DESCRIPTION: A great independent, community-based restaurant; a subsidiary of Bloomingfoods Co-op (http://www.bloomingfoods.org/). I usually just go there for a bowl of soup and bread. The french bread is the best I've ever had, and the soups are usually great, original, creative, and healthy. Their deli is extensive, but I don't really eat sandwiches at all. Their main entrees are usually ok, not as good as their soups (I think). Everything tends to be pretty inexpensive, but their desserts and sometimes entrees can be a little more pricey. A lot of their dishes are cultural or original. You can also ask to sample some things, like the soups. The atmosphere is great. There are four-person booths for privacy and elevated open seating areas with tables neat the windows. Musicians often come in to play for both lunch and dinner. The staff is friendly. They also have a bar and a small imported foods product area.
DATE: 2004-03-23
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Soup and Bread (good and cheap, under $3)

Mellow atmosphere and great desserts
DESCRIPTION: Overall, I like the easy-going ambience that the Encore Cafe has. The sunday-brunch is great, the desserts are excellent, I've never had dinner here though...it just hasn't happened yet. The service is pretty good, and there is a bottomless cup of coffee for like $1.40. Great place to study too.
DATE: 2004-05-14
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Any dessert

Atmosphere Atmosphere
DESCRIPTION: Atmosphere is the first thing that one takes notice of at Encore Cafe because it is just so warm and inviting. I love to eat and study here because it is so laidback and carefree kind of like myself. My friends and I could spend all day there just socializing and relaxing.I was drawn to this place because I am not a big meat lover and Encore offers a variety of veggie dishes to fill my appeitite. But hey if you are a meat eater they have great sandwiches to fill your cravings. Everything you eat here is so fresh and healthy that it really works wonders for a college student who has a busy life but wants to eat right. If you want a change from greasy pizza and fried chicken and want to enter the world of healthy eating with great tasting food Encore is your place. And on top of all that the prices fit my college budget just great!
DATE: 2005-02-24
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Veggie Sandwich and Soup

love it love it love it
DESCRIPTION: Encore is the perfect spot for any graduate student in Bloomington. The food is tasty, the ambiance is mellow, and the staff is great. (I really don't work there!) It is a great place to study-- lots of places to plug in your computer, free wireless connection, and an endless cup of tea/coffee. A great find in Bloomington.
DATE: 2005-03-24
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Chocolate Chip Cookies

great option for vegetarian or mixed group
DESCRIPTION: lots of great vegetarian choices, and non-vegs also seem happy there. Good soups, sandwhiches, and baked goods as well as other hot foods and a salad bar, all cafetaria-style. Pleasant non-cafetaria-like atmosphere otherwise. Free wireless is a big plus. I agree with earlier reviewer, perfect for grad students.
DATE: 2005-12-08
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : most of their soups

Worth a visit
DESCRIPTION: We visited this place once when the breakfast at our B&B wasn't to my wife's liking. If she had her way we would have been back everyday the rest of the week. Can't speak for the dinners but the breakfasts are certainly worth a visit.
DATE: 2000-06-22
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Omletes

DESCRIPTION: Great coffee!! Good breakfast...large portions... and a sit and stay awhile atmosphere... we have visited a few times and will be back!
DATE: 2005-08-22
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : everything breakfast

Best Breakfast
DESCRIPTION: I come here for breakfast every September during the Hawk Watch on Cadillac Mtn. I absolutely love their bowl of fresh hot oatmeal with fruit and cinnamon!! Cafe This Way is my favorite breakfast restaurant in BHB. Excellent iced tea, too!
DATE: 2006-04-11
FOODRATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Hot Oatmeal, Any Omelet, French Toast, Iced Tea

Best Skillets in Town
DESCRIPTION: Just love the resturant! Mom and George are the best! Ask for Ms. Folgers to be your waitress she is the best!
DATE: 2004-01-01
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Any and all of them!

Great Place to Go
DESCRIPTION: Food and service were good. Nice place for tourists.
DATE: 1999-12-04
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8

Carvel Sundae Dasher
DESCRIPTION: I just tried one of their sundae dashers tonight, and it was GREAT!!! Chocolate ice creams layered with crushed Reese's peanut butter cups, fudge, and peanut butter sauce, and topped with whipped cream and chocolate sauce. It was really rich, but I loved it. They have like 5 or six different kinds to choose from. This place really rocks!
DATE: 2005-07-27
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : I loved my sundae dasher, but their smoothies were my favorite!

Love Carvel!
DESCRIPTION: I just had a Carvel yesterday, my first for 2006! I grew up on Carvel Ice Cream and have to say, it is among the best ice creams and it's all made fresh by the owners. If you haven't tried Carvel, you don't know what you are missing. Don't forget to try their chocolate crunchies for a topping!
DATE: 2006-01-03
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Soft Serve Vanilla with Chocolate Crunch

Best Latte's In Town
DESCRIPTION: It s located in the parking lot of Fashion Max on Hudson street. It s strictly drive-thru and serves the best coffee in town. Be sure to give it a try.
DATE: 2004-06-04
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Lo-carb Mocha latte

Service at Zi Pani Goes Downhill!
DESCRIPTION: I have been eating at Zi Pani since it opened and have, until recently, enjoyed the experience. Lately the staff attitudes and food quality have definitely gone down hill. Speaking with friends, I found that I am not alone in this perception. I tried speaking with the owner, and he did not care to hear my opinion.
DATE: 2004-02-02
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 4
RECOMMENDED DISHES : all when done right !!

I too agree that service has gone downhill
DESCRIPTION: I too have been giving Zi Pani my business every week since it opened. I meet my friends there once a week. I have always enjoyed it until recently. I too tried to speak with the owner and was not heard. Frankly, I was ignored. There were several patrons who asked for the fans to be turned down or off (it's January). We were told that they had to stay on and were drawing the air up. The fans were in fact pushing the cold air down on its customers. Many sat in the restaurant with coats on. The owner did come out finally after a third person demanded to speak with the owner after the manager would take no action. The owner was very rude and would not let me complete a sentence. I will not be giving them my business anymore. My mom's group will find a establishment that wants to show care for its custome
DATE: 2005-01-04
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 2

You can't be talking about the Zi Pani I Visit!
DESCRIPTION: Zi Pani service is excellent. It's fast, and the people actually remember the type of coffee I order. (So, I always order the same coffee. Nevertheless, it's a nice thing. I'm always wished a good day, and the people who work there are very pleasant. In Eldersburg, they have the very best cappucinno's, and I've tried several other places. One day the owner, who I thought was a new employee, was making my cappuccino. I thought, oh my, I hope he does it as well as the others! Then I found out he was the owner and had trained the others. I love the place! Great egg and cheese bagels, too
DATE: 2006-02-01
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8

LOVE IT
DESCRIPTION: It's all good! They used to be in a different location, in Central. I went there practically every other day!
DATE: 2005-02-19
SERVICERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : all

Good food and good service
DESCRIPTION: We had very simple breakfast scrambled eggs toast and coffee. It was well cooked and quickly served. We got a carafe of coffee so we were never out. I love this restaurant and have been here several times. It is small and intimate but there are plenty of exciting breakfast choices.
DATE: 2006-04-09
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : just about anything