If you’re itching for an immersive dining experience, look no further than Encanto Restaurant and Bar to satisfy your eyes, ears and mouth.
Encanto Restaurant and Bar opened on Sept. 1 on Main Street in downtown Urbana and turned an ordinary dining space into a mural- and music-filled work of art. The space is filled with various paintings by local artists as well as Mexican and Peruvian tunes.
Even without the accompanying sights and sounds, Encanto’s food alone is worth the trip. The wide selection of hearty dishes inspired by Mexican and Peruvian cuisine may even require a to-go box to savor later.
The restaurant’s chicken fajitas are great for first-time eaters and include a blend of grilled chicken, peppers, tomatoes and onions with generous portions of Mexican rice, lettuce, guacamole, refried beans, pico de gallo and sour cream, all wrapped in your choice of corn or flour tortillas.
Encanto’s take on this classic dish is the full package. Spiced chicken and crunchy vegetables burst with flavor from the first bite. The cheesy rice melts in your mouth, complimenting the smooth sensation of refried beans that add a nutty quality to the dish’s flavor profile.
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Sides of pico de gallo and lettuce give the dish a refreshing boost when combined with the chicken, while the rich sour cream and buttery guacamole serve as flavorful dipping options that can be alternated to give your palate variety. The tortilla rounds out the entrée as a sweet starchy base that houses all of your mouth-watering ingredients.
If you’re still not satisfied, the restaurant also boasts a full-service bar with an impressive array of liquors both on and off tap. Televisions are scattered across the bar area for easily accessible entertainment and provide the perfect outing for you and your friends.
Encanto doesn’t only cater to empty stomachs. It also hosts dance socials every Thursday that combine the styles of bachata, salsa, reggaeton and cumbia for dance lovers to enjoy. The events begin at 10:30 p.m. and last until 1 a.m. with free admission before 11 p.m and are open to those 19 and older.
The fusion restaurant is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday during its winter month schedule.
