Housed in the iconic Dominick’s space, neighborhood restaurant offers creative cocktails, extensive wine list to pair with fresh, authentic Italian fare
Enzo’s Bistro & Bar, an Italian restaurant with a lively bar scene will October 16 in Rancho Mirage. Following two weeks in soft opening, the restaurant will celebrate with red carpet fanfare and festivities at its grand opening party on November 7. Located at 70030 CA-111, the concept marries classic Italian and Calabrian fare, inspired by family recipes of Southern Italy.
The conception and inspiration for Enzo’s came from a collaboration between father and son chefs, Robert and Nick Novello of Southern Italian heritage, and is owned by iconic west coast restaurateur Hal Griffith. Named in honor of a beloved Novello family member, the menus and ambiance welcome guests as family.
“We wanted to create a space that feels like Grandma’s kitchen,” said Enzo’s Vice President of Operations Robert Novello. “There may be 15 tables, but we want it to feel like you’re in a cozy home, eating lovingly-made, traditional food.”
Enzo’s ever-evolving menu offers elevated Italian classics like handmade pizzas and house made pastas with Southern Italian delicacies inspired by the Novello family’s Calabrian heritage, including the Sicilian Bucatini, anchovy-forward bucatini with orange zest coined by Culinary Director Nick Novello as “the umami of Southern Italy.” Authentic and delicious selections include the Vitello Marsala, sautéed veal medallions served with a cremini mushroom and marsala wine sauce served on a bed of fresh, house-made fettucine and the Lasagna, Calabrese style with house made marinara and sausage, ricotta, parmigiana Reggiano, and Romano Pecorino.
“We’ve put together a best-in-class team including Palm Desert professionals like Regional Director AJ Mangione and Chef Vito Raspatella,” continues Nick Novello. “We have a delicious menu and some gorgeous spaces. We’re ready to wow locals, visitors and snowbirds alike.”
Housed in the space that was formerly Dominick’s, an iconic Palm Desert Italian spot frequented by Hollywood icons like Lucille Ball and Frank Sinatra, Enzo’s pays homage to these A-listers with an extensive cocktail list and lively bar scene. Craft cocktails like a Sicilian Caddy, an inspired take on a classic margarita or the Fuzzy Mo, a marriage of peach vodka, orange liqueur with a splash of cranberry and lime juice, join classic, Italian cocktails to pair with menu items, including specialty Bellinis and martinis. In the bar, happy hour will be offered daily from 3-7 p.m. with domestic draft beers, house wines and martinis starting at $3.50, and deals on shareable plates like the Polpette,featuring the Novello family recipe of handmade meatballs simmered in a fresh, marinara sauce or the Ostriche Carbonara, fresh oysters baked with pork belly, spinach in cream sauce.
A robust butcher block program will offer dry-aged steak and house-roasted rotisserie chicken, offered with seasonal preparations. These will join items like the Fettuccini Alfredo con Pollo Arrosto, a delectable take on the classic dish finished with house-roasted rotisserie chicken and more. To view the full menus, click here.
The new restaurant sits 308, with two patios in a 10,000 square foot space. A private event space with a capacity of 80 seated, 120-standing is available for group meals, weddings and corporate events. An expansive outdoor patio for dining, beckons both families and cozy tables for two.
Southern California Native Chef Nick Novello joined Great Western Pacific, the parent company of Enzo’s Bistro and Bar, in late 2018 following in the footsteps of his father Robert, who has run operations for the company’s California locations for 34 years.
Enzo’s is open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday). For more information on Enzo’s, please visit enzosbistroandbarranchomirage.com and follow Enzo’s on Facebook @EnzosRanchoMirage Instagram @Enzos_RM.
About Enzo’s Bistro & Bar
Inspired by the flavors and hospitality of Southern Italy, Enzo’s is a classic Italian restaurant and bar featuring authentic Italian fare made with the freshest ingredients available. Menus feature both classic preparations and seasonal special. A robust wine and spirits program offers a pairing for any meal. There are three locations along the west coast, each offering menus custom to each neighborhood, along with both indoor and outdoor spaces fit for both romantic meals or family reunions. For more information visit Enzo’s Issaquah, Enzo’s La Quinta or Enzo’s Rancho Mirage.
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Media Contacts: Osborne Northwest Public Relations for Enzo’s Bistro & Bar
Erin Osborne, erin@onpublicrelations.com, 206-948-6059
Kate Neidigh, kate@onpublicrelations.com, 206-802-5163
