Opening on Soho’s Kingly Street next month, the new restaurant is said to mark the biggest chapter in the brand’s story so far and will become its new flagship.
Named after Juan Díaz de Solis, a 16th-century explorer said to have been the first European to land on what is now modern day Uruguay, Solis is a chicken and steak grill, with flavour influences from Spain, Portugal, Uruguay and Argentina.
The new restaurant will give the pair the opportunity to fully realise the Solis concept for the first time. Alongside Solis favourites such as the grilled half chicken infused with smoked Aji-Aji chili oil, and flat iron steak with Solis steak sauce will be an expanded grill offering of larger cuts designed for sharing, including a chateaubriand served with steak sauce, chimichurri and aji picante.
There will also be a rotating menu of blackboard specials butcher’s cuts. All grill dishes will come served with spiced fries and an asador salad of sliced tomatoes and onions dressed with oil and oregano.
Other new dishes will include a baked torta pascoalina - a classic Easter dish in South America made with braised Swiss chard, watercress, two types of cheese, and a soft-boiled egg, stuffed into thin sheets of crisp filo pastry; mushroom and cheese croquetas; coctel de camarones - a Uruguayan style prawn cocktail made with salsa golf; and elotes - grilled corn topped with a mix of sour cream and mayo finished with roasted pepper, lime, and fresh herbs.
The restaurant will also serve a selection of classic South American sandwich the bocadillo, with fillings including green mojo chicken salad, gordal olives and coriander; sliced steak with fried onions, rocket and herby mayo; and beef meatballs covered with tomato salsa and cheese.
Desserts will include Solis’ signature Basque-style burnt cheesecake topped with berry sauce; chocolate torte; and stracciatella ice cream sundae with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, feuilletine and a maraschino cherry.
Gonçalves and Meng, who are also behind TĀ TĀ Eatery, launched Solis at Arcade Battersea Power Station in 2023. It now also operates sites in Arcade’s Tottenham Court Road and Covent Garden venues.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring Solis to Soho and to make our home on such an iconic street,” they say.
“Our first standalone restaurant gives us the opportunity to expand the menu, be more creative and show another side of the brand. We’re especially grateful to our brilliant team, who live and breathe the Solis culture and consistently deliver great food and warm service.
“We can’t wait to become part of the neighbourhood and share what makes Solis so special with Soho.”
Solis Soho will have the feel of a Latin American bodega, with a long bar counter where guests can have drinks and snacks, as well as booths and corner tables. Design features will include hardwood and stainless-steel detailing and privacy curtains, ‘balancing old-world Rio Platense vernacular with the lively energy of a fiery parrilla’.
Solis Soho opens on 20 October.