Let Capital Grille wine and dine you this summer

Who doesn’t love to be wined and dined? Beat the heat this summer by heading indoors at The Capital Grille to take advantage of their Generous Pour event. Whether you consider yourself a wine novice or aficionado, Generous Pour allows you to enjoy as many as seven different varietals from California’s top winemakers, each handpicked by Master Sommelier George Miliotes and rated 90 points or higher. This year’s lineup is bound to introduce you to a new favorite sip. Offered through September 1st, the Generous Pour is priced at $25 per person with your lunch or dinner meal.

If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, let Capital Grille’s knowledgeable staff recommend dishes to pair with the wines that most catch your eye—or try them all and rely on your own palate to discern which pairing best suits your fancy.

On a recent visit, my man and I had the opportunity to taste this year’s lineup against some of Capital Grille’s best dishes. To start, we sipped the 2012 La Crema Pinot Gris our server Kevin had recommended to pair with appetizers. With bright citrus and fruity peach notes, this glass was light and crisp and went very well alongside Capital Grille’s Pan Fried Calamari with Hot Cherry Peppers (always a must-order in my book). Dishes you should never pass up here include the calamari, truffle fries, lobster mac n cheese and at least one person at your table has to order one of their premium steaks! The pan fried calamari always comes out golden and crispy and is tossed with colorfully spicy hot cherry peppers. A squeeze of lemon marries the two perfectly.

Pan Fried Calamari with Hot Cherry Peppers

If you prefer your whites a bit sweeter, try the 2011 Freemark Abbey Chardonnay with its strong aromas of apple, mango and vanilla and heavy on banana. A definite winner for me. We loved how its sweetness cut through the spiciness of the hot cherry peppers in this starter dish.

For our second appetizer, we choose the Lobster and Crab Cakes. These light and fluffy pillows chockfull of lobster and sweet, buttery crab were plated alongside a cool, summer corn salad which went very well with the Generous Pour 2011 Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc. At first sniff, it was a tropical vacation in a glass. Bright aromas of grapefruit, melon, and pear were prominent with just a hint of thyme in the background. I’d imagine it would pair lovingly with any of the seafood dishes on the menu.

Lobster and Crab Cakes

Skipping the salad course, we moved straight to entrees since we had our eyes on many of the side dish selections. Here, they serve their sides family style and the portions are large, but don’t be afraid to order a few—they’re very good. Our carnivorous impulses led us straight to the steaks. My companion chose the Delmonico and I opted for the Filet, both prepared with their porcini rub and finished with a 12 year balsamic. There’s something about that tangy, sweet balsamic that reels me in every single time.

Porcini Rubbed Delmonico

Capital Grille Porcini Rubbed Filet

We tasted three reds off the Generous Pour menu to complement the red meat. First, the 2009 Atalon Cabernet Sauvignon, a classic cab with rich notes of blackberries and spice that went well with the Delmonico. Second, the 2005/06 Kendall Jackson Highland Estate Merlot. Normally, I’m not a big fan of merlots but with its background of plum, cherries and chocolate, it really shined with the filet, and specifically, the 12 year balsamic blanketing our steaks.

Lastly, we sipped the silky smooth 2011 Hartford Court Pinot Noir—a perfect medium to both of the previous reds. Not too fruity, not too heavy–this was one we could have had a few glasses of even after dinner.

For sides, I highly recommend snacking on a basket of their crispy and golden Parmesan Truffle Fries. Hands down, Capital Grilles has the best Truffle Fries and Calamari. I swear by it!

Parmesan Truffle Fries

And, you can’t leave without sharing a skillet of their indulgent Lobster Mac ‘N’ Cheese. If you need something green on your plate, try the Grilled Asparagus, lightly grilled with just the right amount of char, drizzled with bright lemon oil and sprinkled with fleur de sel.

After a heavy meal, steer towards one of the lighter dessert options rather than passing up the sweet course completely. Try the Fresh Strawberries Capital Grille with ice cream and Grand Marnier Sauce or, my favorite, the Cheesecake with seasonal berries. I’m not typically a cheesecake eater, but their version is incredibly light with a crisp, caramelized brulee topping that I can’t seem to get enough of!

The verdict? Get yourself in to Capital Grille for an evening of wining and dining with someone you love… and come thirsty! To learn more about the wines offered this year or to make a reservation, visit thecapitalgrille.com.
^{This meal was provided complimentary. However, our opinions and comments regarding our experience are our own. View our Disclosure Policy for further explanation.}