The Capital Grille

Good place to see and be seen but not for a great meal. Food was decent but not worth the price and not close to Mortons or Ruths Chris. Service was lousy. Our waiter had such a bad cold he could hardly talk. Now we're all wondering if we're going to get sick. The tables are way too small and the one we had was so dark they had to bring us a flashlight so we could read the menu. It was so dark one waitress kept joking about it. When I told her a side dish looked good she asked how I could see it.

Pros: menu options, side dishes, decor

Cons: service, table size, lighting, price

Posted 01/31/09

I went here for the first time recenly and I must say I was a little disappointed. This was only one experience, maybe I was unlucky, but my impression is that the food isnt nearly good enough to justify what it will cost you, especially if you can't afford to go to a place like this very often. Don't get me wrong, the atmosphere is great and the service outstanding, but the food was anything but.

I got a 20 ounce steak, which I ordered medium, but it was totally chared on the outside so I couldnt taste anything else. My companion had fish stuffed with crab, which wasnt bad but really could have used a sauce to go with it. The lobster mac and cheese was quite good, it comes with chunks of lobster, 3 kinds of cheese, and breadcrumbs, so it is creamy and has a bit of a crunch. The side dishes cost extra though, entrees come with NOTHING else. I also liked the bread, they give you 4 different kinds and the butter spread it comes with is very soft and creamy (it almost tasted like cream cheese). The french onion soup was good but I've had better. 2 entrees that I didnt care for, a cup of soup that was decent, and a side dish that I loved cost me $100. The wine list is impressive, portion sizes in general are good. I didnt order dessert because I didnt expect it to be worth it.

I'm glad I went once to check the place out, but I doubt I am going back anytime soon if ever. If you have been wanting to check the place out go ahead and go once, but I don't recommend it if you are trying to impress someone because the food disappointed me. If you get a steak dont get anything more cooked than medium rare (I know steak snobs say that anyway but I think medium is fine). Lunch is probably a better idea than dinner. There are a lot of places out there like Mallorca and Abruzzi's (before it closed) that have great atmosphere and service that give you a crapload of good food for a much more reasonable price.

Pros: Great atmosphere, insanely outstanding service

Cons: Food mediocre and very expensive

Posted 11/16/08

The Omni (thanks Alton) suggested Capital Grille. We have absolutely no regrets. The experience was fantastic - I cannot say enough about how good the food and service was here. The Kansas City steak was highly recommended by our wonderful server. We also tried the spinach salad with bacon which is incredible. The asparagus and lobster mac and cheese were both super and delicious as well. We loved the restaurants ambience and fine dining setting. It's a great place for various kinds of groups - couples, families, outing with friends and business dinners. This restaurant is definitely a must try!

Pros: Food, Wine, Service, Ambience

Cons: nothing

Posted 04/29/08

My wife have been to the other three 'upscale' steak restaurants in Pittsburgh, so we decided to use my mother-in-law's birthday as an occasion to try the Capital Grille.
We were seated immediately, and the table was sprinkled with 'Happy Birthday' confetti-- a nice touch. The waiter was casual, but attentive. A warning: even on a Wednesday evening, this restaurant was crowded and LOUD. My in-laws are by no means elderly, but it was difficult to have a conversation until more than two hours into the dinner, when the crowd thinned.
I ordered the Steak Tartare as an appetizer, and it was wonderful. Chopped filet-- not ground. Unfortunatey--but not surprisingly--our waiter cofirmed that it's not a popular dish at the Pittsburgh location and is soon to be removed from the menu. But he also noted that it would continue to be available as an off-menu request.
I recommend the coffee-rubbed sirlion. It was fabulous. I ordered it medium rare, and it was was served exactly right for me: crisp exterior with hot red center.
If you're a wine drinker-- like I am--you'll enjoy the extensive list. But it is pricey: most restaurants have gone from double to now triple retail. But Capital quadrouples. We stuck to cocktails and the (still-expensive but adequate) list of wines by the glass. All-in-all, a nice evening.

Pros: Great steaks, excellent service, extensive wine list

Cons: shout-across-the-table loud; overpriced wine

Posted 03/12/08

I recently vistied the Capital Grille the day after Christmas with my girlfriend, mother and aunt for lunch. The staff was very nice and helpful pairing wine with our meals. I ordered the crab and lobster burger which was fantastic. The other people in my party also raved about their meals which were fantastic. I would recommend visiting the bar for a drink before your meal even if you are there for lunch. I would recommend this restaurant for lunch or dinner. You will not be disappointed in your meal and the wine selection is one of the best in the City. The meals are a little pricey but I would consider this one of the top three restaurants in the City. The quality of the meal, service and drinks are reflective of the price. Do yourself a favor and visit the Capital Grille for a special evening out.

Posted 01/19/08

This is the best steakhouse in the city. I love Ruth Chris and Hyde Park don't get me wrong, but we had fantastic service here. Our waitress, Jessie, was delightful and she even slipped in a few surprises here and there (like champagne and desserts) and it wasnt even a special occasion! We will certainly go back and request her and I suggest you do the same!

Pros: our server, ambiance, FOOD!

Cons: NONE

Posted 01/07/08

I just ate here with my wife and some close friends and everything was wonderful. It is amazing to believe that the building was once a department store. Food was cooked perfectly, staff was trained very well, the free valet was very nice and the city is looking up! A wonderful addition to downtown Pittsburgh!

Pros: Ambience, location, Free Valet, service, food quality, wine list

Cons: A bit pricey, book ahead i hear it has been difficult to get a reservation

Posted 09/05/07