Red Hook Curry House — Restaurant in Town of Red Hook

For openers, a midday Sunday lunch at 1:15 in the afternoon had no customers in the restaurant! That should have been a giveaway right off the bat. The owner appeared to be preoccupied and was not very friendly. Never-the-less we sat and awaited our appetizers. We were told that because there were not any customers, the Clay Oven was not activated so there was not going to be any specialty breads (Naan) available, after we had requested one such bread. Service was rather fast, which seemed to imply that the food may not have been made at that moment but was reheated. Our fears were confirmed. The food was not stale, but was clearly not fresh. The chicken (Chicken Bhuna) tasted like it might have been made a few days ago and I've been steeped in a sauce removing its taste and keeping the texture extremely soft. The sauce for the chicken appeared to come out of a jar, AS the author of this text is familiar with such jar sauces. The Basmati rice was also steeped in oil in order to keep the starchiness out. That is not how rice is made. The Samosa skins were pretty good but the interior again also appeared to be dated. The Onion Pakoras were made days earlier and flash-fried. The Malai kofta was created with the first "go-to" amateur ingredient of chain Indian restaurants; heavy cream. It also had an oily taste to it. Taking the overall experience, encompassing the not-so-friendly atmosphere and very average food, I will not be returning. This was not the type of Indian restaurant that I am accustomed to, being from India and having lived in this country for well over 50 years. That may not necessarily mean it's the worst Indian food available, but it did not suit my palate. If you are desperate for Indian food, I would recommend a trip down to New Windsor where there is a higher-quality fusion Indian...

I've been eating/getting takeout from the Curry House for about 1 and 1/2 years, and find that the quality has deteriorated in the last few months. Last night I ordered the special biryani with chicken, which I've enjoyed in the past. This time it was dry as dry could be, almost hard to eat because of this, and really had only a one-note flavor, no depth of flavor. I ate about 1/3 of it. And we got the wrong appetizer. I heard my husband order the fresh shrimp appetizer, which we had in the past. Instead, we got fried shrimp in a heavy batter again dry with no sauce. Lat time, I ordered a Persian-style shrimp dish with lentils I have had and enjoyre 3 or 4 times. This time it was much to spicy, and spicy in a raw way.The sauce was really very different in addition to being much more spicy.

I think that the Curry House continues to do takeout only is part of the problem here. That relationship with the customer is lost. If eating in the restaurant, I would have pointed my concerns out to someone. But to call the restaurant, have to press the point with someone who is concerned about losing orders due this call, and wait for new food is not reasonable. I suspect that they have a different chef and/or have cut back on staff. Something isn't right there.

I know times are tough and restaurants are hoping to generate more revenue to make up for the long covid year, and I support them. But cutting quality and making dishes in a random way (versus the loved recipe) and getting orders wrong isnt reasonable. It's a quick drive to Cinnamon in Rhinebeck, which is more costly but is fresh and...

A fine location for an Indian restaurant (they have the market cornered in that area), you would think after years of packed Sunday and Tuesday buffets, and steady flow from locals and travelers alike....that the owner would be a bit more pleasant, the service a bit more proficient, and the food a bit more consistent. After coming here regularly for the past 9 years, you'd think the owner (see? not even on a first name basis) would part with a smile or a thank you once in a while. No such luck. He is the same crabby man he has been since day one, humiliating his waitstaff in front of customers, and refusing to even LOOK happy. Consistent, but not the kind you are looking for. The food is good. Sometimes really good. My advice would be to skip anything but the Buffets, that's where you get the money's worth, and also try to arrive when it first opens. Not having Chicken Tikka Masala regularly on the buffets though is quite odd, and left completely to chance. The chai tea included with the buffet is delicious, and Tikka Masala aside....the food is usually tasty. The service is mostly poor. I am guessing this is the result of having such a fiery tempered and unfriendly boss, so I will give them the benefit of the doubt. But I have yet to ever find a server or busser there who seemed to put any effort into making your dining experience smooth and a pleasure. Bottom line. Go to the buffet, don't expect to be greeted kindly (Unless you chance upon who I am assuming is the owners wife, very kind woman) , hope for Chicken...