Last year, I hosted The Generous Pour event at The Capital Grille where guests were treated to a taste of the nine wines offered. This year, The Generous Pour is back and I visited the restaurant to see what Master Sommelier George Miliotes has selected for 2012.
We began our meal with a lovely champagne Lunetta Rose, a sparkling rose from Trentino, Italy. It was a beautiful pale salmon in color and had a hint of sweetness to it.
I started with the French Onion Soup ($10), one of my favorites from TCG menu. It is one of the best onion soups in OC and possesses a hearty, beefy, rich flavor topped with gooey cheese served in a crock.
My friend had the Lobster Bisque ($14) which comes with chunks of sweet lobster meat and sherry is served table side, drizzled over the bisque. This is another of my favorites!
White wines were next: Simčič, from Rebula, Goriska Brda-Slovenia was definitely my least favorite of the wines. It had a harsher finish than I ordinarily prefer and passed on another sip.
The Gary Farrell, 2009, Chardonnay, Carneros from Sonoma was light and a good, easy to drink white with fruity hints.
We moved onto entrees and Snake River Farms Wagyu Filet ($46) was an outstanding piece of 7oz melt-in-your-mouth meat. We ordered it medium rare and it arrived perfectly cooked.
Five reds were available and I enjoyed all of them, but there were definitely ones which I liked more than others. Chateau du Pin, 2009 a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc from Bordeaux, France is a light red, perfect with almost everything on the menu.
Falesco, Assisi Rosso, 2000 a Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Umbria, Italy was also a respectable red which is easy to pair with all foods.
Our other entree was Bone-In Kona Crusted Dry Aged Sirloin with Shallot Butter ($46), required a stronger wine to hold up to the robust and decadent flavors of the steak.
Conn Creek, Anthology, 2007, a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is very full bodied and paired so well with our entrees. This wine left a really rich film in my mouth and the finish is insanely potent.
Sam’s Mashed Potatoes ($9) was fluffy, buttery, creamy and oh so sinfully mouth-watering, especially when eaten with the shallot butter from the sirloin steak.
Ferrari-Carano, Mountain Reserve, 2008, a Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley is another deliciously strong red which is able to stand up to any of the steaks on TCG’s menu.
Our second side of Roasted Cremini, Portabella, Shiitake and Oyster mushrooms was also delicious. It was a lighter alternative to the mashed potatoes but filled with the rich meatiness of the combined mushrooms and offered a complex flavor together.
My favorite wine of the evening was Villa Mt Eden, Grand Reserve, 2007, a Pinot Noir from Russian River. This wine was so smooth, making it a dangerous choice for me because I am able to drink more than I should.
We shared the Cheesecake with Seasonal Berries ($9), another of my favorites. This ricotta cheesecake is light and airy, and isn’t too sweet, which makes it one of my top desserts to eat.
To pair with the cheesecake, we had Kanu Kia Ora, 2006, a Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch, South Africa. It has the consistency of a light nectar and flavors of orange peel and honey. Absolutely delicious!
The Capital Grille is one of my favorite places to dine in Orange County. The food and service is always stellar, and the experience is second to none. The Generous Pour event runs until September 2nd and is offered at only $15 for lunch and $25 for dinner in addition to your meal and allows for unlimited pours of any or all of the nine wines offered.
TCG has generously offered one of my readers a $100 gift card to enjoy The Generous Pour event. Leave me a comment with your full name for a chance to win. You won’t want to miss this one! As usual, get your entries in by Sunday and winner will be announced Monday, July 30.
The Capital Grille
3333 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Tel: 714-432-1140
Oh. My. That bone-in sirloin looks TO DIE for. I’ve yet to try the Capital Grille, but I know you love the place so I know it must be good!
-Stephanie Han
Oh my gosh Anita, sound divine. Am drooling over the steak and mushroom dish. ~Angel
Wow, what a mouthwatering article! For someone who doesn’t drink a whole lot, you described each wine so well! It made me want to try them too! Anyway, you had me at Lobster Bisque. The steaks, mushroom side, and ricotta cheesecake were spectacular too! I haven’t tried Capital Grille but have heard so much about it. I think it’s time!
My husband and I have always wanted to try Capital Grille. Hope we win this time! Thanks for the chance! We love, love, love steak
Oh my gosh, this looks incredible! I would so love to go and finally get the chance to say hello AND enjoy some fantastic food. Fingers crossed!!
I turn 21 tomorrow…This would be the perfect excuse to carry out the celebration!
Hi Anita, I am a new subscriber to your blog and I am loving your gastro adventures. I am not new to the Capital Grille. I am a huge fan of the restaurant from way back and was beyond thrilled when TCG opened in OC. Best steak in OC. (sorry Mastro’s, but not even close). I would love to experience the Pour event. Thanks for a great post.
Wow…I would love to take my husband to the Capital Grille to celebrate 40 years of working at Southern Pacific
Railroad, now owned by Union Pacific Railroad, and being accident free all of those years~Thank you for the opportunity to win this wonderful meal!
man, the food looks delicious, as they say we eat with our eyes and man I can feel the flavorful filled entrees just from seeing these photos. Just amazing as always Anita, making me jealous and trying out all these places I have yet to try.
-Hamilton Le
OMG!!! The way you presented the whole things is awesome!!! The shiitake mushroom, the Lobster Bisque and the steak look very very temptimg!! and of course not to forget all the great wines and the dessert. I’d like to have a chance to win and dine there and get to taste some of the stuff you posted!!!
Thanks for always sharing your food experiences!!!
I’ve been wanting to try this place. Not I have to put it on the top of my list. Thanks!!!!
100$ I could use it! and it has been a while since I allowed myself a cheese cake there!
The Capital Grille looks completely amazing, especially that onion soup! It is hands-down, my favorite soup and it looks amazing here. Thank you for always posting up reviews!
Natalie Nguyen
This place looks to die for– would love to try it! Alex Cassidy
I still haven’t made it over there. Need an event like this to entice me 😀
Crossing my fingers! I would love to go to this event!!
Wow Anita! Your post on TCG is making my mouth water. I have only been there once, but the experience was not so great. Would love to give them another try! The steak looks amazing. Can’t wait to read more of your posts.
for some reason I keep thinking capital grille may see all our comments and decide to give 100$ card for all of us! One can dream right! 🙂
Just came across your blog and my mouth is already watering. Thanks for sharing a great giveaway!
congratulations, you are the lucky winner! please email me at madhungrywoman@gmail.com with your mailing address
Hi Anita, Let see if I am lucky enough to win. Want to try the mushroom dish and I love the grill salmon there. : ) – Angel Lee
Capital Grille is one of my favorites! Can’t wait to return.
Haven’t tried it yet but hoping to soon. Thanks
This looks amazing. Would love to try this someday! Thanks so much Anita! Love the pics.
Those steaks look SO good!!!
-Griffin Tamura
It all sounds simply amazing! I don’t know if I could manage all nine wines in one sitting, but I’d sure enjoy trying!
Looks delish
You had me at wagyu filet & lobster bisque! My wife and I have never been to any of The Capital Grilles but thank you for the opportunity to attend “The Generous Pour” event at their Costa Mesa location.
I love the capital grille also, got to try it last year during Costa mesa restaurant week and it was amazing! I can’t wait to go back in August and this would come in real handy. 😉 oh, I will be having at least 2 pours of Conn creek.
Would love to win this!!!! 🙂
I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect Lobster Bisque– this one looks amazing. Thank you for this giveaway!
Hi Anita,
I just discovered your blog, and it is exactly what I have been looking for. Thank you so much for being our food detective. You have a dream job!
I’ve never had the opportunity to eat at The Capital Grille, but I would love to one day!