05/28/07

Really Good Everytime

by bkt3050

I've had dinner at Capital Grille four times in a year and everthing is really good, from the mac and cheese to the tuna. To THE FEllAS call ahead and tell the receptionist if this is a speacial occasion. For me it was my anniversary and the watier took a picture of my wife and I and put it in a little Capital Grille frame. Just go and treat you and that special person in your life, it is WORTH IT.

• Pros: Great food!
• Cons: Pricey

07/03/09

Better than average

by htown01

First of all let me say that the service and ambiance at Capital Grille is fantastic. The waiters truly go above and beyond to meet your every need. It doesn't matter if you are there for once a year romantic dinner, a regular who eats there once a week or dining customers for a business dinner. The restaurant itself has this era gone by charm. It's filled with beautiful painings and low lighting that make you feel like you are eating in an elegant home instead of a restaurant.

I have eaten at Capital Grille a few times in the last year and each time I tell people, to their dismay, that the food is just ok. The seafood is very fresh and well presented. The side dishes are all delicious, especially the lobster mac and cheese. The desserts are very plentiful but mediocre. And the steaks.....are just average. The meat is good quality and well prepared; it is the flavor that is lacking. I have had a better steak from the grill in my backyard. I'm not sure why the meat lacks flavor but I would rather not pay $40 a steak again to try and see if it has improved.

There are other places here in Houston that have better food without the big dent on your wallet.

• Pros: Service is phenomenal
• Cons: Food could be better

02/15/09

Met and exceeded my high expectations

by QueenVictoria

I've lived in Houston all my life and had yet to try Capital Grille. My lovely bf thought that Vday 09 would be a great chance for both of us to try it out. We went for the 13th to try and cut down on the crowds a teeny bit. We got lucky and snagged a parking space without valet. The restaurant was packed to the gills. We were seated within 5 minutes of our reservation time and greeted by our very pleasant and knowledgeable server Rene. The wine list is extensive with choices in various price ranges. We chose an easy drinking cab and proceeded to go over the menu. Here's what we had:

Shrimp cocktail - 5 large, fresh, dense meat shrimp served on ice with a mild cocktail sauce

Filet and butter poached lobster - melt in your mouth filet, paired with tender lobster claw meat over soft mashed potatoes

Kona crusted dry aged sirloin with roasted shallot butter - a flavorful crust of ground Kona coffee, something different and delicious

Parmesan truffle fries - like McD's on steroids! Crispy fries with salty parmesan cheese and promninent but not overpowering earthiness of truffle

Roasted seasonal mushrooms - cremini, portobello, shitake, and oyster mushrooms in rosemary-thyme-garlic butter

Cheesecake with fresh berries - a great, not too dense, not too sweet cheesecake with strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries

What a fantastic meal we had! The service was attentive without being intrusive. We will definitely be back again soon!

• Pros: Steak! (all the food really), location, service

01/31/09

Best Lobster Mac and Cheese. Friendly Staff.

by restuarantfamily

I just discovered Capital Grille this summer in D.C... we were at the Capital Grille at the Capitol. And so I had to try the Houston location because I couldn't stop thinking about the LOBSTER Mac N Cheese. Yeah, Lobster! It sounds weird, at least it did to me, but it is the absolute best. It's a side dish. The cheese is a high quality combo of a few different cheeses and the lobster is soft and tender--PERFECTION. We went there for drinks and apps before a big dinner party in midtown. There was four of us, we had three beers, an amaretto sour, two orders of Lobster mac n cheese, and the onion rings. The onion rings were very tasty and the batter was crispy, almost like big flakes of panko Japanese bread crumbs, light, airy, crunchy. The bar staff was super nice. They set up a table cloth on our table since we were eating. Half the part was pretty casual, but they treated us very nicely nonetheless. They block A LOT of spaces for valet so you may need to walk across the parking lot if you want to park yourself. Great food, great service. We will be back. You should check them out!

• Pros: Lobster Mac N Cheese, onion rings, service
• Cons: too many spaces blocked for valet

11/04/08

superb sirloin and well stocked wine cellar

by grcxx3

I couldn't resist the blue-point oysters which were marvelous, cold, salty .....I had a dozen. Not cheap but very very good. The wine list is super. A wide variety of American reds and whites in a range of prices. The rest of the world selection is not vast but there are many solid choices.

The dry aged sirloin was certainly the best steak I've had in recent memory. Prepared medium rare....it was tasty to the last bite. Service was just right...attentive, not rushed, a real pleasure. I look forward to a return visit.

• Pros: steak
• Cons: some noisy people

08/19/08

Remarkable!

by adanary

Thanks to you folks at the Capital Grille for a delightful experience. My first visit (lured in by your participation in the End Hunger Benefit) and I pray, not the last. The food out of your kitchen is mouth-watering; I loved the Creme Brulee, best in town I believe. Great choices on the wine list. Lastly, but above all, you've recruited spectacular servers; from the moment one enters your establishment, all were cordial, jovial, knowledgeable and PERFECTLY attentive. Indisputably, first class, keep it up!

• Pros: All-encompassing fine dining. Some places in town could learn a thing or two...
• Cons: If you are concerned about value - Expect quality, Not quantity.

05/29/08

Benchmark for Restaurants!

by geraldtito

Wow!!! Now this is a place to go! The service is first class and the food is spectacular! The kind of place that you would go on a special occasion or if you just want to treat yourself. Bring your walet though! But WELL WORTH! Keep up the great work guys!

• Pros: These guys have got customer service figured out. Thank You!
• Cons: wish it was a little less pricey.

03/01/08

Terrific experience!!!!

by sthomas49

I visited this restaurant for the first time last weekend after hearing rave reviews. I must say the hype is true. Every detail from start to finish was executed perfectly. The porterhouse is a dry aged in house and was the best I have ever had. The service was professional but not stuffy allowing my date and I to have a great night. Highly recommended!

• Pros: Great food, professional and fun service, great bartenders
• Cons: None

12/30/07

Consistently good but not exceptional

by z_man1025

My wife and I have dined here on numerous occasions, most recently a few weeks ago. We lvoe the ambience and the food never fails to satisfy. However the staff are sometimes left wanting (wine service was not knowledgable or broad) and the arrogance is what I'd expect in Rome or Paris, not in Houston.

Overall, steaks were cooked as requested and delivered promptly. Appetizers and desserts were great. Food is very good - let down by poor service

• Pros: Steak
• Cons: Service

11/26/07

Loud, Overpriced and so so food.

by jdwithaplan

The only way I really enjoy Capital Grill is if 1) I have had a least 3 drinks before arriving or 2) I am with a large group and I want to enjoy their company.

My business requires me to travel and eat out about 20 times a month.

Luckily, I can chose to eat where ever I wish to, however when I am in Houston I will only go to The Capital Grille if I have a client that is in love with it must be good because it is so expensive or the two reasons above.

The food is only ok. The servers try hard and often succeed but the noise and the cost for what you receive

just doesn't work.

• Pros: Good Valet service
• Cons: Loud, so so food, Overpriced.

09/26/07

One of the best bone-in ribeyes

by shinobi

I went to The Capital Grille last night w/ a friend that also loves to eat fine food. The restaurant's decor & service were first class, but I like to focus on food. We had the calamari, lobster bisque, lettuce wedge, & lobster mac & cheese. My friend had the veal chop & I had the Delmonico steak (bone-in ribeye) for our entrees. The calamari was good. The lobster mac & cheese was ok. That sounded different so we just wanted to try it. I was very disappointed w/ the lobster bisque. I thought the bisque was very bland & the lobster not fresh. I'm very picky with steak. My friend's veal chop was pretty good, but the Delmonico was amazing. It was one of the best steaks I've had in a long time. I shared a lot of it w/ my friend becausse I couldn't keep her off of my steak. It was cooked perfectly, good color on the inside, tender, & very flavorful. I was very disappointed in the lobster bisque, but if you love steak, you have to try the Delmonico steak.

• Pros: food, service, ambience