Sol family takes over Szechwan Cafe on California Avenue

Uploaded: May 3, 2016

The Sol family — the owners of Palo Alto Sol in Palo Alto, Vive Sol in Mountain View and Quinto Sol in Redwood City — have taken over a space next-door to their Palo Alto restaurant, with plans to open "one of the most beautiful bars in the area," Hector Sol said Monday.

Sol recently signed the lease for 406 California Ave., the former longtime home of Szechwan Cafe. The Chinese restaurant, which opened more than 20 years ago, suddenly shuttered in late April.

Palo Alto Sol operates right next-door at 408 California Ave. Sol said that while the family's original idea was to expand the restaurant, they're now planning to open a separate bar that will serve Latin-fusion appetizers.

Above: Palo Alto Sol's California Avenue location. Palo Alto Weekly file photo.

The concept is still in the very early stages — there is no name or menu for it yet, Sol said— so stay tuned for more details.

Hector and his wife Helena have long run the Palo Alto and Mountain View Mexican restaurants. They opened the downtown Redwood City location in April 2013. All three restaurants serve Poblana cuisine, or food from the central Mexican city of Puebla.

Palo Alto Sol took home best Mexican restaurant in the Palo Alto Weekly’s 2015 Best Of contest.

Comments

Posted by zoomblocki, a resident of Menlo Park,
on May 3, 2016 at 10:16 am

Kinda not surprised Szechwan Cafe has closed. While the previous and longtime owner, Sam, ran it my husband and I considered it to be the best Chinese restaurant anywhere in the area. A warm greeting, per-
sonal attention, fresh flowers on all tables (there was always one huge
and stunning arrangement there), wonderful atmosphere, unfailingly
fabulous food, AND when time permitted San sat down and played his flute, and played it beautifully ! Ahhh, those were the days.......

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Posted by changing demographics, a resident of College Terrace,
on May 3, 2016 at 5:48 pm

Seems like the Cal Ave merchants are accommodating to the new, younger demographic. On that note, I heard that the stationery store that just closed will be replaced by a fitness center.

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Posted by another, a resident of Palo Alto Hills,
on May 6, 2016 at 1:26 pm

sol isn't the best example of Mexican food, average at best. just another yuppie alcohol bar moves in, yuck...Mexicans catering to American alcohol culture, no bueno.

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Posted by dan gordons, a resident of South of Midtown,
on May 6, 2016 at 1:28 pm

look at dan Gordon's, it looks like a website! colorful screens and seamless design , restaurant as laptop! makes reposado look like 1970's!

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Posted by JSD, a resident of Palo Verde,
on May 7, 2016 at 8:19 am

Zoomblocki, I believe you mean Adam Sun. He and his wife Lily made Szechwan Cafe a very, very special place for our young family and we miss them!

Good luck to Hector and Helena. We've been going to Palo Alto Sol since they opened and wish them the best.

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Posted by whatever, a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park,
on May 7, 2016 at 3:00 pm

Well that's two decent Chines restaurants closed in the Cal Av area in the past several months. Too bad.

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Posted by Sea Reddy, a resident of College Terrace,
on May 10, 2016 at 4:59 am

I miss this place.

They were open late till 4pm for buffet.
When I was super hungry, they had decent Chinese food including ice cream and egg roll for a lunch time buffet for $8.99 during lunch.

Wish the previous owners and staff the best wishes for feeding us for these reasonable prices.

Now, all we need is a new bar and new prices!

Respectfully

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