Comments on: Palace of Mystery (and Vegetarianism)

By: Gino Williams

Gino Williams — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 01:04:19 +0000

Udupi Palace is one of those restaurants that you have to experience first with another Indian who grew up eating Southern Indian food or someone who has had exposure and can make recommendations. I have enjoyed my visits but had I gone without my Indian friends a few times in advance, I would have been quite non-plussed with the choices I would have made on my own because I am mostly familiar with eating North Indian food. Hope you get (or got) a chance to go back and sample something else from the menu in the meantime.

By: John Khatwani

John Khatwani — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:08:14 +0000

Dear Mango Lassie,

I am actually the owner of udupi palace and agree with your comments of my establishment due to the fact that you definitely ordered items that are North indian rather then southern which we specialize in. I would love to have you come back and try some of our specialties. Why dont you email at me johnkhat@yahoo.com and I can help you pick out things to try during your next visit and also provide you with some coupons to make your meal be extemely affordable and I can show you what South Indian food truly is! I own both a north and south indian restaurant and without being biased I prefer south indian food hands down because its more of a comfort food in comparison!

By: Mango Lassie

Mango Lassie — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:04:56 +0000

I am completely willing to accept your criticism. That’s why I approved your comments and allowed them to appear on my site. It sounds like you need to calm down and take a deep breath about this. You are getting pretty worked up about a review that wasn’t even that bad. I was honest about the food I tried and acknowledged that my experience could have been better if I had ordered different things. I doubt you ask for advice at every restaurant you go to. Sometimes you just order what sounds good, and sometimes your instincts are wrong. Unless you’re perfect, that is. A truly excellent restaurant shouldn’t have mediocre dishes on its menus.

In response to your criticism of my taste, my reviews are based on my personal experience as someone who is knowledgeable about food and cooking. At least the editors of one prominent Chicago magazine seem to think that I am qualified and educated enough to share my opinion with the greater public. I would be interested in your qualifications as a food critic. You seem to be suspiciously upset about my review.

By: Critic's Critic

Critic's Critic — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:06:15 +0000

I’d suggest you learn to accept legitimate criticism of a poorly written review. You didn’t ask a single person for input on your menu selection and then said you had a poor experience at the restaurant despite your “best efforts.” In the spirit of your “You’re rubber and I’m glue” line of reasoning, I’d suggest you dine at restaurants where you’re likely to enjoy the caliber of food you’re used to:

Taco Bell
McDonald’s
Wendy’s
Sonic

By: Critic's Critic

Critic's Critic — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:57:33 +0000

Whatever. You based your review on your expectation of what something should be rather than what it is. As though you and “Empanada Boy” are culinary experts.

In the future, I’d suggest you eat at places more familiar to and more easily understood by your pallet:

Taco Bell
Olive Garden
TGI Friday’s
Ruby Tuesday’s
Sonic
Dairy Queen

If you can’t stand legitimate criticism of your reviews, don’t blame the messenger. And, for God’s sake, stay out of the kitchen.

By: Mango Lassie

Mango Lassie — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 02:11:57 +0000

Critic, I think you have misunderstood the spirit of my review. I was in no way trying to suggest that Udupi Palace doesn’t produce delicious food. Rather, I was trying to explain why my meal there wasn’t as good as what I fully expect this restaurant is capable of. I often ask servers for advice when I order, but Updupi is a busy place, and they don’t always have time to go into great detail. The menu is also encyclopedic, leaving many potential options to choose from. Your assumption that I didn’t enjoy the restaurant because it didn’t serve meat is entirely incorrect. I love vegetarian food and have since been to one of the best Indian restaurants I’ve tried, which was entirely vegetarian. I’d suggest you read my thoughts more carefully before you jump to conclusions.

By: Critic's Critic

Critic's Critic — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:58:47 +0000

I’m puzzled why you didn’t ask one of the servers or the manager for information on what to order. Udupi Palace is authentic and appeals to a native clientele, so your disappointment at the menu items frankly stems from your ignorance. I’m not saying preparation may not have been a factor, but not all Indian food is “spicy,” and some dishes are cooked to a different consistency and texture than you may be used to.

Also, why would you dine at a vegetarian restaurant if you wanted meat? I suspect your review reflects this fact more than you may acknowledge.

By: Empanada Boy

Empanada Boy — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 05:05:02 +0000

I guess that’s many restaurant review require a couple visits. I have a feeling this place could have been a lot better than what we had. Oh well, next time at this place or any other South Indian place we go, we’ll know better.