{"id":26,"date":"2011-08-21T01:39:00","date_gmt":"2011-08-21T01:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wendyfulworld.com\/?p=26"},"modified":"2017-05-22T11:11:41","modified_gmt":"2017-05-22T18:11:41","slug":"costa-mesa-restaurant-week-2011-the-capital-grille","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wendyfulworld.com\/?p=26","title":{"rendered":"Costa Mesa Restaurant Week 2011 &#8211; The Capital Grille"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Capital Grille is a chain restaurant with locations all over the US. My first encounter with The Capital Grille was at Beverly Hills where Anita Lau of <a href=\"http:\/\/madhungrywoman.com\/\" class=\"broken_link\">Mad Hungry Woman<\/a> hosted a<a href=\"http:\/\/madhungrywoman.com\/2011\/05\/20\/a-very-beverly-hills-style-happy-hour\/\" class=\"broken_link\"> Happy Hour Event<\/a> which was also featured by <a href=\"http:\/\/allentaylorphotography.com\/?p=1428\">Allen Taylor Photography<\/a>.\u00a0 Allen and I enjoyed the Bar Menu so much that we were thrilled to find out it was participating in the Costa Mesa Restaurant Week. We chose to have lunch here because the <a href=\"http:\/\/costamesarestaurantweek.org\/CapitalGrille.pdf\" class=\"broken_link\">lunch menu<\/a> looked just as good as the dinner but cheaper. We were so lucky we made the right choice. We got a lot of very delicious food at a very good price!<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ll7mCvTknSs\/TlBExf0XJYI\/AAAAAAAAAOU\/cV-ym7LBKlU\/s1600\/Landscape.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643085950240630146\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ll7mCvTknSs\/TlBExf0XJYI\/AAAAAAAAAOU\/cV-ym7LBKlU\/s640\/Landscape.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"512\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a>I had made a reservation for 12:45pm. When we got there, the hostess checked us in and then told us someone would take us to our seats. We waited and waited, for 5 minutes no one came! She finally took us to our table herself. Frankly I was not very happy. Once we were seated, it took at least another 5 &#8211; 7 minutes before our server finally showed up. I was getting a little frustrated. By then, I told Allen I was deducting 2 stars from the rating! Fortunately things did pick up after that.<\/p>\n<p>We got our usual iced tea and were also served a bread basket.\u00a0 Loved the sesame crusted bread!\u00a0 They were warm and crunchy but soft and hearty inside!<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643089653356074562\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-KVhhxaTkit0\/TlBIJC_4lkI\/AAAAAAAAAOc\/BSfxLj70SZY\/s640\/DrinkBread.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"512\" border=\"0\" \/>Trying to maximize our dining experience, Allen and I usually order different selections from the menu so we can sample as much as we can.\u00a0 For first course, I chose the Clam Chowder and he chose Field Greens, Spring Vegetables with Shallot Champagne Vinaigrette.<\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-KEzR63gmuzo\/TlBQYbg4ddI\/AAAAAAAAAOk\/rJRysVTePss\/s1600\/CG-5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-KEzR63gmuzo\/TlBQYbg4ddI\/AAAAAAAAAOk\/rJRysVTePss\/s640\/CG-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"426\" height=\"640\" border=\"0\" \/>\u00a0<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">The salad was lackluster.\u00a0 It barely had any dressing on it.\u00a0 Allen took one bite and put down his fork.\u00a0 I couldn&#8217;t convince him to take a few more bites, so I did instead.\u00a0 Yeah, it could have used a little more dressing.<\/div>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-LAXMgpvwaNE\/TlBQjGb769I\/AAAAAAAAAOo\/kTOxQPFDcf0\/s1600\/CG-6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-LAXMgpvwaNE\/TlBQjGb769I\/AAAAAAAAAOo\/kTOxQPFDcf0\/s640\/CG-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"426\" height=\"640\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>The clam chowder was creamy and seasoned just right.\u00a0 Too often this was made on the saltier side, but this one was perfect.\u00a0 However, there were much more potato than clams.<\/p>\n<p>My entree was Dry Aged Sirloin Salad with Gorgonzola Vinaigrette.\u00a0 I was wow&#8217;ed that it actually came with a big piece of steak instead of cubes or strips!\u00a0 Now, sirloin is one of the leanest cut and tends to be a little tougher to eat.\u00a0 Even though this was not melt in your mouth tender, it was easy on the mouth even at medium.\u00a0 The chimichurri sauce was one of the best I&#8217;ve had.\u00a0 I also enjoyed the salad but the steak definitely took the lead!<\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-FzK3XdyrOKg\/TlBQquHRVXI\/AAAAAAAAAOs\/wJGpISNP6f8\/s640\/CG-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" border=\"0\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">Allen&#8217;s entree, The Grille\u2019s Signature Cheese Burger with Truffle Fries, was very impressive.\u00a0 The burger was flavorful and juicy.\u00a0 The truffle fries were equally delicious, but we were so full that we barely ate 1\/4 of it!\u00a0 We had to leave room for desserts still!<\/div>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-x8ancyLEuPU\/TlBYULdy2MI\/AAAAAAAAAPI\/Acwut6zORgw\/s1600\/CheeseBurger.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-x8ancyLEuPU\/TlBYULdy2MI\/AAAAAAAAAPI\/Acwut6zORgw\/s640\/CheeseBurger.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"640\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>There were 2 choices for desserts; Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake and Classic Cr\u00e8me Brulee.\u00a0 You guessed it, we got both.\u00a0 I had flourless chocolate cake once and didn&#8217;t like it at all.\u00a0 But this one tasted different, in a good way.\u00a0 At first bite, it was really bitter, and it got better the more I ate.<\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-uE2IwwghYHE\/TlBlgzPJo4I\/AAAAAAAAAPM\/Fh6uyi8A_kY\/s1600\/CG-14.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-uE2IwwghYHE\/TlBlgzPJo4I\/AAAAAAAAAPM\/Fh6uyi8A_kY\/s640\/CG-14.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">The creme brulee, according to Allen, was night and day compared to what we had previous night!\u00a0 In other words, it was yummy!<\/div>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-DEMSt7z4QbM\/TlBQ-qxVAMI\/AAAAAAAAAO4\/rxzUKeHzKWI\/s1600\/CG-15.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-DEMSt7z4QbM\/TlBQ-qxVAMI\/AAAAAAAAAO4\/rxzUKeHzKWI\/s640\/CG-15.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-WiS7CZdcNlY\/TlBRG4l_U2I\/AAAAAAAAAO8\/t6XkjnFwQzs\/s1600\/Desserts.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-WiS7CZdcNlY\/TlBRG4l_U2I\/AAAAAAAAAO8\/t6XkjnFwQzs\/s640\/Desserts.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"640\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">While I was taking the food photos, I asked one of the bus boy if he could take a picture of me and Allen, he abruptly said &#8216;No, ask someone else.&#8217;\u00a0 I was so shocked!\u00a0 I thought he could have done it in a nicer and more polite manner.\u00a0 Another waiter later came by and took a picture for us (don&#8217;t know if the bus boy actually asked him to) and gave us 2 prints.\u00a0 That was nice but I was still pretty hurt by that bus boy!<\/div>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">We had made another reservation at another restaurant for dinner and decided to reschedule it to a different night because we&#8217;re both stuffed!\u00a0 This by far is the best value for your dollar at $20 per person!\u00a0 I highly recommend it. Bon Appetit!<\/div>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-fHlaegz-abk\/TlBQw0N8goI\/AAAAAAAAAOw\/_CkqRTKHa_g\/s1600\/CG-11.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-fHlaegz-abk\/TlBQw0N8goI\/AAAAAAAAAOw\/_CkqRTKHa_g\/s640\/CG-11.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">The Capital Grille<\/div>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">3333 Bristol Street<\/div>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">Costa Mesa, CA 92626<\/div>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\">(714)432-1140<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.urbanspoon.com\/r\/20\/1555909\/restaurant\/OC\/The-Capital-Grille-Costa-Mesa\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Capital Grille is a chain restaurant with locations all over the US. My first encounter with The Capital Grille was at Beverly Hills where Anita Lau of Mad Hungry Woman hosted a Happy Hour Event which was also featured by Allen Taylor Photography.\u00a0 Allen and I enjoyed the Bar Menu so much that we...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"pp_embeds":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[68],"tags":[96,97,84,98,83,99],"class_list":["post-26","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-restaurants","tag-capital-grille","tag-cheese-burger","tag-costa-mesa","tag-creme-brulee","tag-restaurant-week","tag-sirloin"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3lTx3-q","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wendyfulworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wendyfulworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wendyfulworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wendyfulworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wendyfulworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=26"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/wendyfulworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9480,"href":"https:\/\/wendyfulworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26\/revisions\/9480"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wendyfulworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=26"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wendyfulworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=26"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wendyfulworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=26"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}