SOL Mexican Cocina

Last night our dear friends and neighbors, Scott and Amy Kilpatrick, invited us to go to dinner with them at the soft-opening “friends and family” event at SOL Mexican Cocina. SOL is located in the Scottsdale Quarter and makes its public debut tomorrow, Tuesday, March 20 at 4:30 PM.  (Hey Amy, Don’t be mad at me for posting this snapshot, I know you weren’t expecting it, I was just trying to get a photo of the interior before we left 🙂 Even though I think that you and Scott look cute, as usual! xoxo)

Scott and Amy have a strong connection to SOL’s Operating Partner, Rich Howland.  Scott and Rich are the original founders of RA Sushi and have been friends since attending kindergarten, right here in Scottsdale.

Scottsdale is the second location for SOL, which originated in Newport Beach, CA in 2009. SOL’s menu stays true to the simple and fresh Baja style of cooking, with flavorful dishes built around impeccably fresh seafood, premium meats, and more than 17 fresh salsas made daily.  In fact, everything on the menu is made fresh daily, from scratch, and the menu changes several times a year to showcase the best of the season.

Executive Chef/Partner Deborah Schneider has an extensive and impressive resume, including a 2009 James Beard Foundation nomination for her wonderful cookbook, Cooking with the Seasons at Rancho La Puerta – which I have in my library and that I love to cook from. Learn more about Rancho La Puerta HERE. I can vouch for the wonderfulness of it since Kim and I had the honor of accompanying Barbara Fenzl on a trip there back in 2008.

The decor and layout of SOL are stunning. I was blown away by the massive drum lights attached to pulleys that run down the center of the main room. Gorgeous pillar candles from Guatemala are scattered throughout the space.

And the polished copper hood in the open kitchen is breathtaking! Last night was unseasonably and unreasonably cold and windy – so we weren’t able to enjoy the patio – but it looks as though this would be the place to really enjoy what our climate is world-famous for!

While waiting for our table, the four of us started off at the bar with a couple of Bulldogs – a beer margarita made with Blanco tequila, fresh lime, plus a touch of grapefruit soda and served with an overturned Coronita (small Corona) in a huge glass – perfect for sharing with two straws.

Before we took our first sip, we were seated and the food parade began!

• Shrimp & Bacon Guacamole
• Coconut Calamari w/ a seriously spicy (in a seriously good way) sauce
• Street Taco Flight (pictured directly above)
  
• Pork Carnitas (my fave!)
  
• Grilled Kobe Skirt Steak
• Banana – Dark Chocolate Bread Pudding (recommended to us by Rich’s beautiful wife, Emily. Great choice!)

Oh, and washed down with another beverage or two… take my word for it, the Watermelon Margaritas are to die for!

We were among the last to leave and rolled out of there full and happy. We will be going back, and so on, hope to see you there!

SOL Mexican Cocina is located on the north end of The Scottsdale Quarter at 15323 N. Scottsdale Road.  Call (480) 245-6708 or visit SOLcocina.com Follow on Facebook or on Twitter.