Il Capriccio, Whippany, NJ: A Restaurant Review
Il Capriccio is an exceptional fine dining destination restaurant, with an Italian villa ambiance, ideal for celebrating a special occasion or a romantic dining experience.
Il Capriccio: Restaurant Highlights
Fare: Italian - with dishes representing all regions of Italy
Price: Expensive
Food Quality: Outstanding. The food is prepared with healthy, high quality, fresh ingredients, and when available organic, free-range meats and vegetables are sourced locally
Service: Professional, attentive, without being intrusive
Ambiance: Elegant, reminiscent of a romantic Italian villa,
Overall Rating: 3 Stars - One of the best Italian restaurants in Northern New Jersey
* Description of Restaurant Classification - Chef-Inspired Fine Dining:
Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 Star = poor to 4 stars= Best in Class
Noise Level: Moderate
Dress: Upscale Casual
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy a high-end fine dining experience, complete with a well-executed menu using healthy ingredients, in an upscale, romantic setting
Not Recommended For: Budget conscious diners who prefer traditional, southern Italian, red sauce restaurants.
Recommended dishes: When available, The Tagliatelle Bolognese Egg noodle in a creamy beef Bolognese sauce mascarpone cheese, English peas; The Filetto di Bue ai Ferri, a 10oz Prime center cut grilled filet mignon; and The Branzino al Forno Fresh, whole, roasted Mediterranean Sea bass with garlic and aromatic herbs.
Liquor: Full bar service with over 400 selections of wines from moderately priced to exclusive reserve selections.
Restaurant Review
Il Carpriccio is enjoyed by diners seeking a high end, "Old World," fine dining experience, complete with a well-executed menu using healthy ingredients, in an upscale, romantic setting.
Antonio Grande and his wife, Clara, have devoted their lives to their Il Carpriccio Italian restaurant, a family run operation. Son Natale is the Executive Chef while daughter Teresa serves as pastry chef and Paola, the youngest, works as a hostess. Their nephew Salvatore Le Rose is the maître d' and sommelier.
The kitchen is the inspiration of owner Antonio (Tony) Grande, with his son Natale carrying on the tradition as the executive chef.
Tony Grande received his culinary training in his native Italy at the renowned ENALC, a national hotel school in Rome. Grande later honed his culinary skills at Hotel Europa in Foppolo, at La Fenice in Venice, and in the Hotel Piccolo in Lago de Garda, Italy, before emigrating to the United States in 1973.
Before opening Il Capriccio in 1984, Grande owned and served as Chef at the Bel'vedere restaurant in Clifton.
The kitchen serves a well-executed gourmet menu with Italian dishes representing all regions of Italy. The food is prepared with healthy, high quality, fresh ingredients. He is committed to using organic food that has not been genetically modified and meat that is antibiotic- and hormone-free. When available, organic, free-range meats and vegetables are sourced locally from Tony Grande's 190 acre farm a Sussex County. The fish is wild line-caught; pastas are homemade using quality flours.
The dining room is reminiscent of an Italian villa in Florence with murals and classical oil paintings on the walls, soft upholstered chairs, carpeting, gentile romantic lighting, and giant urns filled with fresh flowers. Live Pianist on Wednesday-Saturday round out the romantic ambiance.
Tables are spaced comfortably apart four quiet conversation.
During the warmer months, there is outside dining on the Tuscan styled courtyard that seats up to 35 guests.
Il Capriccio is open six days/week - Closed Sundays.
For lunch 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays,
For Dinner 5-10 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays.
Note: Strict formal dress code. Jackets are optional for gentlemen, but collared shirts are required. Dresses, skirts, blouses, neatly maintained jeans, and dress shoes are permitted for women.
* Description of Restaurant Classification - Chef-Inspired Fine Dining:
- "Old World" with sophisticated and romantic décor.
- Priced higher than other upscale restaurants to cover the cost of the added amenities.
- They are chef driven by chefs with impressive credentials including formal culinary education and skills honed at award winning restaurants.
- Committed to high quality food ingredients such as imported items not available in the supermarket, with emphasis on local seasonal farm-to-table produce, wild caught seafood, & meats without the use of antibiotics and growth hormones.
- The wait staff is rigorously trained --- professional, knowledgeable, and attentive. Has an alcohol menu with high end wines and specialty cocktails and with a staff knowledgeable in wine pairings.
- Additional amenities include linen and fine China table settings, carpeted flooring, chandeliers, and complimentary sorbets, dessert chocolates, etc.
- Patrons tend to be older, more formally dressed, with high incomes.
The most popular upscale restaurants in New Jersey, classified into three categories; Chef-Inspired Fine Dining, Chef-Inspired Casual Dining, and Contemporary Casual.
learn more about the three types of upscale restaurants and how reviews are created.
(updated: January, 2023)
