Solas

I went to Solas with my girlfriend for a 9:30 PM dinner on a Saturday. I asked for a table outside and upstairs on the third floor, after being initially told that it would not be a problem to accommodate, we arrived, on time, in front of the restaurant. The valet said that they could not park our car, because they were full. Full? I think not, I paid over twice the normal valet rate, and magically, a spot for me was found. Considering that I drive a higher profile vehicle, this elitism classification does not surprise me.

We arrived and asked for our table upstairs from the host. She said we would have to wait. This was understandable. We floated between the bar and the outside patio on the first floor for almost 30 minutes, checking in with the hostess every 5 minutes. After waiting 30 minutes for our table, they informed us that they could not seat us upstairs. We ended up sitting on the outside patio, our server did not arrive until 10 minutes after we were seated, with 60% occupancy on the dinner tables, and very few people actually eating, this level of service was unexpected and obviously undesired.

We were not offered water. We bought two glasses of champagne which ended up coming AFTER the meal. I repeat, we did not receive water. Our bread came to the table, with no olive oil, or vinegar (as some of the other tables had). The food was acceptable, even if the menu did seem like a complete rip off from more popular gastronomic eateries in D.C. and Manhattan, not saying much for originality, but with that said it was well prepared.

The quality of service enough is alone for me to never step foot in this dump again. I have never felt so small while paying so much money. My girlfriend and I wanted to see the third floor. We were unable to do so, because people had reservations on the third floor. Which to me is rather interesting, because, we could NOT reserve a table, it was not that the tables were full, we simply could not reserve one, it was their quote “policy”. So I find this elitism rather interesting, what I believe, is that the owners/management, cater to those they know, i.e friends first, and ignore other well, generally better paying customers such as myself.

This social elitism is absurd, and is the worst way to run a business. I repeat, I would never step in this place again, there are significantly better places to eat, the only attraction to this venue is the third floor, which…no one except friends and management can really get up to anyways.

Once the hype dies down and the management and owners realize that they have to take care of their customers and not treat everyone like crap, then perhaps this place will be worth going to.

But beyond its decor and aesthetic attraction, there is nothing here to stimulate a good night out.

My advice, stay far far away.

The Triangle has been waiting for a place like this for 10 years. Bravo to the owners and staff.