Doing it right at the Capital Grille   So our metro sexual colleagues and friends are always telling The Three Tomatoes about trendy new restaurants.  We try them at lunch, we try them with our friends, but rarely do we try them with our husbands.  “A metro who told you?”   These men have their rules about restaurants: They have to take reservations. If we’re not seated within 10 minutes of arrival we leave. You must actually be able to hold a conversation (we like that rule too). The menu should not be overly complicated. You should never have to cook your own food. You shouldn't need to speak any other language to read the menu (as in “so why the hell don’t they just call it goat?”). You only get one chance.   If they screw up on the first try, you never go back.  If we leave the hood (generally defined as a three block radius) “it better be great”. As you can see, these rules immediately eliminate about 50% of the restaurants in NYC.  So when we find a restaurant that pleases these Neanderthals and The Three Tomatoes, we say hallelujah and pass the martinis.  So, we’re delighted to report that The Capital Grille is the City’s best new “husband friendly” steak house. (Yes, we know that’s redundant).    We first heard about The Capital Grille when it opened last October and we were somewhat skeptical. Some of the best steak houses in the world are in New York City, like the original Palm on 2nd Avenue and the Palm II across the street (and by the way, forget all the other Palms - they're just not the same).  And then there’s Sparks, Peter Luger’s in Brooklyn (again, other Peter Luger’s are not the same), and the Old Homestead.  And when we heard it was a “chain” our New York cynicism went into high year.   But after several visits, in couples and large groups, we have to say this is a restaurant that does everything right starting with its great location at the Trylon Towers in the Chrysler Building .     The décor has a wonderful old “wood paneled, clubby feel”, and a long bar that’s usually three people deep . This is definitely a place to be seen.  There are several rooms and cozy booths, but the best seating in the house is in the atrium looking out onto the waterfall  and 42nd Street. The very first thing that impressed us though, were the napkins.  Yes, you read it right.   If you’re wearing black (and hello, who in NYC isn’t) they offer you black napkins instead of the white ones that always leave lint on your lap.  Now why hasn’t anyone else thought of that?   The service is warm and friendly, proving that you can be a successful steak joint in New York without being rude.  The steaks are great.   The seafood sublime.   And a surprising favorite is the veal chop with gorgonzola cheese.   And if like that, you’ll love the gorgonzola stuffed olives they put in the martinis.   (They’ll even bring you a side dish if you like.) The wine list features over 400 choices starting in the mid-range pricing and going up to the ones where you better have a really great expense account.  The desserts will send you over the moon and your server will often treat you to an after dinner drink.  Once you’re in their reservation system, which happens with your first reservation, they know who you are, will log any preferences into their database and will always ask you in advance if there are any special occasions.     So welcome to New York, Capital Grille.  Looks like you’re definitely making it here.   Copyright© 2005 The Three Tomatoes.   All rights reserved.

You know you're a tomato if...  Con Edison sends you a letter once a quarter suggesting there might be a problem with your gas meter since there's been no reported usage of the gas hooked up to your stove. ******************* Tomato Feedback Thanks for all the great response to last week's "Who Wants to Be a Hilton? ".   Certainly not tomatoes.   If you missed last week's email, or any others, you can find them in our archives at www.thethreetomatoes.com. *********************** Three Tomato Poll Results Sixty percent of the tomatoes who voted last week, say they never watch reality TV.  Is anyone's nose growing?   ************************ Vote in This Week's Three Tomato Poll How often do you make reservations instead of cooking dinner?  Vote at www.thethreetomatoes.com ************************* Wanted:   New Tomatoes If you like The Three Tomatoes, pass it on and help us grow our list.   Sign up at www.thethreetomatoes.com. The Capital Grille has a great web site that let’s you instantly book and confirm a reservation, send an email to your guests with the details, and offers online gift certificates to boot.