Carved out of the cellars of a Providence Financial District landmark, Capriccio has long been the city's outpost for candlelight sophistication, where both locals and out-of-towners alike are decidedly pampered.

Creative Continental cuisine with a Northern Italian accent has earned the restaurant more than 35 awards for fine dining and atmosphere. Signature dishes include imported Dover sole, prime aged steaks, house-made pastas and flambe desserts. Wine Spectator has awarded the Capriccio cellars with its award for excellence, and the cognac selection is one of America's most extensive.

This place, you might have by now inferred, is upscale. The waiters are tuxedoed, and you might not want to show up in anything too far removed. You'll eat in one of the two main dining rooms, each with its own fireplace, and may want to soak up some extra atmosphere in the piano bar either before or after your meal. The stone walls, cobblestone floors and plush decor have earned Capriccio the distinction of yet one more accolade: the S.M. Hexter Award for best restaurant interior in America.

By the time you've paid your $20 per entree, added appetizers, wine and desserts, and tipped the valet, what you gained around the midsection will roughly equal what you lost from your pocket. So it would seem to be a tie –- until you factor in the worth of one of the most memorable dining experiences you will ever have had.