Sol's - Review - Bayswater - London - The Infatuation
"Pleasant isn’t a sexy word but that’s exactly what Sol’s is—expertly, brilliantly pleasant. During the day, it’s a stylish white-tiled deli operation where you can live out your countryside farm shop fantasy and pick up vesuvio tomatoes, doorstop sandwiches, and tasteful branded tote bags. But come evening, the Bayswater spot turns into a wine bar where pleasure is poured in the form of chilled Côtes du Rhône and couples who share a NOW TV login touch knees while gazing longingly at the blackboard menu. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch video credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Pause Unmute The modern European food is a bit-of-this, bit-of-that simple, but there’s a hint of show-off—glossy sardines in a tin bath of gloriously spiced juices, and a layer of herbal, smooth olive oil and sea salt crunch on top of rich dark chocolate mousse. It’s walk-in only and there’s plenty of seating around the central table, but if you’re coming for date night, try and secure one of the indoor or outdoor stools by the big bay windows. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Food Rundown Burrata, White Peach, Basil & Pine Nuts There’s nothing groundbreaking about this plate of food, it just tickles the part of your brain that wants to smear creamy, quality cheese on top of a perfectly ripe piece of fruit. A no-brainer dish done right. PlayMute video credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley Patatas Bravas Some of the patatas bravas in London are too shy. We want them to start doing their affirmations and turn up on our plate, shoulders back with a fiery salsa brava, like this version. The potato is cooked to crisp-edge perfection. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Panisse And Aioli The panisse here lands a little too high on the stodge scale for us. Still, it’s worth an order for access to this creamy, garlic-singing aioli. PlayMute video credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley Spiced Tinned Anchovies Served in a silver tin masquerading as a chic little fish spice bath, these anchovies have a salty heat that lingers. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Green Beans, Lentils, Shallot, Tarragon Sometimes that little voice in your head that sounds alarmingly like Gillian McKeith tells you to order something green, and then plot twist—it turns out to be one of the best things you eat that evening. That’s this nutty and peppery green bean number. Sherry-Braised Chicken A dish we’d like to be reunited with the next time it’s torrentially raining, this medley of our two favourite chicks—chickpeas and chicken—has a bright, lemony flavour that tastes like your favourite roast has gone on holiday. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Dark Chocolate And Olive Oil Mousse Eating this is probably how it feels to be on the receiving end of a Ryan Gosling wink. It’s a knee-weakening, oil-glistening, flirty sharer of a dessert that is too rich to consume alone. Also, we’re very into the super smooth texture matched with subtle little bites of sea salt. PlayMute video credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley D’Estezargues, Carambouille 2023, Côtes Du Rhône (Chilled) We made such an impassioned fuss about how special this light, bright, and cherry-hued chilled red is that the people next to us ended up buying a bottle and then thanked us. You can also pick up a bottle from the fridge to go. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch" - Heidi Lauth Beasley
