# The Capital Grille Hawaiʻi Appoints Amarie Saunders as Restaurant/Wine & Beverage Manager

> The Capital Grille Hawaiʻi has named Amarie Saunders, a Level One Sommelier, as its Restaurant/Wine & Beverage Manager in Waikīkī.

- Published: 2026-10-27T08:21:55+00:00
- Section: Leadership
- Author: News Desk
- URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-27/capital-grille-hawaii-amarie-saunders-wine-manager
- Source: [24-7 Press Release](https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/539911/the-capital-grille-hawai%CA%BBi-welcomes-amarie-saunders-as-restaurantwine-beverage-manager)

## Key takeaways

- Amarie Saunders joins The Capital Grille Hawaiʻi as Restaurant/Wine & Beverage Manager in Waikīkī.
- Saunders holds Level One Sommelier certification and learned winemaking on her family's farm with muscadine grapes.
- The Waikīkī restaurant has three private dining rooms and is taking early holiday reservations.

The Capital Grille Hawaiʻi has appointed Amarie Saunders as its Restaurant/Wine & Beverage Manager, the Waikīkī restaurant announced on October 27, 2026. [24-7 Press Release](https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/539911/the-capital-grille-hawai%CA%BBi-welcomes-amarie-saunders-as-restaurantwine-beverage-manager) published the announcement. Saunders holds Level One Sommelier certification.

## Saunders Brings a Family Wine Background to Waikīkī

Saunders' interest in wine began on her family's small farm, where she made wine with her grandfather from muscadine grapes grown in their vineyard. That experience led her to become a Level One Sommelier.

"My love for wine has remained rooted in tradition, connection, and the stories shared over a wonderful meal," Saunders said.

At [The Capital Grille](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0007gpe/the-capital-grille) Hawaiʻi, Saunders plans to learn guests' favorite varietals, introduce new discoveries and help diners choose wines that suit their meal and occasion. She said she is grateful to be part of the restaurant's "ʻohana" and looks forward to connecting and reconnecting with guests.

The restaurant is also encouraging early reservations for its private dining rooms ahead of the holiday season, for family celebrations, company dinners and year-end gatherings. It has three private dining rooms and offers complimentary valet parking. Private dining inquiries go to Saunders at the restaurant.

## The Generous Pour and the Skokie Closure

According to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data), The Capital Grille ran its Generous Pour "Flight of Majesty" summer wine event with Duckhorn Portfolio, featuring six wines for $38 with a dinner entrée purchase from June 29 through August 30, 2026. The same records show the chain permanently closed its Westfield Old Orchard Mall location in Skokie, Illinois, in May 2026 after three years of operation, citing rising operational costs, changing consumer habits and declining foot traffic.

The records describe The Capital Grille as a steakhouse chain founded in 1990 and wholly owned by Darden Restaurants, with roughly 60 locations and a wine program of more than 350 labels.

## Earlier Capital Grille Openings and Closures

In June 2026, The Capital Grille opened a steakhouse in Livonia, its second metro Detroit location, DBusiness Magazine reported. The 9,260-square-foot restaurant serves lunch on weekdays and dinner daily.

In May 2026, Darden Restaurants closed the Capital Grille at Skokie's Old Orchard Shopping Center on May 31, a decision the Chicago Tribune described as a difficult business decision. The unit had opened in 2023.

In September 2026, Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus hosted its inaugural Foodie Week from September 16 to 27, with special menus and discounts at restaurants including The Capital Grille, nj reported.

## Companies in this story

- [The Capital Grille company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0007gpe/the-capital-grille) · website: https://www.thecapitalgrille.com

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