Sofra (Covent Garden)

Willkomen, Bienvenu, Welcome! Having just taken in the matinee show of ‘Cabaret’ we decided upon a ‘post’ theatre dinner at Sofra in Covent Garden. Once in the restaurant, we found, to our surprise that we had exchanged the sexually charged decadence of the ‘Kit Kat’ club for the candle lit darkness of Sofra.

We arrived at 6:30 pm. There was a group of 5 of us, and to keep things simple we ordered the Meze (£10.95 per head) and some Turkish white wine, which at about £12 a bottle is very drinkable. We had envisioned a leisurely evening where we could all catch up on each other’s news. But no, the Meze was served up in a blitzkrieg of food and within about 35 minutes the food was ordered, served at the table and devoured. Perhaps they had mistaken us for the pre-theatre crowd?

The food was excellent. All the vegetarian dishes were very good, but in the darkness it was difficult to make out what they were. The barbecued meat on skewers was very tasty.

The waiter came from Kazakhstan. His jaw dropped when we asked for more. This time he brought out Turkish pizza, more meat on skewers, some salad and more Turkish wine. We also had a range of typical Turkish desserts (about £3.50 each), which as you probably know, are very sweet. We ordered a jug of tap water. The jug was brought with alacrity – always a good sign of a decent restaurant.

This time we spun out the food and wine till about 9 pm, by which time I think the restaurant had given up on us.

Mr Ozer, the patron, suggests you will have an average bill of £24; we notched up a bill for £33 per person. Having said that, we all agreed the food and restaurant were well worth it. The restaurant is excellent for pre and post theatre meals; and I think this candle lit restaurant would make a good venue for the romantic diner ‘a deux’, as long as you can slow the kitchen and the waiters down a bit.
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Stephen Blagden
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Thursday, October 04, 2007

I read many good reviews about this restaurant, so decided to go myself. Food was lovely, but service for us left this place a little disappointing.

The waiter kept coming back to take our plates event though it was clear we had not finsihed eating, it was not like they needed the table back - the restaurant was half empty!

Also watch the charges on your bill - the menu clearly stated specials for dinner were £11.95 for a main and a side dish, but we were charged separately which was more.

Lovely place but the service left a sour taste....probably won't be going back in a hurry.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Thursday, September 13, 2007

Visited with my sister and parents on Sat eve (1/9/07). Food was v good, starters really lovely, mains a little on the small side, but more than enough. The house wine was v good, we were ordering a bottle of red and white and decided on an australian, but the waiter said he would get some of the house red and white for us to try. Both were v, v good so we changed our minds. Lots of choice foodwise. Difficult in covent garden to get good food at a reasonable price, Sofra hit the nail on the head. We had a lovely eve and will most definately be going back.
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Sarah
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Monday, September 03, 2007

My boyfriend and I went on 21/06/07 and had a very enjoyable, very tasty meal. I dont live in London but visit quite regularly and a lot of the time end up at Sofra becuse I have always had really nice meals which, if you pick off the set menus, are excellent value for money. When seated you are presented with olives, warm bread and delicious humous and this visit we had three courses each and a bottle of wine for less than £43.00 (including service) I'd certainly recommend Sofra and I have to say I have never had a bad meal. In fact my only gripe is that service is included!
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, June 27, 2007

If you are looking for cheap and quick dinner with friends, this place is perfect. Had the Healthy Meal last night, you get about 10 dishes all for the price of under a tenner! Couldn't fault the service either. Overall, very good.
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MM
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 15, 2007

Visited on a Saturday eve Feb'07.

Good for a inexpensive night out, if you select the right food on the menu, in a nice restaurant in a good location.

Don't go expecting quality food and service.

Nice looking restaurant, white linen table cloths, upstairs atrium area. As we took our seats we were not spoken to at all, just handed a set menu £18.95 for three courses. I didn't think to ask for a different menu, I just assumed this was the only choice. Daft of me, but we were chatting and having a laugh and not thinking. (Having subsequently looked on their web site, this is listed as the Party Menu).

The Mete Platter was good and quite a lot of food. The main courses were not what I expected. I chose the Lamb Tagine. Do not order this unless you like plain, lamb stew. It did not come in an earthernware pot, it was three huge lumps of lamb on a plate, very plain, hardly any veg and the worst couscous I've ever had. My partner had Chicken Shish with chips, which is probably the sort of food it's best to order at this restaurant. Assorted dessert with ice-cream was okay. This consisted of an small portions of various desserts with a scoop of ice-cream in the middle.

Young, Turkish staff do their best, but give the impression of not really wanting to be there. Their Engligh was poor, they didn't seem to know what they were doing and a plate or glassess were dropped somewhere in the restaurant every ten minutes.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Sunday, February 25, 2007

Came across this restaurant by chance. Menu outside seemed to offer good choice and reasonably priced, so went in with the allure of the roof garden on offer. When our party of 6 were seated we were given a piece of paper with a different menu from the one we'd seen outside. This was about £6 more per head for 2 courses (also the choice of food seemed considerably worse). We queried this with the staff and were then given the other (standard) menu. We chose off the 25th anniversary list, and must say that the food was excellent, and service very good. I would particulary recommend a Meze starter, fish main course, and ice-cream desert.
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Graham H
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Monday, September 25, 2006

This restaurant deserves more positive reviews. I have dined her several times

in the last couple of years and every time have been more than pleased with the standard of service, great variety of dishes

and excellent value for money.

Upstairs with the glass roof open gives a real continental atmosphere.
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roy deacon
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, August 20, 2006

I went here on a recent Saturday night with 5 friends - very surprised by all the negative reviews here as I don't feel it has gone down hill at all. The staff were very helpful, the Healthy Menu was delicious as ever, and the room upstairs with its open roof and plants gives you a lovely feel of being outside without many of the disadvantages. we had a very enjoyable, unhurried evening. The only negative I would point out is that the felafal has definitely got worse - it was dry and very unimpressive. Otherwise, great!
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CSL
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, August 10, 2006

We have been here quite often because the food is usually good and always good value.

The service varies from acceptable to really bad as can be gathered from other reviews - bit of a problem if you are in a hurry.

The last time we went we sat next to two staff who were smoking and obviously had decided to take a break even though the restaurant was busy.

I still like the food but will probably not go again for while.
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BL - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, July 26, 2006