Reviews Sofreh

5
Christopher Brock
+5
This wasn't just a meal. It was a whole adventure through one of the most incredible dining experiences I have had this year. I have dined at some exceptional restaurants this year in Philly, Fort Lauderdale, and NYC and I am having a tough time finding another restaurant that comes close to my experience at Sofreh. From the suggestions and guidance from our knowledgeable server to watching the executive chef finish performing last touches to the plates before offering them for service. What made the experience even better is that the staff, front of house and back of house, seemed like family which gave patrons an energy that matched the cuisine. But back to the kitchen as I was lucky enough to watch them work...I watched four people in the kitchen work in a tight space as if choreographed as they created magical dishes and flavors. The joy on the faces of the artists in the kitchen told me it was going to be a great experience because they were having a good time. It is rare to come across a place like this, with a front and back of house that made me want to put on an apron and go back to my days in a restaurant, Sofreh made me want to do just that. Today, most restaurants are chaotic without a sense of organization and the food suffers because of it - not at Sofreh. I will be back many times and intend to eat everything on the menu in the next few months. Also, the young crowd understands this is the spot and now I understand why it takes so long to get a reservation...we were some of the older people there but I stand undeterred. My generation needs to get out here and experience this amazing staff and this incomparable menu. Thank you all for a wonderful experience.
5
Andrew Dabydeen
+5
By far, one of the top restaurants that I’ve had in 2023. This was on my list for a while and I wish I came sooner. Everything about Sofreh is perfect - the waiting staff, the music, and the food! I’d highly recommend splitting the lamb shank amongst 2 people and trying out a few of the dips. You can’t really go wrong with anything on the menu. Looking forward to coming back soon!
5
Sunil Agarwal
+5
It is an exclusive sort of place and I believe one has to make reservations almost a month in advance. It is costly although the cocktails are priced reasonably. The preparations and the presentation was unique. We were expecting the usual middle eastern cuisine but it seems Persian cuisine is different. My son and daughter in law had been there earlier but for us it was our first exposure to Persian food. We had a unique dining experience.
5
Gina Lepore
+5
It's really hard to get a reservation with short notice so we walked in and had dinner at the bar. I really enjoyed everything we had. I could have drowned in the chatted eggplant. The sheep's milk ricotta was super fresh. The ice cream sandwich with pistachio and rose petal is really delicious. My favorite was the mytake mushroom and the baby lettuce with dates. If you're the kind of person who likes the burnt rice at the bottom of the pan then order the tahdig. Next time I might get two orders. I love that this place feels as welcoming as going home to moms place on Sundays. It's homey and welcoming and the service is very attentive. You can get a table reservation if you’re willing to wait 3 to 4 weeks to get in but if you’re OK eating at the bar then you can drop in and just enjoy the ambience and the food. They even have a in the lower level which can be used for private party or large group event of 20 people or so.
5
Alexandra Swan
+5
I get upset that this restaurant does not have a Michelin star. It’s the best restaurant on Flatbush and in prospect heights. It brings Persian food to a new level, you feel like your grandmother made the food but your grandmother is a Michelin star chef. My Persian friends say this is the best Persian restaurant in the United States. I highly recommend the Lamb Shank, Cauliflower and Rib Eye.
5
Brooke Dexter
+5
Been meaning to come here for years, and it lived up to the hype when we went for my birthday. Everything we had (sweet and sour meatball, roasted cauliflower, shiraz style salad, lamb shank, smoked eggplant) was delicious, but the star was the lamb shank that I still think about and the saffron, rosewater and pistachio ice cream cake. Perfect spot to sit outside (not on the street) with nice weather. Bring friends so you can try a lot of things!
5
Roberto Linares
+5
This whole experience was delightful. We just tried two of the cocktails. I ordered the Bahar Bitter, a perfect combination of taste and “strength.” It gave me such a nice buzz for the night. We started with the eggplant dip and the watermelon & feta salad. The dip was delicious, and the texture and freshness of that watermelon was unique. We ordered the three rice alternatives they offered, some bread, and three main dishes. The pomegranate ribeye was mouth-watering. The half-chicken and its ginger apricot sauce made for the perfect flavor, texture, and moisture. The catch of the day was really good, too, and that stewed herb & tamarind sauce was memorable. For desserts, we tried the rice pudding, the butternut squash halves, and the Persian ice cream. They were all delicious, but the halva butternut squash might not be for everyone. The ice cream was firm, making it even more satisfying to enjoy every scoop you would get. We were a party of five, and we had a reservation for Sofreh on a Wednesday evening. The place was bustling, so I definitely recommend making a reservation before visiting.
5
Andrew Andrea Visconti
+5
Excellent Persian food. Just exquisite from start to finish. I am pescatarian but has no problem whatsoever finding many appropriate dishes to order. The owner is from Iran and he was exquisite. The waitress is American but equally exquisite. I loved my experience at Sofreh
5
Tom Gubernat
+5
Excellent and delicious! NYC is full of restaurants and so it’s hard to offer new dining experiences, Sofreh manages to do so with elegance and authenticity. Persian food is not something Americans come across often, and we’re lucky to have a place like Sofreh to expand our palates. The menu is seasonal and carefully constructed, the staff is attentive , professional yet relaxed. Treat yourself to one of their unique flavored sodas, I prefer the sour cherry. Vegetarian options abound, this is my third time dining in and each time something new and lovely shows up. Dining out is still a special occasion for me, reserved for special and personal celebrations, and not a common occurrence as It seems to be for many. Sofreh provides all the elements to properly appreciate those special moments.
5
Steve Berger
+5
Recently had dinner here and had an excellent time. Service, food, and drinks were all great. Every dish we ordered had tremendous flavor. Some of the highlights include the lamb shank and the roasted cauliflower.
5
Farnaz Zareinejad
+5
From the moment the doors were opened by Mr.Amir Alikhani and he greeted us with his warm smile and kind, welcoming words, we knew we were in for a truly special experience. Nasim, the chef and owner is so gracious and lovely. She came over to us and welcomed us to her restaurant. She even was so kind to sign my copy of her beautiful book at our table. She is an awe-inspiring Iranian woman and I am so proud of her achievements and felt so lucky to finally meet her. It means so much to me as an Iranian, to see such a beautiful restaurant representing my culture and cuisine exist in New York. Every single person working at the restaurant that we encountered was wonderful. The hostess, our server, the manager, the chef, the whole staff was incredible. The staff is attentive, considerate and every single course was timed perfectly to our table. The entire experience was literal perfection from start to finish. Every drink we ordered was delicious and refreshing. Every bite of food was a symphony of flavors and textures that were indescribable. Truly a special restaurant and truly an experience I highly recommend you have for yourself. I had to write a review because for the reviews I read that said the food was just ok or the service was not on point or that staff was rude. I had to see for myself and it could not be further from the truth. I am speechless at the night we just had and I will never forget this amazing experience. Sofreh transported me to another world, to the memories I have of Iran and my family and I am so happy to have had this night with the best company and the best food I've ever had in any restaurant. Seriously. The restaurant is a work of art...every single detail is so well thought out. It is a labor of love and you can see it as soon as you walk in. The music, the art on the walls, the written words, the decor, the ambiance, the food and drink are all so beautiful and well executed. You can taste and feel the love that is Sofreh. Thank you for one of the most special evenings we have ever experienced! ❤️
4
Emily Yu
+4
Was happy to finally snag a spot at Sofreh! It was delicious and they had a bomb martini. My favorites were the butternut squash strained yogurt, sweet and sour meatball, and the lamb shank. I probably won't come back since you really have to be on top of the reservations.
5
Terry Li
+5
Fantastic dinner at Sofreh. I brought my boyfriend here for his birthday. They have an indoor/outdoor vibe, and the interior is simple but sleek. We ordered several small plates and split the main lamb dish. It’s a pretty veggie forward menu so can be good for everyone. Best things were the tahini fig salad, eggplant dip, and lamb of course. The waiter suggested the saffron rice to go with the lamb and they paired well together. Cocktails were all solid though nothing too special. Definitely get dessert!
5
Edwin Rosemond
+5
A very nice experience here. The staff were friendly and the dishes were all quite good. The owner came over to us to make sure we were enjoying the food and even chefed up a free yogurt marmalade dish that she had been experimenting with. The prices here are typical of higher end persian restaurants so expect to spend some cash.
5
Pantea Karimi
+5
An interesting twist on Persian cuisine. Everything tasted good. The flavors are different from the original Persian dishes. The eggplant and whey dish has less whey than the original. The sweet and sour meatballs was amazing. The Ghormeh Sabzi was faithful to the original flavors.
5
Aja Brandman
+5
A must!! From the food to the ambiance, this place did not disappoint. Everything on the menu sounded great, it was hard to narrow down what to get. The eggplant and whey dip is nice and warm and flavorful and comes with a side of sofreh flatbread. The roasted cauliflower starter was also super flavorful with a kick of heat. The lamb shank was recommended over the traditional stew (Ghormeh Sabzi) and it was great… the meat fell right off the bone. Highly recommend getting the Herb Rice and side of pickles to go with the main. No better way to end this meal than with the traditional Persian ice cream sandwich 🙃 Update with seasonal menu as of Nov 2023: butternut squash appetizer was delicious, but the highlight this time might have been the salad with dates and tahini dressing (had a nice spicy kick to it)