Encanto Restaurant

10/30/09

***CLOSED***

by Dine Out

No longer open, now Cafe Cubano (which won't be open long either, I don't think...)

03/02/09

No longer Encanto!

by CSMobileUser

It is now Cafe Cubano - Cuban food if your looking for New Mexican food don't bother stopping by

02/03/09

Encanto CLOSED 12/08

by hw23

Encanto closed in December 2008. Cafe Cubano has now opened in the former Encanto space. Cafe Cubano doesn't seem to have its own listing yet in Citysearch.

11/17/08

Meh.... average

by baileylove

Everything was average. The food was average, the appetizers were average, the drinks were average. The prices were a little high but basically just average. The decor is above average but besides that its just..... average.

• Pros: location, parking, environment
• Cons: prices, limited selection

09/30/08

The picture does not do it justice.

by eattherich

This is a very attractive space with a sophisticated feel. Encanto is a nice date restaurant, but it also caters to families with reasonable prices, a varied kids menu, and outdoor seating. My 4 year old daughter and I LOVE the Sopaipillas with honey drizzled on top. The last time I was in we had a Guacamole special appetizer that was fantastic. I had trouble finishing my delicious Carne Adovada Stuffed Sopaipilla entree, it was so stuffed with tender juicy pork. For desert I have had both the Tres Leche which is marvelously creamy, and the Flourless Chocolate and Canela Torte which is decadent and dense. I love them both. My next visit to this North Portland gem could not come too soon.

• Pros: great food good prices

12/22/07

Great food, good service, pricey drinks

by clarketkd

Went here for the first time last weekend and had a fabulous dinner. The special clam appetizer was huge and almost ruined my appetite for dinner but I managed to find room for yummy beef shortribs in a delicious red pepper sauce. Don't be fooled..this is NOT a Mexican restaurant, it's food more familiar to those from New Mexico, USA. Southwestern food with a mexican flair. Dessert was especially amazing (Frangelico Creme Brulee) and I left feeling stuffed to the gills, but satisfied completely. For my husband and I it was $100 bucks after the tip; not bad for a bottle of wine, appetizers, main course, dessert and coffee for the both of us. My one real complaint would be the cost of the margaritas. We opted for wine instead of margaritas because of the amazing price of $12.00 per drink. Even for a top shelf margarita that is an outrageous fee! Imagine if we both had 2 drinks...we'd be up to almost 50 bucks just in liquour. Stick to the reasonably priced wine list.

• Pros: Food was delicious, portions large, service good
• Cons: Pricey margaritas, atmosphere so/so

12/12/07

1 Star?? You must be from California.

by fattony1

I usually don't put much stock in these reviews because the really excited 5 star reviews sound like they own the place and the really harsh reviews sound like they work at the competition. But, how on planet earth could you give Encanto a 1 star??? I have lived in North Portland for 10 years an literally can only eat at a couple of restarants. Most of the restarants sick me out. My wife and I work in the Wells Fargo building downtown, so we usually go out around there after work. But now, our neighborhood has a couple of good restarants that are worth mentioning. One being Encanto. The food is really quite good. Especially for my good ol' NoPo.

11/16/07

!Mucho Caliente!

by mggreene

Since my boyfriend is remodeling our kitchen....we eat out A LOT, and this place is a gem.

If you can't handle spice, don't even bother. Not only does North Portland NEED places like this, it was quite enjoyable. Pumpkin seed pesto on warm goat cheese with home-made chips?!?!?! Oh man that stuff is good. If you're into heat, start with the Jalepeno Martini, get the goat cheese app, and try the slow cooked pork for an entree. Afterwards, to extinguish your mouth that is now on fire, try the 3 milk soaked cake. Failry large portions, totally sharable and Mmmmm Mmmmm tastey! This place has a warm enjoyable ambiance. The only thing missing that I would have loved, is a booth to sit in.

Help support up-and-coming areas like NoPo and St Johns!!

• Pros: Good food good service
• Cons: service started out a little slow then picked up and was great, and this place needs booths.

11/11/07

i want to LOVE You...

by everydayjane

Dear beloved neighbor,

After another visit.... You brilliantly opened for business in our hood. A pioneer. You filled a void before anyone else. We appreciate that. I have been in to dine a number of times and just want to let you know I will be in a number of more occasions. I've worked in the industry for years and appreciate growth and understanding over time. I like your niche. I frequently have had your enchiladas and think they are delicious. To be honest, I crave them. I love how you so graciously encourage both sauces. Your rice and beans have yet to grab my palate as necessary. Keep tweaking the recipes. Your margaritas are amazing, you could improve on your vino glassware and selection. Your service is divine. One thought I have is that your lighting is to bright, what could you do to add warmth? I will continue to watch you blossom... Congratulations.

• Pros: St. Johns baby... concept...
• Cons: smoothing out the edges, bright lights...

08/28/07

Our special occasion spot

by stotiktammy

Once again we come away from Encanto impressed and satisfied. We love the comfortable, unpretentious surroundings -great music in the background- but the real star is the food. The menu is innovative and the dishes well prepared. Other diners gripes about the rice and beans seem to me quite beside the point. No other restaurant in Portland is doing exactly this and I am so glad to have such a jewel right down the street when I would gladly drive across town for such culinary craftsmanship. The highpoint of tonight's birthday celebration meal was the blue crab risotto crab cake - substantial, the tallest crab cake I've ever seen - but as delicate as an angel's sigh. The hangar steak on mushroom ceviche was delectable and an improvement on the earlier version with flank. The Adovada stuffed Spaipillas knocked us out - no room for dessert and that's fine with me. Rock on Encanto - we'll be back for our next special dinner out.

• Pros: intelligent cuisine, unpretentious