Solera - Restaurant and Wine Bar — Restaurant in Baton Rouge

Leaving my old review up, but editing it based on new ownership. Original review from years ago can be seen on the bottom, based on probably 20+ visits to this restaurant over the last few years.

New review: Really, really, really upsetting to see what has become of this place under the new management and ownership. This was, my vote, best restaurant in Baton Rouge 3 years running. Consistent date night for my wife and I. Love the food so much we tried to get them to cater our wedding. We visited again for the first time this year, and immediately were struck by the changes before we were told anything.

The menu all prices at least up 30% with many specials such as the Tapas Tuesday, frozen cocktails, etc., all missing. Some much, higher such as the paquillo peppers, what used to be $5 on Tuesday ($9 normally) now sit at an EYE WATERING $15 (a 200% price increase) for what is essentially a few toasted baguette slices with a pepper, cheese, and honey on it. Delicious, but omg not $15 delicious. And on top of that, the portions have even been reduced. For instance, we ordered the dates, steak flatbread, tomato toast and hamburger (all items we had ordered nearly every single visit, so intimately familiar with them). Dates went from huge high quality size of my thumbs to grape/raisin. Flat bread down by about 25% in size, tomato toast was 3 slices (I would get 1, wife always ate two, it was her favorite and a core memory of mine) now down to two slices only. Hamburger went from a single thick patty to two deli slicer thin patties but now they call it a "double" and charge $5 more for it despite it being smaller than the old one.

The menu, incredibly shortened. In fact, I hate to say it, but I feel like they cut only the items they didn't make enough profit% on. For instance, my favorite dish and what I would call the best chicken sandwich in Baton Rouge has disappeared from the menu.

Even small things just completely killed the vibe. It was brighter, music was louder, service was slower and less personal.

The restaurant feels as though it was purchased by an investment firm who thought "wow, what a great place, let's suck the soul out of it, increase profit margins, and see how long we last!"

In fact, the only reason my wife and I stayed and actually ate last night rather than just leaving (we both wanted to) was because our mother in law had heard us rant and rave about the place and insisted on staying to try it.

We used to drag anyone we could to the restaurant, or we would beg and plead anyone willing to listen to give them a try. Now? No longer visited, and suggest to my friends who did love it, it to avoid it now based on that experience. Sheesh, what a shame.

Old review from 3 years ago:

Truly the best restaurant in Baton Rouge. No where else can you find such intricate and intentional meals. Everything is just so well thought out, while always keeping you hooked to try something new. Love this place.

Original response: Thank you so much for your review! Every word your wrote makes our day to hear. It means so much to us and really appreciate it. We are so happy you decided to give Solera a chance and we can't wait to have you back!

Sincerely, David...

Restaurant Review: Solera – Baton Rouge, LA

Service The overall service at Solera was excellent. The staff was warm and attentive, ensuring a welcoming experience throughout the visit. Morgan, one of the managers, was exceptionally helpful and attentive. Bella, the bartender, was friendly and demonstrated consistent effort in checking in, which added to the overall positive experience. However, the male (possibly front-of-house manager), while not rude or disrespectful, but could improve guest interaction to match the high standard set by the rest of the team.

Ambiance Solera offers a charming, local wine bar atmosphere. The space is relaxed, with music that enhances the ambiance without overwhelming conversation. Live TVs are available for those wanting to catch a game, but the environment remains serene and far from noisy. The large wine selection and comfortable seating further elevate the dining experience, making it an ideal spot for a casual yet refined outing.

Food • Steak and Mahon (7/10): This dish featured a flatbread topped with cheese, steak, and greens. The flavors were enjoyable, but the dish lacked moisture, leaving it slightly dry. A complementary sauce could significantly enhance its appeal. • Fried Cauliflower (7/10): While flavorful, the dish fell short in texture. A lack of crispiness detracted from the overall experience, leaving the cauliflower brittle. A firmer texture would have elevated this plate. • Piquillo Peppers (8/10): This was the standout dish, with a delightful balance of flavors. The combination of sweet honey, mild peppers, and crispy cooked cheese was a treat for the palate.

Overall Solera is a restaurant worth revisiting. While some dishes could benefit from minor adjustments, the menu’s variety and creativity make it an exciting place to explore. Several visually appealing dishes coming out of the kitchen caught my eye, and I look forward to trying them on a return visit. Solera’s inviting ambiance, attentive service, and diverse offerings make it a gem in Baton Rouge’s...

We went to Solera's to try the new menu that we had heard about since they are now open on Sunday for Brunch. The appetizers were on point. We had the Fried Green tomatoes with the spicy crawfish sauce, bacon wrapped dates, and flat bread with shredded Copa. The flat bread was more pronounced than the Copa....meaning a bit more of the meat would have given the 5 star rating on this dish. Over all the appetizers were good. The entrees were all good that were on the brunch menu. We, all 4 of us loved the food. However, the service needs improvement we had a bottle of cava rose , it was cool but needed to be cooler so I asked for a bucket with ice , the server told Me the marble tower would do the job so we didn't say anything more. (It didn't increase the temperature as needed) We decided to order a second bottle to go with our entrees but it was half way through entrée so we asked bartender that was cleaning tables at the time to check on the Rose we had requested. Server began clearing table after brunch but a gentleman distracted her (apparently someone she new) and they appeared to have a discreet disagreement. When she got back on track she redirected attention to us but began desert offerings with items left on table from entrees. The bill was just over $300 and we left $50 instead of the $60 as a tip. Hopefully the management will look into staff efficiency a little better to improve service. The bartender was cleaning tables and assisting wait staff in between. The wait staff (two people) had only a few tables. (5 tables on our arrival and 2 tables upon leaving) -- Will return but for the dinner...