Park City’s food scene continues to experience growth and increased diversity in its palette.
Alejandra Laverde, owner of Colombian restaurant Encanto that opened on Dec. 16, joined the ranks of Park City restaurateurs by acquiring Burgers and Barley back in December of 2019.
The space on Bonanza Drive lent an opportunity for Laverde and her family to practice the logistics of running a restaurant.
“We acquired Burgers and Barley, and then later once we gained a better understanding of the business, we decided to close and start Encanto,” said Laverde.
While the prior restaurant had plenty of patrons, the food was missing something, said Laverde. She wanted to bring more of herself into the flavors and the quality of the food they were serving, and she wanted it to bring something new to the Park City food scene.
“What we did is a sort of fusion with American fast food,” she said. “We have hamburgers, we have hotdogs, but in the form of our culture, our toppings and condiments.”
Leading up to the opening of Encanto, Laverde opened the restaurant’s first location in Sugarhouse in Salt Lake City, where a successful launch brought confidence for the new chapter in Park City.
“Alejandra practically did this all on her own,” said Laverde’s sister, Angel Lopez. “She had the creative direction, she found the people, she made it all happen. And we’ve always been there to support her emotionally and also pitching in and putting our hands to work whenever she needs it.”
For the family, a key part of showcasing their heritage and culture is changing the way people perceive Latin America, they said.
“Especially of Colombian culture because it is difficult to change Colombia’s reputation. Almost always when someone says ‘Colombia,’ people think of things with a negative connotation, as if ‘being Colombian’ had something negative about it,” said Lopez.
With Encanto, the goal was to “offer a complete Colombian experience, so we have tried for everyone, from our kitchen staff to our servers, to be Colombian,” said Laverde, noting that the familiarity with authentic Colombian flavors was crucial to the restaurant’s goal. “At the same time we are able to help people from our home country, so everything, from the food to the service, is 100% Colombian.”
Colombia is tropical, and the vibe of restaurant really emulates that, said Lopez.
“I say it’s like a little Colombian corner in this fridge,” she said, gesturing outside with a laugh.
Choosing the name was a crucial step in the process, and ultimately, the decision was influenced by people’s familiarity with the word. The restaurant is named after the Disney animated film Encanto, which showcases Colombian culture, said Laverde.
“It’s a name that many people with young children will likely recognize, since kids always watch Disney movies, and it showcases a bit of our Colombian culture,” she said.
The journey of opening two restaurants within the last year is an accomplishment well worth celebrating that has not been without its obstacles, Laverde expressed. While she and her family are excited to have gotten this far, they see this as just the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey.
“We are the type of people who never settle,” said Lopez. “We like to progress, we like to become better people every day and we try to have everyone in our family follow that motto and maintain that mindset.”
Laverde emphasized the role her mom has played in shaping their lives, crediting her for this mindset.
Does the Laverde family claim an extensive culinary background? No, they said with laughter.
But to them, food is something beyond the sustenance it provides. It’s a form of expression and a way to tell their story.
“It’s very important to identify with food,” said Mario Gonzalez, the father. “This is how we can introduce people to another variety of Latin America.”
From empanadas, chorizo and arepas to their flavorful hot dogs and hamburgers, a variety of options are available for any craving and appetite.
The Encanto platter is a popular option, said Laverde. It provides a sampler of typical Colombian ingredients like plantains, potatoes and sausage and is available in a variety of sizes for individuals or groups.
Natural juices and ice creams are also available, and they are made from natural ingredients, said Laverde. She explained that, for the juices, they use natural pulp, and the bases of the ice creams are from tropical fruits without any added sugars or colorants.
From the food to the quintessentially Colombian atmosphere, Laverde hopes to offer patrons a unique experience.
“I really feel like it has a soul,” said Lopez. Remembering a feeling of awe when she saw the completed space for the first time.
The family welcomes all to visit Encanto, 1890 Bonanza Dr Unit 111, to enjoy the food with the company of friends and family and perhaps for a moment be transported to a new world.