I was a regular at TCG until covid and had not been there for close to 3.5 years. When my husband and I returned in mid October 2023, we were surprised that some things had not changed (which was good), and other things had changed (for the worse).
Nothing has changed about the vibe, which is steakhouse, dark, same artwork, and the same well trained, seasoned servers. The menu was basically the same as well, perhaps exactly the same.
Not to our surprise, many of the servers we knew from years ago were no longer there. To our amazement, a server approached our table and said "gentlemen, it's been a long time, how have you been?" And it was Elizabeth, LIZ, who was one of the most seasoned professional servers. She had been our server over the years, and she then said "you like vodka martinis shaken very cold with olives on the side, right?" And we nodded our heads yes. "And you don't eat meat, right?
And we again said yes, in amazement, that Liz remembered our drink and entree preferences after such a long absence.
But in many ways, this is what makes TCG iconic and special: the service is outstanding, consistently outstanding, anticipatory in nature, professional in execution. You truly feel that your server cares about your enjoyment of the meal, and cares that you are there. What more could one want.
We had two dirty gooses, and when Liz brought the first round, she advised that these were the last we could have because they had run out of Grey Goose Vodka. Hmm, I expressed out loud, someone clearly fell down in their game and did not order sufficient quantity of this vodka. How else could an establishment like TCG not have grey goose vodka? Our first example of a problem with management.
We enjoyed our Grey Gooses, at $18 each, exceedingly well shaken, a full to the brim martini glass, with 3 stuffed olives on the side.
We then shared their jumbo shrimp cocktail, 5 truly jumbo shrimp, served with their sauce.
As we continued to eat the delicious cooked on site bread, using the sweet butter provided and dipping some of the bread in the jumbo shrimp cocktail sauce.
Liz then presented the specials, announcing the scallops special. It was described as 5 jumbo scallops served over a bed of polenta, with mushrooms. She also remarked that they had not had scallops for years, apparently some problem with the distributor. We eagerly said "yes, we will share the scallops, can they be plated for two in the kitchen?" And Liz replied yes.
The scallops came out and we were amazed. Beyond amazed. We each had 2.5 scallops served over a minuscule amount of polenta. We each looked at each other, and were speechless.
We then committed our first mistake. We ate the scallops. We ate it slowly. We cut the scallop into tiny tiny pieces. But you know what, the quantity of the scallops did not increase, nor did the amount of polenta.
Oh, we ordered a side of asparagus which was as we recalled - a large serving, prepared well, and well worth $13. We could have eaten two portions.
We shared The Capitol Grille Cheesecake. It was divine. $13. Incredible. A second round of martinis made with Tito's Vodka.
And then the check. We were flabbergasted when we saw that the scallops were $65! What? Did someone go crazy? Didn't anyone from management look at what was being served? Wow, this was incredible.
We closed out the check, tipped Liz well for her professional and warm service. We then approached the hostess podium and I asked to see the managing partner, whose first name is BOBBY. I was told he was not on property, and I asked to see the MOD (manager on duty). Restaurants like TCG always have a shift manager who is basically responsible for the operations during rhat specific period of time.
I showed ANDREW photos I had taken of the scallops, commented on their size and the overall amount of polenta. He smiled in that way that all gentleman within a corporate structure that TCG is part of (one of the fine dining establishes of Darden Restaurants) and replied that he would discuss it with the chef and get back to me.)
I never heard from Andrew. And I never heard from Bobby, either.
I found this rather perplexing, as I had, on the same visit, discussed preliminary arrangements for a private party in November which would have a minimum food and beverage billing of ~$5,000.
So, thats the story and I'm sticking to it. Liz earns a 5* rating, and the scallops special entree and more importantly, management's utter failure to be responsive, earns 0*.
See the pics. They tell the story better than all these words. read more