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| Fine eats at Encontro in Historic North Park, 30th & University |
GUEST BLOG /By
Joyell Nevins and Mindy Flanary—In San Diego, on historic North Park's
busiest corner sits Encontro, a restaurant geared towards open air and easy
conversation.
A
mimosa or French-pressed coffee does the trick while watching people walk by at
their indoor-outdoor seating. You can also eat inside at the long wooden
tables, sit at the bar facing a wall of plants, or grab a stool and watch the
chefs at work.
The
menu is an eclectic mix of craft food and fresh greens, almost all offered with
one of these homemade aiolis: basil, Worcestershire and sriracha (be warned --
that last one's got a kick).
Some
of our favorite items came off of their "go withs" list: the
aforementioned brussel sprouts, crispy potatoes with pickled fresno aioli
(called patatas bravas), and fried chicken sliders with coleslaw. Anything with
applewood bacon also gets our vote - it was thick and sweet and full of
flavor.
The
brunch menu includes several benedict choices, however, we found their
hollandaise sauce to be heavy on the butter. Lunch and dinner offers plenty of
gourmet burgers, American staples like pork chops and mac 'n cheese, salads,
and even a fried chicken and waffle option.
One
of their draws is the bottomless mimosas, offered all day. Other drink specials
throughout the week include a flip night -- guess the toss of the coin correctly
and your drink's a dollar, or a date night where bottles of wine are buy one,
get one for 10 cents.
Local
touches include regional craft beer and Hammond's ice cream. Try a churro
milkshake or have a scoop a la mode with the cinnamon French toast (served with
fresh berries and powdered sugar).
Encontro's
patio is open to dogs, and their menu features an appropriately named "Dog
Menu" with items like "Hot Diggity Dog, "Mutt Melt," and a
"Bow Wow Bowl." And these meals come in specific doggie dishware.
Encontro's
wait staff is friendly, but service is not speedy. Be prepared to sit a while
and enjoy your meal - this is not an in-and-out restaurant. We definitely found
it worth the wait.
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| Cricket Bailey (left) and Liz Zaranka with Simply Local |
After
your Encontro meal, go to Simply Local, two storefronts east. It's a merchant
marketplace featuring more than 55 locally owned businesses and charities in
San Diego. You can buy clothes, jewelry, flavored honey, body products, and
home items.
Plus,
fair trade choices, North Park-based coffee roasters, soy candles, organic
lotions, and a whole selection of regional T-shirts. Want a tote? Want a mug?
How about a wooden plaque with a celebrity mugshot? They've got that, too.
About the Writers:
 |
| Mindy Flanary (left) with Joyce Nevins |
its
debut the current issue of North Park News.
--Mindy Flanary is an eight-year resident
of North Park with a career as a government contractor supporting the Navy. As
part of her job, she travels the world and gets to enjoy restaurants and
culture from various locales.
--Joyell Nevins has been a journalist for
more than a decade in print and online media. She is new to San Diego and
appreciates the vibrancy and quirkiness of mid-city neighborhoods.
FB&B
logo design by Michelle Livermore, Freelance Graphic Artist, Michelle Livermore
Design. mlivermoredesign@yahoo.com
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