Solex
New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 777-6677
- Cross Street:
- Between 6th Street and 7th Street
- Directions:
- 6 at Astor Pl
- Hours:
- Daily 6pm-2am
Editorial Review for Solex – by Lucy Cohen Blatter
In Short
Despite its exclusive-looking exterior, there's no need to be on a list to gain access to this warm and intimate wine bar. The menu's focus is on the lesser-known wine-producing regions of France, but the prices stick to the reasonable range ($8-$14 for a glass), which should help ease the shock of an East Village bar where neither hipsters nor cans of PBR are on the menu. If the romantic, modern and minimalist aesthetic--vaulted backlit Plexiglas ceiling, long steel bar, brick walls--feels familiar, it's because you may have seen it before: Owner Frederick Twomey also owns wine havens Bar Veloce and Bar Carrera.
Hits: Thanks to its hip locale, modern ambiance, unique wine selection and exceptional pastry-based menu, customers feel trendy, chic, cultured and satiated for a reasonable price.
Misses: The intimate atmosphere and abundance of six-top tables make it perfect for catching up with a group of friends, but mingling is minimal.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Food ServedSample a variety of savory and sweet small plates conceived by Eric Hubert, former pastry chef at Jean Georges.
Know Before You GoIn an effort to encourage neighborhood walk-ins, Solex doesn't accept reservations.
Fun FactSolex is the name of a French moped manufacturer.
User Reviews for Solex
08/05/2008 Posted by stevezito
Avoid at all cost. Do they know the east village in full of working people? Judging by the prices, i think not. This place would do well on Park Ave, where people can afford $15 for 3oz's of wine. Escargots so oily that it wasn't even edible. Older French bartender seemed annoyed because the place was empty. Hello be nice to the guests you have...In a neighborhood full of great wine bars (barcarrara,2nd ave) don't waste your palate on this one. By reading this i just saved you a bad experience.
Pros: atmosphere
Cons: pours, pricing, food quality
05/15/2008 Posted by ellspence
a friend of mine and i popped in here randomly when we had semi-plans with a group of friends a couple blocks away. we decided to stay. the food was delicious and our bartender paired us with a wine in our price range that was perfect. we were both surprised at how pleased we were with the bottle since we have tastes that tend to run opposite but somehow our host (Yann) was able to solve the quandry. everyone working there was pleasant despite being somewhat busy. in addition the food was well made, tasty and the portions were right on considering the food was very rich. I had been testing a couple of wines bar recently and this one was easily my favorite. the best thing about it was the fact that the outside was deceptively plain compared to the lovely indirect lighting and general layout. in conclusion i was back there less than a week later for my birthday. (btw the wine pour was what a wine pour is supposed to be..unless you are a hummer-toting-big-mac-type)
Pros: service, ambiance, food
Cons: it might get busy if people catch on
