackluster and not as inviting as one might expect from an establishment priding itself on cultural richness. The seating was cramped, and the lighting was a bit too dim for a family-friendly eatery. We were greeted, but not with the warmth that I've come to appreciate at other South Indian restaurants. The staff seemed disinterested, and it took a while for our order to be taken, despite the restaurant being far from busy.

Food Quality:

I ordered their 'signature' Masala Dosa and Sambar, alongside a cup of Madras coffee. The dosa, which should be a crispy crepe-like delight, was underwhelmingly limp and lacked the fermented flavor profile characteristic of the dish. The accompanying sambar lacked depth and the robust flavor of tempered spices. Additionally, the coconut chutney was more reminiscent of a bland coconut paste rather than the flavorful condiment I anticipated.

Hygiene:

Another concern was the cleanliness. The cutlery provided had water spots and didn't seem thoroughly cleaned. The restroom facilities were also not maintained to the standards I would expect, which is always disconcerting in a dining establishment.

Overall, the meal was a letdown, not just in the quality and flavor of the food but also in the service and ambiance. I'm hopeful that this was just an off day for [Restaurant Name], but as it stands, I cannot recommend it to fellow diners looking for an authentic and enjoyable South Indian culinary experience. I do hope the management takes this feedback constructively and brings about the necessary improvements for...

I am changing my rating after a rude experience with an employee.

The food is good, but please change the guy at the front desk—horrible customer service and very rude. We (group of 8) decided never to dine in again.

Answering your question: We booked a table for 8 when we entered; the guy said we didn't answer his call...but the way he was telling is by yelling at a 23-year-old woman. He needs to mind his words before yelling at a female. We wouldn't take it lightly if he is rude to our women.

Second: The inside room was super tiny and congested. We sat at a table, and this rude guy came to us and asked us to vacate, not in a polite way.

The table next to us ordered a big plate of biryani or whatever. The rude waiter once again asked us to get up so he could get to the other table. Why bother putting two tables close to each other and making customers get up in the first place?

Third: We invited a few of our friends who came from Dallas to dine-in at the Godavari by saying good things about your food and taste. We sat and got our Baahubali thalis(veg and non-veg); to our surprise, this rude guy was still there. We asked him which one is veg? He was like, "shhhhhh 🙄" this one.

End of the meal, we asked that guy if you have fennel seeds/mouth freshener? Guy didn't care to answer, just put his head down doing whatever he was doing. After a min, he was like NO 🤨.

HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM THAT ONE GUY. CHANGED MY rating...