El Capo

4.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  1     

We were part of a big party that got the banquet, and about 1/3 the table were vegetarians. The vegetarians didn't get nearly as much food, or food to the same quality as the meat-eaters. I understand that El Capo serves latino food, and this has a heavy meat focus, but I was pretty disappointed when we raised our concerns with them, and they told us that this sucked for vegetarians but we had to deal with it. $50/head might have been good value for pork belly, slow cooked lamb and the many many other meat dishes, but it was not good value for the vegetarian selection, which was only average. Also the music was so loud that conversations with anyone but the person across from you was impossible.

Feb 26, 2012 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  9     

I liked it. Wasn't perfect but it was fun and that's all I want from a night out. Plus didn't spend as much money as I thought I would. Bonus.

Dec 22, 2011 

3.8 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  3      Service  5      Value  4     

Sadly disappointing as it's a great concept, a good looking fit-out and handy location. We turned up midweek and were the only people in the place. The music was deafening, so it was hard to hear our conversation, or the staff. The menu looked interesting but the food was bland and pricey for the quality. Stick to the cocktails which are generous and some nice ideas.

Dec 20, 2011 

5.5 Average

Food  3      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  3     

Came here for dinner last night, Being a Friday night with no booking the staff were very accommodating and took out number down, we had a table within 15 minutes. Venue is Funky and really comfortable and the menu looked fun and different, were expecting the dishes to be tantilizing, we were wrong.

Ordered the Cornbread, which seemed to be rice flour dough deep fried, had the duck main, at $28 you get half a duck that tastes like it was just thrown into a deep fryer and I have no idea how it could possibly have 28 ingredients, unless these consisted of 28 different types of saturated fat with some Hoi Sin sauce on the side.

A real disappointment. The only positive about this place is the staff and the location, but the food is way below average, will not be eating here again.

Nov 12, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

Brilliant. Great fitout (love the cheeky thing on the scales), cool music and a ripper offer of food and drinks. What a breath of fresh air El Capo is.

Went there with a few people (5) for lunch and we ordered every dish, was a perfect amount for the lot of us. The empanadas were great, plaintain chips super more-ish, ribs were awesome, rice and beans tasty, pork neck tender/delicious and the duck mole really light and falvoursome.

Wine list is short and punchy, we had the postales white and the tierra del fuego red. Both really well matched to the food and more importanly, reasonably priced. A couple of dos equis beers washed the whole thing down a treat.

Service was great from one hurried young lady, she handled the big rush at the start (1pm) well and we didn't want for anything throughout the meal. Food came out pretty quick and all items were hot and well presented.

Get here quick sticks, great little place. Slightly quirky and a bit off beat but that is part of its charm! Winner.

Nov 11, 2011 

4.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  4      Value  4     

Went for a late night snack a few weeks back after trying to get into Orto. Food was ok, nothing amazing but something different to try. The waitress was pretty over life and was disinterested in serving by the time we had our meal. I have heard good things and wanted to try, not sure if I'll go back but I'm sure others would like.

Sep 21, 2011 

7 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  5     

This is a fun place with interesting food, unfortunately, the mains were too small. I'd ordered the Big Lunch and expected something like on 'Man v Food' but the serving was something more like a course on a degustation menu. While this was undoubtedly good for my porky waistline, and after cornbread etc I'd probably eaten enough, El Capo may not get a second chance to sate my hunger.

Sep 16, 2011 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  10     

I just visited El Capo for lunch and it was Great. The space is fun and unique and everyone loved their meals. I ordered the Carribean Chicken and Rice, I saw others said it was bland but mine really packed a punch. I thought it tasted good and for $10 my serving size was really good value. It was not busy while we were there so we had no trouble with service, our waiter was friendly and helpful, offering suggestions for our meals and recommending matching drinks. It was a nice afternoon, I'd go back.

Sep 15, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

Very cool place. I liked it a lot and will definitely come back here to enjoy the Pork Grits, Calamari, Tequila. What more could you ask for?

Sep 15, 2011 

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  7     

After J-Lo the next best Latino diva is El Capo, also nestled in the Hills. Not exactly Mexican, but worth a mention as this is Latin-American street food at its bad-ass best. Especially since the place is decked out in gangster-themed murals of guns, cars and dollar signs. Funny, since you don’t need to hit the jackpot to eat well in this hood. Creative dimes include grits and pork with corn bread, Caribbean chicken rice and black pudding with soft-cooked egg and saffron aioli.

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Sep 06, 2011