As I walked up to the restaurant on the Country Club Plaza, a doorman greeted me with “Good evening. Welcome to the Capital Grille.”
That simple and elegant salutation set the tone for a special dining experience that included not only the restaurant’s famed steak and seafood, but also a special master wine tasting event, which runs through Aug. 23.The tasting allows patrons to sample — $25 at dinner or $10 at lunch — vintages from some of the world’s renowned wine regions. All have been selected by the Grille’s master sommelier (an expert wine professional) and are highly rated by noted wine critic Robert Parker.But no visit to the Capital Grille would be complete without a visit to the chic lounge and bar, either before or after your meal. A destination in itself, this area in the front of the restaurant is warm and cozy but not too dark or loud. A giant moose head hangs on a wall, and throughout the area are oil paintings of famous Kansas Citians such as Clara Stover, who made those famous Russell Stover chocolate candies in her kitchen.As I made my way to the lounge, I saw two men cracking lobsters at the bar. Then I ran into a friend (you’re bound to see someone you know at this popular spot) who was drinking a Stoli Doli, the Grille’s signature drink. It’s made with Stolichnaya vodka and pineapple that has marinated for about a week (there’s a big glass carafe of the fruit chunks on the bar). No bite or sugary sweetness to this drink. Just a soft, light taste served in a martini glass.I told the Grille’s hostess that two guests in my group were running late. She said, “Don’t worry. Take your time in the bar. Just tell us when you’re ready, and your table will be there.”Another indication of great service: When it was time to head to our table, the hostess carried our drinks for us. She sat our party of four in a back room where it was quiet and cool — a bit too quiet and cool for our tastes.“We’ll take care of that,” our waiter said. And he did.When he returned, he explained that the master wine tasting would feature red and white wines from Spain and Argentina. Later in August, the wines will be from South Africa and Napa Valley. The wine tasting was created by master sommelier George Miliotes. Each tasting features 11 to 12 selections, all generously poured.Now that we had some basic information, our group had questions for our waiter, who stayed close by our table the entire evening without being overbearing.“What if we only want red wine? What if we don’t like one of the selections? Are you going to recommend certain wines depending on what food we order, or should we speak up?”Each question was patiently answered, but the overall impression was that we could do anything we wanted. However, our waiter didn’t want to give away all the surprises. The goal of the evening was to sample good wines, but more important, it was about spending time with friends and enjoying a good meal.Our waiter also left a lot of room for experimentation and expression of our personalities, and yet he wasn’t defensive when a wine wasn’t quite to our liking. He simply made another suggestion.So we just sat back and let the evening unfold.We started off by ordering two appetizers. The first was fresh mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto, lightly sautéed with a warm crispness that had a heartier taste than I expected. It was served with fresh basil and tomatoes glazed with 12-year aged balsamic.The second appetizer was lobster and crab cakes paired with sweet corn relish. With hints of dry mustard and red pepper, the cakes had chunks of lobster and crab, no fillers.Four fluted champagne glasses also appeared, filled with a sparkling white wine from Spain, Marques de Gelida Brut Exclusive Reserva Cava, Penedes, 2005. Our waiter suggested we toast the evening, which we did heartily (now things were getting fun) and took a sip of the wine. Surprisingly, it wasn’t sweet, just crisp and clean.When the appetizers appeared, those who ordered the mozzarella enjoyed the Vega Sindoa Rose, Navarra, 2008, from Spain. It had hints of strawberries and cherries but was dry and crisp. One friend didn’t care for it, so she switched to what her husband (who was eating the crab cakes) was drinking — the Catena Chardonnay, Mendoza, 2007, from Argentina.“This is perfect,” she said. “I could drink this one all night.”Which she would have, but the other choices offered up were too tempting to pass by.With my husband’s strip steak, the waiter brought out a 2007 bottle of Atteca Old Vine Garnacha, Calatayud, a red wine from Spain. The grapes are grown on 100-year-old vines, producing an intense flavor and a richness that go well with beef.For my friend’s porterhouse, out came another red wine from Spain, the 2007 Volver Tempranillo, La Mancha. Then we all sampled what quickly became my favorite: a quintessential Napa Cabernet from Argentina — the Catena Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, 2006, from one of the oldest and largest vineyards in Mendoza. Its hint of oak and fruit with a touch of vanilla sweetness was heavenly.With my steak filet, I also tried the Allende Rioja, Rioja 2005, a Tempranillo (a variety of black grape that is the main grape used in Rioja). It had the power of a Cabernet but the silkiness of a Pinot Noir.On the side, we tried the Lyonnaise potatoes, crispy potato wedges tossed with a little bacon and caramelized onions. Also a crock of onion soup, which wasn’t over salty, and the onions were just the right sweetness. Melted cheeses oozed over the edges. There were a variety of salads to choose from, mainly Caesar, chopped and spinach. We tried the wedge, which is a crunchy cold wedge of iceberg lettuce with tomatoes and smoked bacon in a blue cheese dressing.And we skipped dessert, although the Grille is known for its homemade ice creams and gelato. The evening we were there, the offerings were bittersweet chocolate (it can come with double chocolate cookies), caramel gelato and fresh mint. As the seasons change, so do the ice creams. Almost four hours after we arrived, and after another stop in the lounge, it was time to head home.On a regular night, the Grille isn’t a place you rush in and out of. But with the master wine event, it’s a complete evening.
the capital grille
4740 Jefferson St.816-531-8345www.thecapitalgrille.comHours: Lunch: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-FridayDinner: 5-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 5-9 p.m. SundayPrice ranges: Lunch entrees: $14-$29 Dinner entrees: $25-$41Vegetarian choices: Several entrees and side dishes are available.Noise level: LowReservations: Recommended but not requiredDon’t miss dishes:Bone-in Kona crusted dry-aged sirloin with caramelized shallot butterLobster mac ’n’ cheese
4740 Jefferson St.816-531-8345www.thecapitalgrille.comHours: Lunch: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-FridayDinner: 5-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 5-9 p.m. SundayPrice ranges: Lunch entrees: $14-$29 Dinner entrees: $25-$41Vegetarian choices: Several entrees and side dishes are available.Noise level: LowReservations: Recommended but not requiredDon’t miss dishes:Bone-in Kona crusted dry-aged sirloin with caramelized shallot butterLobster mac ’n’ cheese
master wine tasting event
Prices: $10 at lunch; $25 at dinnerWines of Spain and Argentina, through Sunday •Argentinean vintages from the Catena family, winemaking royalty, including selections from the famed Mendoza wine-growing region outside Buenos Aires. Most notable: Catena Malbec, which received a 91 (out of 100) rating from Robert Parker.•Wine from Spain’s famous Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Jumilla regions, featuring selections from vines dating back to the turn of the last century. Highlights include Jumilla’s Juan Gil Monastrell, also rated 91 by Robert Parker, which pairs perfectly with the Capital Grille’s Bone-in Kona Crusted Sirloin, according to master sommelier George Miliotes.Wines of Napa Valley and South Africa, Aug. 3-Aug. 23 •Highly sought-after Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet and Chardonnay selections, both rated 92 by Robert Parker, from Beringer’s world-class winery in the heart of Napa Valley.•South African wine from the exotic Winelands of the Western Cape, including celebrated Cabernet, Syrah and Chardonnay varietals. South African specialties such as Chenin Blanc and Pinotage.
Prices: $10 at lunch; $25 at dinnerWines of Spain and Argentina, through Sunday •Argentinean vintages from the Catena family, winemaking royalty, including selections from the famed Mendoza wine-growing region outside Buenos Aires. Most notable: Catena Malbec, which received a 91 (out of 100) rating from Robert Parker.•Wine from Spain’s famous Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Jumilla regions, featuring selections from vines dating back to the turn of the last century. Highlights include Jumilla’s Juan Gil Monastrell, also rated 91 by Robert Parker, which pairs perfectly with the Capital Grille’s Bone-in Kona Crusted Sirloin, according to master sommelier George Miliotes.Wines of Napa Valley and South Africa, Aug. 3-Aug. 23 •Highly sought-after Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet and Chardonnay selections, both rated 92 by Robert Parker, from Beringer’s world-class winery in the heart of Napa Valley.•South African wine from the exotic Winelands of the Western Cape, including celebrated Cabernet, Syrah and Chardonnay varietals. South African specialties such as Chenin Blanc and Pinotage.
MY DINNER AT is a story about a single dining experience. The narrative is based on an anonymous visit. The Star pays for the meal.
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