Il Capo Smoke Haus: A Bad Place For A Diet

Puerto Galera already has plenty of pizza places, so discovering a smokehouse in this beach town is indeed refreshing. Yes! Tourists and locals in Puerto Galera now have a spot to savor slow-cooked smoked meats and grilled Wagyu beef patties, paired with wine and coffee.

Il Capo Smoke Haus is managed by the same group and family that owns our favorite restaurant in Roxas, Red Tomato Restofarm. So when it opened during the pandemic, we already had a feeling that this place in Puerto Galera would offer something special.

Apologies for sharing a blurry photo! I don’t have a decent picture from Il Capo. We’ve been here multiple times, but I just realized we never thought to take a proper photo, as we always dig into the food right away. I did manage to find this selfie we sent to our friends to show them where we were. Luckily, I didn’t forget to capture the food we had!

Il Capo

Il Capo is the smoke house’s double cheese Wagyu burger with bacon and caramelized onions. Even if they don’t mention it, the taste alone reassured me that the patty is made with 100% beef. I could taste the smokiness, not just in the patty but also in the bacon. I wonder if the bacon is house-made, too. The bread was soft and flavorful, and the fries that came with it were thick and starchy, which I liked. They had a natural potato flavor. The meal was served with a delicious cranberry juice, making it a great deal overall.

Veri Peri

Veri Peri is Il Capo’s only chicken burger on the menu, and I’m glad they offer it. It’s my go-to burger whenever I feel guilty about my food choices. Before it was served, I expected a patty made with ground chicken. However, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a thin slice of battered chicken fillet, which was better because it felt more real and natural. It was also crispier this way. While the fillet may be thin, the chicken flavor still stood out, despite the generous amount of cheese and veggies. I might feel guilty because of the bacon strips, but I couldn’t complain. They were just too good.

Hawaiian

This was the grandest single-patty burger we’ve had at Il Capo so far. Both my palate and my appetite were satisfied. The grilled pineapple added a nice touch to a simple cheeseburger, contributing sweet and tangy juices. I initially thought the pineapple would be sour, but when I tasted the fruit on its own, it was surprisingly savory. The burger also featured a large slice of caramelized onion, which added even more flavor. The bun was soft, as usual. I also liked the chips. They were crispy and unsalted.

Salisbury Steak | Cappuccino

There’s no need to explain much about the patty because we all know this is where Il Capo excels. But aside from the Wagyu patty, they also did a great job with the mashed potatoes and gravy. The gravy was beefy and peppery, while the mashed potatoes were perfectly smooth. Together, they made an incredible combination. As we left, I took out a cappuccino, which was already delicious and comforting, even without added sugar. The coffee was strong, which I loved.

Pork Steak

It’s unfortunate that their White Beach branch didn’t offer steaks, so I had this meal delivered to the beach. It was my first time being asked about the doneness of pork. I’m used to having medium-rare beef, but I had second thoughts about undercooked pork, so I chose medium-well to be safe. However, the pork turned out dry at this doneness. I ordered pork steak because I was trying to be budget-conscious, but when it arrived, I wished I had just ordered beef. The pork steak was good, but still, nothing beats beef steak. The slice was thick, which had both pros and cons. It had quite a few fatty parts, which aren’t ideal for a pork steak. On the bright side, I liked the touch of rosemary and the mushroom soup-like gravy.

Pesto Pasta | Calamansi with Basil

You can really tell that the pesto sauce was freshly made, with a well-balanced flavor. We usually add parmesan to our pasta, but this dish didn’t need it. I loved the pasta even more since it was cooked al dente. I paired the Pesto Pasta with another herbed drink, Il Capo’s Calamansi with Basil. The calamansi was distinct, and I truly appreciated how the drink emphasized the difference between calamansi and lemons. The basil was a great addition to the tangy drink, much like mint.

Potato Salad | French Vanilla Frappe

The potato salad had a strong mustard flavor, making it generally tangy. I wish they had added meat, like bacon bits, to balance the flavor and add some umami. However, I appreciated the generous portion of potatoes, with each bite being substantial. On the other hand, the French Vanilla Frappe was just okay. The coffee and crushed ice didn’t blend well, so it felt like drinking iced coffee at the bottom while the top was mostly ice. The coffee tasted like a standard latte or coffee and milk mixture. I only noticed the French Vanilla flavor near the end of the drink. The whipped cream, though, was delicious.

Iced Cafe Latte

As Sharpay Evans said, “More ice?” The drink wasn’t refreshingly cold enough for the Puerto Galeran vibe. I think the hot espresso shot melted the ice, making the latte warmer than it should have been. However, they were kind enough to give me more ice when I asked. I appreciated the unsweetened iced latte, as we could focus on the flavors of the coffee and milk, just like how a Cafe Latte should be. However, I couldn’t detect any unique flavor notes in the coffee. The beans seemed fairly standard.