Solace Wine & Dine in Makati City

Whenever I am in Makati City, the place I usually go to when in search for restaurants to visit is Greenbelt area. It has always been convenient since restaurants at Greenbelt are varied. But i have to admit that sometimes, I crave for something new. Perhaps a place located nearby but isn't too crowded and noisy. Good thing that recently, I was introduced to Solace Wine & Dine.

Tucked at the ground floor of One Greenbelt Hotel in Arnaiz St., just right at the back of New World Hotel. Solace is a perfect place for someone who is in search for comforting food in a relaxing ambiance away from the busy mall area.

YedyLicious features Solace Wine & Dine in Makati City.

While the place exudes a rather intimidating feat, one shouldn't be deceived because Solace Wine & Dine carries impressive line of menu with reasonable price. The place is not that big but every corner screams comfort inviting everyone to sit back and relax over delectable dishes that Solace has to offer.

My recent visit proved that although Solace is a new player in the field, the quality of food and service are already at par with some of my favorite restaurants in Manila I frequent to.

The lovely dinner with my friend Ceej started with a serving of Deep-Fried Hofan with Arugula Pesto. Hofan strips can be a tad bland when eaten alone but the delightful arugula pesto lends another dimension of flavor that made this starter a pleasurable way to start any meal. The arugula pesto was a bit flavorful as compared to the usual pesto made out of basil leaves. It was new to me and I wouldn't mind having it again on my next visit.

A hearty bowl of Mushroom Soup (Php180) was served next. It's thick consistency with bits of mushroom made it way better than your usual mushroom soup. While the cream is very apparent, it does not overpower the distinct flavor of the mushroom, hence making it hearty and satisfying.

Solace's Barbecued Baby Back Ribs (Php370) is a slab of tender ribs cooked in barbecue and chipotle sauce. It pontifically sat on a bed of soft and flavorful red beans and served with salad. The smokiness of the ribs is very noteworthy but it's the sweet savory flavor with a hint of spice that truly made this dish worth getting your hands a tad dirty for.

The red beans that comes with the baby back ribs was a pleasurable companion to the delightful dish but who could ever resist a mashed potato as good looking as this (photo below). Eunice, one of the owner of this family owned business told me that the used of beets lends a beautiful hue to the rather monotonous color of mashed potato. Solace's Mashed Potato with Beets (Php80) was buttery flavorful and the bits of bacon adds a splendid note of savory flavor to it.

Upon getting my first bite of Chicken Leg Quarter in Red Wine Reduction Sauce (Php550), I was greeted with a subtle hint of flavor that I mistook for a truffle oil. Little did I know, it was the delicate flavor of porcini mushroom that flirted with my taste buds. To say that it was delightful to the sense is an understatement, because this simple looking dish carries complicated flavors meant to please even the most discerning palates.

The star of the night for me and my friend was Solace's Pritong Kare-Kare (Php860). It's like a deconstructed Kare-Kare made all the more special with the use of big piece of bagnet that can be easily passed off as ubiquitous crispy pata.

The Pritong Kare-Kare went well with the Bagoong Rice (Php65) that the shrimp paste that comes with the dish is no longer necessary.

While I am not crazy about anything crispy, I find myself enjoying the crispy skin of the bagnet immensely that my friend and I almost finish the entire dish in no time. The vegetables were also fried but not to the extent of losing its flavor. The special peanut sauce on the other hand was a thick and hearty accompaniment that completes the deal.

Although we are so full with all the hearty dishes we have devoured, we managed to reserve a little space for dessert. And I'm glad we did since the Bibingka Souffle (Php155) was well worth it. A delicate interpretation of the classic favorite, Bibingka Souffle is just perfect to seal a hearty meal loaded with protein such as ours.

Aside from the delectable dishes, Solace Wine & Dine wouldn't be called such if they aren't serving wine and cocktails. I was so happy to know that they do serve my favorite Banrock Moscato, but unfortunately, it wasn't available during our visit.

For our drinks to accompany our meal we had Refreshing Cucumber Shake (Php105) which I love to bits and the other one was Fruit Toco (Php120), a blend of pineapple, mango, and strawberry. After dinner cocktail on the other hand was grace with Strawberry Margarita (Php155) and Electric Lemonade (Php130).

Solace Wine & Dine just opened last November 9, 2012 and I am already impressed at how well the dishes I have tried were well executed. No food graced our table which I find lacking in taste nor needing any improvement. Their menu was one of the impressive menus I have ever seen considering they are just a start up business. They also offer wide variety of breakfast meals for people who wants to start their day right with sumptuous meal. The service was warm and welcoming, while the place is very comfortable and relaxing.

Solace can be a perfect place to relax and chill out with your friends and family over delectable food. They also accept reservation for meetings, private parties, and functions. For those who wants to take a break from the usual mall restaurants scene in the area, Solace Wine & Dine is highly recommended.