When it’s cocktail time in Houston, there are many choices to consider; we live in a city that has a plethora of dining establishments that offer everything from steak tartare to dessert and coffee. At Capital Grille, their bar menu offers a range of signature cocktails and appetizers to please the pickiest of palates.

In fact, the portions are sized to share so that each patron can enjoy more than one type of food during their visit. We landed at the swanky lounge located on Sam Houston Parkway this past Sunday and savored lavish cocktails along with mouth-watering well stacked plates of delicious menu offerings.

I started with a Stoli Doli, which is Capital’s signature martini. It is simply made with Stolichnaya Vodka that is infused with fresh pineapples and is served chilled. When my guest arrived she opted for The Bohemian, which is a combination of “Absolut Apeach with a splash of Mixed Berry Cordial, topped with chilled Champagne and garnished with fresh raspberries.”

While we sipped, our server whisked out a fresh basket of hot, crispy, and freshly prepared potato chips; they were lightly salted, crunchy, and seem to keep pace with the cocktails that went down smoothly.

Next, the “Pan-Fried Calamari with Hot Cherry Peppers” made an appearance; the calamari is lightly battered, fried gently, and served covered with the peppers. This dish paired well with a second Stoli Doli and “Fire and Ice Margarita,” which is made with Casamigos Blanco Tequila with Ancho Reyes Chili Liqueur and fresh cucumber, lime and Fresno peppers.”

We kept the seafood theme going by ordering the lobster and crab cakes, which are panned seared and served with a fresh corn salad and a side of cucumber and lime sauce. Each bite was packed with hearty chunks of crab and lobster meat, which had a sweet but briny finish on the taste buds.

Finally, with our eyes slightly glazed over, we finished our evening with a slice of “Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake,” which is topped with cocoa powder and fresh raspberries. This was a beautifully plated dish; the portion size was just right for two people whose stomachs were already full from dinner. The raspberries and chocolate ganache blended perfectly in my view, as they went down smooth with a cup of coffee and cappuccino.

Thanks for reading, visit: www.thecapitalgrille.com to find the location nearest you.