NEEDHAM, Mass. — In Needham, it’s Italian cuisine that will make any Valentine swoon.
“That’s the saffron lobster bisque tarragon and grappa,” said Capella general Manager Matt Collins.
This local restaurant is excited about the upcoming Valentine’s Day weekend. ‘It’s nice that it’s on a Sunday so hopefully we’ll get Friday, Saturday and Sunday and get some good business,” says Rob Picardi, chef and owner of Capella.
After a tough year of COVID-19, restaurants are hopeful that the usually very busy Valentine’s Day will help them turn the corner.
“We’re hoping to get through the last hurdle here,” said Picardi.
So, Picardi and his team are trying something new: High-end takeout food.
“We wanted to give the restaurant experience at home this year, something easy to reheat,” said Picardi.
And so far, eating inside is hot too. They’re getting booked up fast for Valentine’s Day.
“Things have been lifted and we’ve seen people having more of a comfortability with being out and dining out in a restaurant,” said Collins.
Bob Luz, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, said this is a dramatically different landscape from one year ago.
“Last year we had 3,400 more restaurants than we have this year,” said Luz.
And at Cappella, making that dining experience high end at the restaurant or at your home is their goal.
“I think people will respond to Valentine’s Day this year and being in the house and not doing anything for the past 10 months,” said Picardi.
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