Sola

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3868 N Lincoln Ave (at Byron Street)
Chicago, IL 60613

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(773) 327-3868
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Sola - Chicago, IL
Sola - Chicago, IL
Sola - Chicago, IL
Sola - Chicago, IL
Sola - Chicago, IL
Sola - Chicago, IL
Sola - Chicago, IL
Sola - Chicago, IL
Sola - Chicago, IL
Sola - Chicago, IL
Sola - Chicago, IL
Reviews
( 16 )
( 3 )
( 3 )
( 4 )
( 2 )

Best

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...

Worst

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, grisl...

Eeeewwwww!!!!!! 10/4/2010

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. more

Thoughtful menus with a Hawaiian vibe 6/4/2010

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. Pros: Really creative ever-changing menu, Great service more

what a disappointment! 6/24/2009

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 more

10 year aniversery there. great meal 5/5/2008

by temp at Menuism Provided by Menuism
Again, it did not disappoint. It was a great meal with very different tastes and flavors. Fresh, seasonal... more

10 year aniversery there. great meal 5/5/2008

chuck Provided by Partner
Again, it did not disappoint. It was a great meal with very different tastes and flavors. Fresh, seasonal choices. more

Loved it! 4/4/2008

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 more

Awesome food and great decor. 3/10/2008

by temp at Menuism Provided by Menuism
This place was amazing. Its a great mix of flavors and dishes that were killer. My wife and I had 5... more

Awesome food and great decor. 3/10/2008

chuck Provided by Partner
This place was amazing. Its a great mix of flavors and dishes that were killer. My wife and I had 5 appetizers and dessert. I highly recommend givi... more

Average Food, Teeny Portions 2/14/2008

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. more

Sola Sola 1/24/2008

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. more

Great Date Night 1/12/2008

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 more

Terrible Managment , great food 12/19/2007

We were at Sola's last Friday for a Christmas and birthday party. The place was nice. Pros: delicious food Cons: poor managment more

Overpriced; Great until you get to main courses 11/13/2007

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

HUGE MISS, as in SKIP this place. 8/12/2007

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. more

Sorry, not impressed 8/8/2007

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

Incredible is why I keep going back to Sola! 7/2/2007

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 more

Wonderful Brunch, Even Better Dinner 3/30/2007

This is a great place . The food ,whether you go for dinner or Brunch is extraordinary . The ambiance is always lovely . The staff is super friendly and professional . My husband and I love going to brunch at Sola because you can make reservations and you don't have to wait in the long lines that most brunch place have on the weekend . There is a lovely fireplace that makes your dinning experience very cozy . This is a perfect place for a date , hanging out with friends or even a family dinner. Once you visit Sola it will soon become your favorite place. Pros: Food, the Ambience and the Staff more

Nothing short of amazing!!! 3/27/2007

My boyfriend and I were visiting my college roommates over his birthday weekend in January, so I desperately searched for a good restaurant in a foreign city. Through, citysearch, I selected Sola. I was NOT misled!!!! Everything about our experience was amazing! The customer service from making the reservations to actual visit, the food, the wine, and the atmosphere!!!! We had the artichoke fritters, venison, and miso black cod. The food literally melted in our mouths. The atmosphere was romantic and the staff was genuine. And the value for the price was unbelievable! Everything was great! I highly recommend this restaurant and if ever back in Chicago, I pray it is still in existence because another meal there will be an absolute must!!! Pros: Food, Wine Selection, Service, Atmosphere Cons: NONE! more

Delicious food, some tables are cramped 1/7/2007

The food here is great--the lamb was especially memorable. HOWEVER, we were jammed into an extremely claustrophobic table. We were so close to other tables that it was hard to not hear our neighbors' conversations or even get into our seats! I would definitely recommend this restaurant, but ONLY if you request a table on the upper level or by the windows. Pros: food, attentive service, nice ambiance Cons: some tables are cramped more

Good Food but you'll definately PAY for it; and hope you enjoy Noise. 1/7/2007

After reading all the hoopla, had to try Sola's for myself. Food was above-average -- we ordered the recommended Short Ribs, which are boneless and looks like a Filet, but tasted more like Brisket -- but that's not a bad thing. Was marinated nicely, and very tender and lean. Also tried the Duck breast, which had a nice herb crust. Appetizers were so-so, consisting of Sola's brand of Spring Roll and Artichoke Fritters. Wine List was broad, but very high priced as was the food. Other big complaint like everyone else says -- the place is TOO NOISY. Can't relax, and certainly not romantic. Pros: Excellent and interesting Food, especially like the Short Ribs Cons: Overpriced and TOO NOISY. more
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Menu for Sola


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Editorial
  • The Scene
    Mimicking sand and surf, this North Center restaurant oozes amber hues with hanging cylindrical lamps complemented by a palette of beige, orange and cornflower that pops in...

  • 4/4/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Daily 5:30pm-10pm
  • Payments: Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: North Center, North Side
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