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Wagyu&Wine

October 15, 2025 07:05PM
Has anyone done one of these? I don't believe the max. reimbursement comes close to covering the cost. The pairing of a burger and wine seems odd to me too. Have you done one and would you do another?
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October 15, 2025 07:08PM
I've done it. It's definitely under reimbursement if you go solo. The burger is hearty, the fries are divine, and I enjoy the wine. It's a very easy report so I would do it again.
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October 15, 2025 07:14PM
Oh, I wasn't considering the option of going alone, but that would make it more feasible economically.
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October 16, 2025 01:14AM
I like Capital Grille, but don't think it's worth the drive to one for just the offered reimbursement. Would have to go alone to make it worth it.
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October 16, 2025 01:47AM
From what I've read in the guidelines, it's alone/solo regardless of whether it's a walk-in or reservation. BYE!
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October 16, 2025 03:53AM
I'm going tomorrow with Mr. Cat, the Professional Shop Companion. I told him we get 2 glasses of wine and 2 burgers; if he wants any extras (dessert, sides) he has to pay for them himself.
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October 16, 2025 04:13PM
The instructions changed in early October. I completed a shop for the lounge reservation in September. I was able to take a guest.

However, the new instructions state you have to do it solo for both scenarios. For the lounge reservation scenario, you make a reservation for two, but arrive solo.

For the walk-ins, it's always been solo, though.
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October 16, 2025 04:41PM
Oh, no! I booked one of these shops in September that I am supposed to visit this weekend. The guidelines said, "make a Reservation for 2 (self + guest) – shopper may however arrive and complete visit solo or with guest." Now the guidelines changed since I accepted the shop and I already made plans...yikes!
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October 16, 2025 05:07PM
Interesting! You made me take a closer look at the old instructions. In the instructions, it says that reservation shops completed with a guest are eligible for additional reimbursement to cover guest's W&W burger and paired glass of wine. Max reimbursement for two - $125.

My guest and I went over the $75 reimbursement, but I checked just now. I was reimbursed for the full meal!

Under these conditions, I personally think you would be ok dining with a guest, but asking for separate checks. To make full use of the reimbursement though, you're allowed to order additional items.
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October 17, 2025 02:51AM
I reached out to the MSC and I can not bring a guest to the event at all. I had to cancel the shop sadly as I had made special plans...
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October 17, 2025 06:24AM
That stinks! How noble of you, though.
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October 17, 2025 02:08PM
I grabbed one. I've gotten stood up by real dates in the past; why not get stood up by an imaginary date in exchange for a free meal? Will give me an excuse for that second glass of wine.
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November 14, 2025 01:56AM
I did the shop tonight. Holy smokes, they treated me like a leper when I told them my party couldn't make it. They said I could still keep the reservation but to give them a minute. Sat down in front of the stand and ten minutes later a different hostess asked what I was waiting for...eventually they seated me in the regular dining room (yes, my rez was for wagyu and wine in the lounge) and never mentioned the promo to me. My server gave me the menu for it once requested, but I could tell other two tops around me were getting better service. I don't know if it's cuz of the W&W or that I was solo, but I felt really uncomfortable and somewhat neglected. Super easy report, though. They should all be that easy. And the burger/fries were OK, nothing special IMO.
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November 14, 2025 05:50AM
@Tiffany0921 wrote:

I did the shop tonight. Holy smokes, they treated me like a leper when I told them my party couldn't make it. They said I could still keep the reservation but to give them a minute. Sat down in front of the stand and ten minutes later a different hostess asked what I was waiting for...eventually they seated me in the regular dining room (yes, my rez was for wagyu and wine in the lounge) and never mentioned the promo to me. My server gave me the menu for it once requested, but I could tell other two tops around me were getting better service. I don't know if it's cuz of the W&W or that I was solo, but I felt really uncomfortable and somewhat neglected. Super easy report, though. They should all be that easy. And the burger/fries were OK, nothing special IMO.

Sorry to hear about the service. Was it super busy tonight? I went as a walk in to the bar at lunch time and there was only one other guy there. Lucked out with an awesome bartender. At least this one is a limited time promotion. Maybe the next ones will be normal dinner shops with high reimbursement.
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November 15, 2025 04:15PM
I went and said that my guest couldn't make it due to illness, and my server was very sympathetic. Even though there were plenty of other patrons around, she checked on me multiple times, asked if I wanted to order anything to bring home for my partner, said she hoped he was feeling better and would join me next time, etc. It was a nice meal. And since I don't often drink, I had a pleasant buzz (didn't dare order a second glass of wine after feeling how the first hit me lol).
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November 18, 2025 11:34PM
Tiffany, it's a lounge shop and they seated you in the dining room? Were there instructions regarding this? Just wondering as I would be freaking if I did not perform the shop in the lounge.

@Tiffany0921 wrote:

I did the shop tonight. Holy smokes, they treated me like a leper when I told them my party couldn't make it. They said I could still keep the reservation but to give them a minute. Sat down in front of the stand and ten minutes later a different hostess asked what I was waiting for...eventually they seated me in the regular dining room (yes, my rez was for wagyu and wine in the lounge) and never mentioned the promo to me. My server gave me the menu for it once requested, but I could tell other two tops around me were getting better service. I don't know if it's cuz of the W&W or that I was solo, but I felt really uncomfortable and somewhat neglected. Super easy report, though. They should all be that easy. And the burger/fries were OK, nothing special IMO.
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November 19, 2025 12:23AM
Actually you are right to be freaking out LOL the MSC was not happy about this turn of events at all. I followed the instructions to the letter, and clearly it wasn't my fault I wasn't seated in the lounge. What exactly was I supposed to say without drawing attention to myself? (not aimed at you, rhetorical). Anyway, the MSC is making a one time exception and accepted my shop but I feel like I'm being treated unfairly here. I've never had a shop that asked you to make a reservation for 2 but show up solo....my thoughts were maybe part of the shop was to see where they sat you after the reservation fell through and I was acquiring good data. This is the first time they've had an issue with my reports, so it's probably why they made an exception, I dunno.
@Madetoshop wrote:

Tiffany, it's a lounge shop and they seated you in the dining room? Were there instructions regarding this? Just wondering as I would be freaking if I did not perform the shop in the lounge.

@Tiffany0921 wrote:

I did the shop tonight. Holy smokes, they treated me like a leper when I told them my party couldn't make it. They said I could still keep the reservation but to give them a minute. Sat down in front of the stand and ten minutes later a different hostess asked what I was waiting for...eventually they seated me in the regular dining room (yes, my rez was for wagyu and wine in the lounge) and never mentioned the promo to me. My server gave me the menu for it once requested, but I could tell other two tops around me were getting better service. I don't know if it's cuz of the W&W or that I was solo, but I felt really uncomfortable and somewhat neglected. Super easy report, though. They should all be that easy. And the burger/fries were OK, nothing special IMO.


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/2025 12:24AM by Tiffany0921.
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November 19, 2025 04:04AM
@Tiffany. I am so happy it worked out for you! I have not done any of this MSC's dining assignments in years. I just don't check their website enough. I remember their shops and the specifications to NOT sit in the bar area for one fine dining restaurant. For some reason, every time I did one, they tried to sit us in the bar area and I had to object. I usually do Coyle shops and the guidelines always specify what area you are to be seated.

P.S.That is so not cool Capital Grille staff treated you that way. SMH!
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November 19, 2025 11:21AM
I would have said, "since I am all alone, I'd prefer to be seated in the lounge area."
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November 19, 2025 10:01PM
I did one a few nights ago and was treated like Royalty. They were out of the Wagyu burgers but let me get the regular burger with the wine for the same price. I ordered a second glass of wine and they gave it to me for free. The manager came over and spoke to me about how popular the event was.
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November 21, 2025 10:23PM
Does anyone know if Capital Grille will be around for December?
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November 21, 2025 10:24PM
Does anyone know if Capital Grille will be around for December?
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