Breaking Down the Walls at Enzo's

If you are looking for a private party room for your next celebration, Enzo's Restaurant owner Luciano Savone wants you to know that they will be unveiling a new catering space at the beginning of April. That is in plenty of time for the upcoming First Communion and graduation seasons.

At a time when many area businesses are struggling or even closing, Savone saw the perfect opportunity to expand his restaurant and fulfill his customers' requests. "I noticed that a lot of people were looking for a room to do private parties, but we didn't have one," he explained. "An opportunity came up that we now had this empty store next door, so I thought it was a very good idea to create a nice room for our clientele. We already have five or six parties booked."

As the landlord of the adjoining store next to the restaurant, Savone said it made perfect sense for him to take over that space, rather than re-rent it. The new room will be connected to the main restaurant, and will add nearly 1,000 square feet to accommodate private receptions for up to 70 people.

Savone has been keen to recognize opportunity when it presents itself in order to keep moving forward in his career. He first worked as the head chef when Enzo's opened in 1981, but soon wanted his own place. In 1985, Savone left Enzo's to open Luciano's Italian Restaurant in Yonkers. "We're celebrating 25 years in business," he proudly noted. "That's a long time to just be able to keep your doors open in a tough business like this."

Thirteen years ago, Enzo Besini, then owner of the restaurant that still bears his name, decided to retire. Here was a chance for Savone to come back to Mamaroneck and take Enzo's to the next level. "I knew the restaurant, I knew the area, and thought it was another good opportunity," he recalled.

Savone decided to keep the name "Enzo's" to retain the loyal clientele of regulars, but made changes to the menu to also attract new customers.

"We kept traditional dishes like chicken scarpariello, zuppa di pesce and seafood risotto," Savone explained. "But we added new dishes, as well as daily specials." Among the newer dishes were  Veal Loreto, a veal scaloppini sautéed with shallots, cognac sauce, Portobello mushrooms and Fontina cheese; Chicken Michelangelo, a chicken breast encrusted in Parmesan cheese with prosciutto, asparagus and Asiago cheese; lamb shanks with mushroom risotto; and Chilean Sea Bass Brodetto, featuring chopped onions, white wine, fish stock, fresh herbs, clams, mussels and shrimp.

Among the most popular dishes at Enzo's are the Veal Osso Bucco and lamb chops in a red wine reduction served with asparagus and potato croquettes, Savone said. His signature pasta dish – Spinach Fettucini a la Luciano – combines shredded pork sausage sautéed in white wine with shitake mushrooms, veal stock and chopped fresh tomatoes. He describes the food at Enzo's as "regional Italian – we have a little of everything."

Savone noted that Willy has been the head chef at Enzo's ever since he left to start his own restaurant in Yonkers many years ago. But that doesn't mean Savone is no longer involved in the restaurant's food preparation. He continues to cook, experimenting in the kitchen and finding inspiration from books, food shows on Italian television RAI International, and annual trips home to Frosinone, Italy, outside Rome.

"I go back every year or so and I always try to find new recipes," he stated. "It's amazing what they do over there. What can I say? Italy is a country that is very blessed when it comes to good food."

When Enzo's first opened, Savone said it was considered an expensive place to eat. "Some people still have that idea," he said, "but I have only raised the prices $1 or $2 once since I took over. We're a tablecloth restaurant, but we're not any more expensive than other restaurants here. We offer very good food at comfortable prices."

Appetizers range in price from $8.95 to $11.95, and entrees are $16.95 to $29.95. Enzo's also offers a prix fixe menu every evening Sunday through Thursday, and until 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. For $18.95 to $21.95, diners can start with soup or salad, and then select from 12 entrée choices with a side dish, followed by dessert and coffee. Cannoli, tiramisu, chocolate mousse, Italian cheesecake and zabaglione are homemade on the premises.

In addition to a full bar, Enzo's also offers an extensive wine list, with Italian and American wines in the $30 to $400 range. Since the restaurant was renovated five years ago, it now also has a small wine-tasting room to accommodate 20 guests, as well as sidewalk cafe seating in the summertime.

Enzo's Italian Restaurant is located at 451 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck, 914-698-2911.