July 2010 | Orange County Mexican Restaurants

Sol Cocina
251 Pacific Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 675-9800
(949) 675-9801 FAX

(This entry reads in reverse chronological order. Newest information is near the top.

SOL COCINA INTRODUCES WEEKDAY LUNCH REWARDS PROGRAM

New Lunch Incentive Program Rewards Guests

Newport Beach, CA – SOL Cocina debuts a new lunch program designed to reward guests with their favorite Mexican cuisine – compliments of SOL! After six visits to SOL Cocina for lunch during the week, guests will be treated to Executive Chef Deborah Schneider's signature fare on their seventh weekday lunch visit.

"It's our way of saying 'thank you' to the many guests who join us for lunch during the week," commented Matt Baumayr, general manager of SOL Mexican Cocina. "It's a straightforward, simple program – join us for lunch six times and the seventh one's on us."

Each guest will be presented with a rewards card that will be stamped by their server at the conclusion of their meal (valid during lunch Monday through Friday between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. with a minimum food purchase of $12.50). The diner will be able to bring the card back on their seventh visit for a complimentary lunch (Monday through Friday; valued up to $12.50).   To view menus or make reservations, guests may call 949-675-9800 or visit www.solcocina.com.

New Year, New Menu at SOL Cocina

Newport Beach, January 2011 – SOL Cocina begins the new year with new menu offerings. Closing out 2010, Executive Chef Deborah Schneider introduced new items to the restaurant’s popular Weekend Brunch (10 a.m. – 3 p.m. every Saturday & Sunday), and to kick off 2011, Chef Schneider has added exciting new dishes to her already celebrated menu of Coastal Mexican cuisine.

Among the new items featured on the dinner menu:

Antojitos:

Apache Beef – diced raw beef filet ‘ceviche” style with habanero chiles, onions, tequila, lime, jicama, tomatoes, diced avocados, sweet potato & beet chips

Corn & Shrimp Cakes – corn, shrimp, peppers & black beans, deep-fried and served with mango & avocado salsas (2 cakes)

SOL Specialty Tacos:

Beer-Battered Mushroom Taco – oyster & shiitake mushrooms beer-battered & deep-fried, with red pepper garlic sauce, Mexican cheeses, serrano chiles & avocado

Mariscos:

"Hot & Raw" Tropical Ceviche – ¡spicy! raw fish ceviche with fresh lime & orange, habanero chiles & tropical fruit, avocado, cucumber & pico de gallo, served in a tall glass with sweet potato & red beet chips

Hot and Raw Spicy Ceviche from Sol Cocina

Platillos:

Wood-Grilled Kobe Skirt Steak – wagyu-style skirt steak wood-grilled, with cilantro sauce tomatillo salsa, grilled cebollitas & avocado (add grilled agave-chile shrimp)

Fish Pibil – seasonal fish roasted with yucatecan adobo, with pineapple salsa & choice of tequila-lime sauce or salsa diabla

Shrimp Chile Relleno – grilled poblano chiles stuffed with arroz verde, shrimp & oaxacan cheese, fresh tomato salsa diabla

Grilled Chicken Mole Verde – free-range chicken breast marinated with olive oil, garlic & black pepper. Flash-grilled, with our house-made mole pipian (verde), roasted camote, sesame seeds & red onion

Los Otros:

Garlic Shrimp & Rajas Quesadilla – 3 Mexican cheeses, garlic-sauteed shrimp, grilled poblano chiles, mango-habanero salsa & salsa verde, diced avocado

New Grilled Burritos – sonoran-style flour tortilla grilled, filled with cheese, black beans, carne asada, guacamole, pico de gallo, onions & cilantro – served with carne asada, which may be substituted with grilled chicken or made vegetarian at no charge. sub carnitas, grilled fish or shrimp for $3).

Desserts:

Crème Brulee with Guava & Berries – rich, creamy crème brulee infused with pink guava, baked with berries and topped with a thin sugar crust.

SOL COCINA CATERING LAUNCHES DOCK N’ DINE

SOL Cocina expands SOL Catering with the addition of new full-service dockside catering

NEWPORT BEACH, JULY 2010 – Since opening last summer, SOL has developed a sophisticated catering program that ranges from corporate dinners and luncheons, to intimate cocktail receptions and large-scale galas – both in-house and off-site. Now, with Executive Chef Deborah Schneider at the helm, SOL is delivering unforgettable experiences to guests docked at their Balboa Marina location with the launch of "Dock n’ Dine," a full-service dockside dining experience.

"SOL's location at the Balboa Marina is prime docking for those looking for the perfect ambiance to enjoy a sunny afternoon or a scenic nightscape," said Rich Howland, Operating Partner of SOL Cocina. "With the many boats visiting our docks throughout the week, it only seemed natural to want to tend to their needs by offering catered dockside service, complete with beer, wine and SOL's fresh margarita kit, created to tranform a novice bartender into a SOL-worthy mixologist!"

An extension of SOL Catering, "Dock n' Dine" stays true to the restaurant's dining room experience, by offering five different tasting menu packages that take an eclectic twist on traditional Baja, ranging from the AZUL, priced at $75 for a group of six, to the TACOS SOL, priced at $150 for a group of up to 10. The latter is the most extravagant, featuring a variety of SOL favorites, including Grilled Carne Asada, Kurobuta Pork Carnitas, Lemon-Garlic Chicken, Grilled Fish Zarandeado and Carne Asada Tacos Vampiros. The menu includes SOL’s signature salsas, guacamole and Borracho black beans with cotixa cheese, served with crispy tostadas and warm corn tortillas. In addition to the set menus, guests may add on a number of a la carte options.

"The Dock n' Dine menus were developed for those looking for a little excitement with sumptuous fare without any hassle," added Deborah Schneider, Executive Chef & Partner at SOL Cocina. "I created each of these unique menus, offering a variety of options, to provide more than just a snack or light meal, but an experience that guests will not soon forget."

SOL Catering offers the guest a variety of options with three lunch menus priced at $15 to $25 per person, and four dinner menus priced from $28 to $58 per person. Those interested in a more relaxed event that allows guests to indulge as they mingle may be interested in tray-passed appetizers, offered for two hours at $20 per person (3 trays) or $30 per person (4 trays), which averages approx. 16 pieces per person. One hour of tray-passed appetizers can be added to any dinner menu for $14 per person.

For the more adventurous, Chef Schneider has created four tasting menus that take an eclectic twist on traditional Baja, ranging from the EL SOL, priced at $28 per person, to the LA ESTRELLA, priced at $85 per person. The latter is the most extravagant, featuring eight tasting courses that include dishes such as a Salmon Ceviche & Beef Apache Duo, Pan-Roasted Duck Breast and Grilled Kobe Steak.

For more information on SOL Catering, Dock n' Dine & full menus, call 949.675.9800.

For the most spirited, SOL is proud to host customized private tequila tastings with more than 60 tequilas to consider. All private events have the option of a private bar with dedicated bartender, and all events allow for custom beverage options that can be as simple or as varied as is required.

In-house capacity for seated private dining is 35 guests, while tray-passed mixers can accommodate up to 50 guests. For more information on SOL Catering, guests should contact SOL at 949-675-9800 or events@solcocina.com.

SOL COCINA RINGS IN 2010 WITH NEW WEEKEND BRUNCH & HAPPY HOUR

Newport Beach restaurant launches Baja-style Sat & Sun Brunch & nightly Happy Hour

Newport Beach, January 2010 – SOL Cocina welcomes 2010 with two new offerings: Weekend Brunch (10 a.m. – 3 p.m. every Saturday & Sunday) and Happy Hour (3 p.m. – 6 p.m. daily). Executive Chef Deborah Schneider has created a special menu of Coastal Mexican cuisine to accompany each.

The Weekend Brunch menu (10 a.m. – 3 p.m. every Saturday & Sunday) will feature innovative cocktails such as Chipotle Maria with Shrimp, a spicy Mary with Corralejo Blanco, a touch of smoky chipotle and lime, served with a skewer of shrimps, lemon, chile and tomato. Brunch entrees include:

SOL CHILAQUILES VERDE

corn tortillas sauteed in medium-spicy tomatillo salsa with queso fresco, topped with huevos Mexicanos, crema, cotixa cheese, onions and cilantro (choice of meat available for addition)

HUEVOS MEXICANOS al GUSTO

eggs scrambled with nopales, tomato, onion, roasted chiles, cheese and choice of meat: double-smoked bacon, carne asada, kurobuta pork carnitas or house-made chorizo, served with black beans, pico de gallo and corn tortillas

BREAKFAST TORTA

garlic-toasted torta roll with bacon, huevos, cheese & refried black beans, served open-faced, topped with avocado, pico de gallo, pickled jalalpenos, onions and cilantro

SOUFFLE CARLOTTA

rich & creamy bread pudding spiked with Grand Marnier & lemon zest, butter-sauteed and topped with mango, berries, vanilla whipped cream, drizzled with organic Partida agave syrup, toasted almonds and powdered sugar

CRAB & SHRIMP CAKES BENEDICTO

two crisp-fried crab and shrimp cakes seasoned with cilantro and chipotle, topped with poached eggs and served with chipotle-orange hollandaise sauce, bacon, avocado and refried black beans

MACHACA WRAP AHOGADO

Shredded beef cooked with ancho chile, onion, cumin & oregano, folded in a large flour tortilla with Huevos, cheese & refried black beans, all 'drowned' in salsa roja & topped with pico de gallo & diced avocado

HUEVOS RANCHEROS

Three fried eggs over easy, on corn tortillas with refried black beans topped with
fresh tomato salsa ranchera, roasted poblanos chiles, cheese & avocado (choice of meat, additional)

HUEVOS 'DIVORCIADOS'

Huevos mexicanos or butter-fried eggs topped with salsa verde & roasted tomato salsa on fried corn tortillas & beans, with melted cheese, crema & pork chicharron (choice of meat, additional)

BREAKFAST BURRITO

Sonoran-style large flour tortilla filled with huevos mexicanos, cheese & refried black beans, avocado, pico de gallo, pickled jalapenos & onion (choice of meat, additional)

QUESADILLA CON HUEVOS

two sonoran-style flour tortillas griddled with three mexican cheeses, topped with huevos, pico de gallo, avocado sauce and chipotle sauce (choice of meat, additional)

PAPAS 'PAPI'

hey, baby! feed the whole family with fried breakfast potatoes & onions smothered in melted cheese, crema, pork chorizo, serrano chiles, green onions & pico de gallo (add: 3 butter-fried eggs over easy)

REFRIED BEAN ENCHILADAS 'ENFRIJOLADAS'

three corn tortillas fried, dipped in enchilada sauce & filled with vegan refried black beans. served with melted cheese, cotixa, shredded lettuce, onions & more sauce (eggs and choice of meat, additional)

The new Happy Hour menu (3 p.m. – 6 p.m. daily) will include the following specially priced items:

BEBIDAS
sol house margarita ~ $5
any beer, imported or domestic ~ $3
any wine by the glass ~ $3 off
well drinks ~ $5
blanco tequila shots, selected labels ~ $6
tequila flights, selected labels ~ $10

ANTOJITOS
STREET TACOS ~ 2 for $4
CARNE ASADA - Meyer prime beef grilled with garlic & coarse salt
PORK CARNITAS - premium pork shoulder slow-roasted & shredded
LEMON-MEZCAL CHICKEN - grilled dark meat chicken with spicy lemon-mezcal sauce

NAKED GUACAMOLE - avocado, cilantro, lime, onion, serrano chile & tomato ~ $5

PANUCHOS – mini of ancho chile masa empanadas with roasted squash, queso fresco & cotixa cheeses ~ $5

SHRIMP TOSTADA - lemon-garlic shrimp on SOL tostada, with guacamole & tropical fruit salsa ~ $3

PAN-SEARED SHRIMP ‘CUCARACHAS’ - six whole shrimp in the shell to peel & eat,
pan-roasted with garlic, cotixa, lemon & chiles de arbol ~ $5

COCKTEL DE MARISCOS - cooked shrimp, scallops, calamari & octopus, pico de gallo, chile, cucumber, spicy tomato-lime sauce & diced avocado ~ $6

Full menus can be found online at http://www.solcocina.com/menu.html.

July 29th @ 8pm: Sol Cocina is now open for lunch. Here's the "Sloppy Jose" (a carnitas torta) and the dark chocolate-banana bread pudding:

July 16th @ 8pm: Here's some pictures of when I made it for dinner:

Thanks to Christian and his very spontaneous invitation, I was able to enjoy the newly opened Sol Cocina (not Sol Cucina). The food, service and atmosphere were impressive.

In a nutshell, Sol Cocina is an upscale yet all-inviting dining experience that has been created and presented through the eyes of a few gringo surfers who have fallen in love with Baja. The desire to capture the laid back vacation-like experience is heightened by the culinary talents of Executive Chef Deborah Schneider, a 2009 James Beard Foundation Book Award Nominee and who, by the way, is from north of the border in Toronto, Canada. Having fallen prey to the paradise that is Baja—thanks to her husband who surfs—Chef Deb eventually adopted the local cuisine into her repertory.

Amid elegant decor that offers a charming view of the Newport Harbor, one can enjoy contemporary and gourmet interpretations of Baja street cuisine. Homemade tostadas, each bearing what seems like their own personality, in Christian's words, are crispy, hearty and rich with toasty spice. Break those apart and dip them into your version of a rainbow guacamole or the black bean dip with pumpkin seeds and your taste buds will be most grateful. Both of these dips are creamy to the tee, with the black bean dip offering a surprising kick that is almost the basis for an addiction.

The seafood is stupendous. We enjoyed the seafood cocktail ($12), which was refreshing and satisfying. The squid and shrimp are succulent and a nice balance to Chef's signature spicy cocktail sauce. We then moved on to the melt-in-your mouth ceviche that will no doubt leave raw fish lovers wanting more. Interesting tidbit: a couple of the restaurant's owners have a background in sushi restaurants, and it shows in their commitment to quality when it comes to their seafood.

Just when we thought we couldn't eat another bite, Christian and I moved on to our tacos. Street taco dishes are offered for as low as $6 for two. This concept celebrates the Baja travelers' desire for low-key and scrumptious. Reminiscent of a sushi bar or taco stand, Sol Cocina features a seating area alongside the kitchen, enabling you to sit side-by-side, hovered over your meals and, all the while, getting a glimpse of what Chef Deb and team are doing.

I had the lamb taco borracha ($4.75)--lamb sirloin grilled with garlic, blending chiles, chocolate and tequila. Interesting? No doubt. Delectable? Without a doubt. The taco represents the daring-for-Newport-Beach that is the Sol Cocina cuisine: sweet, savory and spicy as an all-in-one for any course. The chipotle-piloncillo goat cheese ($11), which we enjoyed as an appetizer, boasted a drizzle of spicy, sweet syrup, and the only nachos you will find on the menu are desert nachos--flour tortillas, deep fried, sprinkled with cinnamon, drizzled with chocolate and topped with whip cream.

As for the bar. Yes. Double yes. Wide open, plasma monitors, attractive. And the margaritas are fantastic. The house and traditional margarita was perfectly mixed but I was entertained by the pineapple-serrano margarita, which is exactly what it sounds like. Yes, you will sip chunks of both as you enjoy this cocktail. There is also a cucumber-jalapeño margarita, which I will definitely order another time.

As for upscale, hotspot and gourmet Mexican along PCH and throughout the county, one of the most striking elements of the Sol Cocina experience is the service. Our server, Lorn, knew the menu like the back of his hand and our table was well-cared for. Thumbs up for Sol Cocina. It may have been day two when we visited, but I predict it won't be long before the lines will be out the door. Prices range from about $5 - $22, with steak and carnitas entrees landing on the high end of the menu.

Rainbow Guacamole
Several kinds of guacamole are available. If you order the Rainbow Guacamole, you can customize it by picking five ingredients to add into it (or more ingredients for a little more money). We got it with roasted poblano, mango, tomatillo salsa, pine nuts, and nopales.

Chipotle-Piloncillo Goat Cheese
warm goat cheese crusted with roasted peanuts & drizzled with spicy-sweet syrup, with cilantro sprigs & tostadas — $11.00

Dessert Nachos

July 16th @ 1pm: Sol Cocina is now open but is only open for dinner until about July 22nd, when it will also open for lunch. I stopped by for lunch just now and they weren't serving lunch but I was able to take a few pictures and will be going back later tonight for dinner.

Want to see a super "cool" slideshow of all these pictures? CLICK HERE You'll get a better view of all the photos seen here plus more photos of the restaurant and its food that are not posted in this entry. You may need to download the Cooliris plugin first, but it'll be worth it.

June 22nd:

Found out recently about a restaurant that will be opening up in Newport Beach I think right near the 3Thirty3 Waterfront restaurant on PCH in about a month. It's going to be called Sol Cocina (not Sol Cucina). Their PR people sent me some pictures of the food they will have and I'll be adding more information shortly about their menu, their chef, when they're going to open, etc.

Here is their initial press release:

SOL COCINA

Vibrant Baja cuisine in a contemporary setting infused with old world charm.

Newport Beach, Calif. (June 4, 2009)—Introducing SOL Cocina, a new restaurant and bar opening in mid July that will bring the fresh, vibrant flavors of the Baja California Coast to Newport Beach. Led by Executive Chef Deborah Schneider, a 2009 James Beard Foundation Book Award Nominee, SOL features innovative Baja-inspired cuisine in a modern setting that infuses old world Mexican charm with urban comforts.

SOL's menu offers signature regional recipes along with Schneider's own Baja-inspired creations, resulting in the perfect combination of authenticity and ingenuity. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients, including Pacific fish, American Wagyu beef, Heirloom pork and locally raised vegetables, Schneider has created an exciting menu filled with signature antojitos (small plates) and Baja-style street tacos—prepared in an exhibition kitchen surrounded by counter seating to give guests a genuine feel of eating at a taco stand on the Baja Coast— along with innovative entrees and desserts that are uniquely Baja.

"Our menu reflects the way we really like to eat in Southern California and Baja— simple, fresh food that's full of flavor and a focus on our beautiful Pacific seafood," explains Schneider. "Baja cooking is much lighter than traditional Mexican food—we love cooking on the wood grill, we make our own salsas and sauces every day with local fruits and vegetables, and we make your food fresh in front of you. That's Baja."

Mouthwatering creations are sure to please even the most discerning palates—from Rainbow Guacamole made with buttery avocado and a selection of fresh fruit, nuts, cheeses and chilies; and Pibil-Roasted Fresh Fish on a Banana Leaf is made San Felipe-style and topped with a tequila lime cilantro beurre blanc and pineapple-jicama salsa; to Kurobuta Carnitas Tacos made with shredded pork, chiccharones, avocado, onion, cilantro and tomatillo sauce; and Lemon-Garlic Mezcal Chicken Tacos topped with avocado sauce, onion and cilantro.

SOL's décor, created by acclaimed restaurant designer Thomas Schoos, features a modern interpretation of the traditional Baja coast that's as innovative as it is welcoming. Inspired by the laid back Baja California beach vibe, the 170-seat restaurant features rich textures, natural elements, seductive lighting and sophisticated touches. Plush leather chairs, wrought iron accents, antique bronze lanterns and distressed wooden doors bring a rustic feeling, while modern design elements—like steel and lucite cocktail tables filled with colorful Mexican trinkets—create a contemporary sensibility.

SOL Cocina's expansive bar is sure to be a local hot spot, featuring a full-service bar with over 50 varieties of tequilas housed in a three-foot double-tiered tower at each end of the bar, each framing a vintage mirror with a hand-forged nail frame, while a central fireplace gives off a warm, soft glow to create the feeling of sitting around a friend's backyard fire pit. The bar's 'outdoors brought indoors' elements seamlessly blend traditional indoor and outdoor materials throughout to create a warm, inviting, relaxed ambience that will easily appeal to the laid back luxe Newport Beach community.

Located on the Balboa marina, boaters can dock just steps from SOL's outdoor patio, making it easy to enjoy the restaurant's signature Baja cuisine and cocktails after a day out at sea. Located at 251 East Coast Highway in Newport Beach, SOL will be open for lunch and dinner daily from 11am to 11pm, with the bar open until 2am. For more information, please visit www.solcocina.com.

Orange County Mexican Restaurants

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Wednesday, July 21, 2010

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Sol Cocina