Captain Willis — Restaurant in Útila

I had driven past Captain Willis' location several times in our first week on Utila. It looked small and contemporary from the outside.

After looking at the restaurant’s IF feed and reading reviews, we were expecting another fantastic meal like we had at Mango Tango, Mammut, Mister Buddah and 1104.

When we arrived at 7pm for our reservation, the restaurant was full, except our table.

Here are some of the issues we experienced:

It took 45 minutes before our appetizer arrived, the amazing spring rolls.

It was 90 minutes after we were seated when our entrees arrived.

Then one of our diners never received his steamed fish, even though the waitress acknowledged writing it down. At that point my friend opted to not order another entree.

After all of this, we then learn the restaurant doesn't accept credit cards. We were never told this when we were seated. It's not on the front door. And I took pictures of several pages of the menu and saw nothing. Luckily we were able to scrounge up $3256 in Honduran cash.

This was our second most expensive meal on the island. I realize many places don't accept credit cards due to the fees. But I'm happy to pay an upcharge to cover the restaurant's fees.

I thought one of the staff members at the bar was the manager. I might be wrong. When I told her what happened with the missing entree, I felt no concern for our situation.

No one told us the kitchen was backed up. They were packing to go orders.

The food was excellent, but these issues ruined a wonderful evening.

One last comment. The fish soup is a meal of its own. The bowl is large enough for two to share. Full of hearty vegetables and seafood. We ordered two bowls since the server called them small bowls. Her description was...

Only place in Utila serving proper UK style Fish & Chips, with Mushy Peas! This is very exciting. Huge portion. Highly recommend.

First Impression 2022: I was not expecting much from this enclosed (air-conditioned) venue, but was more than pleasantly surprised. The ambiance is beach-chic cheery, with well balanced lighting for dining - I was worried it would be too bright, not at all.

Will be back for the spring-rolls, and will ask for extra peanut dipping sauce (because it's awesome). Loved the Yuca fries! Tropical Salmon steak (not filet) was filling. Pineapple salsa was a perfect accompaniment.

Friends raved about the rib-eye steak (specifically that it was well seasoned with fresh sprigs of thyme) and the highly recommended by previous guests succulently- saucy Shrimp Etouffee.

Bottle of red: I have a new locally sold favourite thanks to this meal. From Argentina, the Estancia Mendoza, Syrah Cabernet blend.

Shared the Churro desert a la mode, with all the cinnamon and sugar. Soooo yummy!

Service was impeccable. Wonderful experience from start to finish.

Well pleased....

Captain Willis is def in my top 2 favorite restaurants on Utila. It has pretty standard American prices but it's well worth it because the food is amazing, wait staff is sweet 🥰 and attentive, and the atmosphere is immaculate 👌🌟. It's also one of the few restaurants with A/C on the island. They make the BEST mojitos on the island and are well known for their civiche. They have a fish civiche appetizer and also a peruvian civiche entree. So far I've just tried the fish civiche and the seafood coconut soup and both were divine. I'll definitely keep coming back because there's SO many things on the menu I want to try including their Cajun options like shrimp ettouffe. 😋

Things to note: if it's the weekend or a busy night you may want to call and make a reservation. Sometimes the front door is locked and you may have to walk around to the door on the left side of the...