Mexican food with a modern twist from its Lobster Tacos to
its Chili Relleno, this place is a go to establishment. Located on Balboa Marina in New Port Beach
the views are of the beautiful boats marooned on the pier. The calming water scenery only adds to the
style and flare from the traditional oversize wood chairs and tables to the
high beam ceilings. The atmosphere rates
an A+. It is a mix of Southern
California and Baja.
Each dish is served with a healthy twist. The guacamole is available several ways from
traditional called Naked Guacamole to Guacamole Sol made with guacamole, mango,
tequila, goat cheese, pepitas and cilantro.
For a fruity flare Guacamole Verano is made with raspberries, chile con
limon, serranos, almonds and cotixa.
Each guacamole dish does not disappoint it just depends on what you are
in the mood for that night. The chips
are taco shells halved and sprinkled with paprika and salt.
The menu has something for every taste bud from chicken to
short ribs. The Shrimp Chile Relleno is
untraditional as it is lightly battered and baked not fried stuffed with arroz
verde, shrimp and cheese served with salsa diabla. The poblano chiles have a bite so be sure you
have some thing to drink. The Mojitos
are spot on and compliments the dish perfectly.
This dish was light and not heavy so there is plenty of room for
dessert.
As I was missing my lobster from Puerto Nuevo since I am
deferring travel there for an undetermined amount of time, I had to order the
Puerto Nuevo Tacos Al Mojo De Ajo. The
Baja spiny lobster meat was sautéed with butter and garlic and delightful. You have a choice of accompaniments so I went
with the spicy coleslaw and quinoa salad. Rice and beans are so
uninspiring. One word describes this
dish best “delicious”! Light, not heavy,
tender lobster with just enough garlic and butter that it was not soggy it was
my top pick.
This establishment does have Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas
Verde and they were triangle style with plenty of spices, sauce and a drizzle
of sour cream. A favorite of the
restaurant is the Short Ribs Barbacoa en Cazuela braised with guajillos,
avocado leaf, nopales and tomatoes. The
short ribs just fall of the bone and have a Baja flavor.
The
desserts were the only disappointment. I
recommend Sol Cocina for dinner than indulging in coffee and dessert at the
Koffee Klatch located at 1440 S Coast Hwy Laguna Beach, CA 92651, but more
about Koffee Klatch later.
Sol
Cocina rates 3.5 Forks Up for service, experience and food. The desserts were lacking so I had to spend
the gas money to find me something sweet.
SOL
COCINA - 251 E. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92660
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