Table For 2
by Vince GerasoleCHICAGO (CBS) ― It's hot in Chicago, but if you're looking for a restaurant that will give you a great tropical feeling, CBS 2's Vince Gerasole invites you to a Table for 2.
The dining space at Sola is a monochromatic earth tone, but the kitchen cooks up entrées alive with fruity tastes and brilliant colors, like the halibut served on a bed of orange-toned papaya and braised peaches. It's the latest creation of executive chef Carol Wallack at her new North Side restaurant Sola.
"I'm on my own. It's the feminine version of solo," Wallack said. "I tend to cook the way I like to eat."
When not at work in the kitchen, Wallack is at play near her vacation home in Hawaii. Many offerings at Sola reflect her love of the islands, including poke – a civiche-like marinated fish appetizer poke with bits of fruit.
"Over the years, I've grown a love for Hawaii. I grow pineapples, mangos, and bananas," Wallack said.
A towering heirloom tomato salad bathed in cool cucumber water is a refreshing summer choice. Seared scallops are deliciously presented on a mushroom stock risotto with fava beans and peas. And a patchwork of yellow and red slow roasted beets crowned with a fennel and watercress salad tastes as good as it looks.
"I love slow roasting beets. It brings out all the natural sugars, and we serve with a blood orange vinaigrette. It has no oil at all."
Overall, we found the cuisine at Sola a singular sensation. It's atmosphere is comfortably contemporary.
Diners can expect to spend about $40. That includes dessert, such as the house-made citrus pound cake with a tropical fruit salad and homemade passion fruit sorbet.
Sola is located at 3868 N. Lincoln.
