The Grill Room is the gastronomic restaurant of the Capella hotel in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.

Hotel restaurants are always confronted with the challenge to find the right balance between creating their own identity and adapting to the hotel strategy. At the Capella, this challenge proved to be an opportunity and a restaurant that merges perfectly with the sophisticated, ultra luxurious hotel’s philosophy was created.

Capella DC is located on a premium location in Georgetown, just a few miles away from Washington’s famous monuments. Guests enjoy the beautifully designed, luxurious rooms, a rooftop lounge and infinity pool, spa and fitness services, meeting and event venues and, of course, the fine dining restaurant The Grill Room. The restaurant specialises in perfectly grilled artisan meats, fresh seafood, rich and tasty side dishes and creative interpretations of some well-known dishes.

Quality is of utmost importance at the Capella hotel chain, and this is extended to The Grill Room. The interior of the restaurant is in line with the rest of the hotel and is spacious, luxurious and very stylish. There were no expenses spared to create a perfect dining environment and the wooden floor, for example, was imported from a European castle. Modern artworks adorn the walls and dark colours, wood and beautiful lighting create a cosy setting. The main dining room can seat up to 70 guests and there is also a private space for groups. The restaurant is overlooking the historic C&O Canal and diners can enjoy their lunch or dinner on the small outdoor terrace, just next to the water.

Top quality also is a philosophy at The Grill Room which only works with the very best ingredients available, sourced from local producers. The wonderful ingredients are transformed into very tasty and plentiful dishes. Fresh, organic wholesome ingredients, prepared in rich and delicious ways is what you can expect. Reading the menu increases the appetite and if you have difficulties choosing, simply ask the team for a tasting of different dishes – they will be happy to assemble a personal tasting menu.

Hand-cut, bone-in, artisan meats are the signature of The Grill Room, but there is also a great selection of fresh seafood, bisques and soups, tasty desserts and additional sides. There are traditional classics like the succulent ‘40 Day Dry-aged Bone-in Rib Eye’ (with smoked Gouda, caramelised onions and porcini gratin, glazed beets and alder wood smoked rye sauce), next to more creative preparations such as the ‘Maine Scallops’ (with smoked prince Edward island mussels, wasabi caviar, fennel and yuzu broth). A great dish to sample some of the local seafood treasures.

Other great dishes include the ‘Magrae tartar’ (with cantaloupe, champagne, lime foam and caviar of Kalix) which is presented on a salt stone, and the ‘Sweet Jesus oyster selection’, which offers a very interesting tasting of seven oysters paired with yuzu, raspberry, passion fruit, trout roe, cucumber and seaweed salad. The dessert menu includes classics such as the incredibly delicious (and addictive) ‘Peach baked Alaska’ (with almond sponge cake and vanilla ice cream) or more modern dishes such as the very tasty ‘The Grill Room candy bar’ (with peanut brittle, caramelia cream and vanilla Bavarian).

The lunch and dinner menu is printed every day and is composed according to the fresh daily products. The restaurant is also known for its events like Mothers’ Day Brunch, Easter Brunch and Cocktail Classes.

Service at The Grill Room is really good. The staff are stylish and very helpful, and know how to spoil even the most demanding customers.

Before or after a meal at The Grill Room, guests may enjoy a perfectly prepared cocktail, a glass of champagne, a great wine or an exclusive rye whiskey in the beautiful Rye bar. The bar is famous for its fine American rye whiskeys and the ice cubes are hand shaved and made from pure water resources in Washington, D.C. area. The perfect beginning and ending of a great dinner.

There is in fact too much to tell about the beautiful Capella Washington and its great restaurant The Grill Room, so that leaves us with only one advice. When in Washington, make sure you visit and experience The Grill Room. Extend your stay with one or more nights at the hotel and live the Capella experience. You will not regret it.

Written by Sven & Adriaan