Encontro North Park — Restaurant in San Diego

When HSD downsized last year (2 doors down) I just knew this location would be some big buzz new place, I mean how can a new North Park restaurant on the CORNER of 30th/University not garner a ton of buzz?

While walking to the Observatory we literally stumbled on Encontro just hours after they grand opened. After finding that out I was surprised at how not packed the house was. Usually new restaurants are alive with San Diego’s foodies. I’m a person who likes to try new things and not recognizing a restaurant or expecting HSD peaked my interest. It’s open, inviting, seemed like a friendly warm décor when looking through the windows, so of course we went in. On a side note the front door is nice and heavy, like many corner NP locations (maybe it’s a noise or A/C thing). Not knowing the set up we chose the bar because it seemed easier, I’m always a go to the bar sort of person. Turns out you can simply sigt down and order from the table by servers, order from the front or at the bar. The bar is capped with a copper like metal sheeting, which looks gorgeous and then you touch it and realize it’s sort of flimsy. I was a fan of the beer menu board and the riveting.

Being that they were new they had kinks, but ordering our drinks was fast, accurate and knowledgeable beverage staff, as should be expected here in San Diego. Purse hooks available, slightly uncomfortable chairs, despite lots of wood there is also this steel element, industrial, softened with plants giving this strange inside garden feel that contrasts well with the brick walls. Servers are pretty good, but the casual nature and ordering/seating options might make service seem less than Steller when it actually is.

Thai sausage was fresh and interesting with pork and shrimp blend. I found the roll to be generic, but the banana peppers and grilled onions to work well. I chose against the cheese as it was an up charge, same with the avo, bacon or egg this time. The basil aioli is bright and fresh and went well with it. They offer quite a few toppings and sauces to mix and match. Pulled pork is good on the brioche bun with the slaw, but I’d rather have had the pork slow smoked. Good BBQ sauce. Fries are crispy kennebec’s like they use in Canadian poutine. The portabello mushroom sandwich would totally have been a much better had they paired the toppings (mushrooms on mushrooms, come on?) Grilled onions, sweet peppers is such a boring go to topping. Maybe some hummus instead of an aioli, maybe shishito peppers, maybe some leeks for aromatics. To go with a vegetarian option so bland seems like they aren’t really catering to some crowd (they should, it’s NP). It’s a far cry from chef Hotchkiss’ previous menus at Patio on Goldfinch, Cohn and Whisknladle restaurant’s. Maybe he’s not the CDC here, but he is the Executive.

I’m curious to see them grow and refine as with the proper marketing, menu they could be around as long if not longer than HSD was at this...

Home to the former location of Heaven Sent, Encontro has transformed the space in the a open and inviting casual chic spot. Now, I will cut them some slack on their newness, as the staff was a tad fumbly and it is confusing on the seating and ordering process: You can order from the counter and take a number, or seat yourself and get waited on (what we did). If opting for the later, the servers come around to place orders on tablets and slide your card right there. A nice option to get payments out of the way and easily separate the bills with a group.

I didn't have much of an appetite but the delicious specialty shakes caught my eye. I ordered the banana brownie shake - which I was told was a banana shake with brownie crumbles on top. Close, but the banana flavoring was very mild in my shake and it seemed a bit more like a light chocolate malt in flavor. Delicious still, but I would have liked a more pronounced banana to it. The brownie bits in it were heaven.

Some of my group did order food so I can comment on their feedback.. italian sausage was said to be good, but not worth the cost. the steak sandwich appears to be a good option, as that person spoke highly of it. comes with brandywine tomato on it, which, as a bit of an heirloom tomato grower myself, I give kudos to that (good tomato variety). Also note that on the lower portion of the menu after the food -- the add-ons-- those are all complimentary. Our server didn't explain that to those getting food. the items come on a big metal tv-like-tray with hole that I assume are space for any of those add-on items. I also think it would be cool if they just included little complimentary apps (sort of like what they do at traditional korean restaurants). maybe a few unique pickles, interesting potato chips, who knows! so many options, really.

Some additional info I collected from speaking to a staff member: The hard root beer (currently unavailable) should be in mid-next week. It's the "Not your father's root beer" ON TAP. thats hella exciting :) I was newly introduced to that hard root beer, in bottle, and it is delicious. I can only imagine on top. They will also be adding beer floats to the menu. The one thing I thought about my shake was how amazing it would be as a desert adult beverage with something like baileys irish cream...I dont know, just thinking out loud. But they aren't a full bar - just beer and wine.

lovely space, looking forward to the...

This place was absolutely amazing! The service was nothing short of perfect; we were sitter quickly and our order was taken quickly, our server was also friendly, helpful, and patient when we weren't sure what we wanted. The ambience inside is low-key and intimate with vibrantly colored plants and a view of the kitchen from the inside dining area. This place truly exemplifies the vibe of the area. Now for the good stuff, the food:

We had crispy fried green beans, warm house bread, a bottle Coke, and peach tea to start. The green beans were light and crispy and the sauce they came with tasted amazing. The bread was like a little warm cloud served on a board. It was obviously served right when it was done and the difference was clear, this bread was delicious!

For our main entrees we had the Cardiff crack burger with truffle fries and the Encontro burger with chips. One bite of the Cardiff crack burger and it's clear it really lives up to the name. The meat was juicy, tender, and endlessly flavorful. This was easily one of the best burgers I've ever had. The Encontro burger was also amazing, the sauce was perfectly balances and the brioche bun was airy and delicious. The meat on this burger was also cooked perfectly and oh so juicy!

To finish off the night we enjoyed the butte cake--this thing was no joke! We ordered it after it was highly recommended by our server and it was served so aesthetically with delicious fruit puree adorning the plate. The cake itself was rich and sweet. The ice cream on top was the perfect compliment and it was a perfect end to a great night at Encontro! I recommend this place to anyone looking for something delicious and the variety to...