Thevar offers a restaurant experience that balances an intriguing yet somewhat repetitive tasting menu with shockingly inadequate service.
The Positives:
Chef Mano deserves applause for his innovative use of ingredients, such as the rarely seen betel leaf paired with pork. This demonstrates culinary courage and creativity.
The Negatives:
Despite occasional moments of culinary brilliance, the tasting menu falls into monotony. However, the most glaring issue lies in their service, which was uncomfortable throughout the evening. Our waiter lacked warmth and continuously insisted on the ‘one-bite’ concept, even interrupting our conversations to enforce the kitchen’s pace, ignoring the diner’s preferences.
One guest felt particularly uncomfortable due to the waiter’s persistent glares when instructing them to eat in ‘one bite.’ Moreover, the basic service standards, expected of a ‘2 star Michelin’ restaurant, were noticeably absent. When diners excused themselves to use the restroom, napkins were left unfolded, and tables weren’t cleaned despite being clearly visible.
To worsen matters, we overheard two waiters criticizing a previous table’s behavior and food consumption, speaking down about them. Throughout the evening, we were treated as second-class patrons. What’s disheartening is that Chef Mano failed to make a simple greeting at our table, despite visiting every other table that night.
BBAMCYOLO1 on
Perhaps an off night? I think this was my second favorite meal in Singapore apart from Odette. Don’t recall having any notable issues with the service (though they did mention the one bite and I obliged haha)
Kindly-Ad8448 on
Living in Singapore for the last 13 years – service is generally atrocious here and gone even more downhill post COVID, so I’m not surprised by your experience. Even in high-end restaurants/hotels, I just stopped expecting great service. Sad but at least I’ll be delighted if I’m wrong.
Livid_Purple_9611 on
The lamb dishes plating looks like something from a circus at best.
syahawesome on
I’m a local here and yeah sorry service is generally ok or bad. Even at Michelin level. We don’t pay service staff enough and most are foreigners. So yeah it explains it. I’ve lived in Australia and travel a lot of food so I know the stark differences. Tbh Odette & Zén has the best service imo.
frankiemj on
This is so sad to hear! I went about a year ago and ate by myself and received wonderful service from the chef and the rest of the staff. Food wise it was also one of my favorites (second to Zén, but i liked it more than Odette and Les Amis).
yogiiibear on
I had a great time there, solo dining, at the bar, Mano was great and the service was great, a few free tastes of wine, mentioned I was looking to get some cocktails after and the server walked with me down the street to show me where the bar was (Papa Doble).
7 Comments
Thevar offers a restaurant experience that balances an intriguing yet somewhat repetitive tasting menu with shockingly inadequate service.
The Positives:
Chef Mano deserves applause for his innovative use of ingredients, such as the rarely seen betel leaf paired with pork. This demonstrates culinary courage and creativity.
The Negatives:
Despite occasional moments of culinary brilliance, the tasting menu falls into monotony. However, the most glaring issue lies in their service, which was uncomfortable throughout the evening. Our waiter lacked warmth and continuously insisted on the ‘one-bite’ concept, even interrupting our conversations to enforce the kitchen’s pace, ignoring the diner’s preferences.
One guest felt particularly uncomfortable due to the waiter’s persistent glares when instructing them to eat in ‘one bite.’ Moreover, the basic service standards, expected of a ‘2 star Michelin’ restaurant, were noticeably absent. When diners excused themselves to use the restroom, napkins were left unfolded, and tables weren’t cleaned despite being clearly visible.
To worsen matters, we overheard two waiters criticizing a previous table’s behavior and food consumption, speaking down about them. Throughout the evening, we were treated as second-class patrons. What’s disheartening is that Chef Mano failed to make a simple greeting at our table, despite visiting every other table that night.
Perhaps an off night? I think this was my second favorite meal in Singapore apart from Odette. Don’t recall having any notable issues with the service (though they did mention the one bite and I obliged haha)
Living in Singapore for the last 13 years – service is generally atrocious here and gone even more downhill post COVID, so I’m not surprised by your experience. Even in high-end restaurants/hotels, I just stopped expecting great service. Sad but at least I’ll be delighted if I’m wrong.
The lamb dishes plating looks like something from a circus at best.
I’m a local here and yeah sorry service is generally ok or bad. Even at Michelin level. We don’t pay service staff enough and most are foreigners. So yeah it explains it. I’ve lived in Australia and travel a lot of food so I know the stark differences. Tbh Odette & Zén has the best service imo.
This is so sad to hear! I went about a year ago and ate by myself and received wonderful service from the chef and the rest of the staff. Food wise it was also one of my favorites (second to Zén, but i liked it more than Odette and Les Amis).
I had a great time there, solo dining, at the bar, Mano was great and the service was great, a few free tastes of wine, mentioned I was looking to get some cocktails after and the server walked with me down the street to show me where the bar was (Papa Doble).