Capilay Spring Park restobar.: "Pretty good in a small field." San Juan Restaurant Tip by planxty

San Juan is a pretty small place and there are not a huge amount of options on the eating front so the delightful restaurant in the Capilay Spring Park (see seperate tip) was a bit of a blessing. As settings go, this is pretty good. It sits, as the name suggests, in the park of the Cipalay Spring, a delightful natural swimming pool which attracts the locals for cooling off or a sit in the delightfully manicured garden which surrounds it.

On the Friday night I was in San Juan I had merely had a plate of chips, or French fries as they style them here which were great, but it was on the Saturday night this place really came into it's own. I had returned to Czars place where I was staying at about 2100 to find it shut up in stark contrast to the previous night when it had been manic (see seperate nightlife tip). OK, I'll ride into town and get something. Well, very much easier said than done as there was just nowhere open. The entire town was completely dead. Well, I have gone without food before and I could always get a few packets of crisps (potato chips) from the local sari sari (little roadside shop). Not quite in desperation but still a bit hungry I checked this place and found, to my delight, that there were lights on.

I walked in to be greeted warmly by the staff, some of whom I had been drinking with the previous night after they finished work and enquired if the kitchen was still open. Of course it was, and what did I want? The menu is predominantly Western although there is one concession to local cuisine, the porkloin adobo which I tried for but was sadly off that night. I do love adobo. I settled for Hungarian sausage with French fries at 150 pesos (about £2:50). I have never understood the great Philippino love for Hungarian and, indeed, various German, sausages. I can understand the Spanish influence putting Chorizo on many menus but I really don't understand a Hungarian influence. I am not complaining though, I love them.

The meal took a little while to arrive, hardly surprising as I think they fired the kitchen up especially for me, for which I am grateful, but the time was spent pleasantly in conversation with the locals over a beer. I can certainly imagine a lot worse places to wait for a meal. OK, it is not haute cuisine but when it arrived it was piping hot, utterly delicious and presented with some care, as you can see.

I did notice whilst looking around that they offer a range of breakfasts including breakfast cereals which I have not seen anywhere else locally.

Whilst the food here is certainly much better than passable, it is the location and convivial company that make this place somewhat special.

A few other facts for you. The proprieter / manageress or whatever did tell me (unprompted) tht she was a tomboy (local parlance for lesbian) so I can only conclude the place would be homosexual friendly. Also, the restaurant is all on one level and close to the road which would make it easily accessible for the mobility impaired with the caveat that the toilets are unfortunately on the other side of the pool over a bridge which would not be accessible for a wheelchair without difficulty and assistance.

All in all, a great friendly little place to eat.

Favorite Dish: Well, the French fries were good but when teamed with the Hungarian sausage they were delightful.

Address: Poblacion, San Juan, Siquijor, Philippines.
Comparison: about average
Directions: Coming from the Siquijor city direstion it is in the park on the left opposite the police station just before the 90 degee left hand bend.
Price: less than US$10
Rating: 4
Theme: Eclectic/International