Encore on Colfax

WHAT?! Why did this place close? It was fantastic!
I was just looking here on Unilocal to figure out why Google Maps was not listing Encore when searching restaurants for the area to find this «closed» listing.
Go**ammit, Denver, why do you keep closing our favorite restaurants?! Can this town not sustain them?

Super duper! Why hadn’t anyone told me about this place before?
Not only is it located conveniently by Tattered Cover and City Park, some of my favorite stops on a slow Summer day, but the food and service here rocks!
Everything I’ve had there is juicy and made with care — from the Hamburgers to the soups, all is packed with fresh tasting ingredients that’ll make you want to come back for more. I personally am in love with their pepper poppers. It’s certainly a more bold approach (they compliment it with a delicious fig sauce and keep its red pepper exterior exposed), but I loved every bite.
Their view could be a little better… or perhaps a rooftop of sorts (all you get is the street view of Colfax), but they do have a patio area that might just be perfect for hanging out with cocktails and appetizers during a warm Summer day with a couple of friends.
All in all, it’s a great place with splendid food and so-​so view, but cozy experience nonetheless!

On an NFL playoff day it turns out not a lot of people go to Encore, which is fine by me because I get a table right away and that is quite excellent. Nick and I stopped into Encore pre-​movie at the Denver Film Center (which makes for a nice date night if you’re wondering) and they were super friendly and accommodating with our time line of getting in and out to catch the movie we wanted to see.
I ordered the «Il Mondo Vecchio» flat bread for my dinner and it was seriously large with pepperoni, quattro formaggio, and chile-​garlic oil on it. I took at least half home and had it for lunch the next day. Nick and I also shared a seasonal salad that was made of roasted honeycrisp apples (a personal favorite), Belgian endive, aged Welsh cheddar, candied walnuts and a hard cider vinaigrette. The server was kind enough to have them split this onto two plates for us to share which is always a nice extra touch. And the oil they gave us to accompany our bread at the beginning of the meal had a jalapeño spice to it.
I enjoy the food here so much and I love that it’s seasonal and unique with a few standbys that are usually available. Encore is a great stop if you ‘re in the area for one of the shops or as a destination all on its own and for that I say bravo.

Wood fired artichoke coated in a truffle butter and severed with with a garlic aioli? Yes please. Wow was this incredibly tasty. My friend and I fought over the last bits and were tempted to eat the aioli with a spoon. Perfect. For around $ 10 we were contemplating ordering a second.
Next up the Fig n Pig flatbread pizza — so glad we decided to be adventurous. Our very sweet waitress, Tasha, recommended we go for it and add Gorgonzola cheese as an extra topping — heaven. Speaking of sweet the fig jam was just right — thinly spread over the flatbread topped with prosciutto aka: pig as well as arugula and a wonderful blend of cheeses. Great size for splitting and will not break the bank at $ 14.
With 2 sodas or pops our bill came in around $ 32 before tip. We got there at 5:30 pm and by the time we left the place was jam packed — a great eatery to go before hitting a show — which we did. I look forward to going back and supporting a local business.

I’m pretty skimpy with my 5 star reviews, this place requires a 5 star review!
The boyfriend was looking for a burger Sunday at brunch time. I went to my trusty Unilocal looking for a great burger to appease his stomach, and I came across Encore. Named best burger in 2009 — sold, lets go!
We arrived around 11am on Sunday and got the last open table before a wait would be required. Room temp water is a nice touch and always filled without even asking.
They quoted us some kind of amazing duck special that they had 2 left of and I just missed the last one, I will have to come back at an early time to take advantage of their specials. We decided that we had to try the Telluride Jalapeño Poppers since the Unilocalers have Unilocaled nothing but greatness. Y’all were right! These were succulent bites of heaven. These are not your classic Jalapeño Poppers, they are made with red jalapenos instead of green which give it the extra kick, stuffed with cream cheese and lastly wrapped with crispy apple smoked bacon — NO frying here. If that wasn’t enough they are served over some spicy/​sweet jam that was decadent. I could have eaten 5 orders of these. If you like spicy, this is the dish for you. After we devoured those it was onto the entrees.
The boyfriend got the Encore Burger with Gruyère-​bacon-​bleu Cheese Compote. If you don’t know what that is, it’s like a burger that is dressed with a cheesy, bacony sauce only conceived from greatness. He said and I quote «this is the best burger». It was cooked perfect to his liking and he devoured every bite. It was served alongside fries with a hot mustard drizzle. I tried these and I must say I could take a swim in that hot mustard drizzle. Added just the right amount of tang to the fries.
I decided on the Pork Belly Confit Hash w/​Potatoes, Corn, Parmesan Vinaigrette and Egg Any Style (over easy please). The pork belly was melt in your mouth perfection complimented by the vinaigrette the egg and everything else. I would’ve licked my plate if I thought I could get away with it. I made sure to gobble up every morsel on my plate.
If this wasn’t enough we tempted ourselves with the dessert menu (Sam’s favorite part). On the suggestion of our waiter we partaked in the Chocolate Soufflé with a Vanilla Anglase. Make sure to be prepared to wait for this dessert or order it ahead of time as they need a good 25 minutes to make. When it arrived the aroma was wafting in my direction calling to me and asking me to dip my soon inside. I took the first dip and added the vanilla anglase into the soufflé creating the most delicate bite of chocolate clouds with vanilla. It was good to every last bite.
Our server was excellent, I felt he disappeared at times, but always seemed to show right as we needed him. He also had a wonderful sense of humor that we both appreciated. The prices are on point for the quality of food we received. We got an app, two entrees, and a dessert for under $ 50.
We will definitely be back because we both want to try the tempting flat breads that Unilocalers have been raving about.
Beware Encore — I’m coming back!

I brought a group of about twenty people to Encore a few weeks back, and they couldn’t have taken better care of us. They even created a personalized menu with our group name on it — very cool.
Anyway, they had three different people pitching in to cover us, and each was friendly and attentive. I didn’t notice drinks sitting empty or requests going unfulfilled.
Overall, the food was pretty good. I had the beef sauerbraten, which was pretty darn tough, but had a great flavor to it. I had also visited for brunch a few months back, and that meal was even better — I very much look forward to returning from some fresh-​egg goodness.

Happy Hour = Most excellent
I don’t know how many times I have walked, driven or biked past this place and did not realize it was here. Right under Tattered cover’s nose.
I met an old friend here for HH and had no idea how good this place is.
Very simple HH menu (which is how it should be).
Lamb meatballs
pizzetta
Kung Pao Calamari
These are a few of the items on the HH menu, all if which I tried. I also had an interesting red. There was only one beer on special, but it was $ 2, so you decide…
This may be the cutest thing on Colfax… maybe that’s why it’s hidden, around the corner, next to the record store, under the bookstore.
Great little patio, intimate but cool, with a great view of the interior. The restaurant itself is simple and classy. I can’t wait to go back and check out the full menu.

For months I had walked and driven by this place, attracted to the building’s architecture and adaptive reuse and drawn in by the chic curtains that frame the patio. Finally, last week I went with a friend who was visiting. Guess what, I’ve been three times in one week. Yes, it’s that good.
What I love about Encore is that it’s many things at once: chic place for drinks or dessert on the patio or at the bar, daily dinner dining — quiet or lively, brunch on Sunday AND Saturday, and private dining at what I call the chef’s table (it’s right next to the open kitchen). With this, it’s the perfect neighborhood «go to» place for me.
Two of the three dines in one week included exceptional service. The third server (last night, in the private dining room) was s-​l-​o-​w and inattentive.
I would be remiss not to give a shout out to Mike Weaver, the operations manager. Although owner/​chef Paul C. Reilly runs things in the kitchen, Mike’s attention to detail and rich personality make him a perfect front of house host.
It’s obvious the entire staff is passionate about food and particular about ingredients and quality of service. The menu changes at least seasonally, I suspect largely based on what ingredients Reilly can source locally.
The menu and drinks are fairly priced and the atmosphere is relaxed but elegant. When you visit Encore, you’ll find your dining experience is elevated but without pretense.

7:30pm Saturday night table for 3 no wait. There were plenty of empty tables matter of fact.
The menu seasonal. Burgers, fries, flat bread pizza, salads, soup, mediterranian plates, the menu is small but is varied enough to suit anyone.
We started out with the jalapeño poppers. Instead of green jalapenos they used red peppers. They were slighty spicy, creamy with the cheese, but the «star» was the jam they used. That extra sweetness balanced the fatty flavors of the bacon!
I got the Lamb burger. Delicious. The yogurt sauce was tangy, the burger was juicy and slightly red, the flatbread around it was soft.
My huz got the fig pizza. OMG. If you love fig newtons then eating this was like eating a FIG NEWTON. Instead of tomato sauce, it’s this layer of sweet fig jam/​sauce on the flatbread. That paired with the lean priciotto was so good.
The service was OUTSTANDING. The pizza came out 10 minutes after the rest of the meal and they went out of their way to apologize MULTIPLE times and brought out a free salad for us!
Although I asked for my lamb burger with sauce on the side it came with it on it and the waitress could NOT stop apologizing! I didn’t even complain or bring it up! She ended up giving us a free dessert!
I just wish the dessert menu was better. I honestly didn’t even want to order anything from it… can I just get a good ol piece of cake?
I will definitely come back again. Seasonal menu? Great service? YES YES YES YES.

I’m going to tell you about the wee forgotten little two top.
It all started out so great… I always think Encore is too loud, but I have enjoyed a couple good meals there, so we were excited to get some din din there.
We got seated in the little two-​seater booth (which I love!) and promptly got some water. We ordered drinks from a friendly waitress and perused the menu. I decided on the fig, prosciutto, arugula, and gorgonzola flatbread while the hubs ordered a pulled pork sandwich. Drinks came and we waited… After a bit, our waitress came back, and we ordered our food and I placed another drink order.
The meal was excellent — really great food. We love their thin cut french fries with the mustard drizzle and my flatbread was excellent. Really delicious food.
But where was my drink? The problem with an open floor plan in a restaurant is you can see everything — including the bar tenders just standing around. So I asked for my drink again, this way halfway through my meal. The drink came out wrong, I had to send it back. Another 10 minutes or so went by, and at this point — totally done with my meal, I got my second drink and asked for a box for the rest of my flatbread all in one breath.
We got the dessert menu and ordered some coffee. The coffee had to steep, took a while (expected) and came out without cream or sugar. Another open floor plan flaw, and we saw no one was getting the sugar/​cream– there was a miscommunication between the server and the busser, and we ended up having to flag him down after a while to get that as well. And then had to stir it with our used knife from dinner because there was no spoon with which to stir.
It, sadly, was a meal that went downhill quickly. The server comped us the coffee, but honestly, I would have comped the 8 $ drink and the coffee…
Food = win
Drink = solid fail all around
Service = forgotten :-\

AHHHH I’M SO TORN!
So service, all the way is 5 stars! Lacy rocked it! Gracious, friendly, not obtrusive in any way and just a down right a doll. Everyone else that also paid our table a visit was rad.
The atmosphere was not anything you expect to get in D-​Co which was refreshing to our group and took all of us by surprise. The only thing we all hated was the light color wooden chairs. They did not go and gave off the feeling of those were a last minute-​omg-​our custom chairs did not arrive in time.
When we left after dinner and were gathered out front we all of course talked about how many stars we would give it. I initially said 4 but the more I thought about it I was feeling 3.5 and since Unilocal does not offer half stars and I was wishy washy I went for the solid three and I would love to return again for a possible star uppage.
**note…WOW that was probably the longest run on sentence in Unilocal review history. lol**
Food. Highs and lows and some middle of the roads.
Highs:
— BACON WRAPPED «Jalapeño Poppers»: they had me at bacon wrapped. The red peppers had just the right amount of heat. The cream cheese filling was perfectly proportioned. The bacon was crispy and whatever that sweet jammy sauce was tied the whole dish together. Talk about flavor party going on in your mouth.
— Mrs. Brown: a delightful dainty cocktail that consisted of Riesling, Elderflower soda and Bitters. This cocktail made me picture myself swinging on a porch swing on a big plantation house. Refined, sophisticated, sweet, innocent and fun. One of my all time favorite cocktails.
Middle of the road
— Rockey Road Ice Cream Sandwich: thank the lord Lacy warned me that the walnut fudge brownie was cold and not hot. The Rockey Road ice cream itself was delicious. The peanut butter cream that the dessert sat upon needed to be richer and in my opinion, thicker. Good but again not great, forgettable actually.
— Fig and Pig: HELLO what a cute cleaver name oink oink. But in reality this flat bread of prosciutto, fig jam, gorgonzola cheese and arugula was just ok. Tasted like every other one of it’s kind and nothing stood out. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t special.
Lows:
— Encore Burger: Sorry Greg T, I know you thought «we were like separated at birth twins» but I did not enjoy my burger at all. Mainly bc it was overcooked. I asked for med rare and got med well. No pink or juice at all. The bun was scrumptious but whats a great bun without a great burger patty. Exactly, nothing.
Prices in D-​Co amaze me. I wish I could dine in El Lay for the amount we are spending here. Our meal for 6, 2 apps, entrée for all, starter salad for two, dessert for 5, coffee and a soda (cocktails on separate bill which was only @ $ 40) was only $ 193.00. Geez $ 193.00 is a dinner for two at a $$ to $$$ joint back home NOT including cocktails.
Again, I can not stress enough how wonderful the service was. I hope I can make it back one more time bc with service this great I really want the food to measure up so I can give them another star or two.

Oh, sweet fig-​n-​pig pizza, how I want to eat you every day. I want to wake up to your crusty-​savory-​cheesy-​sweetness and eat you for breakfast again and again. But, I will have to save some room for the Kung Pao Calamari. This is the B.C.D.E. Best Calamari Dish Ever! Luckily there were several other friends at the table, so I was able to try the Moroccan Lamb Burger (A+), the baby beet and arugula salad (A+), the fries (A++), & the shrimp tacos (A+++).
Now here’s the kicker, a homemade pickle juice martini! Like it dirty ladies? I do, and this was the dirtiest (martini) I’ve ever had in my mouth. Sadly, I was only in Denver for the day, so the lunch menu is all I’ve been able to try. I look forward to my return to Encore on Colifax. I’m counting down the days, fig-​n-​pig, until we meet again.

Encore! bravo!
Finally a swell place where I initially had some skepticism towards their awards (2009 Best Burger, 5280 & Best Fries, WestWord ²⁰⁰⁸⁄₉) because if it wasn’t for political/​ad revenue generated awards, than it was for all the «buzz words» that Coloradans are inundated with such as BISTRO, FUSION, and GASTROPUB which makes me apprehensive trying any new joint out.
At the Encore, they actually call themselves the «Kolfax Kountry Klub» (whoops, silly me, it’s spelled with «c’s», my bad! so it’s the «CCC» for short). I have no idea how they consider themselves a «country club» because CC’s are supposed to be private, but who cares. If this is what it takes to get a sweater vested elk motiffed khaki Docker’d wearing folk through it’s doors… then bravo CCC!
Once you enter, you’ll be happy to know this place came through because I insisted on «med rare», and I got it exactly the way I wanted it. The only downside was our server was «m’eh I’ve experienced better», 2 stars. He just wasn’t Country Club calibre.
Aside from the preparation, the plate had some suspect looking fatty sauces to appeal to your inner fat bastard self — the bleu cheese compote («mixture») on the Encore burger and the tasty hot mustard sauce on the fries made me want to go hit the gym afterwards, but I didn’t. Instead I’m sitting here in my smoking jacket like a sloth in a very stationary position writing this review.
Well its time for Greg «bistro» T. to sign off because it’s time for me to retire to the grand library next to the toasty fire of my master fireplace with my bloodhound «Eugine» where I can enjoy a libation or two after the masterful burger I just had… bravo my good man, bravo!

I grew up in Santa Barbara in the 80s and unlike now, Santa Barbara didn’t have many restaurants that catered to children. Many of them would make a pretty fancy hamburger or cheeseburger (where I swear they freshly ground up some fancier steak) and that was it. But those were some of the best darn burgers I ever had. The flavor of Encore’s burger brought me back to my childhood.
I went to use my coupon I got from the Unilocal Elite event last month. I was concerned that the place wasn’t very busy at 7pm on a Saturday, I’m hoping that’s not the norm and maybe it’s because the Zombie Crawl was the same evening.
Anyway, I enjoyed a cup of their poblano/​corn/​sweet potato chowder to start and then got their signature burger with the Gruyère/​Bacon/​Caramelized onions compote. Both were very tasty. They know sure know how to make soup at Encore (read my thoughts on the Pumpkin Curry soup from the Elite event) and the burger was cooked perfectly to my liking (medium rare) and it was top quality beef. Oh and it was huge… I couldn’t finish it! I actually think I would have preferred a good ol’ cheese burger though, and since they have a kid’s menu I’m sure they’ll be able to accommodate that request next time. And oh yes, there will be a next time.

I hear this place has amazing burgers and pizza stuff. I’ll let you know how it turns out!
The pizza did end up being pretty tasty. We also had several of the appetizers and entrees shared between several of us to taste the glory that is Encore’s cuisine.
The jalapeño poppers were delicious, but not quite as spicy as I’d imagined they’d be. I would absolutely recommend them to anybody that stops by.
We also shared burgers, scallops, and the pizza of the day from Saturday. They were all amazing.
The drink menu was pretty impressive as well, but of course nothing that great comes at a cheap price.
My only gripe could’ve been caused by several factors, but the service seemed to be quite lacking from our waiter on Saturday night. It was quite busy, they seemed slightly understaffed (or he was over allocated), and it also could’ve been that I’d only eaten once all day long. However, it’s a little upsetting when a table of 7 has all water and drink glasses empty and somebody literally has to grab onto the waiters arm while he was whizzing by to get attention to the table.
On a different night, I hear that this is usually quite the contrary, but I’ll have to give it another try another day to see for myself. The food is amazing enough to bring me back again though.

I’m sticking with two stars — I’d give ‘em another half if I could I guess. Went in on a Thursday night at 7 PM and the place was a ghost town — not good. Started with a couple of cocktails which were very pricey since we missed happy hour.
My Moscow Mule which I had enjoyed on a previous visit was terrible — very bitter and I didn’t even finish it. For me not to kill off a pricey cocktail is pretty much unheard of. My friend had a Cape Cod — can’t really screw that up.
Started with the calamari again — shared. This — IMO — is the best item on the menu. But, Lord it is richer than rat poison. Delish but it really takes your appetite away for the rest of the meal. Even shared, it is daunting.
He had the falafel burger. Nice presentation but I snuck a taste and I thought the falafel was pretty gritty. I had the beet salad with goat cheese. It was tasty but the portion was pretty tiny for $ 11.
Service was OK — a little scattered but sincere enough. It was nice that the place was pretty dead because we could actually have a conversation which is pretty near impossible when they’re busy. So, two cocktails, the calamari, a falafel burger and a little salad — $ 50 plus tip. Not cheap for sure but I’m not finding many places these days where you can get out for under $ 50 for two.
So, it is far from being flawless but it is handy and attached to the Tattered Cover so if you’re in the area it serves a purpose. Last time I’m going as a destination though.

Do you like bacon?
Do you need to clear out your sinuses?
If you answered yes to one or both of these questions, then you need to try the jalapeño poppers with applewood smoked bacon at Encore. They aren’t joking about the — – (very spicy) — – next to that menu item.
I’ve been back to Encore a few times since my first visit earlier this year, and I give the highest praise to their servers who have been uberpolite and prompt each time. My last visit I tried their bbq special — it was pretty tasty. Not the best bbq I’ve ever had, but darn good and those fries are pretty kick-​ass too, covered in a sweet and spicy horseradish sauce. Yumm.
PS — Don’t forget that there is parking behind the Tattered Cover. It can be tricky parking in that ‘hood.

Encore is good, unique, and while upscale, it is unpretentious. My girlfriend loves the bacon wrapped poppers while I have definitely had some good food there myself.
The food itself is so creative and unconventional that you might have trouble finding something you like. While I don’t like everything they serve, and I really find the mustard on fries a little objectionable, I have to give credit where credit is due, and that’s on being innovative with new tastes.
Come to Encore to taste things you’ll find no place else.

Run, don’t walk… come back for the Encore Burger!!!
Came here for Dining out for Life. The place was packed to the gills, and we had to wait an extra 30 minutes to be seated even though we had a reservation. Because of the wait they comped us a free app of the fries. I normally hate mustard, but I enjoyed the drizzle on these… very light tasting, almost like honey mustard.
The burger is probably one of the best I’ve had in Denver. better than the Cricket. Very juicy, and cooked perfectly Medium. I see why they won Best Burger from 5280 last year. And it’s cheap. $ 11 with a side. you can’t beat that. We tried the apple slaw (not impressed) and red mashed taters as well.
Service is spot on.
Come back for Monday’s special which is Burger/​Fries/​Beer for $ 10.

«This is the best pizza I’ve ever had.»
Situated in the continually reviving East Colfax district, Encore sits attached to the newest branch of the Tattered Cover book store, in the long-​defunct Lowenstein Theater. The atmosphere is swanky and modern. Right angles dominate the furniture, and décor. Pop art lines the walls, and the old logo of the Lowenstein hangs loudly on the West wall of the dining room in homage to its former master. A well organized, backlit bar and a formidable wine cellar do well to get you in the mood for cocktails.
Our walk-​in party of 8 was easily accommodated by Encore’s staff with a reasonable 15-​minute wait. Our server was rather cold, but was attentive and punctual, and (although visibly perturbed) was willing to put up with our overly complicated tab-​splitting.
Starters:
1) The much hyped thin-​cut fries. This dish just took a prize in Westword’s «100 Favorite Dishes,» so we had to give it a try. The fries are very well prepared. Fresh, and flavorful, but not soggy or excessively oily. They fit the vibe of the restaurant: classy, but still fun. Not too greasy, but still fried. The hot mustard drizzle is exceptional, and really sets the dish apart. ⁵⁄₅ stars.
2) The hummus dip, with flat bread and olives. While the flat bread was wonderful, the hummus wasn’t necessarily remarkable. $ 4 during happy hour is a good deal, but there are better choices for the normal price of $ 8. ³⁄₅ stars.
Entrees:
1) Falafel Burger. The biggest damn falafel patty I’ve ever seen. If it were made of beef, it would be pushing ½ a pound. The falafel is great though, a solid browned crust, with a moist and textured interior. Enough spice to make it interesting, but not so much that it overpowers the natural flavor of the chick peas and smoky bits of corn. ⁴⁄₅ stars.
2) Blackened Shrimp Tacos. Succulent grilled shrimp excited by a zesty chipotle crema, and then chilled back out with slices of fresh avocado. Served with a side of mashed potatoes that certainly fit the bill. ⁴⁄₅ stars.
3) Mozzarella and Roasted Tomato Flat bread Pizza. While this particular pizza was a bit boring, the flat bread that Encore uses for their pizzas is phenomenal. It has enough subtle spice to not put you to sleep, but the bread’s additions don’t distract from any of the flavors of the ingredients that rest upon it. Mozzarella and roasted tomato is a tried and true combo, and if that’s what you’re looking for, give it a go. ³⁄₅ stars.
4) Wild Mushroom Flat bread Pizza. Getting warmer. The mushrooms on this pizza are succulent and dripping with flavor. Oily enough to create that perfect grilled mushroom texture, but not so much so that the inherent flavors of a quality mushroom are in any way diminished. The dish is dominated by roasted garlic, which adds a certain aggression to the relatively relaxed flavors of the mushrooms. ⁴⁄₅ stars.
5) Fig n’ Pig Flat bread Pizza. Here we go. Now this is a winner. Also a recent recipient of Westword accolades, this dish is worthy of being described as some of the best pizza one has ever eaten. A smooth, sweet fig jam covers the aforementioned flat bread. A very delicate, gentle prosciutto and melted Gorgonzola cheese lay atop, garnished with fresh arugula. The sweetness of the figs and the bitterness of the Gorgonzola marry for a barrage of flavor. The textures meld perfectly to create a bite that yields a satisfying crunch up front, followed by a succulent creaminess. A pairing with a glass of Spanish Tempranillo does wonders to compliment the sweetness of the fig jam. I think my tongue had an orgasm upon the first taste. ⁵⁄₅ stars. Shit, ⁶⁄₅ stars.
The place is hip, and fun to spend time at. Upon this particular visit the service we got was mediocre, but the quality and originality of the food made up for it, and I’m not going to knock them for one experience. Toss is some solid specials (BOGO entrees on Sunday, twofers on drinks during happy hour) and you have a classy, fun place to dine that is sure to have something to please all palettes. But, did I mention the Fig n’ Pig? You are doing yourself a grave injustice if you haven’t had this pizza yet.