Papillon is regarded as one of the best places to eat in Chigwell. A friendly Italian that is decked out in timeless, cosy furnishings, Papillon comprises just one room, along with a visible bar and al fresco dining out front when the weather allows it. The restaurant is open throughout the week, but closes between lunch and dinner service for a few short hours.
The main menu begins with coppa di gamberetti, which is a dish of prawns with cocktail sauce and salad. Other starters include the stuffed mushrooms with ricotta cheese and spinach with a tomato and bechamel sauce, and the raw beef tenderloin carpaccio with rocket, parmesan cheese, sea salt and crushed pepper. More classic starters include the deep fried squid and minestrone vegetable soup. If pasta is your thing, then you'll really be spoilt for choice, as there are so many options to choose from. Opt for the linguini pesto served with peas, asparagus, a touch of cream and rocket, or the traditional spaghetti bolognese. If you like seafood, try the spaghetti marinara, cooked with mixed seafood and a touch of tomato sauce.
Cheese lovers rejoice with the four cheese pizza, topped with mozzarella, gorgonzola, parmesan and stilton. If you're a vegetarian, why not try the pizza topped with mushrooms, aubergines, courgettes and peppers for a real feast. Other main dishes include the chicken breast in onions, mushrooms and a white wine and cream sauce, along with the breaded veal with spaghetti napoli or bolognese. Duck in an orange sauce is also on the menu, along with calves liver with a choice of sauces. When it comes to fresh fish, you can choose between the fillet of monkfish wrapped with parma ham, butter and sage, or the sea bass cooked with capers, olives, cherry tomatoes and a garlic and white wine sauce.