Lanui Le'ale'a a la sola! (holiday fun at sola)

Ingredient of the Month: Chestnuts

When chestnuts come to mind most people just think of them "roasting on an open fire." Well, that's just not enough for Chef Carol Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev. This December, they are taking chestnuts to another level and incorporating them into three mouth-watering dishes on the monthly prix fixe menu. This month's menu includes Kabocha squash and chestnut soup with brown butter and crab; Bacon wrapped cobia, roasted chestnuts, wild mushrooms, baby bok choy, cippolini onion, balsamic soy truffle syrup and for dessert, Apple chestnut crepe with rum - cider sabayon, vanilla crème fraiche ice cream.

Facts About Chestnuts

- Like popcorn, a chestnut is a closed shell with moisture trapped inside, so when they are heated, the shell pops open!
-The Chinese consume 40% of the world's supply of chestnuts
-The reason you only hear about chestnuts in Christmas songs is because they mature on the trees between the cooler months from September to November.

Drink of the Month: Absent Minded

Bulleit bourbon, housemade sweet potato -caramel syrup, ginger ale, absenthe, lemon

What's Going On

New Years Eve

New Year's Eve, Thursday, December 31st
Say goodbye to 2009 and toast to 2010 at sola! Enjoy sola's regular menu and delicious specials for the night. Complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Make your reservations now by calling 773.327.3868

Triple B Night!

Burgers, Beer and Bacon, oh my! Indulge yourself every Thursday with sola's Burger, Beer and Bacon Thursdays! Every Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m., Chef Carol Wallack features her burger, a unique beer and a special dessert infused with sola's house-made bacon. Some specials include bacon buttermilk ice cream with malasada, hot fudge, wild strawberry compote and hazelnut brittle; Two Brothers - ebel weiss and sola's burger which is normally only available during lunch. This mouth-watering burger is wagyu "kobe" beef dripping with cambazola cheese, house- made bacon, caramelized onions and arugula squeezed between a chewy pretzel roll.

Prix Fixe Menu

With the economy the way it is at this time, every penny counts. Make your cash go a long way with sola's Prix Fixe menu!

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Chef Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev offer an affordable Three-Course Prix-Fixe Menu available for dinner, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The menu is priced at $30 per person and for just $15 more you can add a wine pairing, selected by our own wine connoisseur, to complement each course.

Pumehana a'e a ala sola! (Warm Up at sola!)

Ingredient of the Month: Mushrooms

The air is crisp and it's time to escape to the warm Hawaiian sun. If that won't work, you can hide from the cold Chicago weather and get a taste of Hawaii at sola. This month, enjoy the robust flavors of mushrooms with a Hawaiian twist. Chef Carol Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev will be featuring mushrooms in dishes such as the mouth-watering Scallops with wild mushrooms, leek, fava risotto, wax beans, baby bok choy, truffle vinaigrette and Oregon truffle.

Facts About Mushrooms

• There are 38,000 varieties of mushrooms

• Mushrooms can be frozen but they must be cleaned, cooked and placed in a ½ cup or 1 cup container to freeze

•Ancient Egyptians considered mushrooms to be food for the royals

Drink of the Month:Ginger Goose in a Pear Tree

grey goose poire domaine de canton (fresh ginger liquor)
seedling farms pear cider

What's Going On at sola

Triple B Night!

Burgers, Beer and Bacon, oh my! Indulge yourself every Thursday with sola's Burger, Beer and Bacon Thursdays! Every Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m., Chef Carol Wallack features her burger, a unique beer and a special dessert infused with sola's house-made bacon. Some specials include bacon buttermilk ice cream with malasada, not fudge, wild strawberry compote and hazelnut brittle; Two Brothers - ebel weiss and sola's burger which is normally only available during lunch. This mouth-watering burger is wagyu "kobe" beefdripping with cambazola cheese, house- made bacon, caramelized onions and arugula squeezed between a chewy pretzel roll.

Prix Fixe Menu

With the economy the way it is at this time, every penny counts. Make your cash go a long way with sola's Prix Fixe menu!

November is mushrooms

gnocchi
with wild mushroom, smoked turkey,
tatsoi and shallots

grilled ny strip steak
fingerling potatoes, swiss chard, mushrooms, mustard demi

matsutake and pear tart
blue cheese ice cream, thyme, truffle soy syrup

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Chef Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev offer an affordable Three-Course Prix-Fixe Menu available for dinner, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The menu is priced at $30 per person and for just $15 more you can add a wine pairing, selected by our own wine connoisseur, to complement each course.

Ha'ule a la sola (Fall into sola)

Ingredient of the Month: Onions

The leaves are changing colors and summer is officially over. While you are missing the warm summer sun, there are plenty of things to look forward to this fall, like dining in! After all, it will be too chilly to be outside! This month at sola, Chef Carol Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev are using onions in items all over the menu! Try sola's Halibut with quinoa, cippolini onions, baby beets, beet greens, tart cherry and ponzu, or the pineapple - french onion soup with gruyere crouton.

Facts About Onions:

- If you store your onions in old nylons and they will last for six months!
- A chemical reaction is the reason why people cry when they cut onions
- Onions should be stored at room temperature, away from bright light, and in a manner where they are well ventilated
- Edie says " If you eat bread while chopping onions, you won't cry!"

Drink of the Month - Pretty in Pink

The Lynn Sage Cocktail
October is National Breast Cancer Month and everyone knows someone who has struggled or is struggling with breast cancer. sola is helping the cause by serving up the "Pretty in Pink", the Lynn Sage Cocktail all October long. This tasty drink is a delicious mix of nino franco rustico prosecco, marques de gelida cava and St. Germain Elderberry liquer. Not a bad concoction for a good cause!

For each one sold, $2.00 will be donated to the Lynn Sage Foundation to benefit breast cancer. Sit back, relax and sip away for a good cause!

sola is also collecting donations, directly, for the Lynn Sage Foundation all month. Anyone donating $40.00 will receive a $20.00 gift certifcate to dine at sola in the future.

Whats Going On At Sola

Victory Beer Dinner

Monday October 19th

Triple B Nights!

Burgers, Beer and Bacon, oh my! Indulge yourself with sola's Burger, Beer and Bacon. Every Thursday and Sunday beginning at 5:30 p.m., Chef Carol Wallack features her burger, a unique beer and a special appetizer infused with sola's house-made bacon. Some specials include Bacon brittle ice cream with malasadas and hot fudge, Bell's Two Hearted Ale, and sola's burger which is normally only available during lunch. This mouth-watering burger is wagyu "kobe" beef dripping with cambazola cheese, house- made bacon, caramelized onions and arugula squeezed between a chewy pretzel roll.

Prix Fixe Menu

With the economy the way it is at this time, every penny counts. Make your cash go a long way with sola's Prix Fixe menu!

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Chef Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev offer an affordable Three-Course Prix-Fixe Menu available for dinner, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The menu is priced at $30 per person and for just $15 more you can add a wine pairing, selected by our own wine connoisseur, to complement each course.

Pela no, loa ho'ihi kau, kau wela a la sola! (So Long Summer at sola!)

Ingredient of the Month: Melon

Summer, or what was supposed to be summer, has just about wrapped up. That doesn't mean there still isn't time to enjoy juicy warm weather melons. Executive Chef Carol Wallack is taking full advantage of the last of this season's ingredients by incorporating them into sola's menu. Book your reservation for sola's Victory Beer Dinner to try Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev's Green City Market Melon and Basil salad! It may not feel like summer, but it will still taste like it!

Facts About Melon

* Melons, squashes, and cucumbers are all in the same family
* Melon seeds were transported to the United States by Columbus and eventually cultivated by Spanish explorers in California
* Melons are versatile and more than a dessert or snack. They are great as an ingredient in salads, salsas, side dishes, entrees, and drinks. Even the ripe seeds, dried and toasted, make a healthy snack.

Beer Dinner at sola

On Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 at 6:30 p.m., Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev will be creating a Victory Beer Dinner. The menu will feature five delectable courses, each paired with a complementing Victory beer

Menu items will include:

Dashi and Beer Steamed Mussels, Shrimp
crispy mushrooms, leeks, cilantro, bread

Grilled Sturgeon
peppercorns, macademia pesto, squash, swiss chard, black rice, bacon, sweet soy

Hawaiian Style Malasada
hot fudge, cocoa nibs, vanilla-stout ice cream, hazelnut brittle, wild strawberry

The dinner is $65.00 excluding tax and gratuity and will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Reservations can be made by calling 773.327.3868

Triple B Nights!

Burgers, Beer and Bacon, oh my! Indulge yourself every Thursday and Sunday with sola's Burger, Beer and Bacon Thursdays! Every Thursday and Sunday beginning at 5:30 p.m., Chef Carol Wallack features her burger, a unique beer and a special appetizer infused with sola's house-made bacon. Some specials include Bacon brittle ice cream with apple bread pudding, Morimoto Soba Ale and sola's burger which is normally only available during lunch. This mouth-watering burger is wagyu "kobe" beefdripping with cambazola cheese, house- made bacon, caramelized onions and arugula squeezed between a chewy pretzel roll.

Prix Fixe Menu

With the economy the way it is at this time, every penny counts. Make your cash go a long way with sola's Prix Fixe menu!

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and Friday Chef Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Shalev offer an affordable Three-Course Prix-Fixe Menu available for dinner, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The menu is priced at $30 per person and for just $15 more you can add a wine pairing, selected by our own wine connoisseur, to complement each course.

Kupono piki a la sola! (just peachy at sola!)

Ingredient of the Month: Peaches

The weather is finally starting to feel like summer as we approach the hottest month of the year. Chef Carol Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev are keeping things cool with sweet and juicy peaches. Chef Wallack and Chef Shalev have created mouth-watering peach infused dishes that will be served all month long. Stop in sola and enjoy these peachy dishes on the relaxing outdoor patio.

Facts About Peaches

* The saying, "You're a Real Peach" originated from the tradition of giving a peach to the friend you liked.
* In China the peach is a symbol of longevity and good luck.
* There are over 700 varieties of peaches-some Chinese varieties are even flat like hockey pucks.

Drink of the Month: Kentucky Blues

sola's 2009 Green City Market Cocktail

This cocktail was such a hit at this year's Green City Market Chefs BBQ that Chef Wallack added it to sola's menu. This refreshing drink is a mix of fresh 'Seedling' blueberries, house-made ginger ale, Pureed blueberries, Maker's Mark bourbon, and lime.

Maker's Mark Dinner

On Tuesday, August 11th, Chef Carol Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev will be hosting a Maker's Mark Bourbon dinner. The menu will feature five mouth-watering courses, each paired with Maker's Mark Bourbon cocktails and wine. A few of the menu items include Berkshire Pork Baby Back Ribs, makers- pineapple glaze, bacon bread pudding, apricot compote; scallop, foie gras ravioli, spicy asian greens,braised kumquats, Maker's Mark vietnamese caramel; and pecan molasses cake with house made buttermilk ice cream and Makers Mark Caramel sauce.

The dinner is $70.00 excluding tax and gratuity and will begin at 6:30 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 773.327.3868.

Triple B Night!

Burgers, Beer and Bacon, oh my! Indulge yourself every Thursday with sola's Burger, Beer and Bacon Thursdays! Every Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m., Chef Carol Wallack features her burger, a unique beer and a special appetizer infused with sola's house-made bacon. Some specials include Bacon brittle ice cream with apple bread pudding, Morimoto Soba Ale and sola's burger which is normally only available during lunch. This mouth-watering burger is wagyu "kobe" beefdripping with cambazola cheese, house- made bacon, caramelized onions and arugula squeezed between a chewy pretzel roll.

Prix Fixe Menu

With the economy the way it is at this time, every penny counts. Make your cash go a long way with

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Chef Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev offer an affordable Three-Course Prix-Fixe Menu available for dinner, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The menu is priced at $30 per person and for just $15 more you can add a wine pairing, selected by our own wine connoisseur, to complement each course.

'Olu'olu i lalo a la sola! (cool down at sola!)

Ingredient of the Month: Beets

Finally summer is in full swing. The temperature is heating up and the sun is shining. Stay cool with beets. Chef Carol Wallack is featuring healthy and delicious beets on sola's monthly prix fixe menu. Beets are tasty by themselves or used in an entree or salad.

Facts About Beets

* Beets are sometimes used to make homemade wine
* One cup of beets contains about 75 calories
* Greeks used to use just the leaves of beets as medicine

Drink of the Month: Lemon Basil Mojito

In the summer, what's better than cocktails or ice cream or sorbet? Well, cocktails and sorbet! This month sola is featuring the perfect summer drink, a Lemon Basil Mojito. This mojito includes 10 cane rum, ginger, lemongrass, soda, with a float of lemon basil sorbet. The perfect way to welcome the warm weather!

What's Going On At Sola?

Triple B Night!

Burgers, Beer and Bacon, oh my! Indulge yourself every Thursday with sola's Burger, Beer and Bacon Thursdays! Every Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m., Chef Carol Wallack features her burger, a unique beer and a special appetizer infused with sola's house-made bacon. Some specials include Bacon brittle ice cream with apple bread pudding, Morimoto Soba Ale and sola's burger which is normally only available during lunch. This mouth-watering burger is wagyu "kobe" beefdripping with cambazola cheese, house- made bacon, caramelized onions and arugula squeezed between a chewy pretzel roll.

Prix Fixe Menu

With the economy the way it is at this time, every penny counts. Make your cash go a long way with sola's Prix Fixe menu!

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Chef Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev offer an affordable Three-Course Prix-Fixe Menu available for dinner, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The menu is priced at $30 per person and for just $15 more you can add a wine pairing, selected by our own wine connoisseur, to complement each course.

July's featured ingredient is Beets.

Kau, Kau wela Le'ale'a a' la sola! (Summer Fun at sola!)

WGN CHANNEL 9 NEWS AT NOON
CAROL WALLACK IS COOKING UP SOME HAWAIIAN BBQ
Watch it now!

Ingredient of the Month: Goat Cheese

Summer is almost here and it's the best time to enjoy our great city. From dining alfresco to enjoying fresh seasonal ingredients, sola has it all covered! This month Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev is featuring fresh goat cheese from Prairie Fruits and Capriole Farms. From a healthy salad to mouth-watering entrees, goat cheese is a great addition to any meal!

Facts About Goat Cheese

• Goat cheese comes in a wide variety of forms, although the most common is a soft, easily spreadable cheese.
• Goat cheese can also be made in hard aged varieties as well as semi firm cheeses like feta.
• Goat cheese is leaner than most cheeses and is popular amongst dieters!

Drink of the Month - Kumquat Mojito

As the weather warms up, cool off with a refreshing mojito with a twist! sola's Kumquat Mojito is a mix of ten cane rum, fresh kumquats, fresh mint leaves, lime, simple syrup and soda. The perfect drink to sip as things heat up!

1st Place at the Food Arts Share Our Strength BBQ!

For the second time, sola took home "Best Dish" at the Food Arts Share Our Strength BBQ Competition during the National Restaurant Association Show! sola's House Made Bacon Bread Pudding with House Smoked Pork Ribs and Vegetable Pickles beat out some of the nation's best chefs to win 1st place! sola also took home the prize in 2007 for our short rib sandwich!

Father's Day - June 21, 2009

Show your appreciation for dad by treating him to brunch or dinner at sola.
sola will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for brunch and 5:30 p.m. for dinner!
Outdoor Patio Now Open!

Located on Byron Street, near the bustle of Lincoln Avenue, sola's outdoor patio is a great spot to enjoy a quiet dinner, but still do some people watching. Adorned with tropical plants, this outside getaway is the perfect place for Chef Carol Wallack's Hawaiian-influenced cuisine. Sip on the Wicked Wahine cocktail or munch on signature short ribs or salmon.
The perfect getaway right outside the hustle and bustle of the city!

Triple B Night!

Burgers, Beer and Bacon, oh my! Indulge yourself every Thursday with sola's Burger, Beer and Bacon Thursdays! Every Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m., Chef Carol Wallack features her burger, a unique beer and a special appetizer infused with sola's house-made bacon. Some specials include Bacon brittle ice cream with apple bread pudding, Morimoto Soba Ale and sola's burger which is normally only available during lunch. This mouth-watering burger is wagyu "kobe" beef dripping with cambozola cheese, house- made bacon, caramelized onions and arugula squeezed between a chewy pretzel roll.

Prix Fixe Menu

With the economy the way it is at this time, every penny counts. Make your cash go a long way with sola's Prix Fixe menu! June's featured ingredient is Goat Cheese.

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Chef Carol Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev offer an affordable Three-Course Prix-Fixe Menu available for dinner, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The menu is priced at $30 per person and for just $15 more you can add a wine pairing, selected by our own wine connoisseur, to complement each course.

Puna Ka Manawa a la sola! (Spring-Time at sola!)

Ingredient of the Month: Spring Peas

Finally, its spring and starting to feel like it! Tulips are popping up all over the city and the grass is green as can be! May also marks the kickoff to the Green City Market, which means fresh, seasonal ingredients from our local farmers! This month Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev will be cooking up spring peas. They are in season and the perfect addition to spring salads and entrees!

Facts About Peas

* There are four types of peas - green, sugar snap, snow and black eyed peas.
* Some societies frown on diners who push peas onto their fork with a knife - etiquette suggests using only a fork.
* When picking out peas, look for a bold, green color. Avoid peas that have dark, soft spots.

Drink of the Month Free Wine!

In honor of Free Wine Fridays, sola is featuring two of the wines by the glass offered on the house on Friday nights. Both are the perfect complement to a great dinner at sola.

2008, Bodega Norton, Torrontes
from Mendoza, Argentina

This white wine has fresh, floral and fruity aromas. Perfect for sipping on a warm day!

2008, The Ruins, Syrah-Cabernet
Sauvignon - Viognier, South Africa

This bold red dominates on the nose with loads of elegant white and black pepper spice and red berry fruits.

What's Going on at Sola

Free Wine Fridays - Every Friday

Come to sola for a mouth-watering dinner and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine!

Triple B Night!

Burgers, Beer and Bacon, oh my! Indulge yourself every Thursday with sola's Burger, Beer and Bacon Thursdays! Every Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m., Chef Carol Wallack features her burger, a unique beer and a special appetizer infused with sola's house-made bacon. Some specials include bacon brittle ice cream with apple bread pudding, Morimoto Soba Ale and sola's burger which is normally only available during lunch. This mouth-watering burger is wagyu "kobe" beef dripping with cambozola cheese, house-made bacon, caramelized onions and arugula squeezed between a chewy pretzel roll.

Prix Fixe Menu

With the economy the way it is at this time, every penny counts. Make your cash go a long way with sola's Prix Fixe menu!

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Chef Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev offer an affordable Three-Course Prix-Fixe Menu available for dinner, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The menu is priced at $30 per person and for just $15 more you can add a wine pairing, selected by our own wine connoisseur, to complement each course.

May's featured ingredient is peas

Puna Ka Manawa a la sola! (Springtime at sola!)

Ingredient of the Month: Artichokes

Spring is finally here and it's time to enjoy delicious 'in-season' ingredients! Artichokes are great to enjoy as a side dish or as an entrée. Chef Carol Wallack is using artichokes this month in everything from the artichoke fritters to start off a meal or with the Barramundi, as an entree served with artichokes, baby carrots, long beans and lemongrass butter, or dessert as an artichoke brown butter custard tart with mascarpone - goat cheese and lemon anglaise.

Facts About Artichokes:

* In 1949, Marilyn Monroe was crowned the Artichoke Queen of California.
* California's Castroville is the artichoke capital of the world, located in Monterey county.
* In the 16th Century the artichoke was believed to be an aphrodisiac and women were forbidden to eat them.
* The word artichoke is taken from the Italian word artiocco, which means pinecone, hence the shape of an artichoke.

In addition to Chef Wallack's regular brunch menu, guests can dine on Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev's Easter specials such as Green Eggs and Lamb, Lobster and Asparagus Quiche, and Morel and Ramp Omelet with Pleasant Ridge Reserve Cheese.
Brunch is available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Drink of the Month: 2006 Silver Chardonnay

The drink of the month is a
2006 Silver Chardonnay, by Mer Soleil, Santa Lucia Highlands, CA.
This white wine is perfect to begin the spring season and exhibits pure fruit flavors ranging from citrus to green apple. It has bright acidity and crisp mineral notes on the finish. It's a great way to start your dinner or pair with a seafood dish, such as sola's delicious salmon.

What's Going on at sola

Triple B Night!

Burgers, Beer and Bacon, oh my! Indulge yourself every Thursday with sola's Burger, Beer and Bacon Thursdays! Every Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m., Chef Carol Wallack features her burger, a unique beer and a special appetizer infused with sola's house-made bacon.

Some specials include Bacon brittle ice cream with apple bread pudding, Morimoto Soba Ale and sola's burger which is normally only available during lunch. This mouth-watering burger is wagyu "kobe" beefdripping with cambazola cheese, house- made bacon, caramelized onions and arugula squeezed between a chewy pretzel roll. Complement the burger with sola's "Award-Winning" Truffle fries!

Prix Fixe Menu

Right now, every penny counts. Make your cash go a long way with sola's Prix Fixe menu!

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Chef Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev offer an affordable Three-Course Prix-Fixe Menu available for dinner, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The menu is priced at $30 per person and for just $15 more you can add a wine pairing, selected by our own wine connoisseur, to complement each course.

April's featured ingredient is, what else, but artichokes!

SAVE THE DATE - April 22, 2009

Chef Collaborative Dinner

DINING OUT FOR LIFE

The 16th Annual Dining Out for Life in Chicago is on April 30, 2009. Chicagoland restaurants will come together and celebrate good food, good friends and a good cause. Joined with 55 cities across the United States and Canada, this is the single largest HIV/AIDS benefit in the country. Last year Chicago raised over $80,000 to benefit AIDSCARE and spread awareness to hundreds of corporations, neighbors, and friends. Dine Out. Fight AIDS.

FREE WINE FRIDAYS

To celebrate spring, every friday in April, every person who dines before 7 p.m. will receive a free glass of wine.

Our award winning wine list offers 19 glass selections to choose from.

This offer is limited to reservations made before 7 p.m., limit one glass per person with minimum $30 food purchase.

sola Spring Wine Dinner

Featuring:

A to Z & Bethel Heights Wineries
Oregon

Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 6:30 p.m.

$70 per person
First:
Oysters, Two Ways
one kumomoto half shell, one malpec tempura
A to Z, pinot gris, 2007

Second:
Crispy Barramundi
baby artichokes, tatsoi, ginger, blood orange
Bethel Heights, chardonnay, 2006

Third:
Potato Gnocchi
asparagus, morel mushrooms, oregon truffle, miso
A to Z, pinot noir, 2007

Fourth:
Bacon Wrapped Venison
new potatoes, peas, tempura chinese broccoli, black vinegar mustard demi
Bethel Heights, pinot noir, estate, 2007

Intermezzo:
A to Z rose 2007 sorbet

Fifth:
Meyer Lemon Pound Cake
frozen vanilla bean cream, blueberry-riesling compote
A to Z riesling, 2006

spring menu from sola restaurant

spring is here, finally!

Our new menu features the bounty of spring

artichokes, asparagus, pea shoots, avocados, fennel, radishes, spicy mustard greens and sweet maui onions
new menu dishes:

barramundi, artichokes, baby carrots, long beans, lemongrass butter

wagyu rib eye, roasted sunchokes, grilled asparagus, beet greens, wild mushoom ragout

pork trio, berkshire grilled loin, pork cheek, kalua pork-new potato hash, green beans, port and red curry jus

'Oi Potatoes a la sola! (Best Potatoes at sola)

Food Network's Burger Bash in South Beach!

On Thursday, February 19th, Chef Carol Wallack competed in The Amstel Light Burger Bash Hosted by Rachael Ray, Presented by Allen Brothers at the 2009 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Wallack competed against 22 chefs from around the U.S. with her signature Wagyu burger.

This mouth-watering sandwich is Allen Brother's Wagyu Beef, cambozola cheese, house-made bacon, caramelized onions and arugula all squeezed between a soft pretzel roll.

Although she didn't win, it was an honor to compete and she did take home the win for Best Potatoes!

Ingredient of the Month: Potatoes

Chef Wallack and the sola team have just returned from the South Beach Wine & Food Festival Burger Bash and not only brought back a nice tan, but a win for the best potatoes for sola's mouth-watering Truffle Fries! These to die-for-potatoes are hand-cut, drizzled with truffle oil and sprinkled with parmigiano-reggiano cheese. In south beach the potatoes were fried in rendered beef fat for an over-the- top flavor. After all, it was a burger bash. At sola, they are fried in a vegetarian oil, but are just as good. Stop by and try these award-winning spuds; they are available for lunch and dinner every day!

Facts About Potatoes

* Go Green! Potatoes are Eco-friendly, cheap and easy to grow!
* The Potato has been grown in Space! In 1995, potato plants were taken into space with the space shuttle Columbia. This marked the first time any food was ever grown in space!
* They were Royally Fashionable! Potato blossoms used to be the hottest royal fashion accessory. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were both known to wear potato blossoms to spiff up their outfits.

Drink of the Month - Spring Rain

A martini made from christiania vodka, made from organic trondelag potatoes, vermouth and yuzu

Triple B Night!

Burgers, Beer and Bacon, oh my! Indulge yourself every Thursday with sola's Burger, Beer and Bacon Thursdays! Every Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m., Chef Carol Wallack features her burger, a unique beer and a special appetizer infused with sola's house-made bacon. Some specials include Bacon brittle ice cream with apple bread pudding, Morimoto Soba Ale and sola's burger which is normally only available during lunch. This mouth-watering burger is wagyu "kobe" beef dripping with cambozola cheese, house-made bacon, caramelized onions and arugula squeezed between a chewy pretzel roll. Complement the burger with sola's "Award-Winning" Truffle fries!

Prix Fixe Menu

With the economy the way it is at this time, every penny counts. Make your cash go a long way with sola's Prix Fixe menu!

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Chef Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev offer an affordable Three-Course Prix-Fixe Menu available for dinner, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The menu is priced at $30 per person and for just $15 more you can add a wine pairing, selected by our own wine connoisseur, to complement each course.

March's featured ingredient is, what else, but potatoes!

Kokoleka Mahina a la sola! (chocolate month at sola!)

Ingredient of the Month: Chocolate

Sweeten up this winter weather by stopping into sola for their chocolate specials this month! Chef Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev have taken everybody's favorite ingredient and incorporated it into mouth-watering specials such as Cocoa Nib-Crusted Scallops with a Truffle Vinaigrette and Hot Fudge Sundaes with Housemade Banana Ice Cream.

Facts About Chocolate

* Eating chocolate makes you happy because it contains phenylephylamine - the same hormone the brain triggers when you fall in love.
* Dark Chocolate turns women on more than a passionate kissing session!
* Chocolate also stimulates pleasure-inducing endorphin production.

Drink of the Month - Chocolate Martini

This Martini is like dessert in a glass. The mix of Godiva dark, Godiva light, stoli vanil and cream is the perfect way to satisfy that chocolate craving.

February Prix Fixe Menu

With the economy the way it is at this time, every penny counts. Make your cash go a long way with sola's prix fixe menu
Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Chef Carol Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev offer an affordable Three-Course Prix-Fixe menu available for dinner, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The menu is priced at $30 per person and for just $15 more you can add a wine pairing, selected by our own wine connoisseur, to complement each course.

CHOCOLATE

First course
Cocoa nib crusted scallop
celery root and soba dumpling, hedgehog mushroom,
organic soy - truffle vinaigrette, crispy lotus root

Second course
Cocoa - cumin crusted lamb loin
roasted chestnuts, squash puree, cocoa minted lamb jus

Third course
Housemade banana ice cream, hot fudge sundae,
bruleed bananas, macadamias, vanilla whipped cream

Valentine's Day

Get sexy with Chef Carol Wallack's aphrodisiac-infused menu. Chef Wallack has taken some of the sexiest ingredients and incorporated them into menu specials available on Valentine's Day.

Kumomoto Oysters on the half shell with American Sturgeon Caviar house made ginger tobacco emulsion

Foie Gras with Fig

strawberry ginger preserves with 5-spice brioche toast

By the end of dinner, you won't be able to keep your hands off each other.

Burger Bash

Chef Wallack has her eye on the prize competing with her signature Wagyu burger that has taken her years to perfect. This mouth-watering sandwich is Allen Brother's Wagyu Beef, cambozola cheese, house-made bacon, caramelized onions and arugula all squeezed between a soft pretzel roll. Wallack will be one of 23 chef's from around the U.S. competing and just one of two from Chicago.

Triple B Night

Burgers, Beer and Bacon, oh my! Indulge yourself every Thursday with sola's Burger, Beer and Bacon Thursdays. Every Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m., Chef Carol Wallack features her burger, a unique beer and a special appetizer infused with sola'a house-made bacon. Some specials include bacon brittle ice cream with apple bread pudding, Morimoto Soba ale and sola's burger which is normally only available during lunch.

sola beer dinner

WEDNESDAY - JANUARY 28, 2009
6:30 p.m.
$60 per person / 5 courses

sola & BELL'S BREWERY would like to invite you to A WINTER BEER DINNER

Featuring the finest flavors of the season magnificently paired with Bell's renowned craft beers.

Amuse / Bell's Lager

panko and ginger crusted mussel and clam, petite shiso salad, yuzu vinaigrette

First Course / Best brown ale

Sweet potato and 5 spice gnocchi, roasted butternut squash, winter ramps, hedgehog mushrooms, truffle

Second Course / Kalamazoo Stout

Seared Irish Salmon, beluga lentils, parsnip miso puree, bok choy, sweet soy butter

Third course / Porter

Maple Leaf farms duck breast, fingerling potato and
duck confit hash, duck fat confit brussel sprouts, candied ginger - cocoa nib pesto, duck and porter reduction

Dessert / Double Cream Stout
To be determined

for reservations please call
773.327.3868

Hau'oli la hanau a la sola! (happy birthday to sola)

January 26th, sola turns three!

INGREDIENT OF THE MONTH: ORANGES

The monthly prix fixe menu features oranges, which are perfect for a healthy start to the new year.

* There are various types of oranges, some of which include clementines, kumquats, minneolas, satsumas and uglis.
* Choosing an orange as a snack instead of a serving of chips or cookies can save 200 calories a day, which can translate into increased weight loss - up to 21 lbs. a year.

Beer of the Month - Bell's - Best Brown

This rich brown ale from Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan has toasted malt characters blended with toffee, hazelnut and citrus hops. This brew will also be featured at sola's beer dinner on January, 28th. Space if limited so make your reservation now.

Prix Fixe Menu

With the economy the way it is at this time, every penny counts. Make your cash go a long way with sola's Prix Fixe menu.

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Chef Carol Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev offer an affordable Three-Course Prix Fixe Menu available for dinner, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The menu is priced at $30 per person and for just $15 more you can add a wine pairing, selected by our own wine connoisseur, to complement each course.

SOLA BEER DINNER

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2009
6:30 P.M.
$60 PER PERSON

Chef Carol Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev will be hosting a 5-course dinner paired with beers from Bell's Brewery, one of the most popular breweries in the Midwest.

BURGERS, BEER AND BACON THURSDAYS

Every Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m., Chef Carol Wallack features her burger, a unique beer and a something infused with sola's house-made bacon.

Specials include bacon brittle ice cream with apple bread pudding or clams, mussels and shrimp in a bacon-ginger broth.

sola's been invited to compete in Rachel Ray's Burger Bash in South Beach, Florida - February 2009 - Stay Tuned.

Sola's burger is normally only available during lunch. Don't miss out on the chance to taste this mouth-watering burger, wagyu "kobe" beef, cambazola cheese, house-made bacon, caramelized onions and arugula squeezed between a chewy pretzel roll.