Buon appetito: Cafe serves real Italian
Buon appetito: Cafe serves real Italian
BY WILMA HURWITZ
SPECIAL TO MORRISTOWN THIS WEEK
• January 13, 2010
Entering its fourth year, Cappia Cafe has stayed true to its plan to provide good food and friendly service.
Its super location on Market Street just off The Green makes it easily accessible to businesses, professional associations, insurance agencies, social service groups, Morris County administrative offices, the county courthouse and attorneys' offices. And it's poised for those moving into the new 40 Park complex under construction nearby.
Good food — wholesome, straightforward Italian, Continental and American cuisine.
Good service — when you walk into the restaurant, you place your order at the counter, stroll into the dining room, take a seat, and your order is delivered to your table.
Results — seating and tables have more than doubled in the last three years.
Lunch — the most popular time — has customers lined up out the door.
We asked the owners, John Cappadona and Anthony Zappia, to explain this success.
"We believe that our business has grown steadily thanks to customer loyalty and word of mouth." Cappadona said. "It's so gratifying to see the local residents, commuters and business people coming back day after day for our daily specials, soups, more than 70 specialty subs, panini, wraps and salads.
"Along with our breakfast/lunch following, catering easily has become 20 percent of our business ... Most important — despite these challenging financial times and rising costs, we have held our prices for the last three years."
How nice to see this kind of success with lots of competitors nearby. Also impressive is how Cappia Cafe takes cues from its customers.
"In 2009, many customers expressed interest in an evening dinner service, especially when they work late for for special dinners in town." Zappia said. "We also felt that a Cappia Cafe dinner would be ideal when folks are in town for entertainment at the Community Theatre, at Headquarters Plaza's movie theaters or around the Green in the warmer months.
"So starting in October, we created a new menu of select dinner entrees for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Every dinner order is complemented by a family style house salad at no charge. And our entree prices range
from $10 to $19.
"In just a few months, we've had a steady number of repeat dinner customers that is growing."
Some popular dinner menu selections:
• "Shrimp fra diavolo — jumbo shrimp sauteed in a shrimp-flavored marinara, spicy or sweet and served over linguine.
• "Veal saltimbocca — medallions of veal, topped with prosciutto, mozzarella and a creamy mushroom Marsala sauce on a bed of spinach over linguine.
• "Brie chicken — a lightly breaded chicken breast with Black Forest ham, sauteed spinach, brie cheese, baked and topped with an orange Madeira sauce and served with pasta.
Let's hear from some Cappia Cafe diners who bravely ventured from their offices on a recent frigid day:
John Bowens and Gil Leeds of the law firm Schenck, Price, Smith and King. Bowen: "I've eaten dinner here — very good. The food is great — no question about it."
Leeds: "Been coming here since it opened. I love their soups — lentil, pea and wild mushroom. All I get is soup and a little bite of what everyone else has."
Joseph Occhiogrosso and Frank Marone of All-Pro Title Insurance. Occhiogrosso: "We come here every day with friends and clients. It's the most authentic Italian in town. I have been to Italy many times, and it's similar to an Italian trattoria — good quality at good prices." Marone: "It's great food at great prices."
Jerry O'Leary, attorney with Finazzo Cossolini O'Leary Meola & Hager LLC: "I come here almost every day with colleagues from work. Everyone knows our names. My selection varies every day (today it's a roast beef and cheddar sandwich). The food is always very good."
Denise Streit of Morris Township: "I come into town every couple of months and always come here. The food is great, good selection and close to homemade. I'm a 'foodie' who likes excellent food. Nothing exotic or fancy — just fresh."
Robert Duffy, managing partner of Morristown Wealth Management with a table of five others from his office: "I'm here at least once a week. Today, I'm having the beef stew. Being an Irishman, I'm very critical of this dish — almost as good as Mom's. The meat is very tender and the gravy has an almost sweet taste."
BY WILMA HURWITZ
SPECIAL TO MORRISTOWN THIS WEEK
• January 13, 2010
Entering its fourth year, Cappia Cafe has stayed true to its plan to provide good food and friendly service.
Its super location on Market Street just off The Green makes it easily accessible to businesses, professional associations, insurance agencies, social service groups, Morris County administrative offices, the county courthouse and attorneys' offices. And it's poised for those moving into the new 40 Park complex under construction nearby.
Good food — wholesome, straightforward Italian, Continental and American cuisine.
Good service — when you walk into the restaurant, you place your order at the counter, stroll into the dining room, take a seat, and your order is delivered to your table.
Results — seating and tables have more than doubled in the last three years.
Lunch — the most popular time — has customers lined up out the door.
We asked the owners, John Cappadona and Anthony Zappia, to explain this success.
"We believe that our business has grown steadily thanks to customer loyalty and word of mouth." Cappadona said. "It's so gratifying to see the local residents, commuters and business people coming back day after day for our daily specials, soups, more than 70 specialty subs, panini, wraps and salads.
"Along with our breakfast/lunch following, catering easily has become 20 percent of our business ... Most important — despite these challenging financial times and rising costs, we have held our prices for the last three years."
How nice to see this kind of success with lots of competitors nearby. Also impressive is how Cappia Cafe takes cues from its customers.
"In 2009, many customers expressed interest in an evening dinner service, especially when they work late for for special dinners in town." Zappia said. "We also felt that a Cappia Cafe dinner would be ideal when folks are in town for entertainment at the Community Theatre, at Headquarters Plaza's movie theaters or around the Green in the warmer months.
"So starting in October, we created a new menu of select dinner entrees for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Every dinner order is complemented by a family style house salad at no charge. And our entree prices range
from $10 to $19.
"In just a few months, we've had a steady number of repeat dinner customers that is growing."
Some popular dinner menu selections:
• "Shrimp fra diavolo — jumbo shrimp sauteed in a shrimp-flavored marinara, spicy or sweet and served over linguine.
• "Veal saltimbocca — medallions of veal, topped with prosciutto, mozzarella and a creamy mushroom Marsala sauce on a bed of spinach over linguine.
• "Brie chicken — a lightly breaded chicken breast with Black Forest ham, sauteed spinach, brie cheese, baked and topped with an orange Madeira sauce and served with pasta.
Let's hear from some Cappia Cafe diners who bravely ventured from their offices on a recent frigid day:
John Bowens and Gil Leeds of the law firm Schenck, Price, Smith and King. Bowen: "I've eaten dinner here — very good. The food is great — no question about it."
Leeds: "Been coming here since it opened. I love their soups — lentil, pea and wild mushroom. All I get is soup and a little bite of what everyone else has."
Joseph Occhiogrosso and Frank Marone of All-Pro Title Insurance. Occhiogrosso: "We come here every day with friends and clients. It's the most authentic Italian in town. I have been to Italy many times, and it's similar to an Italian trattoria — good quality at good prices." Marone: "It's great food at great prices."
Jerry O'Leary, attorney with Finazzo Cossolini O'Leary Meola & Hager LLC: "I come here almost every day with colleagues from work. Everyone knows our names. My selection varies every day (today it's a roast beef and cheddar sandwich). The food is always very good."
Denise Streit of Morris Township: "I come into town every couple of months and always come here. The food is great, good selection and close to homemade. I'm a 'foodie' who likes excellent food. Nothing exotic or fancy — just fresh."
Robert Duffy, managing partner of Morristown Wealth Management with a table of five others from his office: "I'm here at least once a week. Today, I'm having the beef stew. Being an Irishman, I'm very critical of this dish — almost as good as Mom's. The meat is very tender and the gravy has an almost sweet taste."
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