WCAC

A beloved Northern Italian restaurant that closed during COVID plans to re-open in January at The Merc.

New Il Capriccio owner Mike Chapman told the city’s license commission last week that he plans to open at 710 Main Street with a new chef―and a new patio.

“Pretty much exactly the same concept, the same menu and the same staff,” said Chapman.

He will run the new place with executive chef Nathan Allen, who will move from Chapman’s existing place the Glenville Stops in Allston.

Il Capriccio ran for 39 years, most recently beside Gordon’s Liquors at 888 Main under the leadership of former owner and executive chef Richie Barron.

The new restaurant website said it will build on the original concept of “consistently fabulous Northern Italian dishes made with the freshest local ingredients.”

The interior of the new space is just starting to be remodeled.

“It’s a huge investment just to get the place open,” said Chapman.

124 seats are planned inside, with 44 patio seats proposed outside for al fresco dining.

“We’ll probably put up a pergola, like the one at Brothers Market,” Chapman said.

The license commission welcomed him and asked him to return in 2021 to revisit his plan for outside seating.