The Hometown Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Howick

I visited this restaurant with a friend for lunch on a weekday, spending approximately $50 in total.

Ambiance The overall atmosphere was delightful, adorned with abundant plants and captivating photographic artworks of Vietnam on the walls. The lighting was pleasing, and the seating arrangement provided ample space with minimal noise from other customers.

Service The staff was notably friendly and attentive. A welcoming waiter promptly took our order, and the food was served promptly by the chef. We were seated immediately upon arrival, and our request to have the entree served before the mains was accommodated without any issue. The staff didn't rush to clear our plates, allowing us to enjoy our meal at a relaxed pace.

Food The presentation of the food on stoneware was charming, and the portion sizes were generous. Although the grilled beef vermicelli didn't particularly impress me with its taste, it was still enjoyable. The beef had a reminiscent flavor of Korean bulgogi, and the noodles were cooked perfectly, complemented by a typical vermicelli dressing. However, I found the menu options somewhat limited, especially considering my preference for pho and lemongrass dishes.

Price The main meals offered excellent value for money, with entrees priced at $12 and mains ranging from $18 to $20.

Cleanliness The restaurant maintained a high level of cleanliness and organization, with neatly set tables adding to the pleasant dining environment.

Special Features A noteworthy special feature is the 20% discount on meals available on Tuesdays.

Overall Experience I would consider revisiting this restaurant if I find myself in the neighborhood again. It's a convenient option for a decent meal at an affordable price point, making it a place worth remembering for future dining...

We had a disappointing experience at The Hometown Malaysia restaurant today. I ordered Char Kuey Teow but the waitress lady brought me Mee Goreng instead. Thinking it might have been delivered to the wrong table, I called her back immediately(without touching the food), but she insisted that this was exactly what I ordered. I NEVER order Mee Goreng in any restaurants as I don't like it, yet she refused to acknowledge the mistake.

Not wanting to argue and ruin my weekend, I initially agreed to take the dish. However, after taking a bite, I confirmed once again that I truly disliked. I then called another waitress who is a gentleman said he will report the issue to the owner in kitchen. About 10mins later, the same waitress who got my order wrong returned and continued to argue, refusing to admit her mistake.

By this point, I have had enough. I made it very clear that I wouldn't pay for a dish I never ordered and wouldn't take responsibility for someone else's mistake. After much reluctance, she finally agreed not to charge me for the wrong dish. HOWEVER, when I went to pay, the owner still attempted to charge me the full amount including the wrong dish. Not sure if they were informed the situation or if the waitress's promise was meaningless. In the end, I didn't pay for the wrong dish, but the whole experience was incredibly frustrating and unprofessional!

ADVICE FOR FUTURE VISITORS: If you dine here, RECORD YOUR ORDER or get written confirmation, as miscommunication can turn into...

Experience at The Hometown was beyond unacceptable.

We pre-booked two vegetarian dishes that required advance notice, only to be told upon arrival that they could only make one. This was a complete shock, as we had confirmed our order beforehand for a large group.

The worst part came when the boss or manager approached our table and, rather than offering a solution, proceeded to yell at us supposedly holding up the dishes for other tables. This was not only uncalled for, but it was also completely hypocritical, as we saw a nearby table being served vegetarian dishes without any issue. The management clearly has no idea how to treat customers respectfully. The only positive aspect was the guy serving our tea, who was polite and professional, but the boss’s behavior was appalling and made us feel completely unwelcome. To add insult to injury, we were initially overcharged on our bill, and when we pointed it out, the staff acted as though they had no idea what had happened—which was incredibly frustrating. It was clear they didn’t double-check the charges, and we almost ended up paying more than we should have. This establishment clearly lacks basic customer service and integrity. Strongly recommend avoiding this place unless you're prepared for rude treatment and mistakes for being...