Il Capriccio

04/29/08

Just what we needed

by Papapapa at Citysearch

I was taken to Il Capriccio last month for a business dinner. Two of us arrived a bit early and sat at the bar for a drink. I was very impressed by the variety of aperitifs and the bartenders knowledge of them. I actually do not recall the name of the drink I had (the bartender picked it), but he did well suiting my taste. The four of us were seated in a nice corner by a shaded window. We all had different taste in wine, so we asked for help. The owner picked a bottle that we all enjoyed (we had two). She was interested in understanding what we wanted without making us feel dumb about our lack of knowledge. The service was very good. We were talking business, so he really did not say too much to us, but was always there when needed something. Every bite of the food was delicious. We had some sort of mushroom flan-type thing that was amazing.

I think what was striking to me about this place, striking enough to write a review, was that everything happened as it should. The service was appropriate and attentive; the food was delicious; the wine matched our taste and the food; the bartender knew alcohol; the hostness sat us when we were ready and a specific table was waiting for us; no dirty dishes were left hanging around on the table; and again, the food was terrific. We needed to have a relaxed place to build business relationships while still eating and drinking well. This place fit the bill just right. My wife and I are headed out that way again next month. I have a feeling that it will be a great place for a romantic dinner as well.

Thanks, Il Capriccio . . .you did good.

• Pros: Everything fit
• Cons: Couldn't find the place if I did not have a guide

03/27/08

Terrible experience will NEVER go back!!!

by foodiemujer at Citysearch

We booked our reservation at il Capriccio 2 months in advance so we could secure the private room for my mother's 75th birthday.We had relatives fly from California for the event.Three days before our Saturday Night reservation we were called by the hostess of Il Capriccio to say that they had a heating problem in the private room that they were trying to fix, but if it wasn't fixed by Saturday night we would just have a table in the general restaurant.They also assured us that if the heating problem was fixed we could still have the private room, otherwise it wasn't going to be used. So we went to the restaurant crossing our fingers that we could have the private room for this special occasion. I arrived early to drop off a birthday cake I had made. I sat at the bar and had a glass of wine and waited.To my right and downstairs was a beautiful table set up in the private room, I naturally assumed it was ours. However, much to my surprise a group of young woman came in and after greeting the chef with hugs and kisses were escorted down to the private room.When I asked the hostess what was going on she replied, "Oh we did have a heating problem, but it got fixed, and those people are good friends of the chef". I explained that we were promised the room if it became available, that my Mom is 75 and also battling a malignant disease, and that we were bumped after waiting for 2 months" and the hostess just shrugged and said "Sorry" at which point I burst into tears. I have been so upset since Saturday.I will NEVER go back and intend to let people know that you are NOT TREATED well by Il Capriccio!!Also the food was good but not amazing and certainly not worth the price!!!!I mean 30 dollars for potato gnocchi that was swimming in Olive oil???Risotto with Lobster that you can't taste because it was heavily flavored with Pesto?But more importantly we go out to eat for the experience, and I was sorely and sadly very very disappointed!

• Pros: They had a great waitstaff, except the Sommelier.Nice bar, easy parking.
• Cons: Management and Hostess who could care less, A Bitter Troll of a Sommellier that was snooty and condescending. A wine list with majority high end prices and very little to order under 100 dollars.

07/25/07

great food and service/extremely knowledable staff

by alralph at Citysearch

as good as any meal(if not better)i had in roma or firenzi.staff extremely helpful,especialy wine steward/owner.very timely service in a very nicely appointed room

05/23/07

Avoid

by r1z23 at Citysearch

I dont know who put this resturant in the class that it is but lets just say i thought i was at olive garden with inflated prices. where do i start the design of the place makes me feel like i am in a christmas sports bar and thats on the day that you actually see the design threw the sea of tables that they pack together to maximize there revenue. the food was typical italian at any walk in place that you dont need a reservation for. I saw a review for a person that eats here many times a week , and frankly i feel sorry for that persons stomach and wallet because the portions are miniscule and the prices are enormous when i was in the resturant i felt like i bought a talked up as seen on tv product that broke as soon as i recieved it. if this was a reasonably priced chain italian food place i would have been satisfied.

If you want real italian Try SORENTOS on peterborough st in fenway

• Pros: hard liqour to black out the experience
• Cons: everything else

10/13/06

Buttoned-up business types and well-heeled couples shell out for upscale Italian fare at this top-tier suburban destination.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
Residents of Waltham and the western suburbs have no need to head into the city when they have this top-shelf Italian restaurant (with free parking lot) so close to home. A steady stream of managers and VPs comes straight from nearby office parks to boisterously celebrate mergers and promotions in the earth-toned dining areas and handsome bar. Just as impressive as the acclaimed, never-ending wine list is the dutiful servers' familiarity with it.

The Food
While the majority of Il Capriccio's menu changes monthly to reflect seasonal tastes and ingredients, several items are popular constants. The insanely rich porcini mushroom souffle, an amalgam of mushroom, Parmesan and butter, is not to be missed and should be shared. Expect light, homemade pasta dishes (available in half portions) like lobster and scallop lasagna with baby spinach. Finish with tangy lemon mousse or luscious white chocolate-hazelnut cheesecake.

07/18/06

Good Food, Bad Service

by ivychild at Citysearch

My fiance and I visited Il Capriccio after hearing great things about it from a few people. We even made reservations three weeks in advance to celebrate a special occasion. By the time the day of our reservations came around, we were eager to see what Il Capriccio had to offer.

We arrived about two minutes before our reservation, and were ignored by the woman at the front for several minutes. When she finally looked up and greeted us, asking our name to check our reservation, she told us it would be "just a few minutes." As we were standing there, a party of three people was seated without reservations. My fiance and I were confused as to how they would be given priority over our three week standing reservation, but chalked it up to perhaps Il Capriccio wanting to give us a nicer table. When fifteen minutes passed and we were still standing there, we started to feel differently. We asked when our table would be ready. The hostess smiled and insisted it would be "just a few minutes more" and she handed us menus to look at while we stood there. A nice gesture, but totally out place for two people who made reservations weeks in advance. Furtheremore, this is an upscale restaurant, not the type of place where you check out the menus while waiting for your table (these were table menus). After about 20 minutes, we were finally seated.

It took forever for the waitress to come over and take our drink orders, and when she did, she was rude. She couldn't for the life of her put a smile on her face when interacting with us.

On the upside, the wines at the restaurant are very good, and so is the food (the portions, though, are quite small). Overall, there are plenty of restaurants that are just as good as Il Capriccio without the oblivious and obnoxious staff. I'd rather go to Campania, just down Main Street from the restaurant, where we have also dined and were actually treated like welcomed guests.

• Pros: Good food, good wine list
• Cons: Bad service

09/21/05

Very disappointed, definitely would not go back

by wallyb123 at Citysearch

Two of the entrees had to be sent back because they were too fatty. Also we had to wait an inordinate amount of time to have our orders taken even though the restaurant was not very busy. The food was good, but not enough to justify the inflated prices. Plus, the server didn't ask me if I wanted to take home my half eaten entree. Just a little insult to add to an already not great dining experience.

There was nothing about the food or service to justify the kind of prices they charge.

06/03/04

BEST OF BEST

by normafma at Citysearch

I just love this place. I eat there once or twice a week and I just can't say enough about the place. I eat out often and have even ventured out to lessor expensive places but I keep coming back. I have found that even though it may be a little pricey, the food is excellent. My favorites are the beet salad and of course, the risotto is the best I've ever had. It's also nice that the menu changes monthly, so there is always a nice surprise. And of course, my bartender's make the best cosmopolitan's and martini's.

04/06/03

Worth every penny

by akissell at Citysearch

Make the trek to Waltham for this amazing menu! The food is absolutely delicious, and the wine selection is extensive and complements the food well. Call ahead for reservations, as the restaurant is quite small and understandably popular.

Save room for dessert- the brownie with pistachio icecream is to die for!

• Pros: attentive service

09/10/02

Hoity-Toity Snobs

by bexaca at Citysearch

I think this place is extremely overrated. If you are a snob and like to feel better than everyone else, by all means go to this restaurant. If you would rather have a nice evening and a good meal, in a place where you are allowed to have one hair out of place, this is not your restaurant. The food is good, yes, but not excellent. And to most people the menu items are unrecognizable. The wait staff are snooty, and a 20% gratuity, many times extrememly undeserved, is automatically added. I would not recommend this place to anyone I know.