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Date: 5/13/2021
ENFIELD, CT – Enfield-based restaurants are getting ready for the spring/summer dining season. Some are introducing new items and exclusive dishes to their cuisines. Others are expanding their outdoor spaces and live entertainment to keep their businesses afloat.
Smoke BBQ Cafe on 4 Alden Ave. is the former Polish Deli of Enfield. Though it is the same company, Owner/Chef Sasha Skerla added menu items such as brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork, mac and cheese and BBQ chicken along with their selection of grinders and their staple Polish specialties of pierogi, kielbasa, kapusta, and golabki.
“The BBQ has gone up during the pandemic. Our takeout, deliveries and online shopping went up 100 percent. We switched to takeout and it’s kept us really busy,” Skerla said. “Big Y and Enfield’s Shop Rite sell our pierogi. We have 60 stores all over New England.”
In addition to the cafe, Skerla is also the owner of Old Country Banquets at the same address, providing full-service catering for weddings and casual get-togethers.
“The banquet halls have been there for 100 years and we took over in 2009,” Skerla replied. “Our two banquet halls are open now and we’re hosting parties and banquets already. In fact, it’s been a huge difference from last year because we’ve been closed for a year.”
Starting in June, Smoke BBQ will be at the Farmer’s Market in Enfield and Suffield. For more information, visit their website at smokebbqcafe.com. The are open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 am. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This month Buona Vita Bar & Grill on 284 N. Maple St. opened their new permanent patio. They are now back to offering happy hour in the bar from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and their Buona Vita specials.
“At Buona Vita our mission has always been to bring great quality for a great price in an atmosphere where you feel comfortable,” said Owner Kelly Miller. “We have been serving Enfield since 1998 when the original owner, George Carabase, first opened the doors. We offer everything from pizzas and grinders to our large pasta dishes and fresh seafood.”
When the restaurant first shut down their indoor dining, Miller said she had bartenders delivering food, servers bagging up to-go orders and converted their bar area into a takeout station in order to operate because the establishment is not set as a takeout restaurant. Buona Vita started offering family meals and began making a series of Happy Hour videos where the bartenders showed customers how to make different drinks. They also incorporated a new updated POS system to help with the demand and begin online ordering and delivery.
“The one major thing I’ve learned though all the constant changes and rules is that customer confidence is huge,” Miller responded. “If our customers feel safe and know that we take their safety seriously they come back. We continue to evolve and I am curious and excited to see what the restaurant industry looks like as we get back to being a full functioning restaurant and bar again.”
Buona Vita are open Tuesday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call at 860-749-5903.
Family-owned Angelina’s Restaurant on 555 Hazard Ave. has been around for 12 years serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. They were also voted the best breakfast in town. This dining season Angelina’s will be offering new specials.
Owner/Chef Miguel Mendoza said, “Most places you go to, they will have the basic breakfast, lunch and dinner, but we are coming out with so many vegetarian dishes for breakfast. Over the years, I’ve noticed that customers want to have a healthy meal in the morning, so I’ve been working on these breakfast bowls with quinoa, beets, oats and root veggies that customers can get in the morning that are different from other places.”
He continued, “I just want to thank all for the support they’ve given me to the restaurant. Our goal is to keep doing good business while keeping our staff and customers safe.”
Call Angelina’s Restaurant at 860-763-0399. Their hours are Sunday and Monday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Country Diner located on 111 Hazard Ave. are running six unique breakfast specials such as smoked salmon Benedict, wild mushroom omelettes and avocado toast with feta, bacon, cilantro, jalapenos and eggs every week and dinner specials on Fridays and Saturdays.
“We opened in January of 1996,” responded Manager Carrie Phimvongsa. “Our service is very fast and friendly. Our cuisine is diner food and beyond because we have specials that exceed that of a normal traditional breakfast.”
Though Country Diner will provide outdoor seating, Phimvongsa said because of limited parking the restaurant can’t provide what they did last year which was a big tent. Instead, they have picnic tables with umbrellas where customers can come in and take their meals outside. The diner is also doing deliveries within six miles which Phimvongsa mentioned they’ve never done up until this year. Her goal right now is to keep Country Diner’s reputation of being a safe, healthy and family place to be with good food, good service and more laughs to go.
“I’ve been absolutely moved by the support we have in our community, the customers that have returned to us and the new customers who have come to try us and now become regulars,” said Phimvongsa. “We know a lot of restaurants that didn’t make it or that are still struggling today. Because of our wonderful customer base, we are extremely grateful that we have been busy.”
The Country Diner is open Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit their website at thecountrydiner.com.
Figaro’s Italian Restaurant on 90 Elm Street is another family-owned business offering outdoor dining for lunch and dinner.
Owner Ernesto Nolasco said, “We just opened our tents outside. We’re doing different varieties of seafood, steaks, pastas and different types of salads for the summer. I hope everything gets better so people can come out more.”
In addition to their outdoor dining, Figaro’s will have live entertainment inside starting June 6 with award winning tribute artist Robert Black and the Ultimate tribute to Rod Stewart on June 13. Figaro’s Italian Restaurant hours are Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 8 p.m. Call at 860-745-2414.
Sarapes Restaurant on 95 High St. is introducing their all American and Mexican breakfast and gluten free tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, tostadas and beef and chicken soup. Manager Maria Chavez said they are adding three new dishes to their menu which are Tacos de Birria beef, Aguachile (shrimp ceviche) and Molcajete (grilled pork, beef, shrimp and chicken).
“We have the best authentic Mexican food for almost 20 years,” said Manager Maria Chavez. “My mother Cutberta Chavez is the owner. We have a nice atmosphere. People love Sarapes because of the music, food, staff and our awesome service. We now have outdoor patio seating, open take-out and curbside pick-up.” Throughout the pandemic, Chavez said the community of Longmeadow, Enfield, Somers and Suffield supported Sarapes.
“I’m hoping the business can continue to grow and we try to do our best,” Chavez replied. “My goal is introducing customers to our breakfast because that is one of the things a lot of people don’t know about.”
Sarapes is open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.. Go to sarapesrestaurant.com for more information.
The Yarde House Tavern on 1658 King St. has been around for 12 years serving homemade wings, meatloaf, salads and fresh mozzarella. They have outdoor dining seven days a week and live music outside Thursday through Saturday night, weather permitting.
“Right now, we’re trying to figure out what’s right and wrong after the pandemic. It’s a challenge, but it’s going really well,” said Manager Tom Parker. “We have rotating menus throughout the year. We just got done with a Cinco de Mayo menu we ran for two weeks. Then I’ll do a summer menu and the week after next a BBQ menu. I have different themes throughout the year. We try to take whatever season it is and try to have fun with it.”
The Yarde House Tavern is open Sunday to Wednesday 12 to 8 p.m., Thursday 12 to 9 p.m. and Friday to Saturday 12-10 p.m. For further information call 860-254-5778.
Reminder Publishing reached out to Mark’s Restaurant, Rinaldi’s Italian Specialties and Silva’s International Restaurant and Catering, but did not hear back from the businesses by press time.