Solstice, the highly anticipated, seasonally-driven restaurant concept at The Boardwalk in Irvine is now open. Centrally located at the intersection of Jamboree and Dupont in Irvine, Solstice delivers a thoughtfully prepared menu driven by seasonally curated dishes that spotlight ingredients harvested at the peak of their season sourced from the best growing regions, farms, and producers across the country.
Culinary Director Chef Demetrio Zavala, who also oversees the restaurant’s second location in Newtown, Pennsylvania, is responsible for developing the menu and curating Solstice’s ingredients from around the country. Zavala has competed in and won several Food Network TV competitions, including “Chopped: Grudge Match” and “Chopped: Beat Bobby Flay.” Together with Executive Chef Brittany Valles, the duo will debut a menu rooted in the ancient Ayurvedic philosophy of ritucharya - the discipline of eating with the seasons.
Valles is an Orange County native who most recently was Executive Chef of the Fashion Island Hotel and has worked alongside world-class chefs including Wolfgang Puck and Michael Voltaggio. Leading day-to-day operations alongside Chef Valles is General Manager Katie Pavkov, an Orange County native whose career has taken her to manage territories across the U.S. for rapidly growing concepts like P.F. Changs and Del Frisco’s. Together, the dynamic all-female executive team brings more than 30 years of hospitality management experience to Solstice.
Zavala and Valles combine their culinary acumen and creativity to create a menu of vibrant dishes that play with a juxtaposition of modern, whimsical plating and refined execution. Together, their passion for seasonality and mastery of technique allows the rich complexity of each ingredient to sing. Solstice’s menu changes with each season and is driven by nutrient-rich, micro-seasonal ingredients that showcase the diverse bounties of spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Upon opening, the winter menu at Solstice will feature a selection of Snacks to share, including freshly baked Parker House Rolls with pear slices and cultured ginger butter and Mason Jar Deviled Eggs served alongside house-made toasted focaccia and relish. Hearty Starters include Butternut Squash Soup with salted caramel drizzle, and coffee crumble; and Mussels Rockefeller with bacon lardons, lobster broth, parmesan, and grilled crostini. Flavor-forward Salads like Poached Pear Caprese and Solstice Salad are ingredient-driven, boasting the finest produce picked at the peak of their season. Artisanal pastas are made in-house daily and bring about bold flavors through selections like Poached Lobster Gnocchi and Braised Wagyu Pappardelle. Guests can look forward to individual entrees such as the Pan-Roasted Salmon, Malbec-Braised Wagyu Short Rib, and a veg-forward steak of Celery Root Mignon or indulge in a for-the-table experience with selections like the 32oz Porterhouse.
Led by bar manager Dylan Dinsmore, the libations program at Solstice is based on seasonal, handcrafted cocktails, along with a curated wine list featuring the best bottles and by-the-glass selections from the United States and European winemakers. Elevated Classics will feature twists on traditional cocktails. The juices and syrups used to create the restaurant’s signature cocktails will be made in-house. Large-format punch bowls are also available to share among friends at a table, adding to the restaurant’s social atmosphere.
An extensive Zero-Proof Un-Cocktail selection using vitamin-packed aloe juice as the liquor substitution is also available.
Lunch is served Monday - Friday from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; a limited menu of specially priced food and drinks are offered during Social Hour from 3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.; and dinner is served nightly, beginning at 4 p.m. and until 9 p.m. Sunday - Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Brunch will be offered Sunday from 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Ample validated parking is available on the ground floor of the structure behind the restaurant, and valet service will be available during lunch hours.
Solstice is located at The Boardwalk in Irvine (18555 Jamboree Road) and is open daily.
The Latest from greer's oc
darkroom Pop-Up: Spanish AF
darkroom Pop-Up: Spanish AF
Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025 | 6 p.m.
Click here to reserve your seats
This August, darkroom presents a culinary tribute to Spain—one of the most influential cuisines of the past 20 years. From Ferran Adrià’s groundbreaking work at…
ABT’s ‘Giselle’ Returns to Segerstrom Center This Summer
Segerstrom Center for the Arts welcomes the return of American Ballet Theatre’s Giselle this summer, marking the company’s first Orange County summer engagement in more than 15 years. The beloved classic will be performed five times July 24–27, 2025. Tickets…
Hotel del Coronado Unveils Restored Victorian Building
The iconic Hotel del Coronado has completed the restoration of its legendary Victorian building, marking the final chapter in a $550 million revitalization led by Blackstone Real Estate.
The transformation includes refreshed Victorian guest rooms, updated event spaces—including the historic Crown…
Bardega to Open in Laguna Hills with Bodega-Style Market and Custom Cocktails
Bardega, a new neighborhood bar and market, is set to open in Laguna Hills in late summer 2025. The concept, created by longtime friends and local entrepreneurs Cory Danger and Matt Sharp, blends a laid-back lounge with a chef-driven kitchen,…
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 07.24.25 – darkroom Pop-Up: Spanish AF
- 07.16.25 – ABT’s ‘Giselle’ Returns to Segerstrom Center This Summer
- 07.16.25 – Hotel del Coronado Unveils Restored Victorian Building
- 07.07.25 – Bardega to Open in Laguna Hills with Bodega-Style Market and Custom Cocktails
- 07.04.25 – Fit Bodies by Amanda Marks 15th Anniversary With Pop-Up Celebration
- 07.04.25 – Puesto Debuts Protein-Packed Bowls and Summer Specials
- 06.29.25 – Celebrate the Fourth from Offshore 9’s Rooftop in Huntington Beach
- 06.27.25 – Luciana’s Ristorante in Dana Point Wins 2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
- 06.24.25 – Luxury Designer Pop-Up in Tustin: Up to 90% Off Now Through June 29
- 06.24.25 – Where to Celebrate the Fourth of July in Orange County
- 06.23.25 – New Chapter for Sushi Ii: Acclaimed Chefs Join MICHELIN-Recognized Kitchen
- 06.18.25 – Tender Greens Unveils Seasonal Summer Menu Inspired by Local Harvests
- 06.17.25 – Strickland’s Ice Cream Marks One Year in Costa Mesa
- 06.15.25 – Catalina Museum for Art & History Presents Work by Sonia Romero
- 06.14.25 – RJB Restaurant Group Expands Parlor and Olea Footprints
- 06.14.25 – Jan’s Health Bar Expands to San Diego, Introduces New Smoothies and Summer Menu Favorites
- 06.11.25 – Taste of Japan Brings Food, Culture and Entertainment to Anaheim GardenWalk
- 06.09.25 – Topside Roof Deck Launches Sunday Brunch Club
- 06.09.25 – Ninth Annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival to Celebrate Stories of the Sea
- 06.09.25 – Anaheim Hills Festival to Host Bubble Poppin’ Fun Event June 14
More Daily Doses
- 07.24.25 – Stone Groove Stillhouse Brings World’s First Audio Distillery to Anaheim
- 07.24.25 – Exciting Additions at Anaheim Hills Festival: Egg Tuck, Story Bar + Kitchen, and More!
- 07.21.25 – Gala of the Stars Returns to the Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 07.17.25 – Beats & Brews: Outdoor Concert Series at The District at Tustin Legacy
- 07.12.25 – Studio Mediterranean Debuts at Montage Laguna Beach with Reimagined Coastal Dining Experience
- 07.12.25 – World Taste Returns to Anaheim Packing District July 16
- 07.11.25 – Pacific Waters Spa Introduces Innovative Wellness Therapies at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
- 07.11.25 – Chef Jason Yamaguchi Debuts Konpa Nikkei in Corona del Mar
- 06.30.25 – Sip Into Summer at The District Tustin’s Cocktail Tour
- 06.25.25 – Where to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks in Orange County
- 06.22.25 – Surf & Sand, Laguna Beach Unveils Property-wide Transformation
- 06.17.25 – RELISH Food, Wine and Spirits Experience Debuts in Newport Beach June 27-29
- 06.15.25 – Sweetgreen Welcomes 5th O.C. Restaurant To Laguna Niguel
- 06.15.25 – Casa de Onda Brings Modern Mexican Fusion and Coastal Cool to Triangle Square
- 06.10.25 – Step inside California Kinship at Langson IMCA
- 06.09.25 – E-Commerce Favorite Dressin Launches First OC Store
- 06.03.25 – Hilbert Museum and Pageant of the Masters Partner for 2025 Celebration of California Art
- 06.02.25 – Anaheim’s World Taste Serves Up Culture and Cuisine
- 06.02.25 – Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO in Laguna Hills – Free Kids Tickets This Week
- 05.26.25 – Chef Jason Yamaguchi to Debut Konpa Nikkei in Corona del Mar This Summer