Enzo's Italian: ‘The best you're gonna get'

If it’s authentic Italian cuisine you crave, consider getting it from an authentic Italian.

When Denise Harrigan and her Irish hubby, Dan, opened Enzo’s Italian Restaurant in Promenade Plaza on County Road 393S four years ago, it was the realization of Dan’s long-held dream.

The couple gutted the former office space and Denise lent her decorating skills to the décor.

The result is a small, intimate café where friends and family can come to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine and leave feeling like a new member of the Harrigan family.

Dan is on site seven nights a week to welcome guests to his restaurant.

“It’s fine dining, but we welcome casual diners,” he said. “Since it’s small, we get to know the people who come and we have survived on repeat local business.”

Even those who come in alone to dine won’t feel lonely.

“Usually, people end up in conversations with others across the aisle at the next table and end up being friends by the time they leave,” said Dan. “Someone described dining here as akin to going home to eat at mama’s house.”

And with such a warm experience, diners tend to stay a while.

“We make everything from scratch, even the sauces, which takes a little longer. But folks don’t seem to mind,” said Dan.

Denise drew from a Sardinian chef’s teachings in developing her menu. The choices are mostly Italian, with a bit of Caribbean influence and cover a broad spectrum.

The Harrigans say there is no clear menu favorite, but the potato-wrapped grouper might have a slight edge. However, with choices such as Sicilian seafood medley, spaghetti Bolognese, baked ravioli, baked manicotti, cappellini aglioli, veal saltimbocca, filetto dolcelatte, blue crab manicotti, and a full page of New York-style 18-inch thin-crust pizzas baked in a brick oven, there is something for everyone — even the kids.

Entrée prices range from $12 to $29. 

The temptation to linger after dinner is strong after a glance at a dessert menu that includes fresh crepes topped with berries and cream, and Italian rum cake.

As a kid-friendly dining establishment, the Harrigans do have a separate kids’ menu, and dogs are welcome at the outside dining area.

Nightly specials are also offered.

In addition to soda, German beer and wines from Italy and Chile are available.

“We’re here and the food we have is the best you’re gonna get on the Panhandle,” bragged Dan. “We’re not easy to find, but it’s worth the look. We will make it as long as locals support us.”

Enzo’s is open seven days a week from 5 p.m. until people stop coming.

For take out, call 850-267-3003.