![some kind of double mousse thing [chocolate & white chocolate]](http://s3-media1.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/7PthaW-R95A2mTalCLFBMA/xss.jpg){kind=small}
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Sofia Ristorante
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
12 reviews for Sofia Ristorante
12 reviews in English
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Review from Jake J.
MA
10/26/2011
We've dined at Sofia's three times in the past six years. This time we had a http://Restaurant.com coupon, but will go back again. To be concise, the food is excellent, but the atmosphere needs work. I had the Veal and Beef Tortellacci with sausage meat. I could have eaten three servings of this meal it was so good, but the portion size was perfect. My wife had Seafood fettuccine & calamari and shrimp. She also loved her meal. However, the next day, she did have intestinal issues. She blamed the meal, but could not be certain. With dinner, we had a bottle of Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti 2009. A pleasurable wine to go along with our meals. We had coffee and profiteroles covered in chocolate for dessert. The coffee was bold and tasty, but the profiteroles were somewhat dry. The server, Mike, was very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. For the atmosphere, the lighting is too bright and the music was not enjoyable. It would be simple to dim the lights a bit and put on some traditional Italian instrumental music instead of pop music. Overall the experience was enjoyable, but it could have been better. As a result, we will probably wait another year to visit again.
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Review from rita g.
Hudson, MA
8/13/2011
Not bad at all! I wish I would've purchased the discount coupon! I have lived in Hudson on and off for the past 24 years. A 3 year steady resident, I have been a patron at Vics Diner, Micky D's, Dunkin Dougnuts, Fengs (YUM), Chloe (nice!), and had never been to Sofia. Following a leisurely walk downtown, we decided to trek in after a quick Yelp glance. I have to agree with my fellow Yelpers, that a coupon will come in handy. Considering its location, it is a bit pricey. However, the portions are hearty and service is super friendly (but we will discuss Vincenzo the owner after we talk FOOD). We weren't too hungry, so we split the duck breast and gorgonzola salad - enough to share. Duckling breast was cooked perfect, but it was a bit bland (tad needed salt!) and the salad had a bit too much gorgonzola (I CANT BELIEVE I JUST SAID THAT!). Presentation was a bit "sloppy" but certainly not unforgivable. A bit pricey at $13.50, but certainly shared by 2, so all in all, not bad. Considering the number of the mussel dishes that went by... I should've ordered them! No plate that went by was skimpy. We also split the special - hand cut home made pasta cooked perfectly (albeit a bit salty) with the sauce perfectly sticking to the pasta, with eggplant and finished with ricotta salata. Came out piping hot, very soul satisfying, and again, large enough to share. Very good even if the pasta water had been a bit over salted. Our servers Kate and Mike were SUPER nice, friendly, warm and inviting. Very helpful and attentive. Restaurant wasn't super busy, but there was enough traffic to know the locals know a hearty meal not far from home. We tried the tiramisu - it was ok, nothing to really get excited about, not too sweet, but it is the chef's interpretation and because it is prepared in house, it is crafted as if they were serving their family. As for Vincenzo, the owner.... Well, suffice to say, at first impression you would think he belongs to the clan that knows where Hoffa's body is... or one of those "soprano stereotypes" with hooks in the freezer and the dude who didn't like his food is hanging... He was too busy to chitchat... HA! I did see him crack a smile at a table, perhaps regulars. He is an intimidating, scary fella.... Should stay in the back! However, don't let that crusty "guido" exterior fool you - he is attentive to every detail, and the cleanliness of the dark establishment tells you that he is proud of his ownership, and more than likely enjoys his own food!
I don't consider it "fine" dining by my definition. It is casual dining, prepared in a home-style way, cooked to order, and hearty - food you would expect to eat at your italian auntie's house (assuming you have one). Home cooking is subject to interpretation, and theirs not a bad bet at all. The regulars seem to know it, and are happy with Sofia. So am I. Not a bad place for an evening out during a stroll. -
Review from Betsy K.
Nashville, TN
6/1/2011
We had a $25 http://restaurant.com coupon so we went to eat here. We live in town and had been meaning to try it for some time. The place is in a bit of a odd location, I don't normally think of Main St. in Hudson as a prime place for fine dining, but I was pleasantly surprised. I have to say the food was first rate! We had the bruschetta as an appetizer and then I had the gnocchi alla sorrentina for dinner. Both were excellent. We ordered a cannoli for dessert, which wasn't perhaps as good as the meal, but still quite good. Perhaps the only slightly negative thing was the that the waiter was a bit impersonal, but the service was still very good and very prompt. Definitely recommend this as great Italian fare outside of Boston, though it is a little pricey!
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Review from Vivian C.
8/6/2008 5 photos
Thanks to Ruben B.'s review, Sofia's had a gaggle of gals descend upon them one Saturday evening. We called ahead to see whether they would be okay with us just stopping by for dessert and they were fine with it.
Service was pleasant, while dessert was yummy and enjoyed by all (panna cotta drizzled with a chocolate or fudge sauce, bomba - served quartered, some kind of double mousse thing [chocolate & white chocolate], a lemon cake of sort... ranging from $7-9 apiece). We closed the place down, and were treated to a tiramisu gratis, with spoons enough for the whole table. It was cute - served in a coffee cup with a swirl of whipped cream on top, and dusted with cocoa powder.
I'm sure any of us would go again if we were in the neighborhood - too bad it is so far away! -
Review from Ruben B.
Hudson, MA
9/29/2007
My wife and I only had dessert here, but we slipped into a different mode after the first spoonful of Sofia's dessert.
My wife had a liquorless Tiramisu with the perfect amount of espresso. The creamy cinnamon espresso rounded flavor lingered long enough to say, "mmmmm".
I had a lemon sorbet in a champagne glass. The sorbet seemed to isolate the lemon essences and refreshing flavors one spoonful at a time. -
Review from FoodCritic L.
Westborough, MA
3/27/2011
Good food, but pricey.
Definitely an excellent place to take a date. -
Review from Sue B.
Boston, MA
2/22/2010
As a make up Valentine's Day dinner, went there with someone special last Sat night. Place was quiet. The owner came over many times to socialize and we also met the cook.
The food was well worth the $. The owner asked the chef to prepare something different for my date. He got Fresh home made sausage with red sauce (gravy) and it was incredible-and I don't even like sausage.
I got the spicy Lobster Ravioli and its was excellent. Looking forward to going back. FYI they have 20% off their menu prices if you get take out. -
Review from X to the Z M.
Boylston, MA
8/22/2010
Quality food takes time to cook and they do it right. Great non-chain environment in downtown Hudson. Best part: unlike most chain eats you don't have to scream to have others hear you.
Pros:
Food very well prepared and composed. Excellent array of flavors.
Good portion sizes.
Nice quiet atmosphere, yet not awkwardly empty.
Cons:
Runs a little pricey given the location and environment.
2 out of 4 dishes were sitting in kitchen for ~5 minutes waiting to be served. -
Review from Tiff D.
3/4/2009
Waaayyyy overpriced. I went there for dinner with my boyfriend on a satruday night. The place was dead empty. The food concept was great...real north end style italian food but the taste wasnt there. Bland and very overpriced. I got a fish dish 35$ a plate. We also got an average bottle of overpriced wine. All together the night ended up being a 200$ night. Id suggest spending that money in the north end. Because of the prices, I wont be going back there.
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Review from dave b.
Bolton, MA
5/28/2011
Love this place. Everything is made to order so it's always fresh. I think that the price is $$ not $$$ and it's certainly fine for children. The are also willing to adjust their recipes if they can. Their flexibility is great.
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Review from Mary S.
Hudson, MA
9/24/2011
We have been faithful customers of Sophia's since they opened, at first because we wanted to patronize our local businesses, Now we go because we always have a wonderful meal. We just went again tonight after a few months hiatus due to summer grilling and were happy to be back. Vincenzo changed up the menu and it looks great! I had the veal fagotinni (?sp) which was one of the best veal dishes I have ever had. The veal was extremely tender and folded over cheese and parma ham with a light sauce with grilled eggplant and zucchini and roasted potatoes. It was so delicious I almost ate it all. My husband invariably has the lasagna, which I never make at home, and it is always outstanding. The interior isn't great; if only they would paint those dark ceilings and the wood walls a lighter color it would make all the difference in the world. Thanks Vincenzo for giving Hudson a taste of what Hudson's founding fathers ate in their homes.
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Review from Seth W.
Hudson, MA
2/17/2010
Heading out for our day-after-Valentine's-Day dinner, we had intended to go to Chloe down the street, but it was closed. So, we drove by Sofia, and since we saw a good handful of people inside, decided to give it a shot.
Here's a quick run-down of the experience:
Service: Our waiter, who we believed to be the owner, could have been a bit friendlier. Not that he was unfriendly, but there was very little conversation beyond "are you ready to order"? This place could definitely benefit from a more outgoing host/waiter.
Appetizer: Prosciutto di Parma with fresh mozzarella. Awesome. The prosciutto was the real thing, and the mozzarella tasted like it had been made in house. Downsides were that it was a bit pricey for the portion, and it was served on a bed of shredded iceberg lettuce.
Main Courses: Fresh Tagliolini with Meat Sauce, Fettucine with Shrimp and Calamari. Both were very authentic dishes, the fresh pasta was nice, and the meat sauce was a good mixture of beef, veal, and pork. Seafood was fresh and cooked right.
Dessert: Panna cotta - yum.
Price: Not too bad... we split a glass of wine, but with appetizer, main course, and a split dessert, it was $69 before tip.
Overall: It's a shame that a place like this is struggling, because it really does provide a good, authentic Italian meal. Make the service/atmosphere a little more inviting, and it should bounce back nicely when the economy picks back up. We'll definitely go back.
