Your Weekend on $20: Dusmesh, Tom + Chee, and Findlay Market

Since we are finally getting into fall weather, these are some of the last weekends that will be nice to spend outside. Enjoy your weekend eating some of the best food Cincinnati has to offer at three key neighborhoods in the area.

Friday Night: Dinner at Dusmesh India ($12)

• Dusmesh is known by many to be the best Indian restaurant in Cincinnati. This is a pretty substantial claim considering the Queen City's myriad of Indian options. In Clifton alone, there are over 6 Indian restaurants. Dusmesh is still my favorite, though. Whenever I go here, I get the Saag Paneer with Garlic Nan and a Mango Milkshake. Compared to the many other Indian restaurants in town, I think Dusmesh is the most consistent and has more reasonable prices than competitors like Akash and Ambar India. Located in an understated building across from Cincinnati State, Dusmesh is off the main stretch of Ludlow Ave. Yet its location makes it easy to drive up Ludlow Ave to Clifton, take Central Parkway downtown, or drive across I-75 to Northside. For first timers, I recommend the Chicken Tikka Masala and Paneer Nan. Or, go with a larger group to try a ton of new things on the menu. Indian is meant to be shared and is a delicious and fun meal. Another benefit to Dusmesh is that it is less hyped and over-crowded than Ambar up the street. You are usually able to walk in and get a seat on a Friday night without a wait; which is always a plus.
• Menu: http://www.urbanspoon.com/u/menu/1415970

Saturday: Tom + Chee then walking around the Levee ($8)

• For those of you who have no been to Tom + Chee, you're missing out! With three locations in Cincinnati, this restaurant specializing in grilled cheese and tomato soup is a one-of-a-kind original. I love getting the Italian Grilled Cheese with Tomato Basil soup, but all of the unique options on their menu are fantastic. For adventurous eaters, Tom + Chee offers several varieties of their Grilled Cheese Donuts, named one of the Best Sandwiches in America by the Today Show. They have also been featured on Man Vs. Food and Amazing Eats. Don't forget to order a cup of tomato soup to compliment your delicious sandwich! After enjoying the ultimate comfort food, take a walk around the Levee and Purple People Bridge, enjoying the lights of the city across the river. Make sure you bundle up with tights and a scarf!

Sunday: Exploring Findlay Market

• This indoor market in the heart of Over-the-Rhine is one of the crowning jewels of Cincinnati. The market opened in 1855 in the Golden Age of Over-the-Rhine. Findlay Market has 37 permanent vendors who operate throughout the week year round. Merchants also come on the weekends to sell fresh vegetables, fruit, and many other things. A great way to spend your Sunday afternoon is to stroll around the market just browsing and trying all the new foods they have there. Some of my favorite vendors are Areti's Gyros, Taste of Belgium, and Churchill Teas. There is plenty of parking in several lots adjacent to the market. I recommend not straying too far from this centralized area. If you have never been to Findlay Market before, you should definitely come check it out!
• 1801 Race St. Cincinnati, OH
• Open 9am-6pm Tuesday- Friday; 8am-6pm Saturday; 10am-4pm Sunday; Closed Monday
• Merchants: http://www.findlaymarket.org/merchants/

Images Courtesy:

• Urbanspoon
• Cincinnati.com