Sikwate House — Restaurant in Zamboanga del Sur

I felt a little sad, coming back here. This used to be one of my favourite spots-I’ve been coming since the restaurant first opened. My friends and I were regulars who loved the cozy atmosphere and the thoughtfully curated books that the owner would rotate from time to time. It was the kind of place that invited you to sit down, read, and enjoy a meaningful conversation. My husband also proposed to me on this cafe in the presence of my closest peers.

Unfortunately, on my recent return to town, the experience felt quite different. The music is now played at such a high volume that it’s hard to read, talk, or even think. Conversations across tables have turned into a shouting match just to be heard, creating a constant loop of escalating noise. I’ve visited several times during this vacation, so it doesn’t seem like a one-off incident. There’s also a recurring voice singing loudly along with the music, possibly a customer or a staff, the same voice everytime.

I understand that cafés/restos can be lively, and I don’t expect silence. But volume matters. A bustling space with chatter is very different from one overwhelmed by amplified sound. I hope the ambiance can return to the calm, inviting environment it once was, something that matched the heart...

Attitude Yung cashier that day. When we were about to order one by one when we came in as a group she basically told me Ipunin ko daw Yung order ng group namin then ibigay sa kanya in an impatient tone, my group was the only ones in the counter. We are not from Pagadian, not bisaya speaking as well and their menu is confusing. So she is basically telling me to do her job. Since we were kinda tired I won't have it. She heard from me, but dahil walang no choice, have to civil but didn't direct my dismay towards her, but she picked it up and did her job anyway. Food arrived and it wasn't even that good for me but we pretended that it's all worth the trouble. Gaslighting ourselves.

Then someone approached us offering free dessert, none of us want any of that out of fear that they might do something to us.

I rarely have bad restaurant experiences, I also have high tolerance and I hate doing reviews and customer feedback, but told myself this should go in Google, took me a month though...

I don't appreciate old Bangus Sisig that has bad bacteria build up. It looked as if it had been sitting at room temperature for 20 hours, then put on a cold oily skillet and served with a cooked egg on top. Thanks to you I am in bed all day, making frequent trips to relieve my Diarrhea.

I could have forgiven the expensive 95 peso cheap Nescafe coffee that you only give 6 ounces of. This what Starbucks charges for a small premium 8 Oz cup, but at least they serve it hot.

Take some pride and integrity in your restaurant. I'm really very...