Upscale Steakhouse Chain Debuts Second Colorado Location

The Capital Grille, an upscale steakhouse chain that has operated a location in Larimer Square since 2003, just added a second Colorado outpost, begging the question: Are traditional steakhouses making a comeback in the metro area?

For years, the scene had been moving away from the kind of classic steakhouses that once dominated the culinary landscape, but now they’re on the rise again.

In November, the second location of a steakhouse founded in Oklahoma City, Broadway 10, debuted in Cherry Creek. In January, Jack’s Modern Steakhouse (also known as Jack’s on Pearl), opened a two-story location in Lone Tree, though just a week later, it was forced to close following a fire and has yet to reopen. And this summer, Bryan Dayton, the restaurateur behind Boulder’s Corrida and Oak at Fourteenth, is opening a steakhouse dubbed the Stockton in the Livestock Exchange at the National Western Center.

Lone Tree is where the new Capital Grille location opened on March 15, in a former Red Lobster near Park Meadows at 9067 Westview Road. The company was founded in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1990 and now has over 70 locations nationwide. Its newest restaurant is “helmed by managing partner Mike Corcoran, a 31-year restaurant veteran and proud Colorado resident since 2018,” according to a company announcement.

Central to the Capital Grille’s menu is steaks, of course, which are “dry-aged in-house for 18-24 days and hand-cut daily by the in-house butcher.” Other signature dishes include pan-fried calamari with hot cherry peppers, lobster mac and cheese, and brûléed cheesecake. Another highlight is the wine list, which offers over 350 selections.

It’s not exactly innovative, but perhaps diners — even those shelling out big bucks for a meal — are craving the comforts of familiarity right now.

The Capital Grille is located at 9067 Westview Road in Lone Tree and is open for dinner from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It also serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Reservations are recommended but not required; for more information, visit thecapitalgrille.com.