Soleto is an independent Italian and Mediterranean restaurant at 11 Commercial Road in Southampton, directly opposite the Mayflower Theatre. George Jiojioras cooks while co-owner Dominika looks after the dining room, maintaining the personal family style with which they opened the restaurant in 2017.
The kitchen combines George's Greek background with his Italian training. Pasta is rolled by hand, seafood is bought fresh for service, and the blackboard changes with what the market provides rather than forcing every ingredient into a fixed menu.
Whole lobster with garlic butter, seared scallops and pappardelle with slow cooked beef show the menu's central themes of seafood, pasta and direct Mediterranean flavours. Seasonal vegetables, sauces and house desserts round out an experience built around freshly prepared dishes.
Pre-theatre tables are paced around the nearby Mayflower curtain time, while later reservations can settle into a longer evening. Guests with allergies should tell the team when booking and again before ordering because specials and market ingredients change regularly.
Address: 11 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1GF, England
Soleto Menu
Pane e Olive
Bread and Butter
Balsamic vinegar and olive oil
Mixed Olives
Marinated Italian olives
Garlic Ciabatta
Toasted with garlic butter
Bruschetta
Toasted ciabatta, fresh tomato, onions, basil and olive oil
Baked Camembert
Celery, garlic, rosemary, chutney and ciabatta
Antipasti
Affettato Misto
Selection of fine Italian cured meats, olives, gherkins, Grana Padano and toasted ciabatta
Fresh Calamari
Deep fried squid rings with lemon-mustard mayo
Risotto Fungi
Risotto with cream and Parmesan
Burrata
San Marzano tomatoes, basil, pesto, olive oil and toasted ciabatta
Capesante
Seared scallops, guanciale and creamy whole-grain mustard
Gamberone Saganaki
King prawns gratin with feta, tomato, olive oil and ciabatta
Mains
Bistecca, Rib-Eye Steak
10oz rib-eye, French fries, rocket salad and peppercorn sauce
Salmone
Pan-roasted fresh salmon, mashed potato, roasted vegetables with creamy wholegrain mustard and pink peppercorn sauce
Saltimbocca
Veal escalopes with Parma ham, sage, butter and white wine sauce, served with crushed potatoes and vegetables
Pollo Soleto
Pan-roasted chicken breast topped with Parma ham and Taleggio cheese, creamy whole-grain mustard sauce, served with sautée potatoes and vegetables
Pasta e Risotto
Pappardelle Ragu
Classic Bolognese
Spaghetti Carbonara
Egg, guanciale, a touch of cream and Pecorino
Ravioli Fungi
Mushroom ravioli with creamy leek and pine-nut pesto sauce
Rigatoni Chorizo
Chorizo, tomato, garlic and chilli
Risotto Porcini
Wild mushroom, shallots and cream, topped with rocket
Linguini Frutti di Mare
Salmon, prawns, mussels and calamari in tomato and garlic sauce
Contorni
Mashed Potato
Sautée Potato
French Fries
Mixed Salad
Green Beans
Rocket and Parmesan
From the Board
Changes daily & by season. Prices and dishes vary, subject to market availability.
Fresh Mussels Marinière
King Prawns Linguine
Garlic, chilli, olive oil
Risotto with Mix Seafood
½ Lobster Linguine
16oz Veal T-Bone
Red wine jus, mash and veg
8oz Fillet Steak
Fries, rocket, peppercorn sauce
Spaghetti Polpette
Meatballs
Fillet of Seabass
Creamy prawn sauce
Crab Linguine
Garlic, chilli
Pappardelle Salmon
Tomato, cream and basil
Calves' Liver
Veg and mash potatoes
Pappardelle Leeks
Mushrooms and cream