Thursday, September 26, 2013

Capital Grille

Here, on an extremely busy stretch of East 42nd Street is a big place that I know nothing about..

Well, seems to be basically Steakhouse with very good reviews ( and a few dissenters)

A lot of people who love steakhouses REALLY love them

The Capital Grille

4.0 star rating
305 reviews Rating Details
155 E 42nd St
(between Lexington Ave & 3rd Ave)
New York, NY 10017
Neighborhoods: Midtown East, Murray Hill
(212) 953-2000
Make a Reservation
$25 for Wagyu & Wine
Enjoy our Wagyu Burger with Silver Oak Cabernet or Belle Glos Pinot Noir for only $25 in the bar.  Here thru 11/17/13.
Announced One week ago
Photo by Rita L.
6 of 116
Nearest Transit Station:
Grand Central - 42 St. (7, 7X)
Grand Central - 42 St. (4, 5, 6, 6X)
Grand Central - 42 St. (S)
Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 3 pm
Mon-Thu, Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
Attire:
Dressy
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Garage, Street
Price Range:
$$$
Good for Groups:
Yes
Good for Kids:
No
Takes Reservations:
Yes
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Wi-Fi:
Free
Good For:
Dinner
Alcohol:
Full Bar
Noise Level:
Average
Ambience:
Classy, Upscale
Has TV:
Yes
Caters:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Dogs Allowed:
No

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305 reviews in English

  • Review from

    • 5 friends
    • 36 reviews
    Manhasset, NY
    9/15/2013 Seated via OpenTable
    I like steak.  PETA supporters shudder visibly as I pass their picket lines on the street.  We get to eat steak 'cause we're high on the food chain.  And thank God.  'Cause I like steak.

    These guys are good at steak.  They are very proficient at everything that goes along with the normal beefsteak trencherman's delight in NYC.  You pay the going rate of $35 million dollars for it too, but that's average for high-end steakhouse in NYC.

    These guys are refined.  Nicer than average bar area, not too noisy, professional maitre d' and waitstaff.  Good decor and comfy seating.  Makes Luger's look like a frathouse and Keens Steakhouse like somebody set up tables on a porch.  Don't get me wrong: those places have great steak.  But they look like the country cousins of this place.  If you look good in a suit, you'll like it here.

    Did I mention very professional waitstaff?  Because they are.

    Food is good.  Had the normal big-ass salad with gorgonzola all the Hell over it with bacon because why not?  Followed by a big-ass steak and sides of creamed spinach and fried potatoes.  All good.  Not stellar, but I was happy.  It's not the Jean George's of steakhouses, but it comes pretty close.

    All in all, if you want a civilized steak, here or the Benjamin Steakhouse are two good choices.  The food's a little better at the Benjamin, the decor and ambience here. You can't eat ambiance, but it has its place.

    I'd come back and spend another $70 million.  It's pretty damn close to great.
  • Review from

    • 42 friends
    • 11 reviews
    Brooklyn, NY
    9/13/2013 1 check-in here
    RESTAURANT WEEK is so worth it here.
    I felt so bloated after dining here. They offer 14 oz steak, which is just the most incredible deal you can get in the city during restaurant week. On top of that, an starter, side AND dessert was included, so it was definitely worth your money. Got the salad which was meh, huge portion though. Side was creamed spinach which isn't that bad, dessert was probably most disappointing. I got the creme brulee and was excited to crack the layer. Alas, there was no satisfying crack, but instead, the spoon went straight to the creamy layer.

    Also did the generous pour offer, which was basically a small wine tasting deal. Server was very generous with the pour and ended up leaving the place happy and a bit tipsy.

    Will go back to splurge one day, couldn't order the lobster mac and cheese because I was too full.

    The interior design is also appealing, if you can, ask to be seated near the glass panes, it offers a nice view during the sunset.
  • Review from

    Elmhurst, NY
    9/6/2013
    We went here for restaurant week, and it was a pretty good experience overall.

    One thing that irked me a bit was that the waiter didn't know much about the wine. If you're going to have a long wine menu, it makes sense to have waiters know a bit about the wine. He suggested about 2 of them, so we went with the pricier one, thinking that it would be better. It was about 65 bucks for a bottle. Since I'm not a wine aficionado, I couldn't tell if it was good or not.

    To start off, we ordered an extra appetizer, the beef carpaccio. The carpaccio was salted to the point of no return. It literally brined my tongue and we had to shake off the excess salt that was sprinkled on top. It was not a good choice and we could've done without it.  We ordered salad and the bisque that came with the restaurant week menu. Next up, we chose the steak for the entrees. The steaks were cooked well and extremely tender, and the portions were large. It was definitely a good price for a pre fix menu. The entrees also came with a side of either the mashed potatoes or the creamed spinach. It was definitely a lot of tasty food.

    Dessert was delicious-we had the creme brulee and the flourless chocolate espresso cake. The creme brulee was very creamy and the hardened torched top stayed crunchy til the last bite. The cake was good too.

    This is a good place if you are a steak lover, especially if you come during restaurant week. In the end, I was just so full to the point that I actually threw up my entire meal at Bryant Park. Actually, I think it was the wine. We drank the whole bottle, and wine does me no good!
  • Review from

    • 5 friends
    • 9 reviews
    New York, NY
    9/23/2013
    I've been to the Capital Grille for business lunches and also dinner with friends. The food has always been excellent and the service is tops. I highly recommend this restaurant.
  • Review from

    New York, NY
    8/9/2013
    Excellent service and the food was phenomenal, although we did only eat off of the Resto Week menu, it was still amazing nonetheless. We came in with a group of 13, but I told them 12 (stupid me) so we were already squished around a round table, but they were gracious enough to help us out. Daniel was our server and he was very thorough with describing the menu and options and in a very positive mood, it made our dinner that much more fun.

    The Clam Chowder is a must try and, the two small Filet Mignon medallions served on top of the Mashed Potatoes are to die for and the Bone-In Dry Aged Sirloin was so flavorful. There were plenty of mashed potatoes and creamed spinach sides for the table and of course we had to go and order some Truffle Fries also, no regrets there. All around amazing meal.
  • Review from

    • 9 friends
    • 28 reviews
    New York, NY
    8/11/2013 1 photo
    Phenomenal food, service, and atmosphere. If I didn't already know it was a chain, I never would have suspected it. The restaurant itself was beautiful - well-dressed (and well-spaced, particularly for Manhattan) tables in a tastefully decorated room under a glass-prism ceiling. The service was perfect - just the right amount of interaction (I hate when servers and staff are in my face) and with exceptional recommendations. I wanted to start off with a glass of white wine but was in the mood to try something new; the waitress asked for my preference and suggested a Spanish white that was just right.

    The food was absolutely perfect. I tried the Sliced Filet Mignon with Cipollini Onions and Wild Mushrooms, cooked medium. The center was pink and warm but the outside was lightly charred and perfectly seasoned. Served with its juices and a healthy array of mushrooms and onions, the steak was everything I could have asked for. I shared the Parmesan Truffle fries with my boyfriend who recommended them and they were fantastic as well. I don't usually (ever) order fries at a fine dining establishment but these completely changed my view on fries. For dessert, we tried the Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake which was rich and delicious and perfectly paired with a raspberry sauce. The coffee was outstanding as well. I usually throw a bit of sugar and cream in mine but I couldn't bare to ruin this perfect cup.

    I would definitely recommend The Capital Grille. It's a bit pricey, understandably - but it's worth the splurge to celebrate a special occasion. I will definitely be back.
    • Sliced Filet Mignon with Cipollini Onions and Wild Mushrooms
  • Review from

    • 5 friends
    • 110 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    8/11/2013
    This is one of my favorite places to go during Restaurant Week because:

    1. The Restaurant Week Menu is representative of their regular dining menu. You get to taste the food they actually have on their menu. The food isn't adjusted to smaller portions due to the discounted prices.
    2. The portions are noteworthy.
  • Review from

    • 7 friends
    • 25 reviews
    Brooklyn, NY
    9/14/2013
    I went for Restaurant Week with a friend and it was a great choice. I had the clam chowder which was delicious and creamy not Boston quality but definitely good. I had the steak and I swear that my taste buds sung a gospel hymn on the first bite.The waiter was very knowledgeable because as a not enthusiastic wine drinker I needed guidance, I had a great California red wine with my steak. The desserts were ok I would have liked a flavored creme brulee I had a mango creme brulee in Salem, MA that changed my life. Overall the restaurant is huge, it had a statute of Lady Justice at the front which was interesting and if you could sit next to the glass windows.
  • Review from

    Medford, NY
    7/22/2013 1 check-in here
    This place is great! The sirloin and lobster tail combo I had was deliciously tender and seasoned well.
    The best part was the lobster mac and cheese, which I really wish was my meal, as it was out of this freakin world. We'll probably just go back for platters of that..
    Service was on point, atmosphere was pleasant.
  • Review from

    • 2 friends
    • 18 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    8/18/2013 6 photos
    We had RW lunch.
    First,the server did not bring RW menu unless I asked.
    Second,the server passed us only 1 RW menu though we were two.
    Thirdly,every dish was not fresh,as if they left them for the per-order.
    Lastly,they tasted not good.
    Service was also terrible,maybe it was a midtown location,where they can expect tourist anytime.
    • Interior
    • Field green salad
    • Ceased salad not fresh
  • Review from

    Manhattan, NY
    7/25/2013 3 photos 1 check-in here
    I had dinner for restaurant week at Capital Grille and it was amazing value (appetizer, entree, dessert). They are also having a promotion called The Generous Pour which is seven glasses of wine (2 oz pours) of 90+ point California wines. I've been to most of the wineries they were serving and they are all excellent.

    I really enjoyed dinner at Capital Grille because:
    - The dining area is very nice. It's very loud by the bar, but the back area is all lit by natural light and the noise level is much quieter.  Definitely get seated there
    - If you ask for your steak rare plus, they will cook it rare plus.
    - All the food is excellent
    - The service is great

    I had a great evening at The Capital Grille.  In terms of 'slightly higher end restaurants' I've been to, it's very good, but it's not on the top of my recommendation list.
    • Generous pour, 7 wines for $25. VERY worth it
    • Generous pour promotion, 7 wines for $25. VERY worth it
    • restaurant week aged rib eye
  • Review from

    • 4 friends
    • 15 reviews
    New York, NY
    8/15/2013
    I dined at the 42nd Street location this past week for the first time.  Thought I'd take advantage of NYC's Restaurant Week.  Wish I had chosen a different restaurant.

    It went downhill rather quickly.  Our server was an older gentleman
    named Hunter and the first thing I noticed was his brusque attitude.  He was not very pleasant or warm and we were interrupted by him several times
    mid-sentence/question.

    We were also disappointed that the two menu options presented online (
    http://www.nycgo.com/res…-center|menu
    ) were not offered in the restaurant.  Only one menu was given, which
    seemed to be a combination of the two menus on Restaurant Week's
    website.  In addition, the drinks that were shown on the website were
    not even included on the menu we were given.  We had to request a
    separate menu for Restaurant Week drinks.

    I ordered the filet mignon well-done, with no pink.  I also paid an
    extra $10 for the 5 oz lobster tail.  To my dismay, when I began
    cutting into the steak, the center was quite pink.  The size of the
    lobster tail was laughable.  Because of the miniscule size, I wasn't
    even sure it WAS lobster tail!  It was certainly not worth an
    additional $10!

    I sent the filet mignon back and when it was returned to me, it was so
    dry that it splintered when I cut it.  In addition, the uneaten
    lobster tail was gone.  A replacement lobster tail was brought out,
    but rather than return the steak a second time, I suffered through it.

    Wish I had a time machine- $120+ could surely have been spent on a better experience...
  • Review from

    • 40 friends
    • 286 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    8/6/2013 Seated via OpenTable
    Chain restaurant, BUT...

    Good steak (delmonico and kona sirloin); perfectly cooked and well seasoned

    Good apps (lobster and crab cake; fries WITHOUT truffle oil; lobster mac 'n' cheese )

    Good wine selection

    Good table service; not so good service at the front entrance/hostess
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 6 reviews
    Garden City, NY
    7/23/2013
    I am giving 5 stars because of the quality of the food, the excellent service and the ambiance.  The decor is beautiful with dark wood, glass, tiled floor and nice lighting and artwork.

    I had the shrimp cocktail to start and the 5 shrimp were fresh, tasty and large, served on a nice bed of ice.  I love ribeye steak and instead of the standard ribeye (called the Delmonico here)  I went with the porcini mushroom and aged balsamic vinegar-rubbed ribeye and it was awesome.  The rub did not overwhelm the natural flavor of the steak, but complemented it..  My dining partner had the standard ribeye and it was excellent, but my steak was more exciting tasting.  She also had the carpaccio of Wagyu beef, which was fabulous tasting - it had shaved Parmesan, arugula and nice seasoning.  The sides of sauteed mushrooms and mashed potatoes were very tasty.

    Our server, Cassidy, was nice, professional and informative.  We enjoyed her and she said that she enjoyed us also - my dining companion and I both enjoy interacting with restaurant staff, aka other folks.  As for the price, yes it's expensive, but pretty much in line with other Manhattan steakhouses.  I will return here; the location is very convenient for meeting friends, one block from Grand Central Terminal.


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