THE CAPITAL GRILLE
UPSCALE STEAKHOUSE & FINE DINING

Don’t be fooled by the fact that The Capital Grille Los Angeles location is housed in the Beverly Center at the former site of the old Hard Rock Café, this isn’t mall food or pre-packaged chain cuisine. Albeit it is part of a national upscale steakhouse chain, a meal at The Capital Grille is more than simply lunch or dinner; it’s a feast for the senses.

With its impressive menu of nationally renowned dry aged steaks and fresh seafood, The Capital Grille will ignite your culinary imagination, as its award-winning wine list of more than 5,000 bottles will awaken your inner sommelier.

Recipient of the American Culinary Federation’s “Achievement of Excellence Award,” you’ll find the service at the upscale steakhouse to be first-rate, and you will be made to feel that your time dining there is truly a special event.

Long gone is any resemblance of the former Hard Rock Café, as the interior has been redesigned to have an old school, East Coast upscale steakhouse vibe, albeit with an L.A. flare including portraits of local icons, including former mayor Tom Bradley. In fact, a beautiful brand new second story bar and lounge has been created that is a favorite among diners. A fantastic spot with a nice city view for happy hour or a great place to chill with a glass of wine, the outdoor patio offers a more casual feel than the more elegant, perhaps stuffy to some, atmosphere downstairs.

During our recent visit for lunch, we opted to start with the signature Pan-Fried Calamari with Hot Cherry Peppers, a wonderfully flavored and spicy appetizer that will have you reaching for a glass of cold water but will definitely leave you wanting more. We also tried the Wagyu Beef Carpaccio with Arugala Salad and lemon vinaigrette that proved to be a nice, sharable dish if you don’t want something too spicy but I wholeheartedly recommend starting with the calamari.

For our Appetizer Salads we went with the Field Greens with tomatoes and fresh herbs, as well as the Caesar Salad which was very capable, although not on par with the nearby Dan Tana’s, home to the city’s best Caesar.

For our Luncheon Entrees we went with the light and refreshing Seared Halibut with Lemon Shallot Relish, served with your choice of Sam’s Mashed Potatoes, Fries, Creamed Spinach or Fresh Vegetable of the Day, and the wonderfully tasty and hearty 8oz Filet Mignon with a bountiful side of tasty French Fries that are too much for one and just right to share with the rest of the table. The steak was perfectly paired with a savory glass of red wine that came highly recommended from our on-the-ball waiter.

Out of the highly popular Chocolate Hazelnut Cake for dessert, we went with the Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake, a rich, dense dream of a cake with a hint of espresso, fresh raspberries, whipped cream and Melba sauce, however, our favorite was the decadent and delicious Coconut Cream Pie, prepared with a delightful vanilla flavored crust and layered with luscious whipped and coconut pastry cream. Its caramel rum sauce topping made it even more irresistible. This one is a proven winner.

If you’re looking for a good steak and truly want to make a special night of it, The Capital Grille should be your destination.

The Capital Grille is located at 8614 W. Beverly Blvd on the ground floor at the Beverly Center on the corner of Beverly and San Vicente. Lunch Hours: Monday–Saturday. 11:30am–3pm; Dinner: Monday–Thursday 5pm–10pm; Friday–Saturday 5pm–11pm; and Sunday 4pm–9pm. Call 310-358-0650. The lounge stays open throughout the day. Free valet parking.

 

http://www.thecapitalgrille.com/Locations/LosAngeles/Main.asp

 

 

 

Photography courtesy of The Capital Grille