Enzo's Italian Restaurant In Rancho Mirage, California
Former hangout of Frank Sinatra changes name and approach
By Michael Hepworth
Enzo’s restaurant in Rancho Mirage near Palm Springs recently re-launched as an Italian restaurant primarily focusing on Southern Italian food and in particular the region of Calabria. The spacious facility used to be called DOMINICKS, and in its heyday it used to be the hangout for the likes of Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball, and all their Hollywood cronies who had luxury homes in the area and a passion for Italian food.
Today Enzo’s is run by the father and son team of Robert and Nick Novello, and the restaurant will feature handmade pizzas and pastas such as the veal marsala ravioli or even the classic and always popular spaghetti and meatballs. Another staple of the menu will be the house made sausage and charcuterie and of course the fresh seafood such as oysters and octopus. I did finagle a trip backstage to the kitchen area and was shocked at the size of it, more like A hotel kitchen than some of the cramped spaces I have seen in my time. No wonder big Frank liked to hang out there and actually chance his hand in the kitchen.
The tasting menu started out with the Mista Salad, mixed greens topped with garbanzo beans, slivered red onions, tomatoes, olives and of course the Parmigiana Reggiano. Good start which was deftly followed by the Melanzane Parmigiana Stack. This is Eggplant rounds sautéed in olive oil layered with Pomodoro, ricotta, mozzarella, parmigiana reggiano and fresh basil. The house special of Sausage Peppers and Meatballs went down a treat with this writer and was quickly followed by the Pesce Spade Pizzaiola, a grilled swordfish topped w/black olive, and caper in a roasted tomato sauce and served with risotto. Risotto is always one of the Hardest things to get right in an Italian kitchen but this time chef Nick got it right. Last up and probably the best dish of the night was Vitello Marsala, veal medallions served along with a mushroom and marsala wine sauce w/roasted asparagus.
The cocktail program here is pretty lively and a couple of the unique ones they feature are The Sicilian Caddy and the Fuzzy Mo. The former is an inspired take on the classic margarita and the latter is a combination of peach vodka and orange liqueur with a dash of cranberry and lime juice.
This is a big space with seating for 308 plus two patios in a 10,000 square foot area. I was told that their catering menu is in high demand in the area, and their full plate packages can serve up to eighteen people.
www.EnzosBistroandBarRanchoMirage.com
Enzo’s restaurant in Rancho Mirage near Palm Springs recently re-launched as an Italian restaurant primarily focusing on Southern Italian food and in particular the region of Calabria. The spacious facility used to be called DOMINICKS, and in its heyday it used to be the hangout for the likes of Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball, and all their Hollywood cronies who had luxury homes in the area and a passion for Italian food.
Today Enzo’s is run by the father and son team of Robert and Nick Novello, and the restaurant will feature handmade pizzas and pastas such as the veal marsala ravioli or even the classic and always popular spaghetti and meatballs. Another staple of the menu will be the house made sausage and charcuterie and of course the fresh seafood such as oysters and octopus. I did finagle a trip backstage to the kitchen area and was shocked at the size of it, more like A hotel kitchen than some of the cramped spaces I have seen in my time. No wonder big Frank liked to hang out there and actually chance his hand in the kitchen.
The tasting menu started out with the Mista Salad, mixed greens topped with garbanzo beans, slivered red onions, tomatoes, olives and of course the Parmigiana Reggiano. Good start which was deftly followed by the Melanzane Parmigiana Stack. This is Eggplant rounds sautéed in olive oil layered with Pomodoro, ricotta, mozzarella, parmigiana reggiano and fresh basil. The house special of Sausage Peppers and Meatballs went down a treat with this writer and was quickly followed by the Pesce Spade Pizzaiola, a grilled swordfish topped w/black olive, and caper in a roasted tomato sauce and served with risotto. Risotto is always one of the Hardest things to get right in an Italian kitchen but this time chef Nick got it right. Last up and probably the best dish of the night was Vitello Marsala, veal medallions served along with a mushroom and marsala wine sauce w/roasted asparagus.
The cocktail program here is pretty lively and a couple of the unique ones they feature are The Sicilian Caddy and the Fuzzy Mo. The former is an inspired take on the classic margarita and the latter is a combination of peach vodka and orange liqueur with a dash of cranberry and lime juice.
This is a big space with seating for 308 plus two patios in a 10,000 square foot area. I was told that their catering menu is in high demand in the area, and their full plate packages can serve up to eighteen people.
www.EnzosBistroandBarRanchoMirage.com