Gastroliterary 19: Country Manna

3/9/2005
General Information:
A small restaurant situated in the 2nd floor of the many shophouses around Serangoon Garden. Country Manna, the restaurant chain which claims to serve country-style western cuisine.

Food: 5
Impression was mediocre. Sauce was too salty, meat was overcooked, carrots were too tough and potatoes tasted bland. Not exactly, a disaster but the pasta with stewed beef was relatively well-done that functioned as a redeemable factor for this meal.

Service: 5
Singapore's campaign of remaking of service came to my mind. I thought this place really need a makeover. Timing of food was awkward as the appetiser came just immediately before the main course after a long hungry wait. Staff were forgivably young and probably lacked of any formal training.

Ambience: 6
The atmosphere was not exactly a old, cosy country style. Instead, it felt dilapidated. It overlooks the more crowded streets in Serangoon Gardens was likely to be the only attractive selling point.

Overall: 5
Amounting to $20 a person should not be considered cheap but the experience felt so. A revisit will most likely happen on a gun-point. However, it must be noted that it rivals Jack's Place anytime where the experience was no less than a tragedy; closed to the extend of casting nightmares.