Sola

Doesn't Recommend

Bob Lardin

Joined 3 years ago

Eeeewwwww!!!!!!. I heard good things, but I have no idea why!!!!! The food was EXTREMELY bland and was not even remotely enjoyable. The beet salad did not taste like anything! And for some reason, a creepy chef with a mole kept coming out from the kitchen and staring at all the guests. It kind of freaked me out!!!

The only good thing was the drinks, which were nice.

Recommends

Amber Gibson

Joined 3 years ago

Thoughtful menus with a Hawaiian vibe. Take a look at the single-ingredient based prix-fixe menu and try it if it at all intrigues you.

With dishes like Unagi-Banana Timbale and Ocean Trout with lobster-sweet potato hash, you are sure to find something you've never seen before on the menu. The best part is all of these seemingly strange combinations are perfectly executed and taste great.

I have never been disappointed here and there are still many more dishes on the menu that I would love to try. With the rotating seasonal specials, there is always something new and exciting to try. Wallack is always experimenting and inventing original and thoughtful menus.

Doesn't Recommend

kimsdinner

Joined 4 years ago

what a disappointment!. i've been going to sola for a few years and have very much enjoyed their offerings, but last night was a big disappointment -- skimpy wine servings, lukewarm and thick soup, grisley n.y. steak strips, dry and ordinary dessert. the server was terrific, even bringing us an extra dessert after our complaint about the entree. but, given this experience, and with so many good restaurants in chicago, i won't return to sola.

Recommends

zoe242

Joined 8 years ago

Loved it!. I went to Sola recently to celebrate my sisters birthday. The food was amazing! We started off with the truffle parmesan fries, soooo good. I had the wasabi tuna and was so smooth and very flavorful. My sister had the salmon, also amazing. For dessert we had the s'mores, highly recommend this! Overall great experience, excellent service.

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pjs2780

Joined 7 years ago

Average Food, Teeny Portions. My husband and I dined at Sola for the first time last night. After reading so many positive reviews on this website and Yelp, I was sure we would love it. But, honestly, I think it was overhyped and overpriced. The bread basket was excellent, and the amuse-bouche was a nice touch. For starters, we had the blue cheese fritters and the crispy mushroom salad. Both were great, but the 4 fritters were each about the size of a 25 cent bouncy ball, and the salad was also really little. For our entrees, my husband had the bleu cheese stuffed lamb chops, which he said was really good but there were only 3 chops and it cost about $25. I had the scallops and lobster risotto; 4 scallops and a couple of tablespoons of risotto cost $27, not to mention that the scallops were overcooked and somewhat rubbery. For dessert, we had the s'mores and the yuzu tart; I think they forgot to carmelize the sugar on the top of my tart but it was still pretty tasty, though I wasn't given a knife to cut the tart shell with, which was awkward. The service was otherwise really good. I doubt we'll be back; we can spend as much and have a better meal at someplace like Oceanique or Green Zebra.

Recommends

tommy_234

Joined 5 years ago

Sola Sola. Sola is one of those hidden gems, and kind of an enigma in Chicago - it is a downtown caliber restaurant conveniently located in a north-side neighborhood. I like it for its terrific and seasonal (yet Hawaiian-Asian inspired) menu, nice and attentive service, a beautiful and reserved atmosphere, decadent dessert offerings, and a gracious and accommodating management. Very classy for a date or group.

Recommends

misochic

Joined 5 years ago

Great Date Night. A fantastic date place that has fun with the food-- yes, we had the best potato chip ever (a potato crisp with a dollop of creme freche, something I can't pronounce and a microgreen... might be a little pretentious, but fun all the same)-- but every course continued to delight. Unlike some places that loose steam by dessert-- the ice cream and sorbet lists were well worth saving room for. The wine list was pleasently filled with reasonable and good wines. The ambiance was comfortable and the service was excellent. I'll definitely be back again!

Recommends

elvis34

Joined 6 years ago

Terrible Managment , great food. We were at Sola's last Friday for a Christmas and birthday party. The place was nice.

Menu was sophisticated but I picked the Lamb which was the signature plate.

Despite portion was small for a normal guy, food was delicious and everobody on my 14 guess table agreed on this.

So now the bad part : One of the guest had a cake for the birthday lady.

By Manager's direction our waiter charged us $40 for a cake cutting fee.

We spent over $1000 for this party and we were charged $40 to cut the cake. Stupids!! I just wont go back to this place I will not recommend it to anybody for a party more than 2.

Meal price $$ is not real. $80 per guest is a $$$ restaurant.

I just gave 3 stars because waiter was good and chef exceptional. Manager deserves 0 stars.

Doesn't Recommend

jjjh

Joined 6 years ago

Overpriced; Great until you get to main courses. Appetizers were terrific -- quail tempura and gorgonzola/date fritter. However, the overpriced entrees were lackluster. Duck was chewy, undercooked and tasteless, with cold fried shaved potatoes on top; japanese sweet potatoes were pretty good. Tuna was way too fishy. Neither I nor my date finished our entrees (and I usually eat just about anything). Presentations were lovely.

Felt rused to leave at 10 pm on a weeknight.

Bottom line: a whole lotta overpromise for $120 with tip.

Doesn't Recommend

loredanaanais

Joined 8 years ago

HUGE MISS, as in SKIP this place.. Cramming diners into a space to the point of compromising the design details is a big mistake. But an even bigger mistake, is that Sola chefs have proven the laziest attempt yet at fusion. Terribly done, and all without a sliver of creativity, this place is one to pass by. I'm sure it won't last, and with any hope, something will come in and make use of the great location. Sola only disappoints. My neighbors have even said they didn't really like it but would go back because it's the closest dining spot within walking distance. Not enough reason for me. Sad Sola. Bad Sola.