Eat At Your Own Risk (Extreme)

[ Avoid, avoid, avoid ] Since I’ve given Lily’s a week to follow-up but have been very kindly left on indefinite “read” + non-apologies, here’s my horrible experience:

Disclaimer: That wasn’t our first time eating Lily’s food. Since a few months after they’ve opened, a certain someone has been bringing me their pho and has dined there a few times.

Since we were already familiar with their pho and banh mi, we wanted to try their mains instead. However, it was only after we were seated downstairs did we realise that most of their mains were reserved for their second-storey space. We requested to be moved up, and were reseated.

The manager who initially served us exuded nothing but disdain and hostility. After we settled in, she peered at us.

“First time here?” “Yes, upstairs.” “You know there’s a dress code right?”

She left that hanging pointedly.

No, we weren’t aware of a dress code. Neither did we see any sign or were informed of one when we entered.

I’ve dined in many places, and not once was I not told at the door there’s a dress code, but seated comfortably before it was made known to me. (Better yet, there were others in shorts and sandals upstairs too — what on earth did the dress code entail then?)

We were asked if we wanted water after. We accepted.

“You know you have to pay for water right?”

Fine, perhaps we’d unknowingly infringed on your mysterious dress code, but not only did you seat us, you’ve no qualms taking our money, WHILE speaking to us with such arrogance. Abhorrent behaviour for any service staff, let alone a manager.

She left after, avoided us (she topped up everyone else’s but our water), stared at us from across the room, and directed someone else to serve us for the rest of the night (who was lovely; affable and helpful, the way service staff should be).

Tl;dr expect to be treated like you’re lesser than human unless you’re their “perfect” client (being able to pay your bill doesn’t cut it apparently!)

Food: overpriced, literally bite-sized (3 mouthfuls of beef cheeks for 3x++; starters = 90% cane with a lick of paste; a literal splatter of under-seasoned mashed potatoes), mediocre quality, unoriginal flavours, and frivolous additions (gotta pay for the 3 tiny florets of romanesco broccoli!).

Given the price per bite of meat, just go to Origin Grill instead.