SolaAs good as first visitThis was our second visit to Sola, and it was just as good as our visit last summer. The food is excellent (we all had seafood) and the service is friendly and helpful. There is a full bar and a nice selection of moderately priced wines. Outdoor seating on the sidewalk is available, though we chose to sit inside. This is a well run restaurant that we look forward to visiting again.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Hawaiian FoodThe food at Sola was absolutely amazing. My wife and I started with the Kalua pork that was placed over a slice of fresh banana bread; the flavor profile was exquisite and unique! For dinner, we both got the tuna with bamboo rice and it was probably one of the top 3 dishes we've ever had in Chicago. The sushi grade tuna was cooked to perfection with a slight sear tasted very fresh. The accompaniments really set it off. We're already talking about when we're going to go back!6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous as always...Sola has been my go-to spot for years when I want to have a great meal and don't want to worry that the restaurant might not deliver. Sola always delivers -- fresh ingredients, delectable food, and a great ambience.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Dining ExperienceFood, service and overall experience was wonderful.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic RestaurantI took my girlfriend out for her birthday. She suggested this restaurant and I would come back because it's not what you expect. The environment that's presented does not state the type of food that's served. The food is fantastic and I would recommend ordering a bunch of small plates and a large plate to share. Highly recommend this place for its servers as well. The service was great and there should be more restaurants with this kind of atmosphere.6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMA terrific experience allA terrific experience all around. Great tasting-food, clearly done with skill & passion.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Neighborhood SpotSola is a nice little restaurant in the North Center area. The menu focuses on local ingredients with a Hawaiian flare. Since this was our first time there we can't say much about the food, but the veggie burger is outstanding and the sorbet is very flavorful. They also have a very nice beer & cocktail list.
We actually dressed up a bit for the dinner but we noticed that the crowd was a little more casual. The inside is very cozy with nice ambiance, good for special occasions and an easy, flavorful meal!5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMUnder the radarDon't know why Sola doesn't get more attention. It's a great spot for locals as well as destination dining. Loves the wagyu hangar steak with miso bearnaise--perfect--and the short ribs with some amazing braised Brussels sprouts. Wine, even by the glass, is exceptional. It's not cheap, but I don't mind paying for quality. Service was perfect--attentive and enthusiastic, but not overly so. I can see myself dropping by for the steak tartare app and some wine for a light dinner at the bar.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMSola continues to be a favoriteWe continue to love Sola. How great to have a good restaurant within 2 blocks of home! Food is very fresh, our halibut and tuna were outstanding, and the Hawaiian influence in dishes is interesting,5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMNever fails to delight!!We don't get back often enough, but this is one of our favorites!5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMAnniversary DateI went to Sola for our anniversary dinner and it was perfect. We had a great server and we really enjoyed our food. We sat on the sidewalk which doesn't offer a nice view but it was too nice out to be inside!5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good as always...Brunch is always very good and creative. Their brunch special omelettes are always creative (this week mushroom, tomatoes and goat cheese). The short rib Benedict is amazing (same great short rib as served in the evening). It can often get a little loud in the restaurant so it you are looking for quiet this may not be the place for you. However, they have opened their outdoor area!5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMVery Good Brunch OptionVery good as always for brunch. The omelette specials are consistently very good as is the short rib Benedict.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMVisit the Sola SystemSola is a fave, try to go a few times/year. She does a great job of kitchen creativitiy and one is never sure if one shoul order old faves like tuna poke or Kaluah pork, or should you try new specials. Elegant and creative enough for foodies, but this is not molecular with liquid nitrogen, nor priced at those levels. If warm, sit outside, but if in doubt, do go.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMcreative menu, lovely presentation.creative menu, lovely presentation. excellent service and agreeable to substitutions. nice for eating outdoors and convenient for seeing local theater.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AM100% amazing everytimeI don't think I've been to a restaurant that is consistently incredible each time I've dined there. Sola is the exception. The waitstaff is attentive and informative, the food is wonderful. What else is there to say? Worth every penny, and my husband and I are from San Diego where good fish is abundant, this is the ONLY place we'll go for seafood unless we're home.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMVery interesting menu choicesVery interesting menu choices either from the small plates (that can be ordered as entree size) to the entree menu itself you should be able to find something of interest. The scallop appetizer was excellent as the scallops were perfectly cooked and sauced. My fish dish was superb and the double pork chop was maybe the best chop I've ever tasted. It's hard to cook pork and maintain a succulent, tender texture.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food!Great neighborhood Resturant on par with expensive dining in downtown Chicago . Go for a date or b-day party and enjoy.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways Great!Sola never disappoints. We love having Sola in our neighborhood for the food, service, and general all round good vibe. This time we ate small plates, steak tartar was good, tuna poke is always great, parmesan truffle fries are the best in the city I have tried, beet salad was tasty, and the amuse bouche of goat cheese and strawberry was a wonderful bite. No question we will be back!5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMExquizite food but very crowdedAsian hawaiian fusion food Awesome.
The word is out on the street, that place was packed until 9:00pm.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were there for brunch andWe were there for brunch and it was really yummy and creative.4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMKaitlin the host is excellentKaitlin the host is excellent and Carlos is both knowledgeable and fun.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWe enjoyed our evening althoughWe enjoyed our evening although ended up over-ordering as some of the items we ordered, which we thought were appetizers actually were entree amounts. Next time, we will know how much to order.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMSola has one of the best brunchesSola has one of the best brunches in the city! The Portuguese donuts were great, and the chilaquiles were the best I have tasted.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMThe entire dining experienceThe entire dining experience was delightful. We will definitly go there again.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is our 3rd or 4th tripThis is our 3rd or 4th trip to Sola. The food is always fantastic. I would even say spectacular.
The only downside to our visit was that the noise level was so high, that we could hardly hear the waitress or each other talk. Maybe some sound baffles on the ceiling?4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, great setting,Great food, great setting, priced appropriately for the quality. Small plates are easily shared with a date and range from $8-15 ea, but splitting them with a group of more than 3 may prove a bit more challenging (worst case is you have to order 2 for everyone to have some). A party of 2 can clear 4-5 of them and leave feeling happy and satisfied but not food coma stuffed. Entree options priced in the mid 20's and up are equally unique and feature tastes and techniques not commonly found. The wait staff is very knowledgeable and quick with service. The room is a little on the noisy side but not to the point that conversations are difficult. Overall the room presents a relaxed yet energetic feel that leads to a memorable experience.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMUnusual menu that works well:Unusual menu that works well: a lot of contrasting ingredients thrown together in different ways. Superb service and fun atmosphere, just right for a special occasion that won't break the bank.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMHadn't been here in years.Hadn't been here in years. It was such a delightful surprise. Forgot about the nice bar area. The food and service were terrific. Loved the menu. And were even able to get on street parking. Can't wait to go back.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMSola is an absolute favorite.Sola is an absolute favorite. The food is delicious and precise enough to warrant the attentions of a foodie and, yet, the ambiance and staff are down to earth enough to make everyone feel comfortable. One of my top recommended restaurants in Chicago.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesomeThis place is so great. Very warm and friendly restaurant. Customer service is great even though they always seem really busy. The food is solid-been there a few different times and it's always been wonderful.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMOur server was helpful, wittyOur server was helpful, witty and attentive. The food was great - as always. The tuna poke and mussels/clams were heavenly and only to be followed by their cobia with fresh roasted veggies. Its a great neighborhood restaurant and we are lucky to be 5 blks away! Thank you Sola for an enjoyable evening.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMIncredible dining experience.Incredible dining experience. The food and the creativity were amazing. More people need to know about this restaurant.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThe host was very nice andThe host was very nice and our server was great. The food was amazing and I will definitely go back!!!4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous menu, fabulous tastes,Fabulous menu, fabulous tastes, fabulous service. This is a wonderful restaurant.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat First Time BrunchThis restaurant was recommended by a friend for brunch and what a RECO!! We went for Easter brunch and the food was fantastic. We all enjoyed the flavors and the plates were a good size where you really didn't have a doggie bag, but in no way did you go home hungry. And the Bloody Mary.... one of the best I have tasted - with a beer chaser!! Won my heart.
We were sat immediately, but they had a bar to sit at if there was a wait. The waitress was very attentive and there was always servers right there to keep the coffee flowing. There were big parties and small alike, and kids fit in as well as adults. My only feedback for Sola would be to have a kids menu, especially for a holiday brunch.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good meal as alwaysAs always a very well rounded meal. We were introducing this place to two of our friends as it is a great option for a solid meal. The duck breast was very good as were the artichoke fritters and the short rib.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWent here using Groupon. WaitressWent here using Groupon.
Waitress told us that the Braised ribs was sold out, which was one of the items we were going to try.
We got the Baramundi fish and the Wagyu burger and the Wagyu beef tartar. Food was excellent. Service was great in the beginning, but then waitress became MIA. We were done and just sat there waiting for our waitress for about 10min.
Other then it was great place!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Hawaiian-inspired flavorsThe Hawaiian-inspired flavors are unique and absolutely delicious. We have never had a meal that was less than great. Every bite of the baramundi special was delicious, from the crunchy-skined mild white fish to the flavors of beet risotto and baby greens. The entree of wagyu hanger steak and onions and potato cakes was different and equally delicious. We had a fig tart with pepper ice cream that was a great way to finish the meal.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMAbsolutely excellent!! IAbsolutely excellent!! I had not been in awhile but will certainly look forward to more frequent visits!!3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMFood I fantasize about for days!I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this restaurant! The dining room reminds me of a River North spot, but instead it's tucked away in North Center! Fabulous food and excellent service. We've always had a great meal and a great experience here. They have the type of food I crave and think about for days after eating there. The menu is inspired by Asian/Hawaiian food, so it's a nice break from heavy "Chicago-style" food. For all you meat lovers, they have what you want too, and a mean mac'n'cheese. We had eggrolls, cucumber salad, hijiki salad, and for entrees my boyfriend had the salmon and I had the tuna. Everything was fantastic and we left feeling satisfied, not over-full. Sola is our go-to for a nice night out when we don't want to travel too far. GEM!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had an excellent dinner.We had an excellent dinner. The flavors were blended so well. The server was fantastic. The only "downside" was the draft from the air and it was a little louder than I would normally enjoy. But everything was delicious.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious, intricate flavorsDelicious, intricate flavors put together in new ways.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMI'm vegan and thrilled toI'm vegan and thrilled to have a place where I can eat well and my carnivore/pescetarian friends can too. The beer/cocktail selection is wonderful and creative. The mains and sides are great. The veggie burger, sadly, undistinguished v. flavor: the salads were wonderful. But the colleagues who ate wagyu and tuna and artichoke fritters were very very happy.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat overall experience.Great overall experience. They made my boyfriends birthday special.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother fantastic Sola experience!!This was my fifth time at Sola. Our waiter, Devon, was fantastic and was very helpful about every item we asked him about on the menu. The food was awesome. In all the times I've eaten at Sola, the food and service has been consistent. I will definitely go back!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat brunchFor brunch one of the best places in the city. Casual and creative.3/10/2013 12:00:00 AMI am a regular customer atI am a regular customer at Sola and am never disappointed! The food is amazing, the service stellar: a wonderful experience every time.3/10/2013 12:00:00 AMSola is always a sure bet.Sola is always a sure bet. The food is inventive and tasty and the service is always good.3/10/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat service and foodThis has become our go-to place for a weekend brunch or a very relaxed and casual evening meal. The food really is very, very good and the prices are reasonable. From hearty meals to light and fresh, they really have it all. Brunch is awesome as well. The staff are really accommodating always and it is nice to be greeted warmly....and a genuine greeting at that!3/3/2013 12:00:00 AM