Sol: Fusing environment and epicurism

Sol is one of those fusion-type restaurants. I never know what these places are fusing exactly, but in this case, Sol puts really good food together with a highly enjoyable dining environment. No matter where you sit in the restaurant, it feels like you are eating outside. And for this time of year in Savannah, that works for me.

For starters, when you go to Sol, you must try their chips with a variety of salsas. This time we tried three: mango habenero, pico de gallo and the tomatillo avocado. All three were killer but my favorite is by far the sweet and spicy combination of the mango habanero.

Sol chips and salsa

Our server was perfect and she recommended we try some sort of vodka and cucumber spritzer type drink special and if I wasn’t already two glasses of wine into my evening, I would have loved some vodka. Everyone else at my table ordered one and they all loved them.

Best veggie burger ever!

For my entree, I ordered the veggie burger with sweet potato fries. This is probably the best veggie burger I have ever had anywhere. They make their veggie burgers from scratch and it comes out a deep red color from the beets that go into it. Also, I was picking up pieces of chickpeas and zucchini that fell out of the burger and on to my plate. To me, if a chef makes a veggie burger with real tangible veggies, well, that’s a pretty darn good thing. Also, look at all that sprouty goodness in the photo.

Mike (aka Big Baby) had the “Sol Burger” and it was also delicious. I tasted a ton of blue cheese and onions and these all complimented the beans and rice he ordered as his side. Word to the wise, the black bean side is spicy!

Sol Burger, pretty damned good

Ingela Marie Johnson Smith Volvo, not wanting to tempt fate, ordered a “Jerked Chicken Sandwich.” We jokingly call her the chicken sandwich taster now, and the title is starting to fit. Her sandwich had a ton of manchengo cheese, mango aioli and a healthy helping of avocado. She also got the beans and the chipotle slaw on the side. Also, a win.

Ingela's chicken sandwich, surprise!

Steve went in a totally different direction and ordered the “Lime Marinated Skirt Steak Salad.” Visually it was the most impressive thing on the table and he very much enjoyed the taste as well. The yellow things in the photo are jicama root. The dressing has a tequila kick to it.

Steve's skirt steak salad

Sol has dessert, but frankly, we were all way too full to even consider it. Sol is a top choice for a great weekend meal out with friends. It also is a favorite haunt for ordering chips and salsa and sitting outside to drink an afternoon away.

Zunzi’s: Stick with the chicken

If you’re reading this, you probably have a very positive opinion about Zunzi’s and normally, so do I. My opinion of Zunzi’s is so high that I even debated not writing this entry because it’s only going to be 50% favorable. But alas, I must be true.

Zunzi's, a local fave

Zunzi’s specialty is the “Conquistador” which means “best chicken sandwich in town” in Spanish or Portuguese or something. I think everyone will agree on this.

Ingela Marie Johnson Smith Volvo is our token chicken sandwich tester and she even agrees. On this most recent trip to Zunzi’s, Mike and I decided we had to try something different.

I got the falafel. And, I was INCREDIBLY full and satisfied and it was cheap and just plain delicious. Onions, tomatoes, pita – all good. There are four large chickpea patties and their yoghurt sauce is great. Overall, this sandwich is killer.

My new favorite falafel

Mike decided to order the salmon sandwich called “The Fisherman’s Deck.” This was a complete fail. He asked them if the sandwich had mayo on it. Since he hates mayo, and the sauce has mayo in it, we were already set up for doom.

Mike gave in and let them put some sauce on it and agreed it “wasn’t too bad.” Side note, Mike hates condiments. Ketchup, mayo, mustard and though more garnish than condiment, he also hates pickles.

Mike's Fisherman's Deck Salmon

But Bravo Zunzi’s you got Mike to eat something with mayo in it. But wait, there’s more…when he bit into his salmon sandwich, the entire bottom of the roll was soaked in mustard. Houston, we have a big problem.

The menu says nothing about the mustard infraction; so, I marched up to the counter and asked for another roll for Mike, heretofore known as Big Baby. He ate his sandwich, swore he could “still taste mustard” and hated it. Sulking the entire time of course.

Big Baby and his two rolls

This is clearly not Zunzi’s fault. Like I said, the Conquistador and falafel are good, but if you are like Big Baby and you don’t like condiments, check with Zunzi’s before ordering a sandwich.

So, what is the lesson here?

Don’t mess with a good thing. Get the Conquistador and go home happy.