Celso's Crib Cafe — Restaurant in Cebu City

Everything was great except for one thing. I visited this place for the first time on a Sunday morning for breakfast. I wanted to enjoy a simple breakfast of bacon, eggs, and rice with a coffee. On the menu, it listed bacon, so I asked the server (later her colleague told me her name was Jona) if the bacon option came with eggs. She kindly, but confidently, told me that the bacon option did not include eggs and that I would need to add them for an extra 40 pesos. As a first-time visitor and a foreigner, I wanted to confirm, especially since there seemed to be some language barriers (when I asked if the +70 for coffee meant it would be extra after 10 AM, she seemed a bit confused). I asked again: “Does the bacon option only come with bacon and rice? If I want eggs, how should I order to get bacon, eggs, rice, and coffee?” She confirmed again that there was “no eggs with bacon.” I appreciated her help and waited for my meal with the coffee that came out first. When I needed water, I went back to buy a bottle. She gave me a receipt for 35 pesos, so I asked if I could also have the receipt for the earlier order, which she kindly provided. However, I didn’t look closely at it because it seemed like a simple order. The issue arose when I returned to order another coffee. I was still unclear about the +70 on the menu, so I asked if I should order the coffee as a regular item. At that point, another server, Mary Joy, informed me that the +70 would apply after breakfast hours and that I should order a regular coffee if I needed more. I appreciated her help and asked if I could take photos of the menu for my friends. She agreed, and while taking the photos, I noticed on the last page that the bacon option indeed included eggs. I asked Mary Joy about this as Jona was standing behind her. I said, “When I ordered breakfast earlier, she told me the bacon option didn’t come with eggs, and I had to order them separately.” Jona, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up, saying, “But there’s only one egg with the bacon option!” ????????????? We didn’t talk about any number about eggs. I never asked for more than one egg, but she had confidently told me earlier there were no eggs at all with the bacon. She didn’t respond further and turned away from us. What’s going on? I can’t understand. I’m always polite with the staff at anywhere in the Philippines, but she misinformed me and later didn’t offer an apology but a confusing explanation. Mistakes happen, but when unsure, it’s helpful to double-check with the kitchen or ask a colleague. I mentioned to Mary Joy, who brought me my coffee, “I wanted to take photos for my friends because I think the prices are slightly higher than other places, but it’s worth it here. Would you recommend a place where the staff wouldn’t apologize for their mistake?”

Though this wasn’t Mary Joy’s responsibility, she patiently listened, which I appreciated. Jona, when I ordered my breakfast, it was just the two of us. If the CCTV captured our conversation, it would show you telling me there was no egg with the bacon, only for you to later say there’s “only one egg.” Whatever you say, our conversation happened, and you know that. You might think it’s trivial over a 40-peso egg, but it matters because you didn’t want to correct the error or apologize for it. The receipt I later requested shows eggs are included with the bacon. I was so full that I only ordered one more coffee and skipped the usual cake I enjoy with my breakfast.

I don’t know how you were trained here, but in an otherwise fantastic restaurant, your service felt out of balance. Please be honest...

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The parking is spacious and convenient, making it easy to find a spot. The café itself is tucked away in a tranquil corner of Piazza Elesia, offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle. The food is both delicious and reasonably priced, catering to a variety of tastes. The ambiance is enhanced by calming music, which creates a soothing atmosphere—almost as if you’re in a quiet provincial town, waiting for the rain to stop. A perfect spot to relax and unwind.

What truly sets this café apart, however, is its staff—exceptionally friendly and attentive, they make you feel right at home from the moment...

I lived so close to Piazza Elesia but I only got to visit this place tonight. My fiance and I were looking for a good place for dinner and decided to give Celso's Crib a shot, and boy were we surprised. The food was delicious- I had the Monte Cristo sandwich while he had the Braised Pork Belly with Egg, and we ordered a side of Cheesy Bacon Barbecue Fries. Everything tasted so good; not salty or commercially-made, and tasted homemade. Their frappuccino was also delicious! We loved the ambiance as it was so cozy and had an exclusive feel. The staff were so friendly, too! 10/10 would be going back to this...