Encore Ristorante — Restaurant in Raleigh

Excellent dinner on opening night! We (4 friends) arrived with a reservation via OpenTable at 4:30pm. We were seated immediately in the dining room near the huge windows. They have a lovely covered outside area which will be perfect come Fall. Our server was excellent! He was from their NorthSide Bistro restaurant and here to train staff and if they follow his lead, their team will be top notch.

We each ordered different wines by the glass and liked them all and they brought fresh baked warm rolls w/oil, balsamic & herbs. We started with a beet salad and Caesar salad and agreed they both were delicious. I loved the Caesar dressing which was very garlicky and traditional. For our meals we had the lasagna, the veal chop w/spaghetti and 2 gnocchi w/beef tenderloin. Each meal was a 10! Extremely fresh ingredients, piping hot, we couldn’t decide which was the best but that veal chop is “man-sized” and cooked perfectly at medium rare.

We tried the desserts- vanilla gelato, lemon blueberry tart and the winner was their chocolate hazelnut cake which was amazing. We all tried each and loved them all but that chocolate… if you love chocolate, frankly that dessert would make me return weekly!

When we left at 6:15pm ish the bar area was 100% full, the restaurant area was 60% full with more diners coming in the door. The new owner has done some remodeling such as fresh paint, new tables, new chairs are coming says the server, new chandeliers, new table decor, maybe more but that’s what I noticed. It had a re-fresh and hopefully more to come to add to a chic atmosphere. The manager walked around and chatted with all patrons, the chef came out after dinner to ask how it was. Both of those statements (if continued) will excel this restaurant to being sold out weeks in advance.

Our bills were basically $100/pp. I was with ladies that were more on a budget and they said it was absolutely worth the price. I felt it was priced perfectly for the very high quality. This area needed this restaurant! I’m so happy NorthSide Bistro invested here. I already made a future reservation for a couples dinner, and I’ll be bringing my husband back this weekend or next week.

We had zero complaints and would highly recommend. For an opening night to be this excellent, they can only improve to perfection. My only suggestion is to continue to work on the...

Encore Ristorante: A Culinary Triumph in Raleigh

If you haven’t yet experienced Encore Ristorante in Raleigh, NC, do yourself a favor and make a reservation immediately. This gem has truly redefined what it means to enjoy Italian cuisine, and the updated 2024 menu is a masterclass in culinary excellence.

From the moment you walk in, Encore Ristorante envelops you in an atmosphere of refined elegance mixed with warm, welcoming charm. The interior strikes a perfect balance between modern sophistication and classic Italian allure. The staff, impeccably trained and genuinely enthusiastic, make you feel like a cherished guest rather than just a diner.

Now, let’s talk about the food – a symphony of flavors that dances across your palate with each bite. The updated menu is nothing short of extraordinary. The antipasto platter is a revelation, offering a delectable assortment of cured meats, artisanal cheeses, and marinated vegetables that set the stage for the meal to come. The truffle-infused risotto is pure decadence, creamy and rich, with just the right amount of earthy truffle notes that elevate the dish to new heights.

For the main course, the osso buco is a standout – the veal shank is braised to perfection, tender and succulent, paired with a saffron risotto that complements its robust flavor perfectly. And let’s not forget the seafood linguine; the pasta is fresh, the seafood perfectly cooked, and the sauce is a delightful blend of zesty and savory.

Desserts at Encore are the grand finale you never knew you needed. The tiramisu is a classic reimagined, light and airy with just the right amount of espresso kick. And the pistachio panna cotta? It’s a creamy, nutty masterpiece that’s worth every calorie.

Every visit to Encore Ristorante feels like a celebration of Italian cuisine and hospitality. Whether you’re a local or just passing through Raleigh, make sure to carve out time for this exceptional dining experience. Encore Ristorante doesn’t just serve food; they create...

Finally, Italian done well in this area!! We are so happy to have found Encore! The flavors were more than expected. Elevated. Delicious!! I typically try not to fill up on bread before the meal, but this bread was the perfect combination of crispy and gluten-chewiness, and then the olive oil + herbs + balsamic reduction to dip it in was ridiculously yummy. Like, who say that’s about olive oil?? It was unexpectedly bright and light and balanced. And then the Prosciutto & Burrata was the same way. Each ingredient, just obviously treated with care by a creative with good flavor instincts, from the delicious basil butter to the tomatoes and burrata. Couldn’t stop till the plate was empty. And then there was dinner. Husband got perfectly textured, homemade pasta in a nice marinara sauce w/chicken parm. I got the short ribs with again perfectly textured gnocchi in a delish mushroom sauce over spinach. Even leftover, it was so damn good. The ambiance was very nice too. Forgot to get a picture of the main dining area but appreciated the huge windows and high ceilings. Will have to add those pics after we go back because we’ll most definitely...