About DesiSTATE

From Engineering Dreams to Canada

In 2017, I moved to Montreal after being accepted into Concordia University to pursue my Master of Engineering. Like many international students, life required resilience and hard work. I took on multiple shifts at a local pizza shop in downtown Montreal. I began mainly with late-night closing shifts, cleaning and preparing the restaurant for the next day, but over time I worked my way deeper into the kitchen — helping with food prep, assisting with main dishes, and even running expo during busy services when needed.

Ironically, when I first started that job, I actually disliked entering the kitchen. But living independently slowly changed that. Cooking began as a necessity, then became curiosity, and eventually turned into passion. Watching guests enjoy their meals sparked a powerful dream: one day I would create a restaurant where people could experience truly authentic Indian food and unforgettable hospitality.

A Successful Engineering Career — And a Realization

After graduating in 2019, I joined Rio Tinto, where I led multiple large-scale automation and control system projects, including multi-million-dollar upgrades from PLC-5 to ControlLogix across several plant areas. Engineering taught me discipline, precision, and consistency — values that later became the foundation of how we run Desi STATE.

During this time, I frequently visited family in Ottawa, particularly in the Nepean area. A group of my friends and I had a tradition: every year we would drive to Brampton for a weekend simply to eat good Indian food. Between dine-in meals and takeout for the next day, we would sometimes order nearly 60 meals in a single visit.

That’s when something became very clear to me. People in Ottawa were constantly searching online for “best Indian food near me,” “best Indian restaurant near me,” “top 10 Indian food in Ottawa,” “top 10 Indian restaurants near me,” and “best Indian food in Nepean.” The demand for authentic Indian cuisine was undeniable — but Ottawa still needed a restaurant that could truly deliver that experience at the highest royal standard.

The Moment Desi STATE Was Born — The Six-Figure Leap

When the idea came to me, I pitched it to my family. They have extensive experience in business, so their advice meant everything to me. We spent hours discussing the vision — the opportunity in Ottawa, the potential to create something truly special, and the kind of restaurant experience we wanted to build.

To my surprise and excitement, the idea immediately clicked with them. They didn’t just support the vision — they went one step further. They told me that if I was willing to leave my engineering career and fully commit to this dream, they would invest alongside me to bring it to life.

That moment changed everything. Together, we walked away from a comfortable six-figure engineering salary, invested our hard-earned savings, and turned that vision into reality — Desi STATE- Authentic Indian Kitchen and Bar.

A Mission to Serve the Best Indian Food in Ottawa

Today, Desi STATE has become a destination for guests searching for the best Indian food near me, best Indian restaurant near me, best Indian food in Ottawa, and best Indian food in Nepean.

Many of our guests tell us that Desi STATE serves the best Indian food in Ottawa, and some even say it is the best Indian food they have experienced anywhere in Canada.

For me, every dish carries a part of my journey — from Ahmedabad to Montreal, from high-tech automation plants to Ottawa’s dining scene. At Desi STATE, our goal is simple: to deliver authentic North Indian cuisine, unforgettable sizzling platters, 900°F clay tandoor cooking, and hospitality that makes every guest feel at home.