Solstice Cafe
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Breakfast
- Alcohol: Full Bar
23 Reviews for Solstice Cafe
I've been to Solstice twice now -- once to eat and drink and once to only drink. Both times were enjoyable. I really enjoyed my food on my first visit (the steak sandwich -- yum!) and I will definitely return to eat again. The 2nd time was for drinks only and it was pleasant and quiet. We sat outside (not that sitting on boulevard is every quiet, but it was a somewhat quiet evening). The service the first time was a little off but we had a large party and I don't think they quite knew what to do with us. The owner/manager was there, however, to lend a hand. It's always nice to see the "higher-ups" actually working.
So all in all, this is a great little place off the beaten path. The food is good and the drinks are great.
After completing the Peachtree, my dad and I were famished. As we were getting into the car, my dad says " Take me to that breakfast place I like so much"-he was referring to Ria's. It happened to be closed for the 4th of July so I steered the folks to Solstice Cafe.
Luckily there were no problems getting a parking spot in front and we snagged a table outside. We had stepped inside not knowing the protocol- do you sit or are you seated? ( i guess it is the former) The decor as mentioned is shabby chic-ish and dim- I think I personally would like it better if it were a little brighter and not so shabby. Our server was a pleasant young gal, who was sure to check in on us, asking how everything was. I ordered the berry crepes, mom the quiche of the day and dad the solstice breakfast. Mom loved her quiche and dad was satisfied with his meal as well. Only request is that with the crepes, try a different sauce, it tastes a bit like strawberry jam- maybe try a berry reduction?
I will be back. I like the underdog, and I am rooting for you Soltice Cafe
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Another wine/coffee bar. I love the concept, because I am so not a coffee drinker. But I go to coffeehouses to work, and I don't think I'll get much done with a glass of Sangria. But I will try and report back!
This is an artsy, eclectic shop on Boulevard right off of I-20. It has a formal seating area with tables on one side, and an area with bunches of couches and a living-room vibe on the other. Everything was clean (sorry Joe's) and I loved the Buena Vista Social Club playing on the stereo. I had a humongous mug of hot chocolate for only $2.75, and the bar staff was helpful and welcoming. The wi-fi was sketchy though, and I kept getting taken to a funny page where I was supposed to run a diagnostic or something. I didn't feel like getting up to ask if it was normal, so I can't say if that's the standard there.
I believe they have a bottomless Sangria on Mondays for $5.25, which I will be back to try. It's a great place to go have a chat after a meeting or with a friend.
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Solstice is an eclectically decorated, dimly lit cafe in Grant Park. It's on Boulevard and its got Christmas lights all over--you can't miss it.
I went for the first time the other night and was quite happy with it. I, like many of these reviewers ordered the BLFGT. It's the first sandwich on the menu. Oh, and by the way, that menu is really exciting! It was a toss up for me between the BLT and a patty melt with blue (or bleu, whatever) cheese, and the Special (a scallop/shrimp kabob with grilled asparagus and saffron rice).
The BLFGT is on thick focaccia bread and has an apple infused goat cheese spread. The combination of the sweet and tangy spread with the salty bacon and crispy fried tomatoes was DELICIOUS! You've got to try it, you've just got to.
My friend ordered the patty melt with the blue cheese. It comes with caramelized onions and bacon on I think Rye bread (with the little fennel seeds). If I can pull myself away from that BLT, I'll order this next time, it's fantastic.
All sandwiches come with a choice of a Caesar salad, a Solstice salad (with raisins, spring greens, and a house dressing), or house fried potatoes. My buddy's salad dressing was really spicy and our server didn't warn us--he's not so good with spice, so he was really disappointed. And my house fried potatoes were a little cold, dry and chewy. But those sandwiches were so good; I wasn't too upset about it.
Also the service was a little off. While the bartender was SUPER friendly when we walked in, our server didn't check back really to see if we needed anything and she didn't really know much--she was sweet though, maybe new. Oh, and she said I couldn't have cranberry juice alone unless it was mixed with alcohol...I don't think that's quite right, but I didn't argue.
I want to give 3 1/2 stars. I'm going back again soon and I'll see if these folks can squeeze another star out of me, I'm tempted, I'm tempted...
EDIT: After another visit I decided to stick with the 3 stars because of service. Too bad, but the food will guarantee my return.
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Solstice Cafe is the bastard child of Apres Diem, not officially part of the Diem chain, but its DNA is unmistakable. Dark and cozy, the furnishings a deliberate mixture of shabby chic. Despite tables of dubious stability, the warmth of the place is enough to almost make you forget about the somewhat questionable laundromat next door.
They've done well in replicating the old Cafe Diem's atmosphere, mellow, romantic even. You can linger, drink some wine or have some coffee. The beer is priced at a good price point for those whose tastes run more simple. The food is competent, though I've had more luck with the sandwiches and crepes than with the entrees. (The fish sandwich is probably one of the best things on the menu.)
Unfortunately, they've also replicated some of Cafe Diem's bad habits, namely the flakey wait staff. Though in true fashion, they're often very nice to look at.
But you're not here to rush. You're here to luxuriate. You're here to nosh a bit and enjoy a quiet evening, staring into the eyes of a (potential) loved one. And if that's what you're looking to do, give Solstice a spin, wobbly tables and all.
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We came here for lunch 2 times in a row, today being the second day. Yesterday I had the BLFGT (bacon lettuce fried green tomatoes) sandwich, while today I opted for the grilled chicken sandwich.
Yesterday, I was hoping to find a new favorite place to get a BLT. While it was good, I was secretly comparing my lunch to that of Carroll Street Cafe's down the road. I can't say that Solstice's sandwich was bad, it just wasn't a Carroll Street BLT, the one I currently hold in the higest regard. I think it had to do a lot with the bread. It just didn't cut it. Nor did the flavors jump out at your taste buds. Comparatively, it just tasted a little flat, but still beat 99% of the other BLTs you'll find anywhere else.
Today, the chicken sandwich was poor. It was a filet of chicken that you could tell was grilled a while back. It was tough on the outside, dry in the middle, and just unpleasant to eat. The pesto that it was paired with did well though, as well as the cheese.
Both lunches I had with their homemade potatoes, a nice side that resembles thin round potato fries.
The coffee that they serve here is Lavazza, which is a good quality bean. Nice, rich, and flavorful. So kudos for that.
In addition to the food, the atmosphere is nice. Similar to Carroll Street, just calmer. A nice way to spend a lunch hour indeed.
Off the beaten path (seemingly), it poses itself as a nice option for the neighborhood. And with free wi-fi, we can all surf our iPhones as we wait for our meals.
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This place is very tasty. I've been twice, and both times I've gotten what I intend to be my standby: the BLFGT (bacon lettuce fried green tomatoes) with a Solstice salad (spring greens with strawberries, pears, blue cheese, walnuts). The sandwich is so very good, as others have relayed in their reviews.
The space itself is very nice. First visit was sitting outside, which was pleasant. Second visit was indoors. There are two sections in the interior -- the barside, which is louder, but sunnier, and the non-barside, which is quieter but a little less bright. Interesting art covers the walls on both sides.
People have reviewed that the service here is spotty, and I agree halfway. The first time I went here, my BF had to actually go inside the restaurant, track down our waitress, and just settle right then. We had been waiting for our bill for 25 minutes! The last time, service was spot on.
So, maybe the key to this place is, if you want good service, sit inside? Bottom line: I find the food yummy enough to risk bad service!
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I had a mucho delicioso tilapia sandwich there. It was really juicy, so ask for extra napkins... but the flavor was great. There isn't anything I'd change about it. The lemon aioli sauce is a great compliment, the fish is blackened, it's flaky and just full of yumminess. If you can get over the fact that these fish are bottom feeders, you'll really enjoy it much better!
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Ok - that was then... earlier in the week. Let me say, if you're going to go here, DON'T GO ON A SUNDAY!!! For some reason it took them and HOUR AND A HALF to get out 2 breakfast sandwiches and 2 crepes. We were there over 2 hours total (cuz you gotta eat the food once it comes out and then wait to pay your bill...) I swear the chicken in the back must have went on strike or something. It wasn't just us... no one was getting their food! AND, once it came, the potatoes were cold. The server was so nice to refill the coffee 5 and 6 times during the process, but I'm not sure she realized how that could backfire later. You get a restaurant full of angry customers all tweaked out on really good coffee, and they're only gonna bitch at a faster speed! I mean it's like looking around you and everything's playing in fast-forward motion, all sped up.
Their food is quite tasty - just don't talk it up like I did and show up with all your friends hoping to get food anytime soon on a Sunday. Go during the week. That's the lesson for the day people!
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I finally got a chance to check this place out, and it was real nice. I met a client there for coffee and the client was real impressed with the decor and FREE WIFI. I ended up staying for breakfast and thought the food was just OKAY. But the nice warm service made up for the average steak crepe. This is going to my 'home office" when I am sick of my office at home.
I think I'd like to give it 4.5 stars. I'm so persnickety.
I had the B.L.F.G.T. (a classic BLT with fried green tomatoes instead of regular ripe red'uns) and it may well have changed my life. The bacon was crispily cooked and the fried green tomato was well done without being overly fried and encased in grease. The two details that really made this sandwich? The rectangular-shaped puffy bread it was on (I believe it's called brioche?) and the goat cheese spread on it. Every lunch sandwich comes with a side--home potatoes, a house salad, or a Caesar salad. I picked the Caesar and was happy with its size and taste.
As usual, I'm reviewing restaurants while hungry. Wah.
The server was efficient and kind but pretty slow moving--it took a while for us to get our food and a while for us to get the check once we were done. No big deal, though--we had fun relaxing in the pretty room that was lit mostly with natural light from the big front windows. A charming place.
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Solstice is an awesome little cafe. I go here for breakfast every weekend, dinner about once a week and coffee on the regular. Thus far from my experience, I will say I think they have the best coffee in town, good food, an awesome staff and a great vibe.
They also show support to the artists community by hanging local artists work. I am one of the local artists that have work hanging in Solstice, and i love that the cafe carries a certain energy that always keeps my creative juices pumpin. ;O)
It has come a long way in the short year+ that's it has been open, and i feel it will continue to grow and thrive, especially with an owner like Sean. He makes a point to stop and greet every table, run food, clear tables, refill drinks & i'm sure a million other things. Anyone who has ever worked in the F&B industry knows that having a boss/owner that isn't scared to work is a godsend.
good food, good music, good people, & good vibes
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Yesterday the girlfriend and I decided to check out Solstice for brunch. We love weekend brunch and wanted a new place to try. The decor was great - a wide assortment of chairs and decorated tables and an awesome painting of The King behind the bar. Even the coffee mugs had a bit of character.
It took several minutes to get noticed by the staff, even though they weren't very busy. We placed our orders and listened to Brian Setzer's "The Dirty Boogie" playing over the speakers - this I dig.
The food was excellent!... for me. I ordered the BLT with fried green tomatoes. With the first bite my mouth had an orgasm. I ordered the potatoes as my side - another winner. My girlfriend's eggs were overdone in some parts and runny in others. Her pancakes were overcooked and damn near gummy when chewed. At least her bacon was perfectly crisp and not soggy (like so many other places tend to make bacon).
I saw a server stop outside at a table and take a few drags off a patron's cigarette, then immediately go back behind the counter to work on someone's order. Isn't that a health code violation? It was disgusting. As you can tell, I'm not a smoker.
It took a bit too long to get our check and pay. I'm used to waiting at little independent places, but not 15 minutes and having to hunt down my waitress to pay her. o_O
We plan to give it one more try, but right now my brunching heart belongs to Cafe 458 and Solstice has an uphill battle to make it into my top 5 brunch places.
I'll update after our next trip there and link to her review once she posts it.
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Solstice Cafe and I think of Sunday mornings.
I love Sunday mornings. Before the dread and realization that monday happens overnight, you have a few hours to move slow, eat a good breakfast, and realize how great life can be when you finally get a chance to actually stop thinking about things that matter to everyone else - specifically anything having to do with work.
We wake up from a dead sleep caused by a Saturday night of too much everything, settle into the car, and tune the radio to one of the acoustic sunrise stations and drive while Radiohead carries us to Solstice Cafe in Grant Park. There it is at the north end of a strip mall, next door to an vacant space, a dirty, old, rundown laundrymat, and a small mexican food market with a ceiling lined with pinatas, Solstice Cafe is a quaint, bohemian food spot easily below the foodie radar.
Simple metal tables painted over with an amateur painter's touch, walls lined with paintings in various media and a bar serving both omlettes and alcohol, this is yet another secret spot unvisited by the hoardes of breakfast feeders searching for another order of biscuits, grits, and pancakes.
Solstice Cafe is what would happen if you turned an excellent bohemian coffee shop into a breakfast and lunch spot and then gave it a liquor license. The staff is friendly and on this particular Sunday morning, everyone seems to be gripping the hours before tomorrow as they sip their coffees and enjoy Sinantra crooning over the speakers.
The menu is lite, mostly consisting of eggs, sandwiches, potatoes and other simple fare. No pancakes, no super size servings. Just a quiet space away from the lines at the Flying Biscuit, Thumbs Up, and Crescent Moon - all with a huge painting of Elvis behind the bar.
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I had never been down to the Grant Park area before Sunday, when my friend Amy took us here. We got there at about 315pm (slow morning), so we missed the breakfast, sadly, since she says that it's amazing (particularly the breakfast sandwiches).
However, we were able to eat lunch, and it was delicious. I loooooove portabello mushrooms, and they had an INCREDIBLE portabello sandwich with goat cheese. Goat cheese!! I love goat cheese. I could have been satisfied with just the bread and goat cheese. Seriously. And some whiskey. But, since it was 3pm, and I would have felt awkward buying myself a Jack and Ginger (bowing to societal pressure. How lame of me), I instead bought myself a Hoegaarden, which was almost as good.
Alcoholic ruminations aside, the food really was excellent, and the place itself was very cute - sort of reminded me of Athens. (Georgia, not Greece.)
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It strikes me as odd that all I do is review businesses with free Wi-Fi, but I'm never actually in the business while I do my review. That all changed this morning when I decided that the best place to work on a rainy Sunday was Solstice Cafe in Grank Park. As I sit here typing, an old blues song is playing and about half the seats are filled with late-day Sunday brunchers. They look content. When I think of Solstice, I think of a true neighborhood coffeeshop where you can linger over brunch and a cup of coffee while pondering life. While coffeeshops like Octane or Tilt hang their hats on slick details, Solstice seems to pride itself on being a bohemian hangout for locals. One more thing I have to add. I've been here twice recently and both times the servers were incredibly nice and helpful. Kinda surprising sometimes for a hip coffeehouse. One final tip...I just noticed a really cool fake fireplace. Fantastic for a cup of joe on a rainy day.
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I tried Solstice for the first time yesterday and I was a little surprised. Went late afternoon Sunday and sat out front on the patio-esq area. Service was fine (we were really the only ones there). I ordered the Chicken sandwich and my friend had the openfaced roast beef with bluecheese. Both were really good, the bread was crispy and flavorful and the pesto was a perfect compliment to the chicken. The salad with the nuts and strawberries was also really good, am usually skeptical about fruit combo with salads but was great with a balsamic dressing. Okay the only complaint that I had was with the coffee, I should note that I work for a coffee roaster so my expectations are pretty high and I am a purist about my espresso. I ordered a latte and it was a small glass with a huge amount of whipped cream and spices of all sorts on it. ugggh, I couldnt even drink it barly tasted the espresso, The waitress noticed this though and I told her my problem with it being too sweet and she brought me an unsweet Iced regular coffee and it was pretty good and I got my fix for the day. All in all a great afternoon lunch spot I will be returning.
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I really like supporting businesses like this. It is a small, neighborhood place that serves decent food. Some menu items work really well and some, frankly, do not. The hummus (no tahini...really needs tahini...some lemon and olive oil wouldn't hurt) with feta and raisins is too thick and pasty and served with greasy fried pita. However most breakfast items are good as well as most of the pasta options.
I hope these guys have a grand reopening to celebrate their recently acquired alcohol license. A little marketing would go a long way.
As for my latest experience, I recently called in a breakfast order for pick up (I live within walking distance). Food was pretty good as usual other than the fact that all of the bacon (in three different dishes) was burned into oblivion. I asked for the bacon to be replaced and they obliged without hesitation...but to be honest, it never should have been served in the first place - it was burned black. Don't slack on the quality control guys, I am rooting for you. This kind of thing would have turned a non-neighborhooder away for good.
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This place has a long way to go, but I'm only slightly impressed. Being only open a little longer than a year, until they opened their expansion, it was sometimes difficult to get a table on a Sunday morning brunch. The tables are somewhat awkward, and the bar overpowers the dining room. Following the themes of close by restaurants such as Carrol Street Cafe, night times are dark and romantic. However, with the small home-made menus and the poor lighting, it is sometimes difficult to read the small descriptions below the entrees.
The food is delightful from the Solstice Salad and the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich and their new Dinner Entrees. Specials never really change however. I'm tired of hearing about the Biscuits and Gravy that comes out at medium heat and the generic pasta specials. If they like them that much, maybe they should put them on the menu.
The staff is really a hit or miss. Sometimes I feel welcomed coming in and sometimes I feel like I'm being a hassle. I always see new faces, sometimes delightful sometimes not. Its always appreciated when I am recognized as a regular by two girls that have been around for quite sometime. A young curly redhead used to serve on Sunday brunches and sit down with me whenever she had a chance and catch up with me which was always a delight. Lately however, the staff has seemed somewhat rushed, which has turned me away a few sundays now.
Overall this is a great intown Cafe, but experience is what it's all about, which is where the improvement should be targeted.
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I'll continue with the dog friendly theme. Yet another short 2 mile walk up from our house in Grant Park. They have 4-5 outdoor tables that are very dog friendly - just be sure to keep them on a short lease - tables are right next to Boulevard - which people seem to fly down.
It's on a bit of a weird little stretch of shops - I think there is a Mexican food store, a dry cleaner, and a junk/antiques store - so we were a little hesitant at first to try out.
But we are glad we did. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Although as of the last time we went - they do not have their liquor license - so I wouldn't recommend if you wanted a drink with dinner.
***UPDATE DECEMBER 2007 - They do have a liquor license and some great beers and mixed drinks on their drink list!!***
They have tons of coffees. Breakfast has always been good. I think I had their crepes and they were awesome. Sandwiches are ok. And for dinner they have a vodka penne pasta that is awesome.
Service is always friendly and they always bring water for the dogs. We've actually never set foot inside the actual restaurant since we always bring the dogs!
Overall - great place if we want to walk somewhere with our girls, but not top of the list if we were to drive somewhere. But I'm all for supporting the local businesses - so please go check out!
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This place is great - friendly service, delicious and creative entrees & good coffee. Love the tasting at the bar too!
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great little cafe in my old 'hood. service occasionally a little spotty, but the food and coffee are good, and the vibe is quirky and nice. miss this place.
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This is a great neighborhood spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner and/or coffee. The Bohemian atmosphere combined with old fashioned friendly service makes this small cafe stand out. One of the owner's waited on us one recent night. The restaurant is applying for a liquor license, but it may takes months to acquire. Unofficially they allow you to BYOB with zero corkage fees. I like to support independent places like this.
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Atlantans know their breakfast places...and this one is a nice addition to an already great lineup. It may be easy to pass right by it if you're not looking, but it is at the corner of Boulevard and Rosalia in Grant Park.
While the portions are European (smallish), you'll gladly forgo the mound of food you might find elsewhere for their artisan sandwich breads. The quality of the food is fabulous and they seem to know their coffee.
The space is small, which is a good thing in a breakfast place. Anyone who has waited in line for an hour at the Biscuit or elsewhere may relish the neighborhood feel and quiet weekend atmosphere.
Service is 'start-up spotty'--though not for lack of effort; keep in mind they're just getting up and running...the kinks will work themselves out.
This is the perfect place for a leisurely kickoff to your day. I haven't tried their lunches yet, but I'm sure they're great if breakfast is any indication.
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