Disappointment (n) - the feeling you get when you expect a spectacular brunch and instead receive flighty service and rotten fruit. See also: Encore Bistro & Bar
When some friends and I were searching for a brunch spot near Matthews Encore came to mind. I knew there had recently been a Yelp event there and saw this as a chance to make up for missing it. To top it off some of the group were really feeling French toast and the menu claimed they had Charlotte's best.
I arrived a bit late (because I didn't realize it would take 45 minutes to get there from Plaza Midwood) and was immediately blind upon walking in the door. I understand low lighting is hip, but in the middle of the day it makes it impossible to see. No sir, I have no clue where my party is.
We ordered two French toasts (one w/whipped cream; one without), two sides of eggs, a Belgian waffle and a steak sandwich with sweet potato fries. Oh and 3 coffees...for which we somehow received 4 separate containers of cream. When a member of the kitchen staff brought out the food neither toast had whipped cream and we were told that they had run out of berries but were going to get more. When our waitress came around we relayed the message and she went to the kitchen, returning shortly with bowls of berries.
Lesson: Low lighting also does not allow you to see that the berries you have just been given are rotten until you put them in your mouth. Eww.
Eventually fresh fruit was procured, the whipped cream situation was straightened out and we settled down to what turned into a fairly decent meal. Both the waffle and toast were tasty and the sweet potato fries were standout.
The bottom line was that the food was not outstanding enough to account for the comedy of errors that preceded it. For me, there will be no encore for Encore.