The Capital Grille

Capital Grille is good but for the price, the atmosphere and the food, it really is a 3 star place. In Washington, DC, I've encountered 'attitude' on a pretty regular basis. Their food for the price is really not up to par - reduce the price a notch or two and then, yes, it's good. The setting is very nice but taking the combo of all, it's a lot of hype in my opinion in their Washington, DC locations. Other places here are much better - it's that simple and true.

Pros: service is good, food good but not great, power lunch yes

Cons: price for what you get does not make it worth it

Posted 01/22/09

Awful. I'm visiting from Washington DC where I have often eaten (happily) at the Capital Grille. This one was a pale imitation.

Here's the good news: we had no trouble finding a table at 7pm. Also, it so happens that I like second-hand smoke (seriously), so I rather enjoyed being near the guys smoking cigars in the bar area.

The bad news: The restaurant is dark and with the A/C running full blast in October it was freezing. Our waitress made a valiant effort to be professional but she was consistently slow or inadvertently inattentive. Ten minutes to get a glass of wine. Ten minutes to get the check. Our dinner -- considering the premium price -- was disgraceful. Steaks were huge but tasteless, and my guest's request for medium rare was met with a piece of uncooked meat. The potatoes au gratin were undercooked and chewy, the au gratin sauce was thin and tasteless, and the chef covered them with something resembling shake-and-bake crumbs. The glass of wine I ordered was served with perhaps two (small) fingers of wine in a huge glass -- my only thought was to send the waitress back to put more in the glass. All that and a tab over $125 (for two people, with one glass of wine apiece, no desserts). Sorry, but whoever is running the kitchen needs some refresher training.

My advice: go to Plaza III.

Posted 09/30/07

A savory place to relax and enjoy a wonderful dinner. There is Kansas City History on the walls, which makes for interesting viewing and conversation. This is a fantastic place to dine with friends or clients when you want to enjoy conversation between courses and have a wonderful meal.

Posted 03/27/07

My family and I ate here the night after eating at the M & S Grille and the disappointment was palpable. With the exception of a very good steak, the side dishes were ho-hum, the salad was mediocre and the service was slightly ridiculous. We had more than one server and one did not know what the other was doing - therefore; very poor service overall. We asked to be seated in non-smoking and it always fascinates me when non-smoking is as close to the bar with no wall as you can possibly get. For my family this totally destroys the ambience of the restaurant and the flavor of the food. In comparison to the night before where our appetizer was fabulous, the steaks and seafood were without question some of the best, the salads were crisp and flavorful, the onion soup was to die for, the Cosmos were superb, the free dessert (not requested) was plate scraping wonderful and the service was outstanding - well, there is no comparison. My son had just turned 21 and our server at M & S was astute enough to note that and awarded us with this fabulous dessert to finish off our meal. It is little things like that in addition to the amazing food that gets people coming back - not for the snobbishness of saying we had eaten at The Capital Grille. We spent the weekend on the Plaza and of course I would not compare this to The California Pizza Kitchen or P.F. Chang's, but I feel it is a fair comparison to use the M & S Grille where the food is similar. I would not, nor would my two adult children or my brother ever recommend your establishment to anyone.

Posted 02/05/07

We visited in Sept. 2006 to celebrate our 5th anniversary. I made a reservation and requested the back room. I was really glad we did this because on a busy Friday night, we wouldn't have been able to hear each other talk elsewhere in the restaurant.

The food was okay, but not worth the prices. We ordered an appetizer but our otherwise attentive waiter forgot to bring it out.

They did bring me a single, long-stem, red rose to commemorate our special occasion, which I thought was a nice touch.

I really recommend splurging to get a Stoli, which is their pineapple-infused Martini that they shake right at the table for you.

Pros: Ambience, Service

Cons: Overpriced, Stuffy

Posted 10/08/06

The Capital Grille is out of this world! The food is off the charts, the service is outstanding. Hands down....THE BEST for LARGE GROUPS!!! Shannon and Liz book the private rooms with smooth style. My wife and I had our rehearsal dinner at The Capital Grille and it was a night to remember! The tables were decorated beautifully and without instruction from us..they just did it...very nice touch.

Pros: everything from the food to the beautiful restrooms

Cons: we cannot eat there more often

Posted 07/13/06

Go back a couple of times and they know you by name. From the doorman to the busboys the staff is simply gracious. Absolutely outstanding food. Atmosphere is somewhat noisy but not distractingly so.
Whatever the tab may be, it was well worth the evening.
If you're on the Plaza, try the lunch menu sitting at the bar. You will not be disappointed.

Pros: Great food and drink

Cons: Somewhat noisy in the dining areas.

Posted 07/07/06

Dining at The Capital Grille is like being a KING for the evening. The Staff always seem to know who you are and what you want. I have wondered if they read minds?! The Sunday Jazz is a relaxing elegant close to the week. My Wife enjoys the Stoli Doli and I the Delmonico. The cheesecake is the absolute BEST in town! The Hostess will even seat your party with black napkins to keep lint off of your dark clothing! I often use The Capital Grille as an example to my Sales Staff, if my Staff can elevate to The Capital Grille's level of customer service....the sky is the limit!

Pros: Service, Steak, Seafood

Cons: NONE!!!!!!

Posted 07/06/06

The service was superb! The staff are knowledgeable and friendly. They make the event fun. Food and wine were also great. I love this place.

Posted 06/20/06

Our table was not level and rocked back and forth the entire experience. I'm a steak
guy and my "Delmonico Steak" was over cooked and full of gristle. The service was
attentive. They offered to replace the steak and ultimately removed it from the tab, but the fine dining experience was over and I was still hungry. Attention to detail in fine dining is a must. This restaurant has a excellent reputation, but they need to monitor the details that can ruin the experience.
stability and food quality in more detail.

Pros: Attentiveness, Responsiveness

Cons: Food Quality, Food Preparation

Posted 01/09/06

The best steak I've ever had, and the service is second to none.

Pros: steaks, drinks, scene

Cons: price

Posted 10/03/05

My first visit to the Capital will be followed by several more! Such a positive energy throughout the place. Two men behind the bar attacked drink orders with sheer athleticism(Dick Vermeil could use these guys on defense). I know they were only doing their jobs but what a show! I've NEVER had a waiter more excited about his job than Tim was. My husband wants him to be our waiter at home. I thought a steak with coffee grounds rubbed on it seemed odd but he made it sound so good I had to try. It was phenomenal. Best service ever.

Pros: service, valet parking

Cons: none

Posted 06/14/05

WOW! David and Ernesto are not only easy on the eyes, they know how to pour a perfrct martini! Ladies.....if you have not had a Stoli Doli shaken hard by one of these hunks you need to get down to The Capital Grille TONIGHT! The food is wonderful and gets better and better with each bite! Watch out ladies, David is single and I'm going after it!

Pros: DAVID, ERNESTO, JARROD

Cons: ERNESTO IS TAKEN

Posted 06/09/05

The Capital Grille is hands down the absolute best Steak House in Kansas City! The service staff will go above and beyond to ensure a night to remember! The Sliced Filet is my wife's favorite and the Delmonico is wonderful. The Stoli Dolis are like sweet kisses form a cotton candy princess! If you are hot, single, professional, and looking....this is the place to be and be seen! If you have not been there, GO TONIGHT!

Pros: service, food, drink

Cons: none

Posted 06/07/05

The Capital Grille is the absolute best. The steaks are cooked to perfection and the wines wonderful to match. The servers are the best in Kansas City. I highly recommend going to the bar in the evening, not only is the cocktail staff wonderful to look at, it is the place to see and be seen.

Pros: steaks, wine, service

Posted 06/06/05

Our dinner was wonderful...my husband and I came in for our anniversary a few weeks ago and stayed at the fairmont. They recommended the Capital Grille. Bill was our server, and we have never had a more pleasurable dining experience. He was very funny(I said that we had a wonderful time...he replied by asking if we were in town with the masochists of america convention!) The food was tremendous also, and we can hardly wait to come back!

Pros: Service (Bill), Coffee rubbed steak, Wine list

Cons: no CG in our hometown, no CG in our hometown, no CG in our hometown

Posted 06/01/05

Would highly recommend them. We have always received great service! The food is excellent and the chefs are superb!

Posted 05/16/05

What a fabulous dining experience. The food was delicious!!! Our waiter, Bronwyn, was the best we have ever had. The whole dining experience was a delight and it is by far our favorite in Kansas City!!! We highly recommend it!

Pros: attentive waiters, decor, delicious food

Posted 05/12/05

Attention to detail is the order of the day at The Capital Grille. The service is fantastic, the quality of the food is second to none, and it most definitely is the place to be seen. The Capital Grille provides an unbelievable dining experience, and I would recommend it to anyone for any reason: celebratory, business, or just a good night out. Enjoy!

Pros: Ambience, Service, Food quality

Posted 06/10/04

Great steaks and the best staff. Service complete with hot towels sorbet and a great wine list. Bar is the place to be seen.

Pros: The bar, The wine list, service

Cons: no patio

Posted 08/01/03

The service is what elevates this place beyond any restaurant in town. The food offers equally impressive quality. I haven't found a restaurant experience like this anywhere else in the city. And the General Manager, Mary- The Diva of Dining! What a great staff she has.

Pros: service, food quality, wine

Cons: none

Posted 07/15/03

The steak at Capital Grille is the finest I've ever enjoyed. Nothing but the best can be said. I recommend it as the top steak house in KC.

Pros: Quality, Service, Taste

Cons: Crowded, Expensive

Posted 05/14/03

but it can't beat Plaza III for the quality of the steaks. The bar though, especially on Friday and Saturday nights is a great place to be and be seen.
Some good looking talent.

Bar service is slow and prices are high.
A lot of young people still have cash for martini concoctions.

Pros: ambiance, clientele

Cons: Expensive, mediocre wines, slow service

Posted 03/10/03

Absolutely, positively the best steak house in the city. Usually I dont rate chain restaurants as high as locals but their Delmonico 22oz Ribeye is the best steak Ive ever had and believe me Ive had alot. I must admit Ive only been to this place 3 times and each time Ive ordered the Delmonico (I cant get myself not to) but each time it has been a '10'.

Pros: great ambience, great service

Cons: a bit pricey

Posted 01/14/03

The food was outstanding. Service was way above the norm.

Pros: Food, Service

Cons: Price

Posted 01/12/03

Capital Grille is easily one of the classiest restaurants in Kansas City. Outstanding waitstaff, fabulous cocktails (of course the Stoli Doli, but don't forget the CLEAR chocolate martini!), and delicious food all make Capital one of KC's best restaurants. I reccommend the crab cakes, the clam chowder, and the mashed potatoes.

Pros: easy parking, great service, free happy hour food

Cons: expensive, crowded bar

Posted 01/12/03

The Capitol Grille is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. The lamb was spectacular; my fiancee's Kansas city strip was magnificent; the wine list was expansive (and expensive!); and our waiter was perfect. I highly recommend the creme brulee for dessert, especially paired with one of the fine ports. This restaurant is perfect for any special occasion.

Posted 12/22/02

Very enjoyable dining experience. Nice wine list. Could also purchase a set of steak knives with logo on each.

Pros: Food Quality, Service

Cons: Parking

Posted 10/20/02

Some of the most delicious meals I've ever had! And the service was second to none.

Pros: great food, good parking, wonderful service

Cons: a little pricey

Posted 08/07/02

My husband and I have been to the Capital Grill several times. It is the best steak I have ever had. The service was great. Our server Keith treated us very special. It is expensive, but the sides are large you can share. They also have a great French Onion soup.

Pros: Good Parking, share sides, romantic

Cons: Expensive, loud

Posted 07/25/02