New Blood
Capital Grille has always been a group favorite, which is why I was surprised to see we had not been there since January 2012. With new member Mason Phelps in the mix, it seemed like a great venue to roll out the steak night experience.
To kick start our night, drinks were on Jon Glick as he was remiss in his post from last month. I got there a little early, around 645, to begin Oban consumption. Scotty Markets, fresh from O’Hare, joined soon after as did J-Cizzle. The balance of the group started to fill in what is a small bar area at Capital Grille – with some open stools and the ability to belly up, the tight quarters didn’t pose a problem.
Mr. Mason Phelps arrived, bow tie and all, looking like a distinguished gentleman. He wasted no time in smacking back a few bourbon Manhattan’s, which was no doubt a good sign. It is worth noting the pours at Cap Grille are very generous. That is a quick way to my heart. Settled in, the group began to walk Mason through the paces – what are the rules, which members fanatical about them, others that are not etc. When the bill came Glick showed just in time to pay down the near $300 and we were shown to our table, less Ol’ Thor-zene who sauntered in 20 minutes late.
A decent table in the middle of the dining room, it was off balance and the staff couldn’t seem to fix it – no elbows on the table this go around. Our server Todd came over to take our drink orders and we were off. Service throughout the dinner was tight.
Apps started with Capital Grille’s classic calamari with cherry peppers, which still reigns as best in the city. The shrimp cocktail, while good had nothing on the girth of those from P&P last month. Lobster bisque finished the first course and was outstanding.
A few reasonable bottles of red, good discussion, the welcoming of our new member and we were onto steaks. Capital Grille has a number of different topping options and different takes on your traditional cuts. One of their known signatures is the Kona Crust. Being more of a steak traditionalist, I opted for the rib-eye, medium rare. It was perfect. An amazing steak. While meat prices around the city seem to be skyrocketing, $65-$72 becoming the norm, Capital Grille delivers an amazing rib-eye, full of flavor and cooked to perfection for under $50. Kudos. Sides included lobster mac and cheese (delicious, but over-priced and over ordered by yours truly) au gratin potatoes, bsprouts and creamed spinach. All the sides measured up and get strong marks in my book.
It was around this time that Mr. Phelps delivered a little rhyme to the group. Something I know we was not too keen on. In the spirit of Steak night tradition he stepped up to the plate and further ingratiated himself to the group. I also took $100 from him, thank you Golden State overtime performance.
Naturally, it was Mason’s birthday and yes, you heard it, I walked free!
All in all a great night and dining experience. Service was excellent; food was excellent and company was even better. Another hearty welcome to Mason, great to have you in the mix.
It is a 9 for me boys.
Filed under: General
As a lesson well learned from a +$300 bill, I will be posting early this time.
While it always feels like just yesterday when we head to Capital Grill, it was, in fact, 3 years ago. The good news is not much has changed…except the Company.
Hearty welcome to Mr. Phelps, who was dapper in his horse racing inspired bow tie. (Rick still outdid him with a stylish racing vest, but it’s hard to top the Champion). I indoctrinated him with a 2×1 bet on the Cavs to beat the Warriors in the series for $100, given how quick Scottie was to jump on, am already questioning my logic. But $100 a man was bet.
As for the meal, the apps were as Jevon advertised and the steak was good. i had the delmonico with the mushroom rub and my only compliant was the great flavor of the steak seemed at times overpowered by the balsamic vinegar.
Sides were good – thankful for the brussel sprouts but wish we had more grilled green vegetables as some of us are trying to get into wedding shape.
Dessert of cheesecake was great.
Service was spot on.
All in all had a blast, was fun to have the game in the background, felt like we owned the place at the end of the night and a good time was had by all.
I give the night a 9 – with a half point off for the over-vinegared steak.
Bowties and Bourbon. Sounds like some real gangster type stuff seeee. Alas, it was the theme of our newest Steak Night member Mason Phelps. After a fair bit of hemming and hawing from new members, Mr. Phelps really embraced the fun of it all, and immediately melded right into the group. Cocktail hour, courtesy of Sir Edward was nice. Bar area was a bit tight but as soon we get a wee bit rowdy and loud, patrons seem to put some distance between themselves and the group. More on this later.
On to the table! But don’t actually get on it. Or touch it. Or look at it in any way. Else it may fall over. Our waiter tried his best to shim it with some plates and bill holders but stable it was not to be. Nevertheless, it was round, which we love and offered plenty of space for our raucous group. Again, more on this later.
Paul, or Tim, or Julius, whatever the waiters name was started the ordering, with Kid Ray requesting a few bottles to be decanted. I love asking for wine to be decanted, like I actually know what I’m talking about. One day I hope to be able to spit it out during a tasting and send the bottle back while cursing the sommelier in French.
On to the apps! I love a good wedge salad. And I hope Martin does too as I shot half of it in his soup while cutting it. It was fair. But the French Onion soup was delightful. In addition, we had the calamari with cherry peppers, which seems to be a fancy way of saying giardiniera. Whatever. It was great. It’s probably the best in the city as far as I can remember. We also had cocktail shrimp, which after last month’s excursion to Prime and Provisions was a guaranteed let down.
On to the meat! I had the Delmonico, sans any flavoring, which was a good choice because the normal preparation packed plenty of punch. As Mr. Ray said, it’s nice to be able to get a steak < $50 these days and still have it stand up to almost anywhere. It was a great cut, with great flavor. Sides were unremarkable. Creamed spinach and a ton of carbs are all I remember.
About this time, I had noticed two young ladies at a booth next tour table, had relocated to a booth across the room. First I smelled myself. I smelled great so that wasn’t the issue. Then I quietly watched the rest of the group, and as normal, led by Daddy Drunk himself, we did seem to be a bit boisterous. Curse words and talk of the female anatomy flew around like leaves in a windstorm. And was I in the least bit embarrassed? No. Fucking. Way. In fact, I’ll wear it as a badge of honor. It’s good to test the limits to see just how far you can go sometimes. GO GET YA MILK AND COOKIES SOMEWHERE ELSE! (Refer back to Gene’s from late last year)
It was Mason’s birthday. We celebrated with cheesecake and a chocolate mouse cake. Both were rich, but really pulled the room together. Mason read a poem, which he claimed he created in the cab ride over. I say he crafted that over the last few months since our interview and I won’t believe anything else. But regardless, it was great, and his participation and conversation showed us why we asked him to join. Kudos to Mr. Phelps and welcome!
All in all it was a fabulous evening with great food, and even greater company.
8.5 / 10.
I have always liked Capital Grille and unlike a certain loafer clan ESPN employee I was in favor of a return after the long 3 year hiatus.
I arrived at 7:15 and started pounding my poison of choice: Tito’s and soda. The boys were in good spirits, partly because 3 months of summer was finally upon us and partly because the drinks were on everybody’s favorite cell phone user. Thanks Glick.
After some hemming and hawing and a how to youtube video, Mason made the correct decision to don a bow tie and join Chicago’s finest. No doubt a decision I’m sure he is now happy he made. Strolling into the bar looking like a taller Tucker Carlson his steak night experience was underway and he seamlessly meshed with the group. Welcome and it is good to have you on board.
The calamari remains at the top of the class, lighted breaded with cheery peppers it is perhaps only rivaled by Sullivan’s orange chicken inspired calamari. I had a cup of New England clam chowder (is that the red or the white) which was tremendous. Porterhouse medium rare for this guy, straight up with no fancy toppings. It was perfect. Cooked perfectly, flavor complimenting rather than over powering the steak, just delicious overall. The au gratin potatoes are always solid and the lobster mac and cheese was fine. However I think lobster mac and cheese is the most over rated side. Sure it was good but the lobster really doesn’t enhance the mac and cheese and adds like $20 to the cost. There is no need for the lobster, regular mac and cheese would have been just as good. It’s one of those items that seems like a good idea on the menu and is hugely over rated at the table. I am anti shell fish in my cheesy noodles. For the record lobster mashed potatoes fall into the same category. Adding lobster to sides is a scam and we keep falling for it. The cheese cake took the gold medal for dessert, nice graham cracker like crust and just the right amount of decadent indulgence.
The wobbly table was a steak night first, hard to understand how that happens in a nice restaurant but we made the best of it. By the end of the night there was certainly a portion of the restaurant that hated us which means we had fun and that’s all that matters. Dinner conversation included new members, the NBA finals (with some table wagering), real estate and the obligatory “Jevon this is what we want to change at ESPN” discussion. Brad Ray won at credit card roulette which is good only because now we won’t have to hear how he never wins, although I suspect the narrative will now change to how he hasn’t won that often. It is always fun to spring the birthday on the unsuspecting new guy.
Apparently everyone turned into farmers and had early morning meetings so there was no after dinner drinks. This will need to change as we enter summer.
The next steak night is the always legendary 4th of July steak night, one rich in tradition, lore and assorted hi-jinks. The following day is a holiday, prepare accordingly. Good times as always.
A fine night was indeed afoot when, for the first time maybe ever, my flight to Ohare from Laguardia arrived early and traffic from the airport downtown was nothing to speak about. Seriously it was like an alternate universe. Only better than that was arriving at TCG knowing Daddy Gims was there inside while J Cizzle was rolling up outside in his black chariot. Game was on.
For the location, the bar at TCG is a little tight but manageable. We happened to acquire, and believe me defend, some good real estate so that most of us who arrived for the generous pours and free cocktails could be comfortable.
With the arrival of the esteemed invitee, soon to officially be new member, of honor Mr. Mason Phelps, we were off and running with banter flying and a crash course on the finest night he will regularly have on his calendar. We soon headed to a center table at the venue, which was both questionable in the state of the table being grossly off kilter to having us near sensitive diners who were out for a quieter night than this one would allow.
The apps were well ordered – with the normal sized shrimp finding its way to my heart. Pairing that with a large bisque (and thanks to J Cizzle half of his wedge salad) may have been a little aggressive but still hit the spot. The wine too was perfect – must have been the decanting as it was a young vintage.
Steaks were served up and I went with the delminico med rare with the kona coffee rub, which in my book is unique to the restaurant that never disappoints. While it may have been slightly overlooked, it was still delish and was complimented by some solid sidecars of brussel sprouts, creamed spinach and lobster mac.
During the dinner hour we had some good entertainment from new recruit Phelps and with his rendition of the meaning of steak night, I could see some – including me – were nearly brought to tears. Who cares if he wrote it for his wife so that she would cave and allow this hopeless romantic to be turned over to these animals on a monthly basis, as it was effictlvley delivered and heartfelt.
Some guy who never wins CC roulette and lets everyone at the restaurant know about it walked free and into the night separately we all went. This night more than lived up to anticipations and I hope our on-deck recruit is ready to step into the game as summer is now upon us.
Great addition of Mason. Despite the wobble, terrific round table. Tremendous NBA Finals game 1 on in the background.
Food – see the previous 5 times we have gone here 🙂
I do stand corrected though – terrific choice – great atmosphere, wonderful company and delicious grub.
Well played
It was with quite a bit of remorse and sadness I was delayed in getting to the bar until almost 7:20pm. My aspiration of taking down a fine bottle of bourbon on Glick’s dime was crushed by a combination of my occupation and the over subscription to uber rendering it a crapshoot on getting scurried about town in a Camry, or was that a Corolla? Nonetheless, spinning through the revolving door of Capitol Grille to find Chicago’s finest is always a welcome sight no matter what time. I consider myself to be a pacifist in the war on new members, however the addition of Mason to the group proved to be a wise selection and top marks to the steering committee. Welcome indeed. We did get the evil, judgy eye of the elderly man sitting at the edge of the bar, mainly because its too damn narrow. Otherwise everything about cocktail hour was superb.
We have had the center table before and I personally like it a lot. Good spacing between tables makes it comfortable and our conversation clearly out powers all the neighbors so sound isn’t an issue. Probably also explains why our neighboring women relocated, or perhaps it was the drooling leers of the single guys at the table. Apps have been well reviewed and I agree with all comments. I went for a cup of the bisque before moving to my steak. It had ample lobster meat of sufficient size, but was clearly frozen prior to becoming my soup. Overall not a good bisque. I made the mistake of going for the Cajun rubbed bone in filet. The seasoning over powered the meat, which was very good on its own and cooked perfectly. None of the sides were real standouts to me. The cheesecake for Mason’s birthday was a perfect combination of the creamy thick subtly sweet you look for, much the same could be said for the birthday boy’s poetry.
Overall 8, the steak was my fault, the rest was above par but not quite a niner. For the future summer months we should all take a play from the Reeshard playbook and clear out your Friday morning in case you get locked in a parking garage. Scheduling a 6am meeting was erroneous and will not happen again.
Efforting a second post here as I’m guessing our webpage was hacked and my original post was strangely deleted a week prior…was not user error and likely has to do something with the St. Louis Cardinals.
That all said it was a lovely night at capital grille, welcoming our new entry Mr. Phelps. Who knew the guy was such a poet, which we would get to later, but I know he put some serious heart and soul into the piece he delivered which I really appreciate. As noted above, the bar scene was welcoming, and not even that crowded considering it was the first night of the NBA finals…thanks Glick for the easy bet…and onto dinner we went after a handful of free booze.
I personally finished the apps up with a bowl, not a cup, of the lobster bisque. Was on point and flavorful. A perfectly into a great steak which I selected as the bone in ribeye medium rare. Capital Grille offers a nice rub too, which is the coffee Kona rub and I frankly love it. My steak arrived sizzling, and perfectly cooked. It was nicely paired with some brussels sprouts and a slew of other sides which I didn’t really even focus on because we were quickly introduced to poetry night from Mr. Phelps, and the table was wowed.
A good night finished up with some rousing conversation about pissing off other diners in the section we were in, as well as other ideas for the annual blowout July 4th night, which promises to again push the limits. Here’s to this post not being deleted!
8.5
With a feeling reminiscent of arriving at the team hotel at a classy wedding weekend, I rolled up to the “open bar” at Capital Grill (thanks Glick). It was my first attempt at striking a fashionable ensemble that included a bowtie, without the help of a trained stylist from Modern Formalware. I feel like the presentation came together. Conversation was easy as we discussed the nuanced rules of this organization and enjoyed the pleasant anticipation of an NBA Finals about to commence.
Upon the seating of our party, the flow of the establishment’s otherwise strong hosting experience was broken by the wobbly, and apparently unfixable, dining table. Having by a coincidence of time and space been the recent purchaser of many tables, the presence of this inadequate dining accessory was irritating, especially since all you have to do is call a good-looking interior decorator and they will gladly charge you a shitload to deliver it to your house (or restaurant).
The apps were strong, as would be expected from a seasoned steakhouse who has taken years to cultivate the recipes, with particularly high marks to the calimari. The off-menu availability of a filet oscar was a pleasant ordering opportunity that I took with confidence, and was not disappointed. The pilfering of a birthday dessert was almost enough to make me feel guilty, as the amount of pleasure taken the evening’s affair had already soared past expectations.
8. A polished dining experience, with note made of the wear and tear on the furniture.