That's all so weird the 16 words recovery phrase enigma....
It doesn't make any sense to me. Back when you created it in that cafeteria, did that guy make it for you? Or he showed you how to do it? Have you keep contact with that guy? He may be the only one that knows what you'd done.
I still have my broken laptop with me (which has the initial wallet where it was originally set up).
Do you have access to the files of that laptop? How "broken" can you characterize it? Can you open it or not?
I personally haven't ever heard such recovery service, but I guess they're trustworthy. If I were you, I'd go and take a look.