Francia Caceres-Johansen (Echo)
Google
We had lunch at Solo Ristorante on Amoy Street, Singapore, to celebrate a dear friend’s birthday. We opted for their lunch set menu at SGD 98++ per person, which includes three starters, one pasta, a choice between two mains, and dessert. We also added the 2-hour free flow wine option (Prosecco, white, and red wine) for an extra SGD 48++ per person.
The restaurant is small but comfortable, and though it was full, the ambience allowed for good conversation. I genuinely enjoyed the food—everything served was delicious. My personal favorites were the burratina and the rigatoni pasta, which I’d rate a solid 5/5. The chef clearly knows what he’s doing and even came over to our table to thank us, which we appreciated.
Unfortunately, the service left a lot to be desired. First, the "free flow" wine wasn’t exactly flowing—we had to keep calling servers over for refills, and despite delays in serving the mains, they were still strict with the 2-hour limit.
Things got worse when the aircon started dripping water directly next to my husband’s plate. We flagged a staff member who came, looked, and left—without a word or a plan. No update, no apology. When we called another staff because my husband’s shorts were getting wet, she turned off the AC and turned on a fan, again no explanation, no apology. It honestly felt like they just brushed it off, which was disappointing given how disruptive it was.
On top of that, the service staff just weren’t friendly. We had three different servers, and not one of them made an effort to connect. One of the women didn’t even know what kind of wine was being served in the free flow and walked off mid-conversation without saying a word. When she came back, still no acknowledgment, no smile, nothing. Another server was just cold—he did the bare minimum, and that was it. We’re not difficult customers—we even tried to make small talk and joke a bit, but it felt like the staff just didn’t care.
No one offered us coffee or tea with or after dessert, which felt like a missed opportunity. We were on time for our reservation, and despite everything, we were the last to leave at around 3:30 PM. If the service had been better, we probably would’ve stayed longer and ordered more drinks because we were enjoying each other’s company. But the way things went, we were just ready to leave.
It’s a shame, because the chef (who is also the owner) seems like a great guy, and the food is honestly excellent. But if the front-of-house team doesn’t step up, it ruins the whole experience. Solo Ristorante has been around for five years—they clearly have potential, but the service really needs improvement.
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3 out of 5) — food is excellent, but the service seriously let us down. And in a city like Singapore, where amazing dining options are everywhere, that’s hard to overlook.