Note this also appears with my reviews over on Yelp.
Overall Impression:
Edgewater needs a place like Sol de Mexico. This is the kind of place you love to 'discover' and tell everyone you know about. Great food, great service, great value. Completely worth driving 38 blocks west and 26 blocks south through a steady snow to get here. During our meal we felt the same kind of rush we had the first time we tried Dorado: that, "are we really getting this kind of dinner experience for this kind of money?" sensation.
Highlights / lowlights:
What was great -
- The Food. Across the board good, from start to finish. We started with a nice guacamole (maybe a little mild if you like a stronger lime / cilantro kick, but still fresh and tasty).
Moved on with a tremendous soup from their special New Year's Eve menu. The check listed it as "Aztec soup", but I think the menu description was pumpkin flower puree and green beans, with a splash of mole. I'm not a soup aficionado and I loved it.
Finally the entrees (see pictures - note the simple yet elegant presentation). I had the Chuleta Manchamanteles (pork chop with mashed potatoes, pineapple and mole)...
... while the wife had Callos en Crema Poblana (scallops in a green sauce). Terrific. Pork was tender, mole was tasty, pineapple provided a fresh, sweet contrast.
- The Service. They were friendly across every contact - from the initial reservation phone call to the greeting at the door and all throughout the meal. Even with a party of 25 - 30 people taking up 75% of their dining room, we still received pleasant and attentive service. Our server (and the kitchen) were also flexible and accommodating, allowing us to order a mix of items from both their regular menu and their special four course NYE menu.
What wasn't so great -
- Only thing I could mention here wasn't Sol de Mexico's fault. Toward the end of their stay, a few of that party of 25 twentysomethings gearing up for a big NYE started playing drinking games. At that point things kind of crossed the line from general, festive youthful exuberance into semi-obnoxious antics more suited for a frat house than a nice restaurant. But given the unique circumstances of timing (NYE) and the party (can't imagine they regularly seat parties of 24+), I imagine this isn't representative of Sol de Mexico's clientele behavior
Scorecard:
Two Critical Questions
- Would I eat here again? Absolutely.
- Did it seem like a good value? Definitely. An appetizer, two soups, two entrees added up to $56 before tip. The BYO factor amplifies the good value to be had here.
Essentials
Food - Excellent
Service - Very good on a busy night
Amenities
Decor - Cool, colorful, lively and interesting
Wash rooms - Okay. Much more modest than luxurious (not a judgment, just an fyi). Also, somewhat confusingly, the door with the banana on it leads you into the ladies' room, NOT the mens' room.
Parking - Plentiful. We parked directly in front of the restaurant. Open meter parking for blocks in each direction.
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