A CHARMING HIDEAWAY FOR MEXICAN FOOD, AGAVE SPIRITS & TASTEFUL TUNES
When we eat, we express through our eyes the link between emotion and what elates our palette. They are a window to what pains and pleasures us. Be it from our taste buds or otherwise. Focused on seasonality and fresh ingredients. Our passion for la cocina Mexicana translates to a menu of bright, bold and ingredient-driven cuisine, with a curated selection of tequilas and agave-driven spirits that elate the palette.
Encanto’s concept embodies a sleek, sultry restaurant and bar with Chef Christopher Lin heading the culinary team, and interior design by renowned British designer William Emmerson. The kitchen’s nucleus is a Josper charcoal oven lending deep smoky flavors to the menu, complemented by a bar program centered around boutique agave spirits. Encanto’s spirit program is focused around a carefully-sourced menu of Cal Mex-inspired dishes and cocktails for dinner, late-night, and soon brunch. Chef Chris’s talents and extensive background culminate in dishes like the Roasted Tomatillo Salsa with Guacamole made with house-fermented and roasted chiles, an assortment of tacos including pork cheek and swordfish, and entrees like the show-stopping Whole Branzino with mole verde and thyme featuring 3-day dry-aged whole branzino sourced from The Joint. Sides feature intensely flavorful Rancho Gordo Frijoles with burnt black garlic purée and fermented Fresno sauce. For dessert, try the Ricotta Churro Bites made with fried ricotta dough and topped with orange zest, cinnamon, piloncillo, and fresh whipped cream. Encanto’s signature cocktails are an upscale take on traditional archetypes utilizing freshly-squeezed juice and boutique spirits with zero-refined sugars.
Encanto was designed by William Emmerson, a celebrated interior designer, furniture designer, and sculptor who frequented the iconic neighborhood restaurant Mexico City in his youth. When the space became available, Emmerson was delighted to create a moody, dark, seductive vibe for intimate evenings out and revelry among friends. Design enthusiasts will notice a 24-person, curved 360-degree bar that commands the room upon entering with pops of color from Heath ceramic tiles and a bar top handmade from pewter. In addition, the restaurant has chiseled Indian limestone on the ceiling, black nickel-plated vintage bar stools refurbished from Amsterdam, and tabletops made from elegant afrormosia wood. The restaurant features some of Emmerson’s personal art collection as well as The Great Divide, a sculpture that is hand thrown into amorphic shapes dividing the restaurant to create a space perfect for private events.