Back home from Florida, Friends and neighbors Richard and Adessa treated us to Waygu and Wine Special at Capital Grill in nearby Lombard (IL).
Capital Grill is the quintessential upscale steak house - dry aged beef steaks, hand-carved by in-house butchers, award winning fabulous wine list, superb, professional attentive service in a bustling elegant sophisticated but relaxed, stylish African mahogany meets art deco setting. They have locations from NY to Washington, Chicago, Las Vegas, SoCal, Scottsdale to Seattle.
The Special limited time price fixe menu featured three different iterations of Waygu burgers, dressed, with Sea Salt fries, each with a suggested wine pairing.
FAUST, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Anchored by Coombsville's volcanic soils and cool-climate influence, this Cabernet balances freshness, richness and remarkable complexity.
Tasting Notes: Blueberry compote, dark cocoa, Luxardo cherry, oak spice and bay laurel with fine tannins and lingering minerality.
LEVIATHAN, Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend
Sourced from notable vineyards across Northern California, Leviathan balances power and finesse in a bold, layered expression shaped by site and vintage.
Tasting Notes: Ripe plum, currant and Luxardo cherry mingle with baking spice, sweet tobacco, black tea and fine, chalky tannins
I write often in these pages about the importance of properly pairing wine with food, and how the right result enhances the enjoyment of both. Tonight, was an object lesson in this phenomenon and kudo’s to the Capital Grill culinary and wine team in selecting great combinations. Of course, substitutions were possible from their extensive winelist, but no need as their suggestions proved ideal!
Often, when I think burgers, I think beer, as much or more so than wine. Tonight, was a fabulous food wine pairing given the delectable Waygu Beef burgers, and imaginative and artful preparations.
I selected the WAGYU BLUE CHEESE AND BLACK TRUFFLE BURGER. It was delicious. I initially put aside the suggested pairing of the Leviathan Red Blend and opted for the Faust Cabernet Sauvignon. I then tried the Leviathan and it was a much better more harmonious pairing with the blue cheese and truffle flavors - more balanced, smoother, elegant and polished, the forward blackberry and plum sprites of the Faust overpowering the warm savory truffle tones.
The menu: WAGYU BURGERS Served with Sea Salt Fries
THE GRILLE'S WAGYU CHEESEBURGER with Grilled Onions, Steak Sauce and Vermont White Cheddar SUGGESTED PAIRING: Faust, Cabernet Sauvignon
WAGYU BLUE CHEESE AND BLACK TRUFFLE BURGER with Cabernet-Braised Red Onions SUGGESTED PAIRING: Leviathan, Red Blend or Moët & Chandon, Impérial Brut
WAGYU MUSHROOM AND SWISS BURGER with Sautéed Shiitake and Cremini Mushrooms, Jarlsberg Cheese and Truffle Aioli. SUGGESTED PAIRING: Flowers, Pinot Noir
I selected the WAGYU BLUE CHEESE AND BLACK TRUFFLE BURGER. It was delicious. I initially put aside the suggested pairing of the Leviathan Red Blend and opted for the Faust Cabernet Sauvignon. I then tried the Leviathan and it was a much better more harmonious pairing with the blue cheese and truffle flavors - more balanced, smoother, elegant and polished, the forward blackberry and plum sprites of the Faust overpowering the warm savory truffle tones.
Linda ordered the WAGYU MUSHROOM AND SWISS BURGER with Sautéed Shiitake and Cremini Mushrooms, Jarlsberg Cheese and Truffle Aioli with the SUGGESTED PAIRING, Flowers, Pinot Noir.
Her burger was also delicious and was appropriately paired with the softer more moderate Flowers, Pinot Noir and the earthy mushroom and Swiss flavors.
The Wines, as represented on the Capital Grill menu.
FAUST, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Anchored by Coombsville's volcanic soils and cool-climate influence, this Cabernet balances freshness, richness and remarkable complexity.
Tasting Notes: Blueberry compote, dark cocoa, Luxardo cherry, oak spice and bay laurel with fine tannins and lingering minerality.
LEVIATHAN, Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend
Sourced from notable vineyards across Northern California, Leviathan balances power and finesse in a bold, layered expression shaped by site and vintage.
Tasting Notes: Ripe plum, currant and Luxardo cherry mingle with baking spice, sweet tobacco, black tea and fine, chalky tannins
.
FLOWERS, Sonoma County Pinot Noir
From the banks of the Russian River, this Pinot Noir reflects a true sense of place, shaped by sunlit days, coastal fog, forested landscapes and organically farmed vineyards.
Tasting Notes: Spiced cherry, cedar and earthy undertones are framed by bright acidity and an elegant finish.
MOËT & CHANDON, IMPÉRIAL BRUT
Blended from more than 100 wines across the Champagne region, this signature cuvée reflects a harmonious balance of consistency, complexity and elegance.
Tasting Notes: Pear, peach and apple
FLOWERS, Sonoma County Pinot Noir
From the banks of the Russian River, this Pinot Noir reflects a true sense of place, shaped by sunlit days, coastal fog, forested landscapes and organically farmed vineyards.
Tasting Notes: Spiced cherry, cedar and earthy undertones are framed by bright acidity and an elegant finish.
MOËT & CHANDON, IMPÉRIAL BRUT
Blended from more than 100 wines across the Champagne region, this signature cuvée reflects a harmonious balance of consistency, complexity and elegance.
Tasting Notes: Pear, peach and apple
Check out the Capital Grill “Waygu and Wine”, limited time special, now through November 22.
