January 4, 2004
Sol Kitchen Opens in Delray Beach
Delray Beach, FL -- Sol Kitchen, a Delray Beach restaurant which celebrates the cultural diversity of Floridian, Latino and American Tex/Mex cooking traditions, is now open. Located directly across from historic Old School Square at 4 East Atlantic Avenue, Sol Kitchen is the second downtown establishment created by the team behind the award- winning 32 East.
Principals in Straub Management, Inc., originators of Sol Kitchen and 32 East, include Barbara Straub, Gwen Gove, Stewart Hall, Chef/Partner Nick Morfogen and Butch Johnson. Ryan Brown, formerly Chef d’ Cuisine at 32 East, and now top toque at Sol Kitchen, developed the menu, along with Morfogen.
Great tasting food reigns and regional candor is an essential ingredient. If t is fresh and flavorful, and thrives in the sun, it is a candidate for this kitchen’s menu. Utilizing time-honored techniques and seasonal products, the menu displays innovative variations on classics as well as many new, inspired dishes, while remaining true to its core themes.
Menu highlights include Cervesa Steamed Clams with Texas Toast and Chipoltle Mayo;
Fundita of Chorizo and Queso Fresco with Warm Tortillas; Romaine, Avocado & Gulf Shrimp
Salad with Cilantro – Lime Vinaigrette; Seared Chili Lamb Salad with Arugula, Manchego and
Artichokes; Loaded Fish Taco with Shredded Cabbage, Tomato and Lime; Caribbean Lobster Club with Avocado and Chile Spiked Mayo; Hickory Smoked Baby Backs with Baked Beans, Corn on the Cob, Honey Baked Black Beans and Golden Apple Slaw; Mixed Fry of Texas Redfish, Potatoes and Onion Rings with Serrano Chili Tarter Sauce and Pallomilla Steak with Mojo Smothered Onions, Cubano Rice and Beans. Desserts include Smuggler’s Rum Cake, Cuban Coffee Flan, “Garcia Grinder” (two double chocolate chip cookies filled with Cherry Garcia ice cream ) and Peanut Butter Cup, Mint Chocolate Cookie and “Everything but the Kitchen Sink” ice cream.
The vibrant, 90-seat, color-drenched corner restaurant offers guests indoor-outdoor seating options set in a relaxed, yet stylish atmosphere. In creating the design concept for Sol Kitchen, artist Kim Ray Krupnick and architect Michael Krupnick searched first for the “soul” in the sunny regions that are the inspiration for the restaurant’s innovative yet unpretentious cuisine. Based in history and tradition, comfortable, weathered themes from Old Florida, the American Southwest, Mexico, and the Caribbean, all came into play as they conceived the plan, yet they brought a contemporary, stimulating edge to the finished space.
A key to the Krupnick’s sourcing of materials was their vision of authenticity…hand- crafted
fabrics, vibrant colors that sing, and an artist’s hand visible in almost every design element, from the light fixtures to the ceiling panels. One hundred-year-old, reclaimed Dade County pine was selected for the flooring , setting a warm tone.
Two oversized, 4’ by 6’, Michael Eastman photos are hung on the dominant wall. Titled
“Isabella’s Two cCairs” and “Three Fans”, the Cuban lifestyle photos are evocative, framing the mood. And casting a wry glance over the dining room is the distinctive likeness of Mexican artist Frieda Khalo, whose life-size image is painted on a bead curtain at the Back of the restaurant.
A tempting aspect of Sol Kitchen is its dynamic, full-service bar which specializes in exotic
cocktails, a vast array of tequilas and margaritas, a thoughtful wine list which compliments the food, sangria, and a variety of imported and domestic beer. Also in the spotlight is an intriguing array of non-alcoholic drinks, such as Reggae style colas, champagne cola; pineapple , fruit punch , grapefruit and crème sodas, and spicy Jamaican ginger beer, as well as house made fresh lemonade, orangeade and limeade by the glass or pitcher and a variety of iced teas. Specialty coffees include Cuban coffee, Café con Leche, Cappuccino, Latte and Espresso.
Sol Kitchen is open Monday – Friday for lunch from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm; Sunday – Thursday for dinner from 5:00 – 10:30 pm and Friday – Saturday for dinner from 5:00 pm – 11:30 pm. The price points for both lunch and dinner are in the moderate range. For information and reservations please call 561-921-0201 or visit the website at www.solkitchenrestaurant.com
Public Relations Contact: Carla Marsh
(561) 368-4421
carlam@solkitchenrestaurant.com