ITLU - A Veg Diner, Financial dt — Restaurant in Telangana

We went there last night for a Family dinner, my update below.

Pros: Food at restaurant is tasty and it stops there.

Cons: Food is good, which is the case with most of the restaurants and I am sure people not going to these expensive restaurants just for food, everyone is going for experience.

I came to India for a visit and took family and cousins there for dinner. The confusion starts with table reservation, they confirmed on phone when I called in the morning but I realised they don’t have any record of it when I called them again in the evening to confirm as it is for a group of 15 people. There is confusion but they confirmed again on phone and was wondering whether will they stick to it.

All got seated, ordered food.. Food is good and tasty but service is super slow, in between every course we have to wait for 15-20min.. and nothing is in order, Roti took for ever, specially phulkas and half on my side already gave up, the parata in potli came after everyone literally forgot about it, on deserts, it took an eternity for them to serve.

After all that hiatus, at least everyone is good with food though it is not served timely, the worst part is when we looked at the bill, it is for around 14000INR and when I went through, the bill, we observed that though we ordered, one of the pulavs never served but they billed it, I told the guy that this specific item not served, he started arguing without even checking with his staff or the kitchen, when I calmly told him that, I paid the bill through UPI entirely, still the truth is truth, none of us had the pulav and it never served, at this time, this guy checks with his staff and they are not sure whether they served or not, he checks with kichen and they don’t know whether they made or not, we all started going out and the guy don’t even have courtesy to say an apology, instead he offers us to sit and have the food and he will serve that pulav now.. I just gave him a stare and walked out. It’s not about food, it’s about customer service and way to handle it. No common sense, no courtesy to check at their end before blaming the customer and I live in USA and been to many restaurants in Hyd but this one worst at customer service, management should look into it, I saw the same guy having an argument with another customer sitting opposite to us and realized there might be pattern.

This one definitely a NO, if you are going with a group to have an experience, I don’t think they deserve a...

I recently visited this restaurant after hearing a lot about its ambiance and interior design, and I must admit—the interiors are indeed quite impressive. The decor is tastefully done, with attention to aesthetics and a cozy yet upscale vibe. From the lighting to the seating arrangement, everything has been thoughtfully curated to provide a pleasant dining atmosphere. However, when it comes to the core aspects of any restaurant food and value for money this place falls noticeably short.

Food Quality: Unfortunately, the food did not live up to the expectations set by the ambiance. The dishes we ordered lacked depth in flavor and finesse in preparation. Some items were either under-seasoned or overcooked, and others simply didn’t match the description on the menu. For a restaurant positioning itself at a premium level, consistency and quality in taste are basic expectations, which sadly weren’t met.

Service: While the staff were polite, the service was somewhat slow and inattentive at times. Several reminders were needed for basic things like water refills and clearing empty plates. It wasn’t terrible, but certainly not at par with what you’d expect from a place charging these prices.

Pricing: This brings me to one of the biggest letdowns—value for money. The pricing here suggests a fine-dining experience, but what’s served doesn’t reflect that. When customers are paying a premium, they expect not only good food but also generous portions, prompt service, and a memorable overall experience. Unfortunately, the pricing felt unjustified given the quality and experience provided.

Verdict: To sum it up, while the restaurant scores well in terms of ambiance and design, it needs significant improvement in its food quality and overall service delivery. At its current standard, it feels more like a place you visit once for the vibe rather than for a satisfying dining experience. I truly hope the management takes feedback seriously, because with a little more focus on the kitchen and staff training, this place has the potential to become...

Itlu is a newly opened restaurant with immense potential. The ambience is absolutely top-notch — thoughtfully designed, warm, and inviting. The location is prime, making it an attractive spot for diners in the area. I truly appreciate the effort that has gone into creating such a beautiful space.

However, the service is extremely disappointing, and unfortunately, my recent visit has left me compelled to share some serious concerns.

This was my second visit in two weeks. During my first visit, I chose not to leave a negative review because I respect the effort and investment it takes to start a new restaurant. But seeing no improvement during my second visit, I felt it was important to highlight the issues in hopes that the management takes corrective steps.

The staff seems clueless and disoriented. Orders are often mixed up or delayed, and the team appears to lack basic coordination. While the food does eventually arrive, essential accompaniments like chutneys take forever to reach the table — which really affects the overall experience, especially when you’re eating South Indian fare.

The most concerning issue was that we were served stale chutney. When we brought it to the staff's attention, there was a clear lack of understanding. The bowl was simply replaced — with the same stale chutney. This is a serious quality control issue, and it raises concerns about food safety and hygiene standards.

I’ve also heard similar feedback from other diners, which suggests this isn’t a one-off problem. If these service and quality lapses continue, Itlu risks losing the goodwill it has started to build. It’s high time the management steps in, trains the staff better, and ensures consistent quality checks.

Itlu has a great concept and a beautiful setting — but without service and food quality to match, it’s a...