Sofrito

Recommends

quest79

Joined 9 years ago

Best Puerto Rican food between the LES and El Barrio!!1. Went there with a large party of 10 people, had reservations set up 2 weeks in advance. Unfortunately, our table was not ready for a little more than hour. It seems smaller parties were easier to sit though. The restaurant gave us a free round of drinks, which was a lot more you'll get in most places in NYC. The place was also very nicely decorated, with a great bar area. We sat down and enjoyed a pre-fixe menu that had been created for our group.

And the minute the food came out, any issues with waiting immediately disappeared. The food was absolutely unbelievable. Growing with a Puerto Rican mother cooking these dishes almost everyday, makes you kind of weary of eating it at restaurants and I must say that I wasn't sure if a Sofrito, on 57th and 1st, looking all sleek would be the place to go. But, I was proven completely wrong. The food was delicious and traditional. The portions were large and their prices were great. The staff was also very attentive. Aside from the long table wait (which I hope was an unusual occurrence), this place is must for anyone craving some home cooked Latin food in a more treated environment with prices that are just perfect. I can't wait to return!

Recommends

Voleta C.

Joined 1 year ago

Great Experience. My overall experience at Sofrito was great. It's the food and the food alone that brings me back. Is it crowded, yes. Is it loud, yes. Are the wait staff a little too pushy, yes. Do I wish I could hear, yes! But that seafood paella and that panil, wow. The empanadas, wow.

I will continue to go back and hopefully the management will heed all of the comments and continue to improve.

Recommends

sandy f.

Joined 2 years ago

DINNER AT SOFRITOS. Friday was the night I was there with my husband. We met by the dining bar area and had cocktails (mojitos which was amazing). I had the paella which was absolutely delicious, the dish was so flavorful, it was a delight. The atmosphere was filled with energy, we were excited to be there. This is definitely a hot spot!

Doesn't Recommend

icl82

Joined 2 years ago

Fine dining establishments need not say they are "fine dinin. I have been coming to Sofritos for the past 5 years. Never in my life had this experience.

1. I was told that if it was 10 or me we HAD to order from a $35 restaurant week menu. (for starters, If I want something off of the regular menu, why can't I have it??. 2. I don't eat Spanish desert so my desert would have gone to waste). Your cooks are there to cook food so the excuse given was "we don't have the bandwidth to produce this food"

Well what if I placed 11 to go orders?

2. After my table of 9 sat, 2 late people attempted to join us. They used the end of the table as a guide and sat their chairs exactly how it the opposite end was seated. I was told then our orders would be canceled and we HAD to order from the pre-fixe menu by manager JOE.

Our two guess decided to sit behind us. I was told the reason was is because "we are a fine dining establishment."

First off, I've been to plenty of restaurants, i.e., Mr. Chows (where, by the way, the place your napkin on your lap). and they do not BOAST that they are fine dining. the proof is in the pudding.

Most fine dining establishments do not play music or have loud salsa bands, the hostesses actually wear PUMPS and the manager's always wears a tie, where as Joe's suit was too big, the host had a short mini skirt and flats.

I should have taken my table of 9 up the block to Cabana's and spent the $332 there. Sofritos, remember, having an "A" rating does not equate fine dining, it is the cleanliness of your kitchen amongst other things.

Would I go back.. doubt it, unless it is less than 5.

and ps..i asked 5 times for the bread (bread that is SUPPOSE to come out while you are reading the menu) But yet, his tip was included.. SMH!

Doesn't Recommend

Katrel

Joined 2 years ago

Don't believe the hype. I heard such great things about this place. I went for the first time with a friend to celebrate her Bday and had to wait 2 hours (not exaggerating) to be seated. Once seated, my chair was bumped constantly by the running staff. Our server never checked in on us and when he did he never returned with what we'd requested. The music is too loud and the place is freezing. While eating we were rushed by staff and our plates snatched from under us because they needed the table. And honestly I've had better food. The Tilapia and spinach were both extremely bland.

Doesn't Recommend

Ltravers123

Joined 2 years ago

its ok... The first time I went to this place I loved it. I was impressed with the food, service, decor, and music. However this was when they first opened. I went back with a friend super excited about going from previous experience. I walked in sat down and was turned off. I told my friend this is not the place I came to. The music was super loud!! We could not talk or hear what the waiter was saying. This is a resturant not a club so I think guests would want to talk during dinner. Food was not good, the waiter was not attentive and seemed like he did not want to be bothered with us. The only thing I enjoyed from my second visit was my mojito. I would not go back Sofrito lost its touch.

Doesn't Recommend

PPPenny

Joined 2 years ago

Bad Experience. This is not the place for you if you want to have a nice dining experience with a friend. We waited nearly an hour and were never seated and finally left. We had one drink while waiting and getting the attention of the bartender was an adventure -- no one wanted to step aside. It was much too crowded, overcapacity and a hazard. Overall spend your hardearned money someplace else where your patronage is appreciated the moment you walk through the door.

Recommends

ditmars

Joined 2 years ago

happy!. good food,great ambient(little bit cold!) very busy,good service!mofongo is great!

Doesn't Recommend

1234567891000

Joined 3 years ago

So junk. I would never recommend this place not even to my enemy. Everything at this place is horrible. Every type of food is salty, the place is very noisy and can't not say anything without yelling, the waitress are so low class that not even deserve the tips that they are making for every table. About USD 100 for table in one hour, like an engineer which Im sure they don't even have any college degree. They rush you to leave so they can't keep making more money and not let you enjoy your food. The sangria was made out of the cheapest red wine of the world. The ambiance was terrible plus nobody should dress for this place. I wore a very expensive and elegant dress and I step out smelling like onions and garlic. I had to wash my hair at midnight. I hope this review helps a lot of people because it is not fair to spend money In this non sense way.



S

Recommends

mschnee

Joined 10 years ago

Fun, festive atmosphere and delicious food. My friends and I (six of us in total) arrived without reservations on a Saturday evening at 6:00 PM. I think because we came early, there was no wait and we were seated right away. The decor and the music was festive, and the menu itself had many authentic and delicious-sounding dishes. It was tough to make a choice!

I ended up choosing the crispy whole red snapper with coconut rice. The presentation was awesome - the entire fish (including head and tail, like it should) came wrapped around a bed of delicious rice. The fish was delicate and flaky, and the sauce that accompanied the dish added the perfect amount of flavor.

I also tried my girlfriend's filet mignon and sauteed spinach with garlic. The steak was tender and succulent, and the spinach was also delicious.

The loud birthday celebrations at this place were like nothing I've ever seen before. I highly recommend coming here with a group for someone's birthday.