Capuli Opens in Westport with Casual California-Mediterranean Cuisine

Jessica Ryan April 14, 2021

Nestled in among the shops on the Post Road, at the former Westport Pizza location, you’ll find a gem of a family eatery called Capuli, which made a quiet entrance into Westport at the end of January.

After relocating their young family from California to Westport, Owners Andrea and Chef Armando Brito were searching for just the right location to open a restaurant and were thrilled with the newly available space in their new hometown. Chef Armando brings over 20 years of experience from Bay area restaurants such as Corso, Rivoli, Bistro Liaison and Rick & Ann’s. He was also a private chef for Kappa Beta Theta in Berkley and was awarded a scholarship to cook and learn about the various cuisines in Italy.

We sat down with Andrea who told us that Capuli was created to serve the community. “We want to offer home style meals for our guests who want them but don’t want to have to do the dishes.” Capuli, named for the fruit bearing tree found in Chef’s native country of Ecuador, draws inspiration from coastal California and the Mediterranean. A simple concept, Capuli, doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is, offering a variety of fresh, seasonal ingredients, whole grains and lean protein. Nothing is complicated here.

In addition to family meals, such as Roasted Chicken with Sage, Classic NY Steak, Macaroni & Cheese, an assortment of burgers and pastas, Capuli offers a lighter and more casual fare, perfect for lunch or a lighter dinner. These selections include Chimichurri Shrimp Skewers, Chimichurri Steak Skewers, Grilled Octopus, Roasted Butternut Squash Crostini, assorted salads and bowls, Grilled Salmon Sandwich, BLT and a Grilled Flank Steak Sandwich.

It was lunchtime on our recent visit and we were hungry, so we ordered a few things. We started with the Grilled Octopus, which was absolutely delightful. Light and tender, perfectly cooked and served with a green olive tapenade, tomato vinegar and roasted parsnips and potatoes, this dish was refreshing and spot on.

Next we enjoyed the Roasted Butternut Squash Crostini with pieces of diced butternut squash, caramelized figs, a balsamic reduction and topped with crumbled gorgonzola. The little toasts were bright and colorful and the flavors played well together, a hint of sweet balanced by the buttery, salty bite of the cheese.

The California Bowl is a massive salad, brightly colored with Romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, grilled corn, chipotle dressing and queso. There are add-ons for those who wish to have a little protein.

Lastly, we split the Grilled Salmon Sandwich. This included a delicious, tender and flaky piece of salmon served on a lightly toasted ciabatta roll with arugula, tomatoes, a caper pesto and a side of fries.

There’s nothing pretentious or complicated about this menu. If you’re looking for simple and delicious food, Capuli should absolutely be on your radar.

Capuli is open for lunch Tuesday through Sunday and Dinner seven days a week.
143 Post Road East, Westport
203-557-9340