We were celebrating my husband's birthday and we had a wonderful experience. The service was outstanding -- Ariel Burrey, thank you so much! Ariel was warm and pleasant and very knowledgable of her craft. The food was generous and excellent. I had the lamb (perfectly prepared) and my husband had the porterhouse. Tender and excellent. We love the Precinct and have dined at Morton's and Ruth Chris'. But the Capital Grille is special and worth the trip.
(5)
Kate H.
We went here on a Monday night to celebrate my sister's graduating- Magna Cum Laude! Anyway. The service was phenomenal and stupendous and fantastic. Our waiter was Jody and he went so far out of his way to make our night amazing. It was above and beyond. Just one of the MANY kind things he did was bring me delicious oolong tea to soothe my throat- because he heard I was hoarse- on the house. So observant and sweet. The food was also delicious. I got the kona steak with shallot butter and it melted in my mouth. Mmm. Their mozzarella is made in house and is SO YUMMY. I'd recommend ANY appetizer with the mozzarella and also the creamed corn with bacon as a side. The service is what makes this place stand out as a 5-star to meI love Ruby's but always feel cramped and rushed. Here, I honestly felt like royalty. Highly recommend it for special occasions or just a nice dinner date. Also- they have cool portraits of famous people from Cincinnati on the walls. I thought that was a super interesting.
(5)
Ryan Z.
Living in Cincinnati, there's not much incentive to try the big chain steakhouses. We're spoiled with three of the best steakhouses in the country - Precinct, Rubys, and C&J's. The trouble is that everyone else knows that as well and it can be hard to get a last minute reservation at those places. Insert Capital Grille. This place is enormous and convenient. The prices are noticeably lower than the Jeff Ruby trio. We dad dinner here 2 weekends ago because we couldn't get into the Precinct. We arrived at the restaurant to find out that our table was not ready. After 30 minutes at the bar, we were led back to our table. Most of the evening was 'pretty good'. The waiter was friendly and knowledgeable. The sides were incredible! The lobster mac&cheese was absolutely divine. The trouble was with the steaks. Jessica asked for her filet medium-rare. I asked for my rib-eye mid rare plus. I know that's not an actual temperature, but it's my best effort to keep my steak somewhere between mid rare and medium. When the steaks came out, Jessica's was cooked perfectly and mine was grossly over cooked to medium well. It took 5-10 minutes and a few bites of dry steak before our waiter came by to check on our meal. To their credit, Capital Grille took back both steaks and remade them. On the second attempt, the meat temps were good but the steaks were a bit chewy, as if the meat quality wasn't quite as good as we're used to in this area. The restaurant handled it as well as they could, but I've never had that issue on any of my visits to The Precinct. Our waiter asked us to give him an honest evaluation on how they compared to Rubys. After 3 hours of ups and downs, I have to say that they just aren't in the same league. That's not to say it's not a quality steakhouse. It just goes to show how spoiled we are by Jeff Ruby.
(3)
Amanda Y.
Dinner was nice, exactly what you expect when paying $150 or more per person, but nothing special.
(3)
D B.
Fine dining prices for a mediocre experience. Average tasting and overpriced food. The decor/ambiance, particularly the ceiling, don't let you forget you are in a shopping center. Service was friendly, but overbearing, and they screwed up the sequence/timing of the dishes. I don't understand why anyone would choose to eat here over a locally owned restaurant like The Precint. If you like the location and don't mind chain restaurants, Seasons 52, next door to Capital Grille, is a better choice for environment, food, and price.
(2)
Heather S.
Amazing food. Amazing service! This place is really a great addition to the neighborhood. Looking forward to the next visit! Marzina is the best waitress in town!
(5)
Annie P.
Four of us came here Sunday for labor day as something to do together. The ambiance was very classy and the restaurant was quiet. First, I was not impressed by the service. Our waiter was not my favorite. He was very knowledgeable but kind of went overboard. I felt like I wasn't smart enough to be eating here! He was also very pushy about selling the food. Three of us had starters but he continuously asked my boyfriend if he wanted a soup/salad even though he'd said no multiple times. At the end of the meal we told him we would not be eating dessert but he still brought the dessert menus. He also served us bottled figi water without us asking. I would have preferred tap so I didn't get charged. At the end, he brought us one check without asking if we wanted it split, which I found odd. The food was good. The calamari we all loved, I would recommend it if you like peppers. The wine we ordered was good. My salad was good and I enjoyed the dressing. One person ordered french onion soup and said it was the best soup he'd ever had. Three of us had steaks and one had lamb chops. Everyone but me liked their food. Looking back I should have sent my steak back to be cooked longer. I ordered medium rare and it came out rare. It also was cold which was not good. But I was hungry and wanted to eat so I didn't bother sending it back. Like I said we didn't order dessert so no comments on that. Overall I would go again and hope for a different waiter and order my steak differently. Worth a try but not the best.
(3)
Robert M.
One of my favorite chain restaurants. The signature Delmonico Rib eye is not be missed. Ditto the Corn side or cheddar tater tots. Good wine list. Be sure to try a signature cokctail
(5)
Matt B.
Holy mackerel. I took a client here and dropped $350-including a $70 bottle of wine. Not sure I would spend that kind of money here. Would rather go to Jeff Rubys but thought I would give it try.
(1)
Samantha G.
Went here with my boyfriend a few months ago. We were seated in one of those booths in the middle of the restaurant. I was impressed by the inside of the building, but it makes sense because the exterior of the place looked very nice. Our waiter was nice but we must have been his only table because he came back many many times, probably too many times, to check on us. However, you could tell her had been trained in fine dining which was impressive. The bottles of wine were definitely over priced but we went for one anyways. The lobster mac and cheese is amazing here, but the entrees were less than impressive. I got the Tuna steak which was nothing like the ones I had before. It was bland and tasteless, but my boyfriends steak was good according to him. I'd say this place is overpriced for the food selection and taste and especially for the bottle of wine we bought for $50 that I know for a fact you can buy at your local Kroger or liquor store for $10. To say the least I probably won't be returning but it was worth a try.
(2)
Sanjay P.
My wife and I loved the ambience. They knew it was her birthday so they had a nice well decorated table laid out; they also took a picture, printed it and put it in a nice card before we left. The food was good (wont say the best but very good). fyi, this is a review I am writing a long time after the visit so am relying on memory. I remember saying that just in terms of the steak, Jeff Ruby's was def better. Angie was happy with her fish. Just remember thinking - the overall experience was great, the food was good.
(4)
Ed P.
Had a very nice dinner at Capital Grill. We were seated right away. Our waiter was very attentive and filled our water glasses as soon as we sat down. He explained the specials and asked if we had any questions. The crab and lobster cakes were meaty and seasoned correctly. The calamari and peppers was a nice mix of savory with some heat. My salmon was cooked properly and very good. I noticed all of the portions seemed to be generous, no one left hungry. If you are in midtown Cincinnati I would recommend this as a dinner spot.
(4)
Jennifer D.
Last evening my husband dined at Capital Grill.It was an awesome experience.We started with the lobster crab cakes.They had huge pieces of lobster in the crab cakes ..they were delicate and so sweet. My steak was perfect so tender and flavorful. This was the best steak I had in years. Our server was attentive and knowledgable. So glad we chose this for out Valentine celebration.
(5)
Kathryn W.
We have been here twice for lunch and really like the place. I can reccomend the lobster bisque--most that I try are too much cream and too little lobster. Big chunks of lobster in this one and the broth was delicious. We had salads both times and they were great. The wait staff--particularly Julie, this time, was so friendly and kind--we really enjoyed talkng with her and because of her help we had a great time. The only odd note was that twice , men came around to ask if we liked our meal and did not identify themselves. We joked with Julie that it could be some random customer trying to decide what to eat:)
(5)
Lee Anne B.
I had my 50th birthday dinner here on 5/2/15. What hospitality! We arrived to a beautifully appointed table with confetti and even a birthday card. What restaurant does that?!? The Lobster Cakes, Lobster Bisque, Delmonico Steak with Balsamic, Tenderloin and Lobster and twice baked potatoes were all spot on fantastic. Our server, Peter, was off the chart in knowledge and personality! Following dinner we were surprised with glasses of champagne for the entire table and then a birthday dessert large enough for two. As if that wasn't enough the chef/managing partner stopped by our table to thank us for dining there and wish me happy birthday. :-) The next day not only did I receive a survey from the same managing partner but a follow up phone call as well. I have to tell you, for special occasions we usually visit a Ruby's restaurant, but they've got NOTHING on hospitality from The Capital Grille! We have a new "go to" restaurant for special occasions. Thank you, Capital Grille and we will be back!!
(5)
Jim F.
Hostess that seated us not into it. Sets iPad on table and tells us it's the wine list without making eye contact as she walks away. When I look at the prices and compare them to the hostess, my first inclination was to leave. The server saved the evening as did the excellent food. Fire the hostess or retrain her because at these prices, I want it all.
(3)
Robin M.
I've been to Jeff Ruby's, Morton's, Ruth's Chris - and had good experiences at each place (with the exception of Morton's, recent service there has been far sub par) - but Capital Grille tops them all. I had the filet, my parents had the Delmonico, and my sister had the salmon. The sides were generous (we probably could have split 2 for all of us) and cooked to perfection. My filet was a *little* overcooked, med-well instead of medium, but I was so satisfied with the flavor/tenderness that I didn't send it back. Everyone agreed that this was the best dinner we had ever enjoyed. And the desserts were equally satisfying (I had the cheesecake...again, the best I've ever had). Last but not least, the service was fantastic! We arrived right at 5pm, so we were the only customers for a while. I'm not sure if that helped things roll smoothly or not, but I have never been treated as well as I was at the Capital. The executive chef, sous chef, and manager all came to check on us (again, this might not be standard practice during busier times). Besides that, our waiters were attentive and engaging, and the other staff was incredibly friendly. I told my sister going in that I didn't want the atmosphere to be unwelcoming; as we've experienced at other places in town. Not only did Capital Grille's staff disprove my worries, they also exceeded my expectations. I DEFINITELY will be back!
I gave this experience four stars because the food was five stars but the service was three stars. I came for my birthday with a group of eight people. Each of us had all three courses. Particularly of note was the prosciutto wrapped mozzarella (absolutely outstanding), the halibut, and the cheesecake. The only small disappointment was that my father's sirloin did not come as hot as it should have been. The service, unfortunately, was not up to the standard of fine dining. While our waitress was accurate, she was excruciatingly slow. By the end of dessert, we were all feeling somewhat antsy. Nonetheless, I'd definitely go back for the food. Plus parking is easy, and the ambiance is very upscale.
(4)
Amy E.
Service here was like nothing I had ever experienced. It was like the gift which kept on giving. I love good steak houses so my husband and I decided to try this out. The ambiance was relaxing. I loved looking into the kitchen. I tried a pineapple infused martini-- what a treat. The steak itself was good, but not as good as Jeff Ruby's or others I have tried. However, the lobster mac n cheese was phenomenal. The best part of this experience was the service though-- roses, flower petals, complimentary taste of appetizers or desserts, a photo and a card. It was fun, beautiful, and the service knocked this 4 star place to a 5 star for me.
(5)
Bridgette P.
1st timers. Celebrated 11th anniversary and a friend's birthday. I usually feel out of place in high end restaurants but this was NICE and welcoming. Lots of extras made our night special. Our waitress was very informed about the menu. The ladies had salmon and the guys had steak. I'm not a beef eater but now understand the hype. From the bread to the cheesecake, it was all excellent.
(5)
S W.
This is as good as it gets. This is a very nice restaurant, superior service. This is a place I would visit for special occasions. They specialize in steaks; the steaks are excellent. We had the Delmonico steak and the Sirloin, one with a Kona coffee rub, the other with the balsamic vinegar marinade. The steaks are top notch; but what you would expect in that price range. The salad was ok, but the Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella with Vine Ripe Tomatoes starter was above average. If you are looking for something original and appetizing that stands out, this is it. I skipped desert, but opted for a cup of coffee; the coffee was very good. My wife tried the Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake; very rich, sweet and good.
(5)
Glenn C.
Fantastic! First time at the Cincy Capital Grille. Porterhouse steak with balsamic vinegar was great. My wife's steak oscar was perfectly cooked with lots of crab and asparagus. Service was top notch. Manager stopped by to make sure we were happy. Bread comes from west coast. Awesome! Puts Precinct to shame. Tables are not crammed together and we are not rushed. Great addition to cincinnati.
(5)
Amy D.
We went the the Capital Grille for a Friday night date- and I have to say I impressed with the service- but underwhelmed by the steak. We started with a glass of wine by the bar while we waited for them to finish prepping our table. The bartender was awesome- talkative and very sweet. For an appetizer we ordered the prosciutto wrapped mozzarella with vine ripe tomatoes. Oh my these were good- crunchy on the outside and gooey handmade mozarella on the inside. My mouth is watering just thiking about this again. I ordered the Lobster bisque as well- it was amazing with huge chunks of lobster in it- yumm. For dinner my date ordered the Delmonico steak and I had the Kona steak with shallot. He ordered his Medium and I got mine medium rare. The steak was disappointing. The au jus for the Delmonico steak looked and tasked like Campbells tomato sauce and completely took away from the taste of what was a really good cut of meat. My Kona steak was good- but the sauce was a consistancy of gravy- not what I expected and not in a good way. On a better note- we had one of the best servers I have ever had at a fine dining resturant. Melyssa was funny, enganging and attentive. I absolutely loved having her at the table. At the end of meal when she was presenting desserts- my date made a comment that unless she could serve us bacon with bacon- we wouldn't be needing dessert. She then brough out a handcrafted bacon lovers dream of maple walnut bacon, covered in chocolate ice cream and sprinkeled in some sort of salt. If you get there and you like bacon- ask for Melyssa and ask for this dessert. It was amazing. Thank you for everything Melyssa- we had a blast with you!
(4)
Kim W.
I made a last minute reservation on OpenTable just 30 minutes in advance and added a note about a birthday celebration. I was absolutely wowed when we arrived and were taken to a table that was decorated for the occasion and with a hand written note! Service was excellent all night. We enjoyed oysters, filets (nice rubs), crab legs, cocktails and dessert. It was a spendy night out but we were treated like royalty, received a few nice surprises, and had a top notch night out.
(5)
Tim H.
This is my first time to the newly opened Capital Grille in Cincinnati. We have dined at the CG in Buckhead (Atlanta) so I was excited to try this one out. There were three in our group and we ate at the bar. We were warmly greeted and served by Eric and Danny (Daniele) who we have had as bartenders at prior establishments. The decor was more modern at the Cincinnati location but still had the plethora of deer mounts throughout the facility. The drinks were poured well and we all ordered from the bar menu. The full order was the bacon spinach salad, lobster mac-n-cheese (delicious, of course!), waygu beef burger, and the cold raw ahi tuna. We had no complaints on the preparation and almost licked the bowl clean of the lobster mac-n-cheese! I will be back again to try a dinner entre'.
(5)
L. A.
The sirloin steak was delicious and cooked to perfection. Tried the lobster mac and cheese and thought it was only so - so. The calamari appetizer was nothing special. Service was superb.
(4)
Elisabeth P.
My husband and I just wanted to try the Capital Grille as we pass it so often. So, on a Sunday evening on a whim, we went in without a reservation.What a tremendous surprise it was. The service was impeccable and the chef came out to specially oversee my husbands special needs as he has many food allergies. He accommodated the menu for him and the food was superb. The wine and cocktail menu was wonderful and also some unusual twist. My husband had a Basil Martini that was simply heavenly and my favourite wine was part of their offering. I would wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant for anyone wanting a true individual "dining experience"! By the way, our server's name was Drew and we have dined all over the world and have rarely had someone so knowledgeable and attentive.
(5)
Jayne E.
This Capital Grille location is magical and I will definitely return. I took my Mum who was visiting from out of town here for lunch to celebrate FINALLY finding my wedding gown. The service was beyond fabulous- our server, Jeremy spoiled us rotten and it was a lunch that will definitely be remembered. We sat in the enclosed porch with the lovely afternoon sun. She had the Salmon salad and I had the "Cobb" salad. The flourless chocolate cake was to die for as was the coconut cream pie, espresso, and even the coffee. Not to mention the amazing wine selection. Everything was just outstanding. Will definitely come in for dinner with the fiance- we are big fans of the Capital Grille. After just moving here from Philadelphia it was like a little slice of home. Thank you xx.
(5)
Karen B.
My husband and I went for a date night. Both the service and food were excellent. We really appreciated that the noise level was low, as we had both had a long day.
(5)
DeWitt C.
Over priced, very average food, mediocre service. Total cost with tip was over $300 for just 4 of us with only 3 glasses of wine! They were selling one glass of wine for the same price as the entire bottle which you could find at Kroger!!
(1)
Will W.
OMG!!!! This is by far my new favorite steakhouse in this city! The service was amazing and the Porcini Dellmoinco is to DIE for!!!
(5)
Joseph B.
Didn't like anything we had to eat. Service was good, will try again in this future with completely different items. Kona sirloin was $44 and recommended by our server, was over-charred IMO and the sauce on it was bland. The sole was dry and had a crunchy breaking with no flavor. No sauce for that? Good wine selection, desserts looked good but everything else was so disappointing we decided to pass.
(1)
Susan E.
I may return to the bar for drinks and appetizers...a very nice atmosphere, but I'll definitely not eat dinner here again. I ordered the special which was a bone in filet. I ordered it medium rare plus and it came out medium to well done. Although embarrassing, I felt compelled to return it. The next steak came out along with the manager apologizing and standing over me wanting to make sure it was cooked properly...very uncomfortable. When I cut into it, the steak was rare! Not wanting to make another scene, I accepted it but the closer I got to the bone the rarer it was. I finally gave up. This was a below average experience. For the price, I would not have dinner here again.
(1)
Ray D.
Great steak house! I really enjoy each Capital Grill location I dined at thus far. Glad Cinci has one now. I had the Filet Oscar and it was great. The potato Scallops side was great as well. I will definitely be back when I am back in town.
(4)
Tim L.
Great food and great service. Steaks are probably the way to go in my opinion. Only reason it gets 4 stars and not 5 is that it didn't have any definitive characteristics that separated it from other nicer-end steakhouses.
(4)
Fabian S.
I don't understand all the other reviews. Prices are like Jeff Ruby but the steaks are certainly not as good and the service was very mediocre.
(2)
Aileen T.
A fancy quick lunch I had today at the Capital Grille. Friendly staffs, delicious food, unique menu selection :)
(4)
Elise F.
A few nights ago, my family was in the area and decided to try The Capital Grille. As we walked in, I joked about how pretentious it looked with the extra "e" in "grille" and the lions in front. This was my first and last impression of the place. The hostess who seated us had an attitude much like she didn't want to be there nor did she want to seat us. She dumped the wine list on our table and didn't bother to explain as she walked away. I watched as she did this to every other party she seated throughout my time there. After that, the price of the food seemed quite demanding. From what I had experienced so far, the food had better be extraordinary to match the price. When our food came, I was pleasantly surprised and the quality. It was good food and better than an average restaurant, but, combined with the experience, still not worth the price. Overall, it's an ok place, but for the price they are asking, I expected better.
(2)
Andy R.
Fantastic for that special occasion or date night out. A bit on the steep end but the service and flavor make up for it. I would not say it is the best or my favorite fancy-schmansy steak place but definitely top 5 in Cincinnati IMHO.
(4)
Elizabeth I.
My husband & I visited the Capital Grille last night to celebrate my promotion at work. We had a fantastic visit. The food was amazing, and the service was even better. We will definitely be heading back. I would highly recommend the Capital Grille!
(5)
Kris D.
Service was outstanding even though it was only there second day. Highly recommend the Kona Crusted Steak. The sides we enjoyed the most were the Mashed Potatoes and Lobster Mac and Cheese. Great venue, outstanding service, and phenomenal food. Oh yeah, they also have some killer cocktails. Ask for the Manhattan, you will not be disappointed. I would also like to thank our server Braden for guiding us through the menu and giving outstanding service throughout the night
(5)
Chelsea W.
I came here for my anniversary and the service really exceeded my expectations! We were given a very cozy booth tucked away in the corner which was perfect for people watching. There was heart confetti, a rose, and a hand written note for our special occasion! Melissa was our server and she was amazing. We are from out of state and she talked with us for fifteen minutes about fun things to do around the area, and even wrote some down. I ordered the Filet Oscar medium and my boyfriend got the porterhouse medium. my steak came out Medium Rare and in some places was actually rare but I loved it! my boyfriends came out medium well but we never sent anything back. It came out a little chewy but he said the flavor was still great. For $50 a steak (not including a side-more on that later) I would expect the food to come out the way you ordered it. I work in a steakhouse and if it's a big steak they always take the temperature before sending it out. We ordered the lobster Mac and cheese for a side to share and it was a pretty decent portion (glad we didn't order two sides) and it was DELICIOUS. I would go again just for that Mac and cheese. The calamari appetizer was good, a little spicy for my taste but still decent! For the two steaks, one side, and an appetizer (no drinks-we had water) the bill was $130. I would definitely come back! Thanks for the great service Melissa!
(4)
Michael C.
Was there on a Friday evening. Noisy,pretentious, expensive. All a la carte, expensive drinks. Won't be back.
(2)
Kathy C.
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here. What a wise choice on our part! From the moment we walked in we were made to feel special. The ambience was classy and classic. And when we were shown to our table, we knew we were in for a memorable evening. The table was strewn with heart shaped confetti. Soon after we were seated, one of the hostesses stopped by and presented me with a long stem rose and an anniversary card from the restaurant! And then we were put in the capable hands of Maggie. She was friendly and informative and patiently walked us thru the menu. We started with the pan fried calamari which was chased with a gin rickey for me and a manhattan for my husband. A very fine beginning! For my entree I chose the Bone In Kona Crusted Sirloin with Shallot Butter prepared medium. While delicious, I think I preferred my husband's choice; the Dry Aged 14 oz. Sirloin Steak cooked medium rare. We chose to split the spinach and bacon salad; I kind of wish we hadn't because it was so very good. Loved the very thick slices of bacon! Also shared the asparagus; while good I think I would try a different side next time. Because we followed Maggie's advice of pacing ourselves; we had room for dessert. We shared the Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake. As you mighty guess, it was creamy, thick, decadent and better still, it was complimentary. And to close out this very special evening, we were served complimentary glasses of champagne and had our picture taken which was presented in another card. I highly recommend Capital Grille if you enjoy exceptional service, attention to detail and high quality expertly prepared food.
Our second visit and once again amazed at the combination of great food, great service and great ambiance. We've been on a steak binge this past month and have also visited Jag's and Jeff Ruby's. I am amazed that Capital Grill (a chain) beats them both! The quality of the steaks are all equal, but the service and ambiance of Capital Grill beats the other two. Service was attentive and proactive (like Jeff Ruby's but far outshines the poor service we got at Jag's). Tables are set far enough apart so you can have a conversation (unlike Jeff Ruby's loudness and Jag's cramming). Steak was amazing - I got the filet with mushrooms & onions and could not stop eating it (and it was big). Only slight negative - I was expecting better quality tomatoes in the tomato, mozzarella, basil salad - it is prime tomato season. We didn't celebrate anything this time, but if you are (birthday, anniversary), make sure they know - they make it extra special! This one is now my go-to for the steak craving.
(5)
Sarah P.
A little on the pricy side for hubby and me for dinner, so we had an outstanding lunch today. My lobster bisque had chunks of lobster so large I had to remove them to my bread plate and cut them up. Great problem to have. He loves French onion soup and rated it the best he's had in recent memory. We each had a different style Wagu burger, both astoundingly delicious. Even the bread was perfect, with the butter served at the exact correct degree of firmness. Service was efficient and absolutely appropriate for the style of restaurant it is. Check after tax but before tip for the two soups, two burgers, one cocktail and one iced tea came to $50. Worth every penny, and I'm sure we'll be back. Some of our local "upscale" steakhouses could learn a thing or two from this chain.
(5)
Linda J.
OK, so I waited over a week since we visited for dinner. Hoping my impressions would soften, since I rarely have to pan a place this bad, but this was such a disappointment . . . . .. Dinner for five, two bottles of wine, cocktails, Oysters, apps and five entrees. Couple of desserts that were shared. Not to belabor the comments, the service was spotty and slow, we waited forever between courses and I don't think the server got a bit of help from a support staff. Even though the place was 1/3 seated, we did not feel special or attended to in the least. Oysters were not freshly shucked and at $3.00 apiece, they were flat and lifeless. Based on the small size and how the server described them as "really excellent", we should have gotten a few more free since some were about the size of a silver dollar. Apps were fine although I cannot recall what they were. And the atmosphere of the room, is very upscale and sexy, love the decor, but I can't eat the atmosphere. I guess my biggest disappointment was my $47 steak with blue cheese, ordered medium rare and delivered medium well. Maybe that's because it sat in the window under a hot lamp cooking another 10 minutes? I don't know, but it wasn't how I ordered it and since we were now 90 minutes into the meal, I didn't want to embarrass my guests by complaining, so I shut up and ate some of it. We all sat with our entrees finished (not mine, but my plate indicated that I was done) and plates cleaned and no one cleared the table for another 10 minutes. I was very embarrassed. Our waiter was shooting hateful looks around the room to other staff, but that didn't change the way it all played out. SO we got a few desserts and coffees and I paid the bill, which at $650.00 (tip included), made me wish I had gone to Ruby's. Yup, I said it and I mean it. Because I have NEVER been disappointed at any one of Ruby's restaurants.
(2)
Poco L.
Waiters remember my name, and my Mother s. Great food, service & wine. Just a wonderful place!
(5)
Alexander D.
I came here for a early dinner while a friend was visiting for the weekend before a Kevin Hart comedy show at US Bank Arena. I was able to call when they opened to make a reservation at 5:00. We arrived a bit early and just waited in the car. When we walked in we were promptly attended to and sat in a booth near the center of the restaurant. We started with the Lobster Mac and Cheese and a drink and we were thrown back with how light but creamy the appetizer was and also with how amazing our service was. She was extremely knowledgable about the food and pairings and how everything is cooked. She never let our drinks get less than half full. She never lingered longer than necessary and I was very impressed. Our steaks were outstanding and while I think the price was a bit higher than expected the service made up for it. We were very impressed and I would definitely bring a friend or family here for dinner again.
(4)
Karen K.
Love, love, love this place. I always ask for the filet trio (off menu) that has the 3 different rubs/sauces. The service is always impeccable and the coconut cream pie is out of this world! I really like Jeff Ruby's but I think this is my new favorite steak place.
(5)
Carolyn B.
Tonight was our first time at The Capital Grille and I can guarantee that it will not be the last. As we walked to one of the private dining rooms, someone approached me and asked if they could take my coat for me. Of course, I said yes, and after she took both hubby & my coats, she came back to the room to give us our coat check number. Before we entered the private room, there were two wait staff members who asked if we would care for something to drink. Hubby got a Cabernet and I opted for their signature cocktail named the Stoli Doli; this martini is made with Stolichnaya infused with fresh pineapple then chilled. Yummy! The private room was elegant looking with a dark wood tables and comfortable chairs embellished with nail-head trim, state-of-the-art video technology perfect for a impressing clients and a table large enough that it never felt the least bit crowded either on the table top or in seating. Covering the walls was a deep red pigment bedecked with classic style paintings which added to the polished look. and the sound proofing was such that when the doors were closed you would never guess that we were in the middle of a bustling restaurant.. We began with a tasty salad of field greens, tomatoes and fresh herbs along with assorted breads and real butter. Then we both had a delectable 10 oz. filet mignon cooked perfectly accompanied by french haricot vert with heirloom tomatoes and heavenly mashed potatoes made with cream, butter and just the right balance of seasoning. For dessert we shared a luscious cheesecake with a caramelized creme brulee topping , plus a decadently dense flourless chocolate cake with espresso in it to bring out the flavors and lastly my favorite - an exquisite coconut cream pie made with a vanilla crust layered with both whipped and coconut creams. I could have licked my plate it was that good. All the while our waiters were accommodating and did an excellent job of clearing dishes as we finished yet bringing each course without rushing on their part or waiting on our part. This is a definite do over for us.
(5)
Chelsea C.
We had an amazing, A+ experience here. We started out with cocktails at the bar before our reservation and were served by Ashley who was awesome- she let us try samples of their signature cocktail, checked on our reservation and checked us in so they knew we were there and overall really took care of us. A great start to the evening. Our server for dinner was Ahmad who was also fantastic. Attentive and very knowledgeable about the menu and made great recommendations for us. Was also able to tell us about all the beautiful portraits on the wall (all famous Cincinnati natives) which was really interesting. We had the Delmonico steak, mashed potatoes & creamed spinach, lobster bisque and shrimp cocktail- and everything was PERFECTION. The restaurant itself is beautiful, a very relaxed atmosphere and a good date/special occasion spot. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Melissa S.
Amazing food and even better service. I took my boyfriend here for his birthday. Our server was Chris who was very knowledgeable and helpful. I got the delmonica steak and clam chowder. My boyfriend got the filet trio. Absolutely amazing food. Cooked to perfection. A woman whom I am assuming was one of the owners ended up covering our dessert. We got the ice cream trio and a special birthday plate with their cheesecake and espresso cake. I really felt like the staff wanted to make sure we had the best dining experience possible. I even got a call the next day from someone at the restaurant checking up and making sure everything was good.
(5)
John L.
This was our first time dining here and we were not impressed. At all. 1) They were almost 40 minutes (or more) late in seating us (we had even made the reservation far in advance) and I quickly became tired of hearing the hostess say that they were behind on all reservations , even though there were four other empty tables in plain view when they finally seated us. Plus, the hostess was rude. At their price point there is no excuse in this. When we finally did get a table it was in the enclosed patio section off the bar with a great view of the football games on the bar tv (sarcasm). If I wanted to watch the games I would go to Buffalo Wild Rings instead. I don't like paying $45 for a steak and being able to see the games on tv. 2) The dessert menu was probably the poorest excuse for one that I've ever seen. Nothing looked the least bit interesting. I've seen better dessert menus at diners. The only positive- Our steaks were good and our server was very nice/attentive.
(2)
Tango F.
Amazing meal and amazing service with Jayna. My husband has been here for work Christmas parties the past two years and loved it. Feb 15th was my first time going. We split a good bottle of Torbeck Woodcutter's Shiraz. Husband had the Caprese salad (his usual), I had a the Brussel Sprout salad. Both were yummy. He ordered the Porcini rubbed Delmonico (medium) and I ordered the Kona Sirlolin (medium). Still fabulous. Split an order of Lobster Mac'n Cheese which was ridiculously good. We took home half of both our steaks and 1/3 of the mac'n cheese as well as Brulee Cheesecakes which we would've had there if we had more room but enjoyed later. We were well cared for by Jayna, our server who was really personable and laid back. Wish we could afford to come more often!
(5)
Devin W.
My lovely fiance and I attended this fine establishment for the first time, and boy we definitely will be back. We had 8:30 pm reservations and arrived 10 minutes before hand. We were immediately seated and greeted by Omega, a busboy who brought us our water, and Jody, our awesome server. Jody, who said he was from Jacksonville, Florida, had the "IT" factor that you expect from a server at a restaurant. He was verybknowledgeable, and his recommendations were top notch. To start we ordered the house cocktail, a vodka infused pineapple drink that was superb. I drove so I limited my drinks at that point, but my fiance requested something fruity, and was given a nameless fruity cocktail that she loved. To start, the bread was fresh and delicious, and we ordered the shrimp cocktail for an appetizer. It was our first time actually having cocktail at any restaurant, and it was amazing, borderline perfection. The better half then decided she was in the mood for a salad, and settled on the spinach salad with a bacon infused dressing, and I chose the clan chowder. Both great choices. By this time we were thinking, how could things get any better. Then the steaks arrived. She ordered the special for the night, a bone - in filet with a garlic butter sauce and parmesean crust on bottom, and I opted for the Delmonico, medium+, and it was by far the greatest piece of meat that I've had. For sides we chose the twice baked potatoes, and roasted brussel sprouts, both great choices. We had a few bites of our steaks, and in the process of savoring them, decided to take them home. For an after drink beverage, my fiance was recommended an expresso martini, with a shot of real espresso, and godiva chocolate, thats what put her over the top lol. For a take home desert we were advised of the house cheesecake, which after one sample bite we both fell in love with. We can't wait to tear into the leftovers, but more than just the food, the atmosphere and service was top notch, and we will definitely be back again.
(5)
Pamela F.
$200 and up for two, ouch, but good. We've avoided Capital Grille due to its pricey (close to $200 for two) -but-chain (Darden chain which owns Macaroni Grille) reputation. Upshot: $220 for two well-aged buttery steaks (Delmonico and a filet mignon at $100 for the pair, a la carte (no sides/potatoes/salads included). Plan on sides and drinks doubling the price. A blue cheese and bacon salad wedge ($12 -- really, for iceberg lettuce and generic slightly thin bleu cheese dressing?), cup of french onion soup ($10), one side of mac/cheese ($17), 3 drinks (one beer, two wine $35) nudges $200 with tax --plus 20% tip. One bargain note: no corkage fee, a bonus as we stock a pretty decent wine fridge at home and occasionally like to bring a special bottle. That said, the warm and friendly service and competently prepared food can't be faulted -- it's just that a chain restaurant with a shopping center vibe (as opposed to urbane downtown steakhouses done by serious decorators like Boca, Ruby) just doesn't earn the $200 dinner price tag. You're really looking for a destination/occasion restaurant at that price point. You want to be dazzled sensorially: visually in ambiance, lighting, fabrications/art. Our table was a cramped two-top more suited to, well Macaroni Grille. Once the wine, steaks, bread and side arrived -- we were holding plates in the air to make room. And, oddly, the dining room was 2/3 empty -- on a Friday night at 8 p.m., which says something. We were charmed by the Chef Minh, and to be sure, steaks were perfectly seared (crusty and medium rare, the way we like them) and hearty portions: 10 oz. filet and 14 oz. Delmonico (bone in which made our labrador delirious with joy). But, the lobster mac-cheese had just two small pieces of lobster claw and was overly salty. Red wines served at incorrect temperatures (unpleasantly warm). Service is warm and friendly, although not always seamless. The side of bearnaise we ordered didn't show up until the steak was lukewarm and it was thin. Our table was empty for a long while before dessert was offered. I'd definitely pay $80-100 to dine here, just not $200. I'm betting Darden wises up, glams it up, figures out how to offer more value (ahem toss in one side for presentation) and dials the price points down. Because Darden, you're not in Kansas (or Orlando) anymore and this is a foodie town with some major players. Why drop $200 at the Macaroni Grille chain when you can do a locally owned restaurant like Jean Robert's Table, Precinct, Ruby's, or Boca. Can't imagine a 2/3 empty restaurant on weekend night at 8 p.m. is paying the rent.
(3)
Cindy G.
Holy Canoli this place is stunning. It's kind of weird that such a regal looking resto is smack dab in the middle of Rookwood, but dang is it beautiful! AMBIANCE: You walk in and you are immediately feel relaxed. The dark woods contrasted with the stark white accents are just gorgeous! All of the stainless steel fixtures are high end and even the bar tables are nice enough for dinner. It's dim lit with big giant almost floor to ceiling windows in the bar area so the natural lighting is great. I'm sure it's stunning at night. DRINKS: My Yelptern and I both ordered cocktails, but before we did our server Ashley recommended we try their signature pineapple soaked vodka. She even brought us too samples which was so sweet. They were great, but I am not sure I could drink a whole glass of one. The cocktails we ordered were the Ruby Red and the Mojito. The Ruby Red was tart just how I liked it. However the top was splashed with campari which I am not fond of I should have known before ordering I wouldn't like the campari element but still, Ashley was super sweet and brought me a mojito instead which was AH-MAZ-ING! The fresh muddled mint with the champagne in it too just sent it over the top. If we came back I would def go for this again. Only downside, it will cost you $12 bucks, but you are kind of paying for the entire experience/atmosphere here and let's face it, it's okay to splurge sometimes ;) THE FOOD: *JAW DROP* Ahhh, again we sat at the bar but order an app to share. We ordered the mozzarella and crispy prosciutto sandwiches. These came out with a butter french bread crust and juicy grape tomatoes with 15 year age balsamic and fresh basil. OMG I am salivating just thinking about it. I would go as far to say as this was one of the best appetizers I have ever had. So light, yet comforting, and totally satisfying. GET IT. GET IT NOW!! YUM! OVERALL: Haven't tried dinner yet, but overall this is a fabulous addition to the city and especially Rookwood. Stop in and try them, you will not be disappointed! **PS Shout out to Ashley for being the best server ever. Friendly, and sweet. I loved her sharing her stories from her hometown of Boston with us! Cheers!
(5)
Chris C.
We ate here for the first time, for our anniversary, on a Wed. evening. We had a reservation, but probably didn't need one except that since I'd made one and mentioned our celebration they provided several perks: A personalized card for us, tiny metallic hearts sprinkled on the table, a photo was taken of us & given to us later, some complimentary champagne with raspberries, complimentary dessert (we had ordered dessert too since we didn't expect this) , and a roses on the table. We also received some "free samples" of a fried risotto / cheese appetizer from the chef. Our server Arielle was so nice and provided excellent service, 5*. My husband's 16oz bone in filet steak was very good with great flavor. His side lobster tail tasted fine but he's had better. My entree of a 2# lobster was disappointing. It was so chewy, and hard to cut with the table knife (no steak knife), so I took it home to have later but it was still chewy and hard to cut even with a steak knife. We ordered mushrooms and also asparagus to share. These both were good but not outstanding. The bread basket of 4 kinds of rolls / breads was good. I was looking forward to having some sort of chocolate dessert but was disappointed by the 2 choices when the dessert menu arrived. One choice had expresso in it and I don't like coffee, and the other - the chocolate hazelnut cake was made with Nutella which I don't consider to be a "scratch kitchen" ingredient - we had been told the the Capital Grille is a scratch kitchen. I'd prefer quality cocoa or chocolate and hazelnuts over what's in Nutella (have you ever read the label?). So we each ordered the trio of ice creams, and they were good and came with 2 cookies which were OK tasting. My husband had a couple of the craft beers which were OK. Overall food was 3*. I don't know if we'll be back when there are other places with better food for a better price and just as good service. We spent $170 + tax & tip.
(4)
Tom B.
Superb waiter and servers. They are obviously very well trained. We had steaks, their specialty. They were good but not great, one came out without the crab oscar topping so they took both steaks back and must have just thrown them under a heat lamp. Both were overdone. They offered to remake them but we were hungry. Still a very good experience but not stellar. Appetizers were excellent.
(4)
Sean O.
Had dinner with my bride of 29 years at Capital Grill in Rookwood celebrating our anniversary. We had dinner on the veranda because it was a beautiful late summer evening. I must admit, they treated us right. Personalized card with hearts sprinkled on the table, complimentary champagne with raspberries, complimentary dessert (the letters are made from chocolate), and roses for the bride. We also had fantastic food (salmon for me and my wife had filet mignon). We have both been here before and we enjoyed our previous visit but this one was fantastic. Our server was Ariell B and she really tried hard to make it a special evening - she succeeded. We will definitely go back for any major celebration.
I was fortunate enough to be invited to the original Capital Grill in Providence Rhode Island a few years ago. I remember being so impressed with the quality of service, as well as their food quality. I was smitten with their lobster bisque and the elegance of the place, and when I heard that one was coming to Cincinnati I was pretty excited. I had dinner with my wife there last month and was equally smitten with the 5-star service, the posh and beautiful interior, and the quality of the food-- yet again. It's fair to say we have both fallen in love with this place. Since that dinner I've returned a couple times to the lounge area for after-work business meetings: huge, warm, and inviting with many swanky tables (and barstools) where you can enjoy apps, food, and drinks with company, but without having to take the time of a full-on meal. Even at the bar or the lounge, you are greeted with water, white linen service (!), individual leather placemat, and an offering of bread (accept the offer-- the bread service is a work of art and delicious). I just cannot say enough about the impression the aforementioned imparts when this is my experience every single time here-- it is a heck of a way for the restaurant to make a first impression. The prices at Capital Grille are def on the high side, so you do pay up for the first-class procedures, but the staff is well-trained and make it seem effortless. We had lobster bisque, a shrimp cocktail (unbelievably good shrimp and a smashing presentation, plus 5 huge shrimp for 16 bucks makes this a very good deal compared to other marquee steakhouses in town), and for the main course we shared a huge ribeye steak, plus sides of creamed spinach and mashed potatoes. All I can say one month later is that most everything was phenomenal in flavor and appearance, and the level of service and the pace of service was world-class. Ask for Ahmad if you want a great server. He was attentive, graceful, and a true pro, plus he knows the menu inside and out, and will tell you what's best. To put the proverbial exclamation point on our experience, a week later we received a personalized, signed thank-you card from the GM and waiter for visiting their establishment. Yeah, I'm sold. It's done.
(5)
Bridget S.
Capital Grille is a little pricey, but a great spot for a special occasion or when you're in the mood to splurge. The customer service is also amazing and you get what you pay for. We went here for an early Valentine's Day dinner and waited about 45 mins for a table even though we had a reservation. They were extremely apologetic and even comped our appetizer to make up for it. We ordered lobster bisque soup, lobster mac and cheese, lobster claws, and of course steak. Everything was delicious and tasted just as good as leftovers the next day.
(4)
Karen S.
I had a lovey dining experience when I dined here on a Monday evening. We received the royal treatment. The streak was big enough to share and it was soooo good! The cream corn and twice baked potatoes were the bomb. I can't wait to go back! They asked were we celebrating anything. I had stated 'celebrating life' when I made the reservations . My girlfriend arrived before me and our other friend. After dinner here comes Drew with 3 glasses of champagne and samples of dessert with a huge smile saying this is in memory of your mom. Ahhhhhh I smiled holding back the tears . My friend had shared upon her arrival that I had just buried my mom . I loved our special occasion in memory of my mom. Drew served us royally .
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Ben D.
Abby and I went here for our anniversary dinner. The restaurant has a very classy feel. The bar space is open and seems like a good place to meet for drinks. The dining room is very plush with lots of dark wood. The overall lighting is kind of dark (mood lighting), but each table has a can-light in the ceiling targeted directly on it, so it creates a very "isolating" effect. Because we were celebrating our anniversary, they had heart-shaped confetti on our table with a rose and a "happy anniversary" note. That was very nice. They also gave us a free glass of champaign and a free dessert! The dessert had a mini chocolate tort and a mini cheesecake on a wafer with the top done in a brûlée style. Both were fantastic. Alcohol: When we first arrived, we ordered cocktails. Abby had the Bohemian (a house Bellini) and really liked it. I had a Washington apple, made spot on. We ordered a bottle of wine (El Coto, Rioja Crianza, $30). The menu said it was the 2005 vintage, but our server informed us that they only re-print the menus twice a year, and they had sold all of the '05 vintage, and were on to the '09. I was slightly annoyed by that, but we decided to go for it anyway, and he offered to make it right if we didn't like the '09, so there wasn't much to lose there. It was good... '09 wasn't an outstanding vintage in Rioja. It's kind of at it's peak already, so the wine was good, but relatively neutral, which worked out fine. Appetizers: We ordered some west-coast oysters, which were fantastic. I'm not usually a raw oyster fan, but they were really good. They came with all the usual toppings (tabasco, horseradish, cocktail sauce, lemon). Abby got the tomato-mozzarella-basil salad (mozzarella is made in house) and said it was fantastic, it's drizzled with an aged balsamic vinaigrette. I got the lobster bisque, which was quite good. It had whole hunks of lobster meat in it (claw meat nonetheless!), which is always nice. It was very rich and creamy. Side: We got a side order of the white cheddar potato tots. Imagine hash-brown balls wrapped around a hunk of white cheddar cheese and deep fried. They were good, but I regretted not getting the lobster mac n' cheese or the sam's mashed potatoes. Entrees: Abby got the fillet special, which was on a bed of gorgonzola mashed potatoes with a mushroom red-wine sauce. It was cooked to perfection (seared on the outside, raw on the inside). I got the steak au poivre, which was very good. They really crusted the whole thing with peppercorns, and seared it nicely. It had a brandy-cream on it which was very tasty. I got mine medium, but the meat was of such a high quality that I should have gone medium-rare. They definitely live up to their reputation as a steak-house. The quality of the meat is top-notch, and they cook it exactly how you order it (don't order it rare thinking they're going to over-cook it like every other restaurant, they nail the cooking temperatures). Service: Michael was our server. He was very good. He paced our meal nicely, keeping the courses coming, but not rushing us, and giving us time to decide and digest and talk between courses. When Abby ordered the fillet special, he came back and said that they were actually out of the fillet special, but that he talked to the chef, and that they would put something special together for her. So what she got wasn't exactly the special, but it was similar and she loved it. But he comped her entree without us even asking because they were out of what she had ordered, which I thought was very classy. The manager also made the rounds to every table and talked with everyone (not just the customers who were complaining, like at some restaurants), which was also a nice touch. Summary: If you've made it this far in this review, I'm impressed! Bottom line: top-notch steak house at reasonable steak-house prices. The meat is of an extremely high quality. The kitchen is outstanding. The service is amazing. The bar is great. If you're looking for a great steak-dinner, a nice night out, or to celebrate a special occasion, I highly recommend Capital Grille!
(5)Lani P.
We were celebrating my husband's birthday and we had a wonderful experience. The service was outstanding -- Ariel Burrey, thank you so much! Ariel was warm and pleasant and very knowledgable of her craft. The food was generous and excellent. I had the lamb (perfectly prepared) and my husband had the porterhouse. Tender and excellent. We love the Precinct and have dined at Morton's and Ruth Chris'. But the Capital Grille is special and worth the trip.
(5)Kate H.
We went here on a Monday night to celebrate my sister's graduating- Magna Cum Laude! Anyway. The service was phenomenal and stupendous and fantastic. Our waiter was Jody and he went so far out of his way to make our night amazing. It was above and beyond. Just one of the MANY kind things he did was bring me delicious oolong tea to soothe my throat- because he heard I was hoarse- on the house. So observant and sweet. The food was also delicious. I got the kona steak with shallot butter and it melted in my mouth. Mmm. Their mozzarella is made in house and is SO YUMMY. I'd recommend ANY appetizer with the mozzarella and also the creamed corn with bacon as a side. The service is what makes this place stand out as a 5-star to meI love Ruby's but always feel cramped and rushed. Here, I honestly felt like royalty. Highly recommend it for special occasions or just a nice dinner date. Also- they have cool portraits of famous people from Cincinnati on the walls. I thought that was a super interesting.
(5)Ryan Z.
Living in Cincinnati, there's not much incentive to try the big chain steakhouses. We're spoiled with three of the best steakhouses in the country - Precinct, Rubys, and C&J's. The trouble is that everyone else knows that as well and it can be hard to get a last minute reservation at those places. Insert Capital Grille. This place is enormous and convenient. The prices are noticeably lower than the Jeff Ruby trio. We dad dinner here 2 weekends ago because we couldn't get into the Precinct. We arrived at the restaurant to find out that our table was not ready. After 30 minutes at the bar, we were led back to our table. Most of the evening was 'pretty good'. The waiter was friendly and knowledgeable. The sides were incredible! The lobster mac&cheese was absolutely divine. The trouble was with the steaks. Jessica asked for her filet medium-rare. I asked for my rib-eye mid rare plus. I know that's not an actual temperature, but it's my best effort to keep my steak somewhere between mid rare and medium. When the steaks came out, Jessica's was cooked perfectly and mine was grossly over cooked to medium well. It took 5-10 minutes and a few bites of dry steak before our waiter came by to check on our meal. To their credit, Capital Grille took back both steaks and remade them. On the second attempt, the meat temps were good but the steaks were a bit chewy, as if the meat quality wasn't quite as good as we're used to in this area. The restaurant handled it as well as they could, but I've never had that issue on any of my visits to The Precinct. Our waiter asked us to give him an honest evaluation on how they compared to Rubys. After 3 hours of ups and downs, I have to say that they just aren't in the same league. That's not to say it's not a quality steakhouse. It just goes to show how spoiled we are by Jeff Ruby.
(3)Amanda Y.
Dinner was nice, exactly what you expect when paying $150 or more per person, but nothing special.
(3)D B.
Fine dining prices for a mediocre experience. Average tasting and overpriced food. The decor/ambiance, particularly the ceiling, don't let you forget you are in a shopping center. Service was friendly, but overbearing, and they screwed up the sequence/timing of the dishes. I don't understand why anyone would choose to eat here over a locally owned restaurant like The Precint. If you like the location and don't mind chain restaurants, Seasons 52, next door to Capital Grille, is a better choice for environment, food, and price.
(2)Heather S.
Amazing food. Amazing service! This place is really a great addition to the neighborhood. Looking forward to the next visit! Marzina is the best waitress in town!
(5)Annie P.
Four of us came here Sunday for labor day as something to do together. The ambiance was very classy and the restaurant was quiet. First, I was not impressed by the service. Our waiter was not my favorite. He was very knowledgeable but kind of went overboard. I felt like I wasn't smart enough to be eating here! He was also very pushy about selling the food. Three of us had starters but he continuously asked my boyfriend if he wanted a soup/salad even though he'd said no multiple times. At the end of the meal we told him we would not be eating dessert but he still brought the dessert menus. He also served us bottled figi water without us asking. I would have preferred tap so I didn't get charged. At the end, he brought us one check without asking if we wanted it split, which I found odd. The food was good. The calamari we all loved, I would recommend it if you like peppers. The wine we ordered was good. My salad was good and I enjoyed the dressing. One person ordered french onion soup and said it was the best soup he'd ever had. Three of us had steaks and one had lamb chops. Everyone but me liked their food. Looking back I should have sent my steak back to be cooked longer. I ordered medium rare and it came out rare. It also was cold which was not good. But I was hungry and wanted to eat so I didn't bother sending it back. Like I said we didn't order dessert so no comments on that. Overall I would go again and hope for a different waiter and order my steak differently. Worth a try but not the best.
(3)Robert M.
One of my favorite chain restaurants. The signature Delmonico Rib eye is not be missed. Ditto the Corn side or cheddar tater tots. Good wine list. Be sure to try a signature cokctail
(5)Matt B.
Holy mackerel. I took a client here and dropped $350-including a $70 bottle of wine. Not sure I would spend that kind of money here. Would rather go to Jeff Rubys but thought I would give it try.
(1)Samantha G.
Went here with my boyfriend a few months ago. We were seated in one of those booths in the middle of the restaurant. I was impressed by the inside of the building, but it makes sense because the exterior of the place looked very nice. Our waiter was nice but we must have been his only table because he came back many many times, probably too many times, to check on us. However, you could tell her had been trained in fine dining which was impressive. The bottles of wine were definitely over priced but we went for one anyways. The lobster mac and cheese is amazing here, but the entrees were less than impressive. I got the Tuna steak which was nothing like the ones I had before. It was bland and tasteless, but my boyfriends steak was good according to him. I'd say this place is overpriced for the food selection and taste and especially for the bottle of wine we bought for $50 that I know for a fact you can buy at your local Kroger or liquor store for $10. To say the least I probably won't be returning but it was worth a try.
(2)Sanjay P.
My wife and I loved the ambience. They knew it was her birthday so they had a nice well decorated table laid out; they also took a picture, printed it and put it in a nice card before we left. The food was good (wont say the best but very good). fyi, this is a review I am writing a long time after the visit so am relying on memory. I remember saying that just in terms of the steak, Jeff Ruby's was def better. Angie was happy with her fish. Just remember thinking - the overall experience was great, the food was good.
(4)Ed P.
Had a very nice dinner at Capital Grill. We were seated right away. Our waiter was very attentive and filled our water glasses as soon as we sat down. He explained the specials and asked if we had any questions. The crab and lobster cakes were meaty and seasoned correctly. The calamari and peppers was a nice mix of savory with some heat. My salmon was cooked properly and very good. I noticed all of the portions seemed to be generous, no one left hungry. If you are in midtown Cincinnati I would recommend this as a dinner spot.
(4)Jennifer D.
Last evening my husband dined at Capital Grill.It was an awesome experience.We started with the lobster crab cakes.They had huge pieces of lobster in the crab cakes ..they were delicate and so sweet. My steak was perfect so tender and flavorful. This was the best steak I had in years. Our server was attentive and knowledgable. So glad we chose this for out Valentine celebration.
(5)Kathryn W.
We have been here twice for lunch and really like the place. I can reccomend the lobster bisque--most that I try are too much cream and too little lobster. Big chunks of lobster in this one and the broth was delicious. We had salads both times and they were great. The wait staff--particularly Julie, this time, was so friendly and kind--we really enjoyed talkng with her and because of her help we had a great time. The only odd note was that twice , men came around to ask if we liked our meal and did not identify themselves. We joked with Julie that it could be some random customer trying to decide what to eat:)
(5)Lee Anne B.
I had my 50th birthday dinner here on 5/2/15. What hospitality! We arrived to a beautifully appointed table with confetti and even a birthday card. What restaurant does that?!? The Lobster Cakes, Lobster Bisque, Delmonico Steak with Balsamic, Tenderloin and Lobster and twice baked potatoes were all spot on fantastic. Our server, Peter, was off the chart in knowledge and personality! Following dinner we were surprised with glasses of champagne for the entire table and then a birthday dessert large enough for two. As if that wasn't enough the chef/managing partner stopped by our table to thank us for dining there and wish me happy birthday. :-) The next day not only did I receive a survey from the same managing partner but a follow up phone call as well. I have to tell you, for special occasions we usually visit a Ruby's restaurant, but they've got NOTHING on hospitality from The Capital Grille! We have a new "go to" restaurant for special occasions. Thank you, Capital Grille and we will be back!!
(5)Jim F.
Hostess that seated us not into it. Sets iPad on table and tells us it's the wine list without making eye contact as she walks away. When I look at the prices and compare them to the hostess, my first inclination was to leave. The server saved the evening as did the excellent food. Fire the hostess or retrain her because at these prices, I want it all.
(3)Robin M.
I've been to Jeff Ruby's, Morton's, Ruth's Chris - and had good experiences at each place (with the exception of Morton's, recent service there has been far sub par) - but Capital Grille tops them all. I had the filet, my parents had the Delmonico, and my sister had the salmon. The sides were generous (we probably could have split 2 for all of us) and cooked to perfection. My filet was a *little* overcooked, med-well instead of medium, but I was so satisfied with the flavor/tenderness that I didn't send it back. Everyone agreed that this was the best dinner we had ever enjoyed. And the desserts were equally satisfying (I had the cheesecake...again, the best I've ever had). Last but not least, the service was fantastic! We arrived right at 5pm, so we were the only customers for a while. I'm not sure if that helped things roll smoothly or not, but I have never been treated as well as I was at the Capital. The executive chef, sous chef, and manager all came to check on us (again, this might not be standard practice during busier times). Besides that, our waiters were attentive and engaging, and the other staff was incredibly friendly. I told my sister going in that I didn't want the atmosphere to be unwelcoming; as we've experienced at other places in town. Not only did Capital Grille's staff disprove my worries, they also exceeded my expectations. I DEFINITELY will be back!
(5)Nancy R.
My wonderful stepson took us out as a gift to us for helping him over the past year. We were greatly impressed with the restaurant and menu. The decor reminded me of an old school Chicago steakhouse, but more upscale. Lots of staff, everywhere. We ordered the calamari and peppers for appetizer. Quite spicy I might add. I had the spinach salad with warm bacon dressing which was probably one of the best I've ever had. For my entrée I had the filet and lobster which was divine. Dessert was the coconut cream pie which is a must have. Not too sweet and the coconut is not overpowering. We will definitely be back soon!
(5)Leah H.
I gave this experience four stars because the food was five stars but the service was three stars. I came for my birthday with a group of eight people. Each of us had all three courses. Particularly of note was the prosciutto wrapped mozzarella (absolutely outstanding), the halibut, and the cheesecake. The only small disappointment was that my father's sirloin did not come as hot as it should have been. The service, unfortunately, was not up to the standard of fine dining. While our waitress was accurate, she was excruciatingly slow. By the end of dessert, we were all feeling somewhat antsy. Nonetheless, I'd definitely go back for the food. Plus parking is easy, and the ambiance is very upscale.
(4)Amy E.
Service here was like nothing I had ever experienced. It was like the gift which kept on giving. I love good steak houses so my husband and I decided to try this out. The ambiance was relaxing. I loved looking into the kitchen. I tried a pineapple infused martini-- what a treat. The steak itself was good, but not as good as Jeff Ruby's or others I have tried. However, the lobster mac n cheese was phenomenal. The best part of this experience was the service though-- roses, flower petals, complimentary taste of appetizers or desserts, a photo and a card. It was fun, beautiful, and the service knocked this 4 star place to a 5 star for me.
(5)Bridgette P.
1st timers. Celebrated 11th anniversary and a friend's birthday. I usually feel out of place in high end restaurants but this was NICE and welcoming. Lots of extras made our night special. Our waitress was very informed about the menu. The ladies had salmon and the guys had steak. I'm not a beef eater but now understand the hype. From the bread to the cheesecake, it was all excellent.
(5)S W.
This is as good as it gets. This is a very nice restaurant, superior service. This is a place I would visit for special occasions. They specialize in steaks; the steaks are excellent. We had the Delmonico steak and the Sirloin, one with a Kona coffee rub, the other with the balsamic vinegar marinade. The steaks are top notch; but what you would expect in that price range. The salad was ok, but the Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella with Vine Ripe Tomatoes starter was above average. If you are looking for something original and appetizing that stands out, this is it. I skipped desert, but opted for a cup of coffee; the coffee was very good. My wife tried the Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake; very rich, sweet and good.
(5)Glenn C.
Fantastic! First time at the Cincy Capital Grille. Porterhouse steak with balsamic vinegar was great. My wife's steak oscar was perfectly cooked with lots of crab and asparagus. Service was top notch. Manager stopped by to make sure we were happy. Bread comes from west coast. Awesome! Puts Precinct to shame. Tables are not crammed together and we are not rushed. Great addition to cincinnati.
(5)Amy D.
We went the the Capital Grille for a Friday night date- and I have to say I impressed with the service- but underwhelmed by the steak. We started with a glass of wine by the bar while we waited for them to finish prepping our table. The bartender was awesome- talkative and very sweet. For an appetizer we ordered the prosciutto wrapped mozzarella with vine ripe tomatoes. Oh my these were good- crunchy on the outside and gooey handmade mozarella on the inside. My mouth is watering just thiking about this again. I ordered the Lobster bisque as well- it was amazing with huge chunks of lobster in it- yumm. For dinner my date ordered the Delmonico steak and I had the Kona steak with shallot. He ordered his Medium and I got mine medium rare. The steak was disappointing. The au jus for the Delmonico steak looked and tasked like Campbells tomato sauce and completely took away from the taste of what was a really good cut of meat. My Kona steak was good- but the sauce was a consistancy of gravy- not what I expected and not in a good way. On a better note- we had one of the best servers I have ever had at a fine dining resturant. Melyssa was funny, enganging and attentive. I absolutely loved having her at the table. At the end of meal when she was presenting desserts- my date made a comment that unless she could serve us bacon with bacon- we wouldn't be needing dessert. She then brough out a handcrafted bacon lovers dream of maple walnut bacon, covered in chocolate ice cream and sprinkeled in some sort of salt. If you get there and you like bacon- ask for Melyssa and ask for this dessert. It was amazing. Thank you for everything Melyssa- we had a blast with you!
(4)Kim W.
I made a last minute reservation on OpenTable just 30 minutes in advance and added a note about a birthday celebration. I was absolutely wowed when we arrived and were taken to a table that was decorated for the occasion and with a hand written note! Service was excellent all night. We enjoyed oysters, filets (nice rubs), crab legs, cocktails and dessert. It was a spendy night out but we were treated like royalty, received a few nice surprises, and had a top notch night out.
(5)Tim H.
This is my first time to the newly opened Capital Grille in Cincinnati. We have dined at the CG in Buckhead (Atlanta) so I was excited to try this one out. There were three in our group and we ate at the bar. We were warmly greeted and served by Eric and Danny (Daniele) who we have had as bartenders at prior establishments. The decor was more modern at the Cincinnati location but still had the plethora of deer mounts throughout the facility. The drinks were poured well and we all ordered from the bar menu. The full order was the bacon spinach salad, lobster mac-n-cheese (delicious, of course!), waygu beef burger, and the cold raw ahi tuna. We had no complaints on the preparation and almost licked the bowl clean of the lobster mac-n-cheese! I will be back again to try a dinner entre'.
(5)L. A.
The sirloin steak was delicious and cooked to perfection. Tried the lobster mac and cheese and thought it was only so - so. The calamari appetizer was nothing special. Service was superb.
(4)Elisabeth P.
My husband and I just wanted to try the Capital Grille as we pass it so often. So, on a Sunday evening on a whim, we went in without a reservation.What a tremendous surprise it was. The service was impeccable and the chef came out to specially oversee my husbands special needs as he has many food allergies. He accommodated the menu for him and the food was superb. The wine and cocktail menu was wonderful and also some unusual twist. My husband had a Basil Martini that was simply heavenly and my favourite wine was part of their offering. I would wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant for anyone wanting a true individual "dining experience"! By the way, our server's name was Drew and we have dined all over the world and have rarely had someone so knowledgeable and attentive.
(5)Jayne E.
This Capital Grille location is magical and I will definitely return. I took my Mum who was visiting from out of town here for lunch to celebrate FINALLY finding my wedding gown. The service was beyond fabulous- our server, Jeremy spoiled us rotten and it was a lunch that will definitely be remembered. We sat in the enclosed porch with the lovely afternoon sun. She had the Salmon salad and I had the "Cobb" salad. The flourless chocolate cake was to die for as was the coconut cream pie, espresso, and even the coffee. Not to mention the amazing wine selection. Everything was just outstanding. Will definitely come in for dinner with the fiance- we are big fans of the Capital Grille. After just moving here from Philadelphia it was like a little slice of home. Thank you xx.
(5)Karen B.
My husband and I went for a date night. Both the service and food were excellent. We really appreciated that the noise level was low, as we had both had a long day.
(5)DeWitt C.
Over priced, very average food, mediocre service. Total cost with tip was over $300 for just 4 of us with only 3 glasses of wine! They were selling one glass of wine for the same price as the entire bottle which you could find at Kroger!!
(1)Will W.
OMG!!!! This is by far my new favorite steakhouse in this city! The service was amazing and the Porcini Dellmoinco is to DIE for!!!
(5)Joseph B.
Didn't like anything we had to eat. Service was good, will try again in this future with completely different items. Kona sirloin was $44 and recommended by our server, was over-charred IMO and the sauce on it was bland. The sole was dry and had a crunchy breaking with no flavor. No sauce for that? Good wine selection, desserts looked good but everything else was so disappointing we decided to pass.
(1)Susan E.
I may return to the bar for drinks and appetizers...a very nice atmosphere, but I'll definitely not eat dinner here again. I ordered the special which was a bone in filet. I ordered it medium rare plus and it came out medium to well done. Although embarrassing, I felt compelled to return it. The next steak came out along with the manager apologizing and standing over me wanting to make sure it was cooked properly...very uncomfortable. When I cut into it, the steak was rare! Not wanting to make another scene, I accepted it but the closer I got to the bone the rarer it was. I finally gave up. This was a below average experience. For the price, I would not have dinner here again.
(1)Ray D.
Great steak house! I really enjoy each Capital Grill location I dined at thus far. Glad Cinci has one now. I had the Filet Oscar and it was great. The potato Scallops side was great as well. I will definitely be back when I am back in town.
(4)Tim L.
Great food and great service. Steaks are probably the way to go in my opinion. Only reason it gets 4 stars and not 5 is that it didn't have any definitive characteristics that separated it from other nicer-end steakhouses.
(4)Fabian S.
I don't understand all the other reviews. Prices are like Jeff Ruby but the steaks are certainly not as good and the service was very mediocre.
(2)Aileen T.
A fancy quick lunch I had today at the Capital Grille. Friendly staffs, delicious food, unique menu selection :)
(4)Elise F.
A few nights ago, my family was in the area and decided to try The Capital Grille. As we walked in, I joked about how pretentious it looked with the extra "e" in "grille" and the lions in front. This was my first and last impression of the place. The hostess who seated us had an attitude much like she didn't want to be there nor did she want to seat us. She dumped the wine list on our table and didn't bother to explain as she walked away. I watched as she did this to every other party she seated throughout my time there. After that, the price of the food seemed quite demanding. From what I had experienced so far, the food had better be extraordinary to match the price. When our food came, I was pleasantly surprised and the quality. It was good food and better than an average restaurant, but, combined with the experience, still not worth the price. Overall, it's an ok place, but for the price they are asking, I expected better.
(2)Andy R.
Fantastic for that special occasion or date night out. A bit on the steep end but the service and flavor make up for it. I would not say it is the best or my favorite fancy-schmansy steak place but definitely top 5 in Cincinnati IMHO.
(4)Elizabeth I.
My husband & I visited the Capital Grille last night to celebrate my promotion at work. We had a fantastic visit. The food was amazing, and the service was even better. We will definitely be heading back. I would highly recommend the Capital Grille!
(5)Kris D.
Service was outstanding even though it was only there second day. Highly recommend the Kona Crusted Steak. The sides we enjoyed the most were the Mashed Potatoes and Lobster Mac and Cheese. Great venue, outstanding service, and phenomenal food. Oh yeah, they also have some killer cocktails. Ask for the Manhattan, you will not be disappointed. I would also like to thank our server Braden for guiding us through the menu and giving outstanding service throughout the night
(5)Chelsea W.
I came here for my anniversary and the service really exceeded my expectations! We were given a very cozy booth tucked away in the corner which was perfect for people watching. There was heart confetti, a rose, and a hand written note for our special occasion! Melissa was our server and she was amazing. We are from out of state and she talked with us for fifteen minutes about fun things to do around the area, and even wrote some down. I ordered the Filet Oscar medium and my boyfriend got the porterhouse medium. my steak came out Medium Rare and in some places was actually rare but I loved it! my boyfriends came out medium well but we never sent anything back. It came out a little chewy but he said the flavor was still great. For $50 a steak (not including a side-more on that later) I would expect the food to come out the way you ordered it. I work in a steakhouse and if it's a big steak they always take the temperature before sending it out. We ordered the lobster Mac and cheese for a side to share and it was a pretty decent portion (glad we didn't order two sides) and it was DELICIOUS. I would go again just for that Mac and cheese. The calamari appetizer was good, a little spicy for my taste but still decent! For the two steaks, one side, and an appetizer (no drinks-we had water) the bill was $130. I would definitely come back! Thanks for the great service Melissa!
(4)Michael C.
Was there on a Friday evening. Noisy,pretentious, expensive. All a la carte, expensive drinks. Won't be back.
(2)Kathy C.
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here. What a wise choice on our part! From the moment we walked in we were made to feel special. The ambience was classy and classic. And when we were shown to our table, we knew we were in for a memorable evening. The table was strewn with heart shaped confetti. Soon after we were seated, one of the hostesses stopped by and presented me with a long stem rose and an anniversary card from the restaurant! And then we were put in the capable hands of Maggie. She was friendly and informative and patiently walked us thru the menu. We started with the pan fried calamari which was chased with a gin rickey for me and a manhattan for my husband. A very fine beginning! For my entree I chose the Bone In Kona Crusted Sirloin with Shallot Butter prepared medium. While delicious, I think I preferred my husband's choice; the Dry Aged 14 oz. Sirloin Steak cooked medium rare. We chose to split the spinach and bacon salad; I kind of wish we hadn't because it was so very good. Loved the very thick slices of bacon! Also shared the asparagus; while good I think I would try a different side next time. Because we followed Maggie's advice of pacing ourselves; we had room for dessert. We shared the Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake. As you mighty guess, it was creamy, thick, decadent and better still, it was complimentary. And to close out this very special evening, we were served complimentary glasses of champagne and had our picture taken which was presented in another card. I highly recommend Capital Grille if you enjoy exceptional service, attention to detail and high quality expertly prepared food.
(5)Ben D.
Abby and I went here for our anniversary dinner. The restaurant has a very classy feel. The bar space is open and seems like a good place to meet for drinks. The dining room is very plush with lots of dark wood. The overall lighting is kind of dark (mood lighting), but each table has a can-light in the ceiling targeted directly on it, so it creates a very "isolating" effect. Because we were celebrating our anniversary, they had heart-shaped confetti on our table with a rose and a "happy anniversary" note. That was very nice. They also gave us a free glass of champaign and a free dessert! The dessert had a mini chocolate tort and a mini cheesecake on a wafer with the top done in a brûlée style. Both were fantastic. Alcohol: When we first arrived, we ordered cocktails. Abby had the Bohemian (a house Bellini) and really liked it. I had a Washington apple, made spot on. We ordered a bottle of wine (El Coto, Rioja Crianza, $30). The menu said it was the 2005 vintage, but our server informed us that they only re-print the menus twice a year, and they had sold all of the '05 vintage, and were on to the '09. I was slightly annoyed by that, but we decided to go for it anyway, and he offered to make it right if we didn't like the '09, so there wasn't much to lose there. It was good... '09 wasn't an outstanding vintage in Rioja. It's kind of at it's peak already, so the wine was good, but relatively neutral, which worked out fine. Appetizers: We ordered some west-coast oysters, which were fantastic. I'm not usually a raw oyster fan, but they were really good. They came with all the usual toppings (tabasco, horseradish, cocktail sauce, lemon). Abby got the tomato-mozzarella-basil salad (mozzarella is made in house) and said it was fantastic, it's drizzled with an aged balsamic vinaigrette. I got the lobster bisque, which was quite good. It had whole hunks of lobster meat in it (claw meat nonetheless!), which is always nice. It was very rich and creamy. Side: We got a side order of the white cheddar potato tots. Imagine hash-brown balls wrapped around a hunk of white cheddar cheese and deep fried. They were good, but I regretted not getting the lobster mac n' cheese or the sam's mashed potatoes. Entrees: Abby got the fillet special, which was on a bed of gorgonzola mashed potatoes with a mushroom red-wine sauce. It was cooked to perfection (seared on the outside, raw on the inside). I got the steak au poivre, which was very good. They really crusted the whole thing with peppercorns, and seared it nicely. It had a brandy-cream on it which was very tasty. I got mine medium, but the meat was of such a high quality that I should have gone medium-rare. They definitely live up to their reputation as a steak-house. The quality of the meat is top-notch, and they cook it exactly how you order it (don't order it rare thinking they're going to over-cook it like every other restaurant, they nail the cooking temperatures). Service: Michael was our server. He was very good. He paced our meal nicely, keeping the courses coming, but not rushing us, and giving us time to decide and digest and talk between courses. When Abby ordered the fillet special, he came back and said that they were actually out of the fillet special, but that he talked to the chef, and that they would put something special together for her. So what she got wasn't exactly the special, but it was similar and she loved it. But he comped her entree without us even asking because they were out of what she had ordered, which I thought was very classy. The manager also made the rounds to every table and talked with everyone (not just the customers who were complaining, like at some restaurants), which was also a nice touch. Summary: If you've made it this far in this review, I'm impressed! Bottom line: top-notch steak house at reasonable steak-house prices. The meat is of an extremely high quality. The kitchen is outstanding. The service is amazing. The bar is great. If you're looking for a great steak-dinner, a nice night out, or to celebrate a special occasion, I highly recommend Capital Grille!
(5)Patricia D.
Our second visit and once again amazed at the combination of great food, great service and great ambiance. We've been on a steak binge this past month and have also visited Jag's and Jeff Ruby's. I am amazed that Capital Grill (a chain) beats them both! The quality of the steaks are all equal, but the service and ambiance of Capital Grill beats the other two. Service was attentive and proactive (like Jeff Ruby's but far outshines the poor service we got at Jag's). Tables are set far enough apart so you can have a conversation (unlike Jeff Ruby's loudness and Jag's cramming). Steak was amazing - I got the filet with mushrooms & onions and could not stop eating it (and it was big). Only slight negative - I was expecting better quality tomatoes in the tomato, mozzarella, basil salad - it is prime tomato season. We didn't celebrate anything this time, but if you are (birthday, anniversary), make sure they know - they make it extra special! This one is now my go-to for the steak craving.
(5)Sarah P.
A little on the pricy side for hubby and me for dinner, so we had an outstanding lunch today. My lobster bisque had chunks of lobster so large I had to remove them to my bread plate and cut them up. Great problem to have. He loves French onion soup and rated it the best he's had in recent memory. We each had a different style Wagu burger, both astoundingly delicious. Even the bread was perfect, with the butter served at the exact correct degree of firmness. Service was efficient and absolutely appropriate for the style of restaurant it is. Check after tax but before tip for the two soups, two burgers, one cocktail and one iced tea came to $50. Worth every penny, and I'm sure we'll be back. Some of our local "upscale" steakhouses could learn a thing or two from this chain.
(5)Linda J.
OK, so I waited over a week since we visited for dinner. Hoping my impressions would soften, since I rarely have to pan a place this bad, but this was such a disappointment . . . . .. Dinner for five, two bottles of wine, cocktails, Oysters, apps and five entrees. Couple of desserts that were shared. Not to belabor the comments, the service was spotty and slow, we waited forever between courses and I don't think the server got a bit of help from a support staff. Even though the place was 1/3 seated, we did not feel special or attended to in the least. Oysters were not freshly shucked and at $3.00 apiece, they were flat and lifeless. Based on the small size and how the server described them as "really excellent", we should have gotten a few more free since some were about the size of a silver dollar. Apps were fine although I cannot recall what they were. And the atmosphere of the room, is very upscale and sexy, love the decor, but I can't eat the atmosphere. I guess my biggest disappointment was my $47 steak with blue cheese, ordered medium rare and delivered medium well. Maybe that's because it sat in the window under a hot lamp cooking another 10 minutes? I don't know, but it wasn't how I ordered it and since we were now 90 minutes into the meal, I didn't want to embarrass my guests by complaining, so I shut up and ate some of it. We all sat with our entrees finished (not mine, but my plate indicated that I was done) and plates cleaned and no one cleared the table for another 10 minutes. I was very embarrassed. Our waiter was shooting hateful looks around the room to other staff, but that didn't change the way it all played out. SO we got a few desserts and coffees and I paid the bill, which at $650.00 (tip included), made me wish I had gone to Ruby's. Yup, I said it and I mean it. Because I have NEVER been disappointed at any one of Ruby's restaurants.
(2)Poco L.
Waiters remember my name, and my Mother s. Great food, service & wine. Just a wonderful place!
(5)Alexander D.
I came here for a early dinner while a friend was visiting for the weekend before a Kevin Hart comedy show at US Bank Arena. I was able to call when they opened to make a reservation at 5:00. We arrived a bit early and just waited in the car. When we walked in we were promptly attended to and sat in a booth near the center of the restaurant. We started with the Lobster Mac and Cheese and a drink and we were thrown back with how light but creamy the appetizer was and also with how amazing our service was. She was extremely knowledgable about the food and pairings and how everything is cooked. She never let our drinks get less than half full. She never lingered longer than necessary and I was very impressed. Our steaks were outstanding and while I think the price was a bit higher than expected the service made up for it. We were very impressed and I would definitely bring a friend or family here for dinner again.
(4)Karen K.
Love, love, love this place. I always ask for the filet trio (off menu) that has the 3 different rubs/sauces. The service is always impeccable and the coconut cream pie is out of this world! I really like Jeff Ruby's but I think this is my new favorite steak place.
(5)Carolyn B.
Tonight was our first time at The Capital Grille and I can guarantee that it will not be the last. As we walked to one of the private dining rooms, someone approached me and asked if they could take my coat for me. Of course, I said yes, and after she took both hubby & my coats, she came back to the room to give us our coat check number. Before we entered the private room, there were two wait staff members who asked if we would care for something to drink. Hubby got a Cabernet and I opted for their signature cocktail named the Stoli Doli; this martini is made with Stolichnaya infused with fresh pineapple then chilled. Yummy! The private room was elegant looking with a dark wood tables and comfortable chairs embellished with nail-head trim, state-of-the-art video technology perfect for a impressing clients and a table large enough that it never felt the least bit crowded either on the table top or in seating. Covering the walls was a deep red pigment bedecked with classic style paintings which added to the polished look. and the sound proofing was such that when the doors were closed you would never guess that we were in the middle of a bustling restaurant.. We began with a tasty salad of field greens, tomatoes and fresh herbs along with assorted breads and real butter. Then we both had a delectable 10 oz. filet mignon cooked perfectly accompanied by french haricot vert with heirloom tomatoes and heavenly mashed potatoes made with cream, butter and just the right balance of seasoning. For dessert we shared a luscious cheesecake with a caramelized creme brulee topping , plus a decadently dense flourless chocolate cake with espresso in it to bring out the flavors and lastly my favorite - an exquisite coconut cream pie made with a vanilla crust layered with both whipped and coconut creams. I could have licked my plate it was that good. All the while our waiters were accommodating and did an excellent job of clearing dishes as we finished yet bringing each course without rushing on their part or waiting on our part. This is a definite do over for us.
(5)Chelsea C.
We had an amazing, A+ experience here. We started out with cocktails at the bar before our reservation and were served by Ashley who was awesome- she let us try samples of their signature cocktail, checked on our reservation and checked us in so they knew we were there and overall really took care of us. A great start to the evening. Our server for dinner was Ahmad who was also fantastic. Attentive and very knowledgeable about the menu and made great recommendations for us. Was also able to tell us about all the beautiful portraits on the wall (all famous Cincinnati natives) which was really interesting. We had the Delmonico steak, mashed potatoes & creamed spinach, lobster bisque and shrimp cocktail- and everything was PERFECTION. The restaurant itself is beautiful, a very relaxed atmosphere and a good date/special occasion spot. Can't wait to come back!
(5)Melissa S.
Amazing food and even better service. I took my boyfriend here for his birthday. Our server was Chris who was very knowledgeable and helpful. I got the delmonica steak and clam chowder. My boyfriend got the filet trio. Absolutely amazing food. Cooked to perfection. A woman whom I am assuming was one of the owners ended up covering our dessert. We got the ice cream trio and a special birthday plate with their cheesecake and espresso cake. I really felt like the staff wanted to make sure we had the best dining experience possible. I even got a call the next day from someone at the restaurant checking up and making sure everything was good.
(5)John L.
This was our first time dining here and we were not impressed. At all. 1) They were almost 40 minutes (or more) late in seating us (we had even made the reservation far in advance) and I quickly became tired of hearing the hostess say that they were behind on all reservations , even though there were four other empty tables in plain view when they finally seated us. Plus, the hostess was rude. At their price point there is no excuse in this. When we finally did get a table it was in the enclosed patio section off the bar with a great view of the football games on the bar tv (sarcasm). If I wanted to watch the games I would go to Buffalo Wild Rings instead. I don't like paying $45 for a steak and being able to see the games on tv. 2) The dessert menu was probably the poorest excuse for one that I've ever seen. Nothing looked the least bit interesting. I've seen better dessert menus at diners. The only positive- Our steaks were good and our server was very nice/attentive.
(2)Tango F.
Amazing meal and amazing service with Jayna. My husband has been here for work Christmas parties the past two years and loved it. Feb 15th was my first time going. We split a good bottle of Torbeck Woodcutter's Shiraz. Husband had the Caprese salad (his usual), I had a the Brussel Sprout salad. Both were yummy. He ordered the Porcini rubbed Delmonico (medium) and I ordered the Kona Sirlolin (medium). Still fabulous. Split an order of Lobster Mac'n Cheese which was ridiculously good. We took home half of both our steaks and 1/3 of the mac'n cheese as well as Brulee Cheesecakes which we would've had there if we had more room but enjoyed later. We were well cared for by Jayna, our server who was really personable and laid back. Wish we could afford to come more often!
(5)Devin W.
My lovely fiance and I attended this fine establishment for the first time, and boy we definitely will be back. We had 8:30 pm reservations and arrived 10 minutes before hand. We were immediately seated and greeted by Omega, a busboy who brought us our water, and Jody, our awesome server. Jody, who said he was from Jacksonville, Florida, had the "IT" factor that you expect from a server at a restaurant. He was verybknowledgeable, and his recommendations were top notch. To start we ordered the house cocktail, a vodka infused pineapple drink that was superb. I drove so I limited my drinks at that point, but my fiance requested something fruity, and was given a nameless fruity cocktail that she loved. To start, the bread was fresh and delicious, and we ordered the shrimp cocktail for an appetizer. It was our first time actually having cocktail at any restaurant, and it was amazing, borderline perfection. The better half then decided she was in the mood for a salad, and settled on the spinach salad with a bacon infused dressing, and I chose the clan chowder. Both great choices. By this time we were thinking, how could things get any better. Then the steaks arrived. She ordered the special for the night, a bone - in filet with a garlic butter sauce and parmesean crust on bottom, and I opted for the Delmonico, medium+, and it was by far the greatest piece of meat that I've had. For sides we chose the twice baked potatoes, and roasted brussel sprouts, both great choices. We had a few bites of our steaks, and in the process of savoring them, decided to take them home. For an after drink beverage, my fiance was recommended an expresso martini, with a shot of real espresso, and godiva chocolate, thats what put her over the top lol. For a take home desert we were advised of the house cheesecake, which after one sample bite we both fell in love with. We can't wait to tear into the leftovers, but more than just the food, the atmosphere and service was top notch, and we will definitely be back again.
(5)Pamela F.
$200 and up for two, ouch, but good. We've avoided Capital Grille due to its pricey (close to $200 for two) -but-chain (Darden chain which owns Macaroni Grille) reputation. Upshot: $220 for two well-aged buttery steaks (Delmonico and a filet mignon at $100 for the pair, a la carte (no sides/potatoes/salads included). Plan on sides and drinks doubling the price. A blue cheese and bacon salad wedge ($12 -- really, for iceberg lettuce and generic slightly thin bleu cheese dressing?), cup of french onion soup ($10), one side of mac/cheese ($17), 3 drinks (one beer, two wine $35) nudges $200 with tax --plus 20% tip. One bargain note: no corkage fee, a bonus as we stock a pretty decent wine fridge at home and occasionally like to bring a special bottle. That said, the warm and friendly service and competently prepared food can't be faulted -- it's just that a chain restaurant with a shopping center vibe (as opposed to urbane downtown steakhouses done by serious decorators like Boca, Ruby) just doesn't earn the $200 dinner price tag. You're really looking for a destination/occasion restaurant at that price point. You want to be dazzled sensorially: visually in ambiance, lighting, fabrications/art. Our table was a cramped two-top more suited to, well Macaroni Grille. Once the wine, steaks, bread and side arrived -- we were holding plates in the air to make room. And, oddly, the dining room was 2/3 empty -- on a Friday night at 8 p.m., which says something. We were charmed by the Chef Minh, and to be sure, steaks were perfectly seared (crusty and medium rare, the way we like them) and hearty portions: 10 oz. filet and 14 oz. Delmonico (bone in which made our labrador delirious with joy). But, the lobster mac-cheese had just two small pieces of lobster claw and was overly salty. Red wines served at incorrect temperatures (unpleasantly warm). Service is warm and friendly, although not always seamless. The side of bearnaise we ordered didn't show up until the steak was lukewarm and it was thin. Our table was empty for a long while before dessert was offered. I'd definitely pay $80-100 to dine here, just not $200. I'm betting Darden wises up, glams it up, figures out how to offer more value (ahem toss in one side for presentation) and dials the price points down. Because Darden, you're not in Kansas (or Orlando) anymore and this is a foodie town with some major players. Why drop $200 at the Macaroni Grille chain when you can do a locally owned restaurant like Jean Robert's Table, Precinct, Ruby's, or Boca. Can't imagine a 2/3 empty restaurant on weekend night at 8 p.m. is paying the rent.
(3)Cindy G.
Holy Canoli this place is stunning. It's kind of weird that such a regal looking resto is smack dab in the middle of Rookwood, but dang is it beautiful! AMBIANCE: You walk in and you are immediately feel relaxed. The dark woods contrasted with the stark white accents are just gorgeous! All of the stainless steel fixtures are high end and even the bar tables are nice enough for dinner. It's dim lit with big giant almost floor to ceiling windows in the bar area so the natural lighting is great. I'm sure it's stunning at night. DRINKS: My Yelptern and I both ordered cocktails, but before we did our server Ashley recommended we try their signature pineapple soaked vodka. She even brought us too samples which was so sweet. They were great, but I am not sure I could drink a whole glass of one. The cocktails we ordered were the Ruby Red and the Mojito. The Ruby Red was tart just how I liked it. However the top was splashed with campari which I am not fond of I should have known before ordering I wouldn't like the campari element but still, Ashley was super sweet and brought me a mojito instead which was AH-MAZ-ING! The fresh muddled mint with the champagne in it too just sent it over the top. If we came back I would def go for this again. Only downside, it will cost you $12 bucks, but you are kind of paying for the entire experience/atmosphere here and let's face it, it's okay to splurge sometimes ;) THE FOOD: *JAW DROP* Ahhh, again we sat at the bar but order an app to share. We ordered the mozzarella and crispy prosciutto sandwiches. These came out with a butter french bread crust and juicy grape tomatoes with 15 year age balsamic and fresh basil. OMG I am salivating just thinking about it. I would go as far to say as this was one of the best appetizers I have ever had. So light, yet comforting, and totally satisfying. GET IT. GET IT NOW!! YUM! OVERALL: Haven't tried dinner yet, but overall this is a fabulous addition to the city and especially Rookwood. Stop in and try them, you will not be disappointed! **PS Shout out to Ashley for being the best server ever. Friendly, and sweet. I loved her sharing her stories from her hometown of Boston with us! Cheers!
(5)Chris C.
We ate here for the first time, for our anniversary, on a Wed. evening. We had a reservation, but probably didn't need one except that since I'd made one and mentioned our celebration they provided several perks: A personalized card for us, tiny metallic hearts sprinkled on the table, a photo was taken of us & given to us later, some complimentary champagne with raspberries, complimentary dessert (we had ordered dessert too since we didn't expect this) , and a roses on the table. We also received some "free samples" of a fried risotto / cheese appetizer from the chef. Our server Arielle was so nice and provided excellent service, 5*. My husband's 16oz bone in filet steak was very good with great flavor. His side lobster tail tasted fine but he's had better. My entree of a 2# lobster was disappointing. It was so chewy, and hard to cut with the table knife (no steak knife), so I took it home to have later but it was still chewy and hard to cut even with a steak knife. We ordered mushrooms and also asparagus to share. These both were good but not outstanding. The bread basket of 4 kinds of rolls / breads was good. I was looking forward to having some sort of chocolate dessert but was disappointed by the 2 choices when the dessert menu arrived. One choice had expresso in it and I don't like coffee, and the other - the chocolate hazelnut cake was made with Nutella which I don't consider to be a "scratch kitchen" ingredient - we had been told the the Capital Grille is a scratch kitchen. I'd prefer quality cocoa or chocolate and hazelnuts over what's in Nutella (have you ever read the label?). So we each ordered the trio of ice creams, and they were good and came with 2 cookies which were OK tasting. My husband had a couple of the craft beers which were OK. Overall food was 3*. I don't know if we'll be back when there are other places with better food for a better price and just as good service. We spent $170 + tax & tip.
(4)Tom B.
Superb waiter and servers. They are obviously very well trained. We had steaks, their specialty. They were good but not great, one came out without the crab oscar topping so they took both steaks back and must have just thrown them under a heat lamp. Both were overdone. They offered to remake them but we were hungry. Still a very good experience but not stellar. Appetizers were excellent.
(4)Sean O.
Had dinner with my bride of 29 years at Capital Grill in Rookwood celebrating our anniversary. We had dinner on the veranda because it was a beautiful late summer evening. I must admit, they treated us right. Personalized card with hearts sprinkled on the table, complimentary champagne with raspberries, complimentary dessert (the letters are made from chocolate), and roses for the bride. We also had fantastic food (salmon for me and my wife had filet mignon). We have both been here before and we enjoyed our previous visit but this one was fantastic. Our server was Ariell B and she really tried hard to make it a special evening - she succeeded. We will definitely go back for any major celebration.
(5)Ben D.
Abby and I went here for our anniversary dinner. The restaurant has a very classy feel. The bar space is open and seems like a good place to meet for drinks. The dining room is very plush with lots of dark wood. The overall lighting is kind of dark (mood lighting), but each table has a can-light in the ceiling targeted directly on it, so it creates a very "isolating" effect. Because we were celebrating our anniversary, they had heart-shaped confetti on our table with a rose and a "happy anniversary" note. That was very nice. They also gave us a free glass of champaign and a free dessert! The dessert had a mini chocolate tort and a mini cheesecake on a wafer with the top done in a brûlée style. Both were fantastic. Alcohol: When we first arrived, we ordered cocktails. Abby had the Bohemian (a house Bellini) and really liked it. I had a Washington apple, made spot on. We ordered a bottle of wine (El Coto, Rioja Crianza, $30). The menu said it was the 2005 vintage, but our server informed us that they only re-print the menus twice a year, and they had sold all of the '05 vintage, and were on to the '09. I was slightly annoyed by that, but we decided to go for it anyway, and he offered to make it right if we didn't like the '09, so there wasn't much to lose there. It was good... '09 wasn't an outstanding vintage in Rioja. It's kind of at it's peak already, so the wine was good, but relatively neutral, which worked out fine. Appetizers: We ordered some west-coast oysters, which were fantastic. I'm not usually a raw oyster fan, but they were really good. They came with all the usual toppings (tabasco, horseradish, cocktail sauce, lemon). Abby got the tomato-mozzarella-basil salad (mozzarella is made in house) and said it was fantastic, it's drizzled with an aged balsamic vinaigrette. I got the lobster bisque, which was quite good. It had whole hunks of lobster meat in it (claw meat nonetheless!), which is always nice. It was very rich and creamy. Side: We got a side order of the white cheddar potato tots. Imagine hash-brown balls wrapped around a hunk of white cheddar cheese and deep fried. They were good, but I regretted not getting the lobster mac n' cheese or the sam's mashed potatoes. Entrees: Abby got the fillet special, which was on a bed of gorgonzola mashed potatoes with a mushroom red-wine sauce. It was cooked to perfection (seared on the outside, raw on the inside). I got the steak au poivre, which was very good. They really crusted the whole thing with peppercorns, and seared it nicely. It had a brandy-cream on it which was very tasty. I got mine medium, but the meat was of such a high quality that I should have gone medium-rare. They definitely live up to their reputation as a steak-house. The quality of the meat is top-notch, and they cook it exactly how you order it (don't order it rare thinking they're going to over-cook it like every other restaurant, they nail the cooking temperatures). Service: Michael was our server. He was very good. He paced our meal nicely, keeping the courses coming, but not rushing us, and giving us time to decide and digest and talk between courses. When Abby ordered the fillet special, he came back and said that they were actually out of the fillet special, but that he talked to the chef, and that they would put something special together for her. So what she got wasn't exactly the special, but it was similar and she loved it. But he comped her entree without us even asking because they were out of what she had ordered, which I thought was very classy. The manager also made the rounds to every table and talked with everyone (not just the customers who were complaining, like at some restaurants), which was also a nice touch. Summary: If you've made it this far in this review, I'm impressed! Bottom line: top-notch steak house at reasonable steak-house prices. The meat is of an extremely high quality. The kitchen is outstanding. The service is amazing. The bar is great. If you're looking for a great steak-dinner, a nice night out, or to celebrate a special occasion, I highly recommend Capital Grille!
(5)David C.
I was fortunate enough to be invited to the original Capital Grill in Providence Rhode Island a few years ago. I remember being so impressed with the quality of service, as well as their food quality. I was smitten with their lobster bisque and the elegance of the place, and when I heard that one was coming to Cincinnati I was pretty excited. I had dinner with my wife there last month and was equally smitten with the 5-star service, the posh and beautiful interior, and the quality of the food-- yet again. It's fair to say we have both fallen in love with this place. Since that dinner I've returned a couple times to the lounge area for after-work business meetings: huge, warm, and inviting with many swanky tables (and barstools) where you can enjoy apps, food, and drinks with company, but without having to take the time of a full-on meal. Even at the bar or the lounge, you are greeted with water, white linen service (!), individual leather placemat, and an offering of bread (accept the offer-- the bread service is a work of art and delicious). I just cannot say enough about the impression the aforementioned imparts when this is my experience every single time here-- it is a heck of a way for the restaurant to make a first impression. The prices at Capital Grille are def on the high side, so you do pay up for the first-class procedures, but the staff is well-trained and make it seem effortless. We had lobster bisque, a shrimp cocktail (unbelievably good shrimp and a smashing presentation, plus 5 huge shrimp for 16 bucks makes this a very good deal compared to other marquee steakhouses in town), and for the main course we shared a huge ribeye steak, plus sides of creamed spinach and mashed potatoes. All I can say one month later is that most everything was phenomenal in flavor and appearance, and the level of service and the pace of service was world-class. Ask for Ahmad if you want a great server. He was attentive, graceful, and a true pro, plus he knows the menu inside and out, and will tell you what's best. To put the proverbial exclamation point on our experience, a week later we received a personalized, signed thank-you card from the GM and waiter for visiting their establishment. Yeah, I'm sold. It's done.
(5)Bridget S.
Capital Grille is a little pricey, but a great spot for a special occasion or when you're in the mood to splurge. The customer service is also amazing and you get what you pay for. We went here for an early Valentine's Day dinner and waited about 45 mins for a table even though we had a reservation. They were extremely apologetic and even comped our appetizer to make up for it. We ordered lobster bisque soup, lobster mac and cheese, lobster claws, and of course steak. Everything was delicious and tasted just as good as leftovers the next day.
(4)Karen S.
I had a lovey dining experience when I dined here on a Monday evening. We received the royal treatment. The streak was big enough to share and it was soooo good! The cream corn and twice baked potatoes were the bomb. I can't wait to go back! They asked were we celebrating anything. I had stated 'celebrating life' when I made the reservations . My girlfriend arrived before me and our other friend. After dinner here comes Drew with 3 glasses of champagne and samples of dessert with a huge smile saying this is in memory of your mom. Ahhhhhh I smiled holding back the tears . My friend had shared upon her arrival that I had just buried my mom . I loved our special occasion in memory of my mom. Drew served us royally .
(5)