By Denise Ortuno
Enjoy a lively and very happy time, at Enzo’s Bistro & Bar’s Happy Hour in Old Town La Quinta, or Rancho Mirage.
I have always loved hanging out in Old Town La Quinta. It has a cozy vibe, with shops and fabulous restaurants. On a recent visit, my boyfriend and I discovered, what has now become one of our new favorite spots in the area to hang out at, Enzo’s Bistro & Bar. The popular restaurant specializes in Italian fare, and with its warm wood tones and inviting service, it makes for a wonderful dining experience.
We sauntered on in one night after having some pizza at our other favorite Old Town place, Stuft Pizza. Our plan was to just stop in for drink, but ended up having a bite as well, and took advantage of their lengthy and generous Happy Hour (in the bar area only), which runs from 3pm to 7pm every day. Their Happy Hour prices are very impressive, with well cocktails and wine for $4.75, beer for $3.50 and well martinis for $6.75. It’s a heck of a deal!
Their Happy Hour food menu is equally enticing, with most items well below the ten dollar mark, and only a few hovering over. You can basically piece together a full delicious meal and drinks, without draining your wallet. HH menu items include, Ostriche Carbonara (4 baked oysters on the half shell, fresh spinach and pancetta cream sauce), Calamari Fritta (lightly floured, flash fried, with Pomodoro sauce), House made Salsiccia (home-made pork sausage infused with fennel, basil, garlic, charbroiled with peppers and onions), Caesar Salad (crisp romaine, house croutons, white anchovies, Parmigiano Reggiano), Scampi (sautéed shrimp, garlic butter cream sauce), Pappardelle Bolognese ( slow braised bolognaise sauce, with Parmigiano Peggiano and Romano Percorino), plus many more selections, including a variety of Pizza’s.
I have come to love their Caesar salad, and the Scampi. The Caesar is crisp, and savory, and those white anchovies our delish. The Scampi comes in a velvety garlic butter cream sauce, which just demands to be slathered up with some of their fluffy bread!
With so many tantalizing dishes to choose from, I look forward to going back soon and trying more at Enzo’s, for an enjoyable dining and “Happy” experience.
Enzo’s is located at 78-121 Avenida La Fonda, La Quinta, 92253 and 70-030 Hwy 111 Rancho Mirage, 92270
