SOLITA have confirmed a July 1 opening for their New York Inspired Steakhouse in the lovely Barton Arcade. What seemed a radical departure for Franco Sotgiu’s dirty food empire starts to look like a natural progression. Charcoal ovens are the forte of the ‘Inka King’ – he was busy rustling up steaks on his Inka stand at the recent Northern Restaurant Bar show.
For a while the successor to three current Solitas (South Of Little Italy) in the Northern Quarter, Didsbury and Prestwich, remained nameless despite but after three months of pondering, two meaty reccies in New York, it’s now officially Solita Steakhouse.
The name reflects what the restaurant will specialise in…cooking steaks, but with a nod to the brand’s Little Italy heritage diners can expect to see some classic Italian and New York influences amongst the sides and starters.
Franco Sotgiu, co-owner said; “Solita Steakhouse is a grown-up version of our other Solita sites. Much like us the Barton Arcade has grown up with its recent new openings (Lunya, Be At One) and this summer we believe it’s set to become one of the city’s hot spots.
“It’s a beautiful building and we’re planning to bring it back to life with three lovingly restored floors offering an unbeatable drinking and dining experience.
“Having visited a few steakhouses in the name of research, what really stands out for me is the glamour and quality of the experience for diners. It’s not just about having a great steak, its about having a top night out whatever the occasion.”
The ground floor is a small cocktail and casual dining bar, the basement (pictured below) will feature a stunning New York Style steakhouse and the sub basement, which has lain derelict for over 50 years, will become a bar and private dining space. All meat will be agedin a two storey glass fronted meat ageing room – a first for the UK.
The planned opening date for Solita Steakhouse is July 1. For details of soft opening and launch follow @SolitaSteak. The image is of the steak store at Gallagher’s in New York, one of Solita’s inspirations.
