Sofra, 18 Shepherd Street London, Greater London W1J 7JG.
9/4/12
http://www.sofra.co.uk/sofra_mayfair.htm
She said: We were off to see a movie at the Curzon Mayfair so wanted a nearby lunch spot and since I had a 2-for-1 main course deal at Sofra, we decided to hit this Turkish joint. Sofra sits in the lovely Shepherds Market and though the restaurant is small, it has a warm, smart and intimate feel. On arrival our table contained a charming note introducing our waiter and promising good service (which it was) and we had a lovely table by the window. I enjoyed listening in on a conversation between a couple on an adjacent table where the man was talking about 'his journey in life' while the woman held rosary beads...But that's an aside... The menu has a huge choice. I had trouble deciding. My warm goat cheese salad was a delicious starter and arrived promptly as did the main course of a spicy fish stew which was a compulsive and juicy mix of flavours and tender fish. I really wanted to choose one of the many tempting desserts but was already at full capacity so will have to go back another time when I have spaced-out courses better. Will definitely be returning here - and a second course being free was icing on a perfect cake.
He said: Easter Monday, in a state of sugar-coma and livers groaning from the strain of processing far too much chocolate, we just felt like something light. Food from the Near East is just perfect when you want to feel virtuous -- the produce is generally super fresh, and the food mysteriously light given how flavourful it all is; sometimes it's nice to get away from cream and butter sauces. And it's where our main man Jesus hails from, so a good choice on Resurrection Day. Sofra is an old stand by -- like arguments at Christmas or rain during Wimbledon week -- you always know what to expect. The food will be good, service efficient, the wallet will remain heavy in your pocket, and you will leave happy. Not ecstatic, but happy, which sometimes is all that you should really want. And you know you're going to like it right away, because the owner, Mr Ozer is quoted on the cover: ' if you don't like it, I will eat it myself'. What more can you ask? I kicked things off with a lentil soup, which in Turkey is with red lentils and like a very thin dhal, and one of these very simple dishes that can taste wildly different and hard to get just right without cheating with a ton of salt (which doesn't happen here). I followed with spinach and chick peas stew which deftly avoided the sludge-like fate of most stews: the spinach leaves were whole, the peas kept their bite, and a very delicate tomato-based sauce which allowed the two stars to keep centre stage. There was not a crumb left for Ozer.
9/4/12
http://www.sofra.co.uk/sofra_mayfair.htm
She said: We were off to see a movie at the Curzon Mayfair so wanted a nearby lunch spot and since I had a 2-for-1 main course deal at Sofra, we decided to hit this Turkish joint. Sofra sits in the lovely Shepherds Market and though the restaurant is small, it has a warm, smart and intimate feel. On arrival our table contained a charming note introducing our waiter and promising good service (which it was) and we had a lovely table by the window. I enjoyed listening in on a conversation between a couple on an adjacent table where the man was talking about 'his journey in life' while the woman held rosary beads...But that's an aside... The menu has a huge choice. I had trouble deciding. My warm goat cheese salad was a delicious starter and arrived promptly as did the main course of a spicy fish stew which was a compulsive and juicy mix of flavours and tender fish. I really wanted to choose one of the many tempting desserts but was already at full capacity so will have to go back another time when I have spaced-out courses better. Will definitely be returning here - and a second course being free was icing on a perfect cake.
He said: Easter Monday, in a state of sugar-coma and livers groaning from the strain of processing far too much chocolate, we just felt like something light. Food from the Near East is just perfect when you want to feel virtuous -- the produce is generally super fresh, and the food mysteriously light given how flavourful it all is; sometimes it's nice to get away from cream and butter sauces. And it's where our main man Jesus hails from, so a good choice on Resurrection Day. Sofra is an old stand by -- like arguments at Christmas or rain during Wimbledon week -- you always know what to expect. The food will be good, service efficient, the wallet will remain heavy in your pocket, and you will leave happy. Not ecstatic, but happy, which sometimes is all that you should really want. And you know you're going to like it right away, because the owner, Mr Ozer is quoted on the cover: ' if you don't like it, I will eat it myself'. What more can you ask? I kicked things off with a lentil soup, which in Turkey is with red lentils and like a very thin dhal, and one of these very simple dishes that can taste wildly different and hard to get just right without cheating with a ton of salt (which doesn't happen here). I followed with spinach and chick peas stew which deftly avoided the sludge-like fate of most stews: the spinach leaves were whole, the peas kept their bite, and a very delicate tomato-based sauce which allowed the two stars to keep centre stage. There was not a crumb left for Ozer.
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