Capri-Inspired Eatery Opens In Former West Vil Home Of YUCO

WEST VILLAGE, NY — A Capri cuisine-inspired restaurant has opened in the West Village almost exactly one year after a well-received (and since-closed) restaurant launched in the exact same spot.

The restaurant Mr. Capri opened at 33 W. 8th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, on June 24, the owners announced on Instagram.

"Sharing the same love and vibe that has surrounded the entire team at Mr. Capri ," the restaurateurs wrote the night before. "Here we go!"

The 75-seat restaurant takes the place of YUCO, a Yucatan cuisine restaurant Patch reported opened in June 2021.

Despite rave reviews and a Best New Restaurant ranking from TimeOut New York, pandemic-linked pressures forced YUCO to close in January, owners wrote.

"We fought as hard as we could against this pandemic, but in the end we made a difficult choice," owners wrote at the time. "Hopefully one day we will reopen again, at a different spot."

Now Mr. Capri owner Alessandro "Ale" Passante and his brother Mario, the culinary director, are bringing the cuisine of their home to the same location.

The brothers grew up on the Italian isle and worked at their mother's local restaurant where their mother was the chef.

At least one recipe from the Passante's mamma appear on the menu; veal meatballs with onion and beef ragu.

The seafood-focused menu also includes a linguine alle tre vongole with clams, peperoncino and shaved fennel.

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The new restaurant — designed to have a "Capri Italian seaside vibe" — also has a bar, wine list, and cocktail menu.

"Mr. Capri brings you the best of both our mother's kitchen and upscale interpretations of regional Italian cuisine," reads a section on the restaurant's website.

Mr. Capri is open Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 10:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

You can find out more about Mr. Capri on its website.