Every time you look around, there's a new pizza restaurant, a beer tavern, or burger place. They're all the rage. The new Real in Solana Beach (right near Carl's Jr. on Lomas Santa Fe) replaces Round Table Pizza, and is so much better. Ron and I recently had a wonderful meal there. We met the owner, Mark Urquhart, who was very interested in hearing our critique of the new restaurant. We were honest, and offered a few suggestions, some of which he had thought about and planned to implement. (small plates may be on the menu soon)
The interior space is warm and inviting, with a large bar area for eating or drinking. They have a very large beer and wine menu, and a happy hour where you can get specialty drinks at a reduced price. The space is well lit, but not too bright, and the music is soft background music. The clientelle on the Wednesday night we were there was a nice mix of old and young. There were numerous tables where three generations were dining together.
Now to the star of the show, the food. Real purchases locally sourced fruit, vegetables, meat and cheese wherever possible. Their gelato (to die for) is purchased from Bottega Italiana in Coronado. They have about a dozen gelato flavors at any one time, and it's a perfect way to end the meal. Real has two pizza ovens. One is a Mugnaini 900 degree wood fired imported Italian oven. The pies made in this oven are hand tossed, about 12-13 inches in diameter, made with organic dough, resulting in a rustic thin crust and unique shape. We did not have this pie, but they range from $13-$20, with lots of great ingredients. We had 16 inceh hand tossed thin crust pizza cooked in a flat top gas brick oven. It was delicious. We had the Mediterranean(mozzarella, provolone, calamata olives, sun dried tomatoes, onion, and red peppers) for $19. Other pies include house made fennel sausage pepperoni, mushrooms and carmelized onions. The crust was thin and crispy, the pizza was salty and delicious. We also tried the Italian inspired caesar salad. It was a mix of several lettuces, including romaine, radicchio,arugula and butter lettuce, in a light caesar dressing, topped with shaved parmesean. They have many delicious sounding salads on the menu, like quinoa with lots of veggies, barley salad with seasonal roasted root vegetables and feta, and prosciutto with arugula, fennel and parmigiano.
If you're not in the mood for pizza, try the Prince Edward Island clams and mussels in white wine garlic broth, or the Lucian calamari with currants, capers, pine nuts in a spicy tomato broth. Of course they also have a burger on the menu.
Lunch is very reasonable, with most main plates around $8-$10. 4cheese lasagna and salad, soup and salad, caprese stacker, meatball sub with smoked provolone, and prosciutto, fig, provolone and watercress panini are just some of the delicious choices. Next time you're looking for a new place in Solana Beach, give Real a try. Food is fresh and delicious, pizzas are thin and satisfying, and the atmosphere is relaxing. Save room for some delicious locally made gelato, too.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Try Real in Solana Beach
Every time you look around, there's a new pizza restaurant, a beer tavern, or burger place. They're all the rage. The new Real in Solana Beach (right near Carl's Jr. on Lomas Santa Fe) replaces Round Table Pizza, and is so much better. Ron and I recently had a wonderful meal there. We met the owner, Mark Urquhart, who was very interested in hearing our critique of the new restaurant. We were honest, and offered a few suggestions, some of which he had thought about and planned to implement. (small plates may be on the menu soon)
The interior space is warm and inviting, with a large bar area for eating or drinking. They have a very large beer and wine menu, and a happy hour where you can get specialty drinks at a reduced price. The space is well lit, but not too bright, and the music is soft background music. The clientelle on the Wednesday night we were there was a nice mix of old and young. There were numerous tables where three generations were dining together.
Now to the star of the show, the food. Real purchases locally sourced fruit, vegetables, meat and cheese wherever possible. Their gelato (to die for) is purchased from Bottega Italiana in Coronado. They have about a dozen gelato flavors at any one time, and it's a perfect way to end the meal. Real has two pizza ovens. One is a Mugnaini 900 degree wood fired imported Italian oven. The pies made in this oven are hand tossed, about 12-13 inches in diameter, made with organic dough, resulting in a rustic thin crust and unique shape. We did not have this pie, but they range from $13-$20, with lots of great ingredients. We had 16 inceh hand tossed thin crust pizza cooked in a flat top gas brick oven. It was delicious. We had the Mediterranean(mozzarella, provolone, calamata olives, sun dried tomatoes, onion, and red peppers) for $19. Other pies include house made fennel sausage pepperoni, mushrooms and carmelized onions. The crust was thin and crispy, the pizza was salty and delicious. We also tried the Italian inspired caesar salad. It was a mix of several lettuces, including romaine, radicchio,arugula and butter lettuce, in a light caesar dressing, topped with shaved parmesean. They have many delicious sounding salads on the menu, like quinoa with lots of veggies, barley salad with seasonal roasted root vegetables and feta, and prosciutto with arugula, fennel and parmigiano.
If you're not in the mood for pizza, try the Prince Edward Island clams and mussels in white wine garlic broth, or the Lucian calamari with currants, capers, pine nuts in a spicy tomato broth. Of course they also have a burger on the menu.
Lunch is very reasonable, with most main plates around $8-$10. 4cheese lasagna and salad, soup and salad, caprese stacker, meatball sub with smoked provolone, and prosciutto, fig, provolone and watercress panini are just some of the delicious choices. Next time you're looking for a new place in Solana Beach, give Real a try. Food is fresh and delicious, pizzas are thin and satisfying, and the atmosphere is relaxing. Save room for some delicious locally made gelato, too.
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