After being vacant for several months, a location that has a history to being home to Mexican food and spirits is coming back to life and will serving up familiar faire. It’s Encanto Cocina and Tequila Bar and its opening soon in El Dorado Hills Town Center. 

Encanto Cocina is opening in a space that was previously filled by Chando’s Cantina in Town Center. 

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Chando’s was located next to Regal Cinemas and closed last year after being able to overcome the losses endured during the pandemic. Encanto’s opening will complete the section of the complex that has been coming back to life. Directly next door is Pete’s Brewhouse which is back open and serving the community. Directly across the way is X-Golf, a bar and restaurant built around high-tech golf simulators that opens this week. (See related story.

“We welcome Encanto Cocina and Tequila Bar to our community.  We congratulate Eliud Moreno, owner of Friends With Benedicts on opening a second restaurant in El Dorado Hills,” said Debbie Manning, CEO and President of the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce. “Looking forward to their opening.”

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Moreno has had much success in his other restaurants in the local area which included Friends With Benedicts Mimosa House which has locations on the south end of El Dorado Hills and in the Palladio in Folsom.

This newest eatery is not your typical type of eatery he is known for locally, nor is it your typical Mexican fare. The menu at this place differs quite a bit from the establishments that have previously filled the commercial space often populated by movie goers. 

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Encanto Cocina will look to focus the genuine culture, traditions, and history of Mexico, accoding to Moreno.  The restaurant will present an elevated take on authentic dishes by using exceptional ingredients, unique flavors, and innovative preparations. We will also offer a distinctive array of signature tequilas, cocktails, and spirits.

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As Moreno puts it, Encanto will dish out a, “high take” when comes to savory Spanish fare by using exceptional ingredients, unique flavors, and innovative preparations. They shared they will also offer a distinctive array of signature tequilas, cocktails, and spirits.

According to Moreno, designing the menu to make it unique to the community is important to the success of a restaurant and the dining experience. 

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“I think that I have a great menu and a great cocktail menu for the community,” said Moreno. One of the examples of unique items planned on his En Canto menu include shrimp enchiladas with mole as well as octopus ceviche. The restaurant has been undergoing a remodel, which includes the construction of what he calls a “tapas lounge” that is separate from the main dining area. 

Encanto Cocina & Tequila Bar will proudly represent the genuine culture, traditions, and history of Mexico. The restaurant will present an elevated take on authentic dishes by using exceptional ingredients, unique flavors, and innovative preparations. We will also offer a distinctive array of signature tequilas, cocktails, and spirits.

Encanto Cocina & Tequila Bar has not set an official opening date, but hope to be open before the end of summer. To keep up with their plans and employment openings, check in on their website at www.encantoedh.com as well as their social media pages. 

Bill Sullivan
Author: Bill Sullivan