With all of the restaurants opening regularly in and around Boston, it can be hard to keep track of which new place is where. But when a beloved restaurant team opens a new Italian spot in an iconic location in SoWa, news is heard clear above the chatter. Once the doors to Capri (capriboston.com), from the folks behind Prima in Charlestown and Capo in Southie, were flung wide, tables filled, and reservations were in demand.
Word got out, fueled in part by shared photos of hand-stretched noodles and glossy Cesears piled high and the decadent space that once held two beloved predecessors, Rocca and Cinquecento. The latter, having closed in 2020, meant that for the past five years, the city was growing hungry for its successor. And yet, despite the months of buzzy rumors and raves, I was still surprised to see Capri packed on a Monday night, during a fall nor’easter, no less. Turns out we were far from the only ones unwilling to sacrifice coveted seats even in the face of high winds and rain.
Fresh parmesan is generously served over a bowl of warm pasta
Despite having dined in the space in previous iterations, I was still awe-struck walking in, so complete is the transformation. Plush velvets, rich upholstery, deep reds, small round tables and tons of foliage—including a 20-foot olive tree—lend a feeling of intimacy in the generous space. The lighting is especially thoughtful, with fringe lampshades, globe lights, and small table lamps casting everything in a warm glow. It feels like an elevated and modern old-timey red sauce joint from a shared imagination where guests are in their finest, and Old Blue Eyes holds court in a corner booth.
Dining and Cooking