Solera Restaurant And Event Center

One of the best happy hour in downtown! (But- its only available at the bar.) The tapas are fantastic (but expensive if you go any other time than happy hour). Great vibes and service. Will come back again and again!!! Pros: Food, Service, Roof Patio Cons: Parking more

My boyfriend and I have been to Solera a half a dozen times since it opened. Despite what some people have said on this site, this restaurant provides great value and we've had very pleasant each time we've eaten there.. For those who apparently expected Applebee's-sized portions and tab, you must not have done any research (or made a reservation) before you walked up to the hostess to be seated. Generally at most restaurants, making a reservation on busy nights helps a lot to get a good seat and attentive service (that's Fridays and Saturdays folks)... And as someone else mentioned, for tapas portions these are actually QUITE large and we've always been pleasantly full with 2 tapas each and a dessert, which comes to a very reasonable bill considering this is a nicer restaurant (read "non-chain" with qualified chefs...) The wine list is extensive and wonderful, and yes, when we asked, the waiter was very happy to offer suggestions and guidance, and even brought out a taste once before selling us on the bottle. To sumup, for me, the important pieces are setting, food, wine, and service. This restuarant has a very pleasant and modern decor, with intimate corners for special nights out with the boyfriend. The food is delicious, with delicate blending of flavors, there are original dishes as well as classic tapas, and it is all artistically arranged and presented. And the waiters have ALWAYS been conversational and helpful with us! Pros: Valet parking, terrace or indoor dining, extensive menu and wine list Cons: sometimes hard to get last-minute reservations more

My boyfriend and I have been to Solera a half a dozen times since it opened. Despite what some people have said on this site, this restaurant provides great value and we've had very pleasant each time we've eaten there.. \r \r For those who apparently expected Applebee's-sized portions and tab, you must not have done any research (or made a reservation) before you walked up to the hostess to be seated. Generally at most restaurants, making a reservation on busy nights helps a lot to get a good seat and attentive service (that's Fridays and Saturdays folks)... And as someone else mentioned, for tapas portions these are actually QUITE large and we've always been pleasantly full with 2 tapas each and a dessert, which comes to a very reasonable bill considering this is a nicer restaurant (read ""non-chain"" with qualified chefs...) The wine list is extensive and wonderful, and yes, when we asked, the waiter was very happy to offer suggestions and guidance, and even brought out a taste once before selling us on the bottle.\r \r To sumup, for me, the important pieces are setting, food, wine, and service. This restuarant has a very pleasant and modern decor, with intimate corners for special nights out with the boyfriend. The food is delicious, with delicate blending of flavors, there are original dishes as well as classic tapas, and it is all artistically arranged and presented. And the waiters have ALWAYS been conversational and helpful with us! Pros: Valet parking, terrace or indoor dining, extensive menu and wine list Cons: sometimes hard to get last-minute reservations more

We decided to check out Solera for my girlfriend's birthday, 6.26.06. As we walked up to the host stand, I noticed a sneer pass the hostess's lips. She told us that they were only seating for the bar and the roof patio. We went up to the roof bar to see if there was an area in which we could sit and wait for a table to open up. It was not until an older couple came and began standing behind us that she acknowledged our presence. She motioned to some stacked chairs and said that we could probably put some down near the bar and sit until one was available. The older couple joined us to wait. The 4 of us grabbed chairs and sat down. The bartender then asked the couple if they would like something to drink while they waited, making it very clear that she was not going to ask us. Once we had gotten a table, it was about 10 minutes before a server came by. She informed us that they only had a limited menu on the roof and we would be unable to get dinner. At this point, we were hungry enough that we did not want to wait any longer, so we simply ordered food from the menu. The server then left, not offering to get us new drinks to replace our now empty ones. Here's the positive part of the experience: The food was awesome! Some of the best Spanish food that I had ever encountered. I was very happy about this, as it was not a cheap place to eat. After dropping off the food and once again not offering us new drinks, the server did not return until a half-hour later, after we had been done with our food for quite a while. She grabbed our plates and promised to return shortly with the bill. At no point did she ask if the food was satisfactory nor if we wanted anything else. 15 mins later, she returned with the bill, which she dropped quite rudely on the table and then left. I'd go back for the food, but I'd get it to go to avoid the horrible staff. Pros: Excellent food, roof patio has beautiful view, inside nicely designed Cons: Horrible service, stuck-up attitudes, expensive more

We decided to check out Solera for my girlfriend's birthday, 6.26.06. As we walked up to the host stand, I noticed a sneer pass the hostess's lips. She told us that they were only seating for the bar and the roof patio.\r We went up to the roof bar to see if there was an area in which we could sit and wait for a table to open up. It was not until an older couple came and began standing behind us that she acknowledged our presence. She motioned to some stacked chairs and said that we could probably put some down near the bar and sit until one was available. The older couple joined us to wait. The 4 of us grabbed chairs and sat down. The bartender then asked the couple if they would like something to drink while they waited, making it very clear that she was not going to ask us.\r Once we had gotten a table, it was about 10 minutes before a server came by. She informed us that they only had a limited menu on the roof and we would be unable to get dinner. At this point, we were hungry enough that we did not want to wait any longer, so we simply ordered food from the menu. The server then left, not offering to get us new drinks to replace our now empty ones. Here's the positive part of the experience: The food was awesome! Some of the best Spanish food that I had ever encountered. I was very happy about this, as it was not a cheap place to eat. \r After dropping off the food and once again not offering us new drinks, the server did not return until a half-hour later, after we had been done with our food for quite a while. She grabbed our plates and promised to return shortly with the bill. At no point did she ask if the food was satisfactory nor if we wanted anything else. 15 mins later, she returned with the bill, which she dropped quite rudely on the table and then left.\r I'd go back for the food, but I'd get it to go to avoid the horrible staff. Pros: Excellent food, roof patio has beautiful view, inside nicely designed Cons: Horrible service, stuck-up attitudes, expensive more

Heard great reviews on Solera and went there on my birthday. Food was above average but portion size to dollar paid was unacceptable to me. I went with two others and one was fine with the "value" whereas the other was on par with my opinion. Pros: Flavor, ambience Cons: serving size/value more

Heard great reviews on Solera and went there on my birthday. Food was above average but portion size to dollar paid was unacceptable to me. I went with two others and one was fine with the ""value"" whereas the other was on par with my opinion. Pros: Flavor, ambience Cons: serving size/value more

i first went to solera on was a friday night around 8 30. we hadn't made reservations so there was no available seating but we could sit at the bar. it was fairly busy but the crowd made it exciting. the other time was with three friends on a weekday at like 530. barely anyone was there so we got a table in the back. both the booth and bar were nice. the food is delicious and the waitress made great suggestions. my favorite thus far is the calamari. some tapa plates are really small while some are surprisingly filling. depending on what you get will depend on how much you spend. the churros are to die for, so save room for the melt in your mouth sensation. my roomate and i have decided to make solera a ritualistic outting because we love it so much. worth the splurge Pros: food, ambiance, service Cons: price more

i first went to solera on was a friday night around 8 30. we hadn't made reservations so there was no available seating but we could sit at the bar. it was fairly busy but the crowd made it exciting. the other time was with three friends on a weekday at like 530. barely anyone was there so we got a table in the back. both the booth and bar were nice. the food is delicious and the waitress made great suggestions. my favorite thus far is the calamari. some tapa plates are really small while some are surprisingly filling. depending on what you get will depend on how much you spend. the churros are to die for, so save room for the melt in your mouth sensation. my roomate and i have decided to make solera a ritualistic outting because we love it so much. worth the splurge Pros: food, ambiance, service Cons: price more

We were able to make reservations on Mother's Day (unexpected, but nice). Aside from one small glitch of the restaurant not having a high chair, it was a fantastic first experience. (They do have high chairs, but they had been lended out for another event?) The wait staff was very attentive (the server's assistant ran to several neighboring businesses and found us a high chair) and knowledgeable. My wife and I had fun trying new foods, and even though the plates were small, we felt like we could leisurely eat and enjoy the food as it came. Plus we both left satisfied. I loved my wine I had but don't know which it was -- wine list in Spanish 5-6 tapas, dessert, and wine -- $49 plus tip (they covered dessert to make up for the high chair thing). About half the bill I was expecting. Pros: uncommon food, leirsurely pace, great service Cons: no high chair ready, wine menu in Spanish more

We were able to make reservations on Mother's Day (unexpected, but nice). Aside from one small glitch of the restaurant not having a high chair, it was a fantastic first experience. (They do have high chairs, but they had been lended out for another event?) The wait staff was very attentive (the server's assistant ran to several neighboring businesses and found us a high chair) and knowledgeable. My wife and I had fun trying new foods, and even though the plates were small, we felt like we could leisurely eat and enjoy the food as it came. Plus we both left satisfied. I loved my wine I had but don't know which it was -- wine list in Spanish 5-6 tapas, dessert, and wine -- $49 plus tip (they covered dessert to make up for the high chair thing). About half the bill I was expecting. Pros: uncommon food, leirsurely pace, great service Cons: no high chair ready, wine menu in Spanish more

First time to Solera. Our waitress unfortunately wasn't much help with the wine, a brief description on the wine list would have proved helpful. Our other pet peave was that whenever a dish was brought out from someone other than our server, it was delivered to our table, even though it wasn't our's. This happened a half dozen times, I would think that if the scallops are supposed to go to table 12, ALL servers should know where table 12 is, not just our waitress. With this in mind, the food we did receive was very good, the stuffed dates, and scallops w/saffron were delicious, as was dessert. Our waitress was very friendly. The price was reasonable, seven tapas and dessert with a bottle of wine:$110. We were there for my birthday however, and were slightly dissapointed with the lack of help on the wine selection. Overall, a nice experience. Pros: People watching, valet parking $6, delicious food Cons: Wine list, mixed up orders more

First time to Solera. Our waitress unfortunately wasn't much help with the wine, a brief description on the wine list would have proved helpful. Our other pet peave was that whenever a dish was brought out from someone other than our server, it was delivered to our table, even though it wasn't our's. This happened a half dozen times, I would think that if the scallops are supposed to go to table 12, ALL servers should know where table 12 is, not just our waitress. With this in mind, the food we did receive was very good, the stuffed dates, and scallops w/saffron were delicious, as was dessert. Our waitress was very friendly. The price was reasonable, seven tapas and dessert with a bottle of wine:$110. We were there for my birthday however, and were slightly dissapointed with the lack of help on the wine selection. Overall, a nice experience. Pros: People watching, valet parking $6, delicious food Cons: Wine list, mixed up orders more

Six of us went to Solera for dinner before a show at the State Theater. None of us had been here before. Our waiter was very helpful, patient and had a good sense of humor. He took time to explain and recommend, and we all thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. He even comped one dessert for a slow-arriving glass of wine without any request - and it wasn't all that slow. I would not recommend Solera if you are looking for meatloaf and mashed potatoes (which I love, btw), but if you are interested in trying something a little different, and VERY interesting flavor combinations - Solera will certainly do you justice. Not as expensive as we expected. 6 people, dinner and drinks - $225 plus tip. Pros: helpful waitstaff, great martinis, great people watching Cons: downstairs restroom more

Six of us went to Solera for dinner before a show at the State Theater. None of us had been here before. Our waiter was very helpful, patient and had a good sense of humor. He took time to explain and recommend, and we all thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. He even comped one dessert for a slow-arriving glass of wine without any request - and it wasn't all that slow. I would not recommend Solera if you are looking for meatloaf and mashed potatoes (which I love, btw), but if you are interested in trying something a little different, and VERY interesting flavor combinations - Solera will certainly do you justice. Not as expensive as we expected. 6 people, dinner and drinks - $225 plus tip. Pros: helpful waitstaff, great martinis, great people watching Cons: downstairs restroom more

Wow, all of these complaints here and I find none of them to be true. Everytime I go to Solera I have an amazing experience. I highly recommend the food to everyone, service impecable and the ambiance was amazing. Truly one of the best restaurants in the Cities and deserving of its awards. Solera is an amazing restaurant, I have no idea why these people were complaining.... more

Wow, all of these complaints here and I find none of them to be true. Everytime I go to Solera I have an amazing experience. I highly recommend the food to everyone, service impecable and the ambiance was amazing. Truly one of the best restaurants in the Cities and deserving of its awards. Solera is an amazing restaurant, I have no idea why these people were complaining.... more

I've been to Solera many times and have always enjoyed it. My wife and I have gone with different people everytime and they have all enjoyed it as well. Great for a couple or group of four. The small plate size allows you to experiment and try different things you might not otheriwse try as an entire entree. Casual atmosphere makes for a liesurely meal... the desserts are incredible. Pros: Taste, Service, Desserts more

I've been to Solera many times and have always enjoyed it. My wife and I have gone with different people everytime and they have all enjoyed it as well. Great for a couple or group of four. The small plate size allows you to experiment and try different things you might not otheriwse try as an entire entree. Casual atmosphere makes for a liesurely meal... the desserts are incredible. Pros: Taste, Service, Desserts more

After having traveled in Spain I was very excited to try Solera. We LOVED it. The food was very authentic. As for the value, we found it to be quite reasonable. The portion sizes were larger than we've found at other tapas bars both in the US and in Spain. As for the sangria, we thought it was great. It is $35 for a pitcher, but it's twice as big as you would normally find. We did have to wait about 15 min past our reservation, but it was worth the wait. This restaurant is a great addition to the Twin Cities. Pros: Great Food, Lovley Design, Very Authentic Cons: Hard to get Res. more