Spice Aroma

Tried to go here for dinner last night because of a coupon from a book and the restaurant was closed. It appears they only sell breakfast now. It is located in a dingy hotel that also looks abandoned. I would not go back even when it is open.

Although their ads suggest otherwise, Spice Aroma does not seem to be open for lunch.

The hotel that this restaurant is (was?) situated in is no longer a Best Western and has not been for some time (having been a Clarion and Mercury Grand in the past couple of years).
The website for Spice Aroma (
) says they are open for lunch 11:30AM — 2:30PM 7 days a week. I went today (Tuesday March 28, 2012) and the restaurant was empty (no food, no employees). The tables were there and the sign still says Spice Aroma so I don’t know what’s up with this place.
Went to Kismet instead.

Sorry, but this is no good. I wish there was good indian. but this is not it.

Don’t judge the restaurant by the sketchy Clarion Hotel parking lot. The place was clean and well kept, and jammed with Indian people eating tasty tasty food from the buffet at 2pm — pretty late in the day to still be so busy! The staff was courteous and helpful. I’ll be going back again for sure, as this is the best Indian food I’ve found so far in Poughkeepsie.

After going to many not so satisfying Indian eat outs. This place is satisfying. I have been here twice, and the first time was when we went to Bananas Comedy club which is located under the same roof and the second time because we were craving for some spicy food.
Their Paneer Tikka masala is our favorite. The Jeera rice is made out of good Basmati rice, and their Dhal Makhani was a sad one, it had a strange stingy taste to it. Naan’s are like the ones you would get anywhere, nothing really different. But all together its a normal Indian eat out which would satisfy you and woo don’t forget to get their Masala tea, it’s great!!! The typical Indian style-​made out of Elaichi, and other yummy spices. the best drink to have on a rainy day :)
Since it is run by friendly Andhra Pradesh (South Indians) people, they can make your food as spicy as you want it .Woo.now i understand why it’s called Spice Aroma! ah ah
FYI-​People from Andhra Pradesh are known for eating super spicy food. :)
–Smriti

A hidden gem. We would not have known about this place if it weren’t for a friend who suggested it because it’s where his mom’s Indian friends take her to eat.
Believe it or not, the restaurant is in the lobby of the Best Western on Rt. 9 in Poughkeepsie. (I’ll give you a minute to decide whether or not I am yanking your chain… …trust me, I wouldn’t do that to you!) And the menu is a ridiculous collection of South Indian, North Indian, Indo-​Chinese and American Cuisine. Palak Paneer, Vodka Penne and Chicken Fingers all share the same menu! It seems SO wrong, but the (Indian) food is SO right. (Note: I have only — and will only! — try the Indian dishes, so my review is solely based on the Indian cuisine.)
This beats out Tanjore (Rhinebeck, NY) and Indian Grill (Kingston, NY) hands down, for the best Indian cuisine I’ve had in the area. The ambiance stinks, but the food (and friendly service) definitely make up for it.