Cacao

[muppet]

Just letting people know about our experiences last night at Cacao, in Girne.

The service left an awful and left a lot to be desired, the place was not busy by any stretch of the imagination, may have been 3 other tables in the place with customers. The staff were quite happy larking about or standing outside having a cigarette with other people.

We waited in excess of 20 mins for our drinks, and only got them after repeatedly asking, food came out quite promptly, but left an awful lot to be desired. I have never seen a salad look so sad and manky in all my life looked like the remains of someone else's.

We even had to ask for plates so we could all share the starters Garlic bread and other bits we had ordered they just plonked them in the middle of the table, and brought out the main courses. that we had asked for, they fully understood that we were sharing starters.

The pasta , risotto and pizza was OK and that's all I can say about it, waited another 15 mins for second round of drinks, after much prompting.

I asked to see the manager, but apparently we were not understood, and no one appeared. 5 people this included 2 kids who were really looking forward to going , having been many times whilst holidaying here in the past. 300+ TL. bill.

Before anyone says it, we tried to see the manager and dispute the bill, but to no avail.

So beware, Cacao is not at all what it used to be..

Has it been franchised or under new management does anyone know?

[fatouche]

I ate there twice two years ago; the food is mediocre at best.

[brian24001]

Cacao was good when it opened, actually probably more a novelty than good, but we have tried it more recently and left before we cold even get served (it wasn't busy then either), and won't bother going back.

They do a deal with one of the phone companies (Turkcell I think), so students can send a text and get a large discount, hence it's often now full of students, but this will of course affect income, so standards maybe have suffered as a result of that?

For a bowl of pasta, it was extremely expensive, and the food mediocre at best. We preferred to go to Mani Peni which was better food and better value by far.

Have to say though, the chocolates in Cacao are very good, and were not overly expensive.

[PapaBravo]

Find an English speaking waiter and ask for a Discount Card, which gives you 25% off your bill (including drinks) - you give your details and collect your card a few days later. Now it becomes very good value- we love it!

[namps]

Haven't been for long time but always found it just acceptable as fast food establishment. May I add we went to Mannipeni last night and whilst food and drink came quite quickly that was the extent of the service. Nobody asked if we would like more drinks, table was not cleared till after we payed bill. Bill was correct however. Lot of empty tables which at one time 7.30 with no booking lucky to get in. Think these places need to take a serious look at themselves

[Groucho]

Haven't been for long time but always found it just acceptable as fast food establishment. May I add we went to Mannipeni last night and whilst food and drink came quite quickly that was the extent of the service. Nobody asked if we would like more drinks, table was not cleared till after we payed bill. Bill was correct however. Lot of empty tables which at one time 7.30 with no booking lucky to get in. Think these places need to take a serious look at themselves

It seems to be a Cyprus endemic ailment.... start a business and then take your eye off the ball once the money starts to flow and then scratch your head when it dries up again.... "Don't rest on your laurels" used to be the maxim in the service industry - your eatery is only as good as the last customer's experience.

[muppet]

Groucho...spot on me thinks.....

It seems to be an Cyprus endemic ailment.... start a business and then take you eye off the ball once the money starts to flow and then scratch your head when it dries up again.... "Don't rest on your laurels" used to be the maxim in the service industry - your eatery is only as good as the last customer's experience.

[Groucho]

Groucho...spot on me thinks.....

It seems to be a Cyprus endemic ailment.... start a business and then take your eye off the ball once the money starts to flow and then scratch your head when it dries up again.... "Don't rest on your laurels" used to be the maxim in the service industry - your eatery is only as good as the last customer's experience.

Will they ever learn? Will they f.C.UK

[ailletoo]

But.... They do make exceedingly good Cherry Muffins!!!!!!

[Robert157]

We had the worst service ever ! Not sure who is in charge ? Nor are the staff , we went to book for 15 people , spoke to chef who gave told us to phone our order through , bit strange , when we phoned later that day someone else said order when you get there , we got there and the 5 or 6 waiters on duty had no idea what they were doing ? Couldn't take orders for food without messing up ? . Unless someone steps up and organises staff , this place will close down .
Same as ezics and manipanis , service was crap , hope they are reading these posts , save your businesses now

[tomsteel]

We took two guests who live in the RoC to Peanuts by the Amphitheatre in Girne yesterday lunchtime. Great service, attentive waiters, excellent food, good attention to details of orders, enormous portions and reasonably priced with great views over the Med. They were mega impressed. No relevance to Caco's service, but might be of interest to hosting guests.

[compass]

I believe Mannipennys was run by a couple.... man and wife, but they have divorced I gather and now being run by the "wife".

No disrespect intended, but I think Sam(hubby) had spent a LOT more time in the UK was more switched on as to what he customer wanted and created the business originally.

We still go and it's ok but not what it was originally.

C'pass

[PapaBravo]

We still go and it's ok but not what it was originally.

Fully agree.

[AndyT]

We loved Pasta Mania before it merged into Cacao, but the service is now appalling. Same with ManiPeni and Ambience. Probably give them another go this summer but only during the week.

[PapaBravo]

Went twice this week with young grandson and family, but only for cakes and ice cream.

Served by attentive waiters within five minutes on both occasions and had 25% deducted from the bill on production of my Cacao card. No complaints on either of these two occasions.

[Fesenjan123]

We went a few mo the ago. The food was Luke warm and mediocre and the service appalling. Won't be returning.