03/06/09

Disapointing! Overated! Overpriced!

by dissapointeddiner

The food was overly expensive- and they give you small portions- there's barely any food on the plate. the chicken and lamb were both bland tasting and the service was verrrrrrrry slowwwwww. we will never go back there again!

• Pros: theres valet
• Cons: the food and service was not good

02/16/09

Great ambiance, good food, but the appetizers overshadow the entrees

by TylerMcHenry

I took my wife here for Valentine's day, and while it was not the best restaurant we've ever been to, it was a pleasant and enjoyable evening with very good food. We had reservations just after the restaurant opened for dinner, and so for us, service was well-paced. Service did get progressively slower as the restaurant filled up over the following two hours, but it was never annoyingly slow, even on such a busy night. There was a live piano player (indoors, where we were) and live guitar music outdoors. The volume was perfect to enjoy the music while still being able to have a conversation. Additionally, my wife was given a complimentary rose for the occasion.

The food, for the most part, was excellent. We both ordered lamb entrees and the meat was well-cooked, well-seasoned, and delicious. Strangely, though, the entrees (Souvlaki & Arni Bouti) were very simple dishes compared to the appetizers that Sofi offers. Half of the entrees were rice, which I'm not sure warranted their $25 price tags. The appetizers, on the other hand, were both interesting and delicious. We had the meze appetizer sampler for two, and we enjoyed that even more than our entrees. The Keftedes (spiced beef meatballs) were the highlight of the appetizers. The only item on the appetizer platter we didn't like was the tarama, which tasted like little more than mayonnaise.

We drank the Naoussa '03 greek red wine, which was an absolutely perfect complement to the dishes we had - in fact one the best wines we've had at a restaurant that does not specialize in wine. Finally, for desert shared one of the Galactoboureko (custard in fillo pastry), which was superb.

In short, Sofi has fantastic ambiance, and the food is great, although the entrees might be a bit simple and over-priced compared to their other offerings. Definitely try the appetizers.

• Pros: ambiance, appetizers
• Cons: price

03/01/08

The place is GREAT! Are you KIDDING?

by corfusian

I saw some negative reviews (dated 2006) about this restaurant and could not believe it. I have been there twice so far in 2008, and on each occasion, everything was superb! The ambiance is fabulous, especially on the outdoor patio. The food and service were uniformly stupendous. One diner with me commented that, of all the restaurants she had been to on the continents of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and North America, she liked THIS restaurant the very best! I have nothing but accolades for this restaurant. Please. It doesn't get better than this.

• Pros: Ambiance, food, service
• Cons: none

09/21/06

Good Greek Food but a pain to get to

by calypspoetry

The food here is good but its a pain in the @$$ to get to this restuarant and parking is horrible too

07/24/06

Disapointing

by ccg123

I've been to Sofi twice before and had reasonably good experiences, however, as of last night, I will not be returning any time soon. I made a reservation the day before and upon arriving was told I'd have to wait for a table. I was shocked to see the place so busy, and was actually happy that they had a full house, and didn't mind the 10 minute wait for my table. Service, however, for the rest of the night went downhill from there. We were a party of 3 and we ordered a bottle wine. We finshed that bottle before the appetizers even came out! We waited 1.5 hours for the appetizers!!! Once they fianlly came, we got about half way through when we were presented with the entrees. Their timing was terrible. In addition, water was never refilled without asking, plates weren not cleared unless we handed them over. The waiter was unapologetic. The food itself was also lacking. The Chicken Souvlaki was bone dry and tasteless, as was, I'm told the Sofi Souvlaki. The Mezze platter we ordered as an appetizer was just okay. Sofi has a great reputation in LA but if they don't get their act together soon, that could change. The worst part of the evening, unbeknownst to Sofi Restuarant, was that my guest is an employee for Food & Wine Magazine. The restaurant should be more mindful of their service.

• Pros: Ambience, outdoor terrace for al fresco dining
• Cons: Service, Food

05/01/06

Mediocre food with bad service

by danpappas

I had made reservations 3 days in advance to have dinner with my friends. When arrived, it took forever to get our food. When complained to the waiter, he stated that they had a full house and that the kitchen was slow; apologetically, he said he would not charge us for the soups. However, after 2.5 hours, less than half of us had received our food. As it was getting very late, we asked for the remaining items to be cancelled and receive our check. Unlike what the waiter had stated initially, we were charged for all items. When complained that we were charged even for items not received, we got an attitude from the manager. After almost 3 hours, I left Sofi's hungry and frustrated. I can undisputedly state that in my 30 years of dining in Los Angeles, this was by far my worst experience.

07/31/05

Truly Delish; VERY reasonably priced!!!

by eatinggreatinla

I am not certain why Sofi was rated "$$$" because on all the trips we've made there, it has been very reasonable. I've been to many restaurants in the area; this is by-far the best value. We bring friends and relatives to this little gem whenever we have a get-together. The service is amazing, the vibe relaxed and unpretentious, and the food is delish! The patio area makes you feel as if you've stumbled into someone's secret garden and they invited you in for a fabulous meal! Having Greek family, it is hard to find a place that serves the "real thing". When they come to town, this is the one tried-and-true spot that we've found in the food-utopia of L.A. that does the trick! The Greek-staples, like tzatziki and the baklava, are to-die-for and you cannot go wrong with whatever choice you make for your meal!

• Pros: atmosphere, price, delish food!
• Cons: you have to valet

12/08/04

Delicious!!

by sushilover1970

Authentic, delicious, and very reasonably priced...all in a lovely outdoor tree-covered patio. I recommend going with several appetizers and staying away from the main dishes. It's much more fun! Great service. Armineh is the best.

08/03/04

Linger over rustic Greek cuisine at this authentic taverna--minus the cats, the bouzouki and the tiny chairs.

by Contributor

The Scene
Watch for falling leaves in the sunny patio, which is cocooned from the street in trellises, geraniums and hanging bougainvillea. The more formal, white-walled dining room is equally peaceful, as Sofi rarely fills up, despite its devoted clientele of neighborhood regulars. Just like at a real Greek taverna, service is unimposing and relaxed.

The Food
There aren't any bizarre fusion-fueled concoctions on the menu, just satisfying renditions of traditional Greek favorites, like a big bowl of tangy, pale-yellow avgolemono soup brimming with orzo and tender chicken. Scoop up taramasalata (creamy caviar dip) or tzatziki (garlicky cucumber-yogurt dip) on soft pieces of thick, warm pita. Classics like pastitsio, moussaka and souvlaki are fine, but try the lemon chicken, served with thick-sliced rounds of roasted potatoes that are as addictive as buttered popcorn. Finish with super-fresh rice pudding or fragrant baklava, with walnuts and almonds that aren't drowned in the typical excess honey.

08/18/03

Garden dining

by citycat

They have tables in a very pleasant garden surrounded by tall wooden fence. The service was good. Food was good, but I wouldn't call it delicious.

Appetizers cost around $6-$8. Salads $9 and entrees $15+. They don't have a splitting charge. So if you want to dine on a budget or do not want leftovers then 2 people can share an appetizer and an entree.

Park on one of the side streets.

• Pros: Ambience, Service
• Cons: No parking