Good food and I lived their dessert. I was pleased, but not blown away. Wait is a bit on the long side when they're busy and I wouldn't say it's necessarily worth it unless you're looking for a slow evening near where you live
(4)
Amber F.
My boyfriend & I visited this place for the first time this evening. Besides sitting at our table for about 5 minutes with no one greeting us or bringing waters, the experience was delightful! The calamari was delish & the cilantro-lime dipping sauce was amazing! Probably could also be served with a side of marinara for those marinara lovers!! The olive oil that they serve with the bread should come with Parmesan cheese like every other Italian restaurant I've been too...really makes a difference!! As far as their menu goes they have a lot of wonderful choices & don't mind making substitutions for certain things so that was a plus! They should add some fried ravioli though! I was in Columbia for the first time from Champaign il, where they really don't sell fried ravioli, so I was really looking forward to that dish when I got into town! Go check this place out! Def a good alternative to plain ole olive garden!
(4)
Mohan R.
Went for brunch and their food was amazing! I have become a fan. Their French toast was excellent, though their scrambled eggs were okay, it might be because of how great the French toast were.
(5)
Rebecca S.
Sophia's was a good experience! The menu has a wide variety of choices size wise, which is nice in a market where many restaurants serve massive sized entrees. I was able to get tapas while my (hungrier) husband had an entree. The "Super Tuscan" red blend was yummy as was the fresh made bread. Side note- my husband was very pleased with the $4.25 Guinness. They're a little heavy with the goat cheese for my taste, but I consider that a lesson learned for the next time. Also, the molten chocolate cake came suspiciously quickly... It was still yummy despite possibly having been nuked. Prices are a little steep for the level of finesse and the area... but the service was great and the ambiance make up for it. It's great for a wine night with the ladies or a date night with your man.
(4)
kelsey d.
Really good food, poor service. It's unfortunate. I like to get good service. Never had it here. I've had awful to ok service. Like I said, good food, but if you care when you get it or when your drink is refilled, you may be better off at Olive Garden. After being ignored at a near empty bar for twenty minutes tonight, I did not order dinner and left. That will be my last time at Sophia's.
(2)
Katrina M.
Starters: First and foremost, they had my favorite Mascato, Moscatto D'Asti. Happy day! The Shrimp and Brie Toasts were delightful. Also, I had a lot of fun trying out different seasonings and spreads with the bread appetizer (I never remember the names of dishes, but you'll see it on the menu). The Meal: For dinner, I got the Tarragon Crab over Paillard of Salmon, without the asparagus. I wasn't in the mood for that type of veggie, and got a house salad and extra mash instead. All of the potatoes they make are good, and the fingerlings just taste like fancy french fries (in a good way). I do feel like the salmon and crab could have been seasoned a bit better. There was less flavor that I was expecting, especially considering the rest. But, overall, it was a decent dish. Service: Our server was helpful, patient, and pretty timely. She refilled drinks without being asked and kept the table clean. And I liked the little mint chocolates she brought with the check. I'd go back!
(4)
Kate S.
I LOVE this place. If there is an occasion to be celebrated, you can bet I'll be headed here. Nice, casual but trendy atmosphere, with a bar to sit at if there's a wait for a table. Service is always friendly and decently timely, as well as professional. If you ever need something to add to your bucket list for whatever reason, please let it be eating their salmon paillard. For the love of god. It melts in your mouth, comes with a potato cake that I could eat ten of, and perfectly cooked asparagus on the side. Oh, and it's covered with a crab stuffing on top. Guhh. Just eat it and thank me later. Favorite place in town, hands down.
(5)
Lacy B.
This is another one of my favorite restaurants in COMO - I lived on the southside in college and this was one of my regular haunts. It is a bit pricier, but everything I have had is delicious! Especially the Balsamic Mascarpone Pasta! Also, most things takeout very well. Love it!
(5)
Bill B.
Excellent food all around the table! From my hearty French dip sandwich with sage au jus, to the grilled prawn atop tender couscous, to an excellent club sandwich, to the chicken wrap, each of us was very happy with the kitchen. The friendly, helpful staff easily accommodated grandma and her walker in as smooth a manner as I've seen anywhere. We all enjoyed the warm decor and cool art that complemented the folksy music (both subdued and non-intrusive). An extensive wine list and nice bar selection included nearly a dozen scotches, which I appreciated. In warmer weather, I'd happily make use of the free Bocce court attached to nice outdoor patio seating!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
David S.
Good food and I lived their dessert. I was pleased, but not blown away. Wait is a bit on the long side when they're busy and I wouldn't say it's necessarily worth it unless you're looking for a slow evening near where you live
(4)Amber F.
My boyfriend & I visited this place for the first time this evening. Besides sitting at our table for about 5 minutes with no one greeting us or bringing waters, the experience was delightful! The calamari was delish & the cilantro-lime dipping sauce was amazing! Probably could also be served with a side of marinara for those marinara lovers!! The olive oil that they serve with the bread should come with Parmesan cheese like every other Italian restaurant I've been too...really makes a difference!! As far as their menu goes they have a lot of wonderful choices & don't mind making substitutions for certain things so that was a plus! They should add some fried ravioli though! I was in Columbia for the first time from Champaign il, where they really don't sell fried ravioli, so I was really looking forward to that dish when I got into town! Go check this place out! Def a good alternative to plain ole olive garden!
(4)Mohan R.
Went for brunch and their food was amazing! I have become a fan. Their French toast was excellent, though their scrambled eggs were okay, it might be because of how great the French toast were.
(5)Rebecca S.
Sophia's was a good experience! The menu has a wide variety of choices size wise, which is nice in a market where many restaurants serve massive sized entrees. I was able to get tapas while my (hungrier) husband had an entree. The "Super Tuscan" red blend was yummy as was the fresh made bread. Side note- my husband was very pleased with the $4.25 Guinness. They're a little heavy with the goat cheese for my taste, but I consider that a lesson learned for the next time. Also, the molten chocolate cake came suspiciously quickly... It was still yummy despite possibly having been nuked. Prices are a little steep for the level of finesse and the area... but the service was great and the ambiance make up for it. It's great for a wine night with the ladies or a date night with your man.
(4)kelsey d.
Really good food, poor service. It's unfortunate. I like to get good service. Never had it here. I've had awful to ok service. Like I said, good food, but if you care when you get it or when your drink is refilled, you may be better off at Olive Garden. After being ignored at a near empty bar for twenty minutes tonight, I did not order dinner and left. That will be my last time at Sophia's.
(2)Katrina M.
Starters: First and foremost, they had my favorite Mascato, Moscatto D'Asti. Happy day! The Shrimp and Brie Toasts were delightful. Also, I had a lot of fun trying out different seasonings and spreads with the bread appetizer (I never remember the names of dishes, but you'll see it on the menu). The Meal: For dinner, I got the Tarragon Crab over Paillard of Salmon, without the asparagus. I wasn't in the mood for that type of veggie, and got a house salad and extra mash instead. All of the potatoes they make are good, and the fingerlings just taste like fancy french fries (in a good way). I do feel like the salmon and crab could have been seasoned a bit better. There was less flavor that I was expecting, especially considering the rest. But, overall, it was a decent dish. Service: Our server was helpful, patient, and pretty timely. She refilled drinks without being asked and kept the table clean. And I liked the little mint chocolates she brought with the check. I'd go back!
(4)Kate S.
I LOVE this place. If there is an occasion to be celebrated, you can bet I'll be headed here. Nice, casual but trendy atmosphere, with a bar to sit at if there's a wait for a table. Service is always friendly and decently timely, as well as professional. If you ever need something to add to your bucket list for whatever reason, please let it be eating their salmon paillard. For the love of god. It melts in your mouth, comes with a potato cake that I could eat ten of, and perfectly cooked asparagus on the side. Oh, and it's covered with a crab stuffing on top. Guhh. Just eat it and thank me later. Favorite place in town, hands down.
(5)Lacy B.
This is another one of my favorite restaurants in COMO - I lived on the southside in college and this was one of my regular haunts. It is a bit pricier, but everything I have had is delicious! Especially the Balsamic Mascarpone Pasta! Also, most things takeout very well. Love it!
(5)Bill B.
Excellent food all around the table! From my hearty French dip sandwich with sage au jus, to the grilled prawn atop tender couscous, to an excellent club sandwich, to the chicken wrap, each of us was very happy with the kitchen. The friendly, helpful staff easily accommodated grandma and her walker in as smooth a manner as I've seen anywhere. We all enjoyed the warm decor and cool art that complemented the folksy music (both subdued and non-intrusive). An extensive wine list and nice bar selection included nearly a dozen scotches, which I appreciated. In warmer weather, I'd happily make use of the free Bocce court attached to nice outdoor patio seating!
(5)