A few mantras and anecdotes we hear every day turn out to be true. Roses are red, Violets are blue. April showers bring May flowers. Everything you crave about spring, Sola Restaurant has. That may not be an official mantra, but it's just as true as the other ones.
Flowers really are blooming across Chicago, so Executive Chef Carol Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev are showcasing an offbeat kind of flower: asparagus. But that shouldn't stop you from picking up a bouquet of beautiful roses for your mother on May 9th. Begin or finish your Mother's Day celebration with sola this Sunday and join us for brunch or dinner.
Ingredient of the Month: Asparagus
One piece of asparagus is known as a "spear," but not many know why. It turns out that during Greek times, when the armies on the front lines were short a couple swords and spears, they would bundle up asparagus into weapons. What they didn't count on were the impromptu dinner parties that broke out across the battlefields. Spartan and Athenian soldiers would lay down their arms in favor of bacon-wrapped asparagus tips and fresh bouillabaisse, proving that there is no greater weapon than an empty stomach.The Truth About Asparagus
• Asparagus is part flower, technically derived from the Lily family• Asparagus begins as a tiny black seed and takes two years before it is ready to harvest.
• It used to be considered a luxury to be able to eat asparagus in ancient Rome and Italy.
Drink of the Month: Wasabi Bloody Mary
Don't be fooled by the dolled-up wasabi rim: this bloody mary means business. There is no better cure to a long night on the town then a delicious sip of sola's Wasabi Bloody Mary, the ultimate brunch companion. Garnished with shrimp and pickled asparagus, served with a beer chaser; you'll find spicy nirvana to start your day.
Mother's Day with CO Begelow!
This Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9, 2010, give mom more than just flowers. During Brunch and Dinner, Chef Carol Wallack and sola, located at 3868 N. Lincoln, will be offering extra mouth-watering menu specials and beauty treats to keep mom looking her best on her special day.The first 200 moms to dine at sola on Mother's Day will receive a deluxe gift bag from world-renowned beauty company, C.O. Bigelow. This one-of-a-kind bag will be filled to the brim with fantastic products for the face, hands and feet to help mom keep looking and feeling amazing. C.O. Bigelow is located on the 4th floor of Water Tower Place in downtown Chicago.
Moms and families can also dine on sola favorites, such as the Ham and Cheese French Toast, served with mustard honey and plum preserves for Brunch, or the ever-popular Braised Short Ribs, served with hoisin, lemongrass, soy, snow peas, shiitake, red peppers and carrots for Dinner.
Urban Luau: Every Sunday
From the Big Island to the city of Broad Shoulders, guests can experience the fare that Hawaiians gather with family to enjoy. The menu, which changes weekly, is available every Sunday during dinner and is served family-style for everyone at the table to share.Guests can choose two dishes along with a Hawaiian-inspired salad or soup, plus one of Chef Wallack's sweet and savory desserts. The Urban Luau Menu is $30 per person and children only pay their age - it's the perfect way to get a taste of paradise in our welcoming Northcenter neighborhood.
