Sola: User Reviews
I seem to find my way to Sola about once a year, and on each visit I end up wondering why it took so long to return! Yes, it’s pricey -- but it delivers. The level of innovation is top-rate, the ingredients & cooking are generally superb and the presentation appealing. Tonight’s entrees (halibut, wagyu rib-eye) were delicious. The wine menu is well chosen. Our server, Karen, and the runners were friendly and helpful. A special dessert was especially notable: tofu chocolate “cheesecake” served on shredded phyllo and accented with caramel sauce and (yes) bacon. Mm-mmm! We left with big smiles on our faces...
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I have enjoyed all of my meals at Sola. One of my favorite items is the prix fix menu where one item, like peas, are featured in a three course meal. The featured item changes every month. The meal plus wine pairings is the best deal. They run the menue on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights.
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My wife and I first went to Sola in Summer 08 and loved it! We are fairly particular about our food and choices. We have eaten at most of the top restaurants in the city and felt Sola was in our top 3! We went back with parents in Sept and had a less than good meal. I informed Carol of this and she sent us an apology and promised to make our next visit worth our while. We went back last weekend and had the best meal we've had in a long time! The food was as creative and fresh as we remembered and Carol even stopped by our table to say hello and make sure we were satisfied. It is, once again, our favorite restaurant in Chicago and we are anxious to get back to Sola for another high quality meal. If you consider yourself a "foodie", you must go to Sola. Very good!
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I've written a good review of Sola. My wife and I loved it the first time we went - this Summer. We went last night and were extremely disappointed. The quality of food was well below what we expected from our last visit. Way below. In fact, I liked my first meal so much, I ordered the same dish again, the Lamb Chops. Only this time, they were tough and cold! My wife ordered the Cobia. This is supposed to be a white fish and, hence, flaky and soft. She had to saw through the fish with a steak knife. It was reportedly very salty, as well. As excited as we were from our first visit, we're equally disappointed in our second. This price point should not only buy great food, it should provide consistency. Sola did not do that for us. Bummer. It was good once.
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We went here recently and had the Wednesday night 3 course prefix special (avocado special), as well as the lamb chop, gnochi, and the ribs. The 3 course special was not as good as the rest of the plates, but overall, everything was good. We were a little shocked by the price in the end.
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Fourth visit- Have been there for brunch and spent New Years there. This year took another couple for our mutual b-days. Our one guest made several requests for changes in items and the kitchen and staff were gracious and wonderful. The kitchen sent a birthday wish and chocolates to the table.
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When I went to Sola last night for my birthday I was really hoping that the negative reviews were an exaggeration sadly everything negative I read was true. The ambiance is nice however the service was wretched. We were a party of five and had 1 bottle of San Pellegrino, my husband had 1 beer, and my brother had 1 cocktail, but not by choice. Our waiter pretty much dumped off the food and drinks and never came back to ask if we needed anything, which is surprising given the price point and look of the place. You walk in there thinking you're in for a great meal and a great time. I've eaten at some of the best in the city such as Moto and Blackbird and the waiters are always gracious and care. It was a bizarre experience. Kind of like a nicer fast food restaurant where you get your food and then you're on your own. I will never go back there are too many great restaurants in this city who's service matches their food. Oh yeah and the food at Sola was forgettable. It was good but nothing to bother writing about.
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Food is okay, service is terrible. They have no idea how to pour champagne, waited 30 minutes for flatbread and butter. Very noisy, okay decor. They need to get their act together. Maybe it was just our waiter, since I saw Dale Levitski there (Top Chef) and he probably is a terrifice waiter.
Would not go there again.
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My husband and i went to Sola last night for dinner. It was a Tuesday night and the restaurant was very busy when we arrived. We received a very warm welcome and were asked if we would like to dine inside or outside the restaurant. We chose outside as it was a lovely summer evening. We ordered martini's and they were delicious. The food choice was very good and the server explained the specials with what can only be described as a superb indepth knowledge of the dish and it's ingredients and she spoke with a passion for the food. It is refreshing to see a menu with such a variety of ingredients and dishes. The food was amazing. When it arrived it looked sofresh and was lovely and hot. The portion size is what you would expect from a fine restaurant. When we were given desert menus we were left for quite a long time but when our server returned she apologized and removed our first drinks from the bill which was a very pleasant surprise. We will definately be returning to Sola to try out more of their menu.
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I was diappointed. The entire resturant seemed dull, from the colors of the walls to the waitress''s personality. Portions were small. I have not gone back.
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Review Summary
The following scores represent the average rating submitted by 114 users:
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