Mangantila Café — Restaurant in Luzon

Mother's Day - May 11, 2025

DISAPPOINTED!!!!! THEY DESERVE 0 STAR NOT 1 STAR.

We arrived at 6:30pm. My father waited to have our car parked for 1 1/2 hr. We had a problem getting our table and waited for more than 2 and 1/2 hrs. to have a table, waited for more than 30 mins. to have the table cleaned and waited for more than 1 hour for our food. We started eating past 10:30pm. Our food is served cold. Service water is served more than 30 minutes, there is shortage in their glasses and soup bowl.

Followed up more than 10 times; We saw a table their food is served after more than 1 hour. Asked if we can do advance order but they said no since if the customer leaves it will be charged to them. Understandable. So when I asked again if they could take our order and we will pay first but still she said no since what if the food is served already and we still don't have a table the food will be COLD. Understandable.

We waited for more than 2 1/2 hrs. to have our table. The receptionist told me that we will sit somewhere in the middle at the tables inside but it takes long for the guests there to leave so they have given us a table outside that is btw foldable table with plastic chairs without cover (we thought it will be a kubo) also it looks like its gonna rain that time. I mentioned the receptionist that we have kids with us and we went there because of the ambiance and the food they will just plot us there that have many mosquitoes take note that they knoe that we have kids and seniors. We were disappointed, We didn't agree to sit there we said that we are going to look at it first and we are not aware that there is no cover.

Then the receptionist saw that we were so disappointed and said they can change to the table inside because the guest are about to leave. Take note again! That was table that she was saying before but the performance on that table is so long, I even asked if they could clean the table since they are done eating and just watching the performance of the clown and what she said it is not allowed since its their policy to clean the table after the guests leave. They don't have strategy since they know already that there are a lot of people waiting in the line. But then the more disappointing thing happened.

The receptionist said we can change into the table where she was saying that is gonna be our seat earlier so we waited for the guests to leave and we sat there to make sure that we are going to sit there since all of us are hungry already. Then a lady approached us, they said they are also told that they will sit there so I explained and waited for the receptionist to explain, the other group's voice were raising so I raised my voice also. I was explaining that we didn't know that the seat outside is like that without cover and we have kids and senior. When the receptionist looked at the number we arrived first so we are the priority. The supervisor is even there but didn't talked to us. The lady guard then came and shouted at me "Dun na kayo sa labas bakit kayo lumipat? Pumayag na kayo tapos lilipat kayo?" In a very annoying tone. I was explaining No one informed us that the table is bare without cover. "Hindi nasabi sa amin na walang cover, may mga bata kami, ilang beses ko sinabi na may bata kami". The lady in other group said that they have kids also but what I said was we were there first I even told them "79 number namin kayo?" they didn't even say which number they have. Malakas boses nila, nilakasan ko din boses ko. In the end their solution is the other group was placed in a kubo outside.

So the table is settled. But then the table was cleaned for more than 30 mins. Took our order 9:24 but arrived more than 1 hr later. The food is served cold. They didn't take our advance order bacause they are afraid it will be cold but then it arrived COLD. The food is not appealing anymore but since we are super hungry we don't have a choice. IT RAINED.

THEIR EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE TRAINED AGAIN AND HAVE MORE STRATEGY SO THAT THE TRANSITIONING OF THE TABLE IS FAST SINCE THERE...

Putting in some details about my fair share of experience with this restaurant.

The Place: Quite nice and peaceful (if there's not much people). We went there around 3 to 4 in the afternoon when the sun scortching hot and the atmosphere is very humid (can't blame them for the climate). Beautiful scenery. You would really apprecciate nature.

The Ambience: The vibe was ok. A great place to relax (again, if it's not too crowded).

The Food: The food was ok but not too fancy. I've read a couple of reviews about it and most say that it's too pricey for what is served to you. Half the time I would agree. We got the clubhouse sandwich which is ok. But the potatoes aren't really that good cause of the texture which is why I would say that the price really isn't that worth it. But people may have a different preference.

Here comes the grand finale;

The SERVICE:

If you're the type of foodie, loves to eat or just plain wants a hearty warm meal, I really wouldn't go here. The service was terrible and very unorganized. First off, we never realized that there was a reception area which is, in the onset, you wouldn't know is right at the front of the resto (I didn't even realize that their front house was almost at the far end of the resto). When there were available tables at the cafe and when we got seated and asked the waiter for a menu, they immediately asked if we already have a table and that we should go to the reception area to get one. They really should have a staff to assist people who are coming in and direct them. SO, I got to the reception area to get a table for us. When we got seated, they have a waiter who are just doing nothing standing by the bar and walking around. He didn't even bother to clean up the table that we were at. I asked the waiter nicely to buzz out the dirty dishes on the table and he did clear it out but didn't wipe the table. I asked for a menu and when he gave it to us, he dropped it on the WET table. When I held the menu, it was dripping wet with water dripping on me. So I had to request to have the table wiped (talk about great service, right). So we ordered a halo-halo and I specifically gave him clear instructions on what not to put in it. As he left, he endorsed the cafe to his colleague but did not provide clear instructions about my order. It took about more than an hour before we got our order (which is by the way, not complete). They gave us the sandwich first and no sign of the halo-halo. By the time our dessert got to us, the ice cream is already melted. Talk about nice and quick service, right? As I see the waiter who initially took our order was just walking around pretending to do something, "Petiks", and ordering his colleagues around. Management should look into this. I've been a waiter before and I make sure I attend to what our customers needed. Not like this.

So I'm giving a 2 star for the food, 3 star for the ambience and place. If there's a negative star in the service, I'd give it a -10. It was horrible.

The evening guys were a bit better. I would understand the struggle of your evening guys cause of the many people that are coming in. They explained the situation and what needs to be done to get a table, clearly unlike the waiter who initially took our order.

Overall, I would just give them a 1 star cause of the terrible service I...

Majority of the locations that my family and I visited to are all uphills. So this one might be something different, it's nearby the lake. Actually, connecting Laguna lake.

From my place could be aroung 40 mins to an hour drive. But it's worth the drive, (anyway, maybe because I'm not the one really driving... Haha. I'm just one of the passengers and food taster/critic).

It was a good Sunday dinner to spend with the family after hearing the mass. The place is nothing just an ordinary hut where you can eat. But it gives to much joy and experience because it reminds me of the traditional houses that we used to have when we're that young. When life is just so plain and easy. The night is so calm as you can hear are just crickets at night.

The food served are very traditional except for the one dish that I've noticed which is from Thailand, the famous sticky rice. This is one of my favourite Thai dishes. Just to try how authentic this food, I've ordered it. In fairness, it may not look that good because it was soaking in coconut milk but it does tastes similar. So, well done chef!

After having a bountiful dinner, I don't wanna miss trying their Café which is the first thing I've noticed when we got into the place. Although bloated, I insisted to go there. We ordered few drinks, deserts and some which we take home too.

Though their service at cafe is a bit sucks, sorry for the term. But it doesn't keep up with the service standards. They're too slow and our orders weren't served correctly. But since, we don't want our night to be ruined by their lousy service. We just let it go. I hops this doesn't happen every single day.

Before I forget, one important thing that I want to highlight. The place is in the middle of a rice field (as it looks like) or sort of plantation. So, if you'll go there on a rainy day, it can be really muddy and as you approach the place the lane can only fit in 1 sedan car and no one is assisting. Although it's just a few meters away from the entrance but again since it's just one way, you mind find yourself reversing which can be frustrating because you won't be able to see it at once. So, just be cool when it happens because it's neither you or the other customers fault. It's the management's lack of...