A couple of weeks ago, my friends and I made plans to try Sol Cocina, the new restaurant at Scottsdale Quarter in the Kierland area. Sol Cocina was inspired by the tastes and flavors of Baja California and does not disappoint in terms of the menu items being offered.
Even on an early in the week night, Sol Cocina was full. The folks at the reception desk were genuinely friendly and enthusiastic as they greeted us. Luckily, we had a reservation and were seated promptly.
I had eaten a few times in the restaurant that had been there previously and was looking forward to seeing the design changes Sol Cocina had made. The general layout of the space is still similar, but the feel and design is quite different. They did some creative and visually appealing things with wood beams throughout.
We all decided to start with a cocktail. On our server's recommendation, two of us tried the Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita. It was a nice blend of sweet with a bit of "burn." Our other companion tried the Watermelon Margarita and really liked it. In addition to the more playful takes on margaritas and cocktails, there are a few versions of traditional margaritas. And, if you have ever had a Paloma or Michelada in Mexico, these two drinks also made the menu.
For dinner, we decided to try and share a variety of the smaller plates versus ordering entrees. We had the "Naked "Guacamole which was excellent and fresh. Rather than the tortilla chips you usually see, Sol Cocina serves tostadas for salsa and guacamole dipping. There are a few other twists on guacamole that are offered. The next time, we decided we will try the Guacamole Sol, which comes with the addition of mango, goat cheese and pepitas.
Another item we ordered was the Grilled Sweet Corn. It was another hit at the table. There was a generous portion of the corn, which was covered in a tasty sauce that included butter, lime, chile and more.
I really wanted to try one of the many Ceviches offered, but there were no other takers, so we opted to try some of the tacos. We each had a Garlic Mescal Chicken Street Taco and liked them a lot. On our server's recommendation, we also tried the Sweet Potato Black Bean Taco which was excellent.
The final thing we ordered were the Chicken Enmoladas, which were served enchilada-style with a mole sauce. Larger plates come with a choice of two sides. Options include black beans, rice, quinoa salad and spicy slaw.
Overall, we had a great meal at Sol Cocina and look forward to returning. Our service was nice and attentive and the food was tasty. Plus, its location in Scottsdale Quarter means you can make a day or night out of it.
More Information:
Sol Cocina at Scottsdale Quarter
15323 North Scottsdale Road, Ste 195
Scottsdale Arizona 85254
(480) 245-6708
http://www.solcocina.com/scottsdale
Originally posted on Live Better in Scottsdale
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