As a Las Vegas visitor, you could hardly be faulted if you didn’t leave your hotel, as most resorts offer a dizzying array of amenities simply to persuade you not to leave. However, in the event you find your way onto the Strip and into Fashion Show mall, you’d be well served by dropping into The Capital Grille.
The nationally renowned boutique restaurant chain is known for its steaks and signature dishes, and the Las Vegas outpost is an example of its consistency. The pan-fried calamari with hot cherry peppers intermingles lightly fried calamari with cherry and sweet peppers; the mixture is finished in garlic butter and results in textural variety with varying spiciness and is as addictive an appetizer as you’ll find anywhere. Be sure to begin with an order.
With winter chill still in the air, piping hot soup would be a fine addition to your meal. French onion is served in a whimsical, two-handled crock fit for a king, with a layer of charred Gruyère across the top, while off-menu, a mild lobster bisque is finished at your table with sherry. Either is a fine gateway for the meaty meal to follow.
While I am an unabashed dry-aged steak lover, I never pass up the chance to order the popular porcini-rubbed Delmonico served with a 15-year aged balsamic vinegar. The combination of balsamic and porcini result in a slightly sweet steak unlike any other.
If you’re still in search of a dry-aged cut, the bone-in Kona crusted sirloin served with shallot butter is dry-aged in-house for 14 days; this two-week duration begins to break down the connective meat tissue, instilling a deep, textured flavor to the meat.
Lobster mac 'n' cheese
As most steak dinners aren’t complete without a good bottle (or two) of wine, be aware of The Capital Grille’s Added Value list. Beyond the base wine list on the back of the menu is a larger tome that includes a section dedicated to spectacular vintner offerings. When the restaurant finds a deal, the specially priced selections are showcased until sold out; this is a list certainly worth perusing. If wine isn’t your style, try a famous Stoli Doli instead. The house-infused pineapple vodka surprises with its drinkability.
Typical of most quality steakhouses, The Capital Grille offers a variety of intriguing side dish options. Since everything is made better with bacon, the creamed corn with smoked bacon is an obvious choice, with smokiness melding with its creaminess. Grilled asparagus with lemon oil provides a surprising bite with the inclusion of chili powder, while lobster mac ’n’ cheese with a crispy outer crust is a study in decadence.
If you happen to have saved room for dessert, then you have a wide selection of choices. The Capital Grille’s cheesecake is prepared with ricotta cheese for a lighter presentation while the flourless chocolate cake is super-rich. In a less traditional presentation, the fresh strawberries Capital Grille are awash in an alcohol-forward Grand Marnier sauce for a boozy end to your evening. Seems like a grand reason to go exploring, doesn’t it?
Fashion Show, Lunch 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., noon-4 p.m. Sat., dinner 4-10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 4-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 702.932.6631
