Encore Restaurant — Restaurant in Salem

I was invited to this restaurant's opening alongside family and I brought my two littles with me. My 1 y/o is very picky with veggies and he was begging for more of the soup of the day which was a rich, delightful, butternut squash cooked with cream and coconut milk. I must say, I didnt want to share it! I dont even like butternut squash! The stuffed sliders were the perfect size for my 4 y/o hands, she's not a big meat eater but her plate was clean and thats a "win" for me! She also loved the complimentary popcorn that was provided in liu of the common "chips and salsa" you'd normally get at Mexican restaurants. She ate two bowls to herself lol! Our whole table talked about the smash burger and the ceviche. The smash burger was just so buttery, it melted in my mouth. It had a little sweetness to it that complimented the buttery-ness. The ceviche, I couldn't get enough of. Im used to a red ceviche, this was a green. Let me tell ya, order it, ya won't regret it! One of the owners came out and said it was a family recipe from Jalisco, Mexico. The carnitas (the only thing I got a photo of!) were gone as soon as the plate hit the table. Im not fond of pickled onions but I gave them a try with the carnita and it was the perfect compliment to the taco! Leave it on there! The bartender (hey girl!) she made me a whiskey sour just the way I like, with a whipped egg white floating on top. I've found that the egg white isn't always an option and it really makes a difference. My mom had the SW cubano which is made with a local cheese made in Salem (Don Froylan queso). After giving her compliments to the chef, and mentioning how she liked that the cheese was local, he charmed her with a guava ale that was also from Salem! As an Oregonian, I love buying local, so does she. The chef won her over 100%. This place has a warm ambiance and they make you feel like family. The owner's are best friends who put their heart and soul into the food and experience they provide. Next time, I'm getting a babysitter, ditching the kids, and taking...

Loved every minute of our dinner! I heard of this new restaurant through meeting one of the owners. Victor and Aaron have a real passion for delicious, local food and a family-like dining experience!

We started with the pumpkin pie cocktail, a Cabernet, and they recommended a delicious white Pinot noir that went well with all of our food.

Next we tried the juicy lucy sliders for a starter; killer flavor combination. I could eat a whole platter of these! We’re looking forward to trying the steak bites next time.

For our entrees, we had the special porterhouse and the carbonara.

The steak was cooked to an exact rare as ordered and the butter on top complimented the flavor perfectly. The steak came with their seasonal soup and a salad. The soup was a butternut squash with a deep flavor and potato soup like consistency. The salad was fresh, crisp, not too heavy on the dressing, and used toasted Parmesan for an extra crunch. The carbonara was rich and nutty, with plenty of pancetta/bacon for a salty contrast.

For dessert, we sampled the horchata panna cotta. Out of this world complex and deep flavor combination; the perfect end to an excellent dinner!

Pricing felt just right for an elevated dinner date night without being overly fancy. You have to give this new spot a try and maybe open a slot on your favorites list! I certainly can’t wait to try everything else...

From the moment we arrived, the experience felt personal and elevated. We were taken care of by Victor, the chef and co-owner, who was incredibly warm and engaging. It was definitely the most welcome I’ve felt at a restaurant in a long time. We ordered a variety of dishes to share, and each one was delicious:

Ceviche - not what you might typically think of when you think ceviche but delicious nonetheless, with fresh guacamole and shrimp

Pecorino Fries with Black Garlic Aioli - I need the recipe for the aioli because it was like no other aioli I’ve had. Amazing.

Carbonara - Lots of bacon. I don’t know if I need to say anything else (except that it was mouthwateringly delicious)

Wagyu Burger - best burger I’ve had in a long time. Juicy, savory, sweet, and just a little bit spicy… so good!

Cocktails - ordered the Caamel Appletini and Marionberry lemon drop and both were well made and tasty.

Nitro Stout Brownie - You can never go wrong with brownies and ice cream. Seriously delicious, and loved the Heath toffee pieces on it.

The atmosphere was relaxing and comfortable while delivering amazing food, incredible service, and a warm personality. Definitely recommend for date nights, dinners with friends, or any meal where you want great food and great energy. Already planning...