Brian Soloway, beloved Del Frisco’s and Nick & Sam’s sommelier, has passed away

A couple of days ago, EscapeHatch reader Laurie Hodges left this message in the comments section of a post about former Del Frisco’s sommelier Brian Soloway:

“Brian Soloway really has “left the building”. He passed away on New Years Eve from complications from heart surgery. I haven’t been able to find an obituary so far. Brian was loved by all that knew him. Diners loved his friendly, discreet manners. He was revered in the wine industry as a professional that knew his wines and treated everyone with respect. Rest in peace Brian. You will be missed.”

Brian was a hell of a guy, a kind, soft-spoken, unassuming man who brought grace and humility to his role as a sommelier well before being a somm was cool. He could read his customers like a book, certainly well enough to know if he should wow then with an inexpensive surprise, stick with what they’d ordered, or present them with a bottle even better than they’d requested.

I lost touch with Brian but never forgot how he made meals at Del Frisco’s feel special. Even when Dee Lincoln wasn’t there.

In a follow-up email today, Hodges added that Soloway’s wife Wendy passed away in October. They had been married for over 40 years.

A memorial service for Soloway will be held at Saint Barnabus Episcopal Church, 1200 N. Shiloh, in Garland on  Monday January 27 at 11:00 a.m.