We were in NJ for the night and ended up having dinner at Solaia, an Italian restaurant in Englewood. Located right next to John Harms Theater, it would be a good spot for a pre- or post-show dinner, or if you feel like having a nice evening out, but clearly the current economic environment has taken a toll on the restaurant. During prime time on a Friday night, it was almost empty, and after our meal, it was easy to see why.
Appetizers and salads range from $12-$16. I started with a tropical salad, which was comprised of Boston lettuce, hearts of palm, avocado, mozzarella, onion and tomato. The ingredients seemed pretty fresh but surprisingly, there wasn’t a lot of flavor to the salad. A sprinkling of salt and pepper helped, but I just felt like it was lacking something, and it definitely needed more acid to brighten it up a bit.
Pretty but bland tropical salad
Josh had a Caesar salad, which came with a nice big piece of parmesan on top, but the dressing was also a bit bland. Portions weren’t huge, so there was nothing to justify the price.
Also bland caesar salad
Entrees fared a bit better, though there was a bit of a snafu when my order of pappardelle with lamb ragu was mistaken as an order for the pappardelle with lobster and seafood, a special that night. An understandable mix-up, I guess, since I’m a low talker (though Josh, who constantly makes fun of me for being a low talker, said I spoke clearly this time), but I was left in the unenviable position of watching everyone else eat while I waited for my dish to be prepared. Thankfully Josh didn’t mind sharing his pasta with me, cavatelli with broccoli rabe and sausage. The cavatelli, which is homemade, had a nice chewy texture, and the broccoli rabe wasn’t too bitter. The sausage had a lot of fennel seed in it, which I didn’t like, but the dish worked well together overall. I don’t think it was worth the $23 price tag though.
Cavatelli with broccoli rabe and sausage
When my pasta finally arrived, at least it was served very hot, but now I had to eat while everyone was watching me so I felt rushed, which isn’t a pleasant experience. The ragu didn’t have a very gamey taste (I love gamey lamb, the gamier the better), but there was a piece of seared sheep’s milk ricotta that provided a very welcomed tang to the dish. The crusty exterior of the cheese was delicious, and I mixed the oozing center into the ragu to create a creamier texture that I thought worked better with the pappardelle.
Pappardelle with lamb ragu and sheep's milk ricotta
Overall I feel like I wouldn’t come back to Solaia. Prices are pretty high, which would be more understandable if the food was spectacular, but it was just ok. Not bad, but not great, and not worth the expense. With so many other great restaurant options nearby on Palisade Ave. in Englewood, there’s no reason to spend the money on mediocre food.
Solaia
22 N Van Brunt St.
Englewood, NJ