Harden's says
Tim Allen is a chef with a fine CV and the name (if strangely spelt) hints at the intention of his new 40-seater on the site of The Seafood Pub Company’s Wine Bar (RIP). It’s another reason to visit this increasingly foodie corner of Lancashire, which has Moor Hall just down the road.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“At a mere (…cough) £100 for 6 courses, the more wallet-friendly Michelin-starred alternative in Aughton, Solo offers less of an amazing experience, but still a bloody good one” compared with Moor Hall down the road. Chef-patron Tim Allen has a strong CV and opened here in late 2021 in his first ‘so-lo’ venture. “He’s a very accomplished chef – you always get exceptional cooking – and very nice with it” which, via the open kitchen, helps infuse the relatively simple interior with good vibes. Top Menu Tip – “Halibut is far from my favourite fish, but here it’s a shining example of how good it can be when handled by a top chef. Served with a wild garlic crumb, pickled shimeji and a vin jaune foam. A nicely cooked slice of duck breast came with preserved blackberries, a quenelle of pureed, caramelised cauliflower, and an excellent little roulade of hispi cabbage studded with morteau sausage. Great desserts: a blood orange granita, on top of a vanilla panna cotta, with shards of saffron meringue and rather otiose (but excellent) milk ice cream. Then a sort of apple financier-ish cake, topped with a remarkable aerated honey cream/mousse that rounded things off beautifully”.
Summary
“Superb food every time”, say early converts to high-flying chef Tim Allen (ex-Launceston Place, Wild Rabbit, Flitch of Bacon)’s first venture as chef-patron, a “former Seafood Pub Company outpost” that he opened in late 2021 down the road from superstar Moor Hall. “The cuisine is terrific with a few interesting surprises thrown in” – and “with just Tim Allen and one other in the open kitchen – a model of calmness – it’s all the more remarkable how good and refined the cooking is. There’s a very light touch and freshness to it all that’s just delightful”. “The pricing at Moor Hall (while never not worth it) has always put it into a rare treat category… the arrival of this place is approaching an epiphany of more affordable fine dining!”
Summary
“Opened in late 2021, we visited on only their second night open, but the cooking was faultless and we're looking forward to going back at the earliest opportunity” – Tim Allen’s year-old operation may not yet attract quite the same volume of feedback as Moor Hall, just down the road, but his 40-seater is highly rated by its small fanclub. In the evening, the format is a 6-course tasting menu for £75 – lunch is a more conventional (and cheaper) £35 for three courses.
Summary
Tim Allen is a chef with a fine CV and the name (if strangely spelt) hints at the intention of his new 40 seater (with a similar number of seats outside) on the site of The Seafood Pub Company’s Wine Bar (RIP). Having arrived in July 2021, it’s another reason to visit this increasingly foodie corner of Lancashire, which has Moor Hall just down the road.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at So-lo?
17 Town Green Lane, Aughton, L39 6SE
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £45.00 |  |
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| SundayLunch | £56.00 | |
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| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 98.00 | 6 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
17 Town Green Lane, Aughton, L39 6SE
Opening hours
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