A DESTINATION

Located in the heart of downtown, La Grotta is a premiere dining location in historic Richmond, Va.

Since 1994, owner-Chef Antonio Capece has been captivating guests with his artistic and gifted presentations of Northern Italian cuisine. In the true tradition of Italian hospitality, La Grotta provides guests with the finest, most flavorful dishes, professional and friendly wait staff, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. La Grotta, which means “The Cave”, resembles a wine cellar, and for an even more intimate and special dining experience, guests can dine in the restaurant’s actual wine cellar room (subject to availability).

La Grotta excels in serving lunch and dinner parties as well.  Owner-chef Antonio and his manager-wife Andrea will work closely with you to ensure that your party will experience a special and memorable wedding rehearsal dinner or other corporate or family event in our charming wine cellar or other dining rooms.

Tony Capece

Chef

Owner-Chef Antonio Capece was born in Potenza, Italy.  At the age of 15, recognizing his natural gift and passion for fine cuisine, he attended Impass Culinary School and then launched his career working at Italian resorts. Antonio moved to the United States in 1981, working at top Italian restaurants Tiberio, il Giardino and Terrazza in Washington, DC.  In 1987, he opened his first restaurant, Otto Scalini, on K Street in Washington, and it was a resounding success. In 1991, tired of the D.C. traffic and in search of a great place where he and his wife, Andrea, could raise their family, Antonio and his business partner, Carlo Gaione, moved to Richmond, Virginia and opened their first venture, Amici™ Ristorante in the quaint and eclectic Carytown district.  At the urging of Amici’s loyal patrons, in 1994, they next opened La Grotta in Richmond’s historic Shockoe Slip area to be especially convenient to their growing business and tourist customer base. To ensure that their customers experience the quality and personal service for which they are well known, Antonio and Carlo divided their responsibilities, with Carlo operating Amici™ and Antonio operating La Grotta.