SEVERAL years ago, John Such and Rodolfo Catindig Jr. were workmates at a restaurant on Saipan who shared the same dream: to own their own restaurant.
On May 10, 2023, they opened Citrine Café and Restaurant in Koblerville. They named it after the birthstone of Such’s twin children. Citrine is also known as the “merchant’s stone” and is associated with success and wealth.
Born on Saipan but raised in the Philippines, Catindig had hands-on experience in various restaurants in the Philippines, including Mang Inasal, which is famous for its grilled chicken.
When he returned to Saipan, he continued honing his skills at KFC where he met Such.
“We were team mates, and during one of our conversations, we talked about starting our own restaurant,” Such said.
“I wanted to match the investment amount that my partner planned to put in the business so I had to have two jobs,” Catindig said.
Married and with twin children, Such also had two jobs.
“We both knew we had to save to make this dream a reality,” he said.
It was in 2020 when they started drawing up plans for their restaurant.
“This was during the pandemic season so we were thinking about having a small space at Kada Dia Market,” Such said.
But in 2023, they found a huge commercial space available in Koblerville.
“We waited for the prefect time and opportunity. We keep saving, planning and conceptualizing,” Such said.
“If you really want to save, you have to minimize your expenses,” said Catindig who is also married. “I have a dream and that’s what motivates me.”
In February 2023, they applied for a business license and began renovating and decorating the building that would be their restaurant.
On May 10, 2023, Citrine Cafe and Restaurant served its first guests. Four days later, the place was packed.
Such and Catindig said they were “overwhelmed.”
“There were so many people,” Such said. “We had to close our restaurant the next day so that we could have time to restock our inventory and prepare the place again,” Such said.
Mouthwatering
Located a few meters away from the Mobil gas station in Koblerville, Citrine offers mouthwatering Filipino dishes for lunch and à la carte.
With bosa nova music in the background, the restaurant’s “tropical feel” provides a relaxing ambience that is ideal for enjoying freshly brewed coffee or a sumptuous lunch.
On the menu are crispy belly kare kare (stew with savory peanut sauce), hot and tasty bulalo (beef soup), chicken inasal (grilled chicken), chicken chaser, sweet & sour chicken, grilled doubled pork chop, pork crispy pata (crispy fried pork leg) and grilled pork belly among other delicious dishes.
Citrine also provides catering services.
For more information, to make a reservation or to order food, call (670) 288-0138 or email Citrinesaipan@gmail.com/.
Citrine Café and Restaurant is located in Koblerville, near the Mobil gas station.
Citrine owners Rodolfo Catindig, left, and John Such pose in one of the cozy corners of their café.
Enjoy coffee in this corner of Citrine.
Having lunch? Order food in advance or drive by and pick one or two choices from Citrine’s menu of the day.
The bamboo counter of Citrine.
