08/23/09

Overrated Steakhouse

by fins99

Although Capital Grille remains popular, especially among those that work in downtown Miami, it is not a good value. If you are in the mood for a GREAT steak and GREAT potato sides, consider this your fourth or fifth option. Morton's, Ruths Chris, and Prime 112 surpass it in both service and quality. And since there are so many new steakhouses in Miami (which I have not yet tried), it may be possible some of these also surpass Capital Grille. -

I went here recently for the Miami Spice event. First, they forgot to bring the "amuse" course, which was a sorbet. I didn't even think about it until I had already left the restaurant. The appetizer salads are good, but they don't stand out. For the main course, I ordered the ancho chile rubbed sirloin steak with a chimichurri sauce. The steak was cooked exactly as I ordered and the sauce was very good. My wife ordered the lamb chops and, although good, were a little tough for her. I have eaten more tender lamb chops in other locations. -

The sides were disappointing. First, they bring you two of their most uninteresting offerings: mashed potatoes and a vegetable. The mashed potatoes are tasty, but they are nowhere near as exciting as many others that I have had. The vegetable was a broccolini, which just wasn't good at all. If you go to the grocery store and buy the frozen broccoli with sauce from various brands, and an "instant" mashed potato box with garlic, you will have a better experience. FYI: I tried many of the potato sides from Capital Grille during a previous visit, and all of there are mediocre. The truffle fries, for example, are good but the worst of all the truffle fries I have ordered at many other restaurants. -

Lastly, the service. Again, I am not going to say it was horrible (it was actually OK), but it is the lowest quality/friendliness of all the other steakhouses and fine dining establishments I have been to. The waiter just didn't seem that interested in serving that night.

• Pros: decor, creative steak preparation
• Cons: service, average food for the price

04/29/09

Delectable

by FoodLvr

The food was amazing. I love me some perfectly good red-meat. The service was top notch. The waitress went out of her way to have the bartender make my wife a new drink, a Ty-Tini thats made with Ty Ku liqueur and vodka. My wife is a pain in the sense that she has to have the latest and greatest thing. Anyways, the ambiance of the restaurant is phenomenal. Top notch joint.

08/06/08

The Capital Punishment to Anyone's Dignity

by MissJoanna2112

My fiance and I decided to go to the Capital Grille this past Sunday "just because". He had been there twice and boasted about how the quality of the steak was unparalleled in Miami. I will start by saying that I loved the decor of the place. It was dark and created a romantic "old-world" atmosphere without bordering on cheesy. Right off the bat our waiter treated us as though his service was a gift to us. This of course did not surprise me because that's pretty much the service anywhere that's considered "fine dining" in Miami. We started off with the Caesar salad for me (very forgettable) and french onion soup for D (delicious). D and I were engaged in conversation when the waiter came and took his soup and my salad without asking. D of course was not done but did not want to be rude and just let it go. D's strip was delicious as well as my filet mignon. The meat's quality was great but in all honesty not the best I ever had. Add to that a side of snobbery and bad service and all in all it was an average dining experience. The only saving grace of the restaurant was the delicious creme brulee and once again, its old-world decor. If you're looking for great taste, romantic dining, and out of this world service, head on over to Christy's at the Gables, I can guarantee it will be a thousand times better.

• Pros: Decor, creme brulee
• Cons: Awful service, too expensive for the "buzz"