Like any big city, BIG D has its share of BIG NAME restaurants - some shine bright on the dining scene and some fade-to-black before you can check 'em out.
So, when Miss Charlotte and I got a chance to sample a new BIG NAME restaurant in Baja Dallas Plano recently we shot up there as fast as four Michelin's would carry us up the Tollway. "Hey," I told my blogger babe, "in this economy we'd better get up there before this one goes bye-bye."
The object of our five-alarm food fest was The Capital Grille at the Shops at Legacy.
It's a beautiful restaurant and Managing Partner Greg Cavanagh has made sure that this Capital Grille location is big enough for BIG D, but decidedly intimate. The restaurant located on the corner of Legacy Drive and the Dallas North Tollway, has seating for 400 but the layout and décor make it possible to carry on a dinner conversation using your inside voice.
In the spirit of full disclosure, they knew we were coming (a death in the family kept us from the press opening a week earlier) but we ordered off the regular menu and Charlotte didn't even ask for special treatment like ketchup or extra jalapenos (kidding, I'm kidding).
We shared our culinary preferences with Capital Grille server, John Jones and asked him to pair some wines with his best recommendations for the evening. Thanks to Chef Aaron Valimont's wonderful work in the kitchen, he didn't let us down.
John suggested starting with The Capital Grille's signature drink - the Stoli Doli. It's a pineapple martini made with fresh pineapple flown in from Hawaii that's sliced and put into a large, glass jar filled with Stoli vodka. They let it sit for seven days and then serve it straight up and very cold in a martini glass. The result is smooth as a Miles Davis solo and just as powerful.
Appetizers were next. We tried the Pan-Fried Calamari with Hot Cherry Peppers ($14) paired with a Selbach Riesling. The crunchy calamari had just enough breading to hold the spices on the chewy strands. Charlotte, not really a calamari lover, was won over with the light, peppery heat balanced by the delicate taste of the squid.
Fresh Mozzarella, Tomato, Basil with 12-Year Aged Balsamic ($13) came next. John explained that Capital Grille makes its own fresh mozzarella - every two hours. Dallas is home to some great mozzarella - Paula Lambert's Mozzarella Company makes some of the best I've ever tasted, so I was curious how it would match up. The Capital Grille's in-house mozzarella with aged balsamic served with thick, fresh tomatoes was an outstanding salad and easily the best I've had since dining at Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley.
...the espresso cake was slap-a-prison-guard good.
Main courses were Cedar Planked King Salmon with Tomato Fennel Relish ($34), Dry Aged Sirloin Steak 14 oz ($42) served with Sam's Mashed Potatoes ($9) and Au Gratin Potatoes ($10).
Charlotte's salmon was light, flaky and tender with just the slightest hint of smokiness. My steak was cooked to perfection - tender, juicy and lean with just the right amount of searing. Charlotte and I argued over who had the best side of potatoes - she's convinced au gratin beats mashed any day, but we'll have to agree to disagree on that one. We BOTH agreed that John's recommendation of the Belle Glos pinot noir was an excellent choice - both glasses were emptied by evening's end.
Our friend Debbi Comparin - famous for eating dessert first - would have never made it past what was our final course - a sampling of Fresh Strawberries Capital Grille, Flourless Espresso Cake and Cheesecake with Seasonal Berries. Charlotte loves berries and it's her dessert default setting. Me? I'm a chocolate lover (Hi, my name's Bob and I'm a chocoholic).
The fresh strawberries were flawless and the espresso cake was slap-a-prison-guard good, but the hands-down winner was the cheesecake. This isn't your run-of-the-mill NY-style cheesecake. The Capital Grille version is light, fluffy and dusted with caramelized sugar for a crème brulee taste that's unlike any you've ever had. In a word: amazing.
The Capital Grille has 45 locations nationwide and only three are in Texas - Houston, Dallas and now, Plano. Charlotte and I recommend dining in Plano as soon as you can fit it into your dinner plans - but obey the speed limit. With service and food like we experienced, this location is going to be around a long, long time.
The Shops at Legacy
7300 Dallas Parkway
Plano, TX 75024
972.398.2226
Thanks to The Capital Grille at the Shops at Legacy for hosting us.