Located in the Westfield Shoppingtown, it's an Italian eatery that offers an Old World meal experience.
Figaro Ristorante in Enfield
In this stressed-out, time-challenged era, finding a place for a leisurely-paced lunch "out" has become quite a challenge.
That's not the case, we discovered, at Figaro Ristorante in Enfield. Located in the Westfield Shoppingtown on Elm Street, it's an Italian eatery that offers an Old World midday meal experience.
The ambiance at Figaro is traditional Italian, with plenty of decorative frills and furbelows. As for the menu, it's a comprehensive affair, favoring substantial entree options over the handheld or hasty.
An extensive array of starter choices is listed, with options including Bruschetta ($5.95), Escarole and Beans ($7.95), and Clams Casino ($8.50).
Spaghetti with Meatballs ($10.95) and Gnocchi with a choice of sauces ($11.95) are served, as are Italian entrees such as Chicken Parmigiana ($11.95), Mussels over Linguine ($12.95), and Veal Marsala ($15.95).
Seafood fanciers should take special note; at lunch Figaro serves the likes of Sole Almandine ($13.95), Fried Sea Scallops ($15.95), and Baked Stuffed Shrimp ($17.95).
Starter choices at Figaro, we noted with pleasure, transcend the trite selections offered elsewhere and instead include refreshingly creative choices like the Mozzarella with Tomato ($9.50) we enjoyed.
Handsomely composed to include thin-sliced prosciutto, cubes of Romano cheese, and roasted peppers as well as sliced fresh mozzarella, the presentation offered a spectrum of flavor experiences ideally suited to preface a meal.
True, the out-of-season sliced tomatoes included didn't add a lot to the proceedings, but we definitely enjoyed sharing the rest.
Lasagna ($10.95), an iconic Italian specialty, is done up right at Figaro Ristorante. Served topped with a measure of the restaurant's house marinara, the lasagna deliciously oozes rich, stringy cheese; a decidedly meaty presence complements that cheese goodness.
The portion was generous to a fault, with most of it going home with us in a carryout container.
Chicken Francese, another Italian restaurant standby, is a dish we've encountered in forms from delectable to downright disgusting.
We're happy to report that at Figaro, the Chicken Francese ($12.95) is entirely the former.
The two cutlets of chicken breast featured a golden-brown, egg-enriched crust, while the pan sauce was light-bodied and pleasingly infused with lemon flavor.
Lunch entrees at Figaro Ristorante come with bread and a cup of soup; salad can be added for a small upcharge.
The Manhattan seafood chowder being served the day we visited had a pleasing seafood flavor underscored by a discernable jolt of heat.
Tortellini en Brodo ($4.25) is a favorite of ours, but we're often disappointed with what we're served when we order it.
Not so at Figaro. The broth was bright golden and full of mellow chicken goodness. Not a hint of excessive saltiness or "off" vegetable flavors present.
Plump, freshly cooked pasta pockets floated in the soup along with a hint of minced parsley and some chopped pancetta, both judicious contributors to the overall flavor profile.
A side dish of spaghetti with sauce is also included with entrees in which pasta is not a component.
Though we're not inclined to drink at lunch, Figaro Ristorante is fully licensed and offers a more-than-adequate list of wine and beverage selections.
When it comes to dessert, the restaurant is prepared to tempt with the likes of carrot cake, red velvet cake, and cheesecake with strawberries.
We sampled a Tiramisu Layer Cake ($5.95), a creation that elaborated on the tiramisu "idea". Thin cake layers were brushed with coffee essence before being assembled and decorated with a light-textured, not-overly-sweet icing.
The Cassata Cake ($5.95) paired yellow cake layers with a thick filling of sweetened ricotta, candied cherries, and chocolate morsels. Iced with more ricotta and a ring of marzipan, the cake was a great ending to our meal.
At dinner, Figaro Ristorante offers a similar menu with larger portions (and appropriately higher prices) in force. The kitchen is also happy to prepare gluten free selections when feasible.
The full dinner menu is on-line at www.figaroenfield.com
Name: Figaro Ristorante
Address: 90 Elm Street, Enfield, CT
Phone: (860) 745-2414
Hours: Open daily 11:30 a.m to 10 p.m. Sunday noon to 9 p.m..
Entree Prices: Luncheon entrees priced $10.95 to $18.95
Credit Cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Handicapped Access: Accessible, restrooms equipped for wheelchair use
Reservations: Accepted for parties of five or more only