We have a reservation for tonight, and know that it will be a great meal, as we have been there before. The menu is creative and changes with the season, the food is perfectly prepared. The service was friendly and efficient. Since we are returning tonight, I looked at the reviews. One of the most negative reviews, for me, is one of the most positive reflections. One reviewer panned the restaurant for not being ready with a high chair for his baby. "And no apologies, either." I am glad that there are restaurants that provide a consistent experience for adult diners. I raised children and would not think of disturbing other peoples' meals at a nice restaurant with the interactions of little people too young to appreciate the food or the atmosphere. I wish that more restaurants said, or inferred "no" to people who think every little squeal and whimper of their charming darlings should be appreciated by every one else.
(5)
Julianna G.
If it is a family birthday we go here. It is pricey but worth it. Love the booths, not many places make you feel that private. My first taste of rabbit and I am hooked. I loved those raviolis and haven't had anything as tasty in a while. If you want a nice dinner that is worth the money go here.
(5)
Stephen K.
Phenomenal. Everything we tried was first rate: the veal, fois gras, sweetbreads, lemon tart, all of it marvelous. The service was also impeccable from the servers to the sommelier. There's no better place to eat near Waltham. Tremendous.
(5)
Meghan M.
Il Capriccio does have fantastic food...I can't argue with that. I also enjoyed the cozy ambiance (obviously not the look of the outside which reminded me of a strip club or something...brick, bland building with no windows). I actually had to knock two stars off this place because of some of the worst service I've experienced at an upscale restaurant. I saw our waitress two times...One time when she took our order and then again, after we asked countless times, to deliver the check. Not once were we checked on, even though they forgot to bring me something I ordered. It's a shame because this place has the potential to be really awesome. At this point, I'd much rather frequent La Campania down the street instead though.
(3)
Robert C.
Had not dined there in a while, and was pleasantly surprised at the friendly and helpful attitude of the staff (years ago they tended to be a bit stuffy and condescending for me). Got a bit of help with a wine selection before our other guests arrived - very good value and well received by my Italian (yes, from Italy!) guests. Even they were impressed with the quality of the food - seared fois gras (we're not in CA!), zucchini flowers for appetizers, wild mushroom fettuccine secondi and a variety of entrees we ordered. Interestingly, no red meat on the menu. For me, the food quality and preparation rivals anything you will find in a top-rated downtown Boston restaurant. The prices, though, are the same as those found in the high-rent urban locations. Great restaurant for very special guests and occasions. Seating was cramped, though, and that made talking (and listening) somewhat difficult.
(5)
Colleen B.
An upscale restaurant can bring me the wrong entree and forget the tea that I ordered...if and only if they do the following three things: 1) Serve the most delicious wine I've ever tasted 2) Serve a ridiculously generous and tender portion of duck 3) Ask me if I'd like a doggy bag to take home above mentioned duck (it was so moist and tender that reheated perfectly for lunch the next day) The entree portions were more than generous and tasted great, but the service was a little disjointed. The server had a perfectly nice demeanor and in fairness it was a busy night. We were also mystified by the dessert sampler that definitely didn't look like the dessert sampler at a nearby table which didn't look like the one waiting in the window to be served. For the record there was only one dessert sampler on the menu. Finally, I had 4 stars, but I dropped it down when I remembered that we sat near an apparent "regular", who was sitting in his dad's regular table...country club...blah, blah and to boot it was Valentine's day and he chose jeans. Too bad everyone else took the time to dress up for the occasion. To say that country club boy was obnoxious with his trophy girlfriend and their "compliments of the chef" items that kept floating out would be an understatement.
(3)
Erin E.
I had a business dinner here last night that dragged and dragged and dragged. I know the sweet, professional server was trying to give us our space, but we ordered maybe 1 hour after we had sat down. I've been here a few times before and the food is consistently fresh, flavorful, and delicious. The service is consistently slow, but professional. I started with stuffed slow-roasted calamari with polenta and tomatoes which was pretty decent. My colleague had foie gras with sweet potatoes and balsamic vinegar which was exquisite. I then had lobster, leek, and spinach risotto. I have been craving lobster for like 8 days now and this dish completely alleviated my craving. Woo-hoo highly recommended entree or pasta course. Finally, I had some non-memorable crostada dessert. The same colleague (who clearly needs to teach me how to order) got this delectable chocolate bundino molten cake thingy wherein I almost had an unprofessional episode of moaning.
(4)
R B.
Unapologetically sophisticated place. Expensive and delicious. Cushy, lounge-y kind of feel and an emphasis on quality that is too rare. There's nothing worse than shelling out $$$ for an occasion and feeling cheated. Not here. Very old-school, grown-up, but looks like nothing much from the outside.
(5)
Roni E.
The boyfriend (can I call him that now? I guess you'll have to ask him...) wanted to wow me with great Italian food in the Waltham area. And so he decided to take me out to Il Capriccio. We both certainly enjoyed our meals: Apps: * He had the Souffle di Porcini -- delicious and savory but kind of heavy, would have been great as an hor d'ourve for parties though! * I had the Ricotta Stuff Zucchini Flower w. a honey zucchini sauce - excellent! Perfect as an app since it was very light, although I could have gone for more of these. First Course: * He had the Potato Gnocchi with Lobster, Clams and Calamari * I skipped this course - but the lobster in his dish was good despite my lack of liking clams and the way they had cooked the calamari (not fried! haha) Second/Main Course: * He had the Sauteed Veal Scallopine stuffed with Wild Mushroom, Red Wine and Grilled Prosciutto * I had the Grilled Prime Rib Eye Steak with White Beans, Lemon and Extra Virgin Olive Oil -- This was the first time I've ever tried veal and it was a pretty good experience, although I'm not sure I'd eat it on a regular basis. I've been told a Veal Parm is very different according to him. While he enjoyed his meal, he did complain it was very salty - but this might also have to do with the grilled prosciutto on it, but I thought (me being the Queen of Salt) it was salted just fine. --- My prime rib eye was perfectly cooked to the right "doneness' when I asked for Medium Rare. It was tender and filled with flavor. Although I could have done without the white beans, just seemed like filler to me. The veggies on my plate was al dente. Dessert: * well there was no dessert - what kinda ITALIAN restaurant doesn't have Tiramisu?!?! So while our meals were thoroughly enjoyed, our experience just didn't match up to our delight with the dishes. We saw our server a total of maybe 4 times. It was like pulling teeth with the lack of service here - while waiting for her to come around each time. First and foremost, in a restaurant like this, if someone is drinking wine, wouldn't you want to show up more so that they can order more to drink?! And also, why would you wait until the meal comes out before you bring the glass of wine out?! I would have had more glasses, if it was brought out as soon as I had ordered it. Speaking of drinks, our server only asked me if I wanted something to drink, and while I had declined at the time for only water, she totally ignored him when he wanted to order something to drink. Additionally, I guess our busser didn't inform our server we had leftovers to take home, because we had to ask her about it before we left. For a restaurant that is categorized as $$$ I would have expected much better service. So the food is a 4 star but the service is 3 - I'll give this an avg. of 3.5 stars, but rounding down because the lack of service still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I probably wouldn't return on my own accord but wouldn't hesitate to try them out again. As my dining companion suggested, if he knew the service was going to be this bad, he would have taken me to La Campania instead. But only chose this place because of the easy parking. My only other comment would be that while dining at most places, the lighting can be dim, but the color of brown on the walls, really made the restaurant smaller and darker. And what's up with ALL the walls?! It was like walking through a maze in order to get to the ladies room. The restaurant is basically set up with the kitchen in the middle and rooms are built around it - making it very (italics) difficult to maneuver especially since people are carrying plates around the small hallway that is around the kitchen and the billing computer. I do have to say I do appreciate my boyfriend's attempt to wow me and did enjoy my meal and don't wanna seem ungrateful because I really am. Thank you DP. But I'm sure he feels the same way I do since he was starting to get really antsy while waiting and waiting and waiting.
(3)
Betsy K.
Oh Il Capriccio. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love you for -your ever changing Northern Italian menu -your small and large portions of pasta -the decadent porcini soufflee -the wine list you could not find ANYWHERE. (The owner, Jeannie Rogers corners the market in the United States with her Italian wines-she even owns her own importing company!) -the good lookin' talented bartenders you employ. That one named Jesse knows more about wine than any other bartender I have ever been served by! You are expensive Il Capriccio but I Love. Love. Love.
(5)
Erin G.
Il Capriccio is delightful. This is a 'special occasion' restaurant for me but i was surprised to see a lot of people coming in after work, waiting for a table while playing with their blackberries. The front room we were in had great acoustics...which was not particularly a good thing because when it filled up it was very very loud. nonetheless, a massive wine list and a comprehensive northern italian menu far outweigh being able to talk to your dining partners. most of us started with wild mushroom soup ($8) which was in a clear broth and was a refreshing change from thick creamy soups. there was a great blend of flavors of the various types of mushrooms, some shallots and a sprinkling of cheese on the bottom of the bowl. i had the seared scallops for my entree ($30), huge gorgeous perfectly cooked melt-in-your-mouth scallops sitting on lentils with pearl onions, broccoli, and cauliflower. other family members had lobster asparagus ravioli, fettucine bolognese, and grilled halibut. we were all so full we couldn't even eat dessert. appalling. I could also spend a few hours just pouring over the wine list - it is at least 10 pages and predominantly northern italian. Wines are broken down first by white/red and then by italian wine region. If you are taking your significant other here and want them to fall hopelessly in love with you for the rest of your days, splurge on 1996 Case Corini La Barla Barbera D'Asti for $95. (the only other place you can find this wine in MA is at Oleana in Camb) Owner Jeannie Rogers knows 90-100% of all the winemakers whose wine she sells, and is herself a winemaker and expert Sommelier. This was "an experience" and everyone was thrilled with the choice to come here. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Amy S.
Honestly, I'm not sure it's worth the money. Food is good, but the ambiance is so-so. Maybe we just got a bad table, but I did not find it "elegant." For the money, I'd much rather go to La Campania.
(3)
Robert L.
I went to this restaurant a few weeks ago with 9 of my business colleagues (some from out of town). I had not heard of this restaurant but chose primarily because of the reviews written here. I was disappointed. I thought the service was good (they put us in a semi-private dining room which was a good idea since we tend to be noisy) but the dishes were not that great. The wine list was decent (order by the bottle, not the glass if you can) but except for the free parking next door I can't say much else positive about it. Go to the North End next time for a truly authentic Italian food experience. You will pay more for parking but your wallet will come out the same or better overall.
(3)
L G.
solid 3 stars. Not worth the money. The dishes seemed really out of date. I think the broccoli in my dish was frozen. the dinning room was not very comfortable. It seems like a good place to take your parents. The wait staff did a good job.....
(3)
Christina N.
Went back this week, and it's still good. My friend and I were splitting the Souffle di Porcini, and the other two were splitting the calamari salad. Yummy souffle, and mediocre salad. I had the duck, and absolutely love it. It was bold, and oh so amazing. I fear I won't love duck from other places as much. The gnocchi my friend had was good. My SO had some yummy gorgonzola ravioli-- I'm not much for blue cheese, but it was pretty good. Not spectacular, but decent. The mussels were also decent. Service was decent this time around as well.
(4)
victor b.
This long time Boston suburban restaurant is a stand out for good food, sophisticated service, and pleasant atmosphere. I ate there last night for the fist time with a friend who was visiting the area for business and staying in Waltham so I suggested dinner at Il Capriccio. We were greeted by a very friendly hostess who stated us immediately. The wait staff provided very nice selection of bread with olive oil to munch on while we decided on dinner. The restaurant has a very extensive wine list specializing in Italian wines (not surprisingly). They were featuring wines from Sicily and our waitress helped chose a good wine that complemented our dinner from the list of featured wines. We started the meal with a bottle of Champagne, Louis Roederer "Carte Blanche" Extra Brut which was fairly priced at $75, and shared some very nice appetizers: Veal Carpaccio with Arugula and Robiola Cheese and Yellow Fin Tuna Tartare with Avocado and Chips. They had a special app of Grav Lox that sounded interesting but we did not try it. The appetizers were tasty and nicely presented but not very filling. We then shared a "Primi" of Potato Gnocchi with Braised Lamb Shank that was absolutely delicious. The grilled meat special (Carne alla Griglia del Giorno) was Veal Chop with roasted potato and carrots and green beans. We both are big fans of Veal Chops so we both ordered the special and it was a large, perfectly grilled chop that was delicious and quite filling. We accompanied this with one of the featured Sicilian wines, Prephylloxera "La Vigna di Don Peppino" from the vintner TENUTA DELLE TERRE NERE at $95. It was a good choice and we enjoyed having a good wine from a region that neither of us had sampled before. We skipped desert and ended the meal with glasses of cognac from their reasonably extensive collection choosing moderately priced Martell that ended the meal nicely. The meal lasted over a leisurely three hour period and we never felt rushed even though the restaurant was quite full. Our waitress was attentive but not intrusive and sensed when we wanted to relax and when we wanted our next course. While the meal was not inexpensive, it was fairly priced for what we had. The experience was very enjoyable and I would highly recommend this place to anyone in the area who enjoys sophisticated Italian dining.
(5)
Rebecca Y.
Wow. 24 hours later and I'm still full. But yet I'd make room if Il Capriccio put another dish in front of me. I had the foie gras, duckling with figs and goat cheese polenta and pumpkin creme brulee for dessert. Is there anything more to say? Holy Jesus that was a good meal. The decor isn't my style, the outside looks like a tomb, the tables are to crowded, but I would drop elbows to get a reservation. We left around 830pm on a Wednesday night and the place was PACKED like it was a Saturday at 7pm. The meal is expensive, but this is one of those restaurants where you won't be sorry you dropped more than you would usually for dinner. P.S. Sometime told me Il Capriccio means "The Vice" in Italian. If that's true, the name is DEAD ON.
It's easy to walk by Il Capriccio. The restaurant's exterior looks like a simple stonewall and an extension to Gordon's Liquors next door on the busy street. One thing is for certain, however: It's not easy to forget the pleasure one experiences inside the popular restaurant. The ambience is dark, luring, and lush. Very Upper East Side. As much as I love the decor, however, I thought our dinner was even more fabulous. We each started off with a Kir Royale -- just going back to our fond moments in France. It's a great way to get your tastebuds dancing for the meal. I chose the traditional cassis flavor, and my boyfriend had the pear. For our wine, Il Capriccio's well known co-owner and wine buyer Jeannie Rogers suggested we go for the 2002 Radikon Oslavje. With this wine, which is technically a white, the Pinot Gris skins are mashed into the wine. According to Roger's tasting notes, winemaker Stanko Radikon doesn't add sulfer to his wines, hence the darker color. The thick wine has a deep, light copper -- almost red -- burnt orange, honey amber (could I offer any other color descriptions?) hue. A beautiful color for an equally beautiful wine that paired very well with our meal. The Radikon, by the way, would be THE white to change the minds of those macho men out there who think white wine is for wimps, according to my wine expert boyfriend. For food, I ordered the fried squash blossoms. They are to die for, and they melted in my mouth. Paired with the wine, I was easily in heaven. The flowers were stuffed with buffalo mozzarella and drizzled with honey. The honey did it with the wine. Fabulous. Meanwhile, the boyfriend picked the seared foie gras with peaches. Oh my! The wine tasted so fabulously (do I use that word too often?) with this. I chose the Long Island roast duckling for my main course. It came with a goat cheese polenta, asparagus, carrots, peaches, and beets. All fresh and delish. The boyfriend opted for veal, mushrooms, and beans in such a fantastic marsala sauce that I wished I had chosen that for my meal. The veal -- which, when presented, sat atop a potato leek tart (yum!) -- melted in my mouth. Of course, we must try dessert. I fell in love with my lemon mousse with candied lemon rinds and biscotti. He chose the pecan tart with vanilla ice cream. So good. The desserts were fabulous (there's that word again) with a 1984 Ferrando Caluso Passito. We also love Jeannie's wine list. It boasts great tasting notes, history behind certain wines, and cool photos of the winemakers and vineyards she has visited. The list is great for every wine lover -- from the beginner to the nut, points out the boyfriend. Jeannie's extensive wine knowledge, coupled with the friendly service from the waitstaff, was great. Add to that generous portions and lovely decor, and you've got yourself a highly recommended restaurant.
(4)
Jenn C.
I have to say, after the build up here, I was expecting a fantastic meal. However, that was not what we would call it. ***WARNING for Vegetarians*** there will not be much for you to order. The dishes were okay, just okay. For the $$$ I would go somewhere else.
(3)
Jenny W.
Went for Valentine's Day dinner and was not impressed. They had a special menu, which I found very limiting and unappealing. As I'd read in other reviews, they do cram you into a small space. The guy next to us had the back of his chair about an inch or two away from our table and I was nervous he would knock something over the whole time. The decor isn't anything spectacular and neither is the service. We really expected a lot more. We'll probably go back again to give them another shot and see their full menu as that was a big factor in our disappointment.
(2)
Tony M.
I have been here for business and with a family. (Well almost.) For business was average. I never found the hostess to be very friendly. For family, we could not get in. "Sorry no high chair" and they made mo apologies about it either. I would pass on this . Plenty more options in Waltham
(1)
Chris B.
I had a great meal here during the holidays with my family. The food was uniformly delicious but a seafood antipasti plate stands out in my memory; it had a seviche of bay scallops, house roasted red peppers wrapped around a fresh creamy tuna filling, gravalax, squid salad & more. My stripped bass was perfectly cooked and brother-in-laws grilled veal chop was to die for (actually, I really like him). The wine list is like none other in Boston (and maybe, the U.S.A.) created by a co-owner/sommelier who travels the hinterlands of Italy a few times a year to discover and import bottles that are not readily available elsewhere. The service was warm and attentive.
(5)
Gary S.
The service is quite good as is the overall atmosphere. The wine list is excellent. The food is good, but not outstanding and not particularly unique; average for an upscale Italian restaurant.
(3)
Arik C.
If I am going to have my last meal on earth, its here. The wine list is teh best in Boston at reasonable prices, the food is fantastic and the staff is very warm and good at what they do. Great decor but not stiff, I always feel welcomed here. The menu changes with what's in season, don't miss soft shell crabs, the porcini souffle and if they have truffles available, spend the $$$ for it. Shaved truffles on a pasta dish is intoxicating! The best Northern Italian food in the area with a selection of Italian wines that will leave you remembering the experiences for weeks after.
(5)
Madras M.
In my recent trip to Waltham, I had a business dinner here. It is a cute restaurant. The wine list was great with my favorite Merlot! I have never had appetizers I had here before anywhere else. The Souffle di Porcini was very tasty. The Risotto was the best I have had so far .... Great place
(5)
Erik K.
The food is decadent; not terribly subtle but yummy and rich. The wine list is, hands-down, the best of any restaurant in the area.
(4)
T L.
First off didn't realize how swanky these diggs were but man o man, very nicely decorated and classy place, quick note, you park at gordons liquor store and not bank of america (per their menu, BAC tows); but as crappy as the parking lot is this restaurant surely doesn't disapoint; came with 3 other friends for a nice dinner, cause we all heard good things and decided to try it out. Menu is changed monthly so the one I list below is very outdated, also the restaurant is very cramped but you barely notice; the menu choices blew me away, roasted duck, filets, scallps, gnocchi, my choice was tough. For apps we got this calamari and zuchini fritter which was very tasty (odd looking) and a gorgenzola stuffed fig wrapped in bacon (not great and tasted a bit like a cigarette); bread was tasty; made my choice with a seared cape scallop on top of a greenish rissoto topped with fried leeks, (was featured in boston magazine), this was amazing and would be up there when asked for my last meal before being electricuted, scallops were melting in my mouth; my friends got tasty food as well with 2 going with a beef filet and the other with gnocchi with boar sausage (which I will be getting on my next trip here); note the dinners are not huge portions but rather on the smaller size (quality over quantity) ; this place is not cheap, its damn right expensive but worth it, we all paid about 65 bucks each and left with full bellies and sweaty airpits. defintely one of the best italian restaurants around boston 9 out of 10 bostonchefs.com/clients/…
(5)
Kim C.
Absolutely delicious; however, we found the portions small on the entrees (didn't order appetizers) and left hungry. Didn't go back again but might give it a second chance as four years have passed! We spent $150 for six people without the tip; two mixed drinks, no appetizers, no desserts.
(3)
Stellina M.
Il capriccio is one of the best Italian restaurants in the Boston area. It is located on a nondescript corner building and it doesn't look like much. Inside il Capriccio you'll find beautiful, tasty and original italian food. The setting is really intimate, I suggest you go there with a date you really want to impress.Make sure that you have wine with your food, their collection is impressive.
(4)
Ted D.
I've been a regular at Il Cap for a few years now and think it may be the best restaurant in Boston. The menu (which changes monthly) is consistently inspired. The meals are always cooked to perfection. We like the appetizers the best (the porcini souffle is unbelievable if you like rich foods). The interior is a little cramped, but it is well worth it.
(5)
alan m.
Three of us were happy with our main courses, but I was served the veal saltinbocca which was inedible because it was over salted. The server asked if I wanted anything else and I replied that I would like that dish without all the salt. I was served the cutlets which had been prepared with the prosciutto but with out being cooked in any sauce. The sauce was served on the side. When I tasted it ,I realized that the prepared sauce was the source of the over salting. Obviously, this place tries to get away with simply dumping previously prepared sauces over the cutlets instead of preparing the entree cooked in the spices etc. I expected better at these prices!
(2)
BostonBestEats X.
Il Capriccio was always one of my favorite Boston-area fine dining restaurants, not the least for it's outstanding, innovative wine list (wines you see everywhere now first appeared on Jeannie Roger's list). But I haven't been in more than 5 years, and not since Jeannie's era. So we decided to stop in a for a few pastas to see how things are going... HONEY BEE ($10): Wild Turkey American Honey, honey syrup, lemon...OK, this sounds like a girly drink, but it was actually well balanced, nicely tart, and quite delicious. Skipped the wine list this time, since I was the only one drinking. SOUFFLE DI PORCINI ($13): Their signature dish, it's still as good as ever, and still sort of inexplicable. Looks like a complete disaster, like a cheese-covered giant meatball, so it's all about the intense mushroomy, creamy texture, with a crispy outside, surrounded by an addictive sauce. Don't forget to scrape the caramelized bits off the dish. And don't judge a book by its cover. SOFTSHELL CRABS ($28): A special, two fresh crabs served with an odd assortment of roasted potatoes, turnip, broccoli rabe, yellow beans, citrus. Big, and it worked. FETTUCCINE WITH DUCK & TOMATO ($16/26): A duck ragu with a large amount of coarsely cut assorted vegetables. Tasty, but not really my thing (I didn't order it). The house-made pasta was extremely al dente. But there was one fundamental and unforgivable flaw with this dish: some of the noodles were adhered into dense bundles, so every few bites you would get a bite of undercooked pasta. Assuming every chef knows to stir the pasta water, it was probably due to the fresh noodles being not sufficiently tossed with flour after being cut. Dissapointing. Fairly busy on a Friday evening, but not at all loud. Looking through the old reviews, I'm not sure why people are complaining about it being tight, since the table spacing seemed fine to me. Friendly service, but unfortunately, it was also quite slow throughout the entire meal. Easy free parking as always in the Gordon's lot outside.
(4)
Esther J.
Sat at the bar to grab carbonara. It was slightly al dente/good. Not the best-cooked, slightly salty, but the bread evened it out. The egg was more than perfect, and I've never had an egg with pasta. I was also very happy to find out that the smaller plate of carbonara was only $15; however, I was a little taken aback when I got the bill to learn that my glass of wine was about the same price $13. I did ask for a house wine to keep it simple, but that seems to be the standard price, and the wine was good, so I guess I shouldn't complain. I wasn't thrilled. But there seems to be many regulars, old-timers at the bar, and the bartenders are respected by them. ~ Just realized that they charged me about 10 extra by accident. Called in to revise. Be careful especially at the bar. Probably never going here again.
(2)
Lindsey M.
We tried dining at Il Capriccio a few weeks ago but we couldn't get a spot at the bar or a table. Finally this week I was able to book a same day reservation for a table via opentable. We arrived at 6:30pm on Friday and we were immediately seated. Like a few other reviews state, the seating area is very small and the tables are very close together. I had a hard time maneuvering into my seat as the table behind me wasn't offering to move their chairs in to help me out. We were able to move the table out a little bit but WOW did I feel packed in there. Our waiter was very nice (and tall!) I felt that he was going to hit the ceiling a few times as they have decorative trim that hangs low. Even though he stated that he had only started a few months ago, he was able to give us a lovely description of his suggested wine and even offered to have the wine sommelier come over to help us. We ended up picking our waiters suggested bottle of wine and thought it was great. We stared with the charcuterie plate which contained wild boar sausage, two types of prosciuttos, porchetta, cured duck, peppers, parmesan cheese and olives. The plate had a great amount of meats and cheese but was so large that it barley fit on our small table top! The presentation was phenomenal and this was enough food to feed about 2-4 people. For our main meals we got the fettuccine bolognese and the Giannone chicken. Both dishes were excellent, the bolognese had the right amount of meat in it and the chicken was very tender and juicy. Between the charcuterie plate and main meals we left completely stuffed. I did like Il Capriccios, but due to the small tables and cramped dining space I would rather try to grab a spot at the bar next time.
(4)
Don L.
We came for a family birthday celebration. From the outside it is pretty nondescript, maybe even hard to find since they have a very small sign. Inside is very nice and subdued. Even when they are busy the noise level is low enough that you can carry on a conversation. The food was really excellent. We all had different things, but everyone agreed that the food was delicious and beautifully presented. I had the veal chop that was truly wonderful. The service was good across the board. They greeted us warmly at the door, and everyone was efficient and attentive. I am not really familiar with Italian wines and the waiter was knowledgeable and made an excellent suggestion (which by the way was not extremely pricey) This truly is like eating at one of the best restaurants in Boston in terms of food and service, but a lot less expensive.
(5)
Guillermo M.
This place has excellent that ALL of it is VERY tasty. Also it has a really good selection of wines that make the experience even better. Perfect service and a lot of tables so no issues with reservations. We got the grilled octopus and the roasted cauliflower as antipasti and then we shared a gnocchi with the pear salad. All the plates were perfectly done and tasted amazing. The only thing we didn't love was dessert. We got the pecan pie with chocolate, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. I don't know exactly why but the combination didn't quite work and how the pecan was in little pieces combined with that type of chocolate made it a not so cool combination. Oh well, that was bad because everything was going so perfect. Maybe next time get the pumpkin creme brulee or the chocolate cake??
(4)
Sean R.
Still really really really good. Awesome food and awesome service. Som recommended a Great bottle of Montepulciano Abruzzo... crushed it!
(5)
Helon W.
It was terrible. Place smelled like cats. Flies were buzzing around table. Managed to squish one with my glass. The curtains were stained, dirty & disappointing reflecting a low pride in ownership. I was not confident kitchen was clean. Waitress was nice though, but i couldn't wait to get out of there but couldn't leave because our friends had picked the restaurant. Place was pretty empty for a Friday night. Yech?
(1)
Paul M.
Il Capriccio Ristorante E Bar - Waltham Massachusetts Well its that time of day again. That which I look forward to all day in my travels. Another city, another restaurant. This one, rated #2 on Trip Advisor. Parking is ample but you have to call to find out where to park as they share a parking lot with a liquor store next door and on the outside it may not look like much but never judge a book by its cover... First up the bread... A combination of a roll and partially sliced italian bread. Then came the porcini mushroom souffle! Of all the restaurants I frequent, and there are many, this was the first time I have seen it on a menu so I tried it... Amazing! The main... A boneless Ribeye ornately placed and surrounded by roasted vegetables consisting of green beans, brocolli and radish sitting on a bed of white beans coupled with a red wine pink peppercorn reduction The savory aroma ignites my palate... I order my steaks medium and this one was cooked to perfection Just the right amount of savory flavour and texture finish it off with a warm apple crostada with calvados sauce and cranberry ice cream and a cappuccino. All their desserts are house made btw...
(5)
Jeromie J.
Layme. Good patrons, and bar back. Bartender was only interested in regular patrons. Slacker. I will not be back. Seemed put off by me being a single patron- I equally put off due to her disenchanted and snobby-for-nothing service. Hitting tapas bar for some food before calling it a night. Rabbit and gnocchi masked by tomato flavor. Many other spots to hit in the area- I do not recommend this one regardless of the other reviews.
(1)
Lada L.
Went there for Valentine's day. Our table was tiny and wobbly and we were seated way too close to our neighbors. Staff were friendly, right when we walked in we were greeted by a friendly staff. Our waiter was very knowledgeable of the menu and the wine selection. He gave great recommendations. We had a three course meal. Calamari to start. That was a disappointment. Tasted like it came out of a can. It was green and cooked with white beans. My date had the veal. He did not feel it was anything special. I had the linguini, now that was amazing!!!!! It was decadent and rich and so full of flavor. I would go back just for that dish. Dessert we tried a variety of small bites. Their lemon mouse was the best. The flavors were right on! Overall, this place is worth a one time try.
Small charming restaurant. Ordered tuna tartare, lasagna, lobster gnocchi, and swordfish...all very good. Molten choc cake and apple crostata for dessert. The service was excellent and a very nice anniversary dinner. Its a ways away from Boston proper, about 25 min but great if you want outta the city for dinner.
(4)
Stephen C.
The fact that people are giving this place high ratings is shocking. I dined here tonight with my mother. We both ordered appetizers which seemed fairly good, but our entrees were awful. We ordered their "rib-eye" steak. I use "rib-eye" in quotes because it was actually a cheap New York strip steak. We brought this up to our waitress and she ended up coming back to our table to show us the cut and called it a Rib-eye steak....but it was a New York strip. My mother told her it was not a rib-eye(we owned a major company in the food industry for decades...we know what we're talking about)., but she insisted it was a rib-eye. Let's entertain that it was a rib-eye....the amount of fat on the cut was incredible....just completely terrible. The fact that we were charged $44 for our entrees was absurd. That cut of meat shouldn't have cost more than $15. It was the same quality meat you'd find at some diner offering steak and eggs. Would 100% not recommend this to anyone. The wait staff are incredibly unintelligent about food....and if the chef actually says that he is cooking a rib-eye, then chef is incredibly unintelligent as well. We will never come back to this restaurant.
(1)
Kiki P.
Il Capriccio is a cute little Italian cusine on Main St in Waltham, MA. The ambiance is nice and the food is plenty delicious. If you live in the suburbs and don't feel like driving all the way into the city to find a high quality restaurant, this is just the perfect place. I have tried the organic giannone chicken, fried egg, lemon, white whine, sage and herbs...such an excellent combination with a nice touch sage and herbs. I have also tried the lasagna bolognese, which is some of the best lasagna I have ever had. The cheese and fine ground beef is evenly spread in every layer to create a uniform lasagna. Every bite is filled with the right amount of cheese, meat, pasta and sauce. I plan on making recurrent trips to Il Capriccio in the future.
(4)
DevilEyeDog D.
I never even made it in the door of this place. Unfortunately their customer service on the phone was so terrible that I will never go there. I organized an evening out which got to a total of 26 people. I agree it was a lot of people. When I called to see if they could accommodate a party that large I was laughed at (literally) and told it was ridiculous since they were just a small restaurant. She then proceeded to be sarcastic and tell me that they could only reserve for 10. She then started talking to someone in the background. When I asked how many their restaurant could hold she laughed and hung up on me. Their food may be great, but the person who answered the phone just lost 26 people's business. It would be one thing if she was nice about it and apologized. I would've understood. It's a large group and I certainly understand not every place can handle that many. It was the laughing, the sarcasm and the hanging up. For those reasons I'll never go there. I'm posting this in hopes the owner will see and recognize the issue's of the employee who lost them 26 people's business.
(1)
bonita n.
I think I ordered the wrong dishes. My husband enjoyed his salad with beets, cannelloni, and bodino. However, my food was blah. I had grilled octopus, veal scaloppine, and lemon almond tart. They weren't inedible, but they didn't taste great. I told the waitress that I didn't love my food. She didn't ask for details.
(2)
Frank O.
Great place to go!!! Excellent service lot of parking place . The food is fantastic highly recommend to go there
(5)
Heather M.
Delicious food. The taste of their entrees and appetizers will knock you out of the park. A little awkward place to come in if you're in college- older crowd because of the price tag. But still great place for special occasion.
(4)
Mehran F.
better than another supposedly top italian restaurant i had tried in Waltham but still mediocre...pretty average. big portions...all about portion here. steak was fine but rather have a smaller piece but higher quality. the appetizer...parma ham and fig...the worst i have had.
(3)
Chip H.
I have mixed feelings about this place. I've been there a number of times over the last 20+ years and I don't think it's gotten 'better'. Of course the wine list rocks and I think that's the prime motivation. Our sommelier was great. Our hostess was kind of cold as was the waiter. It's disappointing to read other reviews and note that basically, the menu hasn't changed much over the last 6+ years. I had the Bolognese (primi) and thought it pretty good but a bit bland and small for the cost. The fresh pasta was quite good w/ good tooth but more than a few strands were stuck together. My date had the Porcini Souffle which she liked very much. The bite I had was nice. For main, I had the veal tenderloin and my date had the duck breast. Both were very well executed. Dessert was a bit of a letdown as I had the boudine and she had the pannacotta. I thought the salted caramel to be significantly over salted and the mint ice-cream was a bit 'icy' w/ a crystalline texture. She liked the pannacotta but the sour cherries just didn't work well with it. But it was some small details that bothered me given the pretensions of the place. I expected better than a cheap roll of paper towels in a Kmart dispenser in the men's room and I don't expect my food that I'll be taking home to be placed on the floor or the bill to not be in a wallet. I think the training and execution of and by the waitstaff needs to be kicked up to match the rest of the experience. The table was small and the staff struggled to get things placed on it in an appropriate manner. So, a pretty good food experience, almost on-par w/ the prices marred by glitches in service and execution. 3 stars. Try harder!
(3)
Ada L.
I wasn't sure what to expect from Il Capriccio (I was on a business trip for the first time and did not plan out where to dine like I usually do), but once I took a look at the menu I had high hopes for the food here. Like most Italian restaurants, this place served free bread. The bread tasted okay, but I didn't like how they were served cold. I ordered the Steamed PEI Mussels and a small Lobster & Sweet Pepper Risotto. The portion for the small risotto was almost like an appetizer, but the amount of mussels I got was like the size of an entree. The mussels tasted fresh and had a nice texture. The risotto seemed a bit overcooked to me, but it was still delicious and I was glad they did not skimp on the lobster. For dessert, I ordered the Marscapone Cheesecake w/ Pecan Crust and Blueberry Compote. I liked the incorporation of marscapone cheese because it created a lighter texture in the cheesecake and didn't taste as heavy. I liked how the restaurant used pecans as the crust, and I also enjoyed the blueberry compote. I liked how the chefs put a lot of effort into the presentation. Naturally, I had to take pictures of all the food I ate!
(4)
Alyssa W.
havent been here in years and came in for my mom's birthday a few weeks ago. Still the same place i remember and the food is excellent. My favorite dish by far is the mushroom soufle appetizer, mmmmmmm ambiance is nice, when it gets later into the night, you get a lot of the office crowds and guys going out for a late dinner/drink, can get a little bit loud inside. dinner was great and dessert, phenominal. lemon mouse, no words can explain just how good it was, yum! if you arent on a budget and want to splurge, I suggest making a reservation and trying this place out. drooling just writing about it!
(4)
Eric M.
I've been to Il Capriccio a few times for dinner and a few times for drinks. Every time I come I have a good experience. This is one of those places that is easily defined as a "hidden gem". The restaurant is in an unassuming building that shares a parking lot with a liquor store on Main Street in downtown Waltham. From the outside it looks quite unimpressive but on the inside it is a cozy, upscale, Italian-style restaurant. The food was excellent and they have a decent selection of wines to choose from which were all very good. Their dining room is small and dark but I think it adds to the ambiance. They also have a small bar upfront which is good to grab a drink while you're waiting for your table or a good place to meet a friend for a few drinks. I thought the prices were very reasonable considering the quality of the food and service was at what i would call the "entry level of fine dining". It was comparable in many ways to other restaurants in Boston who's prices would have been much higher.
(4)
Ravena F.
Easy same-day rezzies, friendly and professional hostess & servers, calm if somewhat unoriginal "nice Italian restaurant" ambiance. But, what I really came to say is: The stuffed zucchini flowers are incredibly, indelibly, forever exquisite. Stuffed with soft, fluffy cheese, fried lightly and drizzled enticingly with honey. Such a perfect merging and mingling of flavors . . . supremely delicious. (Even the bitchy patron across the room spewing constant chastisements at her dinner companion couldn't ruin this experience. Dang, her voice can carry!) We followed the appetizer with excellent mains of veal and chicken schnitzel. Coupled with an extensive wine list, this made for a truly excellent first meal altogether. Waltham! Who knew? This is a great restaurant in an otherwise unassuming town. Perfect if you're in the burbs and don't feel like braving the traffic into Boston.
(4)
Amy W.
When I go out with my brother-in-law (Let's change his name to Rich), I KNOW it is gonna be good. He has been going here practically since it opened, the story goes way back in the early eighties he was taking a cab to Logan and the cab driver and he got to talking, Rich said he was into food and the cabbie said he should try a restaurant his brother owned and was the chef. So Rich did and now it is 30 years later, let's just say he is a bit of a VIP here. I ordered the mushroom souffle to spilt and the swordfish as an entree. Of course the kitchen sent out a complimentary salumi platter and a veal carpaccio for the table. Now let me just say that neither Rich or my sister eat read meat, so I had to take the bullet for the table and eat most of it. (they could eat the chicken liver pate on the salumi plate). The mushroom souffle was amazing, but I did get a teeny bit of grit from the mushrooms, not really enough to bother me, but enough to notice. Super good. I also had the swordfish which would have made for a light-ish meal, if I hadn't eaten all the of the salumi and the carpaccio. Dessert, we split a cheese plate, the truffle pecorino was my favorite. THEN (of course) the VIP table is offered some grappa that the restaurant was sent from one of their Italian vendors but was really a mystery to them as to why they received it as it was not ordered...
(5)
Lisa S.
Northern Italian food. Don't expect spaghetti in red sauce. My husband and I ate here for my birthday. Fabulous! We shared the steamed PEI mussels (enough for 2). He had the scallop/monkfish entree, I had the duck breast. Delicious! The best duck I've ever eaten; not overcooked and tough. For dessert we had the lemon mousse (made with lots of fresh lemon juice), and the chocolate hazelnut panna cotta. Everything was fresh, cooked perfectly, seasoned well and beautifully presented. Service was excellent. One of the best dinners I've eaten in the greater Boston area. What a pleasure to dine in a restaurant where the kitchen clearly takes tremendous pride in their food. We'll be back! P.S. This is a sophisticated adult restaurant with an adult menu. This is not the place to take kids.
When I walked into Il Capriccio I felt like I was walking into an old tired restaurant in a suburb outside the 495 loop; not a decorated establishment inside the Metro West. I mean, whatever on the ambiance, what really disappointed me was the food. Most of my disappointment was caused by a lack of seasoning in every dish. Little neck stuffed calamari was bland, as was also the sauce. The dish was also not allowed to rest at all. Linguine bolognese was flat. Mushroom risotto had nice flavor, perhaps the cheese added the necessary salt, but the dish was more like wet rice than risotto. Although the duck in my main was cooked nicely the rest of the components detracted from the protein. Some of the vegetables were luke warm. The relish on the side was refrigerator cold. And the duck was hot. Put them all together and you get a barely warm plate. I would rather have the molten chocolate cake at Chilli's than the chocolate budino at Il Capriccio. You can probably guess I will not be back.
(2)
Steve B.
This is a wonderful place to eat. The wine list is superb and the service is equally excellent. I recommend the fish dishes are especially good; the pasta is freshly made and exquisite. No less superb is the veal and lamb dishes. First rate indeed
(4)
Jeff B.
Happy 31 Years! This classic restaurant has never been better. Enjoyed the birthday menu this week. Bolognese was fantastic. Chicken schnitzel was top notch. The Best of Boston...outside of the city!
(5)
richard m.
The good: the food is fantastic especially the veal, swordfish and trout. The not so good: prices are very high, portions are on the small side. Overall I would go back but at these prices only once in awhile.
(4)
Kurt S.
We came here for a business dinner last night on short notice. We were able to get a table, and were warmly greeted, and quickly seated. Great choices, excellent execution, good wine selection, and attentive service. We were very pleased with our meals, including appetizers. Do yourself a favor - have the mussells.
(5)
Jennifer T.
When we came here, we were in a private dining room downstairs so the experience could be different from others in terms of seating arrangements. Like any fancy restaurant though, expect long time gaps for each course to come out...I think we were there for at least 3 hrs, as we had ordered appetizers, entree, and dessert. The salami plate is great to share if you're with a larger group. I was a big fan of the boar sausage and prosciutto, but didnt care for the pate. The tuna tartare was refreshing, but only came with 4 large chips. The scallops and gnocchi was also a nice combo. For the entree, I got the braised lamb, which was hearty and meat was very tender. Portions were relatively small for the entree. As for dessert, I got the lemon mousse that came with candied lemon rinds - this was light and fluffy and the perfect cap to a big meal. I also tried the pear almond tart, and alas, found that too sweet. Overall, would definitely come back to try out other items on the menu. They also have some parking in a lot, or if its full, you can usually find street parking.
(4)
Jae P.
My parents' friend recommended this restaurant. Knowing what a foodie he is, we had to check it out! We went with a group of friends and absolutely loved it. Not one of us had a bad meal! I hate mushrooms, and my boyfriend had the mushroom linguini.as shocked at how delicious it was, and the mushrooms were actually exceptional. I had the scallops and they were cooked to perfection. We're looking forward to going back!
(5)
Caitlin G.
Oh my goodness - friends of ours took us here the other weekend and I am beyond impressed! The atmosphere is welcoming and warm -- parking is super easy which is a big plus. I never think to come to Waltham when I am in the city, but this place blows away so many places in the city -- you just have to make the trip! The food was impeccable -- we decided to share everything and do the dinner somewhat family style. We sat in the main dining room and tried a little of EVERYTHING on the menu. I don't eat meat, but they have great seafood options too -- the tuna tartar was top notch, and so was the lobster risotto. The staff was super knowledgeable -- Jan was great -- she really knows her wines! My boyfriend who is in the wine business loved that she actually knew some great bottles to perfectly compliments what we were eating. My family has owned a restaurant for 30 years -- we are true foodies! And this place is one of my new favorite spots! We will be sure to return again and again!
(5)
Steve G.
I've been remiss in not reviewing each restaurant in a timely manner, so I'm making up for it. We ate at Il Capriccio for the first time, a few weeks ago, on September 26th. Accompanied by my wife and niece, we thought we'd try a new place for us and picked Il Capriccio from Yelp and other reviews. We arrived about 5:30 with our two dogs in the car. You can't park directly in front of the restaurant, so we drove around the corner to a space that looked OK, but the signage was lacking. A fellow was standing next to the building and when I asked about the legality of the space, he immediately commented that it was a good place to park - the dogs would be fine - and it was better than the lot next door. He said he had to get back inside the restaurant and I mentioned that was where we were going. Turns out, he was a waiter there and it further turns out he was to be our waiter. From that fortuitous moment, everything was golden. The hostess greeted us and said she had noted our allergy restrictions that we had mentioned in the OpenTable reservations and not to worry. She seated us immediately, the waiter came over, dropped off the menus and took our drink orders. When he returned with the drinks, he told us about the specials, many of which sounded good. He also said that the allergies would be no problem and that the kitchen and he would insure that the food would conform to our needs. For appetizers, we ordered the Dill Cured Gravlax, the Tuna Tartare and a salad, all excellent. Main courses were Ravioletti of Spinach, Ricotta and Pumpkin, the Blue Fish special, and Roast Veal Tenderloin, again all excellent. For dessert, we ordered the Lemon Mousse (insanely good), the Warm Apple Crostata (also insanely good) and a third item, which escapes my memory. We had casually mentioned, way back at the beginning of the meal, when the waiter asked if we had dined there before, that it was our niece's birthday. After the desserts had been gobbled up, he served us the Warm Chocolate Budino with Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (wow!), decorated with a happy birthday message. Beautifully prepared and served, wonderful taste and totally unexpected and on the house. Il Capricio is a very good restaurant. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal, the waiter and the experience. We take our niece out to dinner every other month or so (she's a student at a nearby school) and we tend to pick top- of-the-line places. This was no exception. The prices are reasonable for the quality of the meal. For three of us, including one glass of wine, the bill was about $180, plus tip for a total of $215. That's less than some of the other places we've eaten in the area for an equal experience. I wish I could remember the waiter's name - I'm really bad at that - because he was excellent. We'll be back, for sure.
(5)
Kate W.
We've eaten at most of the high end restaurants (including lots of the newer ones recently) in the Boston area and believe that Il Capriccio has the best menu, best food, best wine list and best service of them all. They are incredibly consistent...great food and service every time.
(5)
Dan B.
Atmosphere - intimate and romantic. Presentation A+. Service was excellent everything down to refilling your drinks and serving the dishes at the right time - just professional. Despite having some trouble finding the entrance, we ended up coming across this rustic Italian food. I came here solid company, split a bottle of wine, solid dish. Nothing out of this world. However this place is pumping out solid dishes. From the beet salad, to the gnocchi, everything was pretty tasty and was presented as such. Would recommend this spot for a date or something within the same ball park. Would definitely come back here.
(3)
Alexa P.
This is a wonderful and sophisticated restaurant to bring someone special to. The balsamic vinegar that was used on my beet and goat cheese salad was the silkiest balsamic I've ever tasted. It's fancy so I was expecting the bar to have the ingredients to make my favorite cocktail (Ford Cocktail) but they didn't. They're known for their wine selection so I shouldn't have been surprised but that's really the only reason for not getting 5 stars. I went with my dad and our food was perfectly prepared, our waiter was knowledgeable and non-intrusive, and the atmosphere was warm and intimate. I would definitely come here again for a special occasion. Update: just returned here to celebrate my husband's birthday and there isn't anything that could have gone better. The food, service, and ambiance were simply perfection. Updating to 5 stars.
(5)
T F.
A gem of a restaurant in Waltham. Service was top notch and food was amazing. We made a special request of the chef and he delivered in a big way. The stuffed zucchini flowers and the gnocchi in bolognese were out of this world. The sommelier, Jason, made impeccable red and white wine recommendations. A totally unexpected experience!
(5)
Michael C.
The food is quite good. They really know how to cook seafood. The staff is excellent
(5)
Tia P.
We stumbled into this restaurant without a reservation on a week night and were glad to get a table right away in a pretty packed restaurant. We shared a delicious bottle of red wine and ordered the Salumi Plate of Prosciutto, Liver Pate, Speck, Salami, Boar Sausage and Reggiano ($18). Amazing!!! I'm still dreaming of the pate. As I was waiting for my entree to arrive, I gobbled up the bread and olive oil. Haven't had such elegantly floral olive oil since my last time at an olive oil festival in FL several years ago. I ordered the special--Semolina crusted soft shell crabs with orange, red onion and roasted potatoes, which thoroughly satisfied my cravings for salty, greasy seafood (in a good way)! This dining experience was all-around delightful, and the salumi plate is still haunting me. *sigh*
(5)
Jennifer D.
Yelp...this is the first time you have steered me wrong...But thankfully this rarely happens. So for starters I made reservations online for 7:30, we arrived at 7:00 and they had no issue seating us right away and it was quite busy. They even offered to seat us at a different table if the setting wasn't intimate enough, how thoughtful! I was very impressed right from the get go.....and then....the rest. So we stay at the table designated, it was nice and while you were somewhat close to other diners, you could still enjoy conversation without feeling awkward. Our server was so nice and polite, I would say nothing less but rave reviews of the staff here. Mmmm the menu, everything from the starters to the entrees sounded mouth watering. We got the tuna tartare to start..... so it's you're round/cylinder style presentation, about a 1/2 of an avocado mixture on the bottom, followed with a melange of tuna with some peppers and quite possibly tomato. You could not distinctly taste the tuna itself, the flavors were too overpowering and muddled the entire dish. Like you could have given that to anyone and they would have no clue they were eating tuna. Very poor choices with too many unnecessary ingredients...such a shame. And to accompany were house baked/fried potato chips....really? We didn't even touch them....appetizer = failed. For my entree I chose the bass, it sounded amazing. When our food was brought over to our table I got the unpleasant waft of fish...the dish had an "air" of fish smell, and we all know fish is not supposed to smell like fish. I am not suggesting the fish was bad/old, but if was mildly off putting to say the least. The cut of the fish, while being a nice plump piece, was of poor quality, it was nothing like I have experienced before and was a real let down. It wasn't seasoned well and the dish overall lacked cohesion. I mean, nothing on the plate made sense, everything was it's own separate entity when it should all come together as one. Hmmm one random piece of broccoli over here, hmmmm random tomato here. Like I wish I knew what they were thinking when they came up with that one. My date got the fettuccine bolognese, he was happy with it but not thrilled either, fair at best. We didn't order dessert. I feel like I need to get this review out there, just so people can have another review to consider amongst all of the rave ones, because I simply do not get it. I wouldn't give his place a second chance.
(2)
Ash C.
It was a full house on last Friday. Very friendly hostess and wait staff. We ordered tuna tartare, scallops, and homemade fettuccine. The food was amazingly tasty and all the customers around me looked very happy with their foods as well. I will definitely go back and try other menu in near future for sure.
(4)
Jen D.
Great food. Get pasta!! A few got the swordfish and wish they would have gotten the pasta. Great service. I will definitely go back. Try the cheese appetizer as well.
(5)
Sara M.
Husby picked this place for a random Friday dinner recently because it came highly recommended on Yelp. The setup of the restaurant is similar to Ruth's Chris with the separate rooms but since there are partly glass walls, it does not feel claustrophobic. Our server was the most adorable French guy (I think his name was Gilles?) and he made us feel comfortable immediately. The service here was impeccable. I started off with a Kir Royale and Husby with a Manhattan - both mixed perfectly. Since most people raved about the souffle di porcini, we ordered that but I felt it was too heavy with not that much mushroom flavour. Still quite delicious but in small doses. I really loved the handmade gnocchi with lobster since the pasta was dense enough without being mealy. Delicious. Our server chose a wine for us and while it was a good drinking red with fruity notes, I'm not sure it paired well with our heavier dishes. Husby ate the veal scaloppine, which I generally don't like, and was not crazy about it. The lamb special was cooked perfectly but the mint pesto was overpowering. However, we did just get back from a 2.5 week trip to Italy and it is unfair to compare. All in all, the service was excellent and while the food was good, it didn't blow us away and seemed a bit over-priced. If we come back, I'll be sure to ask for Gilles and that lobster gnocchi!
Il Capriccio is one of our favorite restaurants! The staff if amazing - starting from the Owner/Chef to the wait staff and bartenders! The food is fabulous - so tasty and really reasonably priced. It's out of the way, but be careful - or you'll drive right by it! There's plenty of free parking on the street or the lot next door. The atmosphere is great. Whether waiting at the bar (super cute), or sitting at the table - the decor is great, restaurant is extremely clean, and very welcoming. We have been in many times by ourselves (date night) and with groups (max: 6-top) and we received superior service each time. I highly recommend Il Capriccio if you're looking for great food, great atmosphere and great value!
(5)
Tracey B.
My husband and I have been going to this fabulous restaurant for years! Richie, the chef, is like family. His dishes are both inventive and flavorful. The chicken schnitzel is to die for and is his signature dish! We are always greeted by the hostess, Nahanti, who is extremely courteous and gracious. We usually always sit at the bar where we're greeted by Lydia who is a fantastic bartender. Jason, who is the restaurant's wine connoisseur, is always pleasant and is extremely knowledgeable about pairing wines with Richie's wonderful dishes. Please give this restaurant a try. You won't regret it!
(5)
Tammie P.
1st visit - Gnocchi and lobster, lamb chop, veal scallopine, profiteroles in caramel sauce. 2nd visit - Black risotto w lobster, roast cod, duck breast with foie gras. Consistently yummy food!
(4)
Ave H.
Always fantastic. I have never once been disappointed by the food or service here - not only is everything delicious, but they put a lot of effort into the presentation. Drinks are always on the strong side (yay!). My favorite thing here is by far the jumbo shrimp with crabmeat app - yum! Service is always prompt and friendly. Oh, and their water glasses all have a tiny little star on them for seemingly no apparent reason - I think that's cool :) Only thing I'm not so keen on is the acoustics - when all the tables fill up it can be extremely difficult to hear each other.
(4)
Zita B.
Great Restaurant! My favorite was the ever so delicious Foie Gras!!!!
(5)
S. M. S.
After posting my 8/12 review I get a rambling and arrogant 5 minute voice mail on my cell phone from someone at Il Capriccio comparing their menu to Stella's saying that "they take on Stella any day of the week". First--don't call me and tell me I don't know what I'm taking about. I do. Second--say "thank you" for spending $300 at your overpriced restaurant. Third--put some summer entrees on your menu.
(1)
Foodie I.
Wow! I came here for a business meeting with three execs from my company and we had a great meal, fabulous wine that the waitress helped us select a couple good wines ( she is the wine buyer, and recommended an affordable greet wine ( 2 actually). The service was outstanding and we were able to have a good business meeting while enjoying the great food. It's my new favorite north end caliper italian restaurant.
(4)
Jeremy K.
ive decided to rate the itailian quad of waltham. II c is fair to the least. i went once because you need to go at least once, however, thats all i will be going, it is enough. the decor isneat, however the fact they smushed us into a middle table so my elbows could be on someone elses table made me feel uncomfortable. I would also say the waitstaff thought they were better then my party (wife and myself) which might fly in the upper east side, but not on main street waltham. again, the food was fair, nothing i could rememebr a year later, so draw your own conclusions.....
(3)
Al Y.
If you have a lot of money and you like to eat meat, this can't be beat (my wife and parents loved it). I'm a vegetarian with cheap tastes, so the meal wasn't so great for me. The waitstaff (as you would expect at an expensive restaurant) are attentive and professional.
(3)
Tom G.
Note: we went here for our five year anniversary and it NOT romantic in the slightest. Cramped tables, loud, and brightly lit. More my fault than their fault - I should've scouted better but its something to point out as this place has a reputation of being for special occasions. Maybe so, just not romance. Anyway, the food was excellent. The porcini souffle was deeply flavored but a bit on the heavy side. A risotto with pumpkin and smoked mozzarella was well cooked, but the pumpkin was a bit lost in the smokiness of the mozzarella. The mains were incredible. The highly Yelp recommended veal was perfectly cooked (although our waitress didn't ask us how we wanted it done and it came out medium rare). The black pig chop was large, moist and came with the best polenta I've ever had. The major problem I've heard from most people who come here is the food is too heavy and our experience certainly didn't challenge that. It's heavy, hearty Italian food. The wine list is superb even though it us printed on a sheet of computer paper and stapled together. That lack if class sort of permeated most everything at the place besides the food and server. The decor, the exterior, the other diners (a mix of people in blazers and people in sweatshirts/jeans slamming beers and being obnoxious). It definitely did not feel like a $30/entree place. I would probably go back for a private function but for fine dining there are plenty of options that actually feel like fine dining.
(4)
Marie C.
Don't let its odd location on a main street turn you off..this is a special place for a romantic dinner, a dinner with friends or with family. My husband & I have been coming here for over a decade, and think the food and service quality hasn't decreased at all..it's a comfortable and elegant space..especially nice in the fall and winter for dinner. One of the reasons for the consistency: many of the staff are the same for several years running - and the kind attentiveness to detail is something practiced here. Like everyone says..the porcini mushroom souffle is incredible (& I don't even like mushrooms!), and any of their home made pasta dishes are excellent. The wine list is singular in that there are many small, unknown, family- owned wines featured (& def. check their website for the special dinner events which feature wine paired w/ several courses). The only downside is the bar area is small - lending to its charm, but making having a relaxing drink before dinner challenging..they also have a small, private room that you may rent for events..
(4)
Cassie E.
There are two very good restaurants in Waltham, La Campagnia and Il Capriccio. I prefer the latter. The wait staff aren't as full of themselves and the food is as good or better. It looks very unassuming -- kind of like a men's club in the North End. But the food is spectacular and the service is great. This is our special Go-To local restaurant.
(4)
Lynn S.
I am not sure what all the fuss about is. I have friends that come in all the way from NH because they say its better than the North End. We had an okay meal. I thought the prices were too high and the service was good. Maybe its because my 2 friends were a bit health conscious ( one a vegetarian ) so it was hard to find items on the menu.
(3)
Roberta C.
Let's start with Gilles, nearly a caricature of the best French waiter you could ever hope for. He is absolutely memorable in his zeal to serve. The word "perfect" describes his performance in giving us great service. Then there's the maitre d' (I guess that applies to women as well as men), Nahatai. She was equally terrific. She clearly had her eyes watching everyone and everything, stepping in immediately to help when there was a question. Then there is the food. The shrimp with white beans was very nice, the chicken schnitzel was so tasty, and the desserts (except for the lemon mousse which has very little flavor) were wonderful. Go here! You are bound to be very happy with your experience here.
We came here because we heard great food reviews and they were right! Great Italian restaurant that's not located in the North End. Sformato di porcini was the most amazing and memorable of all the apps, entrees, desserts, and wines. Overall, we all enjoyed the appetizers more than the entrees. Tuna tartar, foie gras, and mushroom & eggplant cannelloni were delicious. The duck and veal were okay - we have had better. Staff was friendly and personable, making us feel comfortable and welcome.
(4)
Ken S.
Take a trip to Northern Italy in this sleek brasserie in this unlikeliest of settings. Owner/sommelier Jeannie Rogers is an authority on Italian wines. She imports small batches herself from artisan wineries of Italy and tells their stories with delight in a detailed menu/catalog at the table. Too expensive for routine dining out, we save IC for special occasions. Amazingly, Jeannie can remind me which wines I ordered last time...even when more than a year has passed! Food is very fine: ingredients are fresh, preparation is immaculate, and menu varies with the seasons, but to be honest, it's just a side show to the wine. Designated driver is essential, as are reservations.
(5)
Jamie H.
hands down, 5 stars! we went for the last night of restaurant week, and the food was phenomenal and service was attentive, making for a wonderful evening. we had a table of 6, and each really enjoyed their meal. i started off with the beet and goat cheese salad, with a balsamic dressing. the cheese was mild, offering a perfect balance to the beets. also at the table we had the shortrib bundles, the PEI mussels, and the greens salad. i sampled the mussels, which were very good and came with yellow and red cherry tomatoes. i ordered the crispy trout for the entree, which came with lentils, prosciutto, and spinach. i am normally not a fan of fried foods, but the trout skin was fried in corn meal, and i was able to pull the tender, juicy fish from the skin. the lentils were a great accompaniment and the spinach was tucked inside the fish. i liked the fish, but i wouldn't say that i loved it. two others ordered the sweetbread stuffed quail. this dish was absolutely amazing - the stuffing was creamy and added a savory element to the perfectly cooked quail. sides included brussels and cauliflower. we also had two orders of the scallops ($10 additional charge), which were large, perfectly seared, and neither person was willing to share the dishes as they really enjoyed the plate. one other person ordered the fettuccine bolognese, and also really enjoyed the hearty meat sauce. for dessert, i ordered the berries with creme anglais - light, refreshing, and not too much cream. it was a lighter finish to the dinner, but then i undid any "healthiness" by also working on the warm chocolate budino and coffee granita. the outside of the budino wasn't that great, but inside there was a warm chocolate pudding-like batter, and it was served with a nice light whipped cream. the coffee granita was refreshing - icy coffee topped with an anise-flavored whipped cream with chocolate on the bottom. overall, the food was of high quality, and the pacing of the dishes was nice - we had ample time to eat but also did not feel as though we were waiting long for our food. i would love to go back again, but might be limited by the higher prices of the regular menu.
(5)
Claire W.
Love this place! But was particularly pleased the other night when I stumbled in looking pretty grotty from dog walking to introduce my friend to her first mussels. I have been allergic to bivalves for years but the allergy slowly abates with age in my case. I am so happy to have challenged my system with the PEIs! so yummy! and Jason Almlof took the time to make a beer drinker happy with his mix to approximate a Black and Tan. and needless to say I had the souffle..
(5)
Adam D.
What a place! 29 years in business and as current as can be. I had lobster and baby artichokes... yum... pna seared lamb - YUM! Tiramisu - yum... could have been soaked more. Anyway, go.
(5)
Rita V.
Impressive wines! Great "wine guy", how we've missed Angelo from his Tomasso days! Talk it up with him, the guy is PASSIONATE about his juice. The food, wonderful, but not as spectacular as I thought it would be. Perfect execution, the trout was fantastic! Duck, so flavorful! Souffle de porcini - way too heavy, and although the grilled octopus was grilled to perfection, it was bland. Really enjoyed the dinner, the perfectly cooked sides and vegetables. The appetizers... Not as impressive. Great Tuscan inspired menu, well executed, impressive wine list. Elegant but stuffy, made me claustrophobic. Staff, professional. I'll stick with my Tomasso, but will return here if doing business in the area. Food is pricey, satisfying and well executed.
(4)
Alison C.
I feel uncomfortable giving Il Capriccio an average rating, when it has such terrific reviews and when I had loved it in the past. My previous visits to the restaurant several years ago were absolutely delightful. However, my recent visit left me unimpressed. The restaurant is bland from the outside. The lack of windows is odd, but does induce curiosity at the delicacies served within. The inside of Il Capriccio is classy and elegant. You should expect to dine among the area's older, stuffier upper class. While you wait for your meal, you should take a look at the substantial wine list or order one of their fantastically mixed cocktails. The bartenders show their superb taste by replacing sour mix with fresh lemon and cherry juices. Delicious bread is also served. My started with the Souffle di Porchini, which was some kind of mushroom and cheese casserole. It was a mound of mixed mushrooms covered with a warm, creamy cheese sauce. The sauce was very cheesy, but good. The mushrooms were very flavorful. For an entree, I ordered the Roast Giannone Chicken, which cooked in a Porchini and Marsala mushroom glace. It was served with a cheesy, au'gratin style potato tart and sauteed vegetables. The chicken was bland and undercooked. The potato was the best part of the meal. This restaurant is good for groups, and I went in a large one, but no one really enjoyed their food. I heard the Baby Spinach and Sweet Onion Lasagna was too full of onions and the Pan Roasted Trout was virtually flavorless. We were all very disappointed. With all of the other delicious restaurants around the Boston-area, I do not think I will rush back here any time soon.
(3)
Jean W.
Service was terrific, food was pricy, yet average.
(3)
Micah B.
Great up-to-date Italian food. Comfortable atmosphere. Good service. I had the gorgonzola stuffed figs wrapped in prociutto, duck, and the warm chocolate boudin--all were very good.
(4)
Susan J.
Ahhhhh risotto. It was perfect and amazing. When lobster is in season the lobster with risotto is a must. Also get the liver pate- it is incredible!!!
(4)
TK W.
Dinner was good, S'more was outstanding with their home made marshmallow.
(4)
William T.
It's fine. The rooms are rather cramped and brightly lit. The service is adequate; not exceptional. The food is heavy, with virtually no option to order anything light or green. My scallops were overcooked, though the sauce was good. The wine selection is good. It's fairly expensive and not the kind of satisfying, nice dining experience I had expected at a place with this reputation. And I don't much like parking in a liquor store parking lot, which is a dingy welcome.
(3)
V Y.
Amazing food! Service was right on! I've been wanting to go here for years!!! I've heard great reviews and of course I know why now! The porcini souffle was so rich but soOOOo GOOD! Bf and I cleaned the plate up with bread! It's something you MUST get! My scallops dish was wonderful! Perfectly cooked and seasoned. I would love to come back if only it wasn't so far from me!
(5)
Melissa R.
Met a friend here for dinner. Sitting at the bar and have a cocktail to catch up; we felt a little rushed as the hostess kept coming up to us to say that while there was no rush she would like to know when we'd be ready to have a table. The restaurant had a good dinner crowd, but by no means packed. Once we were seated we were given a beautifully crusted warm Italian bread with the most amazing olive oil I think I've ever had. Their olive oil comes from Italy from a friend and arrives is large drums. We started with the baccala spacial. The salted cod was mixed in mashed potato's and sandwiched between two crispy discs of polenta. There was an amazing light citrus sauce served underneath. We commented that we would have liked a bowl of the sauce and would be willing to pour it over....well, anything! My friend had pasta with prosciutto, sugar snap peas, onions in a light cream sauce. Delicious. I had an unfortunate miss with the rabbit ravioli. The rabbit was ground and felt like a dry paste in the ravioli. The sauce was a thin and had an overpowering taste of celery. It was supposed to have roasted veggies. It was reminiscent of bad canned chicken soup. The waitress immediately asked if I would like another meal instead. I went with the pot ate gnocchi in a meat sauce. Very good. No room for dessert although the choices seemed yummy. I'm looking forward to going back and try some other items on the menu that also seemed worth a taste.
(4)
Mo D.
I absolutely love Il Capriccio. I used to be a "regular" but times are a bit tighter now and I don't get to go out as often as I used to. The Souffle di Porcini is the one thing you have to try-even people who don't dig mushrooms like this dish. And make sure you ask for more bread if you eat it all before the souffle hits the table. You need it to scrape up the sauce and good bits on the souffle plate. The food here is clean, well cooked, and perfect. The menu changes regularly is always seasonal. The wine is the best I have ever had- and the co-owner/sommelier is one of the best in Boston. She imports wine and visits the vineyards in Italy that she buys from. My kid got to pick where we celebrated his graduation from high school and he picked the Il! I was so happy to have a joyous reason to come back to one of our favorite places- it was a kick ass night! I will definitely build this place back into my budget This is one of the really great places to eat in the greater Boston area- and the economy is not making it easy for them- go there and have a fantastic meal and support an amazing local business,,,before you can't.
(5)
Baily H.
Fabulous place - the staff is top notch, the food is not only delicious but lovely to look at, and the ambiance is cozy and romantic. A good Waltham find!
(4)
Daniel B.
This place has a new menu list each month. I enjoyed their lemon mousse dessert, it was one of the best desserts I've had thus far.
(5)
Wei X.
I went there almost every 2 weeks. It's so true that I can hardly forget the tasteful food there. That's why I get so addicted! :D
(5)
Nicole B.
First time visiting Il Capriccio last week for restaurant week. We went with another couple, so 4 diners for dinner. We chose the restaurant because it had a big menu and a convenient location for us, and parking is always a plus for us suburbanites! The restaurant is decorated very nicely and we were sat in one of their small dining rooms. First impression, it was rather loud and that turned out to be a bit frustrating since we couldn't really hear each other while trying to talk at our table. They had such a huge menu for restaurant week that it was a little surprising that I had a hard time finding something I wanted. I ended up with the Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Balsamic for an appetizer and my husband got the mussels. My salad was okay, not sure what it was about it, but I didn't really like it and only ate about half of it. My husband did really enjoy his mussels though. For dinner I got the Crispy Trout Alpine Style with Spinach, Prosciutto, and Lentils. What I was served was a whole fish, deep fried. It was deboned, but I still managed to find quite a few small bones in it, which was frustrating while eating and a little embarrassing to spit out. The fish itself was well cooked and very good, but there wasn't much of a sauce to go with it. I did enjoy it, but I had recently had a quite amazing trout dish at another restaurant and this one didn't compare. So that was a little disappointing. My husband, meanwhile, got the Fettuccini Bolognese and he just plain didn't like it. I tried it and didn't like it either. Hard to explain why, it just had a funny, not so good taste. For dessert I got the lemon crème brule and my husband had the chocolate budino, which was a warm chocolate cake. These were decent, although the crust on my crème brule was really thick and I ended up pulling it off and just eating the custard, which was yummy. The chocolate cake was really good. So unfortunately, we weren't that impressed with Il Capriccio, which is sad since we love Italian and it is so convenient. I'm not sure if it was just a fluke due to our dinner selections. Even with restaurant week, it was a pretty expensive dinner, so I doubt we'll be going back to give them a second try. Oh, and the service was very good, so good marks for that!
(2)
Ellen C.
Recommendations: Souffle di Porcini, Duck, Gorgonzola Ravioli I'm the friend that Christina N. refers to in her post- she graciously took me out for dinner on my 21st. So, to recap, have the souffle di procini! I thought it was absolutely delicious. It went really well with the wine I had, too- a very dry, yet light, white that the server recommended. My gnocchi and the sausage that came in it was delicious. I love gnocchi, and this definitely had both the texture and flavor in the right place. Christina's duck was amazing. I don't usually like duck. I would go back to eat the duck.
(4)
Scott L.
I searched for somewhere to have dinner in Waltham as I was staying a night for business. Open table showed Il Capriccio and had good reviews. The people weren't wrong. The food was excellent, and the service was truly outstanding. I was very impressed with the personal feel. I highly suggest it for both business or date night.
(4)
Teri D.
My husband and I had dinner here last night. The meal, in a word, was bellisimo!! We are eating vegetarian these days, so we asked for a bunch of vege items on the menu and the waiter suggested that they could put together a plate of all the side dishes from the secondi plates as well. After describing our meal plans & price range to the sommelier - he suggested a Nebbiolo - which was great, we already knew we liked this varietal. It was nice that he stayed on the low end of our price range. He brought a 2005 Le Piane Boca -- He decanted it in a beautiful, handblown long necked decanter -- the wine was divine with our meal. The scent of wood permeated the glass -- we found out that the vinyard is grown amidst a forest of pine trees -- alas the woody undertone. We had mushroom soup that was rich and lucious. There were shitake, porcini and what looked like trumpet mushrooms along with shredded cheese (like gruyere) on the bottom of the bowl that you scraped up with each spoonful of the soup -- oh, it was wonderful. Next came a mushroom souffle that was sitting atop a savory cheese sauce. The souffle was dense and filled with mushrooms. the dish was so rich I needed to eat it with bread. Another home run in our books. Our main course consisted of a roasted vegetable gnocchi dish that boasted golden and red beets in a rich vegetable sauce that kept us going back for more. Here they used the same cheese technique of putting shreds in the bowl before plating the pasta so each bite came up with succulent cheese. In addition we had the plato of assorted veggie sides...which included two gratins - one strictly potato and the other potato leek, stewed French Lentils. caponata, and roasted veggies - carrot, asparagus, brussel sprout, green beans, brocoflower. Each side was done with perfection. The caponata had a deep woody richness that was outstanding amidst the perfection of the dish. To finish we had our beet, goat cheese and watercress salad -- that was completely unneeded at this point. -- we were stuffed. We had not been to the restaurant in many years. For no obvious reason except that I rarely plan far enough in advance for reservations -- which are required on many days at this restaurant. We'll definitely go back frequently -- For non-meat eaters out there, I highly recommend the restaurant.
(5)
Laura L.
First off, the service is great and attentive. Two thumbs up there. Lovely folks. I had the porcini souffle, partially because of recommendations here. However, it was a very odd dish. It's more of a pudding than a souffle, and the deep browning looked a bit dried out and points that it was not cooked in a water bath. While you can tell it had egg whites in it, the heaviness of the other ingredients overcame much of their effect. It is served in a bubbling cheese sauce, which is very heavy on the marsala (tastes like low-grade marsala), and left a burnt brown edge around the plate. Strange. The gnocchi with lobster and shrimp was fine--tasted like the broth was finished with more of that marsla. Nice that they offer a smaller portion if you're not looking for a lot of food.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Toto S.
We have a reservation for tonight, and know that it will be a great meal, as we have been there before. The menu is creative and changes with the season, the food is perfectly prepared. The service was friendly and efficient. Since we are returning tonight, I looked at the reviews. One of the most negative reviews, for me, is one of the most positive reflections. One reviewer panned the restaurant for not being ready with a high chair for his baby. "And no apologies, either." I am glad that there are restaurants that provide a consistent experience for adult diners. I raised children and would not think of disturbing other peoples' meals at a nice restaurant with the interactions of little people too young to appreciate the food or the atmosphere. I wish that more restaurants said, or inferred "no" to people who think every little squeal and whimper of their charming darlings should be appreciated by every one else.
(5)Julianna G.
If it is a family birthday we go here. It is pricey but worth it. Love the booths, not many places make you feel that private. My first taste of rabbit and I am hooked. I loved those raviolis and haven't had anything as tasty in a while. If you want a nice dinner that is worth the money go here.
(5)Stephen K.
Phenomenal. Everything we tried was first rate: the veal, fois gras, sweetbreads, lemon tart, all of it marvelous. The service was also impeccable from the servers to the sommelier. There's no better place to eat near Waltham. Tremendous.
(5)Meghan M.
Il Capriccio does have fantastic food...I can't argue with that. I also enjoyed the cozy ambiance (obviously not the look of the outside which reminded me of a strip club or something...brick, bland building with no windows). I actually had to knock two stars off this place because of some of the worst service I've experienced at an upscale restaurant. I saw our waitress two times...One time when she took our order and then again, after we asked countless times, to deliver the check. Not once were we checked on, even though they forgot to bring me something I ordered. It's a shame because this place has the potential to be really awesome. At this point, I'd much rather frequent La Campania down the street instead though.
(3)Robert C.
Had not dined there in a while, and was pleasantly surprised at the friendly and helpful attitude of the staff (years ago they tended to be a bit stuffy and condescending for me). Got a bit of help with a wine selection before our other guests arrived - very good value and well received by my Italian (yes, from Italy!) guests. Even they were impressed with the quality of the food - seared fois gras (we're not in CA!), zucchini flowers for appetizers, wild mushroom fettuccine secondi and a variety of entrees we ordered. Interestingly, no red meat on the menu. For me, the food quality and preparation rivals anything you will find in a top-rated downtown Boston restaurant. The prices, though, are the same as those found in the high-rent urban locations. Great restaurant for very special guests and occasions. Seating was cramped, though, and that made talking (and listening) somewhat difficult.
(5)Colleen B.
An upscale restaurant can bring me the wrong entree and forget the tea that I ordered...if and only if they do the following three things: 1) Serve the most delicious wine I've ever tasted 2) Serve a ridiculously generous and tender portion of duck 3) Ask me if I'd like a doggy bag to take home above mentioned duck (it was so moist and tender that reheated perfectly for lunch the next day) The entree portions were more than generous and tasted great, but the service was a little disjointed. The server had a perfectly nice demeanor and in fairness it was a busy night. We were also mystified by the dessert sampler that definitely didn't look like the dessert sampler at a nearby table which didn't look like the one waiting in the window to be served. For the record there was only one dessert sampler on the menu. Finally, I had 4 stars, but I dropped it down when I remembered that we sat near an apparent "regular", who was sitting in his dad's regular table...country club...blah, blah and to boot it was Valentine's day and he chose jeans. Too bad everyone else took the time to dress up for the occasion. To say that country club boy was obnoxious with his trophy girlfriend and their "compliments of the chef" items that kept floating out would be an understatement.
(3)Erin E.
I had a business dinner here last night that dragged and dragged and dragged. I know the sweet, professional server was trying to give us our space, but we ordered maybe 1 hour after we had sat down. I've been here a few times before and the food is consistently fresh, flavorful, and delicious. The service is consistently slow, but professional. I started with stuffed slow-roasted calamari with polenta and tomatoes which was pretty decent. My colleague had foie gras with sweet potatoes and balsamic vinegar which was exquisite. I then had lobster, leek, and spinach risotto. I have been craving lobster for like 8 days now and this dish completely alleviated my craving. Woo-hoo highly recommended entree or pasta course. Finally, I had some non-memorable crostada dessert. The same colleague (who clearly needs to teach me how to order) got this delectable chocolate bundino molten cake thingy wherein I almost had an unprofessional episode of moaning.
(4)R B.
Unapologetically sophisticated place. Expensive and delicious. Cushy, lounge-y kind of feel and an emphasis on quality that is too rare. There's nothing worse than shelling out $$$ for an occasion and feeling cheated. Not here. Very old-school, grown-up, but looks like nothing much from the outside.
(5)Roni E.
The boyfriend (can I call him that now? I guess you'll have to ask him...) wanted to wow me with great Italian food in the Waltham area. And so he decided to take me out to Il Capriccio. We both certainly enjoyed our meals: Apps: * He had the Souffle di Porcini -- delicious and savory but kind of heavy, would have been great as an hor d'ourve for parties though! * I had the Ricotta Stuff Zucchini Flower w. a honey zucchini sauce - excellent! Perfect as an app since it was very light, although I could have gone for more of these. First Course: * He had the Potato Gnocchi with Lobster, Clams and Calamari * I skipped this course - but the lobster in his dish was good despite my lack of liking clams and the way they had cooked the calamari (not fried! haha) Second/Main Course: * He had the Sauteed Veal Scallopine stuffed with Wild Mushroom, Red Wine and Grilled Prosciutto * I had the Grilled Prime Rib Eye Steak with White Beans, Lemon and Extra Virgin Olive Oil -- This was the first time I've ever tried veal and it was a pretty good experience, although I'm not sure I'd eat it on a regular basis. I've been told a Veal Parm is very different according to him. While he enjoyed his meal, he did complain it was very salty - but this might also have to do with the grilled prosciutto on it, but I thought (me being the Queen of Salt) it was salted just fine. --- My prime rib eye was perfectly cooked to the right "doneness' when I asked for Medium Rare. It was tender and filled with flavor. Although I could have done without the white beans, just seemed like filler to me. The veggies on my plate was al dente. Dessert: * well there was no dessert - what kinda ITALIAN restaurant doesn't have Tiramisu?!?! So while our meals were thoroughly enjoyed, our experience just didn't match up to our delight with the dishes. We saw our server a total of maybe 4 times. It was like pulling teeth with the lack of service here - while waiting for her to come around each time. First and foremost, in a restaurant like this, if someone is drinking wine, wouldn't you want to show up more so that they can order more to drink?! And also, why would you wait until the meal comes out before you bring the glass of wine out?! I would have had more glasses, if it was brought out as soon as I had ordered it. Speaking of drinks, our server only asked me if I wanted something to drink, and while I had declined at the time for only water, she totally ignored him when he wanted to order something to drink. Additionally, I guess our busser didn't inform our server we had leftovers to take home, because we had to ask her about it before we left. For a restaurant that is categorized as $$$ I would have expected much better service. So the food is a 4 star but the service is 3 - I'll give this an avg. of 3.5 stars, but rounding down because the lack of service still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I probably wouldn't return on my own accord but wouldn't hesitate to try them out again. As my dining companion suggested, if he knew the service was going to be this bad, he would have taken me to La Campania instead. But only chose this place because of the easy parking. My only other comment would be that while dining at most places, the lighting can be dim, but the color of brown on the walls, really made the restaurant smaller and darker. And what's up with ALL the walls?! It was like walking through a maze in order to get to the ladies room. The restaurant is basically set up with the kitchen in the middle and rooms are built around it - making it very (italics) difficult to maneuver especially since people are carrying plates around the small hallway that is around the kitchen and the billing computer. I do have to say I do appreciate my boyfriend's attempt to wow me and did enjoy my meal and don't wanna seem ungrateful because I really am. Thank you DP. But I'm sure he feels the same way I do since he was starting to get really antsy while waiting and waiting and waiting.
(3)Betsy K.
Oh Il Capriccio. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love you for -your ever changing Northern Italian menu -your small and large portions of pasta -the decadent porcini soufflee -the wine list you could not find ANYWHERE. (The owner, Jeannie Rogers corners the market in the United States with her Italian wines-she even owns her own importing company!) -the good lookin' talented bartenders you employ. That one named Jesse knows more about wine than any other bartender I have ever been served by! You are expensive Il Capriccio but I Love. Love. Love.
(5)Erin G.
Il Capriccio is delightful. This is a 'special occasion' restaurant for me but i was surprised to see a lot of people coming in after work, waiting for a table while playing with their blackberries. The front room we were in had great acoustics...which was not particularly a good thing because when it filled up it was very very loud. nonetheless, a massive wine list and a comprehensive northern italian menu far outweigh being able to talk to your dining partners. most of us started with wild mushroom soup ($8) which was in a clear broth and was a refreshing change from thick creamy soups. there was a great blend of flavors of the various types of mushrooms, some shallots and a sprinkling of cheese on the bottom of the bowl. i had the seared scallops for my entree ($30), huge gorgeous perfectly cooked melt-in-your-mouth scallops sitting on lentils with pearl onions, broccoli, and cauliflower. other family members had lobster asparagus ravioli, fettucine bolognese, and grilled halibut. we were all so full we couldn't even eat dessert. appalling. I could also spend a few hours just pouring over the wine list - it is at least 10 pages and predominantly northern italian. Wines are broken down first by white/red and then by italian wine region. If you are taking your significant other here and want them to fall hopelessly in love with you for the rest of your days, splurge on 1996 Case Corini La Barla Barbera D'Asti for $95. (the only other place you can find this wine in MA is at Oleana in Camb) Owner Jeannie Rogers knows 90-100% of all the winemakers whose wine she sells, and is herself a winemaker and expert Sommelier. This was "an experience" and everyone was thrilled with the choice to come here. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Amy S.
Honestly, I'm not sure it's worth the money. Food is good, but the ambiance is so-so. Maybe we just got a bad table, but I did not find it "elegant." For the money, I'd much rather go to La Campania.
(3)Robert L.
I went to this restaurant a few weeks ago with 9 of my business colleagues (some from out of town). I had not heard of this restaurant but chose primarily because of the reviews written here. I was disappointed. I thought the service was good (they put us in a semi-private dining room which was a good idea since we tend to be noisy) but the dishes were not that great. The wine list was decent (order by the bottle, not the glass if you can) but except for the free parking next door I can't say much else positive about it. Go to the North End next time for a truly authentic Italian food experience. You will pay more for parking but your wallet will come out the same or better overall.
(3)L G.
solid 3 stars. Not worth the money. The dishes seemed really out of date. I think the broccoli in my dish was frozen. the dinning room was not very comfortable. It seems like a good place to take your parents. The wait staff did a good job.....
(3)Christina N.
Went back this week, and it's still good. My friend and I were splitting the Souffle di Porcini, and the other two were splitting the calamari salad. Yummy souffle, and mediocre salad. I had the duck, and absolutely love it. It was bold, and oh so amazing. I fear I won't love duck from other places as much. The gnocchi my friend had was good. My SO had some yummy gorgonzola ravioli-- I'm not much for blue cheese, but it was pretty good. Not spectacular, but decent. The mussels were also decent. Service was decent this time around as well.
(4)victor b.
This long time Boston suburban restaurant is a stand out for good food, sophisticated service, and pleasant atmosphere. I ate there last night for the fist time with a friend who was visiting the area for business and staying in Waltham so I suggested dinner at Il Capriccio. We were greeted by a very friendly hostess who stated us immediately. The wait staff provided very nice selection of bread with olive oil to munch on while we decided on dinner. The restaurant has a very extensive wine list specializing in Italian wines (not surprisingly). They were featuring wines from Sicily and our waitress helped chose a good wine that complemented our dinner from the list of featured wines. We started the meal with a bottle of Champagne, Louis Roederer "Carte Blanche" Extra Brut which was fairly priced at $75, and shared some very nice appetizers: Veal Carpaccio with Arugula and Robiola Cheese and Yellow Fin Tuna Tartare with Avocado and Chips. They had a special app of Grav Lox that sounded interesting but we did not try it. The appetizers were tasty and nicely presented but not very filling. We then shared a "Primi" of Potato Gnocchi with Braised Lamb Shank that was absolutely delicious. The grilled meat special (Carne alla Griglia del Giorno) was Veal Chop with roasted potato and carrots and green beans. We both are big fans of Veal Chops so we both ordered the special and it was a large, perfectly grilled chop that was delicious and quite filling. We accompanied this with one of the featured Sicilian wines, Prephylloxera "La Vigna di Don Peppino" from the vintner TENUTA DELLE TERRE NERE at $95. It was a good choice and we enjoyed having a good wine from a region that neither of us had sampled before. We skipped desert and ended the meal with glasses of cognac from their reasonably extensive collection choosing moderately priced Martell that ended the meal nicely. The meal lasted over a leisurely three hour period and we never felt rushed even though the restaurant was quite full. Our waitress was attentive but not intrusive and sensed when we wanted to relax and when we wanted our next course. While the meal was not inexpensive, it was fairly priced for what we had. The experience was very enjoyable and I would highly recommend this place to anyone in the area who enjoys sophisticated Italian dining.
(5)Rebecca Y.
Wow. 24 hours later and I'm still full. But yet I'd make room if Il Capriccio put another dish in front of me. I had the foie gras, duckling with figs and goat cheese polenta and pumpkin creme brulee for dessert. Is there anything more to say? Holy Jesus that was a good meal. The decor isn't my style, the outside looks like a tomb, the tables are to crowded, but I would drop elbows to get a reservation. We left around 830pm on a Wednesday night and the place was PACKED like it was a Saturday at 7pm. The meal is expensive, but this is one of those restaurants where you won't be sorry you dropped more than you would usually for dinner. P.S. Sometime told me Il Capriccio means "The Vice" in Italian. If that's true, the name is DEAD ON.
(5)Andrew K.
Try the Soufflé di Porcini!!! This dish is out of this world. Every dish we had was extremely well put together and fresh. The Hand Rolled Potato Gnocchi with seafood was incredible as well. The food is definitively worth the trip to Waltham.
(5)Frau W.
It's easy to walk by Il Capriccio. The restaurant's exterior looks like a simple stonewall and an extension to Gordon's Liquors next door on the busy street. One thing is for certain, however: It's not easy to forget the pleasure one experiences inside the popular restaurant. The ambience is dark, luring, and lush. Very Upper East Side. As much as I love the decor, however, I thought our dinner was even more fabulous. We each started off with a Kir Royale -- just going back to our fond moments in France. It's a great way to get your tastebuds dancing for the meal. I chose the traditional cassis flavor, and my boyfriend had the pear. For our wine, Il Capriccio's well known co-owner and wine buyer Jeannie Rogers suggested we go for the 2002 Radikon Oslavje. With this wine, which is technically a white, the Pinot Gris skins are mashed into the wine. According to Roger's tasting notes, winemaker Stanko Radikon doesn't add sulfer to his wines, hence the darker color. The thick wine has a deep, light copper -- almost red -- burnt orange, honey amber (could I offer any other color descriptions?) hue. A beautiful color for an equally beautiful wine that paired very well with our meal. The Radikon, by the way, would be THE white to change the minds of those macho men out there who think white wine is for wimps, according to my wine expert boyfriend. For food, I ordered the fried squash blossoms. They are to die for, and they melted in my mouth. Paired with the wine, I was easily in heaven. The flowers were stuffed with buffalo mozzarella and drizzled with honey. The honey did it with the wine. Fabulous. Meanwhile, the boyfriend picked the seared foie gras with peaches. Oh my! The wine tasted so fabulously (do I use that word too often?) with this. I chose the Long Island roast duckling for my main course. It came with a goat cheese polenta, asparagus, carrots, peaches, and beets. All fresh and delish. The boyfriend opted for veal, mushrooms, and beans in such a fantastic marsala sauce that I wished I had chosen that for my meal. The veal -- which, when presented, sat atop a potato leek tart (yum!) -- melted in my mouth. Of course, we must try dessert. I fell in love with my lemon mousse with candied lemon rinds and biscotti. He chose the pecan tart with vanilla ice cream. So good. The desserts were fabulous (there's that word again) with a 1984 Ferrando Caluso Passito. We also love Jeannie's wine list. It boasts great tasting notes, history behind certain wines, and cool photos of the winemakers and vineyards she has visited. The list is great for every wine lover -- from the beginner to the nut, points out the boyfriend. Jeannie's extensive wine knowledge, coupled with the friendly service from the waitstaff, was great. Add to that generous portions and lovely decor, and you've got yourself a highly recommended restaurant.
(4)Jenn C.
I have to say, after the build up here, I was expecting a fantastic meal. However, that was not what we would call it. ***WARNING for Vegetarians*** there will not be much for you to order. The dishes were okay, just okay. For the $$$ I would go somewhere else.
(3)Jenny W.
Went for Valentine's Day dinner and was not impressed. They had a special menu, which I found very limiting and unappealing. As I'd read in other reviews, they do cram you into a small space. The guy next to us had the back of his chair about an inch or two away from our table and I was nervous he would knock something over the whole time. The decor isn't anything spectacular and neither is the service. We really expected a lot more. We'll probably go back again to give them another shot and see their full menu as that was a big factor in our disappointment.
(2)Tony M.
I have been here for business and with a family. (Well almost.) For business was average. I never found the hostess to be very friendly. For family, we could not get in. "Sorry no high chair" and they made mo apologies about it either. I would pass on this . Plenty more options in Waltham
(1)Chris B.
I had a great meal here during the holidays with my family. The food was uniformly delicious but a seafood antipasti plate stands out in my memory; it had a seviche of bay scallops, house roasted red peppers wrapped around a fresh creamy tuna filling, gravalax, squid salad & more. My stripped bass was perfectly cooked and brother-in-laws grilled veal chop was to die for (actually, I really like him). The wine list is like none other in Boston (and maybe, the U.S.A.) created by a co-owner/sommelier who travels the hinterlands of Italy a few times a year to discover and import bottles that are not readily available elsewhere. The service was warm and attentive.
(5)Gary S.
The service is quite good as is the overall atmosphere. The wine list is excellent. The food is good, but not outstanding and not particularly unique; average for an upscale Italian restaurant.
(3)Arik C.
If I am going to have my last meal on earth, its here. The wine list is teh best in Boston at reasonable prices, the food is fantastic and the staff is very warm and good at what they do. Great decor but not stiff, I always feel welcomed here. The menu changes with what's in season, don't miss soft shell crabs, the porcini souffle and if they have truffles available, spend the $$$ for it. Shaved truffles on a pasta dish is intoxicating! The best Northern Italian food in the area with a selection of Italian wines that will leave you remembering the experiences for weeks after.
(5)Madras M.
In my recent trip to Waltham, I had a business dinner here. It is a cute restaurant. The wine list was great with my favorite Merlot! I have never had appetizers I had here before anywhere else. The Souffle di Porcini was very tasty. The Risotto was the best I have had so far .... Great place
(5)Erik K.
The food is decadent; not terribly subtle but yummy and rich. The wine list is, hands-down, the best of any restaurant in the area.
(4)T L.
First off didn't realize how swanky these diggs were but man o man, very nicely decorated and classy place, quick note, you park at gordons liquor store and not bank of america (per their menu, BAC tows); but as crappy as the parking lot is this restaurant surely doesn't disapoint; came with 3 other friends for a nice dinner, cause we all heard good things and decided to try it out. Menu is changed monthly so the one I list below is very outdated, also the restaurant is very cramped but you barely notice; the menu choices blew me away, roasted duck, filets, scallps, gnocchi, my choice was tough. For apps we got this calamari and zuchini fritter which was very tasty (odd looking) and a gorgenzola stuffed fig wrapped in bacon (not great and tasted a bit like a cigarette); bread was tasty; made my choice with a seared cape scallop on top of a greenish rissoto topped with fried leeks, (was featured in boston magazine), this was amazing and would be up there when asked for my last meal before being electricuted, scallops were melting in my mouth; my friends got tasty food as well with 2 going with a beef filet and the other with gnocchi with boar sausage (which I will be getting on my next trip here); note the dinners are not huge portions but rather on the smaller size (quality over quantity) ; this place is not cheap, its damn right expensive but worth it, we all paid about 65 bucks each and left with full bellies and sweaty airpits. defintely one of the best italian restaurants around boston 9 out of 10 bostonchefs.com/clients/…
(5)Kim C.
Absolutely delicious; however, we found the portions small on the entrees (didn't order appetizers) and left hungry. Didn't go back again but might give it a second chance as four years have passed! We spent $150 for six people without the tip; two mixed drinks, no appetizers, no desserts.
(3)Stellina M.
Il capriccio is one of the best Italian restaurants in the Boston area. It is located on a nondescript corner building and it doesn't look like much. Inside il Capriccio you'll find beautiful, tasty and original italian food. The setting is really intimate, I suggest you go there with a date you really want to impress.Make sure that you have wine with your food, their collection is impressive.
(4)Ted D.
I've been a regular at Il Cap for a few years now and think it may be the best restaurant in Boston. The menu (which changes monthly) is consistently inspired. The meals are always cooked to perfection. We like the appetizers the best (the porcini souffle is unbelievable if you like rich foods). The interior is a little cramped, but it is well worth it.
(5)alan m.
Three of us were happy with our main courses, but I was served the veal saltinbocca which was inedible because it was over salted. The server asked if I wanted anything else and I replied that I would like that dish without all the salt. I was served the cutlets which had been prepared with the prosciutto but with out being cooked in any sauce. The sauce was served on the side. When I tasted it ,I realized that the prepared sauce was the source of the over salting. Obviously, this place tries to get away with simply dumping previously prepared sauces over the cutlets instead of preparing the entree cooked in the spices etc. I expected better at these prices!
(2)BostonBestEats X.
Il Capriccio was always one of my favorite Boston-area fine dining restaurants, not the least for it's outstanding, innovative wine list (wines you see everywhere now first appeared on Jeannie Roger's list). But I haven't been in more than 5 years, and not since Jeannie's era. So we decided to stop in a for a few pastas to see how things are going... HONEY BEE ($10): Wild Turkey American Honey, honey syrup, lemon...OK, this sounds like a girly drink, but it was actually well balanced, nicely tart, and quite delicious. Skipped the wine list this time, since I was the only one drinking. SOUFFLE DI PORCINI ($13): Their signature dish, it's still as good as ever, and still sort of inexplicable. Looks like a complete disaster, like a cheese-covered giant meatball, so it's all about the intense mushroomy, creamy texture, with a crispy outside, surrounded by an addictive sauce. Don't forget to scrape the caramelized bits off the dish. And don't judge a book by its cover. SOFTSHELL CRABS ($28): A special, two fresh crabs served with an odd assortment of roasted potatoes, turnip, broccoli rabe, yellow beans, citrus. Big, and it worked. FETTUCCINE WITH DUCK & TOMATO ($16/26): A duck ragu with a large amount of coarsely cut assorted vegetables. Tasty, but not really my thing (I didn't order it). The house-made pasta was extremely al dente. But there was one fundamental and unforgivable flaw with this dish: some of the noodles were adhered into dense bundles, so every few bites you would get a bite of undercooked pasta. Assuming every chef knows to stir the pasta water, it was probably due to the fresh noodles being not sufficiently tossed with flour after being cut. Dissapointing. Fairly busy on a Friday evening, but not at all loud. Looking through the old reviews, I'm not sure why people are complaining about it being tight, since the table spacing seemed fine to me. Friendly service, but unfortunately, it was also quite slow throughout the entire meal. Easy free parking as always in the Gordon's lot outside.
(4)Esther J.
Sat at the bar to grab carbonara. It was slightly al dente/good. Not the best-cooked, slightly salty, but the bread evened it out. The egg was more than perfect, and I've never had an egg with pasta. I was also very happy to find out that the smaller plate of carbonara was only $15; however, I was a little taken aback when I got the bill to learn that my glass of wine was about the same price $13. I did ask for a house wine to keep it simple, but that seems to be the standard price, and the wine was good, so I guess I shouldn't complain. I wasn't thrilled. But there seems to be many regulars, old-timers at the bar, and the bartenders are respected by them. ~ Just realized that they charged me about 10 extra by accident. Called in to revise. Be careful especially at the bar. Probably never going here again.
(2)Lindsey M.
We tried dining at Il Capriccio a few weeks ago but we couldn't get a spot at the bar or a table. Finally this week I was able to book a same day reservation for a table via opentable. We arrived at 6:30pm on Friday and we were immediately seated. Like a few other reviews state, the seating area is very small and the tables are very close together. I had a hard time maneuvering into my seat as the table behind me wasn't offering to move their chairs in to help me out. We were able to move the table out a little bit but WOW did I feel packed in there. Our waiter was very nice (and tall!) I felt that he was going to hit the ceiling a few times as they have decorative trim that hangs low. Even though he stated that he had only started a few months ago, he was able to give us a lovely description of his suggested wine and even offered to have the wine sommelier come over to help us. We ended up picking our waiters suggested bottle of wine and thought it was great. We stared with the charcuterie plate which contained wild boar sausage, two types of prosciuttos, porchetta, cured duck, peppers, parmesan cheese and olives. The plate had a great amount of meats and cheese but was so large that it barley fit on our small table top! The presentation was phenomenal and this was enough food to feed about 2-4 people. For our main meals we got the fettuccine bolognese and the Giannone chicken. Both dishes were excellent, the bolognese had the right amount of meat in it and the chicken was very tender and juicy. Between the charcuterie plate and main meals we left completely stuffed. I did like Il Capriccios, but due to the small tables and cramped dining space I would rather try to grab a spot at the bar next time.
(4)Don L.
We came for a family birthday celebration. From the outside it is pretty nondescript, maybe even hard to find since they have a very small sign. Inside is very nice and subdued. Even when they are busy the noise level is low enough that you can carry on a conversation. The food was really excellent. We all had different things, but everyone agreed that the food was delicious and beautifully presented. I had the veal chop that was truly wonderful. The service was good across the board. They greeted us warmly at the door, and everyone was efficient and attentive. I am not really familiar with Italian wines and the waiter was knowledgeable and made an excellent suggestion (which by the way was not extremely pricey) This truly is like eating at one of the best restaurants in Boston in terms of food and service, but a lot less expensive.
(5)Guillermo M.
This place has excellent that ALL of it is VERY tasty. Also it has a really good selection of wines that make the experience even better. Perfect service and a lot of tables so no issues with reservations. We got the grilled octopus and the roasted cauliflower as antipasti and then we shared a gnocchi with the pear salad. All the plates were perfectly done and tasted amazing. The only thing we didn't love was dessert. We got the pecan pie with chocolate, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. I don't know exactly why but the combination didn't quite work and how the pecan was in little pieces combined with that type of chocolate made it a not so cool combination. Oh well, that was bad because everything was going so perfect. Maybe next time get the pumpkin creme brulee or the chocolate cake??
(4)Sean R.
Still really really really good. Awesome food and awesome service. Som recommended a Great bottle of Montepulciano Abruzzo... crushed it!
(5)Helon W.
It was terrible. Place smelled like cats. Flies were buzzing around table. Managed to squish one with my glass. The curtains were stained, dirty & disappointing reflecting a low pride in ownership. I was not confident kitchen was clean. Waitress was nice though, but i couldn't wait to get out of there but couldn't leave because our friends had picked the restaurant. Place was pretty empty for a Friday night. Yech?
(1)Paul M.
Il Capriccio Ristorante E Bar - Waltham Massachusetts Well its that time of day again. That which I look forward to all day in my travels. Another city, another restaurant. This one, rated #2 on Trip Advisor. Parking is ample but you have to call to find out where to park as they share a parking lot with a liquor store next door and on the outside it may not look like much but never judge a book by its cover... First up the bread... A combination of a roll and partially sliced italian bread. Then came the porcini mushroom souffle! Of all the restaurants I frequent, and there are many, this was the first time I have seen it on a menu so I tried it... Amazing! The main... A boneless Ribeye ornately placed and surrounded by roasted vegetables consisting of green beans, brocolli and radish sitting on a bed of white beans coupled with a red wine pink peppercorn reduction The savory aroma ignites my palate... I order my steaks medium and this one was cooked to perfection Just the right amount of savory flavour and texture finish it off with a warm apple crostada with calvados sauce and cranberry ice cream and a cappuccino. All their desserts are house made btw...
(5)Jeromie J.
Layme. Good patrons, and bar back. Bartender was only interested in regular patrons. Slacker. I will not be back. Seemed put off by me being a single patron- I equally put off due to her disenchanted and snobby-for-nothing service. Hitting tapas bar for some food before calling it a night. Rabbit and gnocchi masked by tomato flavor. Many other spots to hit in the area- I do not recommend this one regardless of the other reviews.
(1)Lada L.
Went there for Valentine's day. Our table was tiny and wobbly and we were seated way too close to our neighbors. Staff were friendly, right when we walked in we were greeted by a friendly staff. Our waiter was very knowledgeable of the menu and the wine selection. He gave great recommendations. We had a three course meal. Calamari to start. That was a disappointment. Tasted like it came out of a can. It was green and cooked with white beans. My date had the veal. He did not feel it was anything special. I had the linguini, now that was amazing!!!!! It was decadent and rich and so full of flavor. I would go back just for that dish. Dessert we tried a variety of small bites. Their lemon mouse was the best. The flavors were right on! Overall, this place is worth a one time try.
(3)Sally M.
We came here last night for a team dinner, and I was blown away by this gem that my colleague had found. Delectable food, expert sommelier, and on-point service. At the recommendation of our sommelier, we started with a fantastic (local!) Turtle Creek Cab Franc from nearby Lincoln, MA, and it was delicious! A bit of a drier red zin. For my first course, I ordered the "Mixed Greens, Lemon Vinaigrette, Parmigiano Reggiano" salad, which was delicious - as expected. As my entree, I ordered the "Sautéed Veal Tenderloin Saltimbocca, Prosciutto, Sage, Lemon, White Wine and Onion Tart," which was amazing - yum! Last - but not least - I ordered the "Lemon Mousse with Candied Lemon Rinds" as dessert, and it was divine. On a side note, a colleague ordered the squid ink risotto, and - while I think it may have been my first time - I tried a bite, and it was also great. Definitely recommend this restaurant if you're in from out-of-town and/or live in the area. It surprised me in its quality of ingredients, preparation, service, wine selection/knowledge, and ambiance. (Of course I didn't know what to expect from Waltham, but this restaurant is on-par with comparables in cities like SF, NYC, etc.)
(5)Too Risk Y.
Small charming restaurant. Ordered tuna tartare, lasagna, lobster gnocchi, and swordfish...all very good. Molten choc cake and apple crostata for dessert. The service was excellent and a very nice anniversary dinner. Its a ways away from Boston proper, about 25 min but great if you want outta the city for dinner.
(4)Stephen C.
The fact that people are giving this place high ratings is shocking. I dined here tonight with my mother. We both ordered appetizers which seemed fairly good, but our entrees were awful. We ordered their "rib-eye" steak. I use "rib-eye" in quotes because it was actually a cheap New York strip steak. We brought this up to our waitress and she ended up coming back to our table to show us the cut and called it a Rib-eye steak....but it was a New York strip. My mother told her it was not a rib-eye(we owned a major company in the food industry for decades...we know what we're talking about)., but she insisted it was a rib-eye. Let's entertain that it was a rib-eye....the amount of fat on the cut was incredible....just completely terrible. The fact that we were charged $44 for our entrees was absurd. That cut of meat shouldn't have cost more than $15. It was the same quality meat you'd find at some diner offering steak and eggs. Would 100% not recommend this to anyone. The wait staff are incredibly unintelligent about food....and if the chef actually says that he is cooking a rib-eye, then chef is incredibly unintelligent as well. We will never come back to this restaurant.
(1)Kiki P.
Il Capriccio is a cute little Italian cusine on Main St in Waltham, MA. The ambiance is nice and the food is plenty delicious. If you live in the suburbs and don't feel like driving all the way into the city to find a high quality restaurant, this is just the perfect place. I have tried the organic giannone chicken, fried egg, lemon, white whine, sage and herbs...such an excellent combination with a nice touch sage and herbs. I have also tried the lasagna bolognese, which is some of the best lasagna I have ever had. The cheese and fine ground beef is evenly spread in every layer to create a uniform lasagna. Every bite is filled with the right amount of cheese, meat, pasta and sauce. I plan on making recurrent trips to Il Capriccio in the future.
(4)DevilEyeDog D.
I never even made it in the door of this place. Unfortunately their customer service on the phone was so terrible that I will never go there. I organized an evening out which got to a total of 26 people. I agree it was a lot of people. When I called to see if they could accommodate a party that large I was laughed at (literally) and told it was ridiculous since they were just a small restaurant. She then proceeded to be sarcastic and tell me that they could only reserve for 10. She then started talking to someone in the background. When I asked how many their restaurant could hold she laughed and hung up on me. Their food may be great, but the person who answered the phone just lost 26 people's business. It would be one thing if she was nice about it and apologized. I would've understood. It's a large group and I certainly understand not every place can handle that many. It was the laughing, the sarcasm and the hanging up. For those reasons I'll never go there. I'm posting this in hopes the owner will see and recognize the issue's of the employee who lost them 26 people's business.
(1)bonita n.
I think I ordered the wrong dishes. My husband enjoyed his salad with beets, cannelloni, and bodino. However, my food was blah. I had grilled octopus, veal scaloppine, and lemon almond tart. They weren't inedible, but they didn't taste great. I told the waitress that I didn't love my food. She didn't ask for details.
(2)Frank O.
Great place to go!!! Excellent service lot of parking place . The food is fantastic highly recommend to go there
(5)Heather M.
Delicious food. The taste of their entrees and appetizers will knock you out of the park. A little awkward place to come in if you're in college- older crowd because of the price tag. But still great place for special occasion.
(4)Mehran F.
better than another supposedly top italian restaurant i had tried in Waltham but still mediocre...pretty average. big portions...all about portion here. steak was fine but rather have a smaller piece but higher quality. the appetizer...parma ham and fig...the worst i have had.
(3)Chip H.
I have mixed feelings about this place. I've been there a number of times over the last 20+ years and I don't think it's gotten 'better'. Of course the wine list rocks and I think that's the prime motivation. Our sommelier was great. Our hostess was kind of cold as was the waiter. It's disappointing to read other reviews and note that basically, the menu hasn't changed much over the last 6+ years. I had the Bolognese (primi) and thought it pretty good but a bit bland and small for the cost. The fresh pasta was quite good w/ good tooth but more than a few strands were stuck together. My date had the Porcini Souffle which she liked very much. The bite I had was nice. For main, I had the veal tenderloin and my date had the duck breast. Both were very well executed. Dessert was a bit of a letdown as I had the boudine and she had the pannacotta. I thought the salted caramel to be significantly over salted and the mint ice-cream was a bit 'icy' w/ a crystalline texture. She liked the pannacotta but the sour cherries just didn't work well with it. But it was some small details that bothered me given the pretensions of the place. I expected better than a cheap roll of paper towels in a Kmart dispenser in the men's room and I don't expect my food that I'll be taking home to be placed on the floor or the bill to not be in a wallet. I think the training and execution of and by the waitstaff needs to be kicked up to match the rest of the experience. The table was small and the staff struggled to get things placed on it in an appropriate manner. So, a pretty good food experience, almost on-par w/ the prices marred by glitches in service and execution. 3 stars. Try harder!
(3)Ada L.
I wasn't sure what to expect from Il Capriccio (I was on a business trip for the first time and did not plan out where to dine like I usually do), but once I took a look at the menu I had high hopes for the food here. Like most Italian restaurants, this place served free bread. The bread tasted okay, but I didn't like how they were served cold. I ordered the Steamed PEI Mussels and a small Lobster & Sweet Pepper Risotto. The portion for the small risotto was almost like an appetizer, but the amount of mussels I got was like the size of an entree. The mussels tasted fresh and had a nice texture. The risotto seemed a bit overcooked to me, but it was still delicious and I was glad they did not skimp on the lobster. For dessert, I ordered the Marscapone Cheesecake w/ Pecan Crust and Blueberry Compote. I liked the incorporation of marscapone cheese because it created a lighter texture in the cheesecake and didn't taste as heavy. I liked how the restaurant used pecans as the crust, and I also enjoyed the blueberry compote. I liked how the chefs put a lot of effort into the presentation. Naturally, I had to take pictures of all the food I ate!
(4)Alyssa W.
havent been here in years and came in for my mom's birthday a few weeks ago. Still the same place i remember and the food is excellent. My favorite dish by far is the mushroom soufle appetizer, mmmmmmm ambiance is nice, when it gets later into the night, you get a lot of the office crowds and guys going out for a late dinner/drink, can get a little bit loud inside. dinner was great and dessert, phenominal. lemon mouse, no words can explain just how good it was, yum! if you arent on a budget and want to splurge, I suggest making a reservation and trying this place out. drooling just writing about it!
(4)Eric M.
I've been to Il Capriccio a few times for dinner and a few times for drinks. Every time I come I have a good experience. This is one of those places that is easily defined as a "hidden gem". The restaurant is in an unassuming building that shares a parking lot with a liquor store on Main Street in downtown Waltham. From the outside it looks quite unimpressive but on the inside it is a cozy, upscale, Italian-style restaurant. The food was excellent and they have a decent selection of wines to choose from which were all very good. Their dining room is small and dark but I think it adds to the ambiance. They also have a small bar upfront which is good to grab a drink while you're waiting for your table or a good place to meet a friend for a few drinks. I thought the prices were very reasonable considering the quality of the food and service was at what i would call the "entry level of fine dining". It was comparable in many ways to other restaurants in Boston who's prices would have been much higher.
(4)Ravena F.
Easy same-day rezzies, friendly and professional hostess & servers, calm if somewhat unoriginal "nice Italian restaurant" ambiance. But, what I really came to say is: The stuffed zucchini flowers are incredibly, indelibly, forever exquisite. Stuffed with soft, fluffy cheese, fried lightly and drizzled enticingly with honey. Such a perfect merging and mingling of flavors . . . supremely delicious. (Even the bitchy patron across the room spewing constant chastisements at her dinner companion couldn't ruin this experience. Dang, her voice can carry!) We followed the appetizer with excellent mains of veal and chicken schnitzel. Coupled with an extensive wine list, this made for a truly excellent first meal altogether. Waltham! Who knew? This is a great restaurant in an otherwise unassuming town. Perfect if you're in the burbs and don't feel like braving the traffic into Boston.
(4)Amy W.
When I go out with my brother-in-law (Let's change his name to Rich), I KNOW it is gonna be good. He has been going here practically since it opened, the story goes way back in the early eighties he was taking a cab to Logan and the cab driver and he got to talking, Rich said he was into food and the cabbie said he should try a restaurant his brother owned and was the chef. So Rich did and now it is 30 years later, let's just say he is a bit of a VIP here. I ordered the mushroom souffle to spilt and the swordfish as an entree. Of course the kitchen sent out a complimentary salumi platter and a veal carpaccio for the table. Now let me just say that neither Rich or my sister eat read meat, so I had to take the bullet for the table and eat most of it. (they could eat the chicken liver pate on the salumi plate). The mushroom souffle was amazing, but I did get a teeny bit of grit from the mushrooms, not really enough to bother me, but enough to notice. Super good. I also had the swordfish which would have made for a light-ish meal, if I hadn't eaten all the of the salumi and the carpaccio. Dessert, we split a cheese plate, the truffle pecorino was my favorite. THEN (of course) the VIP table is offered some grappa that the restaurant was sent from one of their Italian vendors but was really a mystery to them as to why they received it as it was not ordered...
(5)Lisa S.
Northern Italian food. Don't expect spaghetti in red sauce. My husband and I ate here for my birthday. Fabulous! We shared the steamed PEI mussels (enough for 2). He had the scallop/monkfish entree, I had the duck breast. Delicious! The best duck I've ever eaten; not overcooked and tough. For dessert we had the lemon mousse (made with lots of fresh lemon juice), and the chocolate hazelnut panna cotta. Everything was fresh, cooked perfectly, seasoned well and beautifully presented. Service was excellent. One of the best dinners I've eaten in the greater Boston area. What a pleasure to dine in a restaurant where the kitchen clearly takes tremendous pride in their food. We'll be back! P.S. This is a sophisticated adult restaurant with an adult menu. This is not the place to take kids.
(5)Joseph N.
One of the best restaurants in the Boston area. You can blindly throw a dart at their menu and be completely satisfied on whatever item the dart lands upon. All of their dishes are prepared perfectly from top quality fresh ingredients. What comes out of their kitchen is wonderful and served by a great professional team. If you're dinning here for the first time, the Soufflé di Porcini is a must have dish to start with. Il Capriccio's food and service are so outstanding that one can easily overlook how outstanding their wine is. They have an award-winning wine selection supported by an extremely knowledgeable staff to guide you to the perfect wine while avoiding the "up sell" that occurs way too frequently at other restaurants. I've been dinning here since their early days and every visit has been A+. This is a restaurant that respects their customers and demonstrates that commitment with everything they do.
(5)Jeff M.
When I walked into Il Capriccio I felt like I was walking into an old tired restaurant in a suburb outside the 495 loop; not a decorated establishment inside the Metro West. I mean, whatever on the ambiance, what really disappointed me was the food. Most of my disappointment was caused by a lack of seasoning in every dish. Little neck stuffed calamari was bland, as was also the sauce. The dish was also not allowed to rest at all. Linguine bolognese was flat. Mushroom risotto had nice flavor, perhaps the cheese added the necessary salt, but the dish was more like wet rice than risotto. Although the duck in my main was cooked nicely the rest of the components detracted from the protein. Some of the vegetables were luke warm. The relish on the side was refrigerator cold. And the duck was hot. Put them all together and you get a barely warm plate. I would rather have the molten chocolate cake at Chilli's than the chocolate budino at Il Capriccio. You can probably guess I will not be back.
(2)Steve B.
This is a wonderful place to eat. The wine list is superb and the service is equally excellent. I recommend the fish dishes are especially good; the pasta is freshly made and exquisite. No less superb is the veal and lamb dishes. First rate indeed
(4)Jeff B.
Happy 31 Years! This classic restaurant has never been better. Enjoyed the birthday menu this week. Bolognese was fantastic. Chicken schnitzel was top notch. The Best of Boston...outside of the city!
(5)richard m.
The good: the food is fantastic especially the veal, swordfish and trout. The not so good: prices are very high, portions are on the small side. Overall I would go back but at these prices only once in awhile.
(4)Kurt S.
We came here for a business dinner last night on short notice. We were able to get a table, and were warmly greeted, and quickly seated. Great choices, excellent execution, good wine selection, and attentive service. We were very pleased with our meals, including appetizers. Do yourself a favor - have the mussells.
(5)Jennifer T.
When we came here, we were in a private dining room downstairs so the experience could be different from others in terms of seating arrangements. Like any fancy restaurant though, expect long time gaps for each course to come out...I think we were there for at least 3 hrs, as we had ordered appetizers, entree, and dessert. The salami plate is great to share if you're with a larger group. I was a big fan of the boar sausage and prosciutto, but didnt care for the pate. The tuna tartare was refreshing, but only came with 4 large chips. The scallops and gnocchi was also a nice combo. For the entree, I got the braised lamb, which was hearty and meat was very tender. Portions were relatively small for the entree. As for dessert, I got the lemon mousse that came with candied lemon rinds - this was light and fluffy and the perfect cap to a big meal. I also tried the pear almond tart, and alas, found that too sweet. Overall, would definitely come back to try out other items on the menu. They also have some parking in a lot, or if its full, you can usually find street parking.
(4)Jae P.
My parents' friend recommended this restaurant. Knowing what a foodie he is, we had to check it out! We went with a group of friends and absolutely loved it. Not one of us had a bad meal! I hate mushrooms, and my boyfriend had the mushroom linguini.as shocked at how delicious it was, and the mushrooms were actually exceptional. I had the scallops and they were cooked to perfection. We're looking forward to going back!
(5)Caitlin G.
Oh my goodness - friends of ours took us here the other weekend and I am beyond impressed! The atmosphere is welcoming and warm -- parking is super easy which is a big plus. I never think to come to Waltham when I am in the city, but this place blows away so many places in the city -- you just have to make the trip! The food was impeccable -- we decided to share everything and do the dinner somewhat family style. We sat in the main dining room and tried a little of EVERYTHING on the menu. I don't eat meat, but they have great seafood options too -- the tuna tartar was top notch, and so was the lobster risotto. The staff was super knowledgeable -- Jan was great -- she really knows her wines! My boyfriend who is in the wine business loved that she actually knew some great bottles to perfectly compliments what we were eating. My family has owned a restaurant for 30 years -- we are true foodies! And this place is one of my new favorite spots! We will be sure to return again and again!
(5)Steve G.
I've been remiss in not reviewing each restaurant in a timely manner, so I'm making up for it. We ate at Il Capriccio for the first time, a few weeks ago, on September 26th. Accompanied by my wife and niece, we thought we'd try a new place for us and picked Il Capriccio from Yelp and other reviews. We arrived about 5:30 with our two dogs in the car. You can't park directly in front of the restaurant, so we drove around the corner to a space that looked OK, but the signage was lacking. A fellow was standing next to the building and when I asked about the legality of the space, he immediately commented that it was a good place to park - the dogs would be fine - and it was better than the lot next door. He said he had to get back inside the restaurant and I mentioned that was where we were going. Turns out, he was a waiter there and it further turns out he was to be our waiter. From that fortuitous moment, everything was golden. The hostess greeted us and said she had noted our allergy restrictions that we had mentioned in the OpenTable reservations and not to worry. She seated us immediately, the waiter came over, dropped off the menus and took our drink orders. When he returned with the drinks, he told us about the specials, many of which sounded good. He also said that the allergies would be no problem and that the kitchen and he would insure that the food would conform to our needs. For appetizers, we ordered the Dill Cured Gravlax, the Tuna Tartare and a salad, all excellent. Main courses were Ravioletti of Spinach, Ricotta and Pumpkin, the Blue Fish special, and Roast Veal Tenderloin, again all excellent. For dessert, we ordered the Lemon Mousse (insanely good), the Warm Apple Crostata (also insanely good) and a third item, which escapes my memory. We had casually mentioned, way back at the beginning of the meal, when the waiter asked if we had dined there before, that it was our niece's birthday. After the desserts had been gobbled up, he served us the Warm Chocolate Budino with Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (wow!), decorated with a happy birthday message. Beautifully prepared and served, wonderful taste and totally unexpected and on the house. Il Capricio is a very good restaurant. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal, the waiter and the experience. We take our niece out to dinner every other month or so (she's a student at a nearby school) and we tend to pick top- of-the-line places. This was no exception. The prices are reasonable for the quality of the meal. For three of us, including one glass of wine, the bill was about $180, plus tip for a total of $215. That's less than some of the other places we've eaten in the area for an equal experience. I wish I could remember the waiter's name - I'm really bad at that - because he was excellent. We'll be back, for sure.
(5)Kate W.
We've eaten at most of the high end restaurants (including lots of the newer ones recently) in the Boston area and believe that Il Capriccio has the best menu, best food, best wine list and best service of them all. They are incredibly consistent...great food and service every time.
(5)Dan B.
Atmosphere - intimate and romantic. Presentation A+. Service was excellent everything down to refilling your drinks and serving the dishes at the right time - just professional. Despite having some trouble finding the entrance, we ended up coming across this rustic Italian food. I came here solid company, split a bottle of wine, solid dish. Nothing out of this world. However this place is pumping out solid dishes. From the beet salad, to the gnocchi, everything was pretty tasty and was presented as such. Would recommend this spot for a date or something within the same ball park. Would definitely come back here.
(3)Alexa P.
This is a wonderful and sophisticated restaurant to bring someone special to. The balsamic vinegar that was used on my beet and goat cheese salad was the silkiest balsamic I've ever tasted. It's fancy so I was expecting the bar to have the ingredients to make my favorite cocktail (Ford Cocktail) but they didn't. They're known for their wine selection so I shouldn't have been surprised but that's really the only reason for not getting 5 stars. I went with my dad and our food was perfectly prepared, our waiter was knowledgeable and non-intrusive, and the atmosphere was warm and intimate. I would definitely come here again for a special occasion. Update: just returned here to celebrate my husband's birthday and there isn't anything that could have gone better. The food, service, and ambiance were simply perfection. Updating to 5 stars.
(5)T F.
A gem of a restaurant in Waltham. Service was top notch and food was amazing. We made a special request of the chef and he delivered in a big way. The stuffed zucchini flowers and the gnocchi in bolognese were out of this world. The sommelier, Jason, made impeccable red and white wine recommendations. A totally unexpected experience!
(5)Michael C.
The food is quite good. They really know how to cook seafood. The staff is excellent
(5)Tia P.
We stumbled into this restaurant without a reservation on a week night and were glad to get a table right away in a pretty packed restaurant. We shared a delicious bottle of red wine and ordered the Salumi Plate of Prosciutto, Liver Pate, Speck, Salami, Boar Sausage and Reggiano ($18). Amazing!!! I'm still dreaming of the pate. As I was waiting for my entree to arrive, I gobbled up the bread and olive oil. Haven't had such elegantly floral olive oil since my last time at an olive oil festival in FL several years ago. I ordered the special--Semolina crusted soft shell crabs with orange, red onion and roasted potatoes, which thoroughly satisfied my cravings for salty, greasy seafood (in a good way)! This dining experience was all-around delightful, and the salumi plate is still haunting me. *sigh*
(5)Jennifer D.
Yelp...this is the first time you have steered me wrong...But thankfully this rarely happens. So for starters I made reservations online for 7:30, we arrived at 7:00 and they had no issue seating us right away and it was quite busy. They even offered to seat us at a different table if the setting wasn't intimate enough, how thoughtful! I was very impressed right from the get go.....and then....the rest. So we stay at the table designated, it was nice and while you were somewhat close to other diners, you could still enjoy conversation without feeling awkward. Our server was so nice and polite, I would say nothing less but rave reviews of the staff here. Mmmm the menu, everything from the starters to the entrees sounded mouth watering. We got the tuna tartare to start..... so it's you're round/cylinder style presentation, about a 1/2 of an avocado mixture on the bottom, followed with a melange of tuna with some peppers and quite possibly tomato. You could not distinctly taste the tuna itself, the flavors were too overpowering and muddled the entire dish. Like you could have given that to anyone and they would have no clue they were eating tuna. Very poor choices with too many unnecessary ingredients...such a shame. And to accompany were house baked/fried potato chips....really? We didn't even touch them....appetizer = failed. For my entree I chose the bass, it sounded amazing. When our food was brought over to our table I got the unpleasant waft of fish...the dish had an "air" of fish smell, and we all know fish is not supposed to smell like fish. I am not suggesting the fish was bad/old, but if was mildly off putting to say the least. The cut of the fish, while being a nice plump piece, was of poor quality, it was nothing like I have experienced before and was a real let down. It wasn't seasoned well and the dish overall lacked cohesion. I mean, nothing on the plate made sense, everything was it's own separate entity when it should all come together as one. Hmmm one random piece of broccoli over here, hmmmm random tomato here. Like I wish I knew what they were thinking when they came up with that one. My date got the fettuccine bolognese, he was happy with it but not thrilled either, fair at best. We didn't order dessert. I feel like I need to get this review out there, just so people can have another review to consider amongst all of the rave ones, because I simply do not get it. I wouldn't give his place a second chance.
(2)Ash C.
It was a full house on last Friday. Very friendly hostess and wait staff. We ordered tuna tartare, scallops, and homemade fettuccine. The food was amazingly tasty and all the customers around me looked very happy with their foods as well. I will definitely go back and try other menu in near future for sure.
(4)Jen D.
Great food. Get pasta!! A few got the swordfish and wish they would have gotten the pasta. Great service. I will definitely go back. Try the cheese appetizer as well.
(5)Sara M.
Husby picked this place for a random Friday dinner recently because it came highly recommended on Yelp. The setup of the restaurant is similar to Ruth's Chris with the separate rooms but since there are partly glass walls, it does not feel claustrophobic. Our server was the most adorable French guy (I think his name was Gilles?) and he made us feel comfortable immediately. The service here was impeccable. I started off with a Kir Royale and Husby with a Manhattan - both mixed perfectly. Since most people raved about the souffle di porcini, we ordered that but I felt it was too heavy with not that much mushroom flavour. Still quite delicious but in small doses. I really loved the handmade gnocchi with lobster since the pasta was dense enough without being mealy. Delicious. Our server chose a wine for us and while it was a good drinking red with fruity notes, I'm not sure it paired well with our heavier dishes. Husby ate the veal scaloppine, which I generally don't like, and was not crazy about it. The lamb special was cooked perfectly but the mint pesto was overpowering. However, we did just get back from a 2.5 week trip to Italy and it is unfair to compare. All in all, the service was excellent and while the food was good, it didn't blow us away and seemed a bit over-priced. If we come back, I'll be sure to ask for Gilles and that lobster gnocchi!
(4)Silvia V.
Wow, Il Capriccio has some amazingly good food. The wine list is huge and a little confusing. I like Australian shiraz type wines. They mostly have Italian wines at Il Capriccio, so we had the wine expert recommend something to us. He did. We had an Italian bottle of Sirah from Toscana and it was delicious. Very light. For appetizers hubby and I shares a yellowfin tuna tartare with avocado that was perfect. We also had the fellow Yelpers' recommendation: Soufflé di Porcini, also very good, but on the heavy side due to the cheese. For my entree, I ordered the Pan Seared Sea Scallops, Roast Garlic Sauce, Roasted Peppers, Pea greens and Potato Tart, which was perfection. Very tasty meal. Hubby ordered the Roast Veal Tenderloin with Porcini, Marsala, Crisp Prosciutto and Parmesan Potatoes. This dish was very delicious, but the scallops were much better. For dessert we ordered the Panna Cotta special with balsamic strawberries and caramel sauce (perfect dessert!) and the Warm Peach Crostata with Blueberry Ice Cream. I didn't care much for the blueberry ice cream. The service was outstanding!
(5)Suki H.
I took my friend out for her birthday & we went to Il Capreccio in Waltham & shared the Mushroom soufflé. WOW! My favorite appetizer anywhere. The entire meal was amazing. The lamb shank bone (osso bocco) was so good & the service was lovely. Can't wait for another birthday to celebrate!
(5)Kristine S.
Il Capriccio is one of our favorite restaurants! The staff if amazing - starting from the Owner/Chef to the wait staff and bartenders! The food is fabulous - so tasty and really reasonably priced. It's out of the way, but be careful - or you'll drive right by it! There's plenty of free parking on the street or the lot next door. The atmosphere is great. Whether waiting at the bar (super cute), or sitting at the table - the decor is great, restaurant is extremely clean, and very welcoming. We have been in many times by ourselves (date night) and with groups (max: 6-top) and we received superior service each time. I highly recommend Il Capriccio if you're looking for great food, great atmosphere and great value!
(5)Tracey B.
My husband and I have been going to this fabulous restaurant for years! Richie, the chef, is like family. His dishes are both inventive and flavorful. The chicken schnitzel is to die for and is his signature dish! We are always greeted by the hostess, Nahanti, who is extremely courteous and gracious. We usually always sit at the bar where we're greeted by Lydia who is a fantastic bartender. Jason, who is the restaurant's wine connoisseur, is always pleasant and is extremely knowledgeable about pairing wines with Richie's wonderful dishes. Please give this restaurant a try. You won't regret it!
(5)Tammie P.
1st visit - Gnocchi and lobster, lamb chop, veal scallopine, profiteroles in caramel sauce. 2nd visit - Black risotto w lobster, roast cod, duck breast with foie gras. Consistently yummy food!
(4)Ave H.
Always fantastic. I have never once been disappointed by the food or service here - not only is everything delicious, but they put a lot of effort into the presentation. Drinks are always on the strong side (yay!). My favorite thing here is by far the jumbo shrimp with crabmeat app - yum! Service is always prompt and friendly. Oh, and their water glasses all have a tiny little star on them for seemingly no apparent reason - I think that's cool :) Only thing I'm not so keen on is the acoustics - when all the tables fill up it can be extremely difficult to hear each other.
(4)Zita B.
Great Restaurant! My favorite was the ever so delicious Foie Gras!!!!
(5)S. M. S.
After posting my 8/12 review I get a rambling and arrogant 5 minute voice mail on my cell phone from someone at Il Capriccio comparing their menu to Stella's saying that "they take on Stella any day of the week". First--don't call me and tell me I don't know what I'm taking about. I do. Second--say "thank you" for spending $300 at your overpriced restaurant. Third--put some summer entrees on your menu.
(1)Foodie I.
Wow! I came here for a business meeting with three execs from my company and we had a great meal, fabulous wine that the waitress helped us select a couple good wines ( she is the wine buyer, and recommended an affordable greet wine ( 2 actually). The service was outstanding and we were able to have a good business meeting while enjoying the great food. It's my new favorite north end caliper italian restaurant.
(4)Jeremy K.
ive decided to rate the itailian quad of waltham. II c is fair to the least. i went once because you need to go at least once, however, thats all i will be going, it is enough. the decor isneat, however the fact they smushed us into a middle table so my elbows could be on someone elses table made me feel uncomfortable. I would also say the waitstaff thought they were better then my party (wife and myself) which might fly in the upper east side, but not on main street waltham. again, the food was fair, nothing i could rememebr a year later, so draw your own conclusions.....
(3)Al Y.
If you have a lot of money and you like to eat meat, this can't be beat (my wife and parents loved it). I'm a vegetarian with cheap tastes, so the meal wasn't so great for me. The waitstaff (as you would expect at an expensive restaurant) are attentive and professional.
(3)Tom G.
Note: we went here for our five year anniversary and it NOT romantic in the slightest. Cramped tables, loud, and brightly lit. More my fault than their fault - I should've scouted better but its something to point out as this place has a reputation of being for special occasions. Maybe so, just not romance. Anyway, the food was excellent. The porcini souffle was deeply flavored but a bit on the heavy side. A risotto with pumpkin and smoked mozzarella was well cooked, but the pumpkin was a bit lost in the smokiness of the mozzarella. The mains were incredible. The highly Yelp recommended veal was perfectly cooked (although our waitress didn't ask us how we wanted it done and it came out medium rare). The black pig chop was large, moist and came with the best polenta I've ever had. The major problem I've heard from most people who come here is the food is too heavy and our experience certainly didn't challenge that. It's heavy, hearty Italian food. The wine list is superb even though it us printed on a sheet of computer paper and stapled together. That lack if class sort of permeated most everything at the place besides the food and server. The decor, the exterior, the other diners (a mix of people in blazers and people in sweatshirts/jeans slamming beers and being obnoxious). It definitely did not feel like a $30/entree place. I would probably go back for a private function but for fine dining there are plenty of options that actually feel like fine dining.
(4)Marie C.
Don't let its odd location on a main street turn you off..this is a special place for a romantic dinner, a dinner with friends or with family. My husband & I have been coming here for over a decade, and think the food and service quality hasn't decreased at all..it's a comfortable and elegant space..especially nice in the fall and winter for dinner. One of the reasons for the consistency: many of the staff are the same for several years running - and the kind attentiveness to detail is something practiced here. Like everyone says..the porcini mushroom souffle is incredible (& I don't even like mushrooms!), and any of their home made pasta dishes are excellent. The wine list is singular in that there are many small, unknown, family- owned wines featured (& def. check their website for the special dinner events which feature wine paired w/ several courses). The only downside is the bar area is small - lending to its charm, but making having a relaxing drink before dinner challenging..they also have a small, private room that you may rent for events..
(4)Cassie E.
There are two very good restaurants in Waltham, La Campagnia and Il Capriccio. I prefer the latter. The wait staff aren't as full of themselves and the food is as good or better. It looks very unassuming -- kind of like a men's club in the North End. But the food is spectacular and the service is great. This is our special Go-To local restaurant.
(4)Lynn S.
I am not sure what all the fuss about is. I have friends that come in all the way from NH because they say its better than the North End. We had an okay meal. I thought the prices were too high and the service was good. Maybe its because my 2 friends were a bit health conscious ( one a vegetarian ) so it was hard to find items on the menu.
(3)Roberta C.
Let's start with Gilles, nearly a caricature of the best French waiter you could ever hope for. He is absolutely memorable in his zeal to serve. The word "perfect" describes his performance in giving us great service. Then there's the maitre d' (I guess that applies to women as well as men), Nahatai. She was equally terrific. She clearly had her eyes watching everyone and everything, stepping in immediately to help when there was a question. Then there is the food. The shrimp with white beans was very nice, the chicken schnitzel was so tasty, and the desserts (except for the lemon mousse which has very little flavor) were wonderful. Go here! You are bound to be very happy with your experience here.
(5)Emily F.
Dinner visit, Thursday night: I am giving a 4-star, and I didn't even like the main meal (pumpkin gnocci). I should have asked for the chef's choice. Go for: An expensive dinner and ASK for the CHEF's recommendation. Avoid: gnocci. Try: the Apple Brioche pudding. OH MY, that is delicious. I paired it with a pear cognac. YUM. We were sat right away, despite a packed restaurant and a much later dinner reservation. I tried the September menu item "soufflé de porcini" for an app: I felt like someone had told me to get this and I would love it; I liked it, and was not too disappointed. We got a bottle of red, and this may be where the restaurant lacks: we asked our server for a recommendation, and instead of ask someone who knew a lot about the menu, they instead sort of made stuff up. This was even worse with the dessert drinks. My date and I agreed that the problem is not the server not knowing, but them not asking someone who does. The gnocci dish (pumpkin) left a lot to be desired; not awful, but was really just salty pumpkin soup. Maybe more spice? Herbs? We got the apple brioche bread pudding, and that is something they should be proud of! Delicious. I matched it with a Belle Brillet cognac (pear hint) and it was fantastic. I would go again, and instead do my usual thing and ask for the chef's choices.
(4)Jess T.
We came here because we heard great food reviews and they were right! Great Italian restaurant that's not located in the North End. Sformato di porcini was the most amazing and memorable of all the apps, entrees, desserts, and wines. Overall, we all enjoyed the appetizers more than the entrees. Tuna tartar, foie gras, and mushroom & eggplant cannelloni were delicious. The duck and veal were okay - we have had better. Staff was friendly and personable, making us feel comfortable and welcome.
(4)Ken S.
Take a trip to Northern Italy in this sleek brasserie in this unlikeliest of settings. Owner/sommelier Jeannie Rogers is an authority on Italian wines. She imports small batches herself from artisan wineries of Italy and tells their stories with delight in a detailed menu/catalog at the table. Too expensive for routine dining out, we save IC for special occasions. Amazingly, Jeannie can remind me which wines I ordered last time...even when more than a year has passed! Food is very fine: ingredients are fresh, preparation is immaculate, and menu varies with the seasons, but to be honest, it's just a side show to the wine. Designated driver is essential, as are reservations.
(5)Jamie H.
hands down, 5 stars! we went for the last night of restaurant week, and the food was phenomenal and service was attentive, making for a wonderful evening. we had a table of 6, and each really enjoyed their meal. i started off with the beet and goat cheese salad, with a balsamic dressing. the cheese was mild, offering a perfect balance to the beets. also at the table we had the shortrib bundles, the PEI mussels, and the greens salad. i sampled the mussels, which were very good and came with yellow and red cherry tomatoes. i ordered the crispy trout for the entree, which came with lentils, prosciutto, and spinach. i am normally not a fan of fried foods, but the trout skin was fried in corn meal, and i was able to pull the tender, juicy fish from the skin. the lentils were a great accompaniment and the spinach was tucked inside the fish. i liked the fish, but i wouldn't say that i loved it. two others ordered the sweetbread stuffed quail. this dish was absolutely amazing - the stuffing was creamy and added a savory element to the perfectly cooked quail. sides included brussels and cauliflower. we also had two orders of the scallops ($10 additional charge), which were large, perfectly seared, and neither person was willing to share the dishes as they really enjoyed the plate. one other person ordered the fettuccine bolognese, and also really enjoyed the hearty meat sauce. for dessert, i ordered the berries with creme anglais - light, refreshing, and not too much cream. it was a lighter finish to the dinner, but then i undid any "healthiness" by also working on the warm chocolate budino and coffee granita. the outside of the budino wasn't that great, but inside there was a warm chocolate pudding-like batter, and it was served with a nice light whipped cream. the coffee granita was refreshing - icy coffee topped with an anise-flavored whipped cream with chocolate on the bottom. overall, the food was of high quality, and the pacing of the dishes was nice - we had ample time to eat but also did not feel as though we were waiting long for our food. i would love to go back again, but might be limited by the higher prices of the regular menu.
(5)Claire W.
Love this place! But was particularly pleased the other night when I stumbled in looking pretty grotty from dog walking to introduce my friend to her first mussels. I have been allergic to bivalves for years but the allergy slowly abates with age in my case. I am so happy to have challenged my system with the PEIs! so yummy! and Jason Almlof took the time to make a beer drinker happy with his mix to approximate a Black and Tan. and needless to say I had the souffle..
(5)Adam D.
What a place! 29 years in business and as current as can be. I had lobster and baby artichokes... yum... pna seared lamb - YUM! Tiramisu - yum... could have been soaked more. Anyway, go.
(5)Rita V.
Impressive wines! Great "wine guy", how we've missed Angelo from his Tomasso days! Talk it up with him, the guy is PASSIONATE about his juice. The food, wonderful, but not as spectacular as I thought it would be. Perfect execution, the trout was fantastic! Duck, so flavorful! Souffle de porcini - way too heavy, and although the grilled octopus was grilled to perfection, it was bland. Really enjoyed the dinner, the perfectly cooked sides and vegetables. The appetizers... Not as impressive. Great Tuscan inspired menu, well executed, impressive wine list. Elegant but stuffy, made me claustrophobic. Staff, professional. I'll stick with my Tomasso, but will return here if doing business in the area. Food is pricey, satisfying and well executed.
(4)Alison C.
I feel uncomfortable giving Il Capriccio an average rating, when it has such terrific reviews and when I had loved it in the past. My previous visits to the restaurant several years ago were absolutely delightful. However, my recent visit left me unimpressed. The restaurant is bland from the outside. The lack of windows is odd, but does induce curiosity at the delicacies served within. The inside of Il Capriccio is classy and elegant. You should expect to dine among the area's older, stuffier upper class. While you wait for your meal, you should take a look at the substantial wine list or order one of their fantastically mixed cocktails. The bartenders show their superb taste by replacing sour mix with fresh lemon and cherry juices. Delicious bread is also served. My started with the Souffle di Porchini, which was some kind of mushroom and cheese casserole. It was a mound of mixed mushrooms covered with a warm, creamy cheese sauce. The sauce was very cheesy, but good. The mushrooms were very flavorful. For an entree, I ordered the Roast Giannone Chicken, which cooked in a Porchini and Marsala mushroom glace. It was served with a cheesy, au'gratin style potato tart and sauteed vegetables. The chicken was bland and undercooked. The potato was the best part of the meal. This restaurant is good for groups, and I went in a large one, but no one really enjoyed their food. I heard the Baby Spinach and Sweet Onion Lasagna was too full of onions and the Pan Roasted Trout was virtually flavorless. We were all very disappointed. With all of the other delicious restaurants around the Boston-area, I do not think I will rush back here any time soon.
(3)Jean W.
Service was terrific, food was pricy, yet average.
(3)Micah B.
Great up-to-date Italian food. Comfortable atmosphere. Good service. I had the gorgonzola stuffed figs wrapped in prociutto, duck, and the warm chocolate boudin--all were very good.
(4)Susan J.
Ahhhhh risotto. It was perfect and amazing. When lobster is in season the lobster with risotto is a must. Also get the liver pate- it is incredible!!!
(4)TK W.
Dinner was good, S'more was outstanding with their home made marshmallow.
(4)William T.
It's fine. The rooms are rather cramped and brightly lit. The service is adequate; not exceptional. The food is heavy, with virtually no option to order anything light or green. My scallops were overcooked, though the sauce was good. The wine selection is good. It's fairly expensive and not the kind of satisfying, nice dining experience I had expected at a place with this reputation. And I don't much like parking in a liquor store parking lot, which is a dingy welcome.
(3)V Y.
Amazing food! Service was right on! I've been wanting to go here for years!!! I've heard great reviews and of course I know why now! The porcini souffle was so rich but soOOOo GOOD! Bf and I cleaned the plate up with bread! It's something you MUST get! My scallops dish was wonderful! Perfectly cooked and seasoned. I would love to come back if only it wasn't so far from me!
(5)Melissa R.
Met a friend here for dinner. Sitting at the bar and have a cocktail to catch up; we felt a little rushed as the hostess kept coming up to us to say that while there was no rush she would like to know when we'd be ready to have a table. The restaurant had a good dinner crowd, but by no means packed. Once we were seated we were given a beautifully crusted warm Italian bread with the most amazing olive oil I think I've ever had. Their olive oil comes from Italy from a friend and arrives is large drums. We started with the baccala spacial. The salted cod was mixed in mashed potato's and sandwiched between two crispy discs of polenta. There was an amazing light citrus sauce served underneath. We commented that we would have liked a bowl of the sauce and would be willing to pour it over....well, anything! My friend had pasta with prosciutto, sugar snap peas, onions in a light cream sauce. Delicious. I had an unfortunate miss with the rabbit ravioli. The rabbit was ground and felt like a dry paste in the ravioli. The sauce was a thin and had an overpowering taste of celery. It was supposed to have roasted veggies. It was reminiscent of bad canned chicken soup. The waitress immediately asked if I would like another meal instead. I went with the pot ate gnocchi in a meat sauce. Very good. No room for dessert although the choices seemed yummy. I'm looking forward to going back and try some other items on the menu that also seemed worth a taste.
(4)Mo D.
I absolutely love Il Capriccio. I used to be a "regular" but times are a bit tighter now and I don't get to go out as often as I used to. The Souffle di Porcini is the one thing you have to try-even people who don't dig mushrooms like this dish. And make sure you ask for more bread if you eat it all before the souffle hits the table. You need it to scrape up the sauce and good bits on the souffle plate. The food here is clean, well cooked, and perfect. The menu changes regularly is always seasonal. The wine is the best I have ever had- and the co-owner/sommelier is one of the best in Boston. She imports wine and visits the vineyards in Italy that she buys from. My kid got to pick where we celebrated his graduation from high school and he picked the Il! I was so happy to have a joyous reason to come back to one of our favorite places- it was a kick ass night! I will definitely build this place back into my budget This is one of the really great places to eat in the greater Boston area- and the economy is not making it easy for them- go there and have a fantastic meal and support an amazing local business,,,before you can't.
(5)Baily H.
Fabulous place - the staff is top notch, the food is not only delicious but lovely to look at, and the ambiance is cozy and romantic. A good Waltham find!
(4)Daniel B.
This place has a new menu list each month. I enjoyed their lemon mousse dessert, it was one of the best desserts I've had thus far.
(5)Wei X.
I went there almost every 2 weeks. It's so true that I can hardly forget the tasteful food there. That's why I get so addicted! :D
(5)Nicole B.
First time visiting Il Capriccio last week for restaurant week. We went with another couple, so 4 diners for dinner. We chose the restaurant because it had a big menu and a convenient location for us, and parking is always a plus for us suburbanites! The restaurant is decorated very nicely and we were sat in one of their small dining rooms. First impression, it was rather loud and that turned out to be a bit frustrating since we couldn't really hear each other while trying to talk at our table. They had such a huge menu for restaurant week that it was a little surprising that I had a hard time finding something I wanted. I ended up with the Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Balsamic for an appetizer and my husband got the mussels. My salad was okay, not sure what it was about it, but I didn't really like it and only ate about half of it. My husband did really enjoy his mussels though. For dinner I got the Crispy Trout Alpine Style with Spinach, Prosciutto, and Lentils. What I was served was a whole fish, deep fried. It was deboned, but I still managed to find quite a few small bones in it, which was frustrating while eating and a little embarrassing to spit out. The fish itself was well cooked and very good, but there wasn't much of a sauce to go with it. I did enjoy it, but I had recently had a quite amazing trout dish at another restaurant and this one didn't compare. So that was a little disappointing. My husband, meanwhile, got the Fettuccini Bolognese and he just plain didn't like it. I tried it and didn't like it either. Hard to explain why, it just had a funny, not so good taste. For dessert I got the lemon crème brule and my husband had the chocolate budino, which was a warm chocolate cake. These were decent, although the crust on my crème brule was really thick and I ended up pulling it off and just eating the custard, which was yummy. The chocolate cake was really good. So unfortunately, we weren't that impressed with Il Capriccio, which is sad since we love Italian and it is so convenient. I'm not sure if it was just a fluke due to our dinner selections. Even with restaurant week, it was a pretty expensive dinner, so I doubt we'll be going back to give them a second try. Oh, and the service was very good, so good marks for that!
(2)Ellen C.
Recommendations: Souffle di Porcini, Duck, Gorgonzola Ravioli I'm the friend that Christina N. refers to in her post- she graciously took me out for dinner on my 21st. So, to recap, have the souffle di procini! I thought it was absolutely delicious. It went really well with the wine I had, too- a very dry, yet light, white that the server recommended. My gnocchi and the sausage that came in it was delicious. I love gnocchi, and this definitely had both the texture and flavor in the right place. Christina's duck was amazing. I don't usually like duck. I would go back to eat the duck.
(4)Scott L.
I searched for somewhere to have dinner in Waltham as I was staying a night for business. Open table showed Il Capriccio and had good reviews. The people weren't wrong. The food was excellent, and the service was truly outstanding. I was very impressed with the personal feel. I highly suggest it for both business or date night.
(4)Teri D.
My husband and I had dinner here last night. The meal, in a word, was bellisimo!! We are eating vegetarian these days, so we asked for a bunch of vege items on the menu and the waiter suggested that they could put together a plate of all the side dishes from the secondi plates as well. After describing our meal plans & price range to the sommelier - he suggested a Nebbiolo - which was great, we already knew we liked this varietal. It was nice that he stayed on the low end of our price range. He brought a 2005 Le Piane Boca -- He decanted it in a beautiful, handblown long necked decanter -- the wine was divine with our meal. The scent of wood permeated the glass -- we found out that the vinyard is grown amidst a forest of pine trees -- alas the woody undertone. We had mushroom soup that was rich and lucious. There were shitake, porcini and what looked like trumpet mushrooms along with shredded cheese (like gruyere) on the bottom of the bowl that you scraped up with each spoonful of the soup -- oh, it was wonderful. Next came a mushroom souffle that was sitting atop a savory cheese sauce. The souffle was dense and filled with mushrooms. the dish was so rich I needed to eat it with bread. Another home run in our books. Our main course consisted of a roasted vegetable gnocchi dish that boasted golden and red beets in a rich vegetable sauce that kept us going back for more. Here they used the same cheese technique of putting shreds in the bowl before plating the pasta so each bite came up with succulent cheese. In addition we had the plato of assorted veggie sides...which included two gratins - one strictly potato and the other potato leek, stewed French Lentils. caponata, and roasted veggies - carrot, asparagus, brussel sprout, green beans, brocoflower. Each side was done with perfection. The caponata had a deep woody richness that was outstanding amidst the perfection of the dish. To finish we had our beet, goat cheese and watercress salad -- that was completely unneeded at this point. -- we were stuffed. We had not been to the restaurant in many years. For no obvious reason except that I rarely plan far enough in advance for reservations -- which are required on many days at this restaurant. We'll definitely go back frequently -- For non-meat eaters out there, I highly recommend the restaurant.
(5)Laura L.
First off, the service is great and attentive. Two thumbs up there. Lovely folks. I had the porcini souffle, partially because of recommendations here. However, it was a very odd dish. It's more of a pudding than a souffle, and the deep browning looked a bit dried out and points that it was not cooked in a water bath. While you can tell it had egg whites in it, the heaviness of the other ingredients overcame much of their effect. It is served in a bubbling cheese sauce, which is very heavy on the marsala (tastes like low-grade marsala), and left a burnt brown edge around the plate. Strange. The gnocchi with lobster and shrimp was fine--tasted like the broth was finished with more of that marsla. Nice that they offer a smaller portion if you're not looking for a lot of food.
(3)