Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Kashish (CLOSED)

61 Leonard Street, Belmont, MA 02478
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Photo of Kashish, in Belmont, MA Up until recently, the town of Belmont has often been thought of as a sleepy, laid-back, prosperous community that has little to offer in the way of dining or nightlife. And while it is true that this western suburb of Boston certainly isn't the place to go for late-night bar hopping or clubbing, it does have its fair share of dining spots, including options for Thai, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, and Indian fare. And it is this last option that is the focus of this review, as an Indian restaurant that is located right in the heart of Belmont Center is looked at, and the verdict? Kashish is certainly a place to consider for a number of reasons.

Kashish is a small, serene place on Leonard Street that has about 20 tables in its quiet, carpeted dining area. The white walls brighten up the dining room a bit, though it does have a slightly dark, moody feel to it (and the traditional music that is typically playing quietly in the background adds to this vibe). Near the back of the restaurant is an open kitchen where all kinds of Indian dishes are created, from the excellent dosas with pleasantly warming spices to the wonderfully rich chicken tikka masala to a slightly spicier chicken korma to the saag paneer with a firm and mild-tasting homemade cheese in a buttery pureed spinach to kebabs, along with a wonderful tandoori chicken, palak, aloo, and much, much more. Kashish also has a variety of breads, soups, and appetizers, including their delicious naan (which you can get with garlic or onion), a mild but flavorful mulligatawny soup, a zesty tomato soup, paneer pakoras that look like little sandwiches, and crunchy samosas with either meat or vegetables. The service at Kashish is consistently efficient, and because Kashish is small and has an open layout, the servers are almost always in view of diners in case anything is needed.

There are a number of excellent Indian restaurants in the western suburbs of Boston, including Punjab in Arlington, Kabab and Tandoor in Waltham, and Royal India Bistro in Lexington. Kashish definitely holds its own against all of these places, and it really isn't that well-known outside of Belmont, so it is not typically crowded like Punjab can often be. Plus, parking is a breeze (plenty in the back of Belmont Center) and the prices are reasonable, so while it is true that Belmont hasn't always been thought of as a place to come for good food, there are indeed some dining spots in this quiet little town that are well worth going to, and Kashish is certainly one of them.