Makan Mate

Most guests left before the food arrived (very late).

Buffet came 1.5 hours late. Nobody called to inform us and some guests have started leaving. Couldn't contact anyone from the caterer despite repeated phone calls. In the end, food was cold and served only at 2.30pm when we ordered it for 12pm.

Salmon from the Yu Sheng was watery and stale. Pathethic looking and we end up providing our own salmon to replace those from the caterer. Homemade plum sauce was not provided for the Golden Ocean Catch Fish. The complimentary red bean sesame balls were hard. The drinks were not cold. Overall food quality is poor.

We had the most disappointing CNY Buffet Lunch experience ever with Makan Mate.

We arranged the buffet lunch on 1 Feb at 12 pm at my sister's condo at Bedok Reservoir View. There was no sight of the caterer at 11.30 am. When my brother in-law called to enquire, we were told that the delivery was delayed for another hour. At 1 pm, there was still no sight of the caterer. The caterer called at 1.10 pm to advise that the delivery is on the way.

The food only came at about 1.30 pm. By the time they set up the table and the food, it was about 1.45 pm. What's more, they left out the prawn dish and had to go back for it.

We waited another 30 mins for the food to warm as they were cold since they were prepared at 11.30 am (which I doubted). We only started eating at 2.15 pm as the old folks and children are hungry but the food was barely warm.

In my opinion, the caterer should not accept so many orders if they do not have the capacity to cope with the deliveries. This unpleasant experience had dampened our festive CNY mood and we did not really enjoy the food as we were all too tired and upset.

Half of the dishes are not nice. Golden Ocean Catch Fish Fillet is too hard. Red Bean Paste with Lotus Seed & Coconut Milk is too sweet and too watery. Honey Chicken is too hard. Free dessert (red bean ball) is also too hard.

Fried rice and Yu Sheng was good. Sea Scallop in Yam Ball was the best dish.

Well after all is it not too bad.

Nil

We ordered one of the Christmas menus. Excellent, clear service and ordering was very easy. Just tell them when and where, and everything just appears.

Setup and tear-down was incredibly efficient, well-presented and quick.

But cold platter ham was incredibly salty and cut in gigantic slices. we had to cut the ham into reasonable size ourselves.

Delivery was on-time. Ordered Nyonya Chap Chye but they delivered Curry Vegetables instead. Delivery person said that the item is Nyonya Chap Chye, but it's obviously Curry Vegetables. I know what Nyonya Chap Chye does NOT look like curry.

Overall food taste was OK. Steamed Prawn Gyoza skin tore apart when served. Best item in the menu was the Mini Chocolate Eclair.

Portions run small, so order exact pax or in excess if you have hungry guests.

The caterer arrived on time, but set up too slow. Crowds started to pour in at 12pm but food is not ready. Hence no time to warm up the food and some items are pretty cold.

Overall service is ok but portion of certain foods are too little, e.g. Yam Paste and fried rice.

The spread and food was quite nice. My guests enjoyed the food very much.