The Capital Grille

02/15/09

Met and exceeded my high expectations

by QueenVictoria at Citysearch

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 at Citysearch

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 at Citysearch

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 at Citysearch

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 at Citysearch

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 at Citysearch

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

09/26/07

One of the best bone-in ribeyes

by shinobi at Citysearch

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

09/10/07

Cozy- felt like a high roller!

by kdbriggs at Citysearch

I went to the capital grille for the first time on a sunday afternoon. Two friends and I were the only ones there. The ambience was INCREDIBLE felt like old hollywood. This place is known for their steaks but I just had the warm spinach salad- DELICIOUS! Our waiter was nice and attentive. Definitely going back!

07/23/07

Pricey, but Delmonico well worth it.

by yummie407 at Citysearch

I went to a co-worker's birthday dinner at Capital Grille. I've read plenty of great reviews about the restaurant and the Grille's Demonico 22 ounce steak. Now, I can see why. If you try ANYTHING at Capital Grille... try the Grille's Domonico steak. It's a little pricey at $41 bucks but oh man it?s delicious and well worth it. Capital Grille dry age their steaks so this steak was EXTRA tender and full of FLAVOR. They dry age it for 30 days if I remember correctly. I got my steak medium rare and it was off the hook! haha. Not to sound cheesy but I took my first bite and my friend pointed out? damn that must be good because you?re smiling. The lobster and crab cake was really good too. Service was excellent and informative. C.G. has a huuuuge wine list!

Just a tid bit of information? the waitress was telling me the Domnico?s cut is a prime cut which has more fat marbling? which means more flavor. The other steaks on the menu were a choice cut vs a prime cut. Go for the prime cut!

I'll be going again for another special occasion. =)

• Pros: service, wine list, food
• Cons: nothing

07/14/07

A loyal guest forever!

by johnbr at Citysearch

The best food, service and atmosphere in Houston! Everytime I come to The Capital Grille, my expectations are exceeded! Not only is the food the best but the staff make you feel like part of the family. I love bringing clients and family there. They are always talking about it for months after!

• Pros: Food, service, personality
• Cons: None