Capri Ristorante

Atmosphere- Very cool, calm, and warm atmosphere. Very old school, and very classy. As someone previously mentioned, if you have the choice, definitely choose the lounge area to the right for your meal. It feels like you're in a cool lodge, or a classy speakeasy from the 30's. There's also a real, working fireplace in the lounge area that just compliments the whole style of this place. It's just, just, class through and through in this place.

Waiters/Staff- Class, as well. I have been here a few times and every waiter/waitress I have had has been extremely knowledgeable and friendly. It's always a plus to have a server who knows the menu and when you ask a question about an item, they don't essentially, read the description back to you.

Food- Well prepared, simple menu. When I say simple I mean their menu isn't littered with a ton of items you probably don't care about. They have enough items to suit everyone's tastes, and a small enough menu to feel confident that the chef picked these items because they are his specialties.

Overall- Amazing place whose food is as quality as their service and atmosphere. A highly recommended dining experience in Indianapolis.

Ugg...I hate giving restaurants 2 star reviews...and to a restaurant who consistently hits Indianapolis Monthly's Top 25...a shame.

After reading yelp reviews and as a recommendation from a friend I though this was going to be the perfect Anniversary Date....Disappointment City....

The Good: The ambiance, old school, white table cloth, black and white bow tied servers, old wood, impressive wine wall, and an Fancy Italian Espresso Machine that sits perched in the middle of their dining room. My pondering are whether this large copper dream machine still produces the espresso from the old country?!

The Bad: Our arrival experience went like this: We arrived with a party in front of us and just inside the door on the right hand side there is a bench whose intended purpose I can only surmise is for waiting guests. But who should I see sitting there--no not guests-- it more looked like a penalty box of servers dressed in white with hands on knees as if to say, "Put me in coach!". The host was away seating another table while we waited to be checked in at the host stand. While the host was away a bold benched server approached asking if we had reservations. I gave him our name and seemed slightly confused as to whether he had our reservation or not. After I asked him if he had our reservation or not he said "Yes, I think so,  we just need to figure out where we are going to put you. We have a very busy night ahead of us with lots of reservations."  He mumbled something and my wife and I looked confused at one another trying to discern whether or not he asked us to follow him or not. Another benched server got up and indicated we should have followed him. We were sloppily passed off to the host who ironically enough was the owner. The owner did not say one word or even make eye contact with us but sat our table of two right next to a 12 top and 16 top...romantic...

Oh dear...so the arrival experience wasn't perfect...

The benched server who first approached us at the door approaches us now and says, "I guess I will be your server." Don't get me wrong Mr. Scoto, was a very nice gentleman...just very confused about restaurant operations.

He mentions the specials to us as we inquire if the bar could make a Bellini. Poor Scoto was unfamiliar with Bellini's and was very careful to ask the spelling so he could inquire of the bar whether or not they could make. 20 minutes later he comes back to tell us that they could not find their peach schnapps but perhaps my wife would like a glass of wine instead. She declined and ordered a Italian Margarita. He also mentioned that he made a mistake and told us yesterday's specials am not sure if Scotto was new or if he had ever really waited on a table before. His menu knowledge was sub par and were left to only hope the food was going to be out of this world.

The UGLY:
I am of the opinion that I do not mind the wait so long as the food is excellent. I will be happy to wait an hour for an entree that borders on modern art in form and taste. However, my Yelping Cohorts, I am sorry to have left you on the edge of your seat during this Shakespearean Tragedy but I am afraid that the final nail in the coffin was that the food when it arrived to the table was cold...not luke warm--cold. Does it even matter what entree we ordered? I don't think it does...food cold are you serious? I asked for the check....and we left. I didn't even bother to tell the owner because nobody bothered to ask how our meal was including our server. And I am sad to say the owner didn't seem to concerned about us when he sat us our table in the first place....

I am sorry to disappoint all of you who hold this restaurant near and dear to your heart as a staple to north side Indy. I am willing to say this could be an off night...but an off night for the owner as well? It grieves me to say but I was left with a lackluster impression that was without magic.

Though this happened to be our anniversary we did not let the fun stop there we went to another favorite restaurant to order desert and coffee where we could continue enjoying each others company.

Maybe we'll be back far in the future and give this one another go but....yikes....

Disclaimer:  I am from Boston.  With that being said one should also know that Boston has a large Italian-American population.   I am one of them.

Capri is the best restaurant I've eaten at thus far in Indy.  This is excellent Italian no matter where you are in the country.  Never had a bad meal, bad service, or a bad drink.  House made pasta is excellent.  Ever tried to make your own pasta? Yeah.  It's pretty tough.  That's why you go to places like this where the owner is actually from Italy, and can teach his staff to do it right.  And when I say do it right, I mean making actual, real honest to goodness Italian.  Ragu sauces, homemade pastas, ravioli, tortellini, bolognese, picatta, etc. etc. etc.  Do youself a favor - get the cannoli.  I repeat. get. the. cannoli.

Might be on the ever so slightly pricey side, but it is still much, much cheaper than some of the other places I have paid for a sub par meal at.  Places that were, mind you, touted as something outstanding. If you can, sit on the right side of the restaurant upon entering.  More inviting atmosphere that I would describe as kind of a classy casual feeling.  Overall with four drinks total, split app, two meals and a split dessert you'll spend about $75 give or take for two before tax and tip.  You'll have some to take home too.

A little piece of Boston's North End 10 minutes from my apartment, which was the same distance from me to the North End when I lived in Boston.  Been eating there every other week since I got here 6 months ago and won't stop any time soon.