Restaurant
Unclaimed profileThe Sole Proprietor
Worcester, MA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Sole Proprietor pairs a seafood-focused kitchen with a serious beverage operation. The wine list spans affordable glasses to Opus One and Dom Perignon, and the cocktails menu covers classics and house inventions. A separate mocktail section and a thoughtful draught list round out a program that rewards exploration.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Ultimate Margarita, built with Calirosa Rosa Blanco tequila, Grand Marnier, Cointreau, orange juice, and lime. For wine, the Rombauer Chardonnay by the glass offers a well-known Carneros expression. If sharing, the Sole Bowl for two delivers.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Wine enthusiasts will appreciate the range from $11 glasses to a $399 Opus One. Cocktail drinkers have a dedicated Premium Cocktails list with inventive options like Talk to Me Goose. Beer fans can explore local and craft draughts. Non-drinkers are covered with a full mocktail section.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $14-$15, with shareable bowls at $26 for two. Wines by the glass start at $11 and bottles from $40 to $399. Beers are $8-$10, and mocktails are $10.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The beverage program is anchored by an award-winning wine list that includes vertical depth and rare bottles like Opus One and Dom Perignon. Specialty wine dinners, such as a Champagne & Oyster Dinner, are part of the calendar. Cocktails like the Talk to Me Goose show a willingness to go beyond the expected.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A Premium Cocktails section lists ten drinks, including classic and house specialties. Prices are uniform and moderate. The menu offers variety with options like an Espresso Martini with choice of dark or light, and several rum-based tiki-style drinks.
Menu strengths
- — A broad list of ten cocktails spans classics and originals, giving clear options for different tastes.
- — House specialties like the Flirtini and Dave's Mai Tai show creativity with layered ingredients.
- — Shareable formats for the Sole Bowl and Red Sangria make group ordering easy.
Standout selections
- — Ultimate Margarita: Calirosa Rosa Blanco tequila, Grand Marnier, Cointreau, orange juice, lime.
- — Talk to Me Goose: Elijah Craig Bourbon with elderflower liqueur and bitters.
- — Dave's Mai Tai: Bacardi and Gosling's dark rum with almond liqueur and crème de noyaux.
Pricing: $14-$15; shareable bowls $26 for two
Wine
An extensive, award-winning wine list offers depth across varietals and price points, from a $11 glass of Chalk Hill Chardonnay to a $399 Opus One. Half bottles add flexibility. Specialty wine dinners pair food and wine regularly.
Menu strengths
- — Award-winning wine list with a wide varietal range, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and sparkling.
- — Multiple serving formats: by the glass, half bottle, and full bottle, accommodating different party sizes.
- — Hosts specialty wine dinners, such as a Champagne & Oyster Dinner, showing an active wine program.
Standout selections
- — Opus One, Napa 2022, RP 99 – $399 bottle for a special occasion.
- — Rombauer Chardonnay, Carneros 2024 – $68 bottle or $17 glass.
- — Dom Perignon 2015 – $340 bottle for a celebratory pour.
Pricing: Glasses $11-$21; bottles $40-$399; half bottles $24-$50
Beer
A focused beer list includes draught and craft options, from local IPAs like Blue Comet to a peanut butter milk stout. Prices are consistent and reasonable. The selection covers common styles with some interesting craft picks.
Menu strengths
- — Includes local and regional craft beers such as Widowmaker's Blue Comet IPA and Greater Good's Pulp Daddy.
- — Balanced selection with standard draughts like Guinness alongside craft choices like Allagash White.
- — Clear ABV and serving sizes listed for each beer, aiding selection.
Standout selections
- — Blue Comet IPA by Widowmaker – 7.1% ABV, $9.
- — Gunner's Daughter Peanut Butter Milk Stout – 5.5% ABV, $8.
- — Pulp Daddy by Greater Good – 8% ABV, 13 oz., $10.
Pricing: $8-$10
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated Mocktails & Non-Alcoholic Beer section offers three creative mocktails and two non-alcoholic beers. The mocktails use sophisticated ingredients like fig puree, elderflower tonic, and smoked tea, going beyond simple soda.
Menu strengths
- — Three mocktails with layered flavor profiles, such as Low Octane with jalapeño and smoked tea.
- — Includes non-alcoholic beers from Athletic Brewing and Sam Adams, providing familiar options.
- — Priced competitively with beers and lower than cocktails, making them an accessible choice.
Standout selections
- — Faux Fizz: Fig puree, maple, lemon, spices, ginger beer.
- — Low Octane: Mango and passionfruit puree, lime, jalapeño, smoked tea.
Pricing: Mocktails $10; NA beers $7
Spirits
The spirits program is evidenced through cocktail ingredients, including Calirosa Rosa Blanco tequila, Bacardi rum, Gosling's dark rum, Elijah Craig Bourbon, and St. George Terroir Gin. No standalone spirits list is detailed, but the selection supports a range of cocktails.
Menu strengths
- — Uses recognizable premium spirits like Elijah Craig Bourbon in cocktails.
- — Incorporates a variety of base spirits—tequila, rum, gin, bourbon—across the cocktail menu.
Standout selections
- — Specific spirits mentioned include Calirosa Rosa Blanco tequila, Bacardi rum, Gosling's dark rum, Captain Morgan, St. George Terroir Gin, Elijah Craig Bourbon, and Tuaca.
- — Calirosa Rosa Blanco tequila is featured in the Ultimate Margarita.
Pricing: Not listed separately
How it sits with the food
For richer dishes, the Belle Glos Pinot Noir or Duckhorn Merlot offer red options. The upcoming Champagne & Oyster Dinner directly pairs bubbles with shellfish.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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