KAPayE Filipinas — Restaurant in Mindoro

Nestled in the charming town of Pinamalayan lies an extraordinary café-restaurant that stands unparalleled in its allure and ambiance. This hidden gem transcends the ordinary, offering an experience that feels akin to stepping into a museum. The interior is adorned with a breathtaking collection of artwork, rare books, antique treasures, and nostalgic photographs, each piece thoughtfully curated to weave a tapestry of history and culture. Every corner of this enchanting space reflects an impeccable sense of style, making a visit here a feast for the eyes and a journey through time.

The owner’s exquisite taste is evident in every detail, from the meticulously designed décor to the exceptional quality of the food and beverages. Each dish and drink is crafted with care, offering a symphony of flavors that delight the palate. Whether it’s a fragrant cup of coffee, a refined culinary creation, or a refreshing beverage, every offering is a testament to the establishment’s commitment to excellence.

This family-run café-restaurant shines not only for its aesthetic and culinary brilliance but also for the warmth and hospitality of its staff. The team attends to guests with genuine kindness and attentiveness, creating an atmosphere that feels like a warm embrace. Their heartfelt service elevates every visit into a cherished memory.

This café-restaurant is more than just a place to dine—it’s a sanctuary where one can escape the hustle of everyday life and savor the beauty of the moment. It’s a haven that captivates the soul and invites you to linger. Without a doubt, I will return time and again to immerse myself in the magic of this truly...

Food:

Fish and chips was ok, not that bad, but not that great either. The lemon juice was sweeter than a couple you would see during valentine's day. I thought It was fresh but it tasted like a concentrated juice even when they were advertising "fresh", I was not actually able to taste the lemon itself because of its sweetness overload. I'm the kind of person who comes back because of the taste not the ambiance alone. To me, taste is the MOST important just like Alvin Leung says on Masterchef Canada "TASTE IS KING" doesn't matter the food presentation or location.

Service:

When I came by to the cashier to follow up the order I was waiting for, for more than 20mins (which was only one order of fish and chips, and a "fresh" lemon juice which was full of ice), I was greeted by a cold and unconcerned look of the staff behind the cashier. I saw the food was just sitting by the window where the cook hands out the food. And after I asked about our food I was asked in a suspicious manner for the receipt. Just made me think that this restaurant does not have a SOP (Standard Operating Precedure). The woman who took my order did not hand me any receipt, she just gave me a number and it will be served to our table. (Just to clarify: The woman whom I asked and the woman who took my order are two different people)

Atmosphere:

I'd say it has one of the best setting and ambiance in all of Pinamalayan and neighboring Town within 20mins drive.

OVERALL:

A not so pleasing...

Our visit was pleasant enough as the staff were friendly/ accomodating and the ambience was good. You can say that is an instagramable place.

Having said that, we were quite dissapointed with the food we ordered. Everything was cold when served and the meat tasted as if they were reheated :/ For instance, I ordered beef salpicao for myself. The beef was hard (in cubes), they should have thinly sliced the meat instead. I doubt that they used a nice piece of steak/beed. It is more of a beef tapa than a salpicao (where was the garlic?). I had to chew each pieces multiple times as it is really tough :(

The salmon seemed overbaked :/ and the orange chicken was overseasoned/salty. A good salmon should be moist when cooked! They could have just marinated it with orange juice then bake in the oven or airfryer.

The teriyaki chicken was far too sweet. It is likely that they used a bottled sauce than making their own.

Also it would have been nice to have a mix veg as a side dish.

Based from other reviews, pizza seems to be a good option but we did not have any unfortunately.

The price could be reasonable if they got it right. On this occassion, we felt it is a bit pricey.

I wanted this to be a positive review but I need to reflect what we have experienced I’m afraid :/

I’d be happy to come back in the future to try their other food. I’m hoping there would be a veg...