Sophia's Bistro - Johannesburg

The food is amazing. The baked camembert is absolutely devine. The host is very friendly. The ambiance has a subtle sophistication. I will definitely go back.

We have frequented Sophia's for years and never been disappointed. Friendly and very good service is standard with an excellent food experience. Always a treat to visit Sophia's

Last night was my second visit to Sophia’s Bistro. My companions included a Capetonian food and wine aficionado, a maverick with specific dietary requirements and a classic (easy dinner guest who surprises with very specific but basic requirements. Our foray into one of Jozi’s culinary gems did not disappoint.<br/ <br/ We started off with Calamari Heads Fritti, Saganaki and a French Onion Soup. The Saganaki was served with commercial sweet chilli sauce, but before the second bite, owner Simon arrived at the table with his own chilli sauce. Please Simon, serve the commercial stuff on the side (if you have to! , but deliver the dish with your delicious homemade, medium hot, flavourful sauce. The French Onion Soup was amazing. Our Cape Town foodie friend stole more than one sample from my bowl! It was a rare discovery, to find a true French Onion Soup, a purist’s pleasure – in Jozi. The Cape Town foodies’ choice, the Calamari Heads Fritti, will be my first choice starter for my next visit to Sophia’s.<br/ <br/ Scottish Salmon with Salsa Verde, Veal Marsala, Moussaka and the Drunken Pork were great main course choices for everyone at the table. The Moussaka had a melange of flavours with a delightful spicy twist. The Drunken Pork was cooked to perfection, the stuffing was good and the exotic mushrooms were divine, but the red wine sauce lacked something to uplift the dish. Our Capetonian’s Veal Masala returned a clean plate before it could be shared while the polenta-crusted grilled salmon melted in the mouth. Our waiter(s failed to detail the veggies of the day, and two of the party would have not selected pumpkin, although the spinach was fabulous – please Sophia’s, rather prepare diners for the vegetable selection.<br/ <br/ The Chocolate Pudding from the ‘specials’ menu was misrepresented. All of us heard the chocolate sponge was served with caramel sauce. A chocolaty and slightly chewy sponge was served, disappointingly, with custard. Sofia’s Tiramisu is wonderfully light, has a slight acidity that breaks the heaviness, and a definite yes! A perfect finish to a meal.<br/ <br/ I only looked at the red wines: the more affordable wines are disappointing for a bistro of this quality. The mid- to top-end reds are well priced and do not disappoint. The staff are well-trained and offer a new tasting glass for a new bottle of the same label which I really appreciated. Pouring skills of one waiter left a little to be desired with only a few drops on the crisp white linen! <br/ <br/ The waiters are very attentive without being intrusive and work seamlessly as a team – our waiter was never compromised: a waiter was on hand whenever we needed attention, including Simon topping up our glasses. The waiting staff has an in depth knowledge of the menu and clearly a taste appreciation of what is on offer. <br/ <br/ Our Cape Town foodie was spoiled for choice between her favourite cuisines, Italian and Greek, the maverick vacillated between three different menu items, and was not disappointed, our [easy] guest found soul food. <br/ <br/ And I have found a bistro to come home to ...

I had a lovely birthday dinner here. It had the nostalgic ambience of a restaurant from my youth....starched white table clothes, properly laid places, with the type of traditional menu one would associate with that era too. My kingclip was tasty and my partner enjoyed his lamb dish although he felt it could have been tenderer. The complimentary birthday tiramisu was a real highlight! Excellent service too.

A sweet little Italian restaurant offering a selection of pizzas, pastas and other Italian dishes in Illovo Square. We shared their ‘signature’ seafood soup which was tasty but nothing outstanding. I had the calamari off the ’95’ menu and friend had veal. I found my meal very underwhelming and wouldn’t recommend it. Service was friendly and we enjoyed the atmosphere. I will return to try something else but not in a rush.