Sam and Mary Alfieri opened the Capri Restaurant on Ferry Street in the mid 1950s. Sam, originally from Naples, named it for the Isle of Capri close to his birthplace. The restaurant started out with room for 60 diners, but eventually expanded to 3 dining rooms plus a cozy living room lounge.

The family run restaurant became well known for the warm and personal welcome, its linens and beautifully set tables, and the menu of superb homemade Italian and Canadian food. The foyer had a wall of signed photos of famous guests who had dined there, including Tom Cruise, Mariah Carey, Sohpia Loren and many others.

The Capri earned many awards and commendations through the years from travel and dining publications, and local “People’s Choice” awards as Best Italian Restaurant in the city. Mary and her daughter Marisa continued to run the restaurant after Sam’s death in 1996.

After 55 years in business, the Capri closed suddenly in 2009. Today (2018) the Bravo Pizzeria-Grill occupies the building.