Sofra

Rather slow service because they were so busy, but otherwise I found this branch of Sofra to be great. The outside seating looking over St Christopher's Place is fantastic on a summer evening.

I booked online on the website, for a table of 6 people at 7pm at St Christopher’s Place Sofra and was quickly sent an email saying they would contact me a day before to confirm the booking. The contact was never made. So 1 hour before the booking I called the restaurant to let them know I was on my way.

When I called the restaurant the member of staff said that yes the booking had been made, and while he was talking to me I could hear that someone was actually talking to him and telling him what to say and so as a result he wasn’t really listening to me. I was told that if I didn’t arrive on time the table would be given up after 15 minutes of the booked time. I pointed out that I thought that this was very bad customer service to tell me this considering I was actually ringing them to CHECK that the booking was all ok as I was on my way. He wasn’t really listening to me (the manager was STILL talking to him.)

We arrived 5 minutes before 7pm. We had been there 5 minutes, the manager came over to ask how we were, but quickly got onto the real issue: how many other people we were expecting. I said we were waiting for 2 more. He then asked how many people we were “really” expecting – I said 2 more, he asked when are they arriving? I said they were arriving a little later: he asked how late are they coming? Suddenly this perfunctory table visit had taken on the character of an inquisition – with the tone of the manager becoming very rude. He left us alone but having been given this dressing down for no reason at all we decided to leave. We got up to go and the manager came over and asked if we were leaving. I said yes due to poor customer service.

He then explained (defensively) that he had had 2 sets of clients, who had booked tables that evening and who had failed to turn up for their tables and that was why he had emphasized the 15 minute window to me. I said that this was none of my business and that WE should not be subjected to such rudeness.

Nice restaurant. Food is tasty, waiters are very friendly and quick, prices are reasonable. I was there in 2010 and 2011 - that's my impression about the restaurant for the years. :)

This is the worst restaurant I have ever been to. Avoid at all costs! The staff were rude, the service was appaling and the food was definitely not worth the wait.

I went there with my best friend onthe Wednesday night around 7.30, we sat outside. Everything seems to be great at first, starters were really good until the main course came. I had a rib eye steak (6 OZ), it was as thin as a wafer (like frying beef that you buy from Supermarket) , cold and dry. I sent it back and did not want a replacement. The waiter said, he was going to get a manager to come and speak to me. He disappeared for at least 30 mins, no one came to see if I was ok or even to just appologise.

I made a fuss right at the end with the manager who did not even speak English so another waiter had to be his translator. Anyhow, manager left inthe middle of the conversation and left me with the translator. He kept asking what he can do for me .. all I want was an apology from the waiter who served me.

Then the translator went and came back with at least 6 waiters and waitresses. Started to yell to get attention from other customer " everyone listens up, we all would like to apologise to this lady for our poor service.

What the H**l? It was so embassing and basically throwing the apology to my face. I couldnt beleieve the was happening!!!! The manager said I can have all the meals for me, thanks very much. Defeating the purpose of the complaints. I paid and never, ever go back there again.

Name: Not given
Location: Not given

Enjoyed a mid-September lunch with friends from abroad who dine out a lot. We hadn't booked, immediately got a table outside as we requested. Lovely atmoshere,speedy service, friendly unobtrusive staff, delicious food and great value. This was the second time there for my wife and me -thoroughly recommend it. We lingered a bit and staff were probably keen to get our table for the assembling queue, so glasses were removed rapidly when emptied, but then, 2 hours over lunch isn't very British!!

Disappointing: on top of each other, slow service, cold (as door left opened), missing part of the described dish, rish coffee arrived cold, but food is not bad. However i will not go back there. L

Very disappointing and highly over-rated. Restaurant website looks great but does not live up to expectations. Waited 15 minutes before we called waiter over to give us drinks, food ok, toilets disgusting. No atmosphere. Manager incompetent in dealing with complaints. After we complained, they still charged us service charge on the bill. If you are looking for a lovely night out, do not go to this restaurant.

Each time I visit I am always impressed by the courtesy, efficient service, really tasty food, and the olives are out of this world.
Keep up the good work.
Michael B

I went last night for my husbands birthday, BIG MISTAKE! Good customer service is non existent, the food is below average. My mussaka was burnt to a crisp, on exchange my stir-fry veg. had hair in it. We didn’t bother staying for dessert or coffee. I was asked to pay for the full meal and service charge of 12.5%, which was a cheek.
The table was wobbly and when we asked if we could move we saw the waited get irritated so we said it was ok………. The whole experience was a nightmare and I would not recommend it to anyone.

I've been dining at Sofra for at least years and have watched with delight as it has added chains all over london. It is no surprise that the restaurant chain is successful as the food really is good value for money. Three things are consistent no matter which Sofra you go to: you'll get good food, a full restaurant, and very BAD service. The staff are ill-mannered, unhelpful and ungrateful, so don't expect a smile or thanks even if you leave a generous tip.If you are already having a bad day, i would steer clear of the St.Christopher's place branch, which has by far the most unpleasant staff.I should have learnt my lesson by now, but the tasty food and delightful location keep me going

I've been there twice recently and really liked the food. Have to agree that the service, though friendly, wasn't great as there just weren't enough waiters to go around. It meant that we were waiting a long time to get the dishes, but I thought it was worth it! Prices were ok, particularly given the great location... they have a great gimmick too - if you arrive and have to queue for a table then they'll give you a free glass of wine!!

Went to sofra last night 7 of us, absolutely crap...the meze was terrible and arrived too late, the food arrived about 2 hrs later and had clearly been left out for around 15 mins before it arrived on the table. Overpriced and was not worth the reputation that sofra have. The kofta was not cooked very well as there were pink bits in the middle. Service was friendly but at the end of the day we were there to eat...even the humous lacked garlic ~ a key ingredient!!!!!!