Alavar Seafood Restaurant — Restaurant in Zamboanga City

MEDIOCRE FOOD, HORRIBLE SERVICE. Read further. Fix your management!! My family and I drove early here yesterday. When we arrived there was only a couple of tables, so not very busy at all considering that we knew it would fill up quick. It’s our first time dining here and we came from far away. Right off the bat, the service was awful. Our server took our orders and we noticed how other tables who came in after us were getting their drinks before us. Then their food. To the point where I almost had to flag one of the servers to see where our drinks are... In addition, my sister is strictly vegetarian so we ordered Steamed Vegetables with Oyster Sauce. When our food finally came after waiting a while, my sister couldn’t eat the dish she ordered because there was chicken in it. This dish was under the Vegetable section of the menu and I asked the manager to remake it for us because there was no precaution to it having meat. I tried to explain to the manager and she brushed it off and was very unapologetic about it, trying to tell me that it’s by request! To my defence, a vegetable dish UNDER the vegetable section should be explained that there will be meat in it. A dietary restriction should not be dismissed like how she dismissed it. She acted like she was more right about the situation. Moving on to the actual main course and the reason why Alavar is known here in Zamboanga... my family ordered rounds of the famous Curacha with Alavar Sauce. To our dismay and disappointment, after waiting YET AGAIN, for our food to come (it didn’t come all at once) we asked when the crabs are coming, and they told us THEY FORGOT TO PUNCH IT IN. And blamed it on the server who is no where to be seen because they wanted verify the order sheet. As if we were trying to lie about THE FIRST THING WE ORDERED AND CAME THERE FOR. The manager tried to stay behind the counter the entire while I was trying to explain the situation to a bus boy, and I told him to bring his manager out to the table especially when she should be handling the situation. She tried to apologize but was very righteous to her attendance RATHER than handle the situation professionally and comfort us as customers. She was apologetic but didn’t do anything about the situation. Here’s my problem, as the manager of the restaurant, she should be communicating WELL with her team to make sure it’s very well organized and SIMPLY well communicated. Servers don’t collect your dishes when it’s finished, if there is anything missing, or anything at all! They just stand there looking miserable and I’m looking at the management team to make this restaurant the reason why it’s an overall good restaurant. Yes, people come here for food (which I found mediocre) but they should focus on their servers and management because it’s...

1 of the must try in Zamboanga City.

Their famous Kuracha and Alavar sause is to die for. Super yummy and inexpensive as compare to Manila's seafood price.

Their other seafood is also mouthwatering and also cheao.

But, yes there is a very BIG BUT. Customer service is poor. Very slow service and inattentive people. To think that we went there on a weekday and after lunch rush.

Their crew tends to convene at the bar or cashier area instead of roaming ang checking their customers so the tendency for you to be notice if you are on the far side of the resto is almost non existence. You have to call and raise your hand for up to 5 times before they will notice you and before they can come in your area, they will go around and circle the other part in a very relax manner. If you request something, you can bet to count up to 100 before it got delivered to you. No sense of urgency on their part but they are polite.

I must say that with the space they have, they seriously lack manpower to attend to their customer needs especially when outside and inside dine in area is full.

The place itself is beautiful in a spanish colonial way. Cr is clean and with adequate soap, water, tissue and dryer. Outside area is very apt for formal ceremonies such as wedding or debut.

Over all food is really great though a cup of extra plain rice is a whooping php 100.00 ( huhuhu so expensive, though very filling) Place is picturesque Parking space is not ample for a busy day. Guard is very helpful Crew is polite but lacks training on how to service the customer in a swift yet...

The WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE. When we did a follow-up for the 3 rd time coz it was like 2 hours waiting time and seems like they missed our orders and when we made a complain to the manager, he was even justifying for his crew instead of being apologetic. They have poor customer service and seems like they don't have the trainings like greeting customers,smiling and being cordial. This is a pricey restaurant but low class customer service. Too bad, the manager even proudly said " All customers are entiltled to their own opinion" when I pointed out that we were very disappointed and will cancel our next booking. Surprisingly when we booked for another occassion, we were told to order in advance and pay partial, but the lady charged full and didn't give our change , it's like booking for a 5 star hotel!Gardern Orchid,Palmeras Restaurant etc,doesn't even ask for a payment when you book in their restaurants.Honestly, the order here has a very small portion even if it sez 4-6 persons, very pricey,some are overcooked (grilled squid) , seafood chopsuey ( 1-2 shrimps only) unlike Palmera's Seafood chopsuey has abundant seafood meats. Just giving an honest feedbacks and hope these will help improve "Alavar's services". Hope they will also keep the washroom clean at all times coz it was really smelly and would disrupt your appetite to...