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SINCE THE CHEFS OFFER certain dishes on a rotating basis, the availability of a favorite like the beef agnolotti——which the menu conservatively describes as “homemade meat ravioli in a gravy sauce”——can be a hit-or-miss prop - o sition ($17). But if you ask, you may be rewarded with dozens of sugar cube–size, unbelievably luscious packets of green and yellow pasta wrapped around a fine mince of beef, rice and spinach. These virtually melt on the tongue, and the “gravy” turns out to be a gorgeously reduced, buttery veal stock that glazes each morsel luxuriously.
Solare excels with pastas, and although Ceresoli and Pelliccia resist serving the rich tagliatelle with walnuts and Gorgonzola that delights guests at Caffe Bella Italia, they’ll send out a wonderful, quite possibly fattening bowl on request ($15). The veal ragu’ served on homemade fettuccine is deluxe in its way but rather faint in flavor ($16), just the opposite of the bright saffron sauce that gilds perfectly al dente paccheri, immense pasta tubes garnished with zucchini and shrimp ($18).
The brief, rather costly dinner entrée list presents the sea bream for two as a relative bargain at $50. Otherwise, choose rack of lamb with mushroom sauce and a creamy Gorgonzola “cake” ($35), slowly roasted beef tenderloin with spiced preserved tomatoes and a peppery, arugula-based pesto ($35) or grilled, herb-dusted king salmon ($28).
In many ways, the lunch menu is more appealing, not just for prices as low as $8 for a panino of olive bread, ripe tomato and creamy mozzarella but for such entrées as nicely herbed roast chicken ($15) and tender New York steak garnished with homemade potato chips and a stack of paper-thin, flashgrilled vegetables drizzled with oil ($16). (On one occasion, the kitchen tried to pull a fast one by sending a salad instead of vegetables. They didn’t get away with it.)
Lunch can start beautifully with a car - paccio of beef tenderloin, sliced into perfect rounds and arranged like flower petals around arugula tossed with Parmesan shavings ($12). Follow with spaghetti with clams ($12) or just as happily, a pizza, particularly the pie topped with prosciutto and sliced mushrooms ($9). Rolled with precision to fit the confines of a rimmed plate, and featuring edges blistered by the flames of the woodburning oven, the pizza bursts with the vibrant flavor of oregano. One bite calls for another, another——and another. Suddenly it’s gone, and outside the window, the sun has chased May gray off the calendar.
Solare serves lunch and dinner daily at 2820 Roosevelt Road in Point Loma. Reservations are suggested; telephone 619-270-9670.
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Reader Comments:
Very bad dining experience at this new restaurant. Only a few people there when we arrived. server never came over for sometime. then asked about drinks our friends order wine,we were never asked what we wanted. we then had to get the waiter back to place order. The drinks arrived 15m min. later. when drinks arrived cream and sugar was asked for, still did not get there in a timely fashion thus when we got the waiter again the coffee was cold...We then asked for the manager to give our complaints, she came over, seemed TO be young and unexperienced, all she said was I am sorry, nothing to really redeem themselves. The food arrived, a bit tasteless, good presentation, but over priced for what you got.OVER ALL NOT A GOOD EXPERIENCE ....
As a Liberty Station resident, it was very disappointing to find this newly arrived neighborhood restaurant to fall very far short of average. At the time of our visit, they offered a fixed menu four course meal for 50 bucks a person. Needless to say, the 200$ + bill, was about 175$ over what it was worth. Most all courses came out cold and at different times. We had to ask for the wine that went with each course several times. The worst part of all, the server told us the bream fish was very small and would not be adequate for two. When it was brought out, we nearly hit the floor as it was huge and could easily be spilt. The service was horrible and I can’t remember when I received such poor service. We were surprised the manager (owner) didn’t offer anything other than an “I’m sorry” for our shared feedback. Very unfortunate as local residents, we really wanted this place to do well and frequent it. I haven’t been back since.
I went there for lunch a couple of times with business associates. Hoping the 2nd time would be different but same O experience. The service is definitely lacking for such a SLOW place. Food was OK but my biggest problem is with stingy portions. For a $10 lunch plate of pasta, I expected to get a decent portion. You get more pasta on your plate at Pasta Bravo for less, salad included for lunch. Solare is pretty restaurant but food and service? Not worth the money or the time. If they hope to stay in business for the long run, lets hope the owners of this place pay attention to these reviews. Seems like food and service are the consistent problem. I will not dine there again - that's for sure.
Finally a great restaurant & lounge in Point Loma! I am a local of Point Loma and I have been waiting for Solare to open. Walking by at Liberty station, I picked in many times during the all renovation process and the result is stunning. The Italian owners did an amazing job in the decor creating a unique place to dine and mingle. I had the best Mojito at the bar and they also offer a comp appetizer during happy hours. I have been at Solare many times and I personally disagree with some of the posted reviews. I find the menu very interesting for dinner serving high quality Italian cuisine, organic and natural, definitely different than the usual traditional dishes and the wine list is excellent, with lots of choices for good bottles of wine below $40. Concerning the service, I have been always treated very well. The first week they opened you could tell they were not really organized, but I have been in the restaurant business and trust me, it is pretty impossible to open the door and have everything running smoothly! I talked to the owner, one day, who are first generation Italians, and they worked really hard for over 2 years to put it together. This is a family owned business which also supports our community participating to many fund raisers and donation. I think they deserve a little support by the residents of Point Loma. To whom did not have the best experience, I suggest to give it a second chance.
After all they received very good press reviews and also have been nominated best new restaurant in san diego
This is the best Italian restaurant in San Diego! I tried at least a dozen of Italian restaurants in town and this is definitely the most authentic one I found so far. I am Italian, first generation, and I have been leaving in San diego for the past three years. A friend took me there and I was positively shocked to find out that owners and many of the staff are really Italian and the cuisine is like the one I am used to eat in Milan. No "fake" Italian dishes like "Alfredo sauce" or "chicken Parmigiana" which do not exist on the menus, in my country, but an excellent contemporary Italian cuisine with entrees really interesting and not boring, and above all, of a superior quality and presentation. No wonder the lamb of rack melts in your mouth! they use domestic, natural lamb. It is more expensive, this is true, but it is worth it. unfortunately, people in the States tend to be more sensitive to "quantity" rather then "quality". At Solare, I feel like in Milan, my home town, where you enjoy great food and beautiful ambiance restaurants with an interesting international crowd. I will keep recommending this new place at Liberty Station.
Thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience at Solare - great food and met the owner/manager on a night when the place was not overrun with business. The food is not just good, it is authentic Italian, with a modern, Southern Italian flair. Few restaurants are able to replicate true taste dimensions found anywhere on the boot and Solare accomplishes that. The wait staff was knowledgeable and the wine list suitable and not too pricey. Si mangia bene qua!