Sofra, Shepherd Market, Mayfair

Mr Oil & Mr Vinegar are yet again off to to Shepherd Market, Mayfair, once famous as a red-light district. This time, they visit Sofra, a Turkish restaurant.

MrO: This place really comes into its own in the summer.
MrV: Yes, it’s like that place up the road we reviewed a couple of weeks ago. It has outside seating so all the smokers come here. And the beggars, pestering you while you drink or trying to sell you pirate dvds.
MrO: There have always been people trying to sell you something on the street in Shepherd Market.
MrV: Yes, but what they were selling used to be so much more interesting.
MrO: Well, there are few restaurants that are better value in this part of London.
MrV: Presumably that’s why it gets so overbooked. I have yet to be given my table on time, not matter how far in advance I’ve booked.
MrO: It is a problem. But at least they give you a free glass of wine while you wait.
MrV: And the menu may look good value but the bill is always huge when we go there. They must charge for all those bowls of bread and humous they put on the table without telling you.
MrO: I suspect it has rather more to do with the amount of wine we drink. The food is alright, sort of acceptable. It’s really more of a convenience restaurant than a destination. I like the healthy menu with twelve courses.
MrV: You ever seem to eat more than half of them. I assumed that was because they were inedible.
MrO: No, it’s the ones with middle eastern cheese or yoghurt in them that I dislike, but plenty of people like those best. The bread and humous is very good, too.
MrV: I pretty much stick to the lamb at Sofra. It’s the only thing these people understand...
MrO: Disgraceful.
MrV: ...although I had the quail recently and that was quite good. I’ve notice you eating the seabass from time to time. I wouldn’t risk it.
MrO: The seabass is pretty good but I must say I tend to prefer it with a crispier skin than Sofra is able to produce.
MrV: The puddings are disgusting.
MrO: That is not fair and, in any case, I’ve only ever seen you try a pudding here on one occasion.
MrV: That was quite enough. It tasted like Shredded Wheat on a bed of cream cheese, all drenched in honey. Who on earth could possibly find that appealing?
MrO: Some people obviously do, though it’s not to my taste. I generally have more wine for pudding. The wine is interesting, isn’t it? You can get something fairly reliable like a Chateau Musar from the Lebanon at about £50 a bottle but if you go to the other end you can get a bottle for £14 which does the job nicely.
MrV: If you mean it gets you drunk then I agree. You are talking about that Turkish red, Yakut. I suppose it is okay but the first mouthful is always painful. You have to wince a bit to get it down.
MrO: It is a bit of an initial shock but it’s surprising how quickly the palate accepts it. Anyway, spending the afternoon sipping that and the occasional Turkish coffee, sitting outside watching the world go by...
MrV: ...and its beggars...
MrO: ...is one of London’s more pleasant summertime experiences.

Mr Oil & Mr Vinegar spent approximately £20 per head on food, £56 on four bottles of wine plus sundries and service.
Sofra, 18 Shepherd Street, London, W1J 7JGT: +44 (0) 207 493 3320
http://www.sofra.co.uk/

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