This isn’t Ted Cook’s, owner and chef of Capricci’s True Italian, first restaurant. In fact, it isn’t even his first restaurant in this space in Downtown Waxhaw. Cook opened and ran Front St. Café over twenty-two years ago in the exact same location. This time, he did it a little differently. Focusing on his memories of cooking with his grandmother, he used her recipes and others that he picked up on a trip to Italy to create the menu available today at Capricci’s True Italian. Featuring homemade ravioli, brick oven pizza, fresh fish, veal, chicken, wonderful salads, and homemade desserts, a trip through the Capricci’s menu is like your own personal tour through Northern Italy.

Cook moved to Waxhaw about twenty-six years ago from Jupiter, FL. There he had a successful restaurant and catering business, but wasn’t geographically close to his ex-wife’s family. So, he sold the business and moved to Waxhaw to be closer to them while his own family was growing. He and his ex-wife are no longer married, but he never left Waxhaw. Now married to Patty Cook, co-owner of Capricci’s, they and their children run the restaurant in a true family style. They even have a family table in the restaurant that seats ten and was crafted and donated by Waxhaw Made Custom Fine Furniture. The name of the restaurant, Capricci’s, is a collision of Cook’s last name and his mother’s family name, the Mascetti’s. Combining these two family names sets the tone for the family values combined in the restaurant.

Some of Cook’s best memories are when his grandmother would take him into the kitchen and let him help with making the family’s dinner. Learning to make bread, pasta, and the family secret sauce (Mary’s Sauce is his grandmother’s recipe and is featured prominently on the menu), Cook then attended Johnson & Wales University and became a chef. Now with his talents back home in downtown Waxhaw, you are welcome to come to his table or he will bring the food to yours. Capricci’s offers a full service catering or catering drop-offs, so whether it’s dining al fresco at the Queen’s Cup, catering for a shower or an office party, there is no reason not to have true Italian at your next event. Penny Willis is the Catering Manager and has been working alongside Cook since his days with Front St. Café. Capricci’s also offers carry-out if you’re looking for a healthy and filling meal on the go. And don’t forget about Capricci’s full service bar. They have six beer taps that rotate regularly and a variety of canned and bottled favorites. They also have many specialty cocktails developed by the Bar Manager, Dirk Dachs. The wine list at Capricci’s grows regularly with delicious options curated by Cook and Dachs.

While you may not think of Italian food as being the healthiest option, you will be surprised when you look at the menu. Offering gluten-free pastas and pizzas, as well as a variety of vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, the entire family will be able to sit down and eat with joy at Capricci’s True Italian.

Capricci’s True Italian; #704-256-5521; capriccistrueitalian.com; Hours: Mon-Thu 11-9 p.m., Fri & Sat 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; 109 W South Main St., Waxhaw, NC 28173; Instagram & Facebook @CapriccisTrueItalian.