I was recently able to check out Solo, a single floor restaurant within the Sony building.
Solo
The glowing outside wall is extremely interesting and unique. Not only does it change colors, but there are olive oil bottles placed within the glass. If you are lucky enough to be seated at a table near the wall, your table will be cast with a gentle glow all night.
Some of the inside décor failed to impress me. I expected more from a restaurant whose hype was as big as Solo’s. A hostess station greets you upon your arrival; a bar with four stools are located directly behind it. This is a perfect place to get a drink while waiting for your table or party to arrive. It’s too close to the actual patrons for me to validate that it’s a separate bar. The dining areas, of various sizes, are separated by sliding etched glass doors. This would make this restaurant a coveted location for business meetings or an event that requires privacy. Since this restaurant is in midtown I can see how it would be useful for business meetings and more privacy.
On my way to scope out the bathroom and to see if it was noteworthy for this column (it is clean and decorated) I noticed the washing station. It is very clean and nice and has small bread pieces next to it. Discreet and well positioned in the back.
Some other noteworthy mentions: The lights dimmed at 7:30pm. The chatter of clientele filled the air; there was no music. The tables were close together and the noise seemed loud at times. There were diecut tealights on the tables with small candles.
Solo
The front is all glass so you can peer inside for a preview – and I noticed a family photo blown up on the ceiling level, but at a height that allows an outsider to see. It’s the mix of new design vs. old world heritage that initially drew me inside. The waiter told me that it is the owner’s family in the photo. When you first enter you notice the sleek wooden raised tables. There are three in total with wooden stools to sit on. The rectangular tables have a glass top, and the wooden slabs in the wall are bordered by a white deli style tile, which is a nice mix of old & new. Lamps jet out of the walls echoing a urban street look.
Whenever I am downtown in the Nolita area I enjoy stopping by Wild Ginger. A cozy spot tucked away on bustling Broome Street. It’s a Pan-Asian Vegetarian café. On this particular visit a vase of sunflowers greeted us as we walked through the doorway’s fabric curtains, which are tasteful and inviting. Exposed brick surrounds you on two of the three walls and the back wall is painted a lime green. Lamps hang from the ceiling and at night the soft glow really intensifies the coziness of this place. It’s a quiet place to sit with friends or on a date. The music is atmospheric and adds a background layer to your dining experience. The restaurant boasts thirteen wooden tables with a long bench running alongside the right wall. Small pillows are spread out over the bench seating and tables can easily be pushed together for larger parties. It’s the clean, laid back, friendly attentive service that really makes my visit a memorable one. I was very impressed with the food presentation and I took some culinary visual observations to use during my own hospitality.
