Wolfgang’s Boracay serves steaks with beach views

BORACAY — Your summer beach getaway gets a delicious upgrade with the arrival of Wolfgang's Steakhouse Grill in Boracay Newcoast. 

The global restaurant brand’s first branch outside of Metro Manila opened to the public last February 29, marking a significant expansion for Wolfgang's Steakhouse in the Philippines. 

With a capacity of 65 seats, the restaurant uses stone, wood, and leather to create a relaxed yet still elegant ambiance. Breathtaking views of the white sand beach and crystal-clear waters — including the landmark Keyhole — further elevate the dining experience.

However, its location is far from Boracay’s famous long beach, which remains the hub of the island’s tourist activities — including dining.

To remedy that, it launched a shuttle service, wherein guests can just call and a bow-tied Wolfgang staff will fetch them via the restaurant’s own e-vehicle.

“So they just have to call us and then we can pick you up, back and forth,” Wolfgang’s senior general manager Victor Cordova Jr. told ANCX. “That’s free. There's no minimum order. We want to showcase the service that we can offer. So regardless of what you order, burgers or just a drink or just a cocktail, we're going to pick you up.”

And so far, the service has helped boost business as Boracay gears up for its peak summer season.

Asked if he thinks they opened too soon, given that most of the other establishments in Boracay Newcoast are still under construction, Cordova said, “Not really.”

“Holy Week is around the corner. Laboracay is around the corner as well. And I think some establishments will be opening very soon as well. The thing is that the location is very important. I mean, this is something that you can't get in other locations like having steak and facing the beach,” he said, pointing out the two hotels in the area — Belmont Hotel and Savoy Hotel — a convention facility, as well as condominiums.

“People who usually go to the beach, after sunbathing, they just go to the hotel and come back for their late lunch. Even dinner as well,” he added.

Grill concept

For Boracay, the brand brought its Wolfgang's Steakhouse Grill concept that offers a wider menu that goes beyond classic steakhouse fare with a variety of grilled specialties.

Although Wolfgang’s also serves seafood like its famous crab cakes and fresh oysters, Cordova said they also want to highlight dishes that suggest a more beach vibe given the location.

This is the reason it included two seafood options exclusive to the Boracay branch — the Ceviche Platter, and the Beach Tacos — which were approved by Wolfgang’s president and co-founder Peter Zwiener, who even attended the restaurant’s opening.

“He’s open to some innovation definitely. But the final say in terms of the menu, it has to go through Mr. Peter,” Cordova said.

The Ceviche Platter consists of yellowfin tuna, red snapper and sea scallops, which can be shared as a refreshing starter or to go with a cold beer or cocktails.

Same with the Beach Tacos, which come as a pair of homemade birria tacos, one with lobster tail and the other with deep-fried halibut — ideal as a snack or bar chow, since Wolfgang’s has its in-house Beach Club with an extensive wine collection, a well-stocked bar, and meticulously crafted cocktails, like the Guava Caipirinha and Lilikoi Margarita.

Star steaks

Despite these additions, Wolfgang’s signature dry-aged USDA Prime Black Angus steaks remain the star attraction.

Cordova said the restaurant has a temperature-controlled room for the meat, which is essential given the more intense temperatures in Boracay.

What is more crucial is inventory management as ingredients have to be flown in, he stressed.

Now that Wolfgang’s Boracay is up and running, the steakhouse brand is already looking at other locations outside the metro for its expansion.

Cordova mentioned that a restaurant in Cebu is set to open within the year at Mactan Newtown.

Wolfgang’s is also looking at opening in Iloilo and Davao.