Baltimore?s Restaurant Week is always a great time to try restaurants you can?t normally afford. Case in point: The Capital Grille, an upscale grill and wine bar. The restaurant?s prix-fixe menu offers a three-course meal for $20.08.
» The scene: Rich mahogany and leather chairs and booths. Crisp, clean white linens cover the tables. The atmosphere smacks of a gentleman?s cigar lodge.
» The pour: We went for lunch, so most of us stuck with water and iced tea. However, the restaurant does offer an extensive wine list ? more than 400 wines from around the world priced from affordable to “you?ve got to be kidding me.”
» The taste: The clam chowder was creamy and full of potatoes and clams, seasoned just enough that no extra salt or pepper was needed. Unfortunately, it was lukewarm.
The 8 oz. filet mignon au jus was served with shoestring french fries. The steak was tender and moist, and a generous portion for the price. The au jus was salty and seasoned the meat well. The fries were a little greasy.
The seared citrus-grilled salmon was flaky and tart, not overly marinated but again, nothing spectacular.
The meal?s saving grace was the lobster and crab burger with a tangy house tartar sauce. Served on a fresh bun, the burger had visible lumps of lobster and crab meat, with almost no filler.
» The finishing touch: The strawberry cheesecake was good but nothing spectacular. You can find the same kind at pretty much any restaurant that serves dessert.
» Don?t miss: The wine list. No, seriously, you can?t miss it. It?s bigger than the actual menu.
» Why you will go: The amazing selection of wine can?t be beat.
» Why you won?t: The service went from excellent to horrible when we tried to get the check. We waited a total of 25 minutes to pay for a lunch that we spent 30 minutes eating.
IF YOU GO
Capital Grille, 500 E. Pratt St., Baltimore
443-703-4064
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
