9 Best And 5 Worst Things To Order At The Capital Grille
The Capital Grille is a tantalizing option for a night out at a steakhouse, but not everything on the menu is worth spending your money on. Here's what customers say are the best — and worst — dishes.
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00:00The Capitol Grill is a tantalizing option for a night out at a steakhouse, but not everything
00:04on the menu is worth spending your money on. Here's what customers say are the best — and
00:08worst — dishes.
00:10Rib-eye steak is typically characterized by flavorful meat and a juicy texture. The Capitol
00:14Grill offers two types — a 22-ounce bone-in version, grilled to your liking, and a porcini-rubbed
00:18boneless prime variety, with 15-year-aged balsamic vinegar. While both cuts sound great
00:23on paper, actually getting them right is a whole different story. As one customer bemoaned
00:27on OpenTable,
00:28"'I've been more times than I can count, but the past year has been hit-or-miss at best.
00:32I ordered bone-in rib-eye. I couldn't eat it. I needed a saw to cut that steak. Huge
00:36disappointment.'"
00:37Several other diners have also complained that their steak wasn't cooked to their specifications,
00:41with one of them confessing on OpenTable,
00:43"'My friend's rib-eye was raw versus medium, only to be returned with the same steak, cooked
00:48medium well to well.'"
00:50You might not usually associate lobster with comfort food. Nevertheless, the Capitol Grill's
00:54lobster mac and cheese boldly attempts to blur the line between a classic favorite and
00:58the rich flavors of the crustacean. Alas, this dish's inconsistent quality has left
01:02many diners feeling underwhelmed. The team at the Capitol Grill describes the lobster
01:06mac and cheese as,
01:07"'Magnificent' as it sounds, but clearly not all customers share this enthusiasm."
01:10One dissatisfied diner complained about the scarcity of a very key ingredient, writing
01:14on OpenTable,
01:15"'The lobster mac barely had any lobster in it, and my lobster was overcooked and extremely
01:19chewy.'"
01:20Other customers have complained that the lobster was dry, while some have noticed that the
01:24portions have become smaller over time.
01:26The trick to the perfect roasted chicken breast lies in seasoning, temperature control, and
01:30letting the meat rest after cooking. Unfortunately, the Capitol Grill seems to have missed the
01:34mark on these crucial steps. Served with mushrooms and Parmesan risotto, one major criticism
01:39is that it's overly dry. But the biggest issue with the roasted chicken breast is its consistency,
01:43or lack thereof, with some diners calling it too dry, while others saying that it arrived
01:48at their table undercooked. As one of them recounted on OpenTable,
01:51We mentioned the chicken to our waitress and she apologized, removed it from our bill,
01:55and told us four other diners had also complained about the chicken.
01:57"'You're just a little chicken.'"
02:04Side dishes can elevate the overall dining experience by adding balance and depth of
02:07flavor to the main course. When it comes to shareable sides, the Capitol Grill offers
02:11plenty of options, but unfortunately, the sautéed spinach with garlic confit doesn't
02:16quite deliver.
02:17The most common complaint among disappointed diners is the lack of flavor, while others
02:20have also mentioned a tangy aftertaste and excess oiliness. Customers with a preference
02:25for spinach that's both creamier and packed with more robust flavors might be better off
02:29opting for the creamed spinach with béchamel sauce.
02:32The classic version of Caesar salad comes with romaine lettuce, shaved Parmesan cheese,
02:36Caesar dressing, and croutons.
02:37Have a taste of my hyper-corrosive croutons, arch-villain!
02:41Caesar salad is also sometimes served with grilled chicken and bits of bacon. Capitol
02:45Grill's version comes with Grana Padano croutons, and it can be incorporated into a plate with
02:49your choice of seared salmon, roasted chicken breast, or sliced tenderloin steak.
02:53Alas, the reception of this salad has been wildly inconsistent, with some calling it
02:57delightful and others being completely let down. With that in mind, the chain's other
03:01salads might just be a safer bet. As one online reviewer put it on OpenTable,
03:04"...the go-to Caesar salad was a huge disappointment. Wilted lettuce, cheese strips on top were
03:09extra thick. Other disappointed diners have called it tasteless, overly cold, and loaded
03:13with too many anchovies."
03:15Now that we've gotten the worst options out of the way, let's focus on the dishes that'll
03:18actually leave you with a big smile and a grateful stomach.
03:21Filet mignon is a popular cut of beef in upscale steakhouses, thanks to its delicious taste
03:25and melt-in-the-mouth quality. The Capitol Grill's version is no exception. Served as
03:29an entree, it comes in either 8 and 10 ounces and can be prepared to your liking, whether
03:34you prefer it rare, medium-rare, medium, or well-done.
03:37The chain also offers sliced filet mignon with cipollini onions, wild mushrooms, and
03:41fig essence, for a different take on this classic dish. Satisfied customers have been
03:45impressed by the cut's tenderness and preparation, and have specifically praised the steak for
03:49being cooked to their exact desired level of doneness. When you look over reviews on
03:53OpenTable, you'll discover that this filet mignon is nothing short of fabulous, delicious,
03:58and divine.
03:59When it comes to fried calamari, the Capitol Grill goes a step above the average steakhouse,
04:03as the pan-fried calamari with hot cherry peppers is an absolute favorite among the
04:07side dishes. The calamari itself is tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, while
04:11the hot cherry peppers offer a satisfyingly spicy kick, making for a dish that balances
04:16both texture and flavor.
04:17A review of the Capitol Grill for Business Insider in 2024 called the fried calamari
04:21a thing of beauty. Plenty of other customers enthusiastically agree, with one of them declaring
04:26on Yelp,
04:27"...it didn't disappoint. The spice of the peppers makes the calamari taste that much
04:30better. Others have called it fresh and crispy, heavenly, and the best calamari ever."
04:35I'll baptize that piece of calamari!
04:38Double-cut lamb rib chops are thicker than the single-cut variety, and feature two rib
04:41bones, which amounts to a more substantial portion of meat per chop. When cooked correctly,
04:46they should be juicy on the inside and wonderfully crispy on the outside, and this is precisely
04:50what has been achieved by the Capitol Grill with its double-cut lamb rib chops.
04:54The chops are marinated in a blend of honey and mint gremolata, which is a finely chopped
04:58mixture of mint, parsley, garlic, and lemon zest. Then they're cooked until they form
05:02a crispy outer layer, and the result is served with shallot and white wine jus. These chops
05:06have clearly struck a chord with diners, who have raved about their flavor and flawless
05:10execution. As one of them put it on TripAdvisor,
05:12"...honestly, I've never had a lamb as good as this one. I highly recommend eating at
05:16this place."
05:17And another customer on Open Table declared that they were
05:19"...perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection."
05:22Sea bass is native to the western Atlantic Ocean from Cape Cod to Florida, and it's recognized
05:27for its dark, almost black color. When eaten, it has a mild flavor with a firm, white, and
05:31flaky texture that's highly prized in various dishes, and the pan-seared sea bass at the
05:36Capitol Grill is no exception. This dish is complemented by miso butter, asparagus, and
05:40shiitake mushrooms. Diners have raved about the flavor of the fish itself, as well as
05:44the accompanying sauce. As one of them put it on Yelp,
05:47"...it was cooked to perfection with a nicely seasoned crust. I am not big on steamed carrots,
05:51but even those were delicious in the savory sauce that came with the sea bass."
05:55The Capitol Grill's caramelized French onion soup is one of the cheapest items on the menu.
05:59True to its name, this appetizer features sweet onions topped with a layer of blended
06:03melted cheeses. Depending on the size of your hunger, you can opt for either a cup for about
06:07$11 or a crock for about $13. Customers have given this French onion soup the thumbs up,
06:12with many highlighting its flavor and its perfect portion size. One potential drawback
06:16is that it might be so filling that you might discover that you're not able to finish your
06:20main course afterwards.
06:21"...I can't believe I ate the whole thing."
06:24Some other adjectives used to describe this soup include outstanding, spectacular, and
06:28cheesy. With so much positive feedback, it's clear that the Capitol Grill's French onion
06:32soup is a must-try for anyone seeking a hearty start to their meal.
06:36Truffle oil is a unique condiment created by infusing a high-quality oil, such as extra
06:40virgin, with the aroma and flavor of truffles. Drizzling this condiment over your favorite
06:44foods can imbue them with the distinctively earthy flavor of those elusive mushrooms without
06:49costing a fortune. At the Capitol Grill, white truffle oil is used to transform French fries
06:54from a simple side dish into a gourmet creation. In addition to the truffle oil, the fries
06:58are finished off with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Customers have lauded
07:02these fries with heaps of positive feedback. The Food Lover Girl blog called them addictive
07:06and comforting, adding that the truffle aroma and flavor were outstanding, and that the
07:10Parmesan cheese made a nice addition to the dish. Another customer had similar thoughts
07:14while writing on OpenTable,
07:15"...perfectly cooked with correct crispness and flavor, not stale or sitting under the
07:19heat lamps too long."
07:21Known for its creamy texture and rich flavor, lobster bisque is a classic French soup that's
07:25gained international acclaim. It's usually made with lobster shells and vegetables, such
07:28as onion, celery, carrots, and tomatoes. Some recipes might call for broth, cream or milk,
07:33white wine, and a touch of brandy. At the Capitol Grill, the lobster bisque also comes
07:37with bits of fresh Maine lobster, and it can be served in either a cup or a bowl. This
07:41classic soup sure seems to have left a positive impression on many customers. In particular,
07:46they've praised the rich flavor and generous lobster content. A review on Cleveland.com
07:50noted that the crustacean level is so generous that you might even need a fork and knife.
07:54Another diner echoed this sentiment by writing on TripAdvisor,
07:57"...this was excellent, filled with large pieces of lobster."
08:00The flourless chocolate espresso cake is one of Capitol Grill's five dessert options, and
08:04it may just be the one to order if you need something sweet to finish off your meal. So
08:07what exactly sends this treat to the top of the dessert heap? For one thing, it boasts
08:11a delectable blend of smooth Belgian chocolate and the robust flavors of decaffeinated espresso.
08:16Plus, the fact that it's gluten-free makes it an ideal option, even for those with sensitivities
08:20to that frequently problematic protein. Finally, the addition of fresh raspberries isn't just
08:25visually appealing, as they offer a tart contrast to the rest of the dessert's sweetness.
08:29Unsurprisingly, the chocolate espresso cake is a favorite among Capitol Grill customers.
08:33One of them summed up the general consensus by writing on OpenTable,
08:36"...it seemed impossible to cram more chocolate flavor into the flourless cake dessert."
08:40"...hope you liked it as much as I did, that is delicious."
08:42Other online reviewers have praised this cake for being exceptional, beyond wonderful, and
08:46absolutely amazing.
08:48If you're ready for dessert at the Capitol Grill, but chocolate espresso cake isn't really
08:51your thing, then be sure to leave a little extra room for the coconut cream pie. Infused
08:55with a touch of rum and topped with rich caramel sauce, this indulgent selection delivers a
08:59sweet and creamy ending to the evening. The chain's executive chef has been gracious enough
09:03to share the recipe for this toothsome treat, which illustrates the intricate steps involved
09:07in its creation. It consists of a coconut pie base, coconut pastry cream, whipped cream,
09:12a caramel rum drizzle, toasted coconut flakes, and a crunchy coconut cookie.
09:16Talk about decadence! The coconut cream pie has been an undeniable hit among customers,
09:20with one of them enthusing on Yelp,
09:22"...you will not be disappointed. The first time I had it, I literally stopped mid-bite
09:25because once the flavors hit my tongue I was in awe."
09:28Another reviewer on Yelp was just as satisfied, declaring,
09:31"...I got coconut cream pie which was scrumptious. I didn't even want to finish it. I took it
09:35home. It was so beautifully done and delicious."