I've decided that Encuentro has the best vegan chef ever.
For reals. Look at this description:
"Pumpkin seed crusted polenta with cranberry bean, pumpkin seed chili and garlic sauteed lacinato kale with cilantro lime cream"
Are you drooling now? Cause you should be. If that dish hadn't come out last, I would have ordered a second one so I wouldn't have to share. Luckily my friend was pretty full by that point so I got to eat most of it. =)
Between the natural sunlight coming in from the glass walls, the OAKLAND A'S TAILGATING PAINTING ON THE WALL (yes, that deserved to be in all caps) and their delicious, inventive menu...this place just makes my heart so happy.
Yum. This place is delicious. The nut cheeses are divine, you will not miss the old stuff. The Quesadilla with cashew pecan chipotle cheese was SO delicious, fresh, smoky. The polenta was good but did not blow me away like the quesadilla. The bruschetta was a good app. I tend to think tapas are a scam and always walk away feeling a little ripped off but this place has decent size tapas for the price and create very complete dishes in terms of flavor. Its on a quiet street, with evening sun and is low key inside. The staff is all very sweet and attentive. They serve traditional vegetarian, raw and vegan making it a good place to go with a group of varying food preferences. Its also a nice date place. I will definitely be back.
Review Source:Our new "special occasion" restaurant. Our group was completely and totally in awe. I think Encuentro has outdone Millennium, to be honest. Also, our server was really lovely (older gentlemen, did not catch his name). Hoping they get a liquor licence so we can try what will undoubtedly be awesome cocktails!
Review Source:I love love love Encuentro! From the decor to the great wine selection and amazing food, this is an Oakland gem. In Jack London Square area you would think this place would be packed with all the great things it has going for it. But the place is rarely overly crowded and I can always find parking right close by. Went there last night and everything was delicious and satisfying. I also had a great glass of a wine that tasted like orange blossom and lychee. Get over here fast! Great place to go for a date or with a friend. It is quiet and perfect for an extended night of talking.
Review Source:I'll have to go back with just the hubby; friends are too distracting to really appreciate the ambiance.
Its a beautifully well lit small space with polite and thoughtful servers.
The food:
goat cheese date-warm and sumptuous
avocado bruschetta- good but missing something, needed like cheese or something extra and that sauce is NOT spicy, more like a very mild sriracha
hijiki sea cakes- husband says they were GOOD (and from a meat eater that is the highest compliment)
ceasar- DELICIOUS (my dumb ass almost asked if the dressing had anchovies, duh vegetarian!)
The Wine:
I really only drink sweet whites but the moscato and riesling were outstanding.
The Price:
Right on point- nothing on the menu is over $12 and I think its very reasonable for two people to get full for a good price (if youre not too into wine, which is average price)
Im returning as soon as I can fit it in.
This place is a dream for vegans/vegetarians. The servers are well informed on potential allergens and my god, not one complaint. Everything was perfectly complemented and every bite was worth this plunge from my usual college budget. Bruschetta with avocado was a dream and the Reuben sandwich resurrected my taste buds. Oh my god the s'more dessert. I have no more words. Go.
Review Source:Nice location, friendly and polite service, and appealing interior. Â The "small plates" are definitely big enough as stand-alone meals. Â Our server was in-training, so there were some miscues on our order (although that may have been the beer speaking from our stop beforehand at The Olde Depot). Â The highlight of the nut pate was the marinated mushroom topping. Â The polenta was aggressively-spiced. Â The stuffed dates were okay, but they should have done more to offset the intensive, natural sweetness of the dates. Â
The open-faced tempeh reuben was a highlight, although here again they went too aggressively with the seasoning (in this case, the salt, which is sadly often the case in vegan dishes). Â It made me happy to have such a savory, BBQ-esque tempeh, plus the pickled garnish and bread were very good. Â The quesadillas had plenty of moisture in them to replicate the gooey goodness of this otherwise cheese bomb dish. Â Last, the "caesar" salad was simple and pleasurable, with ample sunflower seeds and carrot shreds to make it nice and crunchy.
How did it take me so long to try this place? I stay in Jack London Square regularly, and decided to venture out a bit farther than I usually do for good food. I started with the stuffed dates appetizer, choosing the vegan version with macadamia pate. What arrived was a lovely small plate with four warm dates filled with the pate, topped with a walnut slice and finished with a red wine-balsamic reduction and chives. Incredible! This was my first taste of a nut cheeze and I found it very satisfying. I thought this would actually be a great dessert. It offered the satisfaction (but not the guilt) of pecan pie. It was rich, nutty and sweet.
Next I had the warm hijiki cakes with slaw. The savory cakes came with house made tartar sauce, sweet sauce and lightly dressed slaw. I am going back tomorrow night.
Service was warm and attentive. It has a stylish, yet informal and intimate atmosphere. Everyone seemed pretty happy.
Cute and delicious! I went here with a group of 6 people and we ended up ordering one plate for the number of people at the table an split everything. I was a little afraid and sad that the menu was vegetarian, but I think this place did an amazing job to make everything taste delicious. This place was great for a happy hour with co-workers, friends, etc.
Service was pretty speedy and the place wasn't overly crowded.
I would definitely recommend a visit if you're in the area.
We took a good friend out to dinner after a long week, she is vegetarian. We found this place on Yelp and decided to give it a try. WOW....I'm so glad we did, it was the best!
The brushettas were amazing, we ordered them ALL! Veggie Ruben, amazing, quesadilla sooo good, polenta... yum!
But the most amazing dish of the night was the CHOCOLATE CAKE! Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting covered in chocolate sauce... enough said!
Go here for good wine, good good, and a chill relaxed evening.
Super tasty small plates!
Avocado bruschetta
- meager portion of 2 pieces, bread was crispy, and avocado was nicely dressed, it was OK, but not amazing
Pecan mushroom truffle pate
- SUPER GOOD, i could not get enough of the awesome flavors and guilt free pate. Â definitely my favorite plate of the night. Â savory, nutty and keeps you coming back for more. Â i wish they gave more chips with it though (additional cost).
Portabello Sandwich
- the most substantial dish we had. Â very tasty, it was dressed like and asian steak. Â however this was on the salty side
Green salad
- very tasty and the kale was actually edible. Â that in my book is pretty impressive
Coconut lime pie
- super sweet and raw tasting, great seasonal dessert. Â hard to believe that it is vegan and gluten free. Â next time i'll try the chocolate one that they always have
service was great with suggestions and water refills were on point!
i would definitely bring my vegetarian friends here for a get-together
There are surprisingly few good vegetarian places around, and this is a great one. Totally worth a trip across the bay, and if you want to make a romantic evening of it you can take the ferry across and walk just a few blocks to Encuentro. Most of the menu is labeled as "small plates" but the two of us split three and had dessert and the portions were generous enough that we were well filled up. The food is great, the wines are great, the service was excellent, and the space itself is artful and friendly. The only downside is that the neighborhood doesn't have much else to offer, so doesn't make for much of a full evening's destination. We will definitely go back next time we venture across the water.
Review Source:Oh My! What a cafe!
One evening we were craving for good non vegetarian and went to Encuentro Cafe assuming it serves non-vegetarian. We go through the menu, and can't find anything to order, then we think may be its not the complete menu.. Anyways our server tells us that they can do a vegan preparation for us if we'd like, and we are like WHAT? No way! We were in a mood to eat non veg tonight! Vegan no way!
As we were already seated, we decided to have just a drink and then leave. However, Â I was tempted to order:
1. Bruschetta - served with Avocados and chilli jam
2. Chard Rolls - Filled with quinoa, served over tomato olive sauce..
Both Bruschetta and Chard Rolls were AMAZZING! The healthiest one can get, and the tastiest one can get!
A must try!
Lucky #200!
A few months back, I excitedly surprised my sweetheart with a visit to Encuentro following a day of sipping beer at Yelp's Beerwalk event in Jack London Square. After finding out Gather wasn't the best Vegan-friendly restaurant in the East Bay, I was incredibly thrilled to surprise her with the splendor that is Encuentro. Perhaps I should have waited for another day when I hadn't had a beer (or three) too many, but I was so excited to see her smile. I'll do anything to see that smile. Especially something that she wasn't expecting in the least. She would have been happy with wherever we ate that night, so this surprise made it all the more special. I have been trying to find a way to take her back here so that we could both experience it with a level head. Our six month anniversary sounded like a good opportunity, however I opted for a home cooked surprise instead. When I saw that they were offering a sweet deal for Oakland Restaurant Week, I knew it was finally high time to make our way back here.
Encuentro is easily the nicest Vegan/Vegetarian restaurant in the East Bay. Even if it doesn't really have much competition in that category, it's a really nice intimate setting despite the smallish bistro or cafe-style appearance. From the presentation of the food to the fancy interior design, Encuentro will please everyone in that department. The floor to ceiling glass walls beg for a better view than the warehouse or condos across the street. If this place were located on the waterfront, the view alone would moisten even the driest of panties. As it is, the food will have to do the trick...
Since the food is highly seasonal the following may or may not be there when you visit. Rest assured if it's not, whatever is in its place will be just as good or better. The service was excellent the first time when we were seated at a table. While sitting at the bar the second time around, service was great from the younger kid, and just so so from the older gentleman. Perhaps that's my only complaint about Encuentro, it's so small, the seating isn't optimal for couples that want to sit next to each other, so we are better off sitting at the bar. How else is my honey going to be able to offer me the first and last bite without us making a mess of things?
While my first beer-goggled visit was slightly hazy, I know the menu on our second trip was vastly different from the first. That's the very definition of seasonal. The one constant was the Vegan "cheese" platter. Presented on a beautiful slab of emerald colored rock, this is a must order. It consists of three nut-based spreads, sliced fruit, mustard, jam, to go with a small roll of sliced sourdough bread. My taste buds still have sensual fantasies about that smoky pecan spread. mmm mmmm!
*Red Beet Borscht: So simple yet there was a flavor that we both couldn't pinpoint that we had tasted somewhere else before. It tasted very Asian so I'm thinking tamarind or lemongrass. It really didn't need the cashew cheese that was piped into it as we both enjoyed the soup without it. <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/encuentro-caf%C3%A9-and-wine-bar-oakland-2?select=QaGYDXxQRY4XO-VNlkwEqQ#bqNrRodb4nHK-PsGDHHfsg">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>
*Kale Wrapped Rolls: Jam packed with quinoa and sweet potatoes, the filling of this was tastier than the wrap itself. Everything went so well together despite the chewiness of the kale.
*Roasted Beet Bruschetta: You really can't go wrong with any of their bruschetta. Just pick the one that most appeals to you and you'll be very satisfied. This one with roasted beets and hazelnuts was simply divine. It's only two small slices but a larger plate could be a meal unto itself. <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/encuentro-caf%C3%A9-and-wine-bar-oakland-2?select=QaGYDXxQRY4XO-VNlkwEqQ#zHBIU2wIWMUDcN-7oF84gQ">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>
*Polenta Cake: A mashup of polenta, seasonal root vegetables, with a sherry cashew cream on top, this was the savory favorite of the meal. This entree is a can't miss if you're a polenta fan like I am. <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/encuentro-caf%C3%A9-and-wine-bar-oakland-2?select=QaGYDXxQRY4XO-VNlkwEqQ#dBraj-yHEKivn8nY3-N1gg">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>
*Chocolate Cake: This seems to always be on the menu and you can't go wrong when ordering it. It's one of the best I've had anywhere. As good as it is, I would like to see more creative Vegan desserts here. Why not some tiramisu for example? <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/encuentro-caf%C3%A9-and-wine-bar-oakland-2?select=QaGYDXxQRY4XO-VNlkwEqQ#iRy1E_VvFfZx0VZojgneRw">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>
Other than crossing the bridge towards Millennium <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/millennium-san-francisco">http://www.yelp.com/biz/…</a> Encuentro will always be on my mind when thinking of a place to celebrate a special occasion, or otherwise treat my love to a wonderful meal. As good as it is, nothing beats a home cooked meal to surprise your special lady. Her beautiful smile alone is worth the effort. Everything else you receive in return, is just gravy on top.
love this is a quirky veggie tapas bar! Â
it's a little $pendy but it's fun to get all the delicious little plates and drink some good wine -- all organic and vegan choices. Â it's a perfect destination to go with a friend, start with some wine, and keep adding plates as the evening progresses.
i think they source all the food and wine semi-locally. Â
the flour-less chocolate cake is amazzzzing. Â but they serve different stuff all the time!
"Restaurant" goes a bit far....
Go there if you are not very hungry, or really like paying a LOT for a LITTLE.
In fairness, the food tastes good, but that is the catch, you only get a TASTE!
If you like to actually feel satiated after a meal, and you don't have the funds to spend $50+ per person to do that, then go down the street to Chicken and Waffles and get filled up with goodness!
I am glad this place exists! The food here is awesome, all the wine I tried was good, and they can veganize almost anything on the menu by adding tempeh or a variety of nut cheeses. A little pricey, but then they use quality and organic ingredients.
The vegan cheese plate was divine. As was the polenta, chard rolls, and quesadillas.
Good vibe and ambiance. Service could have been a little faster. The first thing we ordered (vegan cheese plate) seemed to take forever. Â We would have had more to drink had it been offered more frequently.
All in all, I will definitely go back, though I may opt to sit at the bar.
The only reason I am giving Encuentro 3 stars is because I have only been here once and only ordered a glass of wine. I've been meaning to come back here to actually give their food a try. I will say, their service is good and I like the fact that they only serve local beers and wines. I'll return soon.
Review Source:If I made like $10K more a year, I wouldn't have the complaints I have with Encuentro.
I love everything I've eaten here. The food is delicious, the servers are friendly, knowledgeable, and honest. The wine selection is large and jam packed full of many varietals.
My only qualm is that I think the food is overpriced by perhaps $2-3 per "small plate" or dish (excluding the teeny tiny bites at the top of the menu). Additionally, the menu does not help you understand the portion size of the dish you order. The price of the dish is not a good indicator.
If I made more money, I probably wouldn't care as much. But I don't.
One of the best meals/experiences I've had in a long time. My boo and I went to Encuentro for our 8 year anniversary, and we had a lovely time from start to finish.
It's a small space and they don't take reservations for parties under 4, but we were able to easily sit at the "bar." We were given menus immediately, and our server was really patient with us as we tried to decide on a wine. She was really friendly about letting us sample three, and the bottle we ended up with was perfect (and also made in Oakland!)
All of our food came really quick, had gorgeous presentation and was delicious. Seriously, there was not one dish that was "meh." The "honeyed" figs were moist and flavorful, the side salads were actually a bigger size than I'd guessed (and the serrano tahini dressing was great), the tempeh rueben and the special quesedilla were amazing, and the deserts? Whoa mama. Peppermint chocolate cake and a cranberry pear crumble. Effing fantastic. And if you didn't know already, everything here is vegetarian or vegan, so everything we got down on was vegan. YES.
We will definitely be going back and making this a regular date spot. The prices are really reasonable, and while we probably won't get as many items as we did this time around (hey, it was our anniversary and we were hungry), it's a great spot to grab a little nosh and have a glass of wine. Loved it.
This is fast becoming one of my favorite spots in Oakland. I've been three times, and I've had really great experiences with each visit.
First, it's in that great industrial chic area of Jack London Square, holding a sweet corner spot with windows all around and minimal wood decor. Very sleek yet comfortable. Along with a handful of private tables and a good-sized community table, it has a terrific horseshoe dining bar (one of my meters for a great dining spot). There's plenty of parking all around.
Second, the changing organic/biodynamic wine list is really interesting. I've had bubbles, reds, and whites, and have been really impressed by the variety and quality in each category. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and are happy to offer pours until you find just the right wine for you.
Now for the food: Simply, yum. Encuentro serves vegetarian and vegan small plates, including salads, bruschetta, sandwiches, a daily soup, and snacks. Everything is really tasty. The cheese plate is fantastic--three daily selections with fresh-sliced baguette, with mustard, chutney, and fruit on the side. It's not large; enough for two people for a nosh along with something else. But every time I've had it, the cheeses have been terrific. (There is also a non-dairy version of the "cheese" plate if you must!) The salads are fresh, well-dressed, and deliciously unique (pear and arugula with toasted hazelnuts and hazelnut vanilla oil and champagne ginger vinegrette / Â farro with chicory, beets, fennel and pecans?!). The quesadillas (there are like 3 daily) are great.
I know it all sounds pretty simple--vegetarian quesadillas and salads, big deal, right?--but the foodie finesse and love of fresh ingredients exhibited at Encuentro elevates this neighborhood gem to a destination wine bar with a chic, healthful flair.
I loved that this place was open late, offered great vegan options, and had a good wine list. It was only about a 20 minute wait at 9pm on a Friday, which was a huge plus. Ample street parking, and a nice cozy, intimate setting.
The house-made pickles & the hummus were great, as were the chard rolls and the salad that we ordered. The only issues I had were: 1) It took 15 minutes after the other entree was delivered to receive my salad, and 2) My wine was over-charged on the bill ($24 for two $7 glasses of wine). They were quite accommodating other than that, and we will definitely go back next time we are in the area. All vegans & vegetarians who like wine should do the same.
Wonderful vegan and vegetarian tapas! I came with a few gfs for dinner and we sat at the bar bc there was limited seating. All the 5 tables were filled up. It's a cute little intimate restaurant with dim lighting, so it could be a touch romantic if that's what you're looking for.
The tapas were larger than we expected and we ordered more than enough plates to share. Â All the cheeses have vegan and dairy option, so that's nice. We tried most of the recommendations by the waitress as she informed us that they make their own vegan cheese in-house. This was the first time I tried vegan cheese and it was pretty good....most either nut or soy based.
We tried two different orders of bruschetta: avocado and apple. Both were very tasty but I liked the avocado with the chili jam better of the two. We also ordered the spicy black bean quesadilla. It had just enough heat so you get that nice kick. We also got the portabello mushroom, focaccia sandwich which was great too. The last dish we tried was the marinated mushroom on smoked pecan pate. Very smoky and great flavor profile. I wanted to try the deserts, but we all agreed there was no more room in our stomachs. Next time though! The servers were good. I would return again for sure and try their other tapas...very fresh and delicious. Who needs meat anyway? Â
Tip: Encuentro is located a few blocks from Jack London Square. It's desolate at night, so make sure you have a buddy walk you to your car.
Can't believe we live just a couple doors down and never tried this place until a couple days ago...love every single small bites!
My bf & I shared a bruschetta (2 pieces) and portabello sandwich. Each bite is like heaven with all the sweet flavors combined. Didn't think one bruschetta with avocado, olive oil and savory chili jam will make me feel like that. Mmmm, savory delicious. The portabello mushroom sandwich is great. The sandwich bread is fluffy light & toasted just right. Not only that, the bread & herb olive oil they give you before your order is also delicious.
Our friend had the soup and gnocci. Had a sample of it. It's good. We all shared an apple crumb pie with vegan whip. Oh my...everything was great! Would come back again. The prices are reasonable. Haven't tried the wines yet, which I will when I go back. Customer service is great! You've got to try this place out and don't even think twice about it!!!
This was the best meal I've had in the past few months, and that's saying a lot, given where I live and how much I eat out.
We shared:
- Stuffed prunes with Macadamia Nut Pate: The prunes were a revelation...so fresh tasting and flavorful. Damn do I love the produce in California.
- Dark Green Salad: kale, argula, black beans, etc etc etc. It was rich and satisfying--a treat, not a fibrous punishment.
- Tomato bruschetta
- Puffed ricotta gnocchi: Rich, chewy, satisfying.
- A quesadilla--again with the nut-based cheese, which is creamy and GOOD.
The service was great and the atmosphere was hipster minimalist in a rather empty factory district of Oakland. Can't wait to go back.
I loved the ambiance at Encuentro - huge glass windows and wooden decor - very charming. It is quite small though, not recommended for large groups.
They have lots of vegetarian and vegan options here. Try the avocado bruschetta and the stuffed mushrooms, they're fantastic. Note that the food is good but not too filling. Chances are, you'll be hungry later.
Also, the food alone wouldn't garner five stars, but they offer an extensive wine list with a unique and diverse selection of high-quality wine. Also the service was great. Even when our assigned server was not there, someone else would step in and refill the water, or do whatever needed to be done.
I am delighted to see the evolution of vegetarian and vegan cuisine - this is a great place for a lunch or dinner date in Oakland!
I love coming to Encuentro. It's like you get a totally unpretentious experience, you get to eat food that would be impossible to prepare yourself, you can order a whole ton of different things, and you will be served by a friendly, fastidious waitstaff and get to drink amazing wines. I'd say that the service is on the casual side--don't be afraid to raise a hand if you need something.
I can't help thinking that this sort of similar to what District 'does' (small plates and wine), only it isn't open as late, has a more casual, more well-lit vibe, and has no pretention about putting caviar and truffle oil all over.
Try the marinated mushrooms!
I didn't like it...
The food was pretty meh. Â I have to say, I hate vegetarian food that has too much cheese. Â Veggies are awesome, they can stand alone! Â Most of the dishes we ordered had tons of cheese, mayo or were deep fried. Â Not my idea of great vegetarian.
Not to mention the service was horrible. Â We had a reservation for a large party but they stuck us in a small corner with 2 x 2 person tables pushed together. Â Very uncomfortable. Â I asked if we could be seated at an adjacent table meant for large parties, but was soundly rejected because that table was already reserved. Â Uh, that's fine but that party never showed up during the whole 90 minutes we were there. Â Furthermore, when we ordered, I asked the waiter to bring enough of each appetizer to feed the entire party, so when he came out with 3 tiny stuffed prunes and 2 deviled eggs, I reiterated that I'd like enough of each appetizer plate for the entire party. Â So he comes out with another 6 deviled eggs and nothing else. Â Lame-o.
Probably won't be back.
I try to avoid hyperbole when I write reviews, but Encuentro is my favorite restaurant in Oakland - and possibly the entire Bay Area.
The menu changes frequently based on what produce is seasonally available, and there aren't many restaurants I've seen that do a better job of continually coming up with high-quality ideas. Most dishes are as inventive as they are delicious, and I constantly find myself trying new items simply because of how much I have come to trust the chefs here.
That being said, try the avocado bruschetta. It's always on the menu, and it's fantastic.
The food alone would probably garner five stars, but Encuentro also offers an extensive wine list with a diverse selection of high-quality wine.
On top of everything above, it's pretty reasonably priced. Even if you have a couple glasses of wine, the bill will likely be half of what you would pay at a comparable restaurant in San Francisco.
I want to love this place, since it's a block rom my flat. i've eaten there three times now, and though the food has always been delicious, there is always something that turns me off about the place. one time, they charged us $2 extra on the bill for asking for gluten-free crackers instead of regular. (seems petty to me.) last time, i ordered soup and my brother ordered a sandwich, and his sandwich came 30 minutes after my soup was set down in front of me. when i complained, the owner said i should have made it clear from the beginning that we wanted our food at the same time. really?
also, it is a tad overpriced for such simple food. i don't mind paying more for organic, local stuff, but a piece of toast with some cheese on it for $5 seems absurd.
Unassuming, hip little Vegetarian restaurant, in Jack London Sq.
I am more of a pescetarian, than a full on Vegi or Vegan but I have to say this is one amazing eatery! If you think that Vegan/Vegi food is boring rabbit food with no flavor you have never been here! I would happily take anyone here and challenge them to find a bad dish on the menu.
Well crafted, thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented.
The space itself is intimate and relaxing, I love the decor and art on the walls. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive without being overbearing.
It can get busy, so reservations are probably a good idea. Also head over early because parking can be a pain!
I second everything Joanna M said, which makes: two proverbial skirts blown up, two skeptical hearts all aflutter, two hours of audible OMGs and one grand scheme to make a habit of Encuentro. True story.
It's daunting to try and find the words to express my instant infatuation with this place, but I'll chalk it up to the dim candlelit scene, the virtuous veggie-dominated menu, the big pours of wine, the calm and attentive service, the uber reasonable prices, the secret-hideaway location, and the fact that it so thoroughly lives up to all the raves. Ah, contentment...there you are again.
Feeling the need for greens and girl talk, Encuentro seemed the obvious option. We arrived to find a hushed but vital scene: a few folks comfortably settled at the bar, couples glowing from the candlelight and vino, sending flirtatious smiles across the table, servers meandering zen-like through the intimate dining room, with plates of wholesome indulgences. This was a picture we were happy to paint ourselves into.
The wine list takes you round the world, with most at just $7-10 a glass, so I could start the night with a zesty Albarino or peachy Vermentino and transition to the silky Malbec/Cab Franc blend without breaking the piggy bank. If you're new to the wine world, the menu provides some simple, honest descriptions to help cue you. Much appreciated.
And the food...that glorious, green grub. Sure, some of it qualifies as rabbit food, but they work wonders to make vegetarian taste hearty, flavorful and indulgent. We had the goat cheese stuffed prunes, avocado-cilantro-black salt bruscetta, and a huge pile of kale & bulgur salad. What a relief to have so many small plate options, for those nights when you feel like dining out, but not gorging out. All was exquisite, and highly photo-worthy as you can see.
For date night, girls night, solo soul-searching night, celebration night, Encuentro will more than do. Majority rules, and I have to agree: there's no deliberating over star rating. Nothing but Cinque for Encuentro.
I can't believe that I just had my first encuentro with Encuentro. It blew my skirt up so high a la Marilyn that I'm still having trouble seeing straight.
I was smitten at first sight. It's an intimate space with low-lighting, funky fab decor, and looks like a Portland kind of place. My gal pal and I came on a Tuesday night and were warmly welcomed in and given the choice of the bar or a table, and I was relieved that we didn't have to wait, though this would be a place worth waiting for. Wine was on the mind, and we soon began studying their New World wine list, which comes with some handy cliff's notes. Intrigued by the "smooth/vanilla/cardamom" description I chose the Velocity, a brooding and intense Malbec/Cab Franc. My much more sophisticated friend did the proper thing and went with white first, selecting one recommended by our waitress. I was impressed with their local but off-the-beaten-path wine list, featuring many from the Central Valley, Oregon, and Oaktown wines, rather than taking the easy route and going with Somnapa wines.
My heart was already aflutter with their wines and generous pours, but the healthy and inventive vegetarian food really made me tachycardic. Their farro salad with smoked goat cheddar, which comes with a green salad, was wonderful and made me consider being a vegetarian again. Their dainty but filling goat cheese stuffed prunes were thick and gooey joy, and the avocado bruschetta with black salt just made me surrender all self-control.
Consider my skirt and mind blown away. I wish I could move Encuentro to my neighborhood, though if I did I might be in a permanent state of indecent exposure. For now I'll be coming back to these parts. Apologies in advance to the regulars, as you might be getting flashed.
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Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
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