Dave and I take turns choosing where to dine for Restaurant Week. Buckhead was his turn, and he chose The Capital Grille. I'm not gonna lie, y'all. I was a little disappointed with this choice. I mean, it's a chain restaurant! What's the point in going to an event exclusively for Atlanta if we're eating something we could eat in Orlando?!
I love when food proves me wrong.
We were greeted with a pleasant and knowledgeable waiter, which is always refreshing. We were promptly served warm bread that melted in our mouths, as well as some crispy flatbread with a sweet aftertaste. Oh, and wine. There was some pretty awesome wine involved. We glanced through the prix fixe menu as we looked out the eighth story window over Buckhead.
We started with salads; Dave had the Caesar and I had the field greens. They were fresh, and not over-dressed. I failed to photograph the first course because I was too excited for what came next.
For our second course, Dave had the aged, rubbed, bone-in sirloin. I had the filet with jus, pictured above. Both steaks were absolute perfection.
Our steaks were accompanied by creamed spinach and mashed potatoes. Additionally, we "upgraded" our prix fixe orders to include a little something extra: macaroni & cheese with lobster. Now, remember, my family is from Boston. I try not to be snobby about lobster, but it's hard! Still, something told me this dish was worth trying. My skeptical side told me that even if the lobster sucked, it's pretty hard to screw up mac and cheese in the South. Well, the mac and cheese was ridiculously good, and the lobster absolutely exceeded my expectations!
You know that scene in Disney/Pixar's Ratatouille where the food critic tries the ratatouille and the flavor takes him back to a simpler time?
Yeah, that's how I felt. That dish was certainly the highlight of the meal.
Our third course was dessert. Dave had a slice of espresso cake, and I had the sorbet made with seasonal fruit.
The meal perfectly personified Buckhead. It was classy, elegant, posh, and left us feeling gluttonous. The moral of the story is to never underestimate a successful restaurant chain. I love frozen Jack n' Cokes at quirky Inman Park's Victory Sandwich Bar, but there ain't nothin' wrong with two-for-one Presidente margaritas at Chili's.
Have you ever been to an Atlanta (or elsewhere) Restaurant Week? What'd you think of the menu?
2 comments:
We had mac and cheese with crab last summer at a restaurant opening, I bet it's delicious with lobster!
Ooo crab sounds good too!
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