San Diego Reader

• Restaurant

Solace & the Moonlight Lounge

• 25 East E Street, Encinitas, CA 92024 | Directions
• 760-753-2433
• http://www.eatatsolace.com/

Grey Goose, Beefeater, Captain Morgan — who needs ’em. Not Solace, the Encinitas spin-off of North Park’s popular Urban Solace. The cocktails here follow owners Matt and Young-Mi Gordon’s all-things all-natural ethos — artisanal-organic spirits versus big-label booze. The flavors in Fair, a quinoa-based vodka made in France’s Cognac region, and High West, the world’s only oaked vodka, make a compelling case for going clear. Meanwhile, rums and brandies from L.A.’s GreenBar and port-cask-aged whiskey from Oregon’s Big Bottom brighten up the dark side. The unique, lesser-seen spirits make a cocktail list 20-plus deep that delivers distinctive taste profiles. Even a line of skinny cocktails (created in collaboration with local mixmaster Adam Stemmler) delivers despite 130 measly calories. The Jasmine Sour, Celery Elixir, and the Receipt (a rosemary-spiked tequila tipple) all make great palate cleansers for fresh oysters or an herbaceous pseudo-ceviche of yellowtail enjoyed on Solace’s second-floor indoor-outdoor bar.

— Brandon Hernández