Tastemaker: Carol Wallack

From time to time, mmmChicago asks local “tastemakers” — everyone from bartenders to DJs to shopowners to scenesters — questions about Chicago and their area of expertise. Carol Wallack, a self-professed surfer girl and former chef and coowner of Deleece has set out on her own. sola, at 3868 N. Lincoln Ave., serves American cuisine with Asian and Hawaiian influences. Here, she answers a few questions about her latest endeavor.

Chicago certainly isn’t a hotbed of Hawaiian cuisine—what kind of tastes should diners expect at sola?
We aren’t really Hawaiian (ie: spam or Kalua Pig). My heart is in Hawaii as I live there part-time (being a surfer from California for over 30 years) but I love the foods (fish, vegetable, fruits) that are indigenous. There is a lot of Asian influence there… it’s simple, clean and fresh. We always offer a Hawaiian fish or two that I have flown in 36 hours out, right off the dock.

Is there a must-try dish on the menu?
The “signature” rack of Lamb, the miso cod, the porcini-crusted salmon, the trio of tuna tartars, the artichoke fritters, any Hawaiian fish (Opakapaka, Ono, Onaga)…

What could Chicago’s restaurant scene use more of? Less of?
Less pretention.

When you’re not in your own kitchen, where do you go to dine?
Yoshi, Trio, Sansei (my favorite restaurant on Maui), Penny’s Noodle Shop.

What’s on deck for spring?
More of the same, but different: Contemporary American with Asian influence.