Encontro. From the verb “Encontrar” – “To meet, to find, or to discover.”

Flash back to the COVID era when vacations were pretty much a term of the past. Come 2021, a brief period of relaxed “lock-down” allowed our family of 6 a chance to escape our little hometown of Yorba Linda to get away together for a couple nights down in San Diego. Looking for somewhere fun with a diverse menu to dine for dinner one night that was still open, we found Encontro nearby to our AirB&B with a Google Business page full of delicious-looking photos and great reviews. We collectively made the decision to give it a try. Now flash forward to 2024- 3 years later. Anyone that mentions San Diego, I immediately recommend Encontro – that is how memorable the night was back in 2021. Not only was the food FABULOUS, but the service and vibe of the place really stuck out to me. It felt like somewhere that I was more than a “paying customer”- it felt like I was part of a family and being served dinner at a family gathering. With the bonus of unforgettably delectable dishes and drinks.

Unfortunately, I had not personally made it back down there until recently when I was down in San Diego for a birthday get away with my best friend/mom. I knew right away where I wanted to dine. Going back to Encontro after so long, I could hardly wait to reunite my tastebuds with a few of the specific dishes I remembered dying for while also trying a few new items that caught my eye on the menu (which I had been staring at for the weeks leading up to our trip…). To make this night extra special, I had the privilege of meeting the Chef and Owner, Jason Hotchkiss, who was the exact type of person you hope would be the “man behind the scenes.” His passion for the place, the food, and their purpose was absolutely undeniable.

Previously working for large restaurant groups, such as PF Changs (!) and Bottega Louie (!), Chef Jason has the skills to manage a business, serve massive crowds, and develop unique menu items, but it is his passion for purpose that seems to have brought him to a small, community-driven restaurant such as Encontro. And boy, is the North Park neighborhood LUCKY! The Encontro family frequently welcomes several regulars who see the restaurant as a special haven, constantly donates to local organizations/charities, and strives to truly become part of the lives of the locals. If you are a stickler for caring service when dining out like me, you can rest easy knowing the team here will take phenomenal care of you during your visit!

Now, let’s talk about the food- which I wish I could be eating every day. Refusing to leave without enjoying every dish I had my eye on, my mom and I had a long, “progressive” feast which the team paced out perfectly. Here are a few of the highlights from the night…

Portobello Fries – the first thing I fell in love with at Encontro. Any time I see portobello fries on a menu, they are instantly ordered. I do not know why more places don’t offer these… they are SO good. And Encontro does a perfect job with these, especially when you dunk them in their array of house-made sauces!!

Ahi Tuna Tacos – These little devils. Do not miss these. Repeat. Do not miss. Even if you think you don’t like ahi tuna, I promise you will fall in love. And I almost made the mistake of missing these myself. Shame on me! It wasn’t until both Chef Jason and my mom pointed these out that caught my attention. When that tuna first hit my mouth, I was certain it was some of the FRESHEST and best tuna I have ever had – ranking right up there with everything I had in Japan. Paired with the perfect amount of sriracha aioli and crispiness from the wonton shell, these are perfect. 10 plates, please!

Wild Boar Burger – When we saw this on the menu, my mom and I decided we ought to try it. I mean, how often do you see boar on a menu? Plus, it had all our favorite things: blue cheese, chipotle bbq, apples… How can you go wrong? And, of course, I had to get their super-duper sweet potato tots to go with it! This bad-boy burger was TOO GOOD to be true, coming from someone who does NOT like or eat burgers. Now it is just a shame that I cannot find something this magical and delicious anywhere else. I can’t even find wild boar at the store to buy and recreate!

Other dishes we indulged in included the Spinach & Bacon Salad, the Fresh Bread, and the Butter Cake. Nothing disappointed – that’s for sure. The only problem with Encontro?? Having to make the dish dilemma, aka choosing what to order when you want to try EVERYTHING! Needless to say, Encontro 100000% leaves you dying to come back, and you can feel confident that no matter how long you have to wait until the next time, everything will be just as perfect… even BETTER!

To learn more about and “discover” Encontro for yourself, check out their website here.