"The Californian way of life is as much mocked as it is admired on this side of the pond, although Sola Soho makes us think that we’ve got a lesson or two to learn. The Californian-inspired fine dining restaurant on Dean Street pairs an airy pastel pink room with a series of, at times, sensational bites. There are a few menu options and at lunch you can order a la carte, but Sola’s full tasting menu comes in at just over £200. Sitting in this Goop-feeling space, while sipping champagne and eating a bite of baby back rib, feels altogether more enjoyable than plenty of other London fine dining restaurants. As can often be the case in a multi-course affair, things start excellently, dip a little, and then finish on a knockout key lime pie. Of the snacks, that rib and a savoury-sweet foie gras pavlova stand out. The table-side blow-torched langoustine is undoubtedly the pick of the main courses. Unlike lots of tasting menu restaurants, it doesn’t feel like Sola is trying to reinvent the wheel—more so remind everyone that wheels can be fun. So it’s not surprising that you’re just as likely to see a business lunch here, as you are a solo gourmand, or a birthday booking. It’s classy without being claustrophobic and we can’t help but hum ‘California here we come’. photo credit: SOLA photo credit: SOLA photo credit: SOLA" - Jake Missing
