+++ Advertisement: This post was created in cooperation with Sophia's Restaurant and Bar. Thank you! +++
Sophia's Restaurant & Bar I recently heard about Sophia's Restaurant & Bar. It's the newly opened and completely redesigned restaurant in The Charles Hotel at the Old Botanical Garden. I didn't want to miss this grand opening. Until a few weeks ago, the previous gourmet restaurant was located there. Davvero.I knew I was in for a treat and couldn't wait to try it out. Last weekend, the time finally came – I was able to try out the newly opened restaurant "Sophia's Restaurant and Bar" (Sophia's for short) with my companion.
Sophia's Restaurant & Bar – Concept and Ambiance
Immediately upon entering the restaurant and bar – whether through the hotel's main entrance or the new, separate entrance – I felt comfortable. I came in through the main entrance, and the large, green sign immediately caught my eye: "Sophia's". After a brief wait, a friendly woman approached me and my companion, asked about our reservation, took our coats, and then another friendly woman escorted us to our table.
Before we get into the details… The new concept is uncomplicated yet appealing. Sophia's focuses on using the freshest, most regional cuisine possible. Guests should feel comfortable and at ease, like they're among friends, while still enjoying an excellent dining experience. The first impression is immediately apparent: On the left, alongside numerous cozy tables, there's a stylish bar where delicious cocktails can be made and enjoyed – more on that in a moment. On the right are more tables set with fresh flowers. The restaurant seats approximately 90 people, with another 60 guests on the sunny terrace surrounded by greenery. The open-plan space boasts soaring ceilings, two large, dominant fig trees stand between the tables, and large pictures adorn the subtly colored walls. The sophisticated lighting creates a very cozy and inviting atmosphere. Personally, I like the new Sophia's even better than Davvero because it exudes a chic yet relaxed, comfortable vibe. Right from the start, you feel comfortable here, certainly also because the entire team is authentic, competent and friendly.
Spicy Chocolate and Vanilla Shrub
Cocktails and food at Sophia's
The cocktails are fantastic, and I tried two different ones. The separate cocktail menu divides them into categories: cocktails with herbs, cocktails with spices, and even cocktails with vegetables. It's best to choose for yourself which cocktail creation appeals to you most. In my case, it was the "Spicy Chocolate" with tonka bean, Amaretto di Saronno, cream, cocoa, and chocolate bitters (€15). My companion opted for the "Vanilla Shrub" with vanilla, Wild Turkey Bourbon, and champagne (€19). My choice was quite sweet, similar to a Baileys, with a subtle hint of spice. The Vanilla Shrub was more tart and packed a real punch. If you're unsure what you'd like, the friendly staff will gladly offer recommendations. The same goes for the food menu. It's concise yet offers a good variety of dishes. Currently, there's a four-course spring menu (€65) featuring dishes such as suckling pig loin, quinoa, beetroot and spinach, or homemade ricotta, octopus, pea purée, and many other delicacies. The à la carte menu currently offers a choice of five different appetizers (€12-€22), two soups (from €11), four intermediate courses (€17-€22), and four main courses (€27-€36). Of course, there are also delicious desserts to round off your meal, both sweet and cheesy. Four different options (€12-€15) await you.
I'm waiting for my food.
Selection and evaluation of the dishes
Sophia's Restaurant & Bar scores highly for me in terms of value for money. In my opinion, the whole package is what counts. What kind of cuisine can I expect, how well-trained is the service, and what feeling will I have leaving the restaurant after a few hours? As far as Sophia's is concerned, besides the warm and welcoming service, the food also gets top marks from me. This was my third time enjoying the excellent cuisine of former Michelin-starred chef Michael Hüsken. Absolutely superb and, in my opinion, hard to beat. The portions are generous, depending on the course and selection; the main courses are definitely satisfying and a true feast for the eyes.
We each opted for four courses, but chose to order à la carte. Before the meal began, we, like every guest, were brought a small wooden board with homemade focaccia, sourdough bread, herb dip, garlic, and sea salt. Very nice and the perfect starter. The focaccia definitely has the potential to make you want to eat your fill of bread. 😉 For my starter, I had "Sophia's Salad" with lettuce, chicory, herbs, avocado, and a lemon-olive oil dressing, as well as a nut mix and pomegranate seeds to sprinkle on (€12). My companion had a small bouillabaisse, i.e., a fish soup (small €18 | large €32). For my intermediate course, I chose ravioli filled with sweet potatoes and sorrel, topped with Parmesan and herbs (€17), while my companion had the fried calamari with Romanesco and olive oil (€18). For the main courses, I simply couldn't resist the sea bass with green and white asparagus, pear, and thyme (€34), while my companion was drawn to the flank steak with zucchini, mint, chili, and creamy polenta (€32). The perfect ending for me was the lavender panna cotta with rhubarb sorbet and compote (€12), and my companion enjoyed the coffee ice cream with blueberry meringue and hazelnut (€13). Phew! A lot, right? Yes, it was. But it was so good. Especially because, for example, the salad and the ravioli didn't taste totally unusual or "new," but simply fresh, delicious, and given that certain something by the special ingredients. The sweet potato and pasta combination, for instance: divine. My companion's meat was incredibly tender, my fish so delicate I refused to share, and I would have loved to order dessert again if I hadn't already been so full. 😉
Our set table
With each course, the lovely lady at our table (thank you again for the excellent service!) suggested a wonderful white wine. Sophia's concept is to offer not a wide selection of wines by the glass, but rather to recommend a new, exquisite wine each day. The wine list is extensive and features numerous white and red wines. For my starter, I opted for a Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water – in my opinion, one of the best tonic waters for drinking neat – followed by a Pinot Blanc and a Chardonnay from Karl Heinz Johner in Baden, vintage 2014 (€59 per bottle). However, wines are also available starting at €28. If you'd like to learn more about the wines, you can find the list online or, of course, receive a copy at your table. Before you order, the waiter will also mention any additional dishes available beyond the regular menu. In our case, this would have been roast beef with a side dish or asparagus prepared in various ways, which naturally changes regularly.
The interior
Program at Sophia's
There's quite a lot on offer. Live music on Wednesdays, a DJ spins tunes on Thursdays, and the atmosphere is electric. On Saturdays, a fantastic jazz trio performs from 9 pm, delighting guests with trumpet, piano, vocals, and cello. Additionally, Sparkling Munich, Munich's bar-hopping tour in luxury hotel bars, takes place (among other dates, April 22nd, 2016).Read more here) at Sophia's Restaurant & Bar. So there's plenty on offer and it won't get boring anytime soon.
All in all, Sophia's is simply fantastic. It's undeniably chic and upscale, with a wonderful ambiance, competent service, and the food is absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. The price-performance ratio is also perfectly balanced. Before paying, every guest receives a small blueberry parfait with white chocolate and blackcurrant mousse. In the summer, you can expect specials on the terrace, such as "Grill & Chill" with BBQ from the smoker and much more. If you'd like to try Sophia's soon (which I highly recommend!), you could, for example, do so with your mother on May 8th for the Mother's Day brunch with a live cooking station and drinks included (€59 per person).
Place visited: Sophia's Restaurant & Bar
Address: Sophienstraße 28, 80333 Munich
Website
Pictures:
Battling against the spread of fraudulent medications
Leave a Reply