It’s baaaack! The summer wine event of the season, better known as The Generous Pour, has returned to The Capital Grille and we couldn’t be happier. This time, they have introduced seven different wines (both red and white) rated 90 points or higher and each one a different varietal from a California wine maker.
The Capital Grille has locations all over the country, and three in Massachusetts. However, we recently drove down to the Providence, Rhode Island location, where the original restaurant got its start. Our knowledgeable server got us started with a glass of pinot gris from the Generous Pour menu (La Crema, Monterey, 2012) a delightful light wine with peach aromas and a nice crisp apple finish. It perfectly complemented our appetizer of crispy prosciutto wrapped mozzarella with tomatoes and balsamic.
Moving right along, we tried a sampling of sauvignon blanc (Matanzas Creek, Sonoma County, 2011), a surprisingly fruity combination of lime, grapefruit and lemon thyme with hints of melon, pear and papaya. We loved the sour cherry sorbet our server brought over to cleanse our palates. The third white wine was a buttery chardonnay that has a unique hint of nutmeg and vanilla.
Once we tried our first red wine, an intense pinot noir (Hartford Court, Russian River Valley, 2011), we were ready to order some serious steaks. If you haven’t tried the bone-in Kona crusted dry-aged sirloin served with a side of rich shallot butter, you don’t know what you are missing. This coffee-rubbed steak is one of our personal favorites and one of The Capital Grille’s signature entrees, for good reason.
If you prefer your steaks simple and grilled to perfection, be sure to try the 22-ounce Delmonico, an enormous tender and juicy cut that pairs up perfectly with either a glass of a rich merlot (Kendall Jackson Highland Estate, Taylor Peak, Bennett Valley, 2005/06) or a bold, classic cabernet sauvignon (Atalon, Napa Valley, 2009).
All the steaks are served à la carte so there is a plentiful list of sides to choose from, including creamy lobster mac and cheese, garlic infused spinach sautéed in olive oil, or mashed potatoes, a rich combination of Red Bliss potatoes, sweet cream, butter and salt. Our final tasting of wine included a complex Syrah (Arrowood Saralee’s Vineyard, Russian River Valley, 2007), which was the perfect ending to a wonderful dining experience.
To finish it off, we recommend the hazelnut layer cake topped with créme and a nice raspberry sauce. The Generous Pour is being offered now through September 1 for an additional $25 per person.
