From Balls to Bowls

CEBU, Philippines – To the sports enthusiasts, here’s a heads up. A new sports bar is buzzing its way to the dining scene with spunky features up on its sleeves.

Its name was derived from the rectangular table topped with green matting with six pits – canto la mesa (corner table). Cantomeza Sports Bar exudes as a refuge for the billiard buffs who also seek gastro goodness in bowls and platter. Established by five entrepreneurs, all billiard buddies, namely: Glenn Daniel C. Cubero, Emma Ruth Fernandez, Maria Fe Sy, Cristopher Ramos and Rogelio Nunez, Cantomeza is designed to gather billiard enthusiasts with six imported billiard tables from Taiwan situated at the al fresco area. Sports fanatics are also enticed with different sports channels shown on the TV screens mounted on the walls. Moreover, a humungous projector screen inside the dining area display the most-awaited bouts and feats. 

Specializing on international cuisine because of his experience in   international cruise ship, Chef Jean Patalinhug does what he does best. From starters to desserts, all with an international flair. For Cantomeza, for a lot of people to appreciate, affordability is the key to match tasty fare. Resembling the billiard balls, though quite smaller, are the CantoMeza Cue Balls, meat balls stuffed with quail eggs and a choice of honey or tartar sauce, as starters. There’s also the Mexican Chicken Quesadilla, flour tortilla filled with chicken, cream cheese, red kidney beans, onions topped with Mexican salsa, that is simply heaven! If you’re up for a noodle treat, Chef highly recommends its specialty, the CantoMeza Braids: stir-fried wheat Chinese noodles in aromatic seafood sauce, pork and quail egg wrapped in banana leaf. I must say, this meal awakened my appetite. Ideally for barkadas is the Cantomeza Platter, which is a combination of fried calamari, battered fish strips, buffalo chicken wings (oohh so hot), spicy sautéed calamari, meat balls served with French fries. To cap your dining experience, there’s the Mango Crepes and the Banana Split.

Formerly Binugoy, Cantomeza can seat up to 80 diners. Your P200 will go a long way at Cantomeza because of its affordably prized meals ranging from P30 – P150. They also serve sandwiches, meals with accompaniments (such as longsilog, tapsilog and tosilog) and sizzling pica-picas. Its full bar is manned by two bartenders so while playing, you can sip your favorite mojito and chill to the RNB or slow rock hits played in the background. For a P70 rental, you can plunge into the leisure madness that billiards bring.

According to finance in-charge Glenn Daniel C. Cubero, Cantomeza will soon host billiard competitions to encourage more people to try billiards as a sport. Dart boards will soon be mounted, as well.

Cantomeza is located at Juan Luna Avenue, near the F. Cabahug intersection, Tres Borces, Mabolo and is open daily from 5PM to 2AM.