“Chefs Ana Gonçalves and Zijun Meng”
Chefs Ana Gonçalves and Zijun Meng are set to open their new 80 cover restaurant, Solis, in Arcade Battersea on 4th October.
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 both sides of the voyage including Spain, Portugal, Uruguay, and Argentina.
Commenting on the upcoming launch, co-founder Ana Gonçalves said: “Solis is a very personal restaurant for me. I wanted to create a place for everyone, that serves the type of food I have experienced since I was little; very simple, but full of flavour and approachable. We want Solis to be a place everyone feels at home – somewhere unfussy and warm that serves the sort of food you want to eat over and over again.”
The ‘de la parilla’ section of the menu will include half a spatchcock chicken with their signature smoked Aji-Aji oil, as well as flat-iron steak with Solis’ version of entrecôte sauce. Both come with fries and an Asador salad, a classic accompaniment of sliced onion and tomatoes, dressed with oregano and olive oil that is traditionally served across peri peri chicken shops in Portugal. Guests can also choose to add additional sauces including the Mojo Verde, described by Gonçalves as ‘garlicky, creamy, green goodness’.
Small dishes from the ‘para picar’, meaning ‘to snack’ in Spanish, include Huevos Rellenos, a play on devilled eggs with a spiced tuna filling and salsa golf sauce, and Elotes Asados, a street-style grilled corn on the cob with crema dressing and lime and chilli seasoning.
Other snacks include Beef Croquetas with caramelised onion and a hint of mustard and Gildas, a quintessential drinking snack comprising boquerones, gordal olives, pickled alliums and house chimichurri on a slice of baguette. To finish, there’s Torta De Queso, a creamy cheesecake with blueberry sauce.
Three types of Sangria are served by the glass or jug and cocktails include the classic Uruguayan aperitif, Medio y Medio. A concise wine list comes from producer Pablo Fallabrino – a well-known Uruguayan winemaker and is available by the glass or bottle.
The interior design, led by award-winning architects Red Deer, is a homage to authentic decors of old world eateries on both sides of the Rio de la Plata. Solis features classic hardwood furniture and simple lighting with deep oak panelling adorning the walls, which are enriched with artwork, photography and football colours that transport guests to the clamorous parrillas of Montevideo’s old town market. Much of the space is furnished in antiques dating back to Uruguay’s heyday at the start of the 20th century.
Cokey Sulkin, COO Arcade commented: “As the final restaurant launch of Arcade Battersea and a brand we’ve been developing within our Arcade Create programme for some time, we’re very excited to see Solis come to life and to welcome the very first guests. Arcade Create has so far helped bring over 12 food concepts into existence and we’re thrilled for Solis to join that collection.”
