Came here with a group of 9 to celebrate a birthday. When we made the reservation, they promised a glass of champagne for each guest and a dessert for the birthday person. We even double-checked that we'd be seated indoors, but when we arrived, they had us down for outdoor seating. After some back and forth, they finally found us an indoor table. Then the server claimed she didn't know anything about the champagne or dessert promise. After checking with the manager, they gave us the champagne but skipped the dessert. When the bill came, it only showed the total--no itemized receipt. We asked if tip was included, and the server first said she wasn't sure. Only after we pushed did she bring the breakdown, which showed a 20% gratuity already added. If we hadn't asked, we could've tipped again on top of that without knowing--super sneaky. We came here to celebrate and have a good time, but the whole experience left everyone disappointed. Definitely not coming back!!! read more

I really liked this place, the outdoor seating was beautiful, the Malbec was excellent. My coworker said the Tequila 1 was good. He had the short ribs and I had the salmon and we both throughly enjoyed our meals. The service was nice, she offered parking validation before we asked and there is a pay at the table option, making payment and receipt submission for work effortless. We were 20 minutes early for our reservation and they were able to seat us immediately! read more

Solstice - Pretty drinks! - New American Near Me - Irvine, California

Having only been here for lunch once before, I decided to invite my gal pal out here for dinner to celebrate her birthday. When I made the reservation, I did include a note about it being a birthday celebration and they made sure to give her a signed bday card upon arrival. Nice! I really have to say right off the bat - everyone here is super nice and attentive. The two people assigned to us for the evening were all at once charming and professional. The support staff was also amazing. Everyone made sure to wish my friend Happy Birthday. So nice. We set the pace by ordering a couple apps first - the Parker House Rolls and the Deviled Egg Jar. So tbh, we ate the crap out of both. But I would have preferred the rolls to be just a little bit savory. It had a jam brushed over the top and a sweet citrus butter on the side - still good but I'm hoping they come out with a savory version at some point. During this time, we also enjoyed a couple cocktails - Gin 1.1 for me and the recommended Watermelon Margarita for my pal. I did end up getting the WM later on as well. The sea salt foam was very nice. For entrees, we ordered the corn gnocchi, the Shrimp Tagliatelli and the short rib. The pastas were pristine and faultless. The brothy corn gnocchi was my favorite of the evening. After we were done eating, I did sneak a spoonful with some broth (we were eating with forks and serving with the spoon). The short rib is very salty so you just have to make sure to have it with the accompanying mashed potatoes. It was appropriately tender and meaty. We both had round 2 of drinks and decided to skip dessert. Our server tried to insist that we have a bday dessert but we were honestly stuffed. Even so, he brought out a deliciously simple chocolate and nectarine (?) concoction with a candle for a little birthday something something. All in all, a wonderful dining experience. Check it out! Cheers. p.s. Highly recommend the Solstice Salad (add salmon if you're into that) for a nice lunch. That's what I had the first time and it was yum. read more

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A beautiful and elegant restaurant located at The Boardwalk in the midst of Irvine business district. Floor to ceiling glass windows as well as warm tones of gold, white, and brown are prominent in the interior design. The vibe is modern and chic though it was a shame there were only a few tables when we went on a Sunday evening. That said, I'm assuming their clientele are the business professionals in the area during weekdays. Having a Happy Hour from M-F, your best bet would be to see crowds then. Our experience here was really quite pleasant. The staff were friendly and very accommodating. The cocktails were delicious and the food was delectable. We started off with their Parker Rolls, soft fluffy bread with a plum glaze which we then smothered with citrus ginger butter. A shame, I couldn't detect any hint of citrus or ginger in the butter. The 32 oz Porterhouse was well enjoyed but the pomme frites it came with stole the show. It would be remiss of me not to mention the Lobster Risotto in all its rich, creamy splendor with heaps of lobster chunks scattered atop the perfectly cooked Arborio rice. It goes without saying, that was the highest point of our meal here. read more

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Had their amazing mushroom soup and PBLT. For appetizer their delicious short rib croquettes!! Top it off with the pistachio Tres Leches dessert. All the food was excellent and service wonderful. read more

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Such a gorgeous elevated dining experience! We reserved a table for a casual team dinner and couldn't have asked for a better time! We were seated outside and it had such a romantic feel to it with all the fairy lights, greenery, music, and some patio heaters. Our waiter Omar(?) was absolutely amazing! Very helpful, friendly, and gave out some awesome recommendations. Heirloom Tomatoes: 4/5 Got these as a side and they were beautiful! Absolutely love heirloom tomatoes. Insanely juicy and paired well with the feta. Watermelon Salad: 3.5/5 Interesting plating! Looked like Jenga made up of watermelon blocks. Think watermelon, but slightly savory. Very yummy with some vinaigrette and topped with avocado butter and feta. Can't say that it was my favorite salad since I do prefer heartier ones, but this was a nice experience! 32oz Porterhouse: 5/5 Got this to share amongst 3 people and it was more than enough! It has been so long since I've had such yummy steak. Juicy and cooked to the most perfect medium rare. Served alongside some zucchini, eggplant, and dollops of the most exquisite mashed potatoes I've ever tasted. Topped off with some salsa verde. Simply irresistible. Peach Butter Cake: 4/5 Wow. So delicious. Butter cake topped with honey vanilla gelato and peach jam, sitting on a bed of caramel. MMM MMM MMM. It was quite big and was perfect for sharing. I will say it's rather heavy, so a few big bites was more than enough to satisfy my post-dinner sweet tooth. Note: It's located in a business building/park, so park in the structure and you'll get validation from the restaurant! Note^2: The team was super courteous. We sent a cocktail back after it not quite sitting well with us and they offered to swap it out on the house. The manager also came by to check up on us! Major kudos! read more

My friend and I came here for a birthday celebration and we were not let down at all. The restaurant was very modern looking and elegantly laid out. The staff was very observant to make sure we were taken care of and knew the menu throughly. Their menu is season based with the a lot of the same items just tweaked to be enhanced by different seasonal ingredients which I loved. They also gave my group of 3 some champagne and a little mouse and apple dessert for her birthday which was really sweet. I ordered the tuna tartare and the cirrus ginger tuna salad, both of which were very great quality and combination of ingredients. I also ordered a mezcal beet negroni as well and even though I usually don't like mezcal a great deal, the pairing of the other ingredients of the drink made it very nice. Overall I loved the experience and want to come back very soon. read more

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Delicious food in a very modern atmosphere. Cocktails are delicious and crafted with detail like no other. Hands down this was the best crab cake I have ever had. It was fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Sides we tried was their version of street corn and their bread. Both were delectable. You can taste the quality of ingredients used her and its fresh. Service is top notch and that of what you would receive at a restaurant going for the Michelin stars. Ever seen the bear?? Service is like that here, fast, on it, and top tier. Props to the staff for being amazing. read more

Solstice - Crab cakes - New American Near Me - Irvine, California

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I came here for an anniversary. The service was really great. The menu is seasonal so it changes every couple of months. Right now is the end of summer menu. I tried the rolls, corn, salmon, pappardelle, and donuts. My favorite was the rolls they were very good. The rest of the meal was very good as well. The interior is very modern. I would come back for sure. read more

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We went for a double date and had an absolute blast. The food was honestly second to the service because we had the best most attentive server, Sebastian ! He had great menu suggestions and had a great sense of humor. We will definitely go back and request him. read more

I went to Solstice with my good friend tonight, and it was SO good! The service was great, the food was delicious and the company was even better. Thanks for a great night, Salina! Can't wait to do it again! We started with a complimentary squash purée, which was compliments of the chef. It was a light palate cleanser and the perfect way to start our dinner at Solstice. Then we followed it with two starters. We chose the deviled egg jar and the Parker house rolls. Both were delicious. I would easily recommend both. The buns were SO soft, and the strawberry jam they came with was the perfect complement. For our entrées, Salina had the Malbec Braised Wagyu Short Rib, which I got to try, and it was amazing! I went with a Solstice burger and asked for it medium rare. It was just as equally amazing as the Wagyu short rib! The burger had such great flavor, and the fries were fried to perfection. You could just tell they were freshly made, and their ketchup is made I'm house. If you love a good burger, I definitely recommend trying it on your next visit. Sadly, we didn't have room for dessert, but maybe next time. Overall, we were both very happy with our visit. We loved the ambiance, the service, and the food. It was all chef's kiss. read more

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Great ambiance, service always great, food also great and the drink menu, fabulous. I prefer sitting at the bar area. It's spacious with plenty of seats. The bartenders are nice and friendly. Love their seasonal drinks and their HH menu is a STEAL! Everything is always good; whether it's for lunch, dinner, brunch or HH. Happy eating and drinking my fellow yelpers. Good food, love, laughter and kindness. read more

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Place is quite fancy. They validate parking. The place is big and spacious. The service was superb. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful. The presentation of the food was great. It makes the dishes look very appetizing. I am very impressed by their drinks and cocktails. They all look amazing and taste amazing. Definitely 10/10 on presentation. We got a variety of dishes. We ordered the porter house, bread, tuna tartar, eggplant, sweet corn gnocchi. I enjoyed all the dishes. They had given complimentary champagne and a taste of chef's special which I found quite a nice touch again on their service. Overall, we were celebrating a birthday and it was a good choice! read more

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I was sooo looking foward to try this place. Went there for Sunday Brunch. The reservation was super easy using Yelp. Opted to be seated on their patio. The restaurant is huge and beautiful. Our waiter persuaded us to get the chicken and waffle along with Lobster Roll. We added the biscuits to our order as well. The biscuits were flaky and delicious but they were sprinkled with sea salt on the top which made them salty. If it was a touch of salt, that would have been Ok. But nope it was more than a touch. The lobster roll was more like a lobster topping. The bread wasn't even cut open. I guess that is how they serve it. The greens that were served w/ the lobster roll had no dressing. I didn't go to culinary school but from watching somany food network shows, I know that it is basically cooking 101 that you have to dress the greens with something, even as simple as lemon juice! These greens were just put on the plate bland. That is a big No No if you ask Alex G. (The Iron Chef)! The chicken & waffle was tasty and cooked right until I tasted a second piece of chicken which had tons of sea salt on it AGAIN! I think the chef that day wanted to get rid of all the salt in the restaurant. Not sure what was going on. I know that chefs have to sprinkle some salt before serving a dish but this was more than just sprinkles! I would perhaps go back to try their dinner menu. But I won't be rushing back anytime soon. read more

Solstice - Lobster roll & Biscuits... - New American Near Me - Irvine, California

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Was a little lost finding it but happy we did. The ambiance is great for brunch and the food and cocktails are fantastic!!

Absolutely incredible experience. The attention to detail with the restaurant and staff was just so great. Came here for a birthday celebration and they started us off with complimentary champaign. Never had that before but it was very creative than the typical birthday ice cream. They provided a hand written bday card as well. So simple but the detail and thought goes a long way. Staff was extremely polite and profession. That was the most important but food being delicious was just a cherry on top. The risotto was a huge portion and so flavorful. The PB&J cocktail was SPOT ON. Everything was great and vibe was clean classy. Highly recommend this spot. read more

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This restaurant is located among commercial buildings where parking is in a garage and can be validated. The interior design is modern and the landscape out front is striking. The menu is seasonal, which is what drew me to dining here. However, the butternut squash soup didn't speak to me as much as I hoped. The coffee crumble, salted caramel, and crispy sage wasn't a delectable combination for me. I think it was the coffee crumble that was off-putting. The parker house rolls were served fresh out of the oven but it wasn't actually good until few hours later when it cooled. The citrus ginger butter was lacking ginger but it paired nicely. read more

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The food and ambiance of this restaurant are amazing. This is a hidden treasure in the OC!

This place is so good! I'm so glad we discovered this spot. The inside is decorated so nice and is a great spot to have dinner. The food was delicious and the staff was so friendly and nice. They were helpful and really knew their menu well and even made some tasty cocktails off menu for us to meet our requests. Can't wait to return! read more

Service and ambiance is amazing! This place does a great job at curating good ingredients for a lovely food experience! Portions for the entrees were big and filling and we especially loved the short rib dish. read more

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I've come twice to celebrate milestones and let me tell you, I'm a HUGE fan. Took a coworker here for lunch to celebrate her retirement. Then came a month later for dinner to celebrate a friend's birthday before heading to the nearby Segerstrom to enjoy theatre. For the second instance, I called ahead of time and not only were we treated to a lovely amuse bouche and glass of bubbles, the service was impeccable and quick. With a 5:30 reservation, we made it to the theatre for a 7:30 show, enjoyed a delicious meal, and weren't rushed with one to get to the other. Rebecca was our primary server at dinner and she was wonderful. Friendly but not overly attentive. The whole meal was delicious and the menu is built around what's in season. Would definitely get the bread service again. Might pass on the deviled eggs to get the caprese salad i was eyeballing at the nearby table. Hubby enjoyed his salmon while I enjoyed my tagliatelle. Our friends had the roast chicken and proclaimed it as one of the best. Their vegetarian husband also enjoyed his pasta dish. Free and ample parking in the structure with validation. Highly highly recommend! read more

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I would rate my overall experience a 8/10. The ambiance was cozy, even though it was very busy. The service was impeccable- the server was nice enough to comp my mom's soup because she didn't like the texture/aftertaste. (My parents had the salads, and they weren't the best but they weren't bad.) The drinks and entrees are delicious! I had the salmon, fall-tini, and the french 75. I recommend this place to visit for their entrees and drinks after a work day! read more

Solstice - Apple Butter Cake - New American Near Me - Irvine, California

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Finally tried this place out after it kept popping up as a rec on Yelp (good job algos). Came by around 4pm on a Friday for happy hour which is in the bar area only. Looks like I beat the rush. I ordered the HH cocktail which was too sweet for my liking. Ended having a beer. That's really my only negative. What I like. The big charcuterie board was a great deal for $20. Also got the filet slider yummmy. It was better than the fried chicken slider. Also got a side of fries. To top it off we got the butter cake which came with a small scoop of ice cream. Took a few pics. Enjoy. read more

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This is a new spot in Irvine and it's the perfect place for a work event or catching up with friends ! The service is amazing, they take care of you from beginning to end. They have seasonal menus, so there's different things you can try depending on when you go -- I came during Fall, so I had the Fall/Autumn menu ! Mushroom Bird's Nest - A fave ! This was one of my favorite dishes I had. It's basically a a savory pastry with mushroom, it was really tasty ! Pan-Roasted Salmon - Delicious ! The salmon was so flaky and soft. The added celery root was great for texture ! Roasted Cauliflower - Great ! Nice dish to have on the side and the seasoned perfectly ! Gnocchi & Cheese - Okay. This was alright, I think it was a bit overly cheesy for me, but it was still good. Brussels & Pears - Yummy ! Another good side dish and was flavorful ! Apple Butter Cake - Amazing ! This was so delicious ! The cake was warm and the ice cream paired perfectly with cake. I also really liked the flavors together, apple cake and cinnamon ice cream ! read more

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Solstice has quickly become a favorite lunch spot for my coworkers and me. The food is consistently great, especially the salads -- every single one we've tried has been fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. They really know how to make healthy taste exciting. One standout appetizer is the Shrimp Spring Rolls. They put a fun twist on the classic, and the result is absolutely delicious. It's something I find myself ordering again and again. And don't even think about leaving without trying the Strawberry Butter Cake -- it's divine. Rich, perfectly sweet, and a perfect way to end the meal. Whether you're going for a work lunch or something more relaxed, Solstice never disappoints. read more

First time here with friends for a bday celebration brunch and what an amazing experience! The waiter greeted us and there was a signed bday card on the table, how lovely! We ordered the biscuits and jam which was yummy and someone brought us complimentary champagne, super nice! Everyone had something different I had the crab omelet and it was amazing! Ended the brunch with dessert yummy! Service was on point from the time we entered until we left. The decor was super pretty and classy. I will be back for sure, thank you for the awesome experience! read more

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Overall rating would be a 3.5 for cocktails, food, and service. Restaurant looks really nice on the inside. The salmon crudo and tuna tartare tasted a little fishy. The sauce for the tuna tartare was too sweet, so it overpowered the fish. Cocktails tasted fresh and strong. If you're looking for good quality craft cocktails, I would recommend checking this place out. read more

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My group of 5 arrived at about 8:20 Pm at night and we closed the out. The restaurant is beautiful, very well kept. The *working team was very welcoming and accommodating. As a matter of fact, our server Rebecca was absolutely exceptional. She was on top of our needs and provided excellent menu suggestions. We NEVER felt rush despite being their last customers of the night. The charcuterie board was well curated and put together I ordered the filet at a medium-rare. It was seasoned and cooked flawlessly. The tenderness and flavor was absolutely divine. All in all, my group and I were very impressed with our visit of Solstice. I personally would dine here again. read more

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The food was pretty good . The service was great ! Good recommendations from the server . Ambiance was very modern and open . You do have to park in a parking garage but they do validate. Overall I would go back again to try their seasonal menu again . read more

Excellent for a special occasion or business dinner. Beautiful, chic ambiance without being too stuffy. Gorgeous plating. All the food uses seasonal ingredients. Get the hibiscus cocktail, papparadelle, watermelon radish salad, and bread. read more

Solstice - New American Near Me - Irvine, California

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Great ambiance outside by the fireplace at night. We surprised our friend for her birthday, and the staff made the occasion all the more special by having an envelope waiting for us at the table with a card wishing her a happy birthday signed by all the staff!! We were also surprised with champagne while we waited for our order. We did experience some longer wait times to be served and to get the food menu, but it was a pleasant night and the servers were great. The charcuterie board was delicious and we ordered a steak for the table that was cooked rare exactly as we asked. The lobster risotto was not the star of the show and I wouldn't order it again, but I still look forward to trying other menu items next time we're back- including the desserts. The drinks were creative and tasty but relatively expensive at $20 each. read more

Came here for dinner with some friends and over it was a great experience! All the items we tasted was absolutely delicious! The restaurant offers seasonal menu and they change their menu every quarter or so... all the sauce and jam are made in house and they taste very good! Their bread was so fluffy with salt on the top and went perfectly with the jam! The watermelon salad was so refreshing! Entrees have nice presentation and taste amazing as well! Definitely will come back to try their fall menu! read more

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If I had to give a numerical rating for this restaurant, I'd give it an 8.5/10 overall. For the food, I'd give a 7 but for the service and ambiance I'd give a solid 10. I guess you get what you pay for and what you pay for at this restaurant is the quality of service and experience of the ambiance. The food was ok. Not bad, just ok. We got there at the last days of the summer menu so I'd be down to give them another chance for their fall menu but at this point I'm very skeptical towards the food. Our waitress Isabella was an absolute sweetheart and made the night fun so that's something to point out. read more

Solstice - New American Near Me - Irvine, California

Wow! We visit from Vegas often and this is by far one of the restaurant in the OC that offers the best service! Noel was very knowledgeable and extremely friendly. Management (Tegan )was very personable and of course the food was amazing. Highly recommend checking it out. Great ambiance with indoor and outdoor seating. read more

We went in again to test out their new summer menu. The prix fixe needed reservations and advance payment through their website and allowed choice of outdoor, indoor, bar and intimate seating. The menu features 3 options each for appetizers, mains, desserts. Before the meal, they offered a glass of complimentary champagne, chef's freshly baked bread with a fruit sauce glaze and butter, a palette cleanser type amuse bouche and a chip with tarty mango pieces. During the meal, they brought out an eggplant and tahini based side (chef's compliments). For the appetizer, we shared the cantaloupe gazpacho and heirloom tomato burrata. For the mains, I had salmon and my partner chose the only vegetarian main - gnocchi. Dessert again was shared between the two - coconut panna cotta w watermelon chunks and peach cake. We also tried two of their seasonal beverages. All the ingredients were very fresh and food was served well/on time. My favorites would be the refreshing gazpacho and the soft spongy gnochi. However I felt the summer menu lacks a little oomph. The cocktails they had for spring were a little more diverse and fun in comparison. Also the food menu has a common theme of veg medley between multiple dishes but there isn't a noticeable difference in the techniques used on them or in the overall conception. The food is good, tasty but it misses the aha moment. It def has the potential to be spectacular. All in all, it was a nice evening with good food and charming ambience. Would def keep an eye out for their next menu trial or event. read more

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I would not be surprised to see this restaurant getting a Michelin star in the future. Everything about them was above and beyond. The service is immaculate here. The waiters are very attentive to you. My water glass was never empty! The inside has a really nice ambiance--very chic. The food was all very good and well plated. You can tell a lot of care and attention is put into each dish. read more

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Unfortunately I would not come back. I believe that for the price there are just better options in OC. The strength of Solstice is in the beautiful interior and upscale ambiance. The service is very good and what you would expect from a place of this price tier. As for everything else, I think my biggest complaint is that the food is either "meets expectations" or "below expectations", nothing stood out to me and made think "wow I gotta come back for that!". Drinks were also uninspiring, I tried a few of them since I was with a larger group and again, just felt it was "ok". I ordered the Lobster Gnocchi, and was prepared to indulge a bit, nope, it was like this watery thing that did not resemble typical gnocchi at all. I'm ok with it being not what I expected, but it was bland, my first thought eating it was "huh that tastes...healthy?" I then tried my friends Risotto, bland, under-seasoned. Tried Halibut next, it was good, nothing special. At the end we ordered all of the deserts and even there I can say none of them blew me away. Brown Butter Fudge Cake - 3/5 - Tart - 2/5 Very weird artificial taste Apple Butter Cake - 4/5 this is the best one. Ricotta Doughnuts - 4/5 Overall, nice restaurant, I tried to be fair, it wasn't a BAD experience, just needs to be more than "ok" at the current price. read more

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A great spot for a romantic dinner without being overly expensive. The service was excellent--attentive and professional without feeling intrusive. The menu is interesting, offering a variety of flavorful dishes that are well-prepared and thoughtfully presented. The ambiance adds to the experience, making it a perfect choice for a special evening. Highly recommend! read more

My husband and I went to dinner here at Solstice for our first wedding anniversary last night. On the winter solstice, we thought it was fitting. We arrived a few minutes early as traffic had been really clear. The staff was nice enough to seat us early but we ended up at the low bar. The restaurant is upscale but still warm and welcoming. We loved the festive touch of all the garland. Happy Hour- Social hour at the bar was lovely. The Un-tequila was delicious and surprisingly savory/ spiced. We ordered the fries, crispy chicken sliders & solstice burger. Everything was delicious! We especially loved the house made ketchup, aioli, and the burger. Dinner- We started our dinner with the Parker House rolls. They were yummy but honestly the star is the apple butter. The savory sweet potato amuse-bouche was a lovely light bite that was very flavorful! For our main courses we ordered the Wagyu Beef Short Rib was and it was amazing, just as good as it sounds. My husband ordered the Lobster Gnocchi and it was such a bright but satisfying dish! On the recommendation of one of the bar staff we ordered the Roasted Cauliflower, let me tell you it was the BEST vegetable dish we had ever enjoyed. I don't even like cauliflower but I ate half the order! The delicious walnut tahini had a beautiful acidic balance with some citrus (I think lime) and it was to die for! As it was our anniversary, we had a whole cake waiting for us at home so we did not intend on ordering dessert. To our surprise though, the staff was kind enough to delight us with a complimentary chocolate mousse, which I always enjoy but my husband isn't typically fond of. Well, he loved this! The apple worked so well with the chocolate and coffee flavor profile! He couldn't get enough and was talking about it all the way home! Overall, this was the absolute best dinner we could ever have hoped for, for our special night. We couldn't recommend Solstice enough (in fact we already have to several friends). From the amazing staff and outstanding service to the delicious and beautifully plated dishes- Solstice is an entirely delightfully & delicious dining experience. read more

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Shrimp spring rolls (9 blocks) Short rib croquettes Roasted beet salad Malbec braised short rib Butter cake My favorite is Roasted Beet Salad, delightful surprise, full of flavors! read more

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