Normally I don’t do reviews of corporate chain restaurants, but there is one category of chain restaurant that I will frequent and enjoy; high end steakhouses. In other words; the Morton’s of Chicago, Ruth’s Chris, and yes, the Capital Grilles of the world. Places where the best beef available in the nation is generally being served to those willing to fork over $40-50 USDA Prime aged steaks, high end wines and meticulously prepared sides and desserts.
The other night I had the distinct pleasure of dining at the original, number one Capital Grille in Providence RI. Being a Chicagoan, naturally I’ve been to a few original famous steakhouses like Morton’s of Chicago and Gibson’s, but this was the first time I’ve had a chance to dine at a major chains maiden ship outside of my hometown.
The significance of course, is that by dining at any chain restaurants #2 and beyond, your just experiencing an attempt to duplicate the experience and taste of the original. So if it’s available, why not just seek out the original? Exactly.
My visit to the Capital Grille was as part of a company group outing where money was no object, well at least as far as my wallet was concerned!
First up was the Grand Plateau, an amazing towering two platter stack of various fresh cold shellfish specialties; King Crab legs, Lobster claws & tail, Jumbo Shrimp, and Oysters on the half shell. Everything was impeccably fresh and each of the meats were sweet and there was lots of it.The seafood was outstanding and as good as the rest of the meal was, this was clearly the highlight.
I went with my benchmark standard steak, the bone-in ribeye. My steak was cooked exactly right, but the cut of the meat was slightly irregular and the steak I had was a bit fatty, even for a ribeye. Still it was a good steak and the sides were all delicious.
Desserts at the table were gorgeous, the cheesecake with a crème brulée top and fresh fruit was wonderful, but the sexy show stopping coconut cream pie walked off with the honors as best looking dessert at the table.
Capital Grille does a great job of creating an upscale dining experience, and the old rail station is a great setting in which to enjoy really good food. And while the Capital Grille may never be my favorite steakhouse, it is a darn fine one nonetheless.
The other night I had the distinct pleasure of dining at the original, number one Capital Grille in Providence RI. Being a Chicagoan, naturally I’ve been to a few original famous steakhouses like Morton’s of Chicago and Gibson’s, but this was the first time I’ve had a chance to dine at a major chains maiden ship outside of my hometown.
The significance of course, is that by dining at any chain restaurants #2 and beyond, your just experiencing an attempt to duplicate the experience and taste of the original. So if it’s available, why not just seek out the original? Exactly.
My visit to the Capital Grille was as part of a company group outing where money was no object, well at least as far as my wallet was concerned!
First up was the Grand Plateau, an amazing towering two platter stack of various fresh cold shellfish specialties; King Crab legs, Lobster claws & tail, Jumbo Shrimp, and Oysters on the half shell. Everything was impeccably fresh and each of the meats were sweet and there was lots of it.The seafood was outstanding and as good as the rest of the meal was, this was clearly the highlight.
I went with my benchmark standard steak, the bone-in ribeye. My steak was cooked exactly right, but the cut of the meat was slightly irregular and the steak I had was a bit fatty, even for a ribeye. Still it was a good steak and the sides were all delicious.
Desserts at the table were gorgeous, the cheesecake with a crème brulée top and fresh fruit was wonderful, but the sexy show stopping coconut cream pie walked off with the honors as best looking dessert at the table.
Capital Grille does a great job of creating an upscale dining experience, and the old rail station is a great setting in which to enjoy really good food. And while the Capital Grille may never be my favorite steakhouse, it is a darn fine one nonetheless.
Taste: 8.5
Experience: 9
Value: 8
Score: 8.5
Experience: 9
Value: 8
Score: 8.5
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