Sofia's Kitchen & Bar

Come and get taken care of by Sofia's Kitchen, and particularly, her staff. Lakewood's newest restaurant mixes woodsy lounge with sports bar, and tops it off with the most charming front of house staff ever. We came on a busy Friday night and got to enjoy a corner table, where we could fully appreciate the luxurious heavy curtains framing the giant windows. The hefty silverware and warm windows add to a vintage lounge feel. But on the opposite side of the dining room, two large TVs and modern lighting offer those who enjoy sports bars a home as well. The theme seems just to be "keep it fun" - look to the bathroom stalls for a cute use of quirky porcelain doorknobs as coat hooks, and a seahorse wall ornament, just because. Everyone we met, from the hostess to the servers keeping our waters constantly topped off and especially our server who had the best comeback lines, was a treat to talk to. The menu is short and sweet, with lamb-lovers getting a particular nod. Gluten-free and vegan options are clearly labeled. Drinks (including non-alcoholic cocktails) are on the back of the main menu, and a separate wine menu was provided on seating. I especially liked their inclusion of orange/natural wines. The starters were our favorites, with tasty Mussels and Chickpea Battered Veggies (that crunch!) shining through. The Deviled Eggs and Shepard's Fries were a little on the saltier side, which was a theme that continued into the entrees. While my Spice Rubbed Charred Chicken Thighs were super moist and tender, they were overseasoned and the arugula drowned in balsamic to the point that I found it hard to finish my dishes. The Lamb and Anna Burgers were good, not great, and Pork Prime Rib an oversized attempt at winning stomachs over from a traditional beef prime rib. Portions were decent, but we found ourselves not being able to drink enough water to keep the salt-induced cottonmouths away. Lots of promise with Sofia's, especially with their staff making every moment feel like home. Hoping that they change around the menu and adjust the sauce levels for future dining.