Veteran restaurateur Vincent Cappelletti owns two of the most celebrated restaurants in Connecticut and he says it hasn't been easy.

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Cappelletti owns Lucas Local, an oyster bar and wood-fired restaurant in Newtown and Centrico in Bethel, recently named the statewide winner for Central or South American cuisine in Connecticut Magazine's Best Restaurant 2021 edition.

Lucas Local was voted Fairfield County's #1 Seafood Restaurant in the same edition. Cappelletti was recently interviewed for an article on ctinsider.com where he voiced his displeasure with the restaurant industry when he said:

I feel it's an absolute disaster. I think the industry has been ruined.

This statement isn't coming from a man who just decided to try something new. Cappelletti is a seasoned restaurateur who did everything right. He took out $100,000 in loans to see him through, but business is marginal at best.

'Centrico' Courtesy of Centrico's FB Page...
'Centrico' Courtesy of Centrico's FB Page...
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He's also had to lay off half his staff at both restaurants, but right now, he's going to hang in there hoping he'll be granted more loan money from the Paycheck Protection Program. Cappelletti also told ctinsider.com,

We're looking at at least three-plus years, after we get back to normal, to build the industry back up.

With the vaccine eventually kicking in, there appears to be glimmers of light at the end of the tunnel for the restaurant industry. You can do your part in helping your favorite restaurants by ordering take-out or dining in, but only if you feel safe of course. Do yourself a favor and try out Vincent Cappelletti's restaurants, Lucas Local, or Centrico. You're in for a very special treat.

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