Capers — Restaurant in Ontario

Let me start by saying WOW. From a local who treasures quality home-cooked meals and seldom dines out in Belleville, my Valentine's Day dinner at Capers was a revelation that has completely transformed my dining preferences in town. It's rare to find a restaurant that compels me to write a review, but Capers deserves every bit of praise.

Walking into Capers on such a special night, I was immediately struck by the warm and inviting ambiance that promised an evening to remember. What I didn't anticipate was how the meal would elevate my standards for dining excellence, right here in Belleville.

The star of the evening was undoubtedly the Risotto. As someone who has savored this dish across the globe, including Italy's most renowned establishments, I can confidently say Capers' rendition is on par with the best. The flavors were complex, comforting, and utterly delightful, a testament to the remarkable skills of Chef Taylor Knox.

Speaking of Chef Knox, his visit to our table added a personal touch that was much appreciated. It's not every day you meet a young, well-educated talent who not only has mastered his craft but also exudes passion for his culinary creations. Learning that Chef Knox honed his skills at Belleville's own Loyalist College made the meal even more special, showcasing the local talent our town has to offer.

The service throughout the evening was impeccable, with attentive yet unobtrusive staff ensuring our Valentine's Day dinner was perfect. This level of care and professionalism is what sets Capers apart and guarantees my return.

Capers is more than just a restaurant; it's a culinary destination that I am proud to have in downtown Belleville. Whether for a special occasion or to impress guests and clients, I now know where to go for an international standard dining experience without leaving town. Thank you, Capers, for a memorable evening. I look forward to many...

To say I left Capers disappointed would be an understatement. I had spent time on three separate occasions over the course of a week trying to reach out to the management at this establishment to ask some questions about their menu and food restrictions, to never receive any calls back or communication whatsoever. When I arrived for my reservation, I once again tried to speak to someone about my concerns and was assured that my dietary concerns would be addressed as they are quite strict and severe, and that the kitchen was well aware of my rest restrictions. Not once was I offered to speak to a manager, still. We were with a large party for a 60th birthday celebration for my father, and my husband and myself had to sit at the end of the table with no food, watching everyone eat because they brought our meals out containing the items we cannot eat. Our food had to be taken back, remade and brought back out, at which point everyone else was done dinner. We then paid full price and were not spoken to, apologized to, or even provided an opportunity to speak with a manager. I went back in after the rest of the party left and finally got to meet with a manager. She was so entirely unprofessional that I am amazed she holds a role of authority at all. She was rude, unapologetic, and went so far as to insist that I prove to her how I tried to communicate because she absolutely couldn’t believe that her staff didn’t get back to me. When I showed her the proof she still had nothing to say. I told her I was disappointed; that led nowhere. She said have a good night and I walked out the door. I will not be returning, and I don’t recommend anyone else...

The food was terrific, but the service was a disappointment. We had the charcuterie, beef tenderloin, beet tartar, and tuna. The food was excellent, although we felt they could have incorporated more lion's mane mushrooms with the beef. However, we felt the service ruined the meal. One of my dinner companions is a medical cannabis patient. He has a back injury and uses cannabis to manage the pain. The server noticed him take a few puffs of a joint to ease his pain so he could sit for a prolonged period while eating, and when he asked for a beer with his meal, she refused to serve him because she noticed him smoke before entering. He showed no signs of impairment (he did not smell, he was speaking fine, his eyes were not red, etc.), and we explained that he was a medical cannabis patient, and was not driving, but she still refused. We asked if he appeared impaired, and she said that was not the point. She seems to have a problem with cannabis as we are familiar with smart serve, having worked in the industry previously, and we are well aware that you need to look for signs of intoxication and cannot serve anyone who appears impared. He has been a medical cannbis patient for a long time and said he has never had this issue before. We felt mistreated and didn't tip, which we regret because we thought the chefs...