The Capital Grille Awards

The Capital Grille Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant: The Capital Grille’s clubby Washingtonian atmosphere is ostentatiously upscale, with chairs covered in leather and velvet, a dramatic copper bar, an open kitchen and a glass-enclosed meat locker.

Food & Drinks: Returning to the basics of steakhouse presentation, the restaurant offers just a few select cuts and seasonings and grills them simply --- and properly. Choices include dry-aged sirloin, porterhouse and filet mignon. The Grille's Delmonico steak is a favorite, as is its signature veal chop with Roquefort butter sauce. The dressed-up steak au poivre comes with a Cognac cream sauce. We also recommend seafood dishes like the grilled swordfish with lemon herb butter and the grilled Norwegian salmon with dill mayonnaise. Among the sides, go for Sam's smashed potatoes, classic Lyonnaise potatoes or asparagus with hollandaise. For dessert, try the white chocolate mousse or the flourless chocolate-espresso cake. While some favor the old-school cocktails, we appreciate the 350-bottle wine list as well. Or you can rent one of the wine lockers with gold name plates and bring your own vintage.