Status: CLOSED (2019)
The Capri Italian Restaurant in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles closed in 2019 after decades of operation. While the restaurant appeared on Restaurant Impossible and received a makeover, it eventually closed when the longtime owners retired. The good news: the location lives on as Capri Club, a popular aperitivo bar.
A Long History
The Capri had a rich history in the Eagle Rock neighborhood. Joe and Helen Sams opened the restaurant in 1963 as a classic red-sauce Italian spot known for good food, reasonable prices, and a cozy atmosphere. They ran it for thirty years before passing it to the Thiel family, longtime regulars who became the next stewards of the business.
The Thiels ran the restaurant until 2006, when their twin sons Jeff and Jim took over the family business. That’s when Restaurant Impossible entered the picture.
The Restaurant Impossible Episode
By the time Robert Irvine arrived, The Capri was showing its age. The decor screamed 1990s, the menu had grown bloated, and operational inefficiencies were bleeding money. Eagle Rock had changed around them – trendy coffee shops and gastropubs were opening, competition intensifying.
The $10,000 makeover freshened the space. The menu got streamlined. Staff received training. The intervention gave The Capri a boost and helped it stay competitive for several more years.
The Closure
In 2019, after more than five decades in business, The Capri Italian closed when the owners retired. This wasn’t a failure story – it was a graceful exit after a long run. Few restaurants survive five decades, and The Capri outlasted thousands of competitors.
Capri Club: A New Chapter
After a major renovation of the historic space, the location reopened as Capri Club in 2020. Restaurant industry veteran and Eagle Rock local Robert Fleming transformed the space into a neighborhood aperitivo bar, offering amari, aperitivo-focused cocktails, wine, and classic Italian bar food.
The new concept has been well-received. Capri Club honors the location’s Italian heritage while adapting to modern Eagle Rock’s tastes. The spirit of the space lives on, even if the original restaurant doesn’t.
Location
The original Capri Italian was located at 4604 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041. Capri Club operates from the same address.
Last verified: January 2026
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