Candy's Cafe and Restaurant — Restaurant in Cagayan de Oro

Restaurant Reviews

I seldom find my favorite appetizer Anchovies Bruschetta in Cagayan de Oro, especially that the locals, even the elite here, have a bias for Filipino cuisine or Asian fusion (Chinese, Japanese, Korean mostly). Italian cuisine, especially authentic Italian dining, is hard to find in Cagayan de Oro.

Thus, I assume that a restaurant like Candy’s at Centrio is meant for the guests of nearby Seda Hotel. Its menu AND its price range is not for locals. Easily, for a complete dinner, the bill can rack up to 1,500 per person or higher. I had Pizza Marghareta, a glass of red wine, and bruschetta, and my bill was already 1,200. That price range is already fine dining in Metro Manila, even at BGC.

Was it fine dining? Nope. The food was at par (not exceptional), the space was constricted, and the service was irritatingly poor.

Let us start with the food. Pizza was high quality. Authentic. So that is recommended. Though price is steep.

Anchovies bruschetta tasted like it came from a well-trained chef, but not Italy-trained. I prefer sour dough that is both tender and crispy as base. That is a technique that only the experts can do. Candy’s had tender but not crispy bread. Anchovy mix (balsamic, pepper, and feta cheese) seemed adjusted to local taste. It doesn’t bite the tongue. That is okay. Tomatoes seemed prepared ahead. Parang sliced ahead and then refrigerated) It doesn’t have the flavor of freshly chopped sun dried tomatoes which is crucial in a bruschetta. (My first was in a village cafe in Tuscany. THAT was divine).

Freshly chopped sun dried tomatoes often drip with sweet juices that mix with the anchovies to erupt into that divine delight.

I will recommend it still, particularly those who wish to have something that enhances the red wine.

Space: Cramped. Trendy yes and even eclectic. My chair was post-modern fiber glass if I am not mistaken. Transparent for no apparent purpose except to be trendy. A well-constructed wine cellar wall decor looks great but the wine bottles were empty. That is unfortunately disappointing.

NOW: the service is definitely not worth the price. I had three irritating moments which I hope the management should address by retooling their waiters.

I was scanning the menu board outside and asked help from the waiter at the door. I wanted to ask what cheese were used in their Margherita because my British guest has specific tastes. He said, “Yes Sir may cheese po ang pizza.” And then left me without asking if I needed further assistance! That look of derision - giving you the look-down that you cannot afford their menu was irritating.

Shouting from the counter. When I raised my hand and asked if they serve red wine. The waiter didn’t bother to approach my table. He shouted from the counter- yes he did- “bottle or glass?” Santisima!!! Shouting from the counter for all the other diners to hear! Susmaryusep!!

He forgot, yes, forgot to give me utensils. I timed them to see if they would notice. They didn’t. So, I asked the cashier to give me utensils, and said, “Guests should not be asking for utensils. It should be placed at the start of service. They repeatedly apologized.

My bottomline? Not...

This place has a very good look. It's spacious, well lit, nice place to hang out with friends, and a very nice backdrop for group pictures, in short, instagrammable. Their dessert and wine selection are also fitting for hanging at the the place with friends. Most unfortunate is that on my first visit, they waited for 30minutes before informing us that the food we ordered is actually not available due to lack of main ingredient, so we had to leave as we were already very hungry at that point. Second visit (since it was an invite from a friend, I can't decline despite my dislike of the place caused by my first visit), food was bland, it was supposed to be a version of carbonara. Third visit, which we tried to check if perhaps the food improved, our meal and salad orders were unsatisfactory because it was still bland. The service crew are impolite (their voices echo around the main area while they are constantly chatting with each other). Succeeding visits were spent just focusing on dessert and wine orders.

All in all, this place is ok for hangout and dessert. I do not recommend this place for get together meals, as you will not enjoy your meal. Also, price does not match the satisfaction with the experience. Price is too expensive for a...

Food was fast and service staff were attentive and accomodating. Their prices had always been above average. We ordered their spinach dip, chicken ravioli, candy's special salad, spinach pizza, pesto pasta, baby back ribs, fish in coconut sauce and silvanas. Quality of their food is not on par with their pricing. Ravioli's was undercook and pasta was too think, which was not pleasant to chew. Spinach pizza was crispy but bland lacks some salt. Their babyback ribs was too dry, much better to add more sauce. Their thai fish in coconut sauce was too salty, coconut sauce did not compliment the tilapia fish. Bread used in their spinach and mushroom dip was wheat pandesal? Overall, we ate and dined fine but quality of food could be improved for better...