Capital Grille steakhouse chain coming to Waikīkī
The Capital Grille, a fine dining restaurant specializing in dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood, announced that it will open its first Hawaii location at Līlia Waikīkī in June 2024.
The chain’s first Hawaii location will be operated by Union MAK, which also franchises IHOP & Applebee’s restaurants.
“This culminates a life-long dream to bring to Hawaii’s shores a most-iconic fine dining restaurant – made even sweeter as it will be on historic Kūhiō Avenue in Waikīkī,” said Vince Espino, Union MAK owner and new franchisee for The Capital Grille.
The Capital Grille is best known for expertly prepared steaks dry-aged in-house for 18 to 24 days, a process that achieves incomparable flavor and tenderness. Steaks are hand-carved daily by the restaurant’s butcher, with selections including Bone-in Kona Crusted Dry-Aged NY Strip; Porcini Rubbed Bone-In Ribeye with 15-Year Aged Balsamic; and Sliced Filet Mignon with Cipollini Onions, Wild Mushrooms and Fig Essence, among others.
The restaurant is also popular for its blend of menu classics and twists on appetizers and sides, artfully prepared using impeccable ingredients. Signature dishes include Pan-Fried Calamari with Hot Cherry Peppers; Lobster Mac ‘N’ Cheese; and Lobster and Crab Cake with Lemon Basil Aioli. Dedicated to culinary excellence throughout its menu, a skilled pastry chef prepares desserts each morning from scratch, such as The Capital Grille Cheesecake, brûlée style, and Coconut Cream Pie.
The Capital Grille pours from a list of more than 350 selections, housed in a floor-to-ceiling, temperature-controlled wine kiosk holding more than 3,000 bottles. Guests can choose from 30 wines rarely offered by the glass, including library vintages and highly sought-after limited bottlings. Through continuous wine training, servers can make personalized recommendations for guests to choose their perfect pairings. Private wine lockers are available by annual lease for the aficionado, offering brass nameplates, specially procured wines and first access to special events and tastings.
Located on the corner of Kūhiō Avenue and Kānekapōlei Street, The Capital Grille will be a signature restaurant tenant at Līlia Waikīkī, a luxury residential destination blending elegance and comfort for a modern living experience.
The Capital Grille is a subsidiary of Darden Restaurants, which also owns Olive Garden, Ruth’s Chris Stake House, Yard House, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen.
“We are very excited to continue building on our successful partnership with Vince by bringing The Capital Grille’s exceptional guest experience to Hawaii—this location is our first in Hawaii and we couldn’t be more pleased to be along Kūhiō Avenue in the heart of Waikīkī,” said Darden Restaurants international senior vice president Brad Smith. “We know that Vince and his team’s experience will help us deliver exceptional experiences to guests of The Capital Grille.”
“Līlia Waikīkī’s dynamic retail offering is an ideal location to introduce The Capital Grille to Hawaii,” said Kris Hui of Brookfield Properties. “We invite our residents and the community to enjoy an iconic fine dining experience that is so popular and unique. We are thrilled The Capital Grille is finally coming to Honolulu.”
Līlia’s retail offerings include a curated collection of restaurants and a two-story, full service grocery store called Waikīkī Market. The new Capital Grille will be carefully designed to create an atmosphere of refined sophistication with exceptional finishes and unique features. The space will offer a variety of private dining spaces for meetings and group events, whether social or business, customized to meet each guest’s needs.
About The Capital Grille
The Capital Grille is a fine-dining restaurant that offers expertly prepared steaks, fresh seafood, a renowned wine list and professional service in an atmosphere of relaxed elegance. Open seven days a week, The Capital Grille is best known for its expertly prepared steaks, which are dry-aged for 18 to 24 days in-house and hand-carved in-restaurant by a butcher. The restaurant’s wine list features more than 350 selections, and its floor-to-ceiling wine kiosk regularly houses 3,000 bottles. The restaurant has been honored by Wine Spectator magazine with an Award of Excellence for the breadth and depth of the list. The Capital Grille also offers personalized, on-site wine lockers, available by annual lease.
