Dan's Papers - July 13, 2007 -

Last weekend, my friends Erica and Marcy ffwere in town, and when the three of us get together, we love to eat out. Without hesitation, I knew just the place to take them for dinner - Il Capuccino. This traditional Italian restaurant, nestled in the heart of Sag Harbor, is known for award-winning cuisine, modest prices and old-world charm.

We arrived on Saturday night for a 7:30 p.m. reservation and were immediately greeted and shown to our table. As I looked around the cozy restaurant, I noticed the lovely mixture of patrons. From families and friends to couples sharing a romantic, candlelit meal, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Authentic red and white-checkered tablecloths draped every table, raffia-bound wine bottles hung from the ceiling and beautiful scenes of Italy decorated the walls, giving all the diners the truly classic Italian experience they expect.

Our server Darren brought us a basket of freshly baked garlic rolls - a far cry from any dinner rolls I have ever tasted. These warm, buttery rolls had a perfect crispiness and a rich garlic flavor. If this was any indication of what was to come (and it was), we were in for a real treat.

To start, I ordered the stuffed baked clams, perfectly seasoned and blended with an ideal blend of breadcrumbs and chopped clams. Erica ordered the Arugula, Endive and Radicchio salad, delicately tossed and drizzled with house dressing and topped with goat cheese. Marcy ordered the Fresh Mozzerella and Tomatoes. She claimed the mozzarella was the freshest she's ever tasted and the tomatoes were ripe and full of flavor. We were all particularly impressed with the large portion size, as it allowed us to taste all the dishes on the table, which is never a bad thing.

The dinner menu offers a large selection of classic Italian fare, including an array of pasta, chicken, veal and fish dishes accompanied by various sides and specialties. For the main course, I chose the Tortelloni al Pistacchio, Erica ordered the Flounder Al Limone and Marcy went for the Pollo alla Sorrentina. My dish, which consisted of ravioli-sized cheese tortellini and roasted pistachios in a creamy Alfredo sauce, was a pleasant surprise. I never thought of combining pistachios with pasta, but this offbeat mix complimented was delicious and my plate returned to the kitchen empty. Erica's flounder, served with a side of pasta in red sauce topped with Parmesan cheese, was sauteed in a delightful combination of zesty lemon and herbs. This is the perfect choice if you're looking for a light, tasty meal. Marcy's dish, served with a side of rice, included a tender chicken breast topped with grilled eggplant and covered in melted mozzarella. The dish was fresh and the combination definitely had a wow factor, as Marcy savored every bite. For wine connoisseurs, Il Capuccino also offers an extensive wine list - the perfect addition to any Italian meal. We definitely relished the moment and cleaned our plates, but we left room for dessert. It was a good thing we were in the mood to share, because it was almost impossible to pick just one indulgence. I chose the Espresso Mud Pie, a chocolate shell filled with ice cream and topped off with a sweet caramel drizzle. Erica ordered the Homemade Cannoli, a classic Italian favorite and Marcy ordered the Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie from the specialties menu, a gooey, pecan-studded sweet tooth's dream. Needless to say, we were satisfied.

My dining companions and I agreed that our experience at Il Capuccino was a pleasure from beginning to end. I can honestly say that it was one of the best Italian meals I've ever had. As we left the restaurant and stepped out into the charming streets of Sag Harbor, fireworks ignited in the sky. Not a bad way to end a wonderful evening.

Il Capuccino is located at 30 Madison Street, Sag Harbor. Call 631-725-2747 or visit www.IlCapuccino.com for more information. Please call for reservations for parties of 5 or more.