Thali of India — Restaurant in City of Corning

I give this place five stars... I so wish I had taken photos! As a white gal raised by world travelers who catered and owned bakeries both domestically and abroad, I understand presentation, taste, ambience, service and quality. Thali of India didn't disappoint in the least, other than the spicy factor - my friend and I have high heat tolerance, maybe given our experiences - we thought that the hot / spicy was more mild-medium, but I get that we're dining in Corning, so I recommend you ask for extra-spicy if you're looking for authentic heat.

Was looking forward to the lunch buffet, but due to COVID, buffets aren't allowed, so I couldn't sample everything as I intended, (being new to the culinary delights of Indian cuisine), but the Tandoori chicken didn't disappoint in the least. Juicy, flavored throughout, the perfect balance of peppers and onions to compliment, and served with basmati rice family-style. My friend had a seafood dish and said she wished the tails of the shrimp were off and that the dish was spicier than described on the menu, but that was our only negative feedback.

The service was excellent - not hovering at all - very intimate. We were greeted with ice water served in water glasses, extra napkins artfully folded and available on the table, complimentary batter-dipper potatoes with a hot and a spicy dipping sauce, served by the cook while waiting for our naan appetizer (which was spectacular in taste, texture and presentation)... and a server who sensed our need to look over the menu longer than normal - so deserving of 5 stars. (My guess is the server was the owner / cook's wife, and she was absolutely wonderful). And the gal whose face was uncovered was also exceptional).

The food is prepared fresh, and there is a lot to choose from, so if you're time sensitive or need to have a plan, I advise looking at the online menu beforehand. I must also note how vegetarian and vegan friendly Thali of India is - they understand you, are prepared for you, and you have more than potato and rice dishes to choose from. (Former wfpb vegan speaking - turned back begrudgingly for blood chemistry reasons, but damned excited about the ecclectic menu they offer here).

Perhaps most importantly, I have never had such a natural tasting, authentic chai in all my life... Served with a tiny spoon to stir the skin... American coffee houses, come here and apprentice if you want to gain a foot in the market. The real-deal is served here and is what you're seeking to provide to your chai-discerning clientele.

I don't have a passport, but I daydream of visiting places abroad like my relatives have done, to emigrate, to meet and be a part of the human condition, and I feel honored to have had a taste of Indian cuisine today. I know what I experienced today is probably muted, compared to what I would experience in person, but I want to graciously thank the hosts for being so gracious, giving and kind.

Please, come here and eat... Unless you are grossly pretentious and assuming... then don't, because you're not worthy. Aside from that, I'd say Thali of India is on par with...

I think I have learned a valuable experience about evaluating the rating of the place by looking at the average of all ratings. I would give this place a zero or less if possible. We saw the appealing reviews of vegetable thali and greatly tempted to get good Indian food even in Corning. The food was fine nothing extraordinary or mind blowing but I guess it is decent but it is negated by the service of the lady who is serving the tables. Seems she is the owner of the place. I ll try to break down my experiences for benefit of anyone else

1. As we walked in with a party of 7, 4 adults and 3 kids she pointed us to our table and flung a menu on the table and headed off to kitchen. It was rude but we gave the benefit of the doubt if it being busy day with Glassfest going on.
2. All the same we were seated a circular table and we placed an order and requested if we could retain a menu to further review and order anything else. To which she pointed to a menu below the glass and asked us to refer that. We were seated on a circular table and it was not easy for everyone to read from that. We were still optimistic and tried to explain the challenge she just brushed us aside and moved past. 3)At this time we snapped and pulled the menu out and tried to look at it in a lighter vein. She came and pulled the menu out of our hands and said we are not supposed to remove it but just bend over and somehow read it.
3. At this point we have already lost respect for the place the chief operator in charge there. As we waited for our food we were observing other guests were being handled I could make everyone had a different taste of the same.
4. Bad service is one aspect an outright disrespect and arrogance was displayed in the attitude of the lady. We were never allowed an opportunity to ask for water or any additional refill on Naans. I raised my hand and kept for 5 mins and I could see she saw and just ignored me. Then I stood up for sometime where I was sitting hoping someone would come to me asking what I needed. Seems like everyone else in the restaurant understood my plight except the people serving.
5. I was dissuaded by my friend to confront the lady, I believe when we say India we think about Indian Hospitality don’t expect anything like that...

Why stars???????? Google has to start giving options to post negative stars from now on !!!

We as a family were to stay in Corning for a night. We had Chapathi for the kids so we plan to buy side dishes from Thali of India which was the only restaurant there.. we ordered over phone and was very clear mentioning we are pure veg and ordered Dhal Tadka and Malai Kofta. Does these two names sound anywhere Non veg to anyone? We went to the restaurant and order was ready for pickup, we picked it up and came back to our Hotel.. here Trust does matter.. when my wife opened the dhal tadka, it was a chicken korma. We called Thaki and the person other end didn’t care to hear but hung the phone.. due to peak hours? Still this is another business he is dealing over the phone and need to give same importance you give in person. We reached the restaurant and gave back both the dishes and asked a reason! I was told “ issue of the order taker, he was an American” I responded immediately, if it was a order taking American’s mistake then how your bill is showing both the items properly? How come you were able to handover the items at first place telling dhal tadka and malai kofta when picked up? So the issue is negligence in packing the food..and not while taking order!!! I didn’t like the way both husband and wife gave the reasoning and blamed an American for no wrong doing of his!! Blame game and made the server a scapegoat. Negligence inspite it was told the food is for kids who eat only vegetarian. It was specifically mentioned it was for the kids still no reaction at all!! Didn’t bother to ask even 1 time apology!!! They made the mistake and didn’t even care to be apologetic in front of the crowd or over the phone!! Not even humanitarian grounds ?? How come ?? This triggered me a lot !! Just because there were customers lined up for paying their bill the owners didnt want to handle the situation well!

I waited for a week, to write this review.. so that I don’t be that harsh in words when reviewing since the day...