M and I love Solera. We've been going here for years. Not many people can say that they're fortunate enough to live less than two blocks from such an exceptional restaurant (and not live downtown or in Cherry Creek North). We're big fans of eating in the bar area, but we've had bigger dinners with friends and family in both the main dining room, as well as on the cozy patio.
We go there so frequently that the folks have gotten to know us a bit. I know it's corny, (you know -- "where everyone knows your name," Cheers-esquiness) but it is so much more fun. The other thing is that there seems to be a bit more stability with the staff at Solera, so you don't have that revolving-door effect.
Anyway, M and I were in on a Wednesday evening, and we forgot that Wednesdays are the wine tasting nights. I forget the specifics, but it's a really great deal and draws quite a crowd. We had to stand for a while, but eventually the crowd thinned out and we got a seat at the bar. We did the surf and turf that night. It's a wonderful appetizer with seared sushi grade tuna and a very rare seared beef. For a while it had a tiny poached egg and was more truffle-y. Now it has this wasabi-infused caviar going on. Yummy either way.
We kept it light that night by just sticking with the appetizer. Other things we've had are the award winning duck, the calamari, the mac & cheese with scallops, and halibut in any form that Goose makes is always M's favorite.
I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that the food is spectacular, the people are super nice, and the location is a refreshing change.
E.O.D. Bathroom Rating: It's a little tight and a little edgy, but it is Colfax. Throw a few fancy toiletries in there, and you'd never notice! 3 out of 5 flushes.
