Critic's Review

Las Olas’ newest venue in the location formerly occupied by Mark’s Las Olas. SoLita, which is short for “South of Little Italy”, brings the cuisine of Michael Roselli (formerly of Marterano’s) and several other Marterano’s former staffers.

SoLita aspires to be more than just a restaurant; the large bar area and lounge elevates it to a restaurant within a club. The music is loud, and gets louder late night. The bar area has an urban feel; they call it the “Violetta Enoteca” (Violet Wine Shop), and its adorned with black granite, stone-look slab ceiling panels and crystal fixtures. With all the expense, I can’t answer why they didn’t go for a nice edge on the bar; it seems a bit sharp. The shades of purple look gray in the dark; the bartender’s purple corsets are more noticable. Numerous flat panel TVs have the games on, but they’re not in the way. People don’t come here to watch sports.

They have an extensive wine menu but only a few by the glass. I prefer Italian Reds, and the choice is limited to Rocco Delle Macie Chianti Classico ($10). $16 is too much for Tan Label, which has been wholly mediocre this century.

The menu is simple southern Italian; Meatballs, Eggplant, and even Poppers. They also have stuffed peppers ($12), which are served open faced (I call it smashed) and stuffed with sausage and a cheesy tomato sauce. They are delicious however I would have preferred that they remove the stems; its dark and biting into a stem isn’t a positive experience.

Entrees include pastas, gnocci and a thick-cut veal parmesan and range from mid-teens to high 20s. The portions are not massive; the preparations are simple and the focus is on flavor.

Late night they turn up the volume, not to Martorano levels thankfully, and the hope is that it will be the kind of place where people can come and spend the entire evening. Time will tell.