Sofi Restaurant, a Los Angeles mainstay serving Greek eats for more than three decades, this week was reborn as Tabla By Sofi.
The restaurant, which closed its doors last year, at 8030 W 3rd Street #3/4, and was later replaced by Bacari, quietly reopened Monday, October 28 under the new name and concept, Owner Vaughan Whittingham in a telephone interview Wednesday told What Now Los Angeles.
While Tabla By Sofi is currently serving lunch and dinner, at 8108 W. 3rd Street, it won’t officially “soft open” until November 10.
This isn’t the first time Sofi has been on the move. The restaurant more than three decades ago was originally situated on Beverly.
Whittingham says the moves have been prompted by increasing rents.
In its new space and under the new name, Whittingham and his team will focus on “providing the good service and good food our guests are used to but with a modern touch.”
“It’s the same team, the same food, just with a facelift,” Whittingham said.
Currently, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner, but the plan is to add a “nightlife component” from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.
“We plan to create a place to come and eat, have fun, and get drinks late,” Whittingham said.
On the menu are starters like the Fasolia Gigantes (Greek giant beans sauteed with red onions, tomatoes, and Greek herbs) for $10, cold apps including Dolmathes Yalantzi (rice and herbs rolled in grape leaves) for $8, and soups and salads.
Larger-sized entrees served for dinner include Salonika Shrimp (sauteed jumbo shrimp in a tomato-herb sauce with imported Greek feta) for $29, a Lamb Souvlaki (marinated grilled lamb skewered with sweet onion and peppers) for $28, and Tabla Tigani Chicken Special (sauteed chicken breast with mushrooms, sweet onion, and wine cream sauce) for $25.
