solviva — Restaurant in Rancho Palos Verdes

Spa eatery with poolside service at the beautiful Terranea Resort. The atmosphere of the Spa Café is quiet, spa-relaxing with indoor seating, including a small bar. The outdoor space is the real focus of the café, a mixed variety of comfy seating types surrounding a beautiful spa pool with great views of the Pacific. A sign indicates the spa pool is only for spa guests, but we understood that the café serves any walk-in visitor. We ate here three time including indoors table, outdoors table, and poolside, both as a spa guest poolside (fantastic spa facilities) and as a walk-in visitor. The service inside and outside is a small team of hospitality staff who seemed overly busy, usually attentive and efficient, sometimes forgetful, and at least once dismissive—service was really hit or miss. The bagel ‘n’ lox was a generous pile of salmon on a perfectly toasted bagel but lathered with way too much lox (that quantity of lox should have been served on the side). The guacamole and salsa with chips was very fresh and generous—best dish we ate there. The fruit and cheese plate was generous and very good with lots of tastes, but the cheese was served in way-too-large blocks (difficult for plastic utensils) and there were only two cheeses, not three as advertised. All the fruits were great quality. The spa cocktails were good but light on the pour, and the beer was not chilled well. The use of paper plates/bowls, plastic utensils, and plastic cups were not appropriate for the quality of the spa and for the food/drink expectations of a luxury resort. I’d rate the value as low; the prices are too high for the quality of the presentation and service. Overall, the quality of the service, food, and presentation do not match the quality of this exceptional spa and resort; I’d really love to see the Spa Café elevated and believe it could be with an eye on extending the normal Terranea excellence into this...

I spent my birthday dinner with eight friends at Solviva and our experience was definitely memorable. The restaurant was not busy as it was the off season and new. I also wondered if the fact that the “Solviva” gate was locked, had anything to do with lack of customers. I realized the only way in was through the spa. The food was delicious. We had squash and yellowtail for appetizers. The salads were fresh and flavorful. The mushroom curry soup was comforting and healthy. We also enjoyed breakfast of a poached egg and avocado on baked yam. Amazing. I will definitely make this...

If you're at the spa, this is the place to eat, the staff are friendly the food and drinks are good as well and who doesn't love a seaside pool setting after a day of relaxing at the spa?

We shared the chips, salsa and guacamole and the server was happy to replenish the chips when they ran out before the salsa and guacamole. We enjoyed prosecco and one person had a margarita (so they do have a bar but I don't know if it's limited or not).

If you are taking the time to go to the spa, make sure you make some time to enjoy the spa cafe...