Sola

06/24/09

what a disappointment!

by kimsdinner at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: service

04/04/08

Loved it!

by zoe242 at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: Location, nice space, good service and food
• Cons: a little pricey

02/14/08

Average Food, Teeny Portions

by pjs2780 at Citysearch

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.

01/24/08

Sola Sola

by tommy_234 at Citysearch

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.

01/12/08

Great Date Night

by misochic at Citysearch

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!

• Pros: Ambience, food, wine list
• Cons: Parking is tough, food is pricey, sometimes it was a little loud

12/19/07

Terrible Managment , great food

by elvis34 at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: delicious food
• Cons: poor managment

11/13/07

Overpriced; Great until you get to main courses

by jjjh at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: Appetizers. Ambience.
• Cons: Entrees, pricing, felt rushed to leave

08/12/07

HUGE MISS, as in SKIP this place.

by loredanaanais at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: location only.
• Cons: chefs, food quality, service, dining experience as a whole.

08/08/07

Sorry, not impressed

by timsch at Citysearch

I've been here two different occasions and was apprehensive to go back the second time, but friends wanted to try it. Service and management was not so good. I was disappointed in my meal both times. I feel it is too

costly for what you get and extremely not happy with the noise. I've been there on a Friday and weeknight.

I like to see Restaurants get people in and keep them coming back. I'm sorry but not that impressed, there are too many other good ones to choice from!!

• Pros: Good if your main concern is your company
• Cons: If you're flipping the tab for your company

07/02/07

Incredible is why I keep going back to Sola!

by dendau at Citysearch

Love it- Incredible, vibrant appetizers (the Tuna TarTar Trio is amazing) and delicious seafood entree's keep us going back to Sola. We always request one of their banquette tables & they've always done their best to accommodate us. The ambiance is superb and the service is attentive, with well-informed and helpful wait staff. Total thumbs up!!

• Pros: Excellent food with professional & informed staff
• Cons: The main dining room can be quite loud when the restaurant is full