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Aya Sofia
Categories: Restaurants Turkish Restaurants Greek Restaurants Mediterranean Turkish, Greek, Mediterranean [Edit]
6671 Chippewa StSaint Louis, MO 63109
Neighborhood: Lindenwood Park
(314) 645-9919
- Nearest Transit:
-
Chippewa @ Prather Ave (30)
Lansdowne Ave @ Prather Ave (11)
Chippewa @ Prather Ave (30)
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 11 am - 2 pm
Tue-Sat 5 pm - 10 pm
Sun 10 am - 2 pm
Sun 5 pm - 9 pm
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
72 reviews for Aya Sofia
Review Highlights
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"It took the International Supper Club to get me here and..." In 8 reviews -
"I have eaten the Kuzu Incik each time I have visited this..." In 4 reviews -
"It's rolled filo stuffed with feta served with a spicy..." In 3 reviews
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72 reviews in English
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Review from Marlo S.
Saint Louis, MO
5/4/2012
Great place for lunch. I've tried the veggie sandwich (eggplant & zucchini), the shrimp sandwich, and a couple of the soups. All excellent. The price is remarkably reasonable, while the service is attentive and knowledgeable. The inside is a little gloomy, but the porch is quite lovely.
Dinner was also good - though it's been years and I can't remember what we had. I know they were very accommodating of the children.
...And now I've had the swordfish kabob. Extreme yum. -
Review from Kathleen C.
St Louis, MO
4/10/2012
Great atmosphere!
Take a date, venture and try something new! Prices are on the pricier side...but in my opinion pretty worth it.
Recommendation: Make a reservation and request a booth. -
Review from Jonathan K.
Saint Louis, MO
3/6/2012
Great food and a cool atmosphere make this an excellent option for Mediterranean food.
The babaganoush and hummus were both really great and the pita was tasty as well. The fish special was delicious, served whole with grilled onions and jusut tasted so good. The eggplant with onions, garlic, tomatoes, and onions was fantastic with great flavors. The pearl coucous served with both dishes was excellent and was a really nice side.
The service was quite good and prices are reasonable for the quality. The atmosphere was perhaps the coolest part of dinner, with nice booths, interesting but tasteful decorations, and a nice separate bar area. -
Review from Ginger P.
Saint Louis, MO
3/20/2012
One of my St. Louis favs. The food is fantastic, the wine is always good and the service is always perfect! I've never sat at a bad table either. The atmosphere is perfect for romance or an intimate conversation with good friends.
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Review from M B.
Saint Louis, MO
3/4/2012
Just OK food -- tried mainly the pastry appetizers. Great beer selection. Happy hour prices were reasonable for the quality of food. Not sure how happy we would've been if we had to pay full price.
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Review from Christal V.
Shrewsbury, MO
8/21/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I am a HUGE fan of Lamb! I have eaten the Kuzu Incik each time I have visited this restaurant! The lamb itself has been cooked to perfection every time! Once the white bean puree was something comparable to a salt lick, ewww! Hence, the 4 stars.
Waitstaff = extremely nice, attentive & knowledgeable
Food Overall = Excellent! Treatment of the ingredients is top notch! Each dish, from their soups to the entrees have a depth of flavor that can only be achieved by time, attention to detail & technique.
Ambiance = intimate, even when in the bar you have the feeling of privacy and ease of being able to enjoy your food and company without any unwanted interruptions. -
Review from Nancy Y.
Saint Louis, MO
3/28/2012
Great meal again. Always worth a trip.
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Review from Norris M.
Clayton, Saint Louis, MO
12/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Came to Sunday brunch two weeks in a row! Once for recon and the second to bring our large monthly brunch group. We all has different items from the menu and none were disappointing! In particular, Lara is an excellent server and we were grateful for the hospitality of the entire staff.
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Review from Stephanie S.
Maplewood, MO
Updated - 1/30/2011 2 Check-ins Here
So after my mediocre food experience at International Supper Club the other day, I decided to give Aya Sofia another try.
I live super close, so takeout was the plan. I called and ordered the Kuzu Incik (lamb shank with white bean sauce and rice pilaf) along with a piece of baklava.
The order was ready when I arrived, and it was still piping hot when I got home. The guy packaging my order was nice enough to include a TON of pita bread and olive tapenade with my meal, which was a nice touch. Everything was packaged securely to ensure no leaks or anything like that.
The food itself was not bad. The lamb was extremely tender and literally fell off the bone with a gentle tug of the fork. The white bean sauce and rice pilaf were good. The baklava was also pretty good. Even the pita bread and olive tapenade were good.
So why only 3 stars? Well, it was all good -- not great. The portion was huge, but the flavor was just middle of the road. Not bland by any means, but nothing that wowed me in terms of flavor.
Oh, and the price for my lamb shank and baklava? A little over $28 bucks. Kind of expensive for a meal for one. I don't have a problem paying a premium for GREAT food. I DO have a problem paying a premium for AVERAGE food.
And in my opinion, while the service at Aya Sofia is fantastic, the food is painfully average. I'm not itching to come back, unfortunately.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/19/2011
Well, damn. I've never felt more guilty about giving a place a 3-star review than I do now. But… Read more »
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Review from Aimee K.
1/18/2011
The food I had tonight at Aya Sofia (while attending International Supper Club) was almost as good as the company! Much, much needed after a long and cold rainy day.
Love the outside of this place as well as the indoor decor -- bright colors, dark lighting, lush materials hanging over the booths... very intimate and makes the experience that much better.
Can I PLEASE say how excited I was about my glass of tempranillo? It was the best glass of tempranillo I've ever had, and not to sound like a lush, but I've had a lot. I had to really use my willpower to say no when our waiter asked if I wanted a second glass. The entire drink list here is impressive... tons of different wines, nice amount of martinis (all $8), as well as tons of specialty liquors and cordials.
I only had room for one thing for dinner though I was considering a few, and I ended up with the Lahana Sarmasi... it's stuffed cabbage with ground beef, rice, herbs and garlic, cumin, tomato sauce, served on top of sauteed potatoes. It was one of the best dishes I've had lately! The potatoes combined with the tomato sauce, meat, and cabbage, really came together to be such a satisfying meal with great flavor.
Can't wait to bring my other half here to try something else! Thanks to all who put in effort for tonight's dinner.Listed in: Five Whopping Stars!, Best Wine Evar, International Delights
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Review from Steven B.
1/19/2011 1 photo
Dorothy was right, there is no place like home when searching for a good Turkish restaurant. Okay, perhaps Dorothy wasn't searching for good Turkish food, but I was and I found it within blocks of my home. It took the International Supper Club to get me here and now I can't wait to go back. The entire night was amazing, the ambiance, the company, the liquor and the food.
We started our dining experience with martini's, our first one was "Majik Carpet Ride," made with Ketel One and other booze it was so good I had to have a second ride. Our server was very suggestive and recommended the "habibi" which was made with Tangueray gin, he warned us it was dangerous, so we shared one. Oh my God, it was so smooth and yes it was dangerous.
We begun our feast with two Small Hot Plates, one of which was Kalamar Tava (calamari) and the other Borek (crispy fried filo stuffed feta cheese and parsley). Jason R said it right in his review, "Calamari is either good or not good". I will tell you I have been searching for the "perfect calamari" and I have found it here at Aya Sofia.
While enjoying our Small Plates, our "suggestive server" kept plying us with samples of red wines that he thought would compliment our entrees. He nailed it and it was the perfect match to our lamb.
The climax of the evening was our entrees, Kuzu Incik (lamb shank) and Kuzu Pizola (lamb chops). Jason R has already sung the praises of their Kuzu Incik, so I'll sing about the Kuzu Pizola. I make incredible lamb chops and these put mine to shame. These chops were grilled and seasoned to perfection. The meat was so tender, it melted in my mouth and the side of vegetables could have converted me to vegetarianism.
The service was outstanding and I cannot wait to go back. Thank-you, Aya Sofia for a magical night.Listed in: My 5 Star Restaurants
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Review from Sara W.
Saint Louis, MO
2/3/2011
I had a certificate from http://Restaurant.com that was about to expire so we wanted to use it quickly and finally try Aya Sofia. We attempted to go one other time about a month ago not realizing they were closed on Monday. My husband and I finally had another night off together a few days ago and went.
I loved the decor and dim lighting. Our waiter was wonderful. He was very informative and attentive, but not intrusive.
We chose the wine sampler of 3 different Spanish wines after the waiter suggested it. It was $12 per person, but I enjoyed trying the different wines. Now I know which one to commit to the next time we visit.
We had the Ezme Meze Platter of humus, biber ezme, and babaganus. They were all very good, but I especially enjoyed their babaganus. We were given plenty of pita bread in a basket, warm and cut into triangles. I could have made a meal out of this alone.
My husband had the Kalamar Tava which was lightly breaded calamari with a garlic aioli. He loved it and I thought that it looked very good.
For our entrees, I had the Imam Bayildi which was eggplant baked with onions, garlic, tomatoes and olive oil, served with tomato sauce and pearl couscous. It was pretty good, but what I loved was the zucchini served on the side. I could have eaten an entire plate of that by itself! The carrots had a nice spice on them and were not too soft, not too crisp. I had never had this type of couscous before and it was interesting. It may have been nice to have more of it though or some rice for all the sauce on the plate.
My husband had the Kuzu Pirizola, which was grilled lamb chops. It looked very good and he was extremely satisfied with it. He also thought more rice might have been nice, but had no complaints. It was a HUGE difference compared to the sub-par lamb chops he had at a chain restaurant we made the mistake of visiting. The chops at Aya Sofia had a better color to them and weren't greasy, were thicker and actually cost less than the place we previously visited.
We also shared a baklava which was unique with pistachios. All of their deserts looked wonderful though. We were quite full and took the rest home to enjoy. Our server wrapped it all up for us and we didn't even have to ask. We were never wondering where our server was and never were in want of anything, i. e. more water, etc. Like I said, very attentive. It was also nice to have a professional man waiting on us and not a kid for once.
I really appreciate that Aya Sofia has several vegetarian and vegan friendly options. They can accommodate anyone it seems. We did end up spending a bit more money than planned, but it was well worth it. I have had dinner and drinks for two that have cost much more and were not as pleasing.
My only concerns would be that there isn't much of a parking lot, but we found a space on the street right away that was not too far. My menu also had food on it which was a little offsetting. Other than that, it was a close to perfect evening.
We can't wait to go back again. I would highly recommend Aya Sofia for your next night out. We had not had Turkish food before this night, but it was very similar to other cuisine we love. It is wonderful to have such a place in our city which is also not too far of a drive for us. -
Review from Dan C.
Berkeley, CA
8/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Amazing food! 2 visits over a month apart.
Lamb Chops are excellent.
Kafta special was excellent.
Great service and atmosphere. Very reasonable price for the product.
Highly recommended. -
Review from Michael V.
Saint Louis, MO
11/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been here twice. The first experience was amazing. The vibe of the place and the food was exceptional. Our server was extremely knowledgable about mediterranean cuisine. The second experience I had the lamb chops which I found over cooked and poorly seasoned. This seemed a bit out of character so I will give them the benefit of the doubt.
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Review from Allison B.
Saint Louis, MO
1/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Last night, we held Yelp International Supper Club at Aya Sofia, and it was hands-down one of our best events ever.
Despite a few last-minute cancellations and no-shows, we had about 22 Yelpers and their plus-ones at dinner - perhaps our biggest turnout ever and more than we were expecting! We didn't know how much the group would continue to grow, so Erin G. called up the restaurant before the big day to ask them to break from some of their normal policies and agree to split checks and take multiple credit cards - and they happily agreed!
And once we were at the restaurant, the good service didn't stop. From the welcome into the venue to the pleasant chit chat around the bar to the excellent recommendations from the servers and the smiles all around, Aya Sofia brought its A-game. The restaurant seemed just as happy to have us there as we were to be there. Honestly, Aya Sofia was one of the best restaurants we've worked with for a Supper Club event, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them for a large business lunch, rehearsal dinner or family reunion. They know how to take care of people!
You go to a restaurant to eat and not just to gawk at happy servers, though, right? Aya Sofia's Turkish roots were on full display on the menu of wonder. Our table did the family thing and shared appetizers. The humus was a reddish-brown color and had a very slight kick to it. The babaganus was creamy, the eggplant wasn't weird and eggplanty, and the onion and lemon juice was very detectable and delicious. The meat-eaters among us raved about the calamari. And the pita bread that was brought forth was fluffy, warm and plentiful.
For my entree, I ordered the sebzeli musakka ($15), "baked layers of eggplant, potatoes, red bell peppers, bechemel sauce and grated cheese covered in a garlic tomato sauce," and it came with pearl couscous (the big kind, not the fine sandy stuff). As a vegetarian, I get bored with eggplant and it's not my favorite thing ever, but I enjoyed Aya Sofia's version. It wasn't weird and stringy, and it felt more like mushrooms than eggplant. The sauce was tasty, and I LOVED the seasoned, crisp green beans that were tucked away on the side. The portion was huge, so I have plenty to eat for lunch today.
Actually, eggplant in general is my only complaint about Aya Sofia, and it's why I'd actually give the restaurant 4.5 stars instead of a full 5. I SO SO SO appreciate the vegetarian entree section of the menu, but I'd really like to see another entree that contains something other than eggplant. There is one made of feta (yum!) and noodles, but when I tasted it, I still felt like I was eating eggplant. It was kind of tasty, though.
My boyfriend ordered the lamb shank ($19), and leftovers were not in his future - he enjoyed it so much that the plate was left completely clean! His dish normally came with rice, but because of his diet, he requested vegetables instead, and Aya Sofia was more than happy to accommodate him.
The night was capped off by a surprise dessert - the Aya Sofia crew brought out baklava for everyone at no charge! I'm a sucker for baklava, so you'd better believe I was thrilled when friends near me complained of full tummies and handed their desserts over to me. I ate THREE portions of baklava and LOVED the flaky top and sweet, honeyed bottom.
It's a shame that we don't bring International Supper Club to a restaurant more than once, because another Aya Sofia surely would be a hit. Everyone went away happy, though, so there's no doubt that many of us will be back to this accommodating, romantic restaurant individually. -
Review from Timothy G.
Saint Louis, MO
1/26/2011
My first visit here was with the beautiful wife and the rest of the International Supper Club last week. As an unabashed lover of Turkish history, I was excited to visit, regardless if the cuisine was authenticate or Americanized (I figured it would be the latter, after all, I assume the Turkish population of St. Louis isn't substantial enough to maintain an "authentic" place)
Anyway, a number of the ISCers have already written reviews, so I'll touch on some aspects that haven't been mentioned:
Booze:
Raki -- I glanced over their drink menu too quickly and thought they didn't have raki. Ah, but they have Arak Razzouk, which is Lebanese and fairly close. Next time.
Timisoreana -- beer from the oldest brewery in Romania, how could I resist? It's a pretty normal, average lager (though it was served really cold, which helped). I convinced/tricked Zac into getting one, so I think I owe him a beer at some point. I'd drink it again, especially if it was hot out.
Food:
Adana kebap/kebab (pick your spelling) -- ah, this was fantastic. Ground lamb mixed with red chili flakes (described first as an 8 on the hot scale, then 7, then 6) I asked if mine could be "really really spicy." And they delivered. However, this is not first date food, unless you're really trying to convey a certain "hint" to your date. Am I being subtle enough or should I just come out and say I described it as a "big dick of meat"? Well there you go, I just did.
Babaganus -- OK, others mentioned it (and many thanks to Justin for letting us sample some of his order), but it was the best I remember having. Wicked awesome.
Service and atmosphere:
Again, as others have mentioned, the service was incredible and the atmosphere screams romance (then again, I was seated next to the beautiful wife, but I digress).
All the wonderful food and drink does add up -- it's not cheap, but I think you get sufficient quality and quantity so that you don't mind.
I was impressed -- we certainly will return, especially to enjoy their patio. -
Review from Jason R.
I have always wanted to visit this restaurant. I drive by it almost every day. Working just right up the street I finally had the chance. I attended a Yelp Interntional Supper Club this evening. Tonight Aya Sofia.
I got there a little early so decided to have an alcoholic beverage. I was handed a wine list but noticed the small unique selection of beers they had. So I decided to go with a Goose Island Pere Jacques Belgium style ale beer.
As the other members of the party started to show we were seated. I have to say the ambiance and decor of Aya Sofia is very pleasant. Great place to take a date or spouse!
I had a chance earlier during the day to peruse their web site where they post their online dinner menu. Props to Aya Sofia for easy to use web site and using Open Table to reserve a table online!
So I started my dinner off with an appetizer (Hot Small Plates). My selection - Kalmar Tava (kal-a-mar tava). Lightly breaded calamari served with homemade garlic aioli. One word - AMAZING! Calamari is either good or not good. This calamari was excellent.
For my main course I went with the "recommended" popular dish - Kuzu Incik (koo-zoo in-jick). Tender lamb shank, slow-cooked and seasoned with Mediterranean spices, topped with a savory white bean sauce, served with rice pilaf.
The Kuzu lncik was another homerun in terms of a presentation, food temperature and the overall taste of the entree. The lamb shank was tender and practically fell off the bone. Not a strong game taste at all and was paired very well with the white bean sauce and rice pilaf. The dish was also served with string green beans and carrots.
Service was 5 stars all the way! Every employee was polite and went out of their way to make a very pleasant experience.
Bottom Line: Go! If you are looking for something new try Aya Sofia!Listed in: BIG J's Favorite St. Louis…
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Review from Karen G.
5/26/2011
One of my favorite tucked away restaurants is Aya Sofia. Step inside and you are greeted with friendly staff, wonderful aromas and Mediterranean decor with dim lighting. I really love the booths filled with pillows which feel very private.
Aya Sofia is the only Turkish restaurant in town. If you like Greek food, you'll find some familiar entrees with seasoning that are just different enough to create a unique taste.
I highly recommend the Borek, an amazing hot appetizer of feta cheese and parsley baked in layers of filo dough. Not a Greek food lover...you can always stick with a basic salad and steak. Definitely worth a drive into South City. -
Review from Erika W.
4/26/2011
I was considering Aya Sofia for a family dinner to celebrate my Grandparent's 60th Anniversary, so my husband and I stopped in one night on our own to check out the place first- determine if it was "right" for the people in my family who would be joining.
I have a feeling my lackluster star choice for Aya has to do with the hype I've been hearing for years. Everyone I know who's been raves about this place. I may have had my expectations set a tad too high?
We were there on a raining, cold evening. so there was no enjoying the adorable outside patio. Inside snugly booth for us- fine with me. The decor is cute, but again, after all the hype, not the level of ambiance I was expecting. The food, also, so-so. It was good, but nothing knocked our socks off.
We chose against having the anniversary dinner here, however I will give Aya Sofia another shot when the weather is nice and we can find a spot on the patio. -
Review from Chip K.
12/3/2010
Aya Sofia is the only Turkish restaurant in town, and the only one I've ever been to. Therefore, I have neither a basis for comparison nor a gauge of its authenticity. It seems to be a combination of typical Greek and Lebanese fare (makes sense, since Turkey is near both countries) with a few with a few added items that I haven't seen elsewhere.
We ordered the Borek ("spinach and feta cheese baked in filo dough") as an appetizer, and it was probably the best part of the meal in my opinion. Very good. It was served with a dipping sauce that reminded me too much of marinara, though.
For dinner, I had the Firinda Macarna ("baked spinach and feta cheese noodle casserole, served with a garlic, cumin tomato sauce"). I was expecting something really tasty, but I was let down. I thought it looked and tasted like a heap of noodles in a slightly spicy marinara sauce -- the cheese and spinach didn't add much to the dish and it was altogether kind of bland.
My wife ordered the moussaka, which I thought was somewhat better but not fantastic. She liked it, but she felt that the pearl couscous served alongside it was really bland.
She can't resist baklava, so we ordered it for dessert. It was unlike most baklava which I've had, which is overwhelmingly sweet. This wasn't nearly as sweet, and you could taste the nuts a lot more than in other baklavas I've had. Kind of a letdown, although maybe this is the way baklava is supposed to be. I have no idea. -
Review from Fred M.
Saint Louis, MO
Updated - 4/30/2011
Excellent food and service. What more could you ask for?
We've been here before and we'll be back!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/26/2011
This is a great place!
We went there a few weeks ago. It was the first time for our companions and… Read more »
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Review from Bubble P.
Miami Beach, FL
11/11/2011
The place is nice and seems always busy. Food was good but I didn't catch a lot of Mediterranean flavors. I had the lamb chops and felt like they were very over seasoned, but everything else tasted OK. Not the best Mediterranean food!
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Review from Abby S.
Every time I drive by Aya Sofia, I always comment on how cute it is and how I've never eaten here before. Well, I'm doing my best to eat and drink my way through every hot spot in St. Louis... and Aya Sofia was next on the list last night.
The ambiance alone garners a few stars. Small and intimate with fun decor... love the look. Too bad it was raining, otherwise I would have loved to sit on the patio. Zut alors! Inside was warm and cozy, though, and service was pretty fast.
Menu items were so-so. Nothing really jumped out at me, so I ordered the kabob special. When it came out, I was a tad surprised. Color me stupid, but don't most kabobs come on a stick? This was just a big long hunk of grilled sausage on top of a pita. Very phallic! It tasted OK, especially with the cucumber and pita. But my rice pilaf was overcooked and bland.
When the bill arrives I find that my hunk 'o' meat and sad pile of rice cost $21. Yikes! Definitely not worth the price.
Would I go back? For drinks, absolutely. For appetizers/small plate, too. But I wouldn't eat a full meal here - kind of overrated and overpriced. -
Review from Kim K.
4/6/2010 ROTD 1/27/2011
Mmmm....turkey. Wait! Where the hell's the turkey???
OK. I kid.
Aya Sofia is one of those restaurants that I always feel like I'm rediscovering. (In a good way)
Service--professional without being standoffish
Gluten free request--handled very well-the chef came out to the table to assure us that everything would be safe
Parking--they might be making a silent statement about rampant oil consumption in the U.S.--be prepared to do some street parking folks cause you probably ain't gonna score a parking spot here
Atmosphere--romantic and lush without being cheesy and over the top
Pre Dinner Cocktail--Meh...I wasn't that impressed with my drink or the one Jordan got--definitely not a deal breaker though
Food--color me impressed--every single thing that came to that table was excellent and prepared perfectly--on our last visit we had humus with veggies, karides sis kebab (shrimp that practically sings it's so damn good), fall off the freaking bone lamb shank, and steak that rivals some of the best I've had in St. Louis
Aya Sofia rocks.Listed in: Gluten Free in St. Louis
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Review from Jakki C.
Saint Louis, MO
12/29/2010
This place is great, the food and the atmosphere. It's a tad over priced, but what isn't these?
Inside the booths look the most desirable since they have sheer curtains and it's more private. The tables in the middle of the floor kind of make you feel like you are on display.
Out waiter was a bit quite and hard to really get him engaged in serving us. But we opted for hummus to start and each of us had an entree, mine was a veggie dish and my eating partner opted for chicken. It was good and we did not go all out and have dessert, but next time I will! -
Review from Brett B.
Saint Louis, MO
1/3/2011
A very cozy and romantic little dining room. The bar is off the entry and separated from the dining room (but also cozy as all getout). I've been here twice for special occasions and the place returned a nice evening both times. The staff was very courteous and attentive (I can't say enough good about the service we received), the food was good, and the prices were reasonable for such a nice place.
They also have a patio that looks very cool. Although, it faces Chippewa which could be a bit noisy. I've yet to sit out there.
I thought the appetizers were the best part (along with the specialty drinks), but the entrees were very good if not great. One minor quibble is that on one occasion there were side veggies with the entrees and they were nothing special and not really matched to the Turkish cuisine. They have a decent vegetarian selection of appetizers and entrees, though for us carniphobes. -
Review from Kelly R.
9/25/2009
I had a http://restaurant.com gift certificate to this place (I love those things!!) and my husband and I really enjoyed our experience, save for a minor issue.
We ordered the hummus to start because it's mediterranean, so how could we not?? It was highly enjoyable, though a little more on the tangy side than I'm used to. Maybe more lemon juice? They already give you pita bread and a tasty roasted pepper dip to start, so we wouldn't have needed to start with an app at all!
My husband ordered the rack of lamb, which he'd never had before. Risky move, in my opinion, but he totally loved it. Very moist, fall off the bone kind of meat. I don't like the flavor of lamb, so I ordered the fliet. Here was our small set-back.
I ordered my filet medium-rare because that's always been the best way to eat a good steak. However, when my meal arrived, I cut into it, and it looked raw. I'm not talking red, juicy, and tempting....I'm talking still felt like raw steak. Very gummy and pink. I thought maybe that was the way it was supposed to be, so I bit into it and thought I was going to be sick.
I've never given back anything before at a restaurant, so I felt really unfomfortable about it. The server was super apologetic and they cooked the meat through in a matter of a few minutes, so no harm, no foul.
Medium rare, though? That shouldn't be a tough request and if I'm paying $25 for this filet, it's going to be something I can stomach. After they brought it back, though, it was wonderful. Definitely not the best filet I've ever had, but worthy.
We had chocolate cake and baklava for dessert and both were heavenly!!
The atmosphere was romantic and hip and the whole place filled up by 8ish on a Tuesday! A great date spot, for sure! We also happened to go on a night where they were taking part in a charity for Children's Hospital, so some of our bill went to that. I really love when local joints take part in those charity nights.
I think baby t. put it really well that she'd always tag along to a place like this with no complaints, but that she wouldn't be the one to suggest it. I'd say that's how I feel about it. -
Review from Kevin H.
Tulsa, OK
8/23/2010
My wife and I stopped here for lunch primarily just because it was near Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. I was really not expecting it to be that great. Mediterranean restaurants tend to be kind of interchangeable and unremarkable. However, I was really surprised by how good the food was here. True, they did offer a lot of the standard Mediterranean restaurant items, i.e, gyros, kabobs, humus, tabuli, etc., but it was just so much more flavorful than most comparable restaurants. The humus was fantastic, and that is not a word that I frequently use to describe humus.
We had one of their appetizer platters that included humus, fried feta cheese, stuffed grape leaves, tabuli and pita. It was a huge pile of food and It was all delicious. We probably could have made our lunch out of just this appetizer platter. But we went ahead and got gyros as well. There was barely enough room left for Ted Drewes after we waddled out of here.
BTW, the tzatziki sauce at this place is really exceptional. -
Review from Lulu W.
Saint Louis, MO
2/18/2010
Picked by my Valentine, I got to try Aya Sofia for the first time on Valentine's day. We had the 3 course dinner with the sommelier wine pairing.
Because of the weather, this we were running a little behind, so we had a (weak ass) drink at the bar. We were able to score a cozy table by a window and only had to wait a few before we were taken to a pimp ass two person booth. Usually we're those sickening fuckers that sit together one side together, but not so this night. Even thought the place was packed, it still felt private, which is exactly what I was hoping for.
The appetizers were good. I did take one little bite of the grape leaves for a taste. They were beefy and oily and heavy, very unlike the light and lemony ones I prefer. There was a pastry type thing that was a little too doughy. But the shrimp. Oooo....the fucking shrimp kabob. I could write some preadolescent poetry about my love for that shrimp. It was just amazing. The salads came out very ceremoniously prepared. It looked like bouquet of salad fastened by a cucumber in the middle and accompanied by an assortment of amazing little olives.
By the time our entrees arrived I was getting full and I was wearing a dress I had to suck my tummy in to look good in. I ordered cheesy pasta with a Turkish (cumin) twist. It was a different take on pasta and extremely tasty. He was going to get the fish, but I talked him into getting the beef kabobs with potatoes (I mean, come on, who passes up meat on a stick?!). He got it medium rare and it looked like it was cooked perfectly. His eyes rolled into the back of his head like a shark when it bites into a baby seal. Translation: He was a happy man.
The wine pairing was done by a wine exert in the owner's family. It was very well-paired. All in all, it was a little pricey - 35 bucks for our two meals and 20 each for the wine pairing. It was worth it for this special occasion, though and we left still feeling the residual warmth of Turkish food in our (mostly) happy bellies.Listed in: Veggie Friendly St. Louis, Date Night, International STL, Stone's Throw
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Review from Raya K.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in St. Louis. The food and service is consistently beyond the 5 star rating in the most unpretentious, cozy and welcoming environment. Both my visits to the restaurant have been unreal experiences, and the guests I brought with me agree.
The Sigara Boregi is a must to order (think cigar or if you know Arabic, sigara actually means cigarette). It's rolled filo stuffed with feta served with a spicy dipping sauce. It sounds so simple, but it will be beyond your imagination!
As a pseudo vegetarian/pescatarian, the Imam Bayildi is the perfect dish in every way. Eggplant and tomatoes served with pearl couscous and veggies. Not to sound redundant, but unpretentious and yet still decadent. The pasta dish (also vegetarian), is also a great choice. I tasted my sister in law's and I couldn't stop eating it. I even managed to polish off her leftovers the next day!
If you can make it out of the restaurant with the temptation of Ted Drewes across the street, most definitely order the Firin Sutlac, a rice pudding that is dare I say, better than my mothers!Listed in: Best of STL fine dining
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Review from Al S.
7/26/2010 1 Check-in Here
This place is pretty adorable. I dined here for the last Dining Out for Live event and had a great experience. First of all, any restaurant or establishment that participates in Dining Out for Life is already a winner in my book. Aya Sofia is an excellent place for a nice, romantic date but with a little atmosphere and entertainment.
The atmosphere was rather unique - cozy but yet open. We were also graced with a belly dancer who entertained us while we waited for our food to be served. The food was delicious and loved the pita bread with Turkish salsa. I do plan to return to eat again very soon. The service was good. The prices are reasonable. Parking in the immediate lot can be a challenge, but there seemed to be ample parking in an adjacent (bank?) lot. -
Review from Aaron J.
Saint Louis, MO
6/21/2008
I was having diner the other night at Aya Sofia and I realized that I was having a great time. Yeah, you know those moments where you realize that everything is just going your way and couldn't be better. Everyone is having a good time, the atmosphere is great, and if everyone broke into song and dance, you wouldn't be surprised at all. In reality, if people broke out into song and dance, it probably would be nice and appropriate.
I had the Iskender. It was wonderful. The seasoned lamb and beef thinly sliced with tomatos and yogurt sauce was great. The meat was cooked just right. If you enjoy beef or lamb, then the Iskender is the way to go.
Aya Sofia is a nice place to go and priced very nicely. -
Review from Tor B.
Saint Louis, MO
2/21/2009
Aye yai yai, Aya Sofia.
Our Whirling Dervish began with a very long wait in the bar for our table for six. I found the host's incessant reminders with EVERY table that sat down before us, asking them "to be sure to close it out with the bartender before you sit down" was bit over the top. (I say, "Simmah down naw!")
We did sit eventually - and I paid the bartender as dictated. However, the larthargic service continued...but, enough about that.
The food was both good and authentic. Each dish was simple and elegant. The chef defiantly has an eye and a taste for what is truly Mediterranean. Serefe - Aya Sofia!
We'll be back...hoping for the same food and much better service. -
Review from Douglas S.
MO
8/10/2009
Three of us enjoyed our lunch at Aya Sofia. Best baba ganoush I have ever had - light, fluffy, and tasty. In fact, every thing was tasty - we ordered numerous small plates plus moussaka and stuffed grape leaves.
Another plus (but not very Turkish), the restaurant serves Chimoy beer from Belgium - in a proper goblet.
Note - Ted Drewes is virutally across the street in case you are not interested in a Turkish dessert. -
Review from Joselyn H.
Saint Louis, MO
8/21/2008
Had the best dinner I've had in awhile last night. I can't believe I have waited this long to try Aya Sofia. For dinner I ordered the Sebzeli Musakka, which is a vegetarian entree consisting of:
layers of sliced eggplant, potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and grated cheese baked and covered with tomato sauce, served with pearl cous-cous. It was also served some tasty green beans-a little oily but the spices were great. The Musakka was has little pockets of spicyness and was well seasoned. So, so good. There are a variety of vegetarian options-but if you don't like eggplant be forwarned, it's in almost every veggie dish. I love it though, so no complaints here. My friend had a salmon special they had, which she loved. -
Review from Sarah S.
I now know the definition of foodgasm: Aya Sofia! Mine is still lasting through today. I swear, I didn't even eat breakfast because I'm still full! And I'll be having my leftovers for lunch.
Last night was the best International Supper Club ever (and the most expensive!) Maybe those two things go hand in hand. It was worth it, no doubt about it.
Aya Sofia is so romantic and I'm glad I wasn't trying to have a romantic dinner for 2 while the loud group of 20 of us were there! I definitely would come back. Guys, I highly suggest you bring your partners here because you would get major brownie points!
The bar area is small and we quickly moved into the dining room as our numbers grew. There are lots of booths with gauzy curtains around them adding to the romantic ambiance. The patio looks lovely, if it weren't 20 degrees outside!
I ordered a "Lebanese Princess" cocktail, which is vodka, peach schnapps, apricot nectar and sparkling wine. YUM! It was so yummy that it convinced Erin G. to order 2. I would've if I didn't have to drive! It was a nice gesture to have carafes of water on the tables so we didn't have an empty glass, but since the service was so awesome I think we probably would have had full glasses anyway.
As many people mentioned, the service was impeccable. One of the best places I've been to in terms of service. Our waiter was super funny and nice, gave recommendations, and there were several people around to take care of our every need. Our food came out timed perfectly, even though we had about 20 people, so we were sitting forever waiting for our food while someone else had theirs or vice versa. Everyone was friendly and wonderful. I loved it! It went with the great ambiance.
As for the food - as I mentioned, major foodgasm. I tried several appetizers, including the hummus (creamy and with a nice kick to it, maybe roasted red peppers?), baba ganoush (not a big eggplant fan - liked the consistency, not chunky, but too oniony for me), yogurt dip that I forget the name of (creamy and tasty, though maybe not stand alone), and the feta and spinach in phyllo, which stole the show. They came looking like egg rolls (long tubes) but weren't greasy and the insides were oozy with feta. They came with this tangy delicious tomato based sauce that I loved! I think I would come here just for this dish. Props to them for having many vegetarian dishes! I ordered the spinach and feta noodle casserole for my entree (and could've done without since it was so much food). Its presentation was very nice, with parsley on top and green beans and carrots to the side. The veggies were perfectly cooked with a nice seasoning that I'd love the recipe for! The noodles had another tangy tomato sauce and did not skimp on the feta. A cheese lover's dream!
This is one of my fave new places. I can't WAIT to go back!!Listed in: Veg Friendly Ethnic Joints!, Fruity Cocktail-aholic!
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Review from Megan A.
1/19/2011 ROTD 9/25/2011
I'm a little biased about Turkish food, because I dated a turk at Wash U who spoiled me with authentic meals often. I knew that Aya Sofia was Americanized, because we went there together and he of course scoffed at the idea that it was food from his home country. But I'm not Turkish (and we stopped dating a long time ago) so I figured I'd go again sans critical boys with unrealistic expectations about MY home city!
I'm always impressed by any restaurant that offers so many veggie options that they earn their own section on the menu. Aya Sofia is no different, offering several veggie appetizers and dips, as well as 3 different vegetarian entrees, 1 a pasta, and 2 eggplant dishes. I ordered haydari, a yogurt dip with dill, mint, and garlic, and garnished with tomatoes, cukes, and kalamata olives, and served with warm pita bread. Eh. It was a bit bland for my taste, but ok. It definitely needed a bit of salt to bring out the flavors. Don't these people watch Top Chef? A little salt and pepper go a loooong way! It was a large portion though, as were all of the dips that my group ordered, which was nice because we were able to pass everything around. Because of this, I was able to try the hummus, and the babaghanoush, a pureed eggplant dip with tahini and garlic, which was by far the most flavorful, and my fav. And my sister ordered a hot appetizer, 4 fairly large philo dough "cigars" filled with dill and some type of cheese mixture, and accompanied by a tomato dipping sauce. She was nice enough to share one with her little sis, and it was also deeeelish! Definitely what I'd order next time.
My entree was the sebzell musakka, a layered eggplant dish with potatoes and veggies, covered in cheese and tomato sauce, and baked. It was served with a pearl couscous and green beans and carrots. The musakka was good, though too heavy on roasted red peppers for my taste. I really liked the couscous, though it was totally plain. And the veggies were covered in some sort of seasoning, which tasted garlicky (YES), and therefore amazing. They were a bit more crisp than al dente though, and could've used a bit more cooking time for my taste.
They brought all of us a tiny little dessert on the house, a baklava. I won't comment on the taste because I HATE baklava with a passion, but I mention it because it reflects how the service was all night. Our server was amazing and funny and handled 20 people flawlessly. When I packaged up my dip, they brought me a separate box with fresh pita to take home, which was really unexpected, because most places don't think of things like that unless asked.
Overall, the service and the quality of food make this place worth the visit, despite my previous experiences with the turk and a few mehs based solely on my preferences. It's really not that authentic (sorry)...but this is St. Louis! I wouldn't expect provel cheese or toasted rav in Turkey! It's good, so who cares?! -
Review from Mark S.
Wildwood, MO
8/9/2011
Excellent food and service. Fresh ingredients, knowledgeable staff who are humorous, that make the experience fun, more than just eating, more of a cultural experience.
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Review from Tanya M.
1/19/2011 ROTD 7/8/2011
i attended to international supper club on 1-18-2011.
first, i got the soup. it was a spicy vegetable soup. it was just OK. i could do without it. it was mostly broth.
for a main entree, i got swordfish kabobs and firinda macarna. the firinda macarna is penne noodles, spinach, cheese, and a tomato sauce the is baked. the swordfish was very good.
the service was very good. we were in a very large group the wait staff all chipped in to help each other out. the waiter and the lady i assume was the owner and/or manager came and asked several times if things were good and if we needed anything.Listed in: MY ROTD
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Review from Elizabeth H.
San Francisco, CA
1/2/2009
This place is sooooo good. We went at 7:30 or so on a Friday night and the place was only a third full--given, it was the day after Christmas, but that's still a little concerning.
I went with my sis and husband, ordered three small plates and an entree, and brought back about a third of the food as it was so filling. It didn't help that they started us off with a generous complimentary serving warm pita and super garlicky (never a bad thing in my world, generally) tomato dip. The prices aren't everyday, but given the quantity I'm guessing you could get by with 4 tapas for 3 people as a gauge.
Everything we ordered came with one (or both) of two sauces--a zesty tomato (zesty was their word, not mine, but pretty accurate as it was spicy but without heat), and tzatziki sauce. If you didn't find either of those palatable you might be out of luck.
The thing was a miss were the green beans that came on the entree--they were basically just oily without any other flavoring. Maybe it was an off night for those.
There was a belly dancer there that evening, which we've seen/done before elsewhere, so no biggie. Given the emptiness of the restaurant it probably seems like a much bigger deal when there are more people and energy available.
The wine list seemed interesting but a little pricey. My sis had a cocktail that was tasty, or at least it was from the sip of it I had.
As other people indicated, the vegetarian options are plentiful and amazing.
