Sofra (Covent Garden)

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

We're giving up Sofra for good. They seem to have lost most of their experienced staff. They also seem to have appointed a new management with little charm and even less concern for customers.

We were customers at Sofra Covent Garden for 7 years. We liked going there after the theatre or opera - the food was always quite good and we've had some very attentive service. But we've now been refused a table twice in the late evening. Once was at 10.30 and once (last Weds.) was at 10.45 when we'd got soaking wet getting to the restaurant. On both occasions, the management was unobliging to the point of rudeness. The first time, they just told us rather brusquely that they were closed, the second time they said that the kitchen was closed. There are often diners there as late as 11.30, and it's clear that the true reason was that they just couldn't be bothered to stay open because the restaurant wasn't busy enough.

If that's how they treat their regular customers, so be it. We've stayed loyal to Sofra despite the unimpressive and over-priced wine list, despite price increases and despite a big decline in the service on our last two visits. But now we have to draw the line.

If a restaurant doesn't have the professional commitment to stay open on a wet evening, then it might just as well admit it's a caff. It also shows a strong lack of business sense - there were about 800 people who came out at the same time as us, quite a few in search of food. I suppose many of them must have had a bad experience here in the past and decided that the plcce couldn't be relied upon to stick to its advertised opening times (Monday - Sunday 12 am to midnight, if you believe their website).
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Dr John Field
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 4
Saturday, May 27, 2006

Dined at this branch of Sofra last night, knew what to expect foodwise having dined at a different branch before but the service was terrible. When we were seated it took over 15 mins for someone to come and take a drinks order, at one point we resorted to actually waving our hands in the air to get the waiters attention - at this time 2 waiters were clearing a nearby table of 4, does it really take 2 people! - the 'Manager' noticed us from the front of the restaurant and had to come and alert their attention to us. He bought us a complimentary glass of sparkly wine each which was a nice touch but the service did not improve as the night went on, with us having to literally wave our hands in the air to get someone to come to our table, even when we wanted to pay. Nice food and quite reasonable but the service was BAD last night and I resent the automatic 12.5% service charge (although being English I paid it!!)
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Annie
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, April 12, 2006

I was first taken to this restaurant by a friend with my partner and 2 teenagers. As I had never eaten Turkish food before, I left it to my more more experienced friend to do the ordering. We started with the meze course which consisted of about 8-10 different dishes - all very tasty and enjoyable, without being unduly spicy or strong, and a good way of trying out new untried dishes. I have to agree with previous reviewers comments, that to dine here without ordering starters first, you would be cheating yourself! For my main course I tried the chicken and lamb and it was cooked to perfection. Best of all way the excellent icecream to finish - best icecream I have ever tasted - superb. All in all our visit to this restaurant was very enjoyable and I would certainly go there again and recommend it to friends.
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Pamela Vernon
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Sunday, February 05, 2006

Been there twice recently. First time the food was good but the service was terrible. Returned because I enjoyed the food so much the first time around. 2nd time around food was just ok. Starter was barely warm. Service was appalling. We asked for a smoking table and were seated upstairs in a plane old room which totally lacks atmosphere. We were seated beside (practically on top of) a couple who were told they were in the non-smoking section. Our main course took absolutely ages to be served. The uneven flooring caused the table to rock throughout the meal and even worse, I accidentally stepped on the large base on my return from the bathroom, and caused two glasses of red wine to spill all over the table. Unfortunate maybe...but overall not a pleasant dining experience. Certainly will not be back.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 2
Monday, January 30, 2006

I have been to this restaurant a few times have over the past few years and have been impressed with the food and it is a safe bet to take a group of friends or if going as a couple.

The starters are particularly good. If you miss out of the starters and go for the main meal, then you have missed most of the best bits. I recommend the "Taboulagh" and Calamares.

They used to do the eleven Meze for £9 (or similar), but they have changed that.

I bought 4 friends and they were all very happy. The bill came to £17 inc tip per head. They said it was expensive but well worth it!
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, December 07, 2005