SOLSTICE is a modern European restaurant by Joseph Assad of One Way Restaurant and Jackie Rodriguez, the innovator behind the Bistro Group (TGI Fridays, Italiannis) and Global Restaurant Concepts (CPK, IHOP).
Its name is inspired by the astrological transitions that happen in June (summer solstice–the longest day of the year) and December (winter solstice–the shortest day of the year). This is why the Solstice restaurant concept is all about transitions.
First, both owners have moved on from their previous projects and invested on this homegrown 8 Rockwell restaurant.
Second, the restaurant menu will start with One Way dishes and then evolve as they feature known chefs every three months, to showcase their cuisine for a week and leave a few recipes.
Third, they will also feature Indian food on Mondays and Mediterranean cuisine on Tuesdays.
We tried Solstice a day after they opened the restaurant (during the winter solstice) and here’s what we think about it…
Solstice Bistro & Boulangerie
8 Rockwell, Hidalgo Drive, Rockwell, Makati
Solstice Menu: Appetizers | Soups & Salads | Pasta | Main Meat/ Poultry, Main Seafood | Pizzas | Sandwiches and Burgers, Desserts | Drinks | Alcoholic Drinks
All our favorite sourdough dishes from One Way are also part of the Solstice menu–from soups to pizzas, sandwiches, and burgers.
SOUPS
Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup (P280 +10% service charge). A soup served with our traditional bread with a variety of finely chopped mushrooms, with green pesto croutons and parmesan, tempered with truffle oil.
This is a little bit creamy–we’d like it to have more of a mushroom taste. But we love the sourdough soup bowl.
French Onion Soup (P280 +10% service charge). Solstice presentation of Paris favorite and most popular soup served in stoneware that keeps the soup hot, delicious and sumptuous. Prepared for you with the most delicious onions and French cheeses.
The presentation can still be improved. I like my French Onion soup to be covered in cheese.
SALADS
Winter Salad (P435 +10% service charge). A fresh mix of romaine lettuce, arugula, cucumber and croutons, with a hint of strawberry and raspberry vinaigrette.
Start with this refreshing winter salad with chunks of strawberry and sweet raspberry dressing.
Caesar Salad (P325). Crisp romaine lettuce with crispy bacon, classic dressing served with croutons and Grana Padano parmesan cheese.
I like that their salad has just the right amount of sauce.
Caprese Salad (P610 +10% service charge). Mixed greens with fresh mozzarella, salad tomato, basil leave drizzled with citrus balsamic dressing.
The tomatoes look tired and the presentation still has room for improvement.
★ Sassy Water: Water + Lime + Lemon + Mint (P235 +10% service charge)
Order their healthy Sassy Water drinks made of coconut water with different fruit-and-herb combinations.
You’ll love the high ceiling dining area and with a very tall window view of Rockwell.
Be ready with your song requests when the string acoustic group serenades you and your special someone.
APPETIZERS
Beef Salpicao (P440 +10% service charge). Sauteed Prime US Angus Beef in olive oil, green chili, paprika and crispy garlic flakes.
The serving size is a bit small for the price.
Chilean Black Mussels in White Wine & Cream (P320 +10% service charge). Whole Chilean mussel flambe in white wine and cream sauce. Comes with pomme frites.
My wife loves these black mussels from Chile!
STEAKS
★ Delmonico Fillet 17 Oz. (Rib Eye – P1,960 +10% service charge). Prime cut, 280g Ribe eye served with cafe de Paris butter and asparagus. Perfectly cooked just how you like it.
The rib eye steak was tender, cooked medium, and served with risotto.
Pepper Wood Grove Merlot (P1,800/ bottle and P450/glass +10% service charge)
Order a bottle of wine to pair with your food. Check out their selection of available wines.
SANDWICHES & BURGERS
★ Gourmet Sandwich (P395 +10% service charge). A healthy option. Grilled eggplant, salad tomato, onions, mushroom on our bagattini bread.
The sourdough bread is good to eat by itself. A good vegetarian option.
★ Solstice Hamburger (P460 +10% service charge). Grilled beef burger mixed with a special ingredient served with fresh tomato, onion, lettuce, pickled cucumber in our homemade black bread; bursting with flavor.
I love the beef patty and the sourdough bun. Best eaten while hot. Use your hands! 🙂
★ Fresh Limeade (P195 +10% service charge). Fresh key lime juice.
They have a fresh supply of Key Lime grown in Davao so it’s a must that you try their juice.
PIZZA
★ Margherita Pizza (P515 +10% service charge). A very well-known pizza anywhere, oven baked sourdough crust with tomato sauce topped with fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil.
The pizza crust itself is delightful to eat. You really can’t go wrong with simple pizza toppings.
★ 3 Cheese Pizza (P575 +10% service charge). Traditional Italian three kinds of cheeses, mozzarella, jack cheddar, and parmesan topped on our 12″ sourdough crust.
We also love this flavorful cheese pizza.
DESSERT
Mango Cheesecake (P345 +10% service charge). Classic cheesecake on graham crust topped with fresh mangoes.
This was just OK.
Chocolate Earl Grey Tart (P345 +10% service charge). A delicate chocolate and earl grey tart on a chocolate sponge cake base.
Order this. A good chocolate dessert to end your meal.
Creme Brulee (P290 +10% service charge). Taste the creaminess of authentic French dessert with caramel, fresh cream topped with fresh fruits.
The creme brulee itself was a bit hard.
Congrats to Joseph Assad, also known as Surferjoe Habibi, for opening One Way 2.0s in Rockwell. Congrats also to Jackie Rodriguez for the Solstice concept! I learned a lot from our conversation (from the history of the restaurant industry in Manila to the connection of Jose Rizal and Adolf Hitler) and from your passion for Key Lime.
It’s a little hard to give a fair verdict on SOLSTICE as they literally just opened. But it was nice to experience the starting point of the concept. We’re excited to see how the restaurant evolves this 2016.
They have possibly the best restaurant location in 8 Rockwell, so it should be an awesome place to chill and hang out with your friends. Make sure to talk to the owners and learn from their wealth of information about the food industry in Manila.
We can’t wait to come back soon and try the Mediterranean and Indian menu.
Good luck to everyone behind Solstice!
Solstice Bistro & Boulangerie
8 Rockwell, Hidalgo Drive, Rockwell, Makati
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: Our meal was courtesy of Joseph Assad & Jackie Rodriguez. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights. Read Our Awesome Planet Complete Disclosure Policy here.
P.S. Jackie said that this is his second-to-the-last restaurant concept he is opening in his lifetime.
One place i wouldn’t go. There is very little food served and it looks pathetic.