The Capital Grille Announces Cocktail Conservation Society to Benefit Local Tampa Historical Sites The Cocktail Conservation Society Will “Honor Our Forefathers’ Spirits” By Introducing Special Lounge Menu

Tampa, FL – August 2013 – The Capital Grille, known nationally for its dry-aged, hand-carved beef and extensive, award-winning wine list announces the launch of the Cocktail Conservation Society lounge promotion in Tampa beginning September 9.

The Cocktail Conservation Society is a four-week lounge promotion featuring soon-to-be forgotten cocktails from Tampa’s Golden Age as the Alhambra of the South. Each week, a portion of proceeds from the sale of these classic cocktails will be donated to support one of the four specified local historical sites around Tampa. These sites and their corresponding dates to be featured within the promotion include:

: Sept. 9 – 15 A catapult for the imagination since 1926, the Tampa Theatre is a passionately protected landmark and one of America’s best-preserved examples of grand movie palace architecture (tampatheatre.org).

 Tampa Union Station: Sept. 16 – 22 Opened in 1912 by the Tampa Union Station Company, the Renaissance Revival-style building’s original purpose was to combine passenger operations for the Atlantic Coast Line, the Seaboard Air Line, and the at a single site. After its condition deteriorated substantially, the depot closed in 1984; however, thanks to local historic preservationists and passenger rail advocates, the station was restored and reopened to the public in 1998 (tampaunionstation.com).

 The Cuban Club (El Circulo Cubano de Tampa): Sept. 23 – 29 Constructed in 1917, The Cuban Club (El Circulo Cubano de Tampa) served as a gathering place for Cuban immigrants in . The building, designed in Neoclassical style and decorated with imported tile, stained glass, scraffito spandrels and murals, included a theater, pharmacy, ballroom, library, and cantina. Today it continues the legacy of the club first established in 1902 as a mutual aid society (thecubanclub.org).

 The Italian Club (L’Unione Italiana): Sept. 30 – Oct. 6 Originally completed and dedicated on Columbus Day, 1912, the original $40,000, three-story structure stood on Seventh Avenue between Seventeenth and Eighteenth Streets as was to be home to The Italian Club, an organization who’s purpose was to promote fraternity, charity and social intercourse among it’s members, mostly consisting of Italian immigrants. The brick building featured an athletic room and theatre. Unfortunately, the building only lasted three years before being destroyed by fire. With a pledge to rebuild, The Italian Club began construction on the present-day building in 1917. The erection of the new L’Unione signified a profound commitment to Italian community life in Tampa and an important benchmark. Built in an Italian renaissance style, decorated with classical columns, terra cotta relief and a profusion of marble, the clubhouse stands as an impressive monument to immigrant achievement. With furnishings, the building cost $80,000, a considerable amount at the time.

The Cocktail Conservation Society’s lounge menu will feature classic cocktails, including:

 Moscow Mule: Russian Standard Vodka, Fresh Lime Juice and Ginger Beer  Strawberry Mojito: Atlantico Rum, Monin Pure Cane Syrup, fresh strawberry, fresh lime juice, mint leaves  Pimm’s Cup: Pimm’s No. 1 Cup, Lorina Sparkling Lemonade  Real Dill: American Harvest Organic Vodka, dill, agave syrup, lemon juice, lime juice, cucumber  Rye Old Fashioned: Old Overholt Rye Whiskey, Angostora bitters, sugar cube

“The Cocktail Conservation Society is an opportunity for The Capital Grille to engage with our local historical community and bring a sense of nostalgia into our lounge,” said James Hamilton, Managing Partner, The Capital Grille Tampa. “The featured sites are integral to the history of Tampa and we want to do our part in preserving them for years to come.”

“The Capital Grille’s Cocktail Conservation Society is an interesting way to bring awareness to several historical sites in Tampa,” said Jill Witecki, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Tampa Theatre. “It’s nice to see a restaurant give back to the community in which it resides.”

About The Capital Grille

The Capital Grille (www.TheCapitalGrille.com) owns and operates 49 locations nationwide. The restaurant is known for its dry-aged steaks, award-winning wine list and professional service in an atmosphere of relaxed elegance. Routinely recognized by Wine Spectator magazine and receiving other top accolades, The Capital Grille has received the American Culinary Federation’s “Achievement of Excellence Award and was voted a guest favorite on Open Table’s “Best American Cuisine Winners - Top 50 Restaurant List,” with 10 locations filling out the List’s coveted 50 spots.

The Capital Grille offers more than 350 New and Old World wine selections, including a Captain’s List of some of the world’s most highly allocated and sought-after wines. The restaurant also offers a variety of elegant private dining spaces for meetings and group events

Please visit The Capital Grille on Facebook and on Twitter @CapitalGrille.

### For press queries, please contact: Chris Potter Hunter Robinson Ogilvy Public Relations The Capital Grille 404.836.2309 Office 407.245.5482 Office [email protected] [email protected]