Waltham Italian Restaurant Closes After Nearly 40 Years

WALTHAM, MA — An Italian restaurant that has sat at near corner of Main and Prospect streets for nearly four decades has closed permanently because of the coronavirus, in what has become a familiar refrain.

Owner and executive chef Richie Barron of Il Capriccio Ristorante e Bar announced the move on the restaurant's website.

"We have been operating as tenants at will for several years, and with the emergence of COVID, it essentially ended our lease," Barron said. "In addition, the landlord has expressed other plans for the space."

It's not clear what those plans are just yet, but the news prompted an outpour of support and memories from diners lamenting the end of the era, sharing photos from special occasions they marked at the Waltham staple.

Barron, a Newton native and George Washington University graduate, began his culinary career in Washington D.C., and then entered the Culinary Institute of America. Upon graduation he helped Enzo Danesi open the restaurant the website says. With exception of a couple years in the early 80s, Barron has worked there since. Barron's menu was inspired by Danesi, a native of Milan, and Northern Italian cooking and was lauded several times over: Throughout the years it's been recognized by the likes of Zagat, Boston Magazine, James Beard, Gourmet Magazine, Wine Spectator, according to its website.

Having spent some 46 years in the kitchen, Barron said it was time to take a break. But he left open the possibility that the restaurant may pop up in some other spot or form.

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